By Joshua Rosenstein, Assistant Editor, JTNews
This November,
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain came to Seattle to
view the
Spain in the Age
of Exploration 1492-1819
exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. On November 21, they
hosted a reception for Spanish nationals at the Sheraton
Hotel. Rabbi Salomon Cohen-Scali of Seattles Congregation
Ezra Bessaroth attended the reception with his wife and had
the opportunity to chat with the king and queen.
It wasnt a
private invitation, said Rabbi Cohen-Scali, We were at the
reception along with a few hundred other Spaniards. I just
stepped forward and started talking to them, I dont want
people to think I had some sort of private audience.
Nonetheless,
Cohen-Scali took the opportunity to talk to the king about
his upcoming trip to Spain. In conjunction with the
Sephardic Brotherhood, Cohen-Scali is organizing a trip to
take place next fall, commemorating 100 years of Sephardic
presence in Seattle. Participants will visit the original
roots of Sephardic heritage and tour major Jewish sites
throughout Spain. Cohen-Scali said the king seemed intrigued
by the idea.
King Juan Carlos
is greatly respected and revered by the Spanish people,
according to Cohen-Scali. It was the king who established
Spain as a parliamentary monarchy upon succeeding dictator
Francisco Franco in 1975.
In a way, he is
the father of Spanish democracy, the rabbi said. The king
holds maximum authority and signs all state documents, but
as a parliamentary monarchy, Spain also has a prime minister
and parliament. The king holds a similar role to the
president of Israel, he added.
The current royal
family has proven respectful and sympathetic to the Jewish
community. King Juan Carlos made an official visit to the
Jewish community in 1992, and standing in a synagogue, he
publicly reversed the edict of expulsion made by King
Ferdinand in 1492 and made apologies to the Jewish
community.
The Jewish
community in Spain today is growing rapidly. A large influx
of Jewish immigrants from South American countries like
Argentina and Venezuela is swelling the synagogues and
Jewish schools.
Queen Sofia was
fascinated to learn that a vibrant Greek-Rhodesli community
lives in Seattle. She asked to hear more about them, and
later requested contact information from the rabbi so she
might consult with him further.
It was very
exciting, said Cohen-Scali. I walked up and told him that
I represented a Jewish, Sephardic community here in Seattle
and that we had roots in Greece and recite certain prayers
in Ladino. He was very interested and told me to contact him
as soon as the details of our trip are confirmed. He said
that if his schedule permits he would like to have an
audience with the Seattle tour group once we arrive in
Spain.
Im not sure it
will happen, said Rabbi Cohen-Scali, but I will certainly
try. It would add a really special element to the trip.