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Project Update
December 2015
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Dear Friends and Supporters of CVJHP,
We are delighted to present you with a video update of our documentation, restoration and preservation activities during 2015. See CVJHP historian Ângela Sofia Benoliel Coutinho as she conducts research in Morocco and Gibraltar; watch as Cape Verdeans of Jewish descent marvel at the sights and sounds of their forebears' native Morocco; see the hard-working staff of the Cape Verdean National Archives (
ANCV) who are embarking on the organization and classification of documents critical to creating a richer portrait of the Jews of Cape Verde; witness WMF preservation expert Ben Jeffs as he provides needed expertise regarding sensitive repairs on the Boa Vista Jewish cemetery and offers crucial recommendations regarding maintenance and signage for all four Jewish cemeteries. The implementation of these recommendations will ensure the long-term preservation of the Jewish sites and guarantee successful cultural tourism which will contribute to Cape Verde's economic development, one of CVJHP's goals.
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Ines Wahnon de Oliveira Lima, João Manuel (Cohen), and Lucy Brigham in Mindelo July
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Documentation & Restoration Efforts
By creating "family profiles" Ângela, our historian, is sharing the fruits of her meticulous archival and oral research with many descendants of the major Jewish families: Brigham, Cohen, Wahnon, Benros, Levy, Anahory, Auday and others, so they can help fill in the gaps. To all descendants: PLEASE SHARE YOUR MEMORIES, PHOTOS and ARTIFACTS with us so Ângela can write a more accurate portrait of your ancestors and their contributions to Cabo Verde. Her work will culminate in articles and a book and contribute to the creation of a small museum about the Jewish presence in the islands. Thanks to advice dispensed by WMF preservation expert and archaeologist Ben Jeffs,
contractor and descendant Israel Benholiel of Delta Contruções, is working on mitigating tombstone erosion in the Boa Vista cemetery. We are also delighted to announce that Sofia de Oliveira Lima, a proud descendant of the Wahnon family, is the new CVJHP representative in Praia.
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Judite Lima Barros, great grand-daughter of Isaac Benoliel
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Thank you to CVJHP Donors and Volunteers
This year CVJHP welcomes a new donor: The US Embassy in Praia, which is helping to underwrite our research/documentation partnership with ANCV. A special thanks to Ambassador Donald Heflin for his commitment to CVJHP's mission. We reiterate our gratitude to H.M. King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Mr. S. Daniel Abraham and the World Monuments Fund for their ongoing support of restoration and research efforts. We also salute the Ministry of Migration and Moroccans Living Abroad, especially Minister Anis Birrou and Mme. Ghita Mdarhri Alaoui, for their generosity and hospitality during our visit in June. I also wish to thank the volunteers "behind-the-scenes" who give of their time and technical expertise to manage the website and produce videos: Deb Sher and Gary Jaffe. We greatly appreciate their selflessness and dedication to the Project. CVJHP also values its extraordinary executive and honorary board members. This year a special salute to Allan Reich, Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, for his steadfast financial support and counsel. Kudos also to CVJHP Vice President John C. Wahnon and to Rafael Benoliel de Carvalho, architect of the Boa Vista cemetery restoration project, for their consistent dedication and dependability.
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Between Mindelo & Santo Antão
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Make Your Tax Deductible Gift Today
As you finalize your charitable giving, do not forget to make a tax-deductible donation to CVJHP, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Your funds go straight to our project implementation. The Sephardim who immigrated to Cape Verde in the 19th century contributed enormously to the archipelago's development. Please help CVJHP honor their memory by preserving their burial grounds and documenting their legacy.
With much gratitude and mantenhas,
Carol Castiel, President, CVJHP Inc.
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