Paradigms of “Sephardic and Oriental” Jews:Migration, Social Change, and Identification

The dramatic exodus during the twentieth century of most Jews from Islamic countries ended many centuries of a rich and vibrant civilization in those Middle Eastern and North African locales. Relocation mostly occurred to countries in Western Europe, North America, and Latin America, as well as to Israel. Two major challenges followed, involving socioeconomic integration and the identification and self-perceptions of the migrants and their descendants in the new locales. This chapter discusses the rationale behind and the legitimacy of the prevailing definitions of the group referred to as “Sephardic and Oriental” Jews. This is followed by a short analysis of the nature, persistence, and closure of socioeconomic gaps emerging from the history of the migrant communities and their encounter with other immigrants and veteran Jewish populations in the main areas of resettlement. The recent role of “Sephardic and Oriental” Jews in revitalizing contemporary Jewish life is part of this reflection.