MADRID (EJP)---The “modern” Jewish community in Madrid, capital of Spain, dates back to 1914. With the outbreak of World War I, there was an influx of Jewish refugees from the countries that were at war.
In 1917 the first synagogue was founded, and the official creation of the “Israelite Community of Madrid” (in 2001 this was changed to “Jewish Community of Madrid” (JCM) took place three years later.
The Constitution in effect during the Second Republic (1931-36) guaranteed freedom of religion, and in 1933 Jewish refugees from Nazism began to arrive.
After the Republican government was defeated by Franco’s Nationalists (allied with Hitler and Mussolini) in the Civil War (1936-39), he synagogue was closed and Catholicism was proclaimed the official State religion.
The independence of Morocco in 1956 prompteda new influx of Jews from the former Spanish protectorate.
It was not until 1959 that a small synagogue was opened in an apartment in the center of Madrid. In 1965 the community opened a school, which serves children from pre-school through secondary.
Two years later, the Spanish government passed the “Religious Freedom” law, and Beth Yaacov Synagogue was built and opened in 1968.
The JCM also has its own cemetery and recreational facility on the outskirts of Madrid.
The community today
Until the mid-seventies, the majority of Madrid’s Jews were Sephardic, of Moroccan origin.
The 1976 military coup in Argentina, and economic strife in subsequent decades, caused thousands of Jews from the south-American country to settle in Spain. These are mostly secular and of Ashkenazi origin.
Because so many of Madrid’s Jews are not affiliated with any Jewish organization, it is difficult to calculate their number.
The Jewish community numbers around 14,000 people, of a total of 60,000 in the entire country.
Jewish Madrid today
Unfortunately, there are no longer any historical Jewish sites in Madrid. The neighborhoods where Jewish quarters were located before the Expulsion in 1492 now show no evidence of their Jewish past.
Jewish Organizations
Beth Yaacov Synagogue, at 3 Balmes Street (phone: +34) 91-591-3131) is still the main Orthodox synagogue and houses the offices of the JCM as well as the rabbinate, mikveh (ritual bath), library, and space for cultural activities.
Congregation Bet-El, founded in 1991, is affiliated with the Masorti (Conservative) movement. Their membership of about 80 families are mostly of Argentinian Ashkenazi origen. They host weekly Kabbalat Shabat services as well as other activities. For more information, go to their website: .www.bet-el.org
Kosher restaurants
There are two kosher restaurants in Madrid; both specialize in Sephardi-style food:
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LA ESCUDILLA
Santisima Trinidad, 16
Madrid, 28010 Spain (Chamberi).
Tel: (+34) 91-445-7380
website:
email:
Around the corner from Beth Yaacov Synagogue. For more information (in English) and to see their menu, go to their website.
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NAOMI GRILL RESTAURANT
Pensamiento, 25
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (+34) 91-571-6923
website:
email:
Go to their website for information and menu (click on “Cartas”, not “menu”) in English.
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Food stores
There are two kosher grocery stores in Madrid, where you can buy meat as well as other products. Both are very near the Beth Yaacov Synagogue:
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Carnicería Elias
Viriato, 35
28010 Madrid
(+34) 91-446-7847
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Carnicería Shalom
Medellíín, 13
28010 Madrid
(+34) 91-445-5296
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Challah can be ordered (by phone, in Spanish) on Thursday for Friday pick-up at:
Orio Bakery
29 Bravo Murillo Street
(+34) 91-445-8744
In addition, the supermarket in the Castellana and Sanchinarro branches of El Corte Ingles department store has a fairly ample kosher section.