Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

Hear, O Israel:

the Lord is our God,

the Lord is one.

Hear, O Israel:

the Lord is our God,

the Lord is one.

Peace be with you Rabbi. How are you Excellency?

God will have mercy on His people.

King Manuel orders the Jews

and the Moors to leave this Kingdom

by the end of the month of October of the year 1497

on pain of death and of losing all their worldly goods

to their accusers.

We will leave Portugal with few if any belongings.

We will face journeys and tribulations as we attempt

to join the Jewish communities of the Ottoman Empire, Morocco,

and of many other places.

Many of us will die along the way.

Others, many others, may actually never leave Portugal

for they lack the means to do so.

They will stay behind, compelled to forget the Law of Moses.

Peace unto you, ministerial angels,

messengers of the Highest,

from the King, king of kings,

the holy, blessed He.

May your coming be to peace, envoys of the peace,

messengers of the Highest,

from the King, king of kings,

the holy, blessed He.

- Peaceful Sabbath! - Peaceful Sabbath!

Good evening, everyone!

It's a pleasure having you here.

My wife Lea and I, and our children, Nuno and Miriam, welcome you.

- Blessed are those who come. - Thank you very much!

I know that many of you don't understand Portuguese very well,

but I will speak slowly.

A great Jewish community once lived in this city

made up of dedicated Jewish men

who were very capable and helped build it.

Oporto owes them a lot.

Unfortunately,

it was all in vain.

With the Edict of expulsion and the inquisition,

the Jews were forced to leave the country.

Our symbols were erased.

Officially, Judaism ceased to exist.

But take heart,

brothers and sisters.

Today is a historic day.

Today, there is once again a Jewish community in Oporto.

We're all here celebrating the Sabbath.

I have already spoken to Menasseh Ben Dov.

We are going to register our community.

And we are going to rent a flat

that will be our synagogue in the near future.

Brothers and sisters,

we are the Jews of this city.

Furthermore, we represent the Jews in the north of Portugal.

For this reason, brothers of faith,

I want to take a moment

to make a toast.

- To life! - To life!

May His great name be exalted and sanctified.

Amen!

In the world which He created according to His will,

may He establish His kingdom. - Amen!

And may His salvation blossom and His anointment be near.

Amen!

Good signs and good luck Good luck and good signs

Good signs and good luck Good luck and good signs

Good signs and good luck Good luck and good signs

For us

For us

And all Israel

For us, for us And all Israel

Good signs And good luck

Good luck And good signs

Good signs And good luck

Good luck And good signs

I ask you to keep secret what I'm about to tell you.

What has happened, captain?

It would seem that a Polish engineer and a priest from Bragança

have just announced to the world the existence of secret Jews.

The existence of secret Jews?

Here?

In Portugal?

Here.

Living in Belmonte and in some villages in the north of Portugal.

They're still practicing their rituals in secret in their own homes.

But they go to church as a cover.

They're afraid.

In that case, it's our duty to protect them.

I don't know.

- I've been thinking... - What about, captain?

I should join them.

Meet them in their villages.

I think that would be fair.

It would cause an enormous sentimental impact

in Sephardic communities around the world.

Menasseh Kniszinsky Ben Dov and Branca Roskin

were married on the 15th of Av.

- Do you know what day this is? - Of course, Vladimir.

It's the most important day on the Hebrew calendar.

It's the day Messiah reveals himself to his bride and betroths her.

Very well.

I've got a question, Vladimir.

Why did I choose a Sephardic ketubah and not an Ashkenazi one?

That's a curious thing.

You and Branca are Ashkenazi.

Your parents are Ashkenazi.

I don't know the answer to that.

When I came to Oporto,

I was on my way to the United States.

But I had some problems with my visa, so I stayed here.

Today I'm celebrating the city's traditional Sephardic ritual.

Just like four centuries ago.

And four hundred years after the Jews were expelled.

This is Oporto's first Jewish wedding.

- The very first one. - That explains it.

I believe the rabbis of Gibraltar.

But the Jewish communities of Oporto and Lisbon will never see eye to eye.

- Gentlemen, may I? - Sure.

Have a drink with us.

- Thank you. - Have a seat.

What a lovely celebration and a lovely day!

Gentlemen...

- To life! - To life!

Good evening, gentlemen.

You can't imagine what I've just found out.

It looks like there are more Jews in the city.

I'm going to look for them tomorrow.

That's a surprise, captain.

But who are these men?

They're Crypto-Jews.

They're Marranos.

The Crypto-Jews have lived in Portugal for the past 400 years.

They have never lost faith in our God.

And they have never stopped practicing our rituals.

That's hard to believe.

They have always married within their families and continue to do so.

Cousins have been marrying cousins for centuries.

Let's suppose these men are Jews, captain.

How do we know they'll understand our rituals?

First of all, we need to confirm that they are in fact hidden Jews.

Then, with your consent,

I would like it very much if they took part in our prayers.

Finally, we'll see whether they understand our rituals or not.

Blessed forever is His praised Name.

A Torah of truth God gave His nation.

Blessed forever is His praised Name.

Tomorrow the religious service will be at nine o'clock.

Brothers,

Peaceful Sabbath!

How are you feeling? This is your home too.

- Very good. - It was a nice service.

I was in Heaven, sir. I can't explain it.

But we can't sing like that.

Your language and your prayers are so different.

It's very hard. It's nothing like what we do.

- It's like two different religions. - Listen to me...

You don't need to sing or pray like us and you'll be treated the same.

All you need is the covenant of circumcision.

Your circumcision.

I don't understand.

You're Jews because your mothers were Jews.

But you must be circumcised.

Only the circumcised can be a part of the people of Israel.

Don't worry about it for now, we'll take care of everything.

Come in, brothers.

Can we light a candle?

We're already in the Sabbath.

We can only light fire before the Sabbath.

We usually light a candle to welcome the day of the Lord.

So do we.

Judaism is just the same. We do the same to welcome the Sabbath.

But please take a seat.

Lea has actually lit the candles.

She lit them 18 minutes before the Sabbath.

I lit four candles as always.

That's how we welcome and honor the Sabbath.

I lit four candles

because there are four souls in this house.

Aren't you going to say a few words before?

Of course. There must be a blessing.

May we know how it goes?

We praise you, Eternal God,

Sovereign of the Universe,

who makes us holy with commandments,

and commands us to kindle the Sabbath lights.

It's very nice.

- We don't do it that way. - We do it differently.

So, how do you welcome the Sabbath?

- Do you really want to know? - Of course.

Say your prayer. Say it all together.

Blessed Be the Lord, God Almighty,

who has sent us and entrusted us with His blessed and Holy orders.

That we light this sacred candle

so that we may illuminate and celebrate the Lord's Holy night,

so that the Lord will lighten our soul

and free us from guilt, punishment, and sin. Amen!

Lord, go to Heaven, reach Heaven.

Brothers,

what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

Don't you agree, Lea?

Good morning, captain!

- What a surprise! - I have news for you, my dear Menasseh.

- Good or bad news? - Very good news, I believe.

- But we had better go in. - Sure, come on in.

Listen to this.

Next month, Mr. Lucien Wolff will arrive in Portugal from London.

He's a representative of the Anglo-Jewish Association.

He will be with us for a whole month.

And what brings him here?

A report.

A report?

A report on Crypto-Jews.

Basically, he wants to know whether it'll be worth

the international Jewish community taking an interest in our cause.

It looks like the Jewish world is clearly not convinced

that our hidden brothers and sisters need our help.

So, does it all depend

on this Wolff's opinion?

Yes.

That's a great responsibility!

How was you trip, Sr. Lucien Wolf?

Did it go well?

Yes. Thank you Captain.

It was a very fruitful journey, I gathered valuable information.

The key question is, whether they follow the rule of maternal descent.

This issue, is unavoidable.

Now...

A long time has passed. There are no records.

And they themselves don't know.

I sincerely believe that they have.

You see, these communities, they have always very much kept to themselves.

And they have always inter-married.

Mr. Wolf, I hope your report gets the impact it deserves.

And that it brings more Jewish organizations to our side.

In Fact...

This should be a joint task.

I'll do my best.

But you must know that in London and elsewhere,

The Jews are deeply divided on this matter.

Many believe that the Portuguese crypto-Jews,

are lost to the Jewish people.

Yes, yes. I know that.

But I also know that many others

feel that they should be rescued.

With your help Sr. Lucien Wolf,

we will get there.

The rescue of the Portuguese crypto-Jews

will become reality.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

My deer Paul Goodman.

My dear Abraham Cohen.

It is an honor to welcome you here.

Please sit down.

I believe, you've read my report.

I cannot get the journey I made out of my mind.

It was very emotional.

And quite striking.

These are indeed, crypto-Jewish communities.

And note, how the word ends.

Jew.

I totally agree.

This project deserves our support.

And the creation of the Portuguese Marranos committee in the city,

will be vital for the work of redemption.

The Captain is a determined man,

who will be able to do the job successfully.

Yes, we're very luck to count on

an Army Captain.

Captain Barros Basto Morova.

He is the head of the Jewish community of Porto.

Precisely the community, that is geographically the closest

to the villages that have crypto-Jewish communities.

And what about you Abraham?

I can see you disagree.

Your expression speaks for itself.

I am so sorry to disappoint you.

But I am against this project.

I have knowledge that, it is all very fine.

Very romantic. Quite wonderful.

After centuries people still pray in the mountains of Portugal.

Families who endured the Edith of Expulsion.

The persecutions that followed. The inquisition.

All that. Yes, yes.

But, frankly...

we are not talking about Jews.

That's where you're wrong.

They are Jews. Hidden Jews.

No.

No.

I believe we should make a distinction,

Between crypto-Jews and Marranos.

We, I, or you,

could be crypto-Jews if we lived in a country

where the Jews were persecuted and we had to hide

our religion and our nature.

Marranos, on the otherhand,

are people who are completely ignorant about Judaism.

Well that's not quite so simple if you had seen what I saw.

Marranos, are Marranos.

People who are definitely of Jewish origin,

but who abandoned Judaism centuries ago.

What they practice is not Judaism,

but rather Marranism.

A separate religion.

They pray to Adonai, true.

But...

What about everything else?

Marranism, has little to do with Judaism.

In fact, there's a lot of Christianity in it.

Primitive, almost childlike writing,

all in Portuguese.

The Marranos will never understand, and adapt

to the strict requirements of our religion,

our culture, and our history.

I think you are insinuating that all Marranos

are villagers, and

as such, completely ignorant.

To the point that they are intellectually incapable of understanding our history.

And Judaism as we practice it.

That is exactly what I think.

But Abraham,

how wrong you are.

They're not stupid.

They are quite capable of learning.

I stand by my words.

And I'll go even further.

The Marranos wish to fulfill the demands of their religion.

Not the many religious obligations of Judaism.

The rigor of Shabbat.

Mickve, kashrut, fasting.

So many rules to follow.

So...

You totally disagree with the rescue project.

Yes.

I've already said so.

It's a mistake.

A Foley.

A waste of time and money.

But my dear Abraham.

We must do our duty no matter the result.

These people descend from the Jewish people.

They are the victims of the fires of inquisition-

All Portuguese descend from the Jews.

And yest that does not mean that we can open the doors to Judaism

to all Portuguese. And while we're at it,

all Brazilian citizens who are of Portuguese origins.

We're speaking of millions of people.

But you are forgetting one thing my dear Abraham.

They are not just descendents of Jews. They are much more.

Marranos are descendents of Jews on their mother's side,

and still today keep many Jewish rituals.

That's right.

And I myself have witnessed many of these rituals.

Although outwardly Catholic,

they have secretly kept the essential principle of Judaism.

The Marranos have always married within their own family.

Yes. Yes.

But no one can guarantee

that their Jewish matrilineal descent is unbroken.

We know nothing about them.

This story is a mystery.

My friends, let us take on

I ask you to end this discussion.

I know this is a heated subject,

there are many arguments to consider.

However,

I believe our duty is to follow the advice of Yokov Meir.

The chief Rabbi is the greatest religious authority of our time.

We must respect that.

And he's categorical about that.

Jews are all those who,

are recognized as such in their environment.

Who've always married amongst themselves,

and who wish to follow Jewish rules.

Do not forget what you have just said.

"Who wish to follow Jewish rules."

One day we shall speak of the results of all this.

Friends.

Supporting the Portuguese Marranos is in our hands.

We may fail, but we must try.

Together, we can move forward.

And may HaShem guide and protect us.

You can count on a long trip, captain.

I've been to war, my dear Menasseh.

I've never turned my back on a fight, a little trip won't scare me away.

Besides, this support from London has given me strength.

It won't be easy, captain.

Do you have any idea of what you're getting yourself into?

There are places you can only reach by horse.

With the help of God I'll reach those places.

Bragança, Mogadouro, Vilarinho dos Galegos,

and any other places. - You don't know any of these places.

- And right on your first trip. - I'm expected there.

There are enough people in Bragança to form a community and fill a synagogue.

Captain, please don't forget

that what's taking you there will create hatred.

A lot of it.

Not that much. Believe me.

And then, this uniform and this weapon will impose order.

I know how to use it, believe me.

Do you know what Talmud says about the evil eye?

Bad energy won't affect us if we don't think about it.

Right now, all I care about is helping the Marranos.

Right, captain, but you know very well that this is a religious project.

To fulfill the Commandments.

It should be done by rabbis.

- London must send... - If the rabbis don't come

- I myself... - Menasseh!

Captain, please accept this gesture.

Branca would like it if you read the Psalms on your journey.

Thank you very much, Branca!

You're a community leader, captain.

You're a political leader, not a religious one.

London has no rabbis capable of riding through valleys and hills,

in the wind and the rain.

Even if there were any, they would only find people

who can barely speak Portuguese let alone Hebrew.

Each Marrano will take years to study the Commandments.

Hebrew.

Jewish history.

They know more about Christianity than Judaism.

They've been baptized. They go to church.

You know, I'm not bragging, but I feel like I'm their only hope.

They will quickly disappear without me.

They have resisted for centuries, they won't disappear now.

Times have changed.

Roads are being built and there are many cars.

And there are those telephone things.

Talking through a wire.

I will convince them to come to Oporto.

Their whole lives are there.

And their families.

- Even if they get a job, they... - They will come.

The Lord is with me, I will not fear.

Much Success!

- Good evening! - Good evening!

It must be the captain they've been talking about.

I think he's called Basto.

He says he's a Jew like us.

What the devil does he want?

He'll get us into trouble with the church.

That's all we need.

Let's go.

Excuse me, is this Vilarinho dos Galegos?

At last!

I can rest a little!

Thank you for letting me in.

It wasn't easy finding you, Mrs. Raquel.

I brought you something.

Thank you.

This tablecloth has been with me since my youth.

I gave it to my grandson, Tiago.

May God bring him luck.

He sent me here.

I'm one of you.

I'm a Jew like you.

I know there's a community of you here.

And I know there are others in nearby villages.

There are many.

There are many of us.

There are many of us in Oporto as well.

And we have come from many places.

Some came from Eastern Europe.

- Some came from Central Europe... - Oh, please!

I don't know those places!

Jews who aren't Portuguese?

I didn't know about that!

The foreign Jews didn't know about Portuguese Jews either.

They still don't know.

And are those Jews like us?

They have two eyes.

Two arms. One mouth to pray to God.

Where do they pray?

In a synagogue.

A synagogue?

- A church? - No.

There's a building where we get together and pray,

which we call a synagogue.

We pray in a building here too.

Sometimes, it's by the river.

You should know, Mrs. Raquel

that I have a dream

of building an enormous synagogue.

God, God, in whom I trust; I live with joy and hope.

God, God, in whom I trust; I live with joy and hope.

God, God, in whom I trust; I live with joy and hope.

God, God, in whom I trust; I live with joy and hope.

God, God, on the fourteenth day of the moon in March,

as the day shone, Israel left Egypt, singing in harmony;

Songs they sang and the Lord they praised;

They praised the Lord with all their hearts;

They crossed the Red Sea to the Promised Land.

Brothers and sisters,

there are no words to describe what's in my soul.

You will be my life.

From the bottom of my heart.

If you look straight ahead Paul,

right across the ocean,

that's New York.

The beacon of the world

created to a large extent by the Portuguese Jews.

They took with them science, culture, the art of economy, knowledge.

One could say that,

Portugal's loss was New York gain.

I wonder,

will Portugal ever recover from that loss.

That I really don't know.

I believe that one day Jews from many lands will come to this country.

And if they do, Portugal will regain its Jewish soul.

This will be

This will be the largest synagogue in all Sefarad.

It is true that the Portuguese Marranos committee

approved its construction,

but there was a lot of opposition.

Perhaps too much.

I aware of that.

Can you tell me why?

Captain, you know very well this is no simple synagogue.

It is too large, too...

Imposing and expensive for the Jewish community of Oporto,

which numbers less than 50 people all told.

It will grow.

All over the world, there are communities

of thousands with much smaller synagogues.

You must understand this.

Yes Paul.

If we are to rescue as many quid crypto-Jews as we can,

we need to build a synagogue that

that represents a symbol for them to be proud...

of being Jewish.

This synagogue will be filled

with crypto-Jews.

What about opportunists, Captain.

Many will try to pass themselves off as crypto-Jews.

Opportunists will not go unnoticed.

Opportunists will be detected.

And they will be expelled.

I pray for you, Captain.

But I agree with Cecil Roth.

He says the work of redemption

He says the work of redemption is the most romantic adventure of modern history

Let's get on with it.

Let's go ahead!

Let me show you in detail. This is where...

Good morning everyone, peace be upon you.

Good morning!

Great!

Next time you will answer: 'peace to you'.

This is yet another historic day that God has allowed me to live.

Today is the first day of class of Oporto's Jewish Theological Institute.

As you know,

I'm captain Barros Basto, the leader of Oporto's Jewish community.

Here, next to me, is Mr. Menasseh Ben Dov,

who is... has been, in the absence of a rabbi,

the religious authority in our community.

I know that many of you come from Trás-Os-Montes and the Beiras.

And I know that this is also a historic day for you.

Today you will no longer be Crypto-Jews

and will become former Crypto-Jews.

You will no longer be hidden Jews.

You will become proud Jews.

Gentlemen,

in this institute you may officiate, lead synagogue services,

slaughter animals and poultry for food, or become teachers.

Gentlemen, after attending this institute,

you will go back home to teach the old and the young about Judaism.

Quiet! I'm not done!

Can anyone tell me

what are the pillars of this world?

The pillars of the world are the study of the Torah,

religious services,

acts of kindness.

Gentlemen,

I'm an idealist.

I trust in all men.

I trust their kindness.

And I will always trust you.

But Mr. Menasseh Ben Dov is a Jew from a distant country

with a great deal of experience of human nature.

Great knowledge about men.

Therefore Mr. Menasseh Ben Dov

we'd be grateful if you elucidated us on the subject of kindness.

What should a man be like?

A man should be, above all,

a man of kindness.

He should be a man of kindness.

Now, it's not easy

finding a definition for kindness.

But one thing is for sure:

a man of kindness is not vain.

A man of kindness doesn't speak ill of others.

A man of kindness doesn't damage people's honor.

A man of kindness doesn't envy anyone.

He who doesn't put a stop to his evil inclinations

will never be a man of kindness,

but rather a mediocre man.

We...

We don't want mediocre men.

We won't have mediocre men!

You

will officiate in your hometown.

You will lead the Jewish holiday services, the Sabbath.

Your family will be proud of you

because you'll be a man of kindness.

You...

Your home will be a synagogue and your neighbours will sing in Hebrew.

Your Christian friends will respect you and your good will.

You...

You will not only be the officiant of your community.

You'll also be the one who slaughters animals for food.

You will slaughter the animals as described on the Torah rituals.

You will feed your village.

Jews will come from afar for the animals you have slaughtered.

Gentlemen,

all of you will be useful and valid men in your communities.

We also expect you to be men of kindness.

Good luck.

Good luck and success in your studies.

It's very exciting to see these young men here.

They will make us proud.

But be careful, captain.

There may be rivalries

if you pay more attention to some and not others.

Don't worry, Menasseh.

We don't know anything about them, captain. Be careful!

I'm a military officer, Menasseh.

I handle men. I believe I know how to handle teenagers.

It is an honor to welcome you to our hotel, Sr. Elly Kadoorie. Greetings

Thank you.

And welcome to you too, Mr. Sr. Lawrence Kadoorie.

.We are entirely at your disposal,

A lovely city

and a lovely hotel.

Oh,

our hotel is not as large and luxurious as

your very own hotel peninsula in Hong Kong,

but we will do everything possible to make sure you have a place in stay.

We're quite sure that you will indeed.

it's a pleasure to meet you. Dear Captain.

Sr. Elly, Sr. Lawrence.

I believe you already met Mr. Menassé.

Mr. Menassé.

Well, it's a pleasure for us to have such illustrious of visitors coming to our city.

Thank you.

My wife was always very proud of her Portuguese roots.

As we know that. And uh,

we deeply regret, your loss.

How is it possible to lose such noble lady, so prematurely.

- May the Omnipresent comfort you. - Thank you very much.

Very nicely. Very nicely.

It will be the largest synagogue in Portugal.

No doubt it will be a large synagogue,

but it is important that the community be large as well.

Otherwise,

the building will be an eggshell, a sort of museum.

How many families are there in a Porto's Jewish community?

For the time being, I think, uh

I think eight, seven foreign families and a few crypto-Jews.

Those families still live in distant villages and up in the mountainous regions,

but I believe in the future they will be hundreds,

maybe thousands of people.

The future,?

The future.

God provides 50%

we all must do our share as well.

I will provide the other 50%.

Very well, but how?

If these families of crypto-Jews live in

distant villages and in the mountains,

How will they be induced to come and live in Oporto?

Right now we have more than 60 students

in our theological Institute, Sir Elly.

We are aware of that

but those students will no doubt return home.

Well. The idea is for them to return to their villages

Nd act as messengers of Judaism in their communities.

They may even return to Porto and live in the city.

Forgive us Captain,

but we would like to understand exactly how many crypto-Jews

will come to live in the city of Oporto.

It all seems to be based on a conviction of yours.

If we will allow me, Mr. Lawrence,

I would like to ask you what exactly are you afraid of?

Don't you believe in me?

A man's honesty in his cast iron belief are not the key to success.

Something more is required.

As you will understand, Captain Barros Basto,

we do not wish to link the name Kadoorie to an impractical project

and an almost empty synagogue.

I understand your concerns

and I accept him.them, unreservedly

There is no shortage of synagogues, the world over they're all empty.

Even derelict.

That is our major concern regarding the synagogue being built in Oporto.

I'm a businessman, Captain.

Above all, a realist. A practical man.

I must therefore tell you that the work of redemption

of the Portuguese Jews is highly utopian.

Please don't be offended.

Oh no, of course not.

I'm sure you have your reasons.

Mr Menasse, he has the same opinion as you

Well, let us be clear. Captain.

Do you really believe that the work of redemption,

can be carried out by one man alone?

I'm confident of that to my core.

Captain, let us face reality.

"One man alone."

.Walking through the mountains, having to overcome all obstacles unaided.

True.

Pursued by the fury of the priest,

seeking out the Marranos,

who many cases just want to be left alone.

Be that as it may, I shall not be deterred.

Before a man box on a major project

he must put together a good team.

Without a capable team and a project is doomed to failure.

Sir Elly, so what you're saying is you want to withdraw your offer

My son said that they will make that contribution

and so they show up. We have given our word.

Let me assure you, Captain,

that my brother and I will make the promise contribution very soon.

There are many reasons to doubt the success of the work of redemption,

because it depends on one man alone when it should depend on a thousand.

However

you believe that,

sooner or later, the synagogue will be extremely useful

to the Jewish world and welcome many people

with the help of HaShem,

to honor my mother.

Captain Arthur Carlos Barros Basto was accused of homosexual some days ago.

The case was examined and proved by the Oporto police.

But this shameful scandal was dropped.

Army officers have the privilege of setting up Jewish seminars

taking in boys for homosexuality and getting away with it?

Now we'll see, Captain Barros Basto,

how you'll get yourself out of this.

Yes?

- Excuse me, general! - At ease.

You seem concerned, general Schiappa.

Bad news?

An anonymous letter, lieutenant.

Filled with serious accusations.

From what I gather, it's homosexuality.

This is intended to destroy their target.

Captain Barros Basto. I don't know if you know him.

- The Jew? - Yes, the Jew.

Hero of the Great War.

He was gassed and wounded in Flanders.

He's a good man.

Generous.

Honest.

He must have made someone angry.

Yes, I understand.

This letter was written by a louse.

Otherwise, he would not have remained anonymous.

He's doing this underhandedly.

What will you do with the letter, general?

I have to inform my superiors.

And I believe that Captain Barros Basto

will get into serious trouble.

I'm not surprised anymore.

I was called by the army's hierarchy

to respond to criminal proceedings.

- Criminal proceedings? - That can't be!

It can be!

An anonymous letter

has accused me of homosexuality.

Help me God!

That's serious, captain!

It's not just serious, Menasseh!

I can handle an accusation of homosexuality

and it will be easy to disprove.

It's more serious than that.

My whole life will be investigated.

How far will they go?

They will go as far as possible.

They will investigate the redemption.

They will investigate our messages to the Crypto-Jews.

The covenant of circumcision of our pupils at the Theological Institute.

And I'm sure they'll investigate my involvement in all those processes.

I'm positive about that.

But circumcision's not a crime in this country.

Circumcision's not a crime in this country,

but it's an immoral act for the army.

Punished with a disciplinary action.

I don't understand.

The army's Disciplinary Board may dismiss me from the army.

If they have proof that I took part in an immoral act

like circumcision.

That's unbelievable!

What country is this? We're not in the Middle Ages!

The defendant, Infantry Captain Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto, may rise.

The army's Disciplinary Board will hereby read the judgment.

Item one.

Has it been proven that Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto

practiced homosexual acts

with male individuals?

The answer is:

a unanimous no.

Item two.

Has it been proven that Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto

circumcised pupils

following a precept of the Jewish religion he profess?

All you need is the covenant of circumcision.

Your circumcision.

Don't worry about it for now, we'll take care of everything.

The answer is:

a unanimous yes.

Item three.

Since it has been proven that Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto

has circumcised several pupils,

did this officer proceed in a way

that has affected the respectability

and decorum of his uniform?

Quiet! I'm not done!

I'm surrounded by snakes, Lea.

We don't know anything about them, captain. Be careful!

If I get bitten. If I fall. Everything will fall.

The answer is:

a unanimous yes.

We have come to the decision that Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto

does not have the moral capacity to honor his position

or decorum of his uniform.

For which reason he shall be sentenced

to separation from the army.

Pursuant to Article 178

of the Military Discipline Regulations.

- Peace be upon you. - Peace be upon you.

Brothers and sisters,

we are here to vote on the board's proposal.

Excommunication.

The worst Jewish punishment.

Excommunication for the wretches who got Captain Barros Basto

expelled from the army.

Moral and actual perpetrators.

Lagoaça,

Fundão,

Hamburg, Bragança, and Odessa

are the cities where these wretches were born.

We know those whistle-blowers very well.

Let's not waste words on them.

They wished to kill our Chairman morally.

And to thrust infamous calumnies on our Jewish institution.

Moreover,

the entire Jewish colony in Portugal and overseas

was dragged through the mud by these wretches.

I ask you, brothers and sisters:

Can this be forgiven?

No!

- Excommunication! - Excommunication!

The Jewish community isn't destroyed

by some being observant while others aren't.

Some being from the East and others from the Mediterranean.

Some being rich and others poor. No!

The Jewish community is destroyed by tongues.

It's the crime of the tongue.

An anonymous letter.

Bad talk.

Gossip.

Spreading malicious lies.

Envy destroys a community.

Just declare it, Mr. Menasseh

and end it, once and for all.

So be it.

Hence, in compliance with the Torah's precepts

received in Mount Sinai by our master, Moses.

We order excommunication of the wretches forever!

Vladimir,

please play the Shofar.

May God destroy the wicked!

We're Jewish too!

Synagogues with inscriptions of women are very rare.

I'm very happy that Laura has her name on a Portuguese synagogue.

Our synagogue.

Yes, it's well deserved.

Did you know that all her family surnames are Portuguese?

Miranda, Lamego, Lousada...

Mendes... so many!

I've been reading about her.

Did you know that she was the first lady to drive a car in China?

- Really? - Yes!

Peace be upon you! Blessed are those who come!

To all those present here today

that came from London,

Berlin, Lisbon,

Bragança, Covilhã, and many other regions of Portugal,

we greet you with a gorgeous Shalom

on behalf of the Jewish community of Oporto.

Peace!

The inauguration of the synagogue

represents a historic moment for the Jewish people.

Jews were expelled from the city and from this country

more than four centuries ago.

Jewish community was thus

officially extinct in Portugal.

And then with the inquisition,

all traces of Judaism were eliminated.

Just like water cleansed, the body.

Fire cleansed the souls of the accused.

And this was Portugal

until the 19th century.

However, when the inquisition ended,

many Jews arrived in Portugal

coming from Morocco, and Gibraltar,

and they founded in Lisbon,

the Jewish Community of Lisbon.

And with them arrived Jews from Germany

and Russia and Poland.

And with me

founded the Jewish Community of Oporto.

And we know now of many crypto-Jewish communities

that are returning to official Judaism.

And this means

that Jews and Judaism

exist once more in Portugal.

And...

this people,

one of the least numerous in the world,

is also one of the proudest and one of the noblest people.

I'll share, one said,

that the Jewish people is a hard headed one.

Well, it owes it's existence,

to it's hard head.

Rich and wonderful civilizations

tried to overpower us

and tried to erase us from the earth.

Well, those people and the people that stood by them

and that represent them,

they are gone.

Well, the tiny little Jewish people,

still lives on.

Ladies and gentlemen,

- Blessed are those who come. - Blessed be those of this place.

Beside me, I have here the president of this community,

Captain Barros Basto.

Uh, also here with us tonight is Dr. Emil Oppenheim,

a great German lawyer

on whom his fellow citizens can rely.

And also seated here with us

is Mr. Srul Finkelstein.

Uh, Hassan of this community.

Uh, who is Polish

and can help those of you who speak no

no other language.

He also speaks Yiddish.

We are all here to help you.

Dear brothers,

now that you are here in Oporto you can be calm.

Since the community will help you and look after you.

Thank you...

Quiet!

Quiet, gentlemen!

And when you go to other places,

believe in God,

who will help you to rebuild your lives.

Thank you deer brothers of Oporto

for your hospitality

Ours is a very sad situation.

We abandoned our family,

left our lives behind,

and we have almost nothing left

of the little we were able to bring.

If we stayed for a long my dear sir,

we shall have no money to pay for our travels.

We are bound to countries where we have

family, friends, a job.

Most people are thinking about -

United States of America

and Southern America.

Anywhere except Europe.

Europe, never again.

Poor things! Their lives have been torn apart.

I don't want my daughters to see this.

One day you will lose your daughters to agnosticism or Christianity.

They arrive penniless.

Poor, rich,

simple wage earners, lawyers, all without a cent.

They have left behind their loved ones: lost, missing,

in prisons, in concentration camps, who knows.

My heartaches just to look at them.

What are these people doing out here? It's freezing!

Dear captain,

these people - men, women, old people - will sit down anywhere.

They're completely torn, broken...

They get together to tell their stories.

Deep down, they're all different but equal.

- They're lost. - That's why our responsibility's great.

We're their last chance.

They would surely die without us.

The Lisbon Jewish community has taken in many!

More than we have, in fact.

They come in thousands.

May God help them!

I've been thinking, captain.

I'm leaving when this is over.

I'm going east, to Palestine.

To join relatives of mine,

who have survived such carnage with the help of God.

I don't have the strength, Menasseh.

When you leave,

only Srul Finkelstein will be able to save this community

and bring this synagogue back to life.

God reigns; God has reigned; God will reign forever and ever.

God reigns; God has reigned; God will reign forever and ever.

God reigns; God has reigned; God will reign forever and ever.

God reigns; God has reigned; God will reign forever and ever.

And it is said: God will be Ruler over the whole Earth.

And on that day, God will be one, and God's name will be one.

Save us God, our Lord,

and gather us from other nations to give thanks to your Holy Name.

To praise your glory.

Fifty men!

Six or seven are Ashkenazim from our Community.

Who are the others? Refugees, foreigners...

Where are the Crypto-Jews? Where are the Portuguese Marranos?

- There were many at the inauguration... - Yes, there were!

This is serious, Menasseh.

I have to find the courage to tell London that I've failed.

I have failed the work of redemption.

There have never been as many weddings to Christians.

So many mixed marriages. There's also the matter of emigration.

The Crypto-Jews insist on emigrating to other European cities

instead of coming to Oporto,

where they have such a big synagogue.

After all you've done for the Portuguese Crypto-Jews,

you didn't deserve this, captain!

The synagogue has a new purpose now.

To accommodate our brother refugees.

Right.

Right.

What will follow, Menasseh?

After they leave.

There will be very few of us left.

This immense synagogue will be left

with no human warmth.

Dead.

Captain, I...

The war has lasted for five years, captain.

The refugees have all gone and I...

I would really like to have stayed in Portugal.

But I feel I can't.

I hope God will bring you all the luck, Menasseh.

Please understand, captain.

I feel that it's my obligation to do all,

all that I can to provide my daughters and grandchildren

with a real Jewish environment.

So that they may get married in Palestine.

I know, Menasseh.

I know that you have given a lot of thought to this idea.

I don't blame you.

I wish you all the best.

With the help of God.

Menasseh, I doubt I'll be able to visit you.

You know, you...

You were the greatest example of righteousness I've ever met.

I'm sorry for my astonishment,

but this is a big surprise.

I didn't know there were Portuguese Jews.

I thought everyone...

Expelled from the country.

Well, I was born into a Christian family.

But my grandfather held onto the memory of his Jewish origins.

And I converted to Judaism before a rabbinical court in Morocco.

You know, captain.

We're not the only ones.

There are more Jews in Oporto.

They came from Poland, from Germany,

from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine.

Isabel!

Isabel!

I know you're there.

And I know that you ate my sweets.

Ever since you found out where I keep them, I have said to your grandma:

"We'll have to buy three times as many from now on."

Come here.

Come here.

Who's my beautiful granddaughter?

Listen, do you want to hear a story?

I love your stories, grandpa!

Great.

I'm going to tell you a very special story.

- Promise you won't forget it. - I promise.

Once upon a time, there was a serpent.

The serpent found a firefly and told him:

"I will eat you."

"Why are you going to eat me?"

The serpent looked at him and said:

"I'll eat you because you shine."

I do not understand.

The serpent wanted to eat the firefly because was jealous of him,

she was envious of the firefly because it shines.

But the firefly never hurt her. It's not fair.

I feel for the firefly.

But the world is like this.

Your grandpa was a very important military officer.

He was a very important Jewish leader.

But someone was very envious of him.

And today I can't even wear my military uniform.

But you're still a military officer. They still call you captain.

Please, put on your cap!

This is all I've got left.

The cap.

That doesn't matter.

Please call grandma, Isabel!

Take it easy...

I feel that I'm close to the end, Lea.

But overall,

life was worth it.

So many good things, my love.

Thank God!

Sorrows don't matter here.

I've accepted it.

One day,

they will do me justice.

Arthur.

Wake up, Arthur, darling!

Wake up, Arthur!

Wake up, Arthur!

May His great name be exalted and sanctified.

Amen!

In the world which He created according to His will

may He establish his kingdom

and may His salvation blossom and His anointment be near.

During your lifetime and during your days

and during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel.

- Speedily and very soon. Say Amen! - Amen!

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity!

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted,

extolled and honored, adored and lauded

be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He.

Amen!

Above and beyond all the blessings, hymns, praises, and consolations

that are uttered in the world. Say Amen!

Amen!

May there be abundant peace from heaven

and a good life for us and for all Israel.

- Say Amen! - Amen!

He who makes peace in His high places, may He make peace for us.

- And for all Israel. Say Amen! - Amen!

May the Omnipresent comfort you

among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Thank you.

I believe

I believe

With complete faith

In the coming of the Messiah

In the coming of the Messiah I believe

In the coming of the Messiah

In the coming of the Messiah I believe

This is outrageous, Isabel!

I never thought I'd be reading such an awful sentence!

Your grandfather was dismissed from the army because of circumcisions.

He was punished for being a Jew.

I went to London to meet with experts on international Law.

They believe that the Portuguese should make the Parliament speak up.

Are you talking about a petition to reinstate morally and symbolically

your grandfather in the army? - Exactly.

Well, you know that the Parliament only accepts petitions

with at least four thousand signatures on them.

We'll submit a petition with only one signature.

My own.

The granddaughter of the Portuguese Dreyfus.

This is clearly a matter of human rights.

Very well. We'll submit the petition to the Parliament President

requesting the first Commission's intervention.

But believe me, there is very little chance of success here.

One should fulfill a duty regardless of the results.

Isabel Barros Basto,

the granddaughter of Jewish captain, Arthur Carlos de Barros Basto,

has submitted a petition to this Commission requesting

the moral rehabilitation and symbolic reinstatement

of her grandfather in the army.

On June 12th, 1937,

the army's Disciplinary Board considered it proven that

Barros Basto had circumcised students

of Oporto's Theological Institute.

It is obvious in light of those facts that the decision made in 1937

was a clear breach of the freedom of religion and worship

and motivated by religious intolerance

and undisguisedly antisemitism.

Good morning, Major General!

- I need to have a word. - I'm at your disposal, General!

I met with the army's Chief of Staff yesterday.

He requested urgent information on the Captain Barros Basto case.

We're still studying this matter, General.

Have you reached a preliminary conclusion?

In principle,

had captain Barros Basto not been dismissed from the army,

he would have reached the rank of Colonel.

Right, I'm not surprised.

This is a very strange case.

A WWI hero with many distinctions

is dismissed from the army at the age of 50 for religious reasons?

That's what the Parliament says.

But now the situation seems to be favorable for Jews.

- Really? Why's that? - I just heard.

The MPs have just passed a draft legislation

granting Sephardic Jew descendants the right to Portuguese nationality.

May His great name be exalted

and sanctified.

Amen!

In the world which He created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom

and may His salvation blossom

and His anointment be near.

Amen!

During your lifetime and during your days

and during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel

speedily and very soon.

- Say Amen! - Amen!

May His great name be blessed forever and for all eternity.