One of the most dramatic periods in Jewish history in the Diaspora is the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition during which hundreds of thousands of Jews who refused to convert and abandon Judaism were expelled.
According to recent studies, the number of Maranaos ("Bnei Anusim") is estimated today in millions and in modern times. In the wake of the spread of the new media, more and more individuals and communities are emerging and wish to recognize their connection to the Jewish people. A similar, special and highly publicized case was published today:
The youngest legislator in the history of the US Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, revealed at a candle-lighting ceremony of Hanukka that she originated in a family of Spanish Jews who had been deported to Puerto Rico.
https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-ocasio-cortez-claims-jewish-heritage-at-ny-event-my-family-were-sephardic-jews-1.6727455?fbclid=IwAR0W3d0B70xvEOXMph4l5wsRKHL9OJhqSfQ-KgVGOwmH7vRUiSC4ymO7aVI
