Mexican Jewry Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0587

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small collection includes materials about Jews in Tijuana and the Tijuana chapter of the Women's International Zionist Organization. The collection also includes files about the San Diego Opera's production of The Conquistador, an opera based on the life of Luis de Carvajal, a 16th century Spanish converso (a Jewish convert to Catholocism) and governor of Nuevo Léon who was found guilty of concealing his relatives' practicing Judaism in secret. The collection consists of books, articles, newspaper clippings, programs and magazines.

Dates

Creation: 1993 - 2013

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Historical Note

Stanley and Laurel Schwartz were members of Adat Ami Synagogue which became Ohr Shalom Synagogue. A large portion of the congregation was from Mexico and South America. The Schwartzes were able to collect material from some members of the congregation. Judaica bookseller Stanley Schwartz helped locate copies of the book The Martyr by Martin Cohen for the San Diego Opera, which was the basis for an opera, The Conquistador. Through that involvement and by attending workshops and the opera itself they were able to collect material about the event.

Extent

.21 Linear Feet (One half-Hollinger box )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

The material in this collection was put together by Laurel Schwartz in the 1990s and early 2000s (JHSSD #2013.02). It was collected from members of the San Diego Mexican Jewish community regarding their lives in Tijuana. There is also material from the 1997 production of the San Diego commissioned and produced opera, “The Conquistador” which was an important event for the San Diego Jewish Community.