Sephardic Songs, Proverbs, and Expressions: A Continuing Tradition

The Sephardic folk tradition embodied in these songs, proverbs, and expressions in Spanyol is a living, evolving tradition. The proverbs and expressions, the legacy of my Izmirlí family, reveal surprising relationships to the broader Sephardic experience and literary and philosophical tradition. Beyond the traditional songs, new compositions, including my own, have enriched the tradition. These new songs reflect enduring Sephardic concerns and values--the ambivalent attitude toward Spain and the appreciation of the value of life. The creative resilience of the Sephardim, supported and encouraged by new efforts, should insure a healthy future for the Sephardic language and folk tradition.