OBJECTIVES OF CASA SEFARAD-ISRAEL

Casa Sefarad-Israel was established in response to the commitment assumed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Autonomous Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council to create an institution that would serve the following objectives:

Further the study of the legacy of Sephardic culture as an integral, living part of Spanish culture;

Foster a better understanding of Jewish culture;

Promote the development of the ties of friendship and cooperation between Spanish and Israeli societies

Casa Sefarad-Israel also aims to become a communal space and meeting place for Jewish communities and organizations in Spain and around the world. This communal space for Jews, Israelis and Spaniards will promote awareness of the rich historical Sephardic legacy and the political, economic, social and cultural reality of Jewish communities in today's world, both in Israel and in Spain.

Casa Sefarad-Israel seeks to be an instrument of public diplomacy insofar as it completes the institutional network formed by Casa de América, Casa Asia, Casa Árabe and Casa África, thereby strengthening the frame of reference for Spain's foreign relations.

Its creation will enable the involvement not only of public institutions, but also of civil society, in cooperative activities with the Jewish community, its organizations and the State of Israel itself.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND HEADQUARTERS

The institution will carry out activities in several spheres:

Cultural: Highlight and promote awareness of the Sephardic heritage represented by the language (Ladino), its literature, art, traditions, music, and folklore. This heritage exists in the Sephardic communities of Europe, Northern Africa, the Americas, and Israel, as well as in Spain itself.

Scientific: Establish programs for collaboration with Israeli and Jewish institutions throughout the world to develop scientific and technological research projects (scholarships/grants, conferences, student exchanges, etc.).

Artistic: Bring today's traditional and modern Israeli culture closer to Spanish society, and raise awareness of Spanish culture in Israel (cinema, theater, dance, lectures, etc.).

Social: Promote projects that involve Jewish organizations and institutions in Israel, Spain and other countries in work in the field of social sciences and topics of interest to today's citizens (immigration, women's issues, human rights, journalism, etc.).

Education and training: Contribute to the education of new generations in the values of tolerance and coexistence through educational programs related to the tragedy of the Holocaust (exhibitions, school activities, history, etc.).

Economic: Facilitate exchanges between companies and economic interest groups in Spain and Israel (fairs, seminars, etc.).

SPONSORS OF THE INSTITUTION

Casa Sefarad-Israel is an institutional consortium which was created on December 18, 2006 through an agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Spanish International Cooperation Agency (AECI), the Autonomous Community of Madrid, and the Madrid City Council. The signatory institutions will participate in the funding of the institution in accordance with the stipulations of their agreement.

The statutes provide for the establishment of a Board of Trustees, a collegiate body that will promote, direct and sponsor programs and activities in pursuit of the general aims of the Consortium. The Board of Governors will be made up of representatives of the institutions in the consortium and the individuals or corporations that sponsor the programs of Casa Sefarad-Israel. The Casa's directors will seek the widest range of sponsorship of its activities from the business community and from government institutions.