ABSTRACT
The Muslim Arabs took over Iberia in the early 8th century, and remained in power until the 12th century; it is only after they were driven out of most of the modern territory of Portugal that we can begin to speak of a distinct Portuguese nation. The grammar and vocabulary of Judeo-Portuguese is essentially the same as that of other Portuguese texts from the same era. In 1496, the Portuguese king, considering the negative economic ramifications of banishing the Jews from the country, decided against expulsion and instead adopted a policy of forced conversion to Christianity. The Dutch established a colony called New Holland on the east coast of Brazil, and the Portuguese Jewish community that was already living there was joined by even more Jews coming from the Netherlands. Portuguese Jewish communities were also established in Philadelphia and Newport, Rhode Island, which is home to Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the United States.
