Margaret, This is very interesting, it's the first time I have heard mention of a "safe house." Am I understanding this correctly, these Portuguese people who were of the Jewish faith, still attended mass, and also used the "safe house," for their Friday night prayer? What was the purpose of the escape door, if a "safe house," was there for their Friday night prayer? Were the Portuguese villagers that were Catholics respectful of the Friday night prayer ? Pat Margaret <marpg2000@comcast.net> wrote: Pat: The Jews were Portuguese and spoke the language. They had been sheltered and protected by the Portuguese and were not removed from the Castelo de Vide. We were shown two center pews in the church were the Jews sat together during the mass. The safe house was just about 20 yards away in a narrow winding street not far from the church. They were dressed just like the others of the vlla and you couldnot compare them with the New York Jews etc. No braids, long hair or beards or black clothes. The safe house was vacant but we were able to visit and see the escape door, if it was needed. That is the house were the Friday night prayers were said. Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patricia Corbera" To: Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 9:34 AM Subject: Re: [PT-MADEIRA] Porto Santo Margaret, What nationality were these Jews that you observed in 1979 that still resided in this village with the Portuguese? What language did they speak ? Did you observe the Portuguese attending the synagogue or some other house of faith? Pat

Pat: The safe house is where the prayer meeting was held however if there would be any effort to attack the people in any way, there was a door in the first floor from which they could leave. The people of the villa protected their fellow villagers by not disclosing any information that would be dangerous to their neighbors. The converts did attended mass but remember this was at the time when they were in grave danger and not in modern times. I was impressed how they all lived in harmony all the following years and it continued for many more. I do hope that the condition still exist. Would very much like to return. Sorry that there is today so much negativity and that is where we all must not fight the battles of past generations and not still try to resolve differences long after that generations have passed on. That is not progress. We know here, that the civil war ended and we have gone on and live together peacefully. The southern people are doing quite well and intergration has given everyone a change of fullfillment. I wouldnot like to see some hard heads bring up negativity and cause an uproar. Let us all try to live in peace. Margaret ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patricia Corbera" <papagaia2@sbcglobal.net> To: <prt-madeira@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 5:59 PM Subject: [PT-MADEIRA] Castelo de Vide > Margaret, > > This is very interesting, it's the first time I have heard mention of a "safe house." > > Am I understanding this correctly, these Portuguese people who were of the Jewish faith, still attended mass, and also used the "safe house," for their Friday night prayer? > > What was the purpose of the escape door, if a "safe house," was there for their Friday night prayer? Were the Portuguese villagers that were Catholics respectful of the Friday night prayer ? > Pat > > Margaret <marpg2000@comcast.net> wrote: > Pat: > > The Jews were Portuguese and spoke the language. They had been sheltered > and protected by the Portuguese and were not > removed from the Castelo de Vide. We were shown two center pews in the > church were the Jews sat together during the mass. > The safe house was just about 20 yards away in a narrow winding street not > far from the church. They were dressed just like the others of the vlla and > you couldnot compare them with the New York Jews etc. No braids, long hair > or beards or black clothes. > The safe house was vacant but we were able to visit and see the escape door, > if it was needed. That is the house were the Friday night prayers were > said. > > Margaret > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Patricia Corbera" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 9:34 AM > Subject: Re: [PT-MADEIRA] Porto Santo > > > Margaret, > > What nationality were these Jews that you observed in 1979 that still > resided in this village with the Portuguese? What language did they speak ? > Did you observe the Portuguese attending the synagogue or some other house > of faith? > > Pat > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PRT-MADEIRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message