A Dual Narrative

Converso Jews:
A Hidden Family Story

By Gordon Blitz

A sweeping narrative that bridges five centuries, exploring the secret faith of Crypto-Jews during the Inquisition and the modern love story of Isaac and Pablo, two men discovering their ancestral heritage.

Two Stories, One Truth

The novel weaves together the hidden world of Crypto-Jews during the Spanish Inquisition with a contemporary love story that transcends faith and family.

The Hidden Past

During the Spanish Inquisition (1478 onwards), Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism or face persecution. Many families maintained their Jewish faith in secret, practicing rituals in hidden cellars and passing down traditions without explanation.

  • Secret Shabbat candles lit in darkness
  • Unexplained dietary practices passed through generations
  • Five centuries of hidden heritage and lost origins

The Present Awakening

Isaac, a Sephardic Jew, meets Pablo, a Catholic man, at a gay Jewish synagogue. As their relationship deepens, Pablo begins to uncover his family's Converso heritage. Facing family rejection, he chooses love and authenticity, converting to Judaism and reclaiming his ancestral roots.

  • A love story that transcends faith and family
  • The courage to come out as both gay and Jewish
  • Reclaiming identity through spiritual conversion
Historical Converso family ritual

The Inquisition's Shadow

The Spanish Inquisition, established in 1478, targeted suspected heretics, particularly "New Christians" (Conversos) who were believed to practice Judaism in secret. This persecution forced families to hide their faith, creating a legacy of hidden traditions that persisted for centuries.

Many Converso families emigrated to the New World, hoping to escape persecution. Yet even in new lands, they maintained their secret practices—lighting candles, avoiding certain foods, and performing unique burial rituals—all without fully understanding why.

Converso Jews: A Hidden Family Story explores this profound legacy and asks: What does it mean to reclaim an identity that was stolen, hidden, and nearly lost?

Themes of Heritage & Authenticity

The novel explores profound questions about identity, faith, family, and the courage to live authentically.

Hidden Heritage

The enduring legacy of the "Hidden Jews" and the profound impact of forced conversion on family lineage across five centuries.

Coming Out

A dual exploration of coming out as gay and coming out as Jewish within a modern, intersectional context.

Faith & Love

How personal relationships and spiritual community provide strength to face familial rejection and societal pressure.

Perfect for Readers Who Loved

If you enjoyed these acclaimed works, you'll find Converso Jews equally compelling.

The Last Jew

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The Silver Candlesticks

by Linda Chávez

A family saga revealing hidden Jewish heritage in the American Southwest.

About Gordon Blitz

Gordon Blitz is a playwright and author whose work explores themes of identity, faith, and human connection. With Converso Jews: A Hidden Family Story, Blitz brings together his passion for historical narrative and contemporary storytelling, creating a novel that honors the resilience of the past while celebrating the diversity of the present.

His work has been featured in various literary publications and theatrical productions, earning recognition for its emotional depth and historical authenticity.

Discover the Story

"The past is never truly lost; it lives on in the traditions we keep and the people we love."