Ladino: The Endangered Language of the Spanish Jews

Series produced by Rhonda J. Miller

Caption: A community chorus in Los Angeles is keeping alive the Ladino language with music, Credit: Rhonda J. Miller
Image by: Rhonda J. Miller 
A community chorus in Los Angeles is keeping alive the Ladino language with music 

The Jews were kicked out of Spain in 1492 and they took with them their Judeo-Spanish language, called Ladino. As they crossed borders looking for more welcoming territory, Ladino picked up words from Italian, French, Hebrew, Arabic and Turkish. These stories are about Ladino music and culture and the efforts to save the endangered language.

Ladino is the endangered language of the Spanish Jews. They carried the language with them when they were kicked out of Spain in 1492. The vitality and beauty of Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish, is being preserved and revived through music and cultural efforts by small groups of people in a few communities in the U.S. and in countries including Turkey and Israel.


3 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Kantigas Muestras is a Ladino chorus based in Los Angeles., Credit: Rhonda J. Miller
As Jews around the globe celebrate Passover to commemorate the exodus from slavery in Egypt, a community chorus in Los Angeles is keeping alive the...

Bought by KZYX, KUER, Prairie Public, and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Mar 26, 2017
  • Length: 04:46
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Rivka Amado performs Ladino songs at the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living in Danville, California., Credit: Rhonda J. Miller
As the candles of Hanukah connect Jews around the world, holiday songs in Ladino shine a light on a language UNESCO rates as “severely endangered.”...

Bought by KSFR, KUPR low power FM, KAWC / Border Radio - KOFA, WTIP, WAMC Northeast Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 27, 2011
  • Length: 04:24
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Professor Gloria Ascher teaches Ladino at Tufts University., Credit: Rhonda Miller
As Jews around the world celebrate Hanukah, some in Boston are singing in Ladino, a language UNESCO rates as "severely endangered" in its 2009 Atla...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio and WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 20, 2010
  • Length: 04:56
  • Purchases: 2