(Courtesy of American Sephardi Federation) American Sephardi Federation is launching its new online initiative, Institute of Jewish Experience. For those who want a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multi-faceted history, culture and customs of the Jewish world, these semester-long courses may be completed at one’s own pace and on one’s own time. This is pure learning for enjoyment—no grades, no assignments, simple short lectures and some recommended readings.

The Crypto Experience will open on March 8. Registration is already underway. The course was created and spearheaded by Hilda Nissimi of Bar Ilan University. She encourages participants to explore the question of identity through the historic perspectives of the Huegenots, Spanish-Portuguese annusim and the Mashadis. She is joined by guest lecturers Prof. Ronnie Perelis of Yeshiva University; Prof. Paul Fenton of the Sorbonne; Reuben Ibrahimoff of the Mashadi community; Michael Milgrom; and Genie Milgrom, author of “My 15 Grandmothers.” Each brings their own historical perspective while Nissimi brilliantly weaves together the narratives to encourage self-reflection and an analysis of identity.

This course gives a whole new perspective to the question of “Who is a Jew?” For over a hundred years the Jews of Mashad, Iran, lived a double life. Outside they appeared as practicing Muslims. There were even members who went on haj. Yet in their homes they ate strictly kosher and kept Shabbat and holidays as best as possible. This phenomenon resonates with the double lives led by the Jews of Christian Spain. The Bildi’in of Morocco began in much the same form, yet today they are almost indistinguishable from their neighbors other than their last names.

As politics continues to dictate who is a Jew around the world, this course focuses on the spirituality and identity of one’s sense of self.