rediscovering OUR PAST

IMAGINING OUR FUTURE

ADVOCATE

EDUCATE

INSPIRE

Manchester Jewish Museum, formerly the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, est. 1874

about isaac


Isaac Amon is a passionate advocate for connecting with one’s roots and bridging past, present, and future. With a rich family history, his Sephardic lineage traces back to 15th century Spain, while his Ashkenazi heritage is a testament to a diverse cultural upbringing. Having grown up with the privilege of both traditions and languages, Isaac's love for history was nurtured by his grandparents' stories of their origins and historical experiences across decades, oceans, and continents. 

Isaac's journey has been a quest to illuminate the shadows of history and law. Drawing from his legal and historical expertise, Isaac has lectured on criminal justice, Sephardic history, the Inquisition, and the Holocaust in North America, Europe, and Israel.

His knowledge extends to international and comparative law, procedure, and justice as demonstrated by his work at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Court.

Today, as the driving force behind academic research at the Jewish Heritage Alliance, Isaac is dedicated to making Sephardic history accessible and engaging for all people. From the achievements of Sephardic luminaries during the Renaissance to the somber chapters of massacres, inquisitions, and expulsion, Isaac illuminates the spectrum of Sephardic experiences. Through this, he sheds light on the human past and re-imagines possible futures for peoples across the globe.

The HUMAN story is one of history, memory, and vibrant legacy; Of genuine resiliency, endurance, and PERSEVERANCE.

Rediscover your story.

About our mission

telling the untold stories of our heritage

Isaac's mission is to breathe life into the forgotten chapters of human history, fostering reconnection for those scattered across the globe and encouraging them to rediscover their untold past. As technology develops and humanity continues to explore the cosmos, we can bring light to the many triumphs, as well as struggles, of people who have shaped culture, trade, and thought across the millennia. Isaac's vision extends beyond academia, weaving history into modern life and legal theory into current practice. Through education, he guides diverse audiences towards a deeper understanding of their shared heritage, thus honoring our ancestors’ lives and contributions. Only by understanding history can we be inspired to continue striving towards the formation of a “more perfect Union.”

want to invite Isaac as a speaker at your next event?

join us in retelling it.

why recount the sephardic story

The telling of history is essential, for it weaves a human narrative of resilience, marked by remarkable achievements and somber tragedies. This chronicle of endurance resonates across generations, offering invaluable lessons in the face of adversity. From great accomplishments to dark trials, the Sephardic journey epitomizes the strength of the human spirit. By sharing this inspirational saga, we honor the past, empower the present, and sow seeds of inspiration for a future where tenacity and cultural heritage intertwine in a tapestry of shared experience. This is the epitome of the human story.

Upcoming events

  • The Missouri Bar/Missouri Judicial Conference Annual Meeting

    September 13-15 2023

    The statewide meeting of Missouri’s legal profession returns in person to Kansas City Sept. 13-15, with educational offerings, endless networking opportunities, and the annual opportunity for lawyers and judges from across the state to network.

  • The 11th Annual Conference of the Society for Sephardic Studies

    October 9-13, 2023

    Eleventh Annual Conference of the Society for Sephardic Studies, to be held in Izmir, Turkey, October 9-13, 2023.

    Focus of the conference is: Sephardic Jews, between Messianism and Modernity

  • The 70th Annual Meeting of the Renaissance Society of America

    March 21-23, 2024

    On March 21–23, 2024, we will hold our annual meeting at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, IL, USA ("the Loop"), which was also the site of our 2017 conference.

Podcasts, lectures, & Publications

Dive into Isaac Amon’s past work with podcast appearances, lectures, and publications.