Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom

by Tami Lehman-Wilzig, Oliver Averill (Illustrator)

Luis de Torres is a secret Jew, a Catholic convert, who, in his heart, remains Jewish. When the Inquisition comes and Jews are forced to leave Spain, Luis decides to join a sailing expedition to new lands. He has just his faith, his wits, and a silver hamsa to protect him on his journey. And could it be that Jewish tradition helps protect the ship?

Genres: Picture Books, Jewish

24 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Amalia Hoffman]

Luis De Torres is a Spanish Jew who like many Spanish Jews in 1492 is forced to make the painful decision: convert to Christianity or leave Spain. Luis converts so he can be with his beloved family. But in his heart, he remains Jewish.
He joins his family to be able to light the candles and celebrate Shabbat.
The author does a wonderful job describing the precautions Jews took in order to keep their faith, and the dangers they faced. Luis is led by his sister through a secret door down stairs covered in sand (To muffle the sound) and into a hidden room.
When Luis hears of an expedition to the Far East, he decides to leave.
The ship is supposed to sail on July 31. Luis is frightened because that date is the last day of Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It would be bad luck to sail on such a day.
The ship’s commander insists on sailing on the decided date.
But as if by miracle, a storm approaches on July 31, and the commander changes his mind and the voyage starts three days later. The author brilliantly weaves in the day of Tish B’Av into the story.
The illustrations beautifully capture the mood of the text with layers of colors and textures.
This book will contribute greatly to appreciating religious freedom and the people who fought for it. Highly recommended for homes, schools, libraries, and homes.

[Noodlenuts Kids Books]

Far less known outside our community than Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, within Judaism Tisha B'Av (literally just "The 9th of [the month of] Av"), a major fast day, is nonetheless central to our collective memory, a day which recounts the destruction of both the First & Second Holy Temples, and later a litany of tragedies perpetrated against us. The commencement of the First Crusade, the expulsion of Jews from England, France, Spain, and so many other attempts to harm us, all on or around that date.

Indeed, "Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" (2023) is historical fiction set in Spain, at around the time of the expulsion and/or forced conversion of all Spanish Jews, in 1492.

A fascinating glimpse into the life of an oppressed community on the brink of disaster, the story presents a young Jewish man, already forced to hide his identity, who joins Columbus's exploratory expedition as a way to find freedom in a new place. But as Columbus means to set off on Tisha B'Av, a day of grief, and deeply inauspicious for such adventuring (and which de Torres cannot admit to observing), the young man is placed in an untenable position: betray his faith, or risk everything.

With extensive back matter delving deeper into the historical and religious context, this is a wonderful glimpse into the roots and experiences Sephardic Jewish community.

[Susan Susser]

For centuries, children have learned how Columbus set sail from Spain in 1492 on a trip which ultimately led to the discovery of America. What is unique in the tale of Luis de Torres is the imaginative portrayal of grave danger faced by the Jews of Spain that same year, when they were forced to choose either to convert to Catholicism or leave their country forever.
In this heart stopping fictionalized history, Tami Lehman-Wilzig brings to life the painful parting of the real Luis de Torres from his family before setting out as a translator aboard the Santa Maria in the hope of finding freedom to live as a Jew. Unfortunately, the date of departure is scheduled for Tisha B’Av, the Jewish fast day commemorating the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Luis de Torres believes this is a bad omen and is frightened. As luck would have it, a terrible storm arises which delays the trip a few days until the storm abides.
Colorful illustrations add to the power of this well-told tale with apparent historical accuracy and dramatic effect.
I highly recommend this unique picture book as a way of introducing young people to the significance of the year 1492 within Jewish history as well.

[Joel Brauner]

When I read "Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" to my grandchildren I felt it was the perfect example of text and illustrations joining together to make an exciting children's story come alive. I’ve never read a Jewish children’s book on the Spanish Inquisition. I had no idea that the Jews were expelled on Tisha B’Av. This book was an eye-opener for me. Luis sails on an expedition in the hopes of finding a better place. He carries with him the silver hamsa that his nephew gave him to protect him. Luis looks out at the stormy sea. Will the Hamsa do its job?. As we turned the pages, all of us felt a wide range of emotions: anticipation, fear and relief. At the end of the voyage, when Luis takes out the hamsa, kisses it and smells freedom in the air, I felt I could smell it too! The author’s note says it’s work of historical fiction. Seems to me it’s a slice of Jewish history long overlooked.

[Shanna Silva]

“Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom,” written by Tami Lehman-Wilzig and illustrated by Oliver Averill, is a gem of historical picture book fiction. It tells the story of Yosef Ben HaLevi HaIvri, a Spanish Converso (secret Jew) who managed to escape the Spanish Inquisition’s persecution. Under his new name of Luis de Torres, Yosef was hired as a translator on a Far East expedition. When the ship’s departure coincides with the holy day of Tisha B’Av, a storm luckily delays the voyage, enabling the Jews on board to both observe the holiday and avoid the Inquisition’s expulsion deadline. The story is written in an engaging manner, and shows the observance of Judaism in Spain, done in secret at great risk. The complementary art is full of detail, rich texture, and mood-matching palettes.
This book is amazing!
It’s a wonderful story about struggle and freedom, and allows the reader to walk in the shoes of an important historical figure. It belongs in homes, classrooms, and libraries.

[Chana Stiefel]

Tami Lehman-Wilzig’s new historical fiction picture book LUIS DE TORRES SAILS TO FREEDOM, beautifully illustrated by Oliver Averill, reimagines the story of De Torres, a converso (a secret Jew who is forced to convert to Christianity during the Spanish Inquisition), who set sail with Christopher Columbus in 1492. In this fictional account, De Torres and other secret Jews aboard the Santa Maria knew it was a bad omen to leave the harbor during a terrible storm, which occurred on the fast day of Tisha B’Av, the 9th of Av. While it was dangerous to draw attention to their secret Judaism, De Torres took a risk and convinced Columbus to sail a few days later, after the storm had passed. This beautiful book will spark interesting discussion about the Spanish Inquisition, a period of persecution that lasted from 1478 to 1834, as well as the 9th of Av. It is a reminder to appreciate and celebrate our freedoms.

[Jacqueline]

This beautifully illustrated picture book brings to light an important historical event in the history of the Jewish people. Namely, the Spanish expulsion of the Jews in 1492 by a decree from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The story revolves around Luis de Torres, an interpreter fluent in Hebrew and other languages who sailed with Columbus. Luis de Torres was also a converso, a Jew who publicly converted to Catholicism while practicing his forbidden religion in secret. He escaped persecution by joining Columbus’s expedition. The story ends with an inspiring moment showing Luis on the deck of the Santa Maria, saltwater slapping his cheeks, inhaling the fresh crisp smell of freedom. An author’s note shares the history of the time period and interesting questions the author considered while creating this compelling work of historical fiction.

[Carol]

Most Jewish children have heard of Christopher Columbus and perhaps of Tisha B’Av, but I found that this book combines the two in a thrilling adventure which brought history to life. It’s about an incident which quite possibly is true, though we can’t be sure. The Jewish converso Luis de Torres is hired by – perhaps – Christopher Columbus to serve as translator on the boat he commands, the Santa Maria. It is due to sail on the date that Jews must leave Spain. But that date is Tisha B’Av, a bad omen for a sailing. Can Luis de Torres convince the commander to postpone the sailing? Kids will be on edge waiting to hear what happened. There is also a quite moving section in which Luis says good-bye to his family, who remain behind, hiding their secret Jewish identity.
Recommended.

[Gail Shuster-Bouskila]

Recently I have been reading about the challenging history of Jews during the Spanish Inquisition, so I was very pleased to learn about this children's book by Tami Lehman-Wilzig. It combines details about Jewish life in this historical period with the surprising connection to Columbus' voyage of discovery in which this Secret Jew Luis/Yosef took part.

Over the years I have given many of Tami's books as presents because I always try to find informative and educational books for my grandchildren. Her books always combine original Jewish content as well as aesthetic quality. This book will allow me to introduce this subject in a age appropriate and yet suspenseful manner. I am looking forward to discussing it with them after they read it!

[Gila Vogel]

“Luis Torres Sails to Freedom” is an engrossing telling of the story of the Marranos who practiced their Judaism in secret, and of those who left Spain for the New World. When Louis Torres visits his family to say goodbye, we learn how the Sabbath was celebrated in secret, and how heartbreaking it was to leave one’s family. Uncovering the facts that the deadline for the Jews to leave Spain was July 31, 1492, which coincided with Tisha b’Av, a day of mourning, and that Columbus set sail on August 3, after a brief delay, enabled the author to speculate about the reasons for the late departure and provided the suspence for the story. Tami Lehman-Wilzig makes this period in Jewish history come alive. The illustrations in the book are colorful and inviting. I heartily recommend this book.

[Meryl Gordon]

American children know 1492 as the year Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain and landed in the "New World." But 1492 is also the year that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled all Jews who did not convert to Catholicism. "Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" depicts the life of one secret Jew, officially a Catholic, who is swept up in the intersection of these events and finds an opportunity to flee Spain on a sailing expedition to the unknown. But Columbus's ship is set to sail on Tisha B'Av, the Jewish fast day mourning the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. And a storm is brewing. Is it bad luck to sail on such a day? Will the silver good-luck "hamsa" Luis carries protect the ship? A beautiful tale, beautifully illustrated!

[Annette Schottenfeld]

Tami Lehman-Wilzig has woven an intriguing story that captures many impactful elements. Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom takes place in 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition when Jews couldn’t openly practice. Readers will be drawn in as Yosef ben Halevi Halvri must say goodbye to his family as he pursues his dream of a free life. Oliver Averill’s illustrations beautifully reflect the emotions and symbolism found throughout the story. I highly recommend this fictionalized history which introduces young readers to new aspects of Christopher Columbus’ journey and Judaism. A fabulous read!

[Rabbi Deborah]

"Luis de Torres Sails to Freedom" showcases Tami Lehman-Wilzig’s talent for finding fascinating and important elements of Jewish history for children, as she did in our co-authored book, "The Boston Chocolate Party." I love how her newest book about de Torres shows that even an adult can find comfort in an object, a hamsa, resonant of how children attach to favorite dolls or blankets. Tami surfaces historical fiction and in so doing broadens our understanding of Jewish life, culture, and history.

[Erika Dreifus]

A fictionalized account focusing on particular aspects of Christopher Columbus's historical expedition that departed Spain in 1492. Plenty of well-chosen details about the Inquisition, the Tisha B'Av commemoration, and more. Beautifully illustrated.