The painting gallery of the Jewish community of Porto, divided between the three rooms of the Rosh Pinah library and two rooms of the Jewish museum, has been a highly sought-after study tool for Portuguese Senior Universities, as it allows for a simplified filmic overview of the long history of Jews in Portugal.
It is highlighted the contributions of Jews to the First Dynasty in all important areas of governance, the family of Yaish ben Yahia, the remarkable cultural work of Dom Dinis and Rabbi-Mor Guedelha, the financial expertise of Moses de Navarro – the wealthiest Jew of his time – as almoxarife (Treasurer) under Dom Pedro, and the involvement of the Navarro family as almoxarifes under Dom Fernando.
It is also highlighted how Dom John I launched the Age of Discovery with the nation’s leading forces in science and finance, and visitors can also learn that the Edict of King Dom Manuel and the Inquisition started by King Dom João III made decisive contributions to the fall of the Empire.
The most striking part of the historical narrative spanning so many centuries, however, concerns modernity, because the country has once again become involved in serious problems with the Jews, both through the "Portuguese Dreyfus" affair and through a "socialist persecution" that apparently will never be forgiven by the Jewish community.
