TAMIU Signs MOU with Fundación HispanoJudía to Promote Research, Educational, Cultural Collaboration

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fundación HispanoJudía, a historic Agreement enabling future research, educational and cultural collaborations between the two institutions.

The institutions signed the Agreement on Tuesday, September 10 at TAMIU's Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Colonnade.

The Agreement marks a milestone in the exploration and celebration of the rich heritage of Sephardic Jewish ancestry in the region. The partnership will focus on joint research projects that delve into the history, culture, and contributions of Sephardic Jewish communities who migrated to the Americas in the 16th Century.

The collaboration emerged from discussions with the Sephardic Jewish Federation of Spain, highlighting the historical presence of Spanish conversos in northern México and South Texas.

María Eugenia Calderón-Porter, assistant vice president of the TAMIU Office for Global Initiatives, shared the significance of the collaboration.

"TAMIU sits at the center of the regional development that was originally built by this Sephardic Spanish migration," she said, "Many traditions, foods, and family customs that were brought here are still part of our daily lives. TAMIU wants to raise awareness of the contributions and legacy the early Sephardic Spanish settlers had on our region."

Following the MOU signing, the event featured the unveiling of "El David," a distinctive sculpture by renowned Mexican-Jewish artist José Sacal. The sculpture symbolizes courage and faith, commemorating the Hispanic-Jewish families who played a pivotal role in the development of Texas. The piece is generously donated by the Fundación Sacal.

TAMIU announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Fundación HispanoJudía, a historic Agreement enabling future research, educational and cultural collaborations between the two institutions. Pictured from left to right are TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz and Jacques Sacal, representing Fundación HispanoJudía and Fundación Sacal.

José Sacal (1944-2018) was a distinguished sculptor known for his innovative work that blends elements of surrealism with profound human emotion. Born in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Sacal's artistic journey began in his early years, inspired by his experiences in various fields including medicine and his travels across the globe. His deep understanding of human anatomy and diverse cultural experiences enriched his sculptural techniques, earning him accolades such as the "President Florence" Award in Italy; Grand Trophy Mondial Prize at the Museo Beaux ArstD´Unet, in France; the  Great Blue and Gold Lace, European Biennale, in Paris; the Gold Medal, Lorenzo il Magnifico, at the International Biennial of Florence, Italy; the Gold Medal, "Correr PocketGallery," in Italy,  and numerous other international awards.

Pictured are representatives of Fundación HispanoJudía and Fundación Sacal, along with TAMIU representatives. Left to right: Albert Sacal, Alice Sacal, Gabriela Riveros, TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz, and TAMIU Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives María Eugenia Calderón-Porter.

For additional information, please contact Mariana Barberena, program manager at TAMIU's Office for Global Initiatives, at 956-326-2831 or via email at mariana.barberena@tamiu.edu.

University news and information can also be found online at tamiu.edu and on TAMIU’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

Watch the Event Livestream at: https://www.facebook.com/txamiu.binational/videos/1808341593304029