Meet the man putting Jewish Lisbon on the map

A chance meeting with Waldman’s father Sylvio led to an introduction to meet him.

“We’re steadily getting more people involved,” says Waldman. 

I wanted somewhere that would depict Judaism and Portugal, so along with a title showing candlesticks, there’s a rooster, the symbol of Portugal

Together with Sylvio, he bought the property on Rua da Judaria and is steadily excavating it with a view to eventually turning it into a proper community centre and a café serving Sephardi cuisine. His mother Vera, an artist, created the outside ceramic decorations. “I wanted something that would depict Judaism and Portugal, so along with say a tile showing candlesticks or a dreidel, there’s a rooster, which is the symbol of Portugal,” he says.

When the centre opens Waldman intends to keep some of his excavations exposed, surrounded by glass. As with all things, the eventual completion is dependent on monies raised. Waldman himself runs Jewish cultural tours not just in Lisbon but in other parts of the country. “I want it to be self-sustaining,” he says.

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The excavation has not been without its challenges. Waldman faced bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints. “It took a year to get the authorisations for the digging,” he notes. He has found several historical artefacts but none related to Jewish history.

One of his most significant projects involves the installation of Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones”, to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. “In September, we will place one Stolpersteine and two Stolperschwellen.

These are large plaques that commemorate multiple victims rather than the individual,” Waldman says. One plaque will be placed at the iconic Rossio Station in Rossio Square. “It was the second largest place, after arriving by boat, that most Jews arrived into Portugal,” he says. “During the war there was a kind of Kindertransport where 295 children arrived from Germany and France.” Another Stolperschwellen will be placed on the site of the Economic Kitchen, a facility that provided refugees with food, clothing, and healthcare. 

Luciano’s vision extends beyond the Jewish Cultural Centre. He is also working on a project called “Jew Where”, which aims to map Jewish heritage sites across Europe. “We start here, but the idea is to implement this project all over Europe,” he explains. This initiative will use QR codes on walls around the city to provide information about Jewish history, making it accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

Despite the progress, Luciano acknowledges the challenges of promoting Jewish heritage in a modern context. He recounts instances of vandalism and antisemitism, highlighting the need for continued education and awareness. “It’s so unfair to take revenge on the Jewish community,” he says. These experiences underscore the importance of the centre’s work in fostering understanding and tolerance.

Looking ahead, Waldman remains optimistic. He envisions a thriving Jewish community in Lisbon, supported by a strong foundation of cultural and historical awareness. “We are in the process of growing,” he says. His efforts are not just about preserving the past but also about building a vibrant future for Jewish life in Portugal.

Waldman’s story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Through his work, he has brought Lisbon’s Jewish heritage to the forefront, creating a space where history is not only remembered but celebrated.

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