We Never Completely Forgot Who We Were with Yaffah Batya DaCosta

What happens when an entire people are forced to hide who they are… for generations?In this episode of The Story of Us, Jeff sits down with Yaffah Batya daCosta—educator, speaker, and advocate for the descendants of the “Secret Jews,” families who were forced to convert during the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions while quietly preserving pieces of their identity in secret.But this conversation is about much more than history.It’s about memory. Identity. Belonging. And the human need to understand where we come from.Together, they explore the story of the Anousim (“the forced ones”), how ancient persecution still echoes into modern life, and what happens when someone begins rediscovering truths their family was never allowed to openly speak about.Along the way, the conversation widens into something universal:How fear divides people. How stories shape identity. And how understanding each other more deeply may be one of the few paths toward healing.🎯 What You’ll Take AwayWho the “Secret Jews” were and why their story still matters todayHow forced conversion and hidden identity shaped generations of familiesThe surprising connections between history and modern global tensionsWhy human beings are more alike than different beneath culture and beliefHow compassion and curiosity can lead to deeper understanding🌍 Key ThemesIdentity and ancestryGenerational memoryReligious persecution and survivalHuman connectionHealing through understanding👤 About the Guest – Yaffah Batya daCostaYaffah Batya daCosta is an educator, speaker, coach, and advocate working to support descendants of the Anousim—Jewish families forced to conceal their identity during the Inquisition.Drawing from her own ancestral journey, she has spent decades studying Jewish history, early Christianity, interfaith relations, and the roots of antisemitism in order to promote deeper understanding and reconciliation between communities.She is also the CEO of a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping descendants reconnect with their heritage and identity.🔗 Learn MoreWebsite: www.bneianousim.orgFacebook: Yaffah Batya daCosta🌐 Explore More from The Story of UsIf this conversation resonated with you, we invite you to explore more episodes, reflections, bite-sized clips, and shorts designed to help us better understand ourselves—and each other.👉 www.thestoryofusproject.com/start-here🎥 Full episodes and clips available on YouTube 📲 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky🎧 Share the EpisodeIf you found value in this conversation, share it with someone who may need to hear it.Because stories like this remind us of something important:History may divide us…but understanding each other can still bring us back together.💬 Final ThoughtIdentity can be hidden.But somehow…the human spirit remembers.