Sephardi

[Renato]

The term Sephardi, as generally used, describes Jews of non-European origin. The term is actually a misnomer in that it broadly describes Jews of middle-eastern descent as well [Yemenite] Jews. The term Sehpardi actually means Spain. Jews of Middle-eastern descent should really be called MustaArab or [Edot] Hamizrah. Jews from Yemen are not Sephardi at all either and should be referred to as Temani (or another more appropriate term they themselves use - which I have forgotten at the moment).
Spanish (and Portugese) had existing communities in Turkey and Greece and even in Holland which developed after the expulsion from Spain, circa [1492].
Sephardi Jews, as used broadly, have unfortunately come to assimilate among the more dominant and [hegemonic] [Ashkenazi Jews]. Consequently, they have almost lost their rich culture, heritage, norms, and traditions

[Jessica]

A Jew of Spanish or Portuguese descent. They retain their own distinctive customs and rituals, preserving Babylonian Jewish traditions rather than the Palestinian ones of the Ashkenazim.