The Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of London

Abraham Berahel (Francisco Lopes de Liz) was born in Amsterdam, the descendant of a New Christian family, and later settled in London. He obtained a prominent place in English society, and the niece of Charles II, later Queen Anne, is said to have visited his home in 1681. In 1677, Berahel returned to Amsterdam, where he married his cousin Rachel Suasso de Pinto. He subsequently returned to London and served as gabbai (warden) of the Sedaca (communal fund) of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation of London. In this role, he signed the document containing the decision to appoint Jacob Abendana as Haham (ḥakham; rabbi) of the community and the conditions of his employment in Elul 1681.