Sephardim from Holland

[Benla Den <benla...>]

I am surprised to learn that the Jews from Holland are considered Sephardic.
I always learned that Sephardim were orgignally from Spain and spread out
over Northern Africa (I guess after the expulsion in 1492). Why are the Jews
from Holland considered Sephardic. Did they go there from Spain?
Although it in not politically correct to make these assertions...I also
thought thatmost Sephardic Jews were darker skinned than most Ashkenaz Jews.
How about the Jews from Holland. I guess my image of the little Dutch girl
is not the same image of the little Jewish Dutch Girl :-). What's the scoop?
WHere did the Jews of Holland come from? Are there Jewish communities who
fell somewhere between Sephardic and Ashkenaz?

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