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Buyrun a la Djente - Welcome to the People
La Djente is the national magazine of the Sephardic Community in America dedicated to representing the voices, ideas, activities, and interest of Sepharadim.
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Sephardic Philanthropist and Seattle native Becky Benaroya passes away at age 103
Becky Benaroya z'L Rebecca (Becky) Benaroya, the first-generation Sephardic Jewish woman whose love of the Jewish community, art, children, and the city of Seattle touched countless institutions and individuals, died on February 25th, 2026. She was 103. Becky was born at Seattle’s Providence Hospital January 14th, 1923, the second child and first daughter to Yuda (Joe) Benoun, an immigrant from the Island of Rhodes, and Dona Adatto Benoun, an immigrant from Tekirdag, Turkey.
Emily Alhadeff
Apr 66 min read
From Cape Town to Camp: Yitzchak Hasson Finds Home at Sephardic Adventure Camp
Campers during Israel Day at Sephardic Adventure Camp When Yitzchak Hasson arrived at Sephardic Adventure Camp this summer, he had already traveled halfway around the world — not just across oceans, but across cultures and communities.A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Yitzchak joined SAC as a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) for the first time, bringing with him the warmth and pride of South Africa’s Sephardic community. “Two years ago, we had someone from Seattle visit South A
Yitzchak Hasson
Apr 63 min read
Alumni Spotlight - Sephardic Scholars Program
As a middle and highschooler, I have memories of my grandfather, Sol Niego z”l, a former Central Council and Scholarship Committee member, carrying around Sephardic Scholarship applications in case he had a moment to review them. He spoke highly of each applicant, in awe of all their accomplishments and happy that the future of Sephardic Jewry was in their hands. Therefore, receiving scholarships for the past two years from the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America is an en
Ariella Levy
Apr 63 min read
Message from the President
Keridos Ermanos i Ermanas, As we welcome the season of renewal and prepare to celebrate Passover—a time that reminds us of resilience, faith, and shared destiny—I write to you with deep gratitude and pride. This year marks a remarkable milestone: the 110th anniversary of our Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America. One hundred and ten years of tradition.One hundred and ten years of service.One hundred and ten years of unity.One hundred and ten years of familya —family. Our
Sedat Behar
Apr 63 min read
Spring 2026
Read up on all our articles, essays, Ladino comics, and more from our Most Recent Magazine Issue.
Painting for Pesah: The Passover Cleaning Customs of Rhodesli Jews
A previous issue of la Djente featured a review of my nonno Alfredo’s wartime diary, “We Are Here! We Are Alive!” (thank you Gloria Asher for the glowing review!). The diary sheds light on a network of unassuming heroes who saved my grandfather’s family from the Shoah. Yet this diary represents only a fragment of a much larger unpublished memoir, spanning Alfredo Sarano’s childhood in Izmir to his final years in Bene Berak. The bulk of that memoir unfolds in Rhodes to wh
Baruch-Lev Kelman
Apr 62 min read
Book Review - Loving Truth and Peace: The Grand Religious World of Rabbi Uziel
Most Ashkenazim consider Sephardic Jews to be exotic yet somewhat naive, given to colorful garb and spiced food and characterized by sincere yet simple religious devotion, with perhaps more than a dab of Kabbalistic superstition thrown in for good measure. Their rabbis, too, are mild-natured individuals, innocent of worldly knowledge and perspicacity, who may be good at rote memorization but are third-rate in intellectual depth. Not long ago, even some talmidei-hakhamim held
Professor Zvi Zohar
Apr 68 min read
The Not So Simple Child - Thoughts for Passover
The Passover Haggadah presents a dramatic format for dealing with questions relating to religious observance. It presents four children, representing different attitudes toward Jewish belief and ritual, along with the framework for how to answer each of the questioners. The "rasha" (wicked child) is antagonistic to Jewish tradition. He/she does not feel part of it, and asks: what's the point of all this ritual? Why do you do these things? The Haggadah realizes that there is l
Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Apr 64 min read
Torah Thoughts - The Universalism/Particularism of Rabbi Eliyahu Benamozegh
Rabbi Eliyahu Benamozegh (1822-1900) Nineteenth century Livorno was home to a unique thinker whose life work centered on unity. Rabbi Eliyahu Benamozegh (1822-1900), whose parents were natives of Fez, Morocco, was orphaned at an early age. His guardians saw to it that this precocious child received a well-rounded education in Jewish and general subjects. Although as a young man he entered a business career, his real love was for religious and scientific thought. He went on to
Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Feb 108 min read
Dos Shakas de Nissim
Dos shakás para azer reir, partajadas por Nissim Ashkenazi en Ladinokomunitá. Editadas por Miriam Sherman i Aaron Shapiro. Se respektó la ortografía orijinala de Nissim. Djoha kon su Azno (Djoha and his donkey) Shaká 1 Un djóvino, manseviko ermozo, se kieriya kazar, i kada ija ke presentó a su mama, diziya, “no”. Fue ande una kazamanteria (mujer chalishkana, ke save i entiende sovre kazamientos i relasiones, matchmaker) . Le disho al mansevo, “Deves de bushkar una ija ke
Nissim Askenazi
Apr 61 min read
El Sekreto
Un dia mi madre de b”m me tomo i mos huimos a vijitar ande la vizina la mas vieja ke morava en la pansyon. Le aprometi a mi madre de tomar el tefteriko i el Alfabet i kopiar unas kuantas ojas kon muncho dikkat (atansion). En fin mos huimos ande la vizina. Yo estava okupado kon mi lisyon, ma kon una oreja estava sintiendo lo ke estavan avlando. La vizina mos ofrio likum turko. Kuando le trusho el kafe turko, mi mama le demando "A Madam Ayui no la vide oy." Mme. Ayui era la pat
Leon Sason
Apr 64 min read
Moshé, Miriam i Aarón en la sinagoga de Dura-Europos
En 1920, askeres inglezes, en eskavando en Salhiyé, Siria, toparon paredes kon pinturias muy antikas. Sigiendo kon su lavoro por munchos anyos, deskuvrieron la sivdad de Dura-Europos, ke fue abandonada después de un asedio en 256 o 257 kuando fue kuvierta kon lodo i arena. Algunos yaman a esta sivdad la “Pompeya del desierto” porke esta kuviertura la konservó muy bueno. En los sigientes anyos, los arkeólogos deskuvrieron munchas fraguas ke amostran ke ayí bivían endjuntos
Miriam Sherman
Apr 63 min read
Figuras chikas son más fuertes
Ay mezes ke los arrevatados bivos ya aboltaron a kaza i uvo una alegría grande en el paíz. Ama, Hamás reushó en una koza ke no se esperava: Munchos djudiós en la diáspora, ya se averguensan de ser djudiós, i sovre todo los djudiós ke no saven muestra istorya. Munchos de eyos, saven de la Shoá, i ke fuimos atakados por el governo nazi, se konvensieron de ke la Shoá fue un akontesimiento úniko i eksepsional, i ke el periodo de tiempo depués de la Shoá en ke bivíamos en kalma r
Aaron Shapiro
Feb 108 min read
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For the Love of Abudaraho
Abudaraho, also known as bottarga, is a unique delicacy among the Jews of the Ottoman Empire Abudaraho, made from salted and cured fish roe, has a centuries-old history. Research on this delicacy reveals that abudaraho was produced by the Phoenicians more than 3,500 years ago. Ancient Egyptians were curing mullet roe (called al-butarikh by the Arabs) as early as the 10th century BCE in Egypt’s Nile Delta. The name abudaraho, one of many Sephardic spellings, was likely origi
Dan Maslia
Apr 63 min read
Haroset, a Passover Delight
Turkish Haroset In all honesty, I have never met a haroset I didn’t like, and there are probably nearly as many different haroset as there are Jews! I always have three or four at my Seder and sometimes a guest brings their own favorite. Haroset is that mixture at Passover Seders that is evocative of the mortar and bricks the Israelite slaves made and used to erect Pharoah’s warehouses and other buildings (although probably not the pyramids, but that’s another story). The
Susan Barocas
Apr 64 min read
Myth, Memory, and Meaning - Kazantzakis in Jerusalem, Theo in Athens, and Ladino in New York
An original handwritten fragment of Maimonides’ Mishne Tora , held at Cambridge The Greek word mythos , from which we get ‘myth’, ultimately means ‘storytelling.’ It embodies a more emotional experience. Such impassioned retelling contrasts with logos , rational thought. Myths are stories that are accorded a higher significance by people’s belief in them, factual or not. The Jewish tradition is full of mythic stories, from the biblical to the contemporary, and the communal t
Theo Cantor
Apr 69 min read
Washington DC - Inaugural DC Ladino Day and More!
Welcome from Eitan Danon, DC Chapter President, at the Inaugural DC Ladino Day Our newest Brotherhood chapter has been busy this fall and winter with some exciting programs. Our inaugural DC Ladino Day was a fantastic success! We held a joyful celebration in November of Sephardic language, culture, and community, bringing together more than 100 attendees for an unforgettable day of learning and connection. The program featured engaging presentations on the basics of Ladino, a
Eitan Danon
Feb 102 min read
Link in Bio! Our Spring 2026 edition is now out! La Djente - The People is the magazine of the Sephardic Community in America. As the only print and digital publication featuring original Ladino language content in North America, the quarterly magazine features articles in both English and Ladino on Sephardic culture, identity and food, Torah insights, current events, and community essays.
La Djente, meaning The People in Ladino, celebrates the diverse perspectives of Sephardic thought leaders around the world, from New York to Seattle, Istanbul to Salonika, Mexico City to Cape Town, Jerusalem to London, and beyond.
La Djente, meaning The People in Ladino, celebrates the diverse perspectives of Sephardic thought leaders around the world, from New York to Seattle, Istanbul to Salonika, Mexico City to Cape Town, Jerusalem to London, and beyond.
Link in bio!
Pesah Alegre! We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Sephardic Passover Guide, filled with resources and guidance on how our Sephardic community practices #Passover, including seder recordings in #Ladino and Hebrew, and even a printable Sephardic Agada!
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#Pesah #Matza #seder
Pesah Alegre! We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Sephardic Passover Guide, filled with resources and guidance on how our Sephardic community practices #Passover, including seder recordings in #Ladino and Hebrew, and even a printable Sephardic Agada!
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#Pesah #Matza #seder
#thisweekinsephardichistory: In February of 1943, the Nazi occupation authorities in Salonika, Greece order more than 2,500 Jews to leave their homes and move into the cramped, low quality homes in the Baron Hirsch District of the city. Swipe to learn more about this difficult moment in Sephardic history.
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#Sephardic #Salonika #Holocaust #Shoah
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#Sephardic #Salonika #Holocaust #Shoah
The wait is over! The newest edition of La Djente – The People, our Sephardic Community Magazine. is officially out now — featuring fresh voices, powerful stories, and the culture that moves us forward. Dive in and experience it for yourself at the link in bio or go to ladjente.com
#LaDjente #Sephardic #SephardicCommunity #Sephardi #Ladino
#LaDjente #Sephardic #SephardicCommunity #Sephardi #Ladino
#thisweekinsephardichistory: The first Jews in North America, Sepharadim from Amsterdam via Recife, Brazil, are formally admitted to the Colony of New Amsterdam (today’s New York). Swipe to learn more about why these Jews came to the New World, what they were escaping, and how they are still around today!
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sefardi #Sfardi Sepharadi
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sefardi #Sfardi Sepharadi
Check out our Frutikas Seder Booklet at our Link in Bio to learn more!
Frutikas Alegre! Did you know there’s more than just one Seder in the #Sephardic tradition? #Ladino-speaking Sepharadim celebrate Frutikas (aka Las Frutas), Tu BiShevat - the New Year for the Trees, with a special Seder in Hebrew and Ladino. The Seder features symbolic foods of the season along with a rendition of psalms, Ladino songs, and more.
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#Ladino #TuBishevat #jewishnewyear
Frutikas Alegre! Did you know there’s more than just one Seder in the #Sephardic tradition? #Ladino-speaking Sepharadim celebrate Frutikas (aka Las Frutas), Tu BiShevat - the New Year for the Trees, with a special Seder in Hebrew and Ladino. The Seder features symbolic foods of the season along with a rendition of psalms, Ladino songs, and more.
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#Ladino #TuBishevat #jewishnewyear
The Holocaust erased more than 6 million Jewish souls from the world. While most of these victims were Ashkenazi Jews, a significant percentage were Ladino-speaking Sepharadim, primarily in Greece, the Balkans, and the former Yugoslavia.
Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stop and remember the more than 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and particularly the over 66,000 Greek Jews and hundreds of thousands of Sepharadim of Europe. #WeRemember
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sefardi #Sfardi #Sepharadim #Sefardim #Ladino #GreekJews #SephardicHolocaust #Holocaust #HolocaustMemorial #Shoah
Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stop and remember the more than 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and particularly the over 66,000 Greek Jews and hundreds of thousands of Sepharadim of Europe. #WeRemember
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sefardi #Sfardi #Sepharadim #Sefardim #Ladino #GreekJews #SephardicHolocaust #Holocaust #HolocaustMemorial #Shoah
It is with heavy hearts that we learned about the passing of Rachel Nahmias Kornberg at 108 this past week, an extraordinary woman who survived the Holocaust in the city of Monastir (Bitola) in today’s North Macedonia.
Born in Salonika and raised in Monastir, she grew up in a vibrant Sephardic community, speaking Ladino—her mother tongue—and later French and Italian. During World War II, Rachel was among the roughly 2% of city’s Jews who survived the Holocaust, saved through extraordinary courage and the bravery of a neighbor who hid her and helped her escape to Albania. She may have been the world’s oldest living native #Ladino speaker at the time of her passing.
After the war, Rachel rebuilt her life with remarkable resilience—reuniting with a surviving brother, immigrating to the United States in 1950, and becoming a gifted seamstress in Boston. She found deep joy in family, friendship, and Sephardic culture, touching lives across generations and continents with her infectious smile, warmth, and songs in Ladino. Rachel was deeply beloved and will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and enduring zest for life.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Born in Salonika and raised in Monastir, she grew up in a vibrant Sephardic community, speaking Ladino—her mother tongue—and later French and Italian. During World War II, Rachel was among the roughly 2% of city’s Jews who survived the Holocaust, saved through extraordinary courage and the bravery of a neighbor who hid her and helped her escape to Albania. She may have been the world’s oldest living native #Ladino speaker at the time of her passing.
After the war, Rachel rebuilt her life with remarkable resilience—reuniting with a surviving brother, immigrating to the United States in 1950, and becoming a gifted seamstress in Boston. She found deep joy in family, friendship, and Sephardic culture, touching lives across generations and continents with her infectious smile, warmth, and songs in Ladino. Rachel was deeply beloved and will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and enduring zest for life.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Link in bio! We are excited to announce the full itinerary for our special Young Professionals Tour of Jewish Greece this Summer 2026! We will trace the roots of our families and visit the beautiful cities of Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Rhodes, Athens, Kastoria, and Veria. The tour will run from June 28 - July 8, 2026. Spots are limited and the deadline to register and submit deposits is February 12. Rediscover your heritage and connect with other young Sephardic and Romaniote Jews on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure to sign up now while there are still spots left!
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lena Goren (nee Casuto) at the age of 96, one of only a handful of Greek Jewish Holocaust survivors from the city of Larissa, Greece.
Lena was born in Salonika, Greece in 1930. Her family moved to Larissa when her father became the Rabbi of the city. When she was nine years old, Italy and Greece entered World War II. Luftwaffe planes began dropping bombs on the city, and the mayor of Larissa warned Rabbi Casuto of the imminent deportation of Larissa’s Jews to German concentration camps. Lena’s family, with eighty-three others, fled to the mountains of Tzouma in the dead of night. They hid in an isolated monastery with no running water or facilities for the rest of the war, suffering from food shortages, illness, and confinement. Tragically, she learned at the end of the war that the entire rest of her family - cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts - died in concentration camps.
At the age of seventeen, Lena immigrated to the United States with her family. She married, raised three children, and, despite having only a third-grade education, earned a high school diploma. Lena worked as a seamstress, hairdresser, and a Greek and Spanish interpreter for the New York court system. She is a former Miss Senior America finalist, and leaves behind a brother, three children, and many wonderful grandchildren.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Gan Eden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden.
Lena was born in Salonika, Greece in 1930. Her family moved to Larissa when her father became the Rabbi of the city. When she was nine years old, Italy and Greece entered World War II. Luftwaffe planes began dropping bombs on the city, and the mayor of Larissa warned Rabbi Casuto of the imminent deportation of Larissa’s Jews to German concentration camps. Lena’s family, with eighty-three others, fled to the mountains of Tzouma in the dead of night. They hid in an isolated monastery with no running water or facilities for the rest of the war, suffering from food shortages, illness, and confinement. Tragically, she learned at the end of the war that the entire rest of her family - cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts - died in concentration camps.
At the age of seventeen, Lena immigrated to the United States with her family. She married, raised three children, and, despite having only a third-grade education, earned a high school diploma. Lena worked as a seamstress, hairdresser, and a Greek and Spanish interpreter for the New York court system. She is a former Miss Senior America finalist, and leaves behind a brother, three children, and many wonderful grandchildren.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Gan Eden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden.
Highlights from our 2025 International Sephardic Community Gala - Celebrating the 110th Anniversary of the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America. Video features remarks from our National President Sedat Behar, our three extraordinary honorees (Joel Benoliel - Lifetime Community Service Award; Sarah Levin- Sephardic Young Leadership Award; and Mitch R. Julis - Service to Humanity Award), with closing remarks and a call for action from our Managing Director Ethan Marcus, along with a special Sephardic dance routine from our local Turkish Jewish dancing troupe.
#sephardic #sephardi #ladino #sefardic #sefardi #judeoespanyol #sephardicheritage
#sephardic #sephardi #ladino #sefardic #sefardi #judeoespanyol #sephardicheritage
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: This week marks the meldado (memorial) of the passing of Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay zt”L, the former Haham Bashi - Sephardic Chief Rabbi of the United States. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria to a long lineage of rabbis, Rabbi Dr. Alcalay dedicated his life to the service of the Sephardic Community.
Swipe to learn more about this important leader for the American Sephardic Community.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #ChiefRabbi #Sefardi #Sfardi
Swipe to learn more about this important leader for the American Sephardic Community.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #ChiefRabbi #Sefardi #Sfardi
Link in Bio!
Who’s ready to celebrate with our #Sephardic #Hanukka Guide!
This special booklet, a national collaboration between the Rabbis and lay leaders of our 12 affiliate communities, is an exciting new resource for our #Ladino-speaking Sephardic Community, with step by step guidance on Hanukka the Sephardic tradition. The Booklet includes the specific blessings and prayers in Hebrew, transliterations, English translations, and Ladino translations. The booklet also features a special set of Sephardic recipes to help you enhance the Festival of Lights experience!
Importantly, the digital version of our Booklet has clickable links to the recordings of the blessings read on Hanukka through our Zemirot.org database, so that everyone can have the opportunity to study and learn the tunes of our communities. We hope this will help each and every one of you have a meaningful and uplifting Hanukka, rich in the customs and traditions of our Sephardic Community.
Hanukka Alegre!
#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Hanukkah #Hanukka#Hanuka #Chanukah #Chanukkah #Ladino #FloryJagoda#LadinoMusic #Sephardicfood
Who’s ready to celebrate with our #Sephardic #Hanukka Guide!
This special booklet, a national collaboration between the Rabbis and lay leaders of our 12 affiliate communities, is an exciting new resource for our #Ladino-speaking Sephardic Community, with step by step guidance on Hanukka the Sephardic tradition. The Booklet includes the specific blessings and prayers in Hebrew, transliterations, English translations, and Ladino translations. The booklet also features a special set of Sephardic recipes to help you enhance the Festival of Lights experience!
Importantly, the digital version of our Booklet has clickable links to the recordings of the blessings read on Hanukka through our Zemirot.org database, so that everyone can have the opportunity to study and learn the tunes of our communities. We hope this will help each and every one of you have a meaningful and uplifting Hanukka, rich in the customs and traditions of our Sephardic Community.
Hanukka Alegre!
#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Hanukkah #Hanukka#Hanuka #Chanukah #Chanukkah #Ladino #FloryJagoda#LadinoMusic #Sephardicfood
The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America is horrified and outraged by the shooting that murdered 11 people on Bondi Beach in Australia. We condemn this act of violence and the attack it represents against Australian Jewry and the safety of all Jews around the world.
The Talmud refers to a famous quote on Jewish peoplehood: - All Israel is Responsible for One Another - כל ישראל ערבין זה לזה.
We all feel the pain deeply, we are all connected in spite of the distance. We all stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia, and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those grieving on what should have been a time of light and celebration.
That this heinous attack occurred during Hanukkah makes it especially painful. Yet Hanukkah reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people endure. Hatred and antisemitism will not stop us from living proudly as Jews or from celebrating our community openly. Even on this darkened day, we will light our menorahs tonight and affirm our commitment to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
May the memories of the victims be a blessing, and may the light of Hanukkah prevail.
The Talmud refers to a famous quote on Jewish peoplehood: - All Israel is Responsible for One Another - כל ישראל ערבין זה לזה.
We all feel the pain deeply, we are all connected in spite of the distance. We all stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia, and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those grieving on what should have been a time of light and celebration.
That this heinous attack occurred during Hanukkah makes it especially painful. Yet Hanukkah reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people endure. Hatred and antisemitism will not stop us from living proudly as Jews or from celebrating our community openly. Even on this darkened day, we will light our menorahs tonight and affirm our commitment to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
May the memories of the victims be a blessing, and may the light of Hanukkah prevail.
The International Sephardic Community Gala was a truly exhilarating celebration and an amazing kick-off to our 110th anniversary year! We brought together over 250 guests from Sephardic communities across the United States and around the world—some traveling from as far as Istanbul, Amsterdam, London, and Athens. The evening pulsed with energy as attendees enjoyed fantastic Greek, Ladino, Turkish, and Israeli music, unforgettable foods and drinks, a special Turkish Jewish dancing troupe from our community, and inspiring remarks that highlighted the resilience, warmth, and vibrancy of Sephardic life today.
We heard inspiring words from some of our leaders like President Sedat Behar and Gala Chair Lexi Fellus, a fantastic 110th anniversary video highlighting the wonderful diversity of our multigenerational community, and a powerful and moving speech from our Bivas - Ladino High School Club of America Student President Simeon Maman, whose words touched our audience deeply.
A major highlight of the night was honoring our extraordinary awardees: Joel Benoliel received the Lifetime Community Service Award, Sarah Levin was celebrated with the Young Leadership Award, and Mitch Julis was recognized with the Service to Humanity Award. The Gala left everyone uplifted and proud, a powerful reminder of our shared legacy and the bright future we are building together.
The theme that echoed throughout the night—Aki Estamos, we are here—was felt powerfully, and indeed our Torah values, traditions, pride, and care for one another shone through in every moment.
Mersi muncho - thank you all for celebrating with us, and Si Kere El Dio, with God’s help, here’s to 110 more years of a thriving Sephardic community!
We heard inspiring words from some of our leaders like President Sedat Behar and Gala Chair Lexi Fellus, a fantastic 110th anniversary video highlighting the wonderful diversity of our multigenerational community, and a powerful and moving speech from our Bivas - Ladino High School Club of America Student President Simeon Maman, whose words touched our audience deeply.
A major highlight of the night was honoring our extraordinary awardees: Joel Benoliel received the Lifetime Community Service Award, Sarah Levin was celebrated with the Young Leadership Award, and Mitch Julis was recognized with the Service to Humanity Award. The Gala left everyone uplifted and proud, a powerful reminder of our shared legacy and the bright future we are building together.
The theme that echoed throughout the night—Aki Estamos, we are here—was felt powerfully, and indeed our Torah values, traditions, pride, and care for one another shone through in every moment.
Mersi muncho - thank you all for celebrating with us, and Si Kere El Dio, with God’s help, here’s to 110 more years of a thriving Sephardic community!
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: This Week marks the #Meldado (annual memorial) of the famous American Sephardic Poet Emma Lazarus. Born in New York to a large and historic Sephardic family in 1849, Lazarus ancestors originally emigrated from Portugal after the Inquisition, and were among the first 23 Jews to arrive in what was then New Amsterdam in 1654.
Swipe to learn more about this inspiring American #Sephardic Poet!
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sephardim #Sepharadim #EmmaLazarus #thenewcolassus #newcolassus
Swipe to learn more about this inspiring American #Sephardic Poet!
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sephardim #Sepharadim #EmmaLazarus #thenewcolassus #newcolassus
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: On November 15, 2003, an Al Qaeda terrorist cell operating in Istanbul carried out two bombings on that Shabbat morning at the Neve Salom Central Synagogue and Bet Israel Synagogue, murdering 24 people and injuring more than 300 in the attacks. This week, we stop and remember them.
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May Their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May Their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯
DC showed up for ladino!
Sepharadim have a long and proud history serving in America’s Armed Forces since the time of the American Revolution. On Veterans Day, we stop and thank them for all they have done and sacrificed in service to the United States.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #memorialday #Veterans #Sepharadim #Jewishveterans #memorial #memorialdayusa
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #memorialday #Veterans #Sepharadim #Jewishveterans #memorial #memorialdayusa
Even a #Sephardic Papou can be a little scary.
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sfardi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #halloween #halloweencontest
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sfardi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #halloween #halloweencontest
#ThisweekinSephardicHistory: this past weekend marked the Meldado (annual memorial) of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the former Rishon LeZion (Sephardic Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel) and one of the great Torah scholars and thinkers of the 20th century.
Born in Baghdad and later migrated to Jerusalem with his family, Rav Ovadia was recognized as a gifted student from a young age, receiving his rabbinical ordination by age 20 and dayanut (rabbinical judgeship) by age 30. He authored dozens of books and articles on Jewish Law, and served as one of the founders and spiritual leaders of the Shas party in Israel. A fierce advocated for the Sephardic Community in Israel and the diaspora, he fought against the deep seated racism and discrimination many Sephardic Jews were facing in the Jewish State. His landmark rulings on the status of Ethiopian Jews, Women in Jewish law, the Oslo Peace process, and many others had profound impact on the Jewish world.
When he passed away in 2013, his funeral was the largest in the State of Israel’s history, with an estimated 800,000 people in attendance.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his Soul Rest in the Garden of Eden.
Born in Baghdad and later migrated to Jerusalem with his family, Rav Ovadia was recognized as a gifted student from a young age, receiving his rabbinical ordination by age 20 and dayanut (rabbinical judgeship) by age 30. He authored dozens of books and articles on Jewish Law, and served as one of the founders and spiritual leaders of the Shas party in Israel. A fierce advocated for the Sephardic Community in Israel and the diaspora, he fought against the deep seated racism and discrimination many Sephardic Jews were facing in the Jewish State. His landmark rulings on the status of Ethiopian Jews, Women in Jewish law, the Oslo Peace process, and many others had profound impact on the Jewish world.
When he passed away in 2013, his funeral was the largest in the State of Israel’s history, with an estimated 800,000 people in attendance.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his Soul Rest in the Garden of Eden.
Join us for a festival celebrating Ladino, a uniquely Jewish language also known as Judeo-Spanish. Ladino is a bridge between cultures: based in old Castilian Spanish, it’s infused with Hebrew, Turkish, Arabic, French, and others, providing a window into the Sephardic world. The mother tongue of Sephardic Jews in the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, Ladino has a long and storied history in the United States, including in DC. Gather with us as we delve into this beautiful language through stories, food, and song.
The day will feature a talk about the transmission of Sephardic foods between countries and cultures by @susanbarocas, a conversation with author Anthony Bigio on his new book A Sephardi Turkish Patriot, a Ladino musical performance by the world-renowned Trio Sefardi, and a reception showcasing Sephardic treats.
Register early and save! Early bird pricing is $18 per person until October 23; ticket prices will then increase to $36 per person. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sonya at sweisburd@edcjcc.org
The day will feature a talk about the transmission of Sephardic foods between countries and cultures by @susanbarocas, a conversation with author Anthony Bigio on his new book A Sephardi Turkish Patriot, a Ladino musical performance by the world-renowned Trio Sefardi, and a reception showcasing Sephardic treats.
Register early and save! Early bird pricing is $18 per person until October 23; ticket prices will then increase to $36 per person. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sonya at sweisburd@edcjcc.org
Athens Meets Aleppo, a special partnership between the Greek, Turkish and Syrian Sephardic Community in New York, brought together nearly 150 people for a special Sukkot celebration in lower Manhattan. Infused with a cross of Sephardic, Greek, and Turkish traditions, Ladino, Hebrew, and Arabic song, and of course a mix of Syrian and Greek cuisine.
After 738 agonizing days in captivity, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Avinatan Or, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Maksym Harkin, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen, Rom Braslvaski, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef-Chaim Ohana, have come home.
Here Noa Argamani, a former hostage herself, embraces her boyfriend Avinatan for the first time in 2 years.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are to see the hostages finally return home.
Here Noa Argamani, a former hostage herself, embraces her boyfriend Avinatan for the first time in 2 years.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are to see the hostages finally return home.
️⚡Today is the LAST DAY for Early Bird pricing, so grab your tickets now before prices go up at the link in bio!
🎉The International Sephardic Community Gala is happening Sunday, December 7th—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. Live Greek and Ladino music, delicious Sephardic foods, dancing, amazing honorees, and more!
Still need convincing? Check out our 2023 Gala highlight reel (in our profile) for a taste of the unforgettable night we have in store.
#SephardicGala #Sephardic #Ladino #Greek #Turkish #Celebrate #Gala
🎉The International Sephardic Community Gala is happening Sunday, December 7th—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. Live Greek and Ladino music, delicious Sephardic foods, dancing, amazing honorees, and more!
Still need convincing? Check out our 2023 Gala highlight reel (in our profile) for a taste of the unforgettable night we have in store.
#SephardicGala #Sephardic #Ladino #Greek #Turkish #Celebrate #Gala
Need break fast ideas for #yomkippur? Take a look at these delicious #Sephardic break fast foods and drinks for an end to the holiday.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Sephardicfood #Ladino #YomKippur2025 #yomkippurbreakfast #breakfast #yomkippur
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Sephardicfood #Ladino #YomKippur2025 #yomkippurbreakfast #breakfast #yomkippur
Link in Bio - Meet the honorees at our upcoming International Sephardic Community Gala! Sarah Levin is the Executive Director of JIMENA - Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, a leading organization advocating for Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews around the world. Sarah has helped revolutionize the representation of Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jewry in the jewish world, and has developed innovative new educational
and demographic programs
for our communities.
Come join us on Sunday December 7th as we celebrate Sarah and all her accomplishments!
and demographic programs
for our communities.
Come join us on Sunday December 7th as we celebrate Sarah and all her accomplishments!
LinkinBio! #Sephardic #RoshHashana fun fact: think Passover is the only time we have a Seder? Think again! Sepharadim have a special Seder for Rosh Ashana read in Hebrew #Ladino and English with symbolic foods like dates, leeks, and a lamb head. Check it out in our Rosh Ashana Seder Booklet!
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#JewishNewYear #roshhashana #roshhashanah #roshhashaná #newyear #Sephardic #sephardi #sephardim #sepharadim #sefardi #sfardi
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#JewishNewYear #roshhashana #roshhashanah #roshhashaná #newyear #Sephardic #sephardi #sephardim #sepharadim #sefardi #sfardi
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: This past week marked the Meldado of Rabbi Bension Meir Hai Uziel, the first Sephardic Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel. Rabbi Bension Mair Hai Uziel was born in Jerusalem to a storied long line of Sephardic Hahamim dating back centuries. An extraordinary Torah scholar and native #Ladino speaker, Rabbi Uziel embodies everything that we as Sepharadim should aspire to be. Swipe now to learn more about the life and legacy of this extraordinary man!
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sepharadim #Sfardic #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sepharadi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #BensionUziel #RabbiUziel #RabbiOuziel
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sepharadim #Sfardic #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sepharadi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #BensionUziel #RabbiUziel #RabbiOuziel
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: Happy #laborday! Did you know that Sephardic Jews have had a long and proud history in the American Labor movement, including many founding members of the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood? In honor of Labor Day, we’re highlighting the stories of a few individuals who have helped advocate for Labor rights in the United States over the years.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Sepharadim #Sefardi #Ladino #Jews #JewsinLabor #Jewish #JewishUnions #JewishUnion
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Sepharadim #Sefardi #Ladino #Jews #JewsinLabor #Jewish #JewishUnions #JewishUnion
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