Most of our religious observances are indoors--in our homes, in our synagogues. We generally do not like to create a public spectacle of our religious experiences, but we behave modestly and try not to call attention to ourselves as we perform mitzvoth. There are some exceptions to this. On Hanukkah, it is a particular mitzvah to publicize the miracle by placing our hanukkiyot where they can be seen by the passers-by. Sukkoth also has some aspects of taking our religious obse

“Ombre mortal, porke duermes? Es tiempo ke roges i te konyores.” Mortal human, why do you sleep? It is time to rise and plead your case! With these stirring words, generations of Sephardic Jews have begun the famous Selihah Ben Adam, Lekha Nirdam. Recited during the month of Elul and in the days leading to Yom Kippur, its message reaches across the centuries: Wake up. Reflect. Remember who you are and consider who you still have the power to become. As we enter a new Jewish y

Un djudió da haber en el kal, ke día de lúnes a midí va dar una performans de kaminada enriva de kuedra, del minaré de la djamí asta la torre de la eglisia. Todos son invitados, el bilyeto kosta 10 groshes. Lúnes a midí se arekojó una djentoria en la plasa entre la djamí i la eglisia. Después ke vendió bilyetos a kada persona del públiko tresalido, se les adresó i les disho kon muncha emosión: "La verdad es ke no se kaminar enriva de kuedra. Si metésh inat, ya lo vo aprovar..

1. Sovre animales Un gato ambierto estava asegiendo detrás de un ratón. Se fuyó el ratón i se entró en un burako en la pared. Asperó el gato kon pasensia. Pasó tiempo, i el gato no se iva, i el ratón ya kería salir. En súpito, empesó el ratón a gritar komo un perro, i el gato se fuyó. Pasó por ayá un amigo del ratón i le demandó, "kuálo estás aziendo?" Disho el ratón, "Akí para kedar bivo, kale ambezarse una otra lingua..." 2. El kasador (hunter) Un kasador entró

There is a tasty play between sweet and the mix of spices in these peras reyenados, stuffed pears, as well as the textures of the baked, softened pear with the crunchy nuts. It’s an easy, yet elegant dessert for Shabbat and holidays. Honey and dates are traditional foods for the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder, and this dessert also works well for Sukkot as stuffed foods symbolize an abundant harvest. Naturally sweet Bosc pears hold their shape well, so are a good choice for

Venice, Italy Over the years, Fern and I have traveled through Europe on vacation, and some of our strongest memories come from the times we've unexpectedly run into fellow Sepharadim along the way. This past June we were in Venice, Italy. On our visit, we made a point of walking through the Jewish Ghetto. Of the five synagogues still standing there, only two can currently be toured: the Turkish and Greek, and the larger Spanish and Portuguese. Our guide mentioned that she he