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Winter 2026 - New York Report
We’ve had a packed Fall and Winter of activities in the NYC Metropolitan Area! Our season was highlighted by a vibrant Sephardic Young Professionals Hanukkah Party in New York City, which brought together over 100 participants for an evening of celebration, culture, and community. The program featured live Greek and Israeli music by Avram Pengas, creating an energetic and joyful atmosphere. Guests enjoyed homemade Sephardic bimuelos and keftikas, showcasing the warmth and fla

Ethan Marcus
Feb 101 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


Winter 2026 - Los Angeles Report
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila (far left) and Neil Sheff (far right) at the LA Sephardic Film Festival There's been a meaningful and impactful season of programming for the Los Angeles Sephardic Community, highlighted by the continued success of the spectacular Los Angeles Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, presented by the Sephardic Educational Center (SEC). Established in 1997, the festival has become a cornerstone cultural event that showcases the beauty and diversity of Sephardic Jew

Magazine Staff
Feb 101 min read


Winter 2026 - South Florida Report
On Sunday afternoon December 21, 2025, the Sephardi Federation of Palm Beach County (FL) celebrated the final two days of Hanukkah, and the installation of a new slate of board of directors, at our annual Hanukkah luncheon, at a local Greek restaurant. Rose Papo Allen, President of the SFPBC, served as the master of ceremonies at the event, which was attended by more than 40 members and guests. Large candles were placed on an impressive brass Hanukkiah, for all in the room t

Jake Kohanek
Feb 102 min read


Alumni Spotlight - Sephardic Scholars Program
A special place sits in my heart for my Sephardic roots. And I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way. My father, grandfather, great-grandfather — and the ancestors we trace back all the way to pre-Inquisition Spain — must feel it too. When I received four years’ worth of Brotherhood academic scholarships, I like to think that my ancestors had a lot of joy, muncha alegría. When I think back on those scholarships, I don’t only think about the financial help. I think

Isaac Bensignor
Feb 104 min read


Sephardic Holocaust survivor from Monastir Rachel Nahmias Kornberg passes away at age 108
Rachel Nahmias Kornberg z”L Rachel Nahmias Kornberg, age 108, died peacefully in her sleep on January 10, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. Rachel was born on October 7, 1917, in Salonika, the fourth of five children born to Avram and Matil Nahmias. Soon after, her family relocated to Monastir (Bitola), where they lived until the war. Rachel’s family owned a successful fabric store and lived comfortably among their neighbors. As a child, Rachel attended the Alliance Israélite U

Sarah Aroeste
Feb 103 min read


David Sevi, Turkish Jewish Community Chief Hazzan and Rabbi, installed as 4th Haham Bashi - Chief Rabbi of Turkey
Haham Bashi (Chief Rabbi) David Sevi in the formal jube (robe) of the Chief Rabbi of Turkey Turkey’s Jewish community has welcomed its new chief rabbi, David Sevi, installing him in the post yesterday in a ceremony at Istanbul’s Neve Shalom synagogue, nearly a year after the death of his predecessor, Isak Haleva. Sevi, 70, who had served as the acting chief rabbi since Haleva’s death on January 14, is the fourth hakham bashi (chief rabbi of Turkey) since the founding of the R

Magazine Staff
Feb 102 min read


Greek Holocaust survivor and Sephardic Community member Lena Goren (Casuto) passes away at 96
Lena Goren Casuto z”L 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 Haham Isaac Casuto 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 mayo

Magazine Staff
Feb 101 min read


Aki Estamos: An Extraordinary Evening Celebrating 110 Years of our Community
Our International Sephardic Community Gala was nothing short of exhilarating—a joyous, moving, and deeply meaningful celebration that marked the official launch of our 110th anniversary year. More than a Gala, the evening was a powerful testament to Sephardic continuity, resilience, and pride, bringing together generations of community members to honor our shared past and boldly affirm our future. Over 250 guests gathered for this extraordinary evening, representing Sephardic

Magazine Staff
Feb 94 min read


Holocaust Museum of Greece to Open in Thessaloniki in 2026
Architectural rendering of the Holocaust Museum in Greece Thessaloniki, Greece — After decades of waiting, the Holocaust Museum of Greece will finally open its doors in 2026 on the city’s waterfront. The eight-story museum, located between the port, the historic White Tower, and the old railway station, will commemorate the nearly 50,000 Jews of Thessaloniki— over 90% of the city’s pre-war Jewish community—who were deported from that very station and murdered at Auschwitz du
Guest Contributor
Feb 92 min read


Fall 2025 - New York City Metropolitan Area
Professor Samuel Torjman-Thomas (center) performing at a special Sephardic Musical Evening in August We’ve had a packed Summer of...

Ethan Marcus
Oct 9, 20252 min read


Meet the Honorees: Sarah Levin - Recipient of the Sephardic Young Leadership Award
Sarah is the Executive Director of JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa, a public advocacy and education...

Ethan Marcus
Oct 9, 20254 min read


London, United Kingdom - S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom announces nomination of new senior rabbinic couple
Rabbi and Rubissa (Rabbanit) Eliatuv, nominees for the new spiritual heads of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom The S&P...
Gaby Wine
Oct 9, 20252 min read


From Spain to SAC: Reflections from this Summer at Sephardic Adventure Camp
Four years ago, I arrived at Sephardic Adventure Camp (SAC) not just as a counselor—but as someone in search of a deeper connection. My...

Noa Levy
Oct 9, 20253 min read


South Florida - Fall 2025
Even though the heat index may have reached close to 100° F (38°C), we at The Sephardi Federation of Palm Beach County (SFPBC) in South...

Jake Kohanek
Oct 9, 20251 min read


Sephardic Brotherhood Tour Explores the Jewish Heritage of Greece & the Balkans
Participants touring the Central Synagogue of Thessaloniki, Greece. What an incredible journey it has been! This summer, 21 members of...

Magazine Staff
Oct 9, 20252 min read


Seattle - Fall 2025
Rabbi Daniel Hadar teaching community kids about Tisha BeAv and special tefillah for the day during his recent scholarship-in-residence....

Albert Israel
Oct 9, 20252 min read


Two new major gifts for the Brotherhood, establishment of the Bensignor Family Lecture and the Esra & Harriet Pitchon Memorial Scholarship fund
We are thrilled to announce two wonderful new gifts that will enrich the life of our Brotherhood community. Laurence (Larry) and Fern...

Magazine Staff
Oct 9, 20251 min read


Meet the Honorees: Joel Benoliel - Recipient of our Lifetime Community Service Award
Joel Benoliel was born in Seattle and earned both his BA and law degree from the University of Washington. After working as a partner at...

Ethan Marcus
Oct 9, 20256 min read


Meet the Honorees: Mitch Julis - Recipient of the Service to Humanity Award
Mitchell R. Julis is Co-Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Canyon Partners, LLC, a leading global alternative asset...

Ethan Marcus
Oct 9, 20256 min read
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