The Jewish Community of Thessaloniki has achieved a major milestone in preserving the history of Greek Jewry through the creation of the Yosephus (Iosipos) Digital Repository, one of the most ambitious archival digitization projects ever undertaken by a Jewish community in Greece. The initiative makes an extraordinary collection of historical materials freely accessible to researchers, educators, descendants, and the general public through its online platform at repository.jc

Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert After an extensive two-year search process, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (SBH) has announced the selection of Rabbi Yonatan Gilbert as its new rabbi. The congregation formally approved Rabbi Gilbert's appointment in a unanimous vote of the membership on May 19, marking the culmination of a thorough search led by the synagogue’s Rabbinic Search Committee. SBH President Jack Gottesman, who also chaired the search committee, expressed enthusiasm about

Congratulations to the 35 recipients who were honored as Sephardic Brotherhood Scholars on May 31! Celebrating its 82nd year, the Scholarship and Education Committee held our annual Irving Barocas z"L Memorial Scholarship Awards Ceremony in New York, bringing together parents, grandparents, and students from our membership throughout the United States. Each student’s achievements were highlighted and speeches were given by the top awardees. This year’s scholarship cohort was

Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has promulgated changes to the Portuguese nationality law approved by the Portuguese Parliament, including the closure of the special naturalization route for descendants of Jews of Portuguese origin. The parliamentary measure appears in: Assembleia da República – Proposta de Lei n.º 1/XVII/1. According to reports citing Decreto da Assembleia da República n.º 48/XVII, the law will only enter into force following publication in th

This past Spring, Sephardic life in the NYC Metropolitan Area thrived through vibrant celebrations, meaningful connections, and cherished communal traditions. For the first time ever, Brotherhood members and friends proudly marched in New York City's Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. Joining thousands of participants and spectators, we celebrated the history, resilience, and contributions of the Greek community while honoring the deep historical ties between Gree

Participants marching for their first Greek Independence Parade on behalf of the Greek Jewish Community of New York In a historic and proud moment for our community, the Greek Jewish Community of New York, led by Kehila Kedosha Janina, marched for the first time ever in the Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. As we celebrate the 205th anniversary of Greek independence, our participation highlights the rich and enduring legacy of Greek Jewry and our deep connection

The Holocaust Memorial of Rhodes, located in the courtyard of the old Jewish neighborhood (La Djuderia) As editor of La Djente, it is especially meaningful to introduce this issue dedicated to the Sephardic Jewish community of Rhodes, a community whose story feels deeply personal to me, even four generations later. Jewish Rhodes first existed to me as a far away dream. A word in Ladino about the kehila. A recipe of bourikitas my grandmother made without measurements. Stories

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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