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

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

The cover from the 1917 Brotherhood Gala brochure (Courtesy of David Saffan) The common answer today is: Yes. Even the Brotherhood’s own website indicates that the organization was established as a “volunteer mutual aid and burial society.”   But Ladino publications of the era tell a slightly different story.   During the early twentieth century, economic challenges, political changes, and war compelled many Sephardic Jews to leave the Ottoman Empire. Between 1908 and 1924, a

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

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

The Ladino-speaking Jewish community of Rhodes was once a world of vibrant color and intimate tradition. Moving between pre-war La Juderia and the present, The Girl in the Oil Painting follows a mother’s fragmented memories and a son who slowly uncovers the trauma she never spoke aloud. Through family kitchens rich with familiar aromas, sea light over Mandraki Harbor, Shabbat songs, and recipes passed down like treasures, the book brings back to life a community whose world w

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

Alhad la tadre, 21 de Disiembre de 2025, la Federasion Sefardi del Kondado de Palm Beach en Forida (SFPBC), selebro los dos ultimas dias de Hanuka i metio en lugar la mueva djunta direktiva en muestro komida anual de Hanuka, en un restorante Grego lokal. Rose Papo Allen, presidenta de la SFPBC, fue la maestra de seremonias del evento, al ke asistieron mas de 40 miembros i envitados. Las grandes kandelas se metieron en una ermozo Hanukiya de bronzo, a la vista de todos ke part

ROMANSO SENSASIONAL Kompuesto por: Elia R. Karmona Direktor del Djugetón  Ideado por Yitshak Rafael Mizrahi   5684 Presio del número 100 parás Imprimería El Djugetón Estanbol Sultán Hamam Mesadik Han Nu. 11   (Transliterado por Miriam Sherman) KAPÍTOLO 4   Alegre de aver reushido en su pensamiento, Sharl tomava al braso ala beya Sofía akeya noche i se la yevava a pasear. Eyos se ivan a un teatro, se divertían por akí i por ayá i retornavan en kaza ala manyana.   Sofía se iva

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

Benoun Torah Crown from the Kehila Grande of Rhodes For decades, artifacts and photographs related to the Jewish community of Rhodes have been carefully collected as part of a personal and communal mission to preserve its rich history for future generations. And despite the tragic deportation and murder of nearly all its Jews to Auschwitz, it is our role as their descendants to honor and remember their life stories, thus preserving the community’s legacy now and forever.  Tha

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