Volunteers helping to cook for the annual Sephardic Community Purim Party at Congregation Ahavath Achim A lot of exciting things have happened in Sephardic Portland this past year, and many more new things are on the horizon. 2025 was an exceptionally active and meaningful year for Ahavath Achim. What stands out is not only the volume of programming but also the consistency and intention behind it. We hosted nine community Shabbat dinners, eleven High Holiday meals, and ten H

This Spring, Sephardic life in the NYC Metropolitan Area continues to flourish with vibrant energy and meaningful connection. We closed out the winter season with wonderful Tu BiShevat Frutikas Seders across the region, including a Young Professionals Seder in New York and a Young Families Seder in New Jersey. Using the Brotherhood’s Tu BiShevat Seder booklet, participants engaged in beautiful recitations in Hebrew, Ladino, and English, celebrating our deep connection to the

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

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

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