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

Al Benoliel - The Rabbi Ascher Murciano Memorial Scholarship Award Recipient Several students were asked to share a few words about themselves and the importance of their Sephardic identities at this year’s award’s ceremony. Below you can find a few speeches from some of our student recipients Thank you so much for these scholarship awards and for the opportunity to share a few words. First, a little bit about my background. I grew up in the Sephardic community in Seattle, Wa

Los Muevos Ladineros Meeting in Seattle Seattle’s Sephardic community has been bustling with activity this Spring, hosting a wide array of educational programs, cultural events, and Sephardic activities. At Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Rabbi David Benchlouch has been leading enriching classes on Sephardic traditions and Torah concepts. One of the most exciting new programs is the Sephardic Pizmonim Party, where young boys and girls learn traditional Sephardic melodies in Hebr

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.