First-Ever Sephardic Rabbinic Conference Draws Global Leaders to NYC, Launches New Era for Sephardic Education

Participating Rabbis at the Sephardic Rabbinic Conference 2025

New York, NY – August 14, 2025  – History was made this past weekend as over 50 leading Sephardic rabbis from across the United States and around the globe convened in New York City for the inaugural Sephardic Rabbinic Conference, August 10–11, 2025. Hosted by a coalition of Sephardic communal and educational institutions—including The Habura, Sephardic Brotherhood of America, the American Sephardi Federation, and the Orthodox Union—the groundbreaking gathering marked the first conference of its kind in the U.S., uniting leaders under the timely theme: *“The Future of Sephardic Education.”*

Held at the Orthodox Union Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, the two-day summit was a landmark in recognition and collaboration, signaling growing institutional support for Sephardic voices long underrepresented in mainstream Jewish life. National Jewish organizations such as the Orthodox Union (OU), The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), and The Tikvah Fund lent their support, underscoring the conference’s significance and long-term potential.

From left to right: Ohad Fedida (Sephardic Rabbinic Conference), Dayan Yitzhak Berdugo (South Florida) (, Rabbi Meyer Laniado (Congregation Kehilat Jesurun, NYC), and Sina Kahen (The Habura, London)

Attendees included distinguished rabbis from Syrian, Persian, Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, Iraqi, and Spanish & Portuguese traditions, alongside leaders from communities in Seattle, Atlanta, Florida, Indiana, London, Lisbon, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City. Participating institutions included:

• Sephardic Community Alliance (Syrian)

• Sephardic American Mizrahi Initiative SAMi (Bukharian)

• Maimonides Heritage Center (Persian)

• Sephardic Brotherhood of America (Turkish/Greek)

• Shearith Israel and the Montefiore Endowment of London (Spanish & Portuguese)

“This was the beginning of something greater,” said Avi Garson, one of the principal organizers from The Habura. “For the first time, a broad coalition of the Sephardic world came together in the U.S. to discuss the concerns and opportunities facing our communities. This forum was long overdue—and it’s just the start.”

Opening Panel on "Sephardic Education Today: Where Are We & Where Are We Going?" From left to right: Rabbi Yamin Levy (Maimonides Heritage Center, NY), Rabbi Elie Abadie (NY), Rabbi Yosef Bitton (United Mashadi Community, NY), and Rabbi Ruben Suiza (Jewish Community of Lisbon, Portugal)

The conference featured interactive panels and roundtables on the evolution of Sephardic educational institutions, youth and community engagement, digital Torah learning, and the cultivation of future Sephardic leadership. Sessions encouraged practical collaboration, with participants sharing best practices and creating concrete toolkits for community growth.

“This matters to all Jews, because ultimately a stronger Sephardic community is a stronger Jewish community,” Garson noted, highlighting the challenges of polarization facing Jewish life today. “We live in a time of extremes… but our Sephardic tradition has long charted a different course. A Middle Path.”

“It was exhilarating to join so many colleagues and friends for a common purpose — to

strengthen and focus on our illustrious heritage and its principles of education,” said Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom.

Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom

“I was overjoyed that so many participated and I learned a great deal from the wisdom of the participants. We heard from professionals of great experience from all levels of education—early childhood, primary, high school and university. We explored AI and its place in the world of Jewish education, and we closed with an inspiring panel on what a new Classical Sephardic Yeshiva might be like. This gathering is the beginning of a renewal of the invaluable Sephardic contributions to the greatness of Kelal Yisrael.”

Conference Co-Organizers Avi Garson (left) and Ethan Marcus (right)

A major highlight was Sunday evening’s public musical program, which drew a packed audience and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Sephardic Jewry through music, song, and communal spirit. Six hazzans from different traditions led a moving journey across the pan-Sephardic liturgical landscape.

“Sephardic Judaism has a timeless, holistic approach to Torah, education, and community life,” said Conference Co-organizer Ethan Marcus of the Sephardic Brotherhood. “This conference created a long-overdue platform to amplify that voice and set the stage for a vibrant future—not only for Sephardim, but for all of Am Yisrael. Now that we’ve taken the first step, we must invest in it and ensure the Sephardic approach to Judaism has a lasting seat at the table.”

For more information, visit sephardicrabbinicconference.org