First-Ever Sephardic Rabbinic Conference to Convene in NYC, Uniting Global Sephardic Leaders to Chart the Future of Sephardic Education

New York, NY – AUGUST 10-11, 2025 – A historic milestone for Sephardic Jewry is set to unfold this summer as over 50 leading Sephardic rabbis from across the United States and around the globe gather in New York City for the inaugural Sephardic Rabbinic Conference, hosted by a coalition of Sephardic communal and educational institutions including the The Habura, Sephardic Brotherhood of America, the American Sephardi Federation, and the Orthodox Union. 

The two-day summit—the first of its kind in the U.S. and possibly the world—will focus on a timely and vital theme: “The Future of Sephardic Education.”

Taking place at the Orthodox Union Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, the conference marks a powerful moment of recognition and collaboration, signaling growing institutional support for Sephardic voices long underrepresented in mainstream Jewish life. The backing of national Jewish organizations such as the Orthodox Union (OU), The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), and The Tikvah Fund underscores the conference’s significance and potential impact.

Among the distinguished attendees include Rabbis from multiple communities including Syrian, Persian, Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, Iraqi, and Spanish & Portuguese traditions.

Joining them are Sephardic leaders from diverse communities across the U.S. and abroad—including Seattle, Atlanta, Florida, Indiana, London, Lisbon, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City—representing a coalition of institutions such as:

• 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 is the beginning of something greater,” said Avi Garson, one of the principle conference organizers from The Habura. “For the first time, a broad coalition of the Sephardic world is coming together in the U.S. to discuss the concerns and opportunities facing our communities. This forum is long overdue.”

The conference will feature 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. With sessions designed to foster collaboration, participants will share best practices and create practical toolkits for community growth. 

"This should matter to all Jews, because ultimately a stronger Sephardic community is a stronger Jewish community," Garson said, emphasizing the particular challenges of polarization facing the Jewish world today. "We live in a time of extremes. On one side, we see rising assimilation, secularism, and apathy. On the other, a growing trend towards fundamentalism, black-and-white thinking, and an approach that sees innovation as a threat. - But our Sephardic tradition has long charted a different course. A Middle Path."

A highlight of the event will be a special public musical program on Sunday evening, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Sephardic Jewry through music and communal spirit with six different community hazzans spanning the pan-Sephardic liturgical traditions.

“Sephardic Judaism has a timeless, holistic approach to Torah, education, and community life. This conference is a long-overdue platform to amplify that voice and shape a future that’s not only vibrant for Sephardim—but for all of Am Yisrael,” said Conference Co-organizer Ethan Marcus of the Sephardic Brotherhood. "It's time we come together and recognize that, invest in it, and ensure the Sephardic approach to Judaism has a seat at the table in our broader Jewish communal and educational institutions."