There are many people in our society that we revere as important members of the community. As we approach the High Holidays, we must reflect on our individual actions and deeds during this past year. One of the deeds we can evaluate is what has been done to strengthen our Sephardic community. We have been blessed to count among us those who contributed their time, money, and effort to our organization and the betterment of the Sephardic community at large. So many of you deserve our respect and admiration and can truly be worthy of the title of Benadam (a good person, what our Eskanazi brethren call a mensch).
As a young man of 18, I was working part time slinging hotdogs and hamburgers in a fast food store in downtown Brooklyn. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune of interacting with a person who posed as a Benadam and was perceived by the community as a Benadam.
One day, the owner of the hot dog store dropped by, which was unusual since he rarely visited. He was an absentee owner and only came by when there was a problem. The owner was having trouble getting anyone to work during that upcoming Roshana and Kippur. He was Jewish and also uno de los muestros (one of ours — Sephardic) He would be going to the synagogue, praying and fasting on Kippur, and receiving many honors throughout the holiday. However, he tried to get me to work on the days of Roshana and Kippur! He said in Ladino, “es un pekado ke no lavores, puedes ganar un poko paras!” (It’s a pity not to work that day. You can make some money!) But I refused. It was obvious to me then that rituals alone do not make a good Jew or a good person.
That day he tried to urge a fellow Jew to do wrong. It showed me that he was not deserving of respect or admiration. I learned that good deeds and Misvot allow one to be called a Benadam. There must be no inclination to do anything wrong or evil or urging others to do so. It is comparable to the serpent tempting Eve to take a bite of the apple.
We are fortunate that each one of us who have supported our organization can proudly wear the title of Benadam. Unlike my experience with the owner, my experience with all of you has been positive and your support genuine.
The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America has had an exemplary year. Our membership has grown by leaps and bounds. Our programming has expanded, especially our digital courses. Our outreach to other Sephardic communities now extends both nationally and internationally. Our communications, both weekly with La Boz Sefaradi and quarterly with our newly redesigned magazine, El Ermanado - The Brother, has received outstanding reviews from our membership. We distributed 20 academic scholarships to our highest achieving student community members, and helped many of los muestros with financial assistance through our Henry J. Perahia Funds for the Needy. And, of course, we continue to give our traditional burial benefits and funeral assistance to our full members.
Lastly, our National Sephardic Community Gala held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC honoring 3 extraordinarily worthy Sephardic individuals in December 2021was an enormous success - not only financially but an evening filled with warmth, camaraderie, music, and dancing.
Our Executive Committee and Central Council members extend a special thank you to our staff as our year comes to a close: our Managing Director, Ethan Marcus for his outstanding creativity and perseverance; and our Office Manager, Mariya Yadgarova and Bookkeeper Miriam Rabieva.
My wife, Ellen, and I wish all of you a healthy Roshana as the New Year approaches. And on el dia de Kippur, may you be sealed in the book of life.
Tizku LeShanim Rabot and Anyada Buena i Dulse!
Irving Barocas
President
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