Greek, Turkish, & Israeli Ambassadors Light Menorah together in Unique demonstration of Unity
La Ermandad Sefaradi honored exemplary members of the community at the National Sephardic Community Gala
Wow - what an incredible evening! On Sunday, December 5, Sephardic Communities from around the world came together to celebrate their unique culture and identity. The National Sephardic Community Gala honored the contributions of the Sephardic community to American and global society, while empowering the next generation of Sephardic youth. Participants gathered from all our community hubs throughout the United States, including New York, Philadelphia, Seattle, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Portland, as well as global representation from Sephardic communities in Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Argentina. This included a special Turkish Jewish Community Delegation including Rabbi Izak Alaluf, Community Vice President Jozef Nasi, and Community Executive Director Deniz Saporta for the weekend.
An historic event in its own right for the global Sephardic community, the evening was enhanced by the extraordinarily rare moment of unity between the Ambassadors of Greece, Turkey, and Israel in the United States. Greek Ambassador to the United States Alexandra Papadopolou joined Turkish Ambassador in Washington Hassan Murat Mercan and Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations Gilad Erdan for the evening. The three diplomats lit Hanukkah candles together at the Gala’s menorah lighting ceremony.
The evening featured three Sephardic honorees who have made extraordinary contributions to society. Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer was honored for his service to humanity and for all his work to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. He was born and raised in Thessaloniki (Salonika), Greece, and is the child of Sephardic Holocaust survivors. Sarah Aroeste, a world-renowned Ladino singer, songwriter, author, and children’s educator received the Young Leadership award for her work to ensure the next generation can learn Ladino, (Judeo-Espanyol). Albert S. Maimon was honored for his lifetime community service as a leader in the Seattle Sephardic Community and nationally. With live Greek, Turkish, Sephardic, and Israeli music, a special dance performance, delicious food, and great conversations, the spectacular evening brought together the best of our Sephardic Community.
From Greece to Turkey to the Balkan region, our Sephardic Jewish community has fought for survival since the expulsion of Jewish people from Spain and Portugal in 1492. Dating back over 500 years, Ladino continues to be spoken and written in Sephardic communities now scattered across the world. Centuries later, our communities still carry our language, culture, liturgy and traditions to North America, where we have recreated a vibrant network of communities anchored in shared experience.
The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood is working to reinvent what it means to be Sephardic in the 21st Century by empowering its young leaders through their cultural heritage and connecting to their rich history. Although an amazing evening of celebration and Sephardic empowerment, our National Sephardic Community Gala is just the first step. We need you all to get involved and support our work to ensure our communities thrive for another 105 years. Email us to learn more about what you can do to get involved today at info@sephardicbrotherhood.com. Si Kere El Dio - this is just the beginning!
Interested in looking up more photos of the evening or video of the full program? Make sure to go to check out our Facebook Page and YouTube Channel at Facebook.com/sephardicbrotherhood and youtube.com/sephardicbrotherhood
Honoree Quotes
“I am honored to be recognized alongside Sarah Aroeste and Albert Maimon for our contributions to the Sephardic community and society as a whole. My parents who are both Holocaust survivors from Thessaloniki, Greece raised me to believe that anything is possible. I believe the tremendous scientific advancements of the past year which have helped us to begin to gain control of the pandemic are proof of that.”
Dr. Albert Bourla
Chairman and CEO of Pfizer
“I am thrilled to see the Sephardic Brotherhood building a thriving community and empowering a new generation in the U.S. and abroad. It is an honor to be recognized for my professional work over the last two decades to bring my contemporary style of original and traditional Ladino music to audiences around the world. Writing and singing in Ladino, or Judeo-Spanish, connects me to my ancestors, while keeping Ladino music alive for a new generation.”
Sarah Aroeste
Ladino Artist & Educator
“The timing of the National Sephardic Community Gala on the last night of Hanukkah, a holiday of rededication, connects us closely to celebrating recent, impressive accomplishments in the Sephardic community. The breadth and depth of involvement and impact of these programs succeed in bringing us together across a wide geography, and showcasing the many ways of “being Sephardic”. Looking ahead, we will build on this and go from strength to strength together.”
Albert S. Maimon
Community Leader & Sephardic Educator
Comentarios