Spring 2026 - Portland Report

Volunteers helping to cook for the annual Sephardic Community Purim Party at Congregation Ahavath Achim

A lot of exciting things have happened in Sephardic Portland this past year, and many more new things are on the horizon. 2025 was an exceptionally active and meaningful year for Ahavath Achim. What stands out is not only the volume of programming but also the consistency and intention behind it. We hosted nine community Shabbat dinners, eleven High Holiday meals, and ten High Holiday learning sessions. We celebrated Sephardic Shavuot with an all-night velada that included dinner and four learning sessions. Throughout the year, we offered Sephardic Foundations classes, Zohar & Zhug sessions, women’s Torah study, seven film screenings, and special cultural events such as Bingo and Burmuelos and Hag HaB’not. We also held women’s henna workshops for Purim and Rosh HaShanah and young professionals cooking workshops that cultivated new leadership and connection.

This level of activity does not happen accidentally. It happens because people step up, take responsibility, and care deeply about the experience of others. Taken together, this reflects that the congregation is alive, intentional and growing, one that is building Jewish life week by week.

Oud playing at the Spring Purim Party at Congregation Ahavath Achim

This past year also marked an important moment in the life of Portland’s Sephardic community: the convergence of Congregation Beit Yosef and Ahavath Achim. This was not an ending, but a coming together that has been years in the making—rooted in shared tefillah, learning, relationships, and values. We are honored to welcome the members of Beit Yosef into our community and to carry forward their legacy, spirit, and contributions. Together, under one roof, we are strengthening Sephardic life in Portland and ensuring continuity across generations. I’d like to especially recognize Jared Laws, Mati McKenzie, and Julio Cortez, for their leadership during this transition, and for jumping into offering their skills and expertise to all aspects of our kehilla openly and generously. 

Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is on deepening roots and expanding reach. We are planning more community Shabbat dinners, expanded women’s programming, and the launch of children’s programming, which is a critical investment in our future. We will continue Young Professionals cooking workshops, Zohar & Zhug with Dr. Yosef Rosen, and expand film programming as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of our film festival. Weekly women’s Torah study and Sephardic Foundations classes will become ongoing anchors of learning. We are also planning robust holiday programming throughout the year, including Tu B’Shevat, Purim, Mimouna, Shavuot, Tisha B’Av, Tu B’Av, and daily morning Selihot in Elul. Culturally, we are investing in visiting artists, musicians, academic scholars, and rabbis.

So come join us in Sephardic Portland—a place with a small but vibrant Sephardic community where you're always welcome.