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Buyrun a la Djente - Welcome to the People
La Djente is the national magazine of the Sephardic Community in America dedicated to representing the voices, ideas, activities, and interest of Sepharadim.
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To Rise Together in the New Year
“Ombre mortal, porke duermes? Es tiempo ke roges i te konyores.” Mortal human, why do you sleep? It is time to rise and plead your case! With these stirring words, generations of Sephardic Jews have begun the famous Selihah Ben Adam, Lekha Nirdam. Recited during the month of Elul and in the days leading to Yom Kippur, its message reaches across the centuries: Wake up. Reflect. Remember who you are and consider who you still have the power to become. As we enter a new Jewish y
Ethan Marcus
6 hours ago2 min read
Spanish court: a ‘Sephardic surname’ is not a pedigree
Eleven years after first passing a (now repealed) law offering citizenship to people of Sephardic ancestry, a Spanish court has finally ruled that a surname once borne by Sephardic Jews and New Christians is not, of itself, evidence of Sephardic ancestry. Perhaps a little late to become compliant with genealogical standards. A ruling reported this week by Infobae is a useful reminder of where the evidential bar now sits for Spain’s Sephardic nationality law (Law 12/2015). The
Sephardic Genealogical Society
7 hours ago1 min read
In Memoriam: Heinz Kounio (1927–2026) - One of the Last Survivors of Jewish Salonika
Heinz Kounio z"L It is with tremendously heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Heinz Kounio, one of the last Holocaust survivors of Salonika (Thessaloniki) and one of the most important witnesses to the destruction of a Sephardic Jewish civilization that had flourished for centuries. Kounio passed away in Thessaloniki in April 2026 at the age of 98, leaving behind not only children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but an extraordinary legacy of testimony, remembra
Magazine Staff
3 days ago3 min read
Sephardic Rabbis and Leaders from 12 Countries Gathered in New York to Build a Stronger Voice in Jewish Institutional Life
Attendees at the Sephardic Rabbinic Conference at Congregation Shearith Israel in New York A two-day summit proudly organized by the Sephardic Brotherhood of America, the Habura, and UJA-Federation of New York brought together more than 150 rabbis, scholars, and communal leaders to strengthen the future of Sephardic Jewish life NEW YORK, NY — Sephardic Jews make up a major part of the global Jewish population, yet their voices and leadership traditions have long operated on t
Magazine Staff
3 days ago7 min read
Fall 2026
Read up on all our articles, essays, Ladino comics, and more from our Most Recent Magazine Issue.
To Rise Together in the New Year
“Ombre mortal, porke duermes? Es tiempo ke roges i te konyores.” Mortal human, why do you sleep? It is time to rise and plead your case! With these stirring words, generations of Sephardic Jews have begun the famous Selihah Ben Adam, Lekha Nirdam. Recited during the month of Elul and in the days leading to Yom Kippur, its message reaches across the centuries: Wake up. Reflect. Remember who you are and consider who you still have the power to become. As we enter a new Jewish y
Ethan Marcus
6 hours ago2 min read
Jewish National Identity: A Sephardic Perspective
Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai z"L As we experienced the awesome day of Yom HaKippurim, we find ourselves living through a moment in which the very idea of Jewish national return has become the subject of intense debate. Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are increasingly intertwined in the public discourse, while Jews themselves are once again asking fundamental questions about Jewish identity, peoplehood, sovereignty, and the meaning of the Land of Israel. At such a moment, understanding
Rabbi David Gingold Altchek
6 hours ago3 min read
When Sepharadim Had No Rabbis
An artistic rendering of Don Isaac Abravanel August 1492. An armada of sorts anchors in the port of Naples. Nine Spanish caravels of the same class that will soon carry Columbus to the New World. However, these ships are laden with adventurers of another kind: a thousand Sephardic refugees, packed up like sardines in a can. A sympathetic onlooker watches them disembark. “They were like wraiths,” he will recall. “resembling corpses in all but the power of motion.”[1] Their I
Baruch-Lev Kelman
6 hours ago5 min read
Book Review: Choose Life: Torah's Radical Answer to Civilization's Oldest Obsession
Books on the Jewish view of death and afterlife tend to arrive in one of two registers: pastoral comfort or academic survey. Rabbi Michael Beyo's Choose Life belongs to neither. It is an argument — sustained, sharply constructed, and unfashionably confident — that the Torah's command in Deuteronomy 30:19, uvacharta bachayim, "choose life," is not a platitude but the organizing principle of an entire civilization's four-thousand-year dissent from the rest of human history. Bey
Rabbi Michael Beyo
6 hours ago2 min read
El Jambaz
Un djudió da haber en el kal, ke día de lúnes a midí va dar una performans de kaminada enriva de kuedra, del minaré de la djamí asta la torre de la eglisia. Todos son invitados, el bilyeto kosta 10 groshes. Lúnes a midí se arekojó una djentoria en la plasa entre la djamí i la eglisia. Después ke vendió bilyetos a kada persona del públiko tresalido, se les adresó i les disho kon muncha emosión: "La verdad es ke no se kaminar enriva de kuedra. Si metésh inat, ya lo vo aprovar..
Aldo Sevi
6 hours ago5 min read
Shakas de Nissim
1. Sovre animales Un gato ambierto estava asegiendo detrás de un ratón. Se fuyó el ratón i se entró en un burako en la pared. Asperó el gato kon pasensia. Pasó tiempo, i el gato no se iva, i el ratón ya kería salir. En súpito, empesó el ratón a gritar komo un perro, i el gato se fuyó. Pasó por ayá un amigo del ratón i le demandó, "kuálo estás aziendo?" Disho el ratón, "Akí para kedar bivo, kale ambezarse una otra lingua..." 2. El kasador (hunter) Un kasador entró
Nissim Askenazi
6 hours ago2 min read
Las Estreyas
Kuando éramos chikitikos i muestra madre mos meldava la Torá, mos kontava i otras istoryas kuando le demandávamos kozas ke non teniyan reponsas en el Livriko santo. I mos plaziya muy muncho la de las estreyas. « Maná », demandava mi ermaniko, en saltando sovre sus piernas: de ké ay estreyas en los syelos ? La Maná tomava un ayre misteryozo ke mos yevava al payiz de los kuentos, i empesava : « Al empesijo de todos los tyempos, el Dyó kriyo el Sol i la Luna, i los kazó, del miz
Madeleine de Cacqueray
Jul 232 min read
Kuantas shakás kontadas
Los musafires Un ombre telefoneó a su madre a informarle ke venía a su sivdad de vijita, a ver si se pudieran enkontrar para komer un día. "Atyó" disho la mamá, "siguro. I te kedas en kaza i te apronto el sofá para ke durmas ayí." "Ama mamá," respondió el ombre, "me va a akompanyar mi mujer. Los dos no puedemos durmir en el sofá." "No te merekíes," disho la mamá, "vos desho mi kamareta, i yo me echo en el sofá del salón." Más tadre, el ombre telefoneó de muevo, "mamá, ivamos
Nissim Askenazi
Jul 232 min read
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A Dessert Stuffed with Symbolism
There is a tasty play between sweet and the mix of spices in these peras reyenados, stuffed pears, as well as the textures of the baked, softened pear with the crunchy nuts. It’s an easy, yet elegant dessert for Shabbat and holidays. Honey and dates are traditional foods for the Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder, and this dessert also works well for Sukkot as stuffed foods symbolize an abundant harvest. Naturally sweet Bosc pears hold their shape well, so are a good choice for
Susan Barocas
6 hours ago3 min read
To Italy and France (and Back…to Spain)
Venice, Italy Over the years, Fern and I have traveled through Europe on vacation, and some of our strongest memories come from the times we've unexpectedly run into fellow Sepharadim along the way. This past June we were in Venice, Italy. On our visit, we made a point of walking through the Jewish Ghetto. Of the five synagogues still standing there, only two can currently be toured: the Turkish and Greek, and the larger Spanish and Portuguese. Our guide mentioned that she he
Larry Bensignor
6 hours ago3 min read
Jewish National Identity: A Sephardic Perspective
Rabbi Yehuda Alkalai z"L As we experienced the awesome day of Yom HaKippurim, we find ourselves living through a moment in which the very idea of Jewish national return has become the subject of intense debate. Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are increasingly intertwined in the public discourse, while Jews themselves are once again asking fundamental questions about Jewish identity, peoplehood, sovereignty, and the meaning of the Land of Israel. At such a moment, understanding
Rabbi David Gingold Altchek
6 hours ago3 min read
Reflecting on Rhodes: Where My Nonnie’s Story Began
The author Madeleine Roer, watching a recording of her grandmother Stella Varon Tarica give her survivor testimony at the Jewish Museum of Rhodes My Nonnie, Stella Varon Tarica, was born in Rhodes and lived there until she was just 13 years old, when she and her family were deported to Auschwitz. After spending nearly a year there, she was liberated and reunited with her uncle, brother, and sister in the Belgian Congo. Eventually, Stella immigrated to the United States and se
Madeleine Roer
6 hours ago3 min read
Need some tasty ideas for your #YomKippur break-fast? Check out these classic and delicious #Sephardic recipes that are sure to be a hit!
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#Sephardi #Ladino #sephardicfood
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#Sephardi #Ladino #sephardicfood
More than 150 Sephardic leaders. 12 countries. 13 U.S. states. One shared future.
On August 17th and 18th, Sephardic rabbis, rubissas, scholars, and communal leaders from around the world came together in New York City for the 2026 Sephardic Rabbinic Conference.
Co-hosted by The Habura, the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, and UJA-Federation of New York, this year’s conference explored “The Art of Leadership.”
From Syrian and Persian to Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, Iraqi, Bukharian, and Spanish & Portuguese communities, leaders came together from across North America, Europe, Latin America, Israel, and the Middle East.
Over two days, we tackled some of the most important issues facing Sephardic Jewish life today—from halakha and pastoral care to advocacy, cultural preservation, and building stronger communities for the next generation.
And we concluded with an unforgettable community dinner and concert of Sephardic liturgy at historic Congregation Shearith Israel.
Different communities. Different traditions. One shared commitment to strengthening Sephardic Jewish life and leadership around the world.
This is just the beginning. More highlights from the 2026 Sephardic Rabbinic Conference coming soon!
On August 17th and 18th, Sephardic rabbis, rubissas, scholars, and communal leaders from around the world came together in New York City for the 2026 Sephardic Rabbinic Conference.
Co-hosted by The Habura, the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, and UJA-Federation of New York, this year’s conference explored “The Art of Leadership.”
From Syrian and Persian to Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, Iraqi, Bukharian, and Spanish & Portuguese communities, leaders came together from across North America, Europe, Latin America, Israel, and the Middle East.
Over two days, we tackled some of the most important issues facing Sephardic Jewish life today—from halakha and pastoral care to advocacy, cultural preservation, and building stronger communities for the next generation.
And we concluded with an unforgettable community dinner and concert of Sephardic liturgy at historic Congregation Shearith Israel.
Different communities. Different traditions. One shared commitment to strengthening Sephardic Jewish life and leadership around the world.
This is just the beginning. More highlights from the 2026 Sephardic Rabbinic Conference coming soon!
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: On July 23, 1944, over 1,600 Jews were deported by the Nazis from the islands of Rhodes and Kos. The Jewish community was arrested and deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where 1,522 were slaughtered. In what became known as “the longest journey,” the Jews of Rhodes spent nine days on a cargo boat to Athens, followed by 13 days in cattle wagons to Auschwitz.
Of the more than 1,600 members of this once vibrant community, only 151 survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Today, we stop and remember the men, women, and children, families, synagogues, schools, rabbis, and Sephardic life that once defined this vibrant community.
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden
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#Rhodes #JewsofRhodes #Rhodeslis #IslandofRhodes
Of the more than 1,600 members of this once vibrant community, only 151 survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Today, we stop and remember the men, women, and children, families, synagogues, schools, rabbis, and Sephardic life that once defined this vibrant community.
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden
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#Rhodes #JewsofRhodes #Rhodeslis #IslandofRhodes
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: Sepharadim have a long and proud history serving in America’s Armed Forces since the time of the American Revolution. On Memorial Day, we stop and thank them for all they have done and sacrificed in service to the United States.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #memorialday
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #memorialday
It is with tremendously heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of Heinz Kounio, one of the last living Holocaust survivors of Salonika (Thessaloniki).
Born in 1927, he was deported at just 15 to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he endured brutal imprisonment before eventual liberation. After the war, Kounio returned to Thessaloniki and devoted his life to preserving Holocaust memory—speaking publicly, documenting victims’ names, and urging future generations to remember and prevent such atrocities. Thanks to his tireless efforts, Heinz ensured that the memory of the nearly 50,000 Salonikan Jews murdered in the Holocaust will never be forgotten.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Born in 1927, he was deported at just 15 to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where he endured brutal imprisonment before eventual liberation. After the war, Kounio returned to Thessaloniki and devoted his life to preserving Holocaust memory—speaking publicly, documenting victims’ names, and urging future generations to remember and prevent such atrocities. Thanks to his tireless efforts, Heinz ensured that the memory of the nearly 50,000 Salonikan Jews murdered in the Holocaust will never be forgotten.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Yom HaZikaron - Israeli Memorial Day, and Yom Haazmaut - Israeli Independence Day, both have particularly deep salience this year. We want to stop and look at the long history and impact Sephardic Jews have had on the State of Israel, including making the ultimate sacrifice for the Jewish State.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #YomHazikaron #Israel
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #YomHazikaron #Israel
Link in Bio! Our Spring 2026 edition is now out! La Djente - The People is the magazine of the Sephardic Community in America. As the only print and digital publication featuring original Ladino language content in North America, the quarterly magazine features articles in both English and Ladino on Sephardic culture, identity and food, Torah insights, current events, and community essays.
La Djente, meaning The People in Ladino, celebrates the diverse perspectives of Sephardic thought leaders around the world, from New York to Seattle, Istanbul to Salonika, Mexico City to Cape Town, Jerusalem to London, and beyond.
La Djente, meaning The People in Ladino, celebrates the diverse perspectives of Sephardic thought leaders around the world, from New York to Seattle, Istanbul to Salonika, Mexico City to Cape Town, Jerusalem to London, and beyond.
Link in bio!
Pesah Alegre! We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Sephardic Passover Guide, filled with resources and guidance on how our Sephardic community practices #Passover, including seder recordings in #Ladino and Hebrew, and even a printable Sephardic Agada!
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#Pesah #Matza #seder
Pesah Alegre! We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Sephardic Passover Guide, filled with resources and guidance on how our Sephardic community practices #Passover, including seder recordings in #Ladino and Hebrew, and even a printable Sephardic Agada!
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#Pesah #Matza #seder
#thisweekinsephardichistory: In February of 1943, the Nazi occupation authorities in Salonika, Greece order more than 2,500 Jews to leave their homes and move into the cramped, low quality homes in the Baron Hirsch District of the city. Swipe to learn more about this difficult moment in Sephardic history.
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#Sephardic #Salonika #Holocaust #Shoah
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#Sephardic #Salonika #Holocaust #Shoah
The wait is over! The newest edition of La Djente – The People, our Sephardic Community Magazine. is officially out now — featuring fresh voices, powerful stories, and the culture that moves us forward. Dive in and experience it for yourself at the link in bio or go to ladjente.com
#LaDjente #Sephardic #SephardicCommunity #Sephardi #Ladino
#LaDjente #Sephardic #SephardicCommunity #Sephardi #Ladino
#thisweekinsephardichistory: The first Jews in North America, Sepharadim from Amsterdam via Recife, Brazil, are formally admitted to the Colony of New Amsterdam (today’s New York). Swipe to learn more about why these Jews came to the New World, what they were escaping, and how they are still around today!
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sefardi #Sfardi Sepharadi
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sefardi #Sfardi Sepharadi
Check out our Frutikas Seder Booklet at our Link in Bio to learn more!
Frutikas Alegre! Did you know there’s more than just one Seder in the #Sephardic tradition? #Ladino-speaking Sepharadim celebrate Frutikas (aka Las Frutas), Tu BiShevat - the New Year for the Trees, with a special Seder in Hebrew and Ladino. The Seder features symbolic foods of the season along with a rendition of psalms, Ladino songs, and more.
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#Ladino #TuBishevat #jewishnewyear
Frutikas Alegre! Did you know there’s more than just one Seder in the #Sephardic tradition? #Ladino-speaking Sepharadim celebrate Frutikas (aka Las Frutas), Tu BiShevat - the New Year for the Trees, with a special Seder in Hebrew and Ladino. The Seder features symbolic foods of the season along with a rendition of psalms, Ladino songs, and more.
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#Ladino #TuBishevat #jewishnewyear
The Holocaust erased more than 6 million Jewish souls from the world. While most of these victims were Ashkenazi Jews, a significant percentage were Ladino-speaking Sepharadim, primarily in Greece, the Balkans, and the former Yugoslavia.
Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stop and remember the more than 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and particularly the over 66,000 Greek Jews and hundreds of thousands of Sepharadim of Europe. #WeRemember
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sefardi #Sfardi #Sepharadim #Sefardim #Ladino #GreekJews #SephardicHolocaust #Holocaust #HolocaustMemorial #Shoah
Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we stop and remember the more than 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and particularly the over 66,000 Greek Jews and hundreds of thousands of Sepharadim of Europe. #WeRemember
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Sefardi #Sfardi #Sepharadim #Sefardim #Ladino #GreekJews #SephardicHolocaust #Holocaust #HolocaustMemorial #Shoah
It is with heavy hearts that we learned about the passing of Rachel Nahmias Kornberg at 108 this past week, an extraordinary woman who survived the Holocaust in the city of Monastir (Bitola) in today’s North Macedonia.
Born in Salonika and raised in Monastir, she grew up in a vibrant Sephardic community, speaking Ladino—her mother tongue—and later French and Italian. During World War II, Rachel was among the roughly 2% of city’s Jews who survived the Holocaust, saved through extraordinary courage and the bravery of a neighbor who hid her and helped her escape to Albania. She may have been the world’s oldest living native #Ladino speaker at the time of her passing.
After the war, Rachel rebuilt her life with remarkable resilience—reuniting with a surviving brother, immigrating to the United States in 1950, and becoming a gifted seamstress in Boston. She found deep joy in family, friendship, and Sephardic culture, touching lives across generations and continents with her infectious smile, warmth, and songs in Ladino. Rachel was deeply beloved and will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and enduring zest for life.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Born in Salonika and raised in Monastir, she grew up in a vibrant Sephardic community, speaking Ladino—her mother tongue—and later French and Italian. During World War II, Rachel was among the roughly 2% of city’s Jews who survived the Holocaust, saved through extraordinary courage and the bravery of a neighbor who hid her and helped her escape to Albania. She may have been the world’s oldest living native #Ladino speaker at the time of her passing.
After the war, Rachel rebuilt her life with remarkable resilience—reuniting with a surviving brother, immigrating to the United States in 1950, and becoming a gifted seamstress in Boston. She found deep joy in family, friendship, and Sephardic culture, touching lives across generations and continents with her infectious smile, warmth, and songs in Ladino. Rachel was deeply beloved and will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and enduring zest for life.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯️
Link in bio! We are excited to announce the full itinerary for our special Young Professionals Tour of Jewish Greece this Summer 2026! We will trace the roots of our families and visit the beautiful cities of Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Rhodes, Athens, Kastoria, and Veria. The tour will run from June 28 - July 8, 2026. Spots are limited and the deadline to register and submit deposits is February 12. Rediscover your heritage and connect with other young Sephardic and Romaniote Jews on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure to sign up now while there are still spots left!
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lena Goren (nee Casuto) at the age of 96, one of only a handful of Greek Jewish Holocaust survivors from the city of Larissa, Greece.
Lena was born in Salonika, Greece in 1930. Her family moved to Larissa when her father became the Rabbi of the city. When she was nine years old, Italy and Greece entered World War II. Luftwaffe planes began dropping bombs on the city, and the mayor of Larissa warned Rabbi Casuto of the imminent deportation of Larissa’s Jews to German concentration camps. Lena’s family, with eighty-three others, fled to the mountains of Tzouma in the dead of night. They hid in an isolated monastery with no running water or facilities for the rest of the war, suffering from food shortages, illness, and confinement. Tragically, she learned at the end of the war that the entire rest of her family - cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts - died in concentration camps.
At the age of seventeen, Lena immigrated to the United States with her family. She married, raised three children, and, despite having only a third-grade education, earned a high school diploma. Lena worked as a seamstress, hairdresser, and a Greek and Spanish interpreter for the New York court system. She is a former Miss Senior America finalist, and leaves behind a brother, three children, and many wonderful grandchildren.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Gan Eden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden.
Lena was born in Salonika, Greece in 1930. Her family moved to Larissa when her father became the Rabbi of the city. When she was nine years old, Italy and Greece entered World War II. Luftwaffe planes began dropping bombs on the city, and the mayor of Larissa warned Rabbi Casuto of the imminent deportation of Larissa’s Jews to German concentration camps. Lena’s family, with eighty-three others, fled to the mountains of Tzouma in the dead of night. They hid in an isolated monastery with no running water or facilities for the rest of the war, suffering from food shortages, illness, and confinement. Tragically, she learned at the end of the war that the entire rest of her family - cousins, grandparents, uncles, aunts - died in concentration camps.
At the age of seventeen, Lena immigrated to the United States with her family. She married, raised three children, and, despite having only a third-grade education, earned a high school diploma. Lena worked as a seamstress, hairdresser, and a Greek and Spanish interpreter for the New York court system. She is a former Miss Senior America finalist, and leaves behind a brother, three children, and many wonderful grandchildren.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Gan Eden - May her soul rest in the Garden of Eden.
Highlights from our 2025 International Sephardic Community Gala - Celebrating the 110th Anniversary of the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America. Video features remarks from our National President Sedat Behar, our three extraordinary honorees (Joel Benoliel - Lifetime Community Service Award; Sarah Levin- Sephardic Young Leadership Award; and Mitch R. Julis - Service to Humanity Award), with closing remarks and a call for action from our Managing Director Ethan Marcus, along with a special Sephardic dance routine from our local Turkish Jewish dancing troupe.
#sephardic #sephardi #ladino #sefardic #sefardi #judeoespanyol #sephardicheritage
#sephardic #sephardi #ladino #sefardic #sefardi #judeoespanyol #sephardicheritage
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: This week marks the meldado (memorial) of the passing of Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay zt”L, the former Haham Bashi - Sephardic Chief Rabbi of the United States. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria to a long lineage of rabbis, Rabbi Dr. Alcalay dedicated his life to the service of the Sephardic Community.
Swipe to learn more about this important leader for the American Sephardic Community.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #ChiefRabbi #Sefardi #Sfardi
Swipe to learn more about this important leader for the American Sephardic Community.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #ChiefRabbi #Sefardi #Sfardi
Link in Bio!
Who’s ready to celebrate with our #Sephardic #Hanukka Guide!
This special booklet, a national collaboration between the Rabbis and lay leaders of our 12 affiliate communities, is an exciting new resource for our #Ladino-speaking Sephardic Community, with step by step guidance on Hanukka the Sephardic tradition. The Booklet includes the specific blessings and prayers in Hebrew, transliterations, English translations, and Ladino translations. The booklet also features a special set of Sephardic recipes to help you enhance the Festival of Lights experience!
Importantly, the digital version of our Booklet has clickable links to the recordings of the blessings read on Hanukka through our Zemirot.org database, so that everyone can have the opportunity to study and learn the tunes of our communities. We hope this will help each and every one of you have a meaningful and uplifting Hanukka, rich in the customs and traditions of our Sephardic Community.
Hanukka Alegre!
#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Hanukkah #Hanukka#Hanuka #Chanukah #Chanukkah #Ladino #FloryJagoda#LadinoMusic #Sephardicfood
Who’s ready to celebrate with our #Sephardic #Hanukka Guide!
This special booklet, a national collaboration between the Rabbis and lay leaders of our 12 affiliate communities, is an exciting new resource for our #Ladino-speaking Sephardic Community, with step by step guidance on Hanukka the Sephardic tradition. The Booklet includes the specific blessings and prayers in Hebrew, transliterations, English translations, and Ladino translations. The booklet also features a special set of Sephardic recipes to help you enhance the Festival of Lights experience!
Importantly, the digital version of our Booklet has clickable links to the recordings of the blessings read on Hanukka through our Zemirot.org database, so that everyone can have the opportunity to study and learn the tunes of our communities. We hope this will help each and every one of you have a meaningful and uplifting Hanukka, rich in the customs and traditions of our Sephardic Community.
Hanukka Alegre!
#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sephardim #Hanukkah #Hanukka#Hanuka #Chanukah #Chanukkah #Ladino #FloryJagoda#LadinoMusic #Sephardicfood
The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America is horrified and outraged by the shooting that murdered 11 people on Bondi Beach in Australia. We condemn this act of violence and the attack it represents against Australian Jewry and the safety of all Jews around the world.
The Talmud refers to a famous quote on Jewish peoplehood: - All Israel is Responsible for One Another - כל ישראל ערבין זה לזה.
We all feel the pain deeply, we are all connected in spite of the distance. We all stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia, and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those grieving on what should have been a time of light and celebration.
That this heinous attack occurred during Hanukkah makes it especially painful. Yet Hanukkah reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people endure. Hatred and antisemitism will not stop us from living proudly as Jews or from celebrating our community openly. Even on this darkened day, we will light our menorahs tonight and affirm our commitment to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
May the memories of the victims be a blessing, and may the light of Hanukkah prevail.
The Talmud refers to a famous quote on Jewish peoplehood: - All Israel is Responsible for One Another - כל ישראל ערבין זה לזה.
We all feel the pain deeply, we are all connected in spite of the distance. We all stand in full solidarity with the Jewish community of Australia, and our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all those grieving on what should have been a time of light and celebration.
That this heinous attack occurred during Hanukkah makes it especially painful. Yet Hanukkah reminds us that even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people endure. Hatred and antisemitism will not stop us from living proudly as Jews or from celebrating our community openly. Even on this darkened day, we will light our menorahs tonight and affirm our commitment to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
May the memories of the victims be a blessing, and may the light of Hanukkah prevail.
The International Sephardic Community Gala was a truly exhilarating celebration and an amazing kick-off to our 110th anniversary year! We brought together over 250 guests from Sephardic communities across the United States and around the world—some traveling from as far as Istanbul, Amsterdam, London, and Athens. The evening pulsed with energy as attendees enjoyed fantastic Greek, Ladino, Turkish, and Israeli music, unforgettable foods and drinks, a special Turkish Jewish dancing troupe from our community, and inspiring remarks that highlighted the resilience, warmth, and vibrancy of Sephardic life today.
We heard inspiring words from some of our leaders like President Sedat Behar and Gala Chair Lexi Fellus, a fantastic 110th anniversary video highlighting the wonderful diversity of our multigenerational community, and a powerful and moving speech from our Bivas - Ladino High School Club of America Student President Simeon Maman, whose words touched our audience deeply.
A major highlight of the night was honoring our extraordinary awardees: Joel Benoliel received the Lifetime Community Service Award, Sarah Levin was celebrated with the Young Leadership Award, and Mitch Julis was recognized with the Service to Humanity Award. The Gala left everyone uplifted and proud, a powerful reminder of our shared legacy and the bright future we are building together.
The theme that echoed throughout the night—Aki Estamos, we are here—was felt powerfully, and indeed our Torah values, traditions, pride, and care for one another shone through in every moment.
Mersi muncho - thank you all for celebrating with us, and Si Kere El Dio, with God’s help, here’s to 110 more years of a thriving Sephardic community!
We heard inspiring words from some of our leaders like President Sedat Behar and Gala Chair Lexi Fellus, a fantastic 110th anniversary video highlighting the wonderful diversity of our multigenerational community, and a powerful and moving speech from our Bivas - Ladino High School Club of America Student President Simeon Maman, whose words touched our audience deeply.
A major highlight of the night was honoring our extraordinary awardees: Joel Benoliel received the Lifetime Community Service Award, Sarah Levin was celebrated with the Young Leadership Award, and Mitch Julis was recognized with the Service to Humanity Award. The Gala left everyone uplifted and proud, a powerful reminder of our shared legacy and the bright future we are building together.
The theme that echoed throughout the night—Aki Estamos, we are here—was felt powerfully, and indeed our Torah values, traditions, pride, and care for one another shone through in every moment.
Mersi muncho - thank you all for celebrating with us, and Si Kere El Dio, with God’s help, here’s to 110 more years of a thriving Sephardic community!
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: This Week marks the #Meldado (annual memorial) of the famous American Sephardic Poet Emma Lazarus. Born in New York to a large and historic Sephardic family in 1849, Lazarus ancestors originally emigrated from Portugal after the Inquisition, and were among the first 23 Jews to arrive in what was then New Amsterdam in 1654.
Swipe to learn more about this inspiring American #Sephardic Poet!
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sephardim #Sepharadim #EmmaLazarus #thenewcolassus #newcolassus
Swipe to learn more about this inspiring American #Sephardic Poet!
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sfardi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sephardim #Sepharadim #EmmaLazarus #thenewcolassus #newcolassus
#ThisWeekinSephardicHistory: On November 15, 2003, an Al Qaeda terrorist cell operating in Istanbul carried out two bombings on that Shabbat morning at the Neve Salom Central Synagogue and Bet Israel Synagogue, murdering 24 people and injuring more than 300 in the attacks. This week, we stop and remember them.
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May Their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯
Ke Sus Almas Repozen en Gan Eden - May Their Souls Rest in the Garden of Eden 🕯
DC showed up for ladino!
Sepharadim have a long and proud history serving in America’s Armed Forces since the time of the American Revolution. On Veterans Day, we stop and thank them for all they have done and sacrificed in service to the United States.
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #memorialday #Veterans #Sepharadim #Jewishveterans #memorial #memorialdayusa
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#Sephardic #Sephardi #Sephardim #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #memorialday #Veterans #Sepharadim #Jewishveterans #memorial #memorialdayusa
Even a #Sephardic Papou can be a little scary.
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sfardi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #halloween #halloweencontest
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#Sephardi #Sepharadi #Sefardi #Sefardic #Sfardi #Ladino #JudeoSpanish #halloween #halloweencontest
#ThisweekinSephardicHistory: this past weekend marked the Meldado (annual memorial) of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the former Rishon LeZion (Sephardic Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel) and one of the great Torah scholars and thinkers of the 20th century.
Born in Baghdad and later migrated to Jerusalem with his family, Rav Ovadia was recognized as a gifted student from a young age, receiving his rabbinical ordination by age 20 and dayanut (rabbinical judgeship) by age 30. He authored dozens of books and articles on Jewish Law, and served as one of the founders and spiritual leaders of the Shas party in Israel. A fierce advocated for the Sephardic Community in Israel and the diaspora, he fought against the deep seated racism and discrimination many Sephardic Jews were facing in the Jewish State. His landmark rulings on the status of Ethiopian Jews, Women in Jewish law, the Oslo Peace process, and many others had profound impact on the Jewish world.
When he passed away in 2013, his funeral was the largest in the State of Israel’s history, with an estimated 800,000 people in attendance.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his Soul Rest in the Garden of Eden.
Born in Baghdad and later migrated to Jerusalem with his family, Rav Ovadia was recognized as a gifted student from a young age, receiving his rabbinical ordination by age 20 and dayanut (rabbinical judgeship) by age 30. He authored dozens of books and articles on Jewish Law, and served as one of the founders and spiritual leaders of the Shas party in Israel. A fierce advocated for the Sephardic Community in Israel and the diaspora, he fought against the deep seated racism and discrimination many Sephardic Jews were facing in the Jewish State. His landmark rulings on the status of Ethiopian Jews, Women in Jewish law, the Oslo Peace process, and many others had profound impact on the Jewish world.
When he passed away in 2013, his funeral was the largest in the State of Israel’s history, with an estimated 800,000 people in attendance.
Ke Su Alma Repoze en Ganeden - May his Soul Rest in the Garden of Eden.
Join us for a festival celebrating Ladino, a uniquely Jewish language also known as Judeo-Spanish. Ladino is a bridge between cultures: based in old Castilian Spanish, it’s infused with Hebrew, Turkish, Arabic, French, and others, providing a window into the Sephardic world. The mother tongue of Sephardic Jews in the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, Ladino has a long and storied history in the United States, including in DC. Gather with us as we delve into this beautiful language through stories, food, and song.
The day will feature a talk about the transmission of Sephardic foods between countries and cultures by @susanbarocas, a conversation with author Anthony Bigio on his new book A Sephardi Turkish Patriot, a Ladino musical performance by the world-renowned Trio Sefardi, and a reception showcasing Sephardic treats.
Register early and save! Early bird pricing is $18 per person until October 23; ticket prices will then increase to $36 per person. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sonya at sweisburd@edcjcc.org
The day will feature a talk about the transmission of Sephardic foods between countries and cultures by @susanbarocas, a conversation with author Anthony Bigio on his new book A Sephardi Turkish Patriot, a Ladino musical performance by the world-renowned Trio Sefardi, and a reception showcasing Sephardic treats.
Register early and save! Early bird pricing is $18 per person until October 23; ticket prices will then increase to $36 per person. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sonya at sweisburd@edcjcc.org
Athens Meets Aleppo, a special partnership between the Greek, Turkish and Syrian Sephardic Community in New York, brought together nearly 150 people for a special Sukkot celebration in lower Manhattan. Infused with a cross of Sephardic, Greek, and Turkish traditions, Ladino, Hebrew, and Arabic song, and of course a mix of Syrian and Greek cuisine.
After 738 agonizing days in captivity, Omri Miran, Matan Angrest, Ziv Berman, Gali Berman, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Alon Ohel, and Eitan Mor, Ariel Cunio, David Cunio, Avinatan Or, Bar Kupershtein, Eitan Horn, Elkana Bohbot, Evyatar David, Maksym Harkin, Matan Zangauker, Nimrod Cohen, Rom Braslvaski, Segev Kalfon, and Yosef-Chaim Ohana, have come home.
Here Noa Argamani, a former hostage herself, embraces her boyfriend Avinatan for the first time in 2 years.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are to see the hostages finally return home.
Here Noa Argamani, a former hostage herself, embraces her boyfriend Avinatan for the first time in 2 years.
Words cannot describe how grateful we are to see the hostages finally return home.
Comics en Ladino
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