La Ermandad Sefaradi honored Founding President of Starbucks International Mr. Howard Behar, Professor of Sephardic Studies Dr. Devin Naar and Community Leader & Sephardic Educator Rabbi Marc D. Angel
On Sunday, December 17, over 300 people from around the globe came together to honor Sephardic contributions to society and celebrate the next generation of Sephardic leadership. International community members, dignitaries, and leaders represented the Sephardic communities of Athens, Rhodes, London, Toronto, and Mexico City, as well as community hubs throughout the United States ranging from Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami to Seattle, Philadelphia, and Portland, Ore.
The evening opened with words from the Sephardic Brotherhood’s new president, Sedat Behar, a first-generation immigrant from Istanbul. “I believe it has become imperative to introduce meaningful programs and gatherings using technology and social media tools along with in-person events, such as this lovely evening, for our Sephardic community. That is why we have rapidly increased our … programming on a national scale,” Behar said. He outlined his long-term vision for the Sephardic community, including the organization’s recently announced National Strategic Plan, more details of which can be found in Tablet Magazine.
He was followed by Archbishop Elpidophoros, the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses of America. Addressing the crowd in Greek, Turkish, and English, the Archbishop underscored the Church’s support for the Jewish community. “The Sephardic Jewish community and our Romaniote brothers are especially dear to all Greeks, for we share a history that spans millennia,” he said. “Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: There will never be an end to our unity, never be an end to our friendship, our solidarity, and our steadfast championship of justice, peace, and the wellbeing of the Jewish people and their homeland, Israel.”
A special candle lighting for the victims of the terror attacks in Israel on October 7 followed, led by the chief rabbi of Athens, Haham Gabriel Negrin; the chief rabbi of the Sephardic community of Mexico City, Haham Moises Chicurel; and Haham Yosef Azose of the Sephardic community in New York.
On theme with the evening’s emphasis on building the next Sephardic generation, the Sephardic Brotherhood introduced its newest national initiative, the Ladino High School Club of America. This revolutionary high school program is dedicated to teaching the community’s children Ladino as well as Sephardic customs, history, Torah perspective, and values, and create a leadership talent pipeline for the future. The club’s leaders — students from South Florida, New Jersey and Seattle — announced the program and performed three Ladino songs, delighting the crowd (some of whom joined in).
Three honorees were recognized for their exemplary service. Howard Behar, founding president of Starbucks International, was honored for his service to humanity. Born and raised in Seattle, Behar’s contribution to the development of future leaders and motivational message to lead with values first is a true testament to his strong connection to the Seattle community. Dr. Devin Naar, professor of Sephardic studies at the University of Washington and author of the lauded book “Jewish Salonica,” received the Young Leadership award as a leading voice elevating the Sephardic community’s profile globally and preserving Sephardic and Ladino heritage. Rabbi Marc D. Angel, rabbi emeritus of Manhattan’s Congregation Shearith Israel, was honored for his lifetime community service as a leader and educator and his decades of writing and advocacy for Sephardic traditions and values.
Honoree Quotes
“At the core of being a Sephardic Jew is the understanding and belief that we are here to serve others. I consider it to be a privilege to be a part of this community and its commitment to the Jewish people.”
Mr. Howard Behar
Founding President of Starbucks International
“As a fifth-generation member of the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America, I am delighted to receive the Young Leadership Award. The Ermandad is playing a leading role in reinvigorating Sephardic life in the United States and expanding upon the vision of its founders to cultivate a strong sense of Sephardic community and culture throughout the United States.”
Dr. Devin Naar
Professor of Sephardic Studies
“I am grateful to be honored by our community as our Sephardic ancestors have bequeathed to us a tradition of faith, fortitude, optimism and joy. What will this tradition mean to our descendants 100 years from now? That question is key to how we live our lives today.”
Rabbi Marc D. Angel
Community Leader & Sephardic Educator
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