Spring 2023 - Portland

From Left to Right: Mark Berkovitch, President of Ahavath Achim; Ethan Marcus, Brotherhood Managing Director; Richard Matza, Ahavath Achim Treasurer; Aaron Levy, Central Council Member; and Melissa Bloom, Ahavath Achim Administrator

At Congregation Ahavath Achim, we were thrilled to have Brotherhood Managing Director Ethan Marcus and fellow Central Council Member Aaron Levy join us for a spectacular Shabbaton weekend at the beginning of May. They helped lead beautiful Sephardic services for Shabbat, teach a little Ladino and Sephardic songs, and give us a few inspiring words over a delicious dinner prepared by our amazing community leader (and Brotherhood member) Renee Ferrera. We also took the opportunity to discuss new ways for collaboration, including long term strategic planning to grow the Sephardic community in the Pacific Northwest.

We recently completed a major renovation of our synagogue, turning it into a beautiful space for services, events, educational programs, and of course cooking delicious borekas and biscochos. Our community, originally founded 110 years ago by Jews from the Island of Rhodes and what is today Turkey, is looking towards the future with new and innovative ways to engage the next generation of Sephardic Portland. Over the years, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education has documented the important impact our community has had on Jewish life in the city, and are proud of our growing partnership as a member synagogue of the Sephardic Brotherhood. We still conduct our weekly Shabbat services with traditional Sephardic tunes, including special Ladino readings like Bendicho Su Nombre and Non Komo Muestro Dio.

We have a lot of exciting programs coming up this spring and summer, including our monthly Sephardic Film Series, monthly Shabbat Dinners that keep selling out, and a special Pacific Northwest Regional Shabbaton in the works with our sister community in Seattle!