The Song of the Sea and the Seventh Day of Passover
(Screenshot courtesy of Youtube)
The ASF’s Sephardi World Weekly offers the following “Letter from the Land of Israel” written by our Director of Publications, Dr. Aryeh Tepper:
The seventh day of Passover this year extends from sunset on Tuesday, April 7, through sunset on Wednesday, April 8. A festival in its own right, it marks the completion of the opening chapter of the Exodus from Egypt, when the people of Israel walked through the splitting of the Sea of Reeds. Only a week earlier, they had been living in Egypt, the “house of bondage,” but now, as the shattered remnants of Pharaoh’s forces washed up on the shore, the people knew they were finally free of Pharaoh’s grasp. Led by Moses, they chanted the Song of the Sea in celebration (Exodus 15). In commemoration of that moment, the Song of the Sea is read in synagogues on the seventh day of Passover.
Despite its primary association with the festival, the Song of the Sea did not remain confined to that single day. It so deeply impressed the Jewish imagination that it gradually entered the fabric of daily prayer itself.
RAMBAM (Maimonides) noted in the twelfth century that it had become customary in some Jewish communities to chant the Song of the Sea at the conclusion of the morning Pesukei d’Zimra, the preliminary “verses of praise” (Laws of Prayer 7:13). What began as a local custom has, over time, become accepted practice.
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More fundamentally, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds and the ensuing song are recalled in the morning service immediately after Kriyat Shema, the proclamation of God’s oneness, just before the Amidah. The Amidah is the central “standing” prayer of the Jewish liturgy, recited in a whisper as a direct address to God. In this way, the Song of the Sea mediates between Kriyat Shema and the Amidah, so that the triumphant thankfulness that followed the splitting of the Sea sets the tone for our direct address to God.
We, of course, cannot know how the Song of the Sea sounded to its original audience 3,000 years ago. Different Jewish communities have preserved and transmitted their own unique ways of singing the ancient song. In Moroccan communities, for instance, the Song of the Sea is chanted as a driving, celebratory march, the steady rhythm evoking a people advancing together toward freedom.
In 2014, Moroccan-Israeli vocalist Amir Benayoun took the traditional Moroccan melody and intensified it. Benayoun’s impassioned vocals rise and fall as sonic waves crash on and against the beat, as if the sea itself were rising and falling in response to Moses’ chant. His performance thus becomes both a continuation of a living communal tradition and a contemporary meditation on the ancient drama that, in our liturgy, sets the stage for the morning encounter with the King of the Universe.
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Upcoming Events or Opportunities
The 28th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival
May 31st – June 7th 2026
Celebrating Sephardic Jewish Creativity in the Spirit of America’s 250 Years of Freedom
For more than 500 years in the Americas and since the earliest days of the Republic, Sephardic Jews have contributed to the civic, commercial, and cultural life of the United States. As America marks 250 years of independence, we celebrate the freedom that allows creative voices from across the Sephardic diaspora to flourish.
Screening 11 Premiere Films
(International, North American, US, and NY)
Enrico Macias joins us to celebrate the Pomegranate Award Honorees, remarkable artists from the United States and across the Greater Sephardic world.
WWW.NYSJFF.COM
Venue: The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, NYC
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Our friends at JCRC-NY in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation, the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan present:
Upper West Side Mimouna Celebration
“Celebrate the vibrant conclusion of Passover at the Upper West Side Moroccan Mimouna! Enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, food, and tradition, featuring the enchanting sounds of Layali El Andalus. Indulge in a rich and colorful Mimouna table, overflowing with handmade sweets, traditional mufletas, and refreshing Moroccan mint tea.”
Sunday, 12 April, at 6:30PM EST
@The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan (MMJCCM)
334 Amsterdam Ave at 76th St, NYC
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $50
About this Event:
Layali El Andalus breathes new life into the musical traditions of Morocco, Andalusia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Founded by Moroccan-born musician Rachid Halihal (singer, oud, violin.) Layali El Andalus has graced prestigious music festivals and concert stages across the United States and abroad, with notable performances at MoMA and Lincoln Center.
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Our friends at Kanisse in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation, Kane Street Synagogue, and the Jewish Agency for Israel present:
Mimouna 2026
“At the conclusion of Passover, Moroccan and other North African communities traditionally host a Mimouna, a neighborly celebration marking the return to consuming leavened products while eating symbolic foods to bring good luck in the coming year.
This year Kanisse is thrilled to be partnering with Kane Street Synagogue and the Jewish Agency for Israel to celebrate Mimouna across the larger Jewish community. The evening will include a special performance of Electric Mimouna, a project blending Moroccan Arabic and Hebrew songs, reimagined covers, and biblical texts in a joyful, live music experience by artists Chanan Ben Simon and Guy Barash.
Reconnect after Passover with old friends and new, explore the traditions of the Moroccan Jewish community, and enjoy moufleta (Moroccan dessert crepes) along with other holiday delicacies in this epic celebration!”
Sunday, 12 April, 5:00 – 8:00PM EST
@Kane Street Synagogue
236 Kane Street, Brooklyn, New York 11231
Childcare, including Mimouna-themed activities, will be available from 5:00–6:30 PM, led by JAFI’s shlichut volunteer team.
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $25
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Our friends at Qesher in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation present:
Recovering the Lost World of Iraqi Babylonian Jews
“Come walk with me through the history of Iraqi Jews, from the River of Babylon to the streets of Baghdad. Together, we will discover the rich culture, Judeo-Arabic language, traditional foods, and everyday life of this ancient Babylonian Jewish community. I will share family stories that trace journeys from Baghdad to Al Uzair—home to the tomb of Ezra the Scribe—to Kirkuk and Hila. We will explore how deeply integrated Iraqi Jews were in Arab society and uncover the reasons behind their departure. Today, only three Jews remain in Iraq.”
Thursday, 16 April at 3:00PM EST
Live on Zoom
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $9
About the speaker:
“Sarah Sassoon is an Australian born, Iraqi Jewish writer, poet, and educator. Sarah’s writing follows her curiosity exploring her Iraqi Jewish history, the story of refugees and resilience, and the rich, layered 2600-year-old culture of Babylonian Jews, with a special interest in Middle Eastern women’s experience. She is the author of the award winning picture book, Shoham’s Bangle and This is Not a Cholent. Her poetry micro chapbook, This is Why We Don’t Look Back was awarded the Harbor Review Jewish Women’s Poetry prize. She is an editorial advisor for Distinctions: A Sephardi and Mizrahi Journal. She is also the co-author of the The In-Between, a literary dialogue about identity and belonging published by Verlagshaus Berlin. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and four boys. Visit www.sarahsassoon.com”
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Our friends at Qesher in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation present:
A Look at Jewish Colombia: Its Community, History, and Challenges
“Learn about the Jewish presence in Colombia, its historical roots, how the communities were established, the challenges we faced during the country’s Civil War, and how our identity has been shaped by these factors.
My name is Vivianne, and I am a third-generation Jew living in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. I will tell you the history of my family and use that as a springboard to introduce you to my community and my country, highlighted with fascinating historical anecdotes. I will also discuss the recent resurgence of people rediscovering their lost Jewish roots.”
Sunday, 19 April at 3:00PM EST
Live on Zoom
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $9
About the speaker:
“Vivianne Tesone Milhem is the Deputy Director of the Colombian Jewish Federation, the umbrella organization of the Jewish communities in the country, and also serves as the editor of Hashavua Online Magazine. She is a graduate with a degree in Literature from the Universidad de Los Andes, holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Universidad del Rosario, and has a Master’s degree in Religions, Culture, and Peace from the University for Peace.
She’s a member of the Jewish Diplomatic Corps of the World Jewish Congress and has worked with and volunteered for other Jewish organizations. She focuses on interfaith initiatives, education, combating antisemitism, Holocaust remembrance, diplomacy, and advocacy.”
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Our friends at Qesher in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation present:
A ‘Walk’ Through the Jewish History of Florence
“You are invited to a virtual ‘walk’ through the most significant places in the city where, from the Renaissance to our times, Jews in Florence have lived, worked, and shared community and religious life. This path, enriched with history, curiosity, and memories, aims to bring to life the lesser-known places of Jewish presence in the city.
The tour ends at the Great Synagogue (1882), one of the symbols of the emancipation of Italian Jews. Damaged by the Nazi-Fascists during WWII, it is still active and remains a vibrant focal point of contemporary Jewish life in Florence.”
Sunday, 26 April at 3:00PM EST
Live on Zoom
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $9
About the speaker:
“Giovanna Bossi Rosenfeld, born in Florence, is a historian of Florentine architecture and a licensed tour guide who specializes in tours of her city from a Jewish perspective. She brings Jewish Florence’s history to life through her knowledge, stories, and memories, as well as by taking you to the very places where Jewish history was made and continues to thrive, thanks to an active Jewish community.
She is a co-author of the book Jewish Florence: Illustrated Itinerary (Florence, ASKA Editor, 2019).”
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Our friends at 14th Street Y in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation present:
Kedmah Song Circle
“Join Yosef Goldman and Josh Kaye for an immersive evening of Middle Eastern Jewish poetry and song. Each month from January to May, we’ll delve into a single piyyut – a sacred Jewish poem – learn its melodies, and discover the stories and contexts that shaped it. Come sing, learn, and connect in community. All are welcome.”
On Mondays at 7:00PM EST
27 April
18 May
In-Person @ 14th Street Y
344 East 14th Street, NYC
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $18
About the Event:
“Kedmah is a musical and educational collective devoted to Mizrahi Jewish poetry and song. Through teaching, performance, and communal singing, Kedmah invites participants to experience the vitality of sacred poetry that has shaped Jewish life across generations.
Yosef Goldman is a composer, vocalist, and spiritual artist drawing on Mizrahi and Ashkenazi devotional traditions to create transformative musical experiences. He co-founded Kedmah and serves as senior advisor to Hadar’s Rising Song Institute. His work has been featured at the Kennedy Center and Kimmel Center. As a rabbi and ritual artist, Yosef leads prayer and teaches sacred music across the spectrum of Jewish life.
Josh Kaye is a guitarist, oud player, and award-winning composer. He performs across the U.S. as a member of the Stephane Wrembel band and leads the Middle Eastern fusion project, Baklava Express. Josh has performed at venues such as The Town Hall, Dizzy’s Club, Blue Note, Symphony Space, and Lincoln Center.”
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Our friends at Qesher in partnership with the American Sephardi Federation present:
It is Personal: Reviving the History of the Jewish Community of Mosul, Iraq
“You are invited to a virtual ‘walk’ through the most significant places in the city
As a historian, I understand the difference between what happened and the “narrative of what happened.” This difference led me to try to understand the history of my city, Mosul, which has enormous gaps that make it almost impossible to comprehend what happened. It was instead the ‘narrative of what happened’ that has been passed down from the past.
This made me ask myself: While most communities in Mosul had their histories documented, why was the Jewish history ignored and kept off the record? What happened to the Jews of Mosul? Who were they? How did they live in Mosul? What did they do in their daily lives? What were their thoughts on every small detail of their city and its people? How were they deported? What happened next? Where are they now?
These many questions led me to search for every Mosuli Jewish person around the world to reconnect with them in order to preserve and document their stories. After conducting weekly interviews with many of them in Israel and other countries, I concluded that the massacre wasn’t only physical but also a continuous attack on their memory. The only way to stop this attack on the truth and history is by establishing a Jewish Museum of Mosul and reviving their memory to reconnect them with their city. I realized that every Jew from Mosul has a personal story that should be documented in its smallest details. I am dedicated to this task for the rest of my life.”
Thursday, 30 April at 3:00PM EST
Live on Zoom
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $9
About the speaker:
“Dr. Omar Mohammed is a historian from Mosul, known only recently as the anonymous blogger Mosul Eye. Through Mosul Eye, Omar set out to inform the world about life under the Islamic State in his city.
He is the head of the Antisemitism Research Initiative within the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. He hosts a series titled 36 Minutes on Antisemitism, which discusses the rise of antisemitism around the world, featuring policymakers and officials globally.
He is listed among The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life in 2020 by The Algemeiner.
Omar teaches courses on Middle East History, Cultural Heritage Diplomacy, and Counterterrorism at Sciences Po University.
He currently lives in exile in Europe.”