Gad Elmaleh’s Sephardi humor, Devin Naar’s New Sephardic Studies Chair, Seattle’s Sephardi Refugee Rabbi, and Neta Elkayam’s new Andalussi song

19 February 2016 In honor of Wellesley College Professor Frances Malino, Co-Founder and President of Digital Heritage Mapping, with whom ASF is partnered to advance the Diarna Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life

“Why Gad Elmaleh Is the Most Popular Jewish Comic You’ve Never Heard of” By Ross Ufberg, Forward   Casablanca-born Gad Elmaleh, a superstar comedian in France and loved in his native Morocco, is now bringing his humor to America. Turning his comedic eye to the particularities of American life, Elmaleh is trying to figure out how Sephardi humor will go over in the States: “Maybe I could talk about the way we sing and dance and do the prayers, so different from the Ashkenazim, or talk about the food, how the Ashkenazim are so … so boring and serious.”

Gad Elmaleh in a scene from Midnight Orchestra, which will premier in NY at the 19th NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival on 14 March. Buy tickets for the film and ASF Young Leadership Board After Party here.

“Why Gad Elmaleh Is the Most Popular Jewish Comic You’ve Never Heard of”
By Ross Ufberg, Forward

Gad Elmaleh in a scene from Midnight Orchestra, which will premier in NY at the 19th NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival on 14 March. Buy tickets for the film and ASF Young Leadership Board After Party here.

Devin E. Naar stands amidst Aristotle University’s Holocaust Memorial (Photo courtesy of Iosif Vaena)

“Devin Naar named First Isaac Alhadeff Professor in Sephardic Studies at the UW” By UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies The University of Washington Stroum Center for Jewish Studies has established a chair in Sephardic Studies and chosen Devin Naar, the ASF’s representative on The Center for Jewish History’s Academic Advisory Board, as the first professor for the position.

Devin E. Naar stands amidst Aristotle University’s Holocaust Memorial (Photo courtesy of Iosif Vaena) “Devin Naar named First Isaac Alhadeff Professor in Sephardic Studies at the UW”
By UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies

The University of Washington Stroum Center for Jewish Studies has established a chair in Sephardic Studies and chosen Devin Naar, the ASF’s representative on The Center for Jewish History’s Academic Advisory Board, as the first professor for the position.  Song of the Week: Howa Jani (“He has come to me”)

“The Tale of Sephardic Seattle’s Refugee Rabbi” By Ty Alhadeff, UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies   In the first of a new series “showcasing the stories of Sephardic refugees during the 20th century,” Ty Alhadeff explores how Rabbi Dr. Isidore Kahan and his family escaped from war-torn Europe to “SettleVash” (i.e., Seattle, Washington) in 1939. A student at the Rhodes rabbinical seminary and pulpit rabbi in fascist Rome, Rabbi Kahan’s pleas for aid were ultimately answered by the Seattle Jewish community, and Rabbi Kahan went on to enjoy a distinguished career in Seattle as a communal leader serving Congregation Ezra Bessaroth. Rabbi Kahan’s wife, Toni, knows that things could have ended differently: “We were lucky to be here, otherwise we would have ended up in a concentration camp.”

Congregation Ezra Bessaroth Bulletin, 1943. (Photo courtesy of University of Washington-University Libraries)

“The Tale of Sephardic Seattle’s Refugee Rabbi”
By Ty Alhadeff, UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies

Congregation Ezra Bessaroth Bulletin, 1943. (Photo courtesy of University of Washington-University Libraries)

The Spanish Inquisition to the Present: A Search for Jewish Roots

Sunday, February 21st at 2PM
Center for Jewish History 
15 West 16th Street, New York City

Join The Jewish Genealogical Society of New York and American Sephardi Federation to hear Genie Milgrom discuss her unparalleled work of genealogy, documenting an unbroken maternal lineage back to 1480 in Pre-Inquisition Spain and Portugal. Born in Havana, Cuba, into a Roman Catholic family of Spanish Ancestry, Genie was always interested in her family genealogy, but when she learned of the possibility of having converso Jewish roots, her search for the truth about her family’s past took on a deeper significance.

Come at 12:30PM and bring your own lunch for our Lunch & Learn. We will be meeting in the Kovno Room. Genie Milgrom will be joining us early to answer questions on Spanish & Portuguese citizenship laws and Jewish genealogy.

$5 at the door

Shirat Baqashot ve-Hazzanut

Monday, February 22nd at 7:30PM
Center for Jewish History 
15 West 16th Street, New York City

According to the nusach of the Moroccan Jews
Presented by the hazzan and payytan, R’ Amar

The American Sephardi Federation is pleased to announce a new class exploring the Baqashot (‘Songs of Seeking’ in Edwin Seroussi’s wonderful translation), a musical tradition whose roots are in Andalusian Spain. R’ Amar, a student of R’ David Buzaglo, considered the greatest Hebrew liturgical poet of the 20th century, will guide students through the theory and practice of the Baqashot:

1). Their purpose, when and how they are used in the liturgy–how they are attached to weekly parshiyot (Shabbat Torah readings)
2). The musical  maqamim (Arabic melodic mode) used in the singing of the Baqashot
3). The great composers of this traditional art form

Students will be instructed in the chanting of each of the baqashot according to the weekly parshiyot and maqam. 

Please click here to RSVP for the introductory session

19th Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival

March 10th – 17th
Center for Jewish History 
15 West 16th Street, New York City

Through the poignant medium of film, the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF) provides viewers with an understanding of the rich mosaic culture of Jews from the Middle East and greater Sephardic Diaspora. Contemporary voices steeped in history and tradition are celebrated throughout this week-long series of events, including première screenings, intriguing stories, poignant documentaries, filmmaker Q&As, and Pomegranate Awards ceremony.

Click here to learn more (screening times, program information, film synopses), purchase passes or tickets, and support the Festival

Your Cardholder Benefits Include:  Subscription to the print edition of The Sephardi Report, a magazine that shines a light on contemporary Sephardi creativity and excellence in the arts, scholarship, entrepreneurship, rabbinic thought, and philanthropy   Subscription to Sephardi Ideas Monthly and Sephardi World Weekly   Invitations to special events across the country     Reduced ticket prices and back-stage access at the upcoming 19th NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival   Discounts at Sephardi businesses around the world, including restaurants, salons, and boutiques

$72

($54 tax-deductible)

Copyright © 2016 American Sephardi Federation, All rights reserved. Thank you for opting (on our websites, at an event, or by email) to receive American Sephardi Federation Programming Updates and Publications. We apologize if this message was sent in error. The American Sephardi Federation’s Sephardi House is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, New York, 10011). American Sephardi Federation | http://www.AmericanSephardi.org | info@Sephardi.House | (212) 548-4486 unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Copyright © 2016 American Sephardi Federation, All rights reserved.

Thank you for opting (on our websites, at an event, or by email) to receive American Sephardi Federation Programming Updates and Publications. We apologize if this message was sent in error.

The American Sephardi Federation’s Sephardi House is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, New York, 10011).

American Sephardi Federation | http://www.AmericanSephardi.org | info@Sephardi.House | (212) 548-4486


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