Sephardi House Helped Me Deepen My Jewish Identity
Dear Friends,
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of participating in the ASF’s Sephardi House Fellowship, an innovative national movement that is enlightening, empowering and enriching Jewish college students through an immersion in the rich history, values and wisdom of the Greater Sephardi world. Sephardi House Fellows have been key leaders in enhancing their own college communities by infusing Sephardic traditions, vitality, and joy into Jewish life on campus, and have been leaders on the national stage by advocating for Jewish student safety from antisemitism, testifying before Congress, and speaking to national media outlets. Sephardi House has become a home for me; it has grounded me in my culture and heritage, welcomed me into a community of driven and passionate individuals, and helped me build confidence and security in my own identity as a young Sephardic Jewish woman living in today’s tumultuous times.
Sephardi House is built around the concept of bringing all Jews together; of celebrating the multitudes of unique cultures, traditions, and communities that make up Am Yisrael. My time as a fellow filled me with a renewed excitement and drive to be more vocal about the richness and value of Sephardic Judaism both within the Jewish community and the world as a whole. Throughout the year, I have gained critical skills and knowledge that have allowed me to bring Sephardi culture, education, and celebrations to my campus. Meeting with the other fellows in our monthly meetings and during our Shabbaton in Manhattan allowed me to gain insight into their perspectives and incorporate them into my own leadership on campus, which aided me in establishing the University of Arizona’s very first Sephardi and Mizrahi Jewish Culture Club.
3-5 November 2023
There has been a terrible rise in antisemitism over the past year, particularly on college campuses across the country. Therefore, creating meaningful campus opportunities that deepen Jewish pride, resilience, and community belonging is more important than ever before. For me, Sephardi House has filled that role, and I would now like to ask for your support in ensuring that other young Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews have the same unique opportunity.
Please help us support the next generation of Sephardi leaders through ASF’s Sephardi House initiative.
Mo’adim leSimha,
Stella Salmon
ASF Sephardi House Fellow ‘23-‘24
Sephardi House Leadership Summit Shabbaton in New York City,
3-5 November 2023
Please write to info@americansephardi.org for more information on how you can get involved today!
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Upcoming Event
The Grad Network of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, Moishe House Harlem, and the American Sephardi Federarion’s Sephardi House Initiative for Young Professionals present:
Ritual Lab Workshop
Hebrew & Arabic Calligraphy
Learn about Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian language and participate in a hands-on calligraphy workshop!
Are you a young professionals in your 20s?
Join us as we dive into the rich visual worlds of Arabic, Hebrew and Persian calligraphy. Through historical, spiritual, linguistic and artistic lenses, we will discover the parallels between these languages. Educator, community builder, and artist Ruben Shimonov will also take us on an exploratory journey of his own multilingual calligraphy—sharing the ways he has used his art to celebrate the cultural diversity of the Greater Sephardi world.
Thursday, 14 November at 7:00PM
Space is limited. Register to reserve your materials.
@at Harlem Moishe House (The address will be shared will all registrants closer to the date of the program).
Sign-up Now!
(Registration Required)
*If cost is a barrier to participation, please email Melissa, Director of The Grad Network.
About the Speaker:
Born in Uzbekistan, Ruben is an educator, community builder, and artistic leader passionate about Jewish diversity and intercultural understanding. As a Bukharian Jew who belongs to the ancient Persian-speaking Jewish community of Central Asia, Ruben harnesses his own multilayered identity in his educational, creative and social entrepreneurial work. He is the National Director of Sephardi House and Education at the American Sephardi Federation. ASF’s Sephardi House initiative works to enrich Jewish campus life and young leadership with the vibrancy, wisdom and diversity of the Greater Sephardic world. He is also the Founding Executive Director of the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, the sole international organization building a supportive and much-needed community for LGBTQ+ Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. As a visual artist, Ruben uses his multilingual Hebrew, Arabic and Persian calligraphy to build Muslim-Jewish interfaith bridges and spark conversations about multiculturalism. His art has been featured in international publications and exhibits, including at the U.S. Embassy Residence in Uzbekistan. Ruben has been listed among The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” young leaders and changemakers. He is an alumnus of the COJECO Blueprint, Nahum Goldmann, Schusterman ROI and UJA Ruskay Institute fellowships for his work in Jewish social innovation and education. Ruben has lectured extensively on the histories and cultures of Sephardic and Mizrahi communities. Among his speaking engagements, Ruben has given talks at New York University, University of Southern California, Jewish Federations of North America and Hillel International, as well as conferences in Greece, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.