Enlightening & Empowering Jewish Students on Campus🤝
In Honor of Carlos Benaim, ISEF Chairman, Distinguished ASF Board Member, world-renowned perfumer, and native of Tangier, Morocco, who inspires us all to love the Sephardic tradition and community!
~Joshua Benaim, visionary founder of Sephardi House
Click here to dedicate a future issue in honor or memory of a loved one
The American Sephardi Federation’s Sephardi Ideas Monthly is a continuing series of essays and interviews from the rich, multi-dimensional world of Sephardi thought and culture that is delivered to your inbox every month.
The point of departure for this month’s Sephardi Ideas Monthly is a little over thirty years ago within the halls of Harvard University. That’s where Joshua Benaim, an American real estate entrepreneur, author, and opera singer of Moroccan, Persian, and Ashkenazi descent received a world-class introduction into various kinds of knowledge, but could not find any classes devoted to the main thing, the source of human vitality, the soul. For reasons rooted in the horizons of secular modernity, the soul has been banished from the modern academy.
Accepting the academy’s spiritual poverty as a drab fact, Benaim set out on his own to find different ways that people have opened access to the soul. And what he found in the Golden Age of Spain—the Sephardi world that gave birth to the poet-warrior-ruler-philanthropist-and-sage, Shemuel HaNagid, as well as the physician-jurist-communal leader-and-philosopher, Maimonides—enchanted him. Here were philosophers, mystics, poets, doctors, and traders (sometimes all in one person!) consciously cultivating their souls and leading worldly and noble lives. These inspiring teachings resonated with the values and stories Benaim gleaned from his father, Carlos, who left Morocco in 1967, and his grandfather who was born in Iran and emigrated to America by ship on an epic journey that lasted 113 days. Benaim subsequently took Classic Sephardic Jewish civilization and these powerful relationships with him as spiritual nourishment on his life’s journey.
Recently, set in a very successful business career, Benaim decided to share this Sephardi tradition of soulful knowledge with others, especially Jewish university students. His aim was to set before young people the keys to unlocking the gates of the Classic Sephardi Tradition.
Benaim’s decision, however, did not only derive from the conventional academic neglect of the soul. A more pressing, communal concern moved him to act: the growth and spread of antisemitism on college campuses. How do you fight the false narratives, distortions of identity, threats of violence and actual attacks that Jewish students are facing in their daily lives?
Enter Sephardi House, an initiative founded in 2020 by Benaim “dedicated to deepening a sense of Jewish belonging through an immersion in classic Sephardic Jewish history, values, and vision.” Working under the aegis of the American Sephardi Federation, Sephardi House recently welcomed its third cohort of 27 Fellows from universities around the country, including Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Penn, UT Austin, CUNY, UCLA, and many others.
How does the program work? Sephardi House fellows participate in ten hybrid learning sessions with Jewish educators, community and industry leaders, scholars, and artists covering the “greatest hits” of Greater Sephardi history, wisdom, and culture over the course of the academic year. The learning sessions integrate music and group discussions with presentations such as Dr. Raymond Scheindlin and Dr. Ronnie Perelis exploring the Hebrew poetry of al-Andalus; Rabbi Yamin Levy making a passionate case for Maimonides; musical artist Sarah Aroeste performing Ladino music and sharing her own personal story; ASF Broome & Allen Fellow, Dr. Hélène Jawhara Piñer discussing her award-winning and best-selling book, Sephardi: Cooking the History; Dr. Angy Cohen introducing the wisdom of modern Sephardic thinkers such as Rabbi Yosef Massas and the forgotten female voices of the Sephardi intellectual tradition; Rabbi Albert Gabbai of Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia introducing his historic congregation and his own journey from imprisonment under Nasser to freedom; Rabbi Daniel Bouskila exploring the Classic Sephardic worldview of the first Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Hakham Ben Tzion Meir Hai Uziel; and more.
In addition to the nourishment of the learning sessions, Sephardi House also provides fellows with one-on-one mentorship and personally tailored campus support with Ruben Shimonov, the ASF’s National Director of Sephardi House and Young Leadership, access to the American Sephardi Federation’s educational and community resources, a generous stipend, an in-person Shabbaton, and guidance creating a community-building project that empowers the fellows to draw on the spirit and content of the Sephardic tradition in their own unique ways in order to enrich student life on their campuses.
To hear it from former fellows, the experience in Sephardi House has been joyfully enriching. For instance, Shirin Benyaminpour from Queens College, a Sephardi House fellow in 2020-2021, shares how the fellowship became a community guided by a dedicated mentor, Shimonov, who facilitated new friendships and a more robust connection to her Jewish identity:
When I was accepted to the Sephardi House Fellowship, I had no idea how meaningful and empowering it would be. I not only found a community of open, kind, and intelligent peers, but also a caring mentor who did everything in his power to help me and everyone else in my cohort succeed. This fellowship gave me an opportunity to connect with my heritage in such fun and engaging ways and to develop relationships that I grew to cherish.
At the most recent Sephardi House National Shabbaton in New York City, Shirin joined the current class of Fellows as part of a celebratory rooftop get-together—another step in creating a strong, supportive Jewish community and bringing together the intellect, body, and soul that is Sephardi House’s fundamental mission.
Sephardi Ideas Monthly is very happy to share with our readers a brief Introduction into Sephardi House, a dynamic ASF educational and leadership development initiative that draws on the soulful depths and vitality of Classic Sephardi Judaism to empower Jewish students on campuses across the United States.
Support Jewish unity and diversity on campus, as well as the future generation of leaders in the Greater Sephardi world:
For further reading and viewing:
“The New Sephardic Generation.” Paula Jacobs, Tablet Magazine. Tablet Magazine explores how “Young Jews are organizing in an effort to preserve Sephardic culture in America,” including Sephardi House, the “new American Sephardi Fellowship program” conceived by John Benaim as a response to antisemitism and the contentious political environment: “I realized the best antidote would be a positive and joyful immersion in poetry, philosophy, history, spirituality, and music. To me, Sephardic Jewish culture has always been able to synthesize the spiritual and Jewish world with the world of science, philosophy, and business.”
“Sephardic Jewry celebrated at Hillel JUC’s annual summit” Adam Reinherz, The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Read how Ariella Levy, a University of Pittsburgh student and 2021-22 Sephardi House Fellow “worked with staff from Hillel JUC and the American Sephardi Federation to ensure students from diverse backgrounds could better appreciate the history and nuances of Sephardic Jewry.” Levy’s takeaway? “Keep going — this was only one event.”
“Peoplehood in practice” Nila Rosen, Lisa Armony, Ruben Shimonov, and Scott Lasensky, eJewishPhilanthopy. Jewish educators and leaders (including the ASF’s Shimonov) mention Sephardi House as an exemplar of the peoplehood paradigm, emphasizing how the fellowship “seeks to infuse the wisdom, diversity, creativity and warmth of the Sephardic spirit into Jewish student life, while also advancing Jewish unity and pride.”
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From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance
By David S. Malka
From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance is dedicated to the memory of Rabbi Shlomo Malka. It honors his memory as a Jewish scholar, a spiritual leader, and a great humanitarian.
David S. Malka is publishing this text as his personal contribution to legacy of Malka family, in the hope that this generation will re-discover their patriarch’s teaching and advance his message of faith and compassion on to the next generation.
From Generation to Generation: a Legacy of Faith and Tolerance is a message of love, tolerance, and pride in one’s heritage.
By Dr. Hélène Jawhara Piñer, a 2018 ASF Broome & Allen Fellow
In this extraordinary, award-winning and best-selling cookbook now in its 4th imprint, chef and scholar Hélène Jawhara-Piñer combines rich culinary history and Jewish heritage to serve up over fifty culturally significant recipes. Steeped in the history of the Sephardic Jews (Jews of Spain) and their diaspora, these recipes are expertly collected from such diverse sources as medieval cookbooks, Inquisition trials, medical treatises, poems, and literature. Original sources ranging from the thirteenth century onwards and written in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Occitan, Italian, and Hebrew, are here presented in English translation, bearing witness to the culinary diversity of the Sephardim, who brought their cuisine with them and kept it alive wherever they went. Jawhara-Piñer provides enlightening commentary for each recipe, revealing underlying societal issues from anti-Semitism to social order. In addition, the author provides several of her own recipes inspired by her research and academic studies.
Each creation and bite of the dishes herein are guaranteed to transport the reader to the most deeply moving and intriguing aspects of Jewish history. Jawhara-Piñer reminds us that eating is a way to commemorate the past.
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Upcoming Events or Opportunities
The NY Jewish Week, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, Natan Fund, Jewish Book Council, and ASF Institute of Jewish Experience present:
An Evening with “One Hundred Saturdays”
An event featuring Sephardic songs from Daphna Mor (vocal) and Adam Good (on the oud), artwork from Maira Kalman, and a wide-ranging conversation between celebrated author Michael Frank and award-winning journalist Sandee Brawarsky, with the participation of Stella Levi!
Wednesday, 30 November at 7:00 PM EST
Sign-up Now!
(Tickets: $14.36 – $22.85)
In-person at B’nai Jeshrun Congregation and online
257 West 88th Street,
New York, NY
A luminous work, One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World is the encounter of two brilliant storytellers: Stella Levi, who was born and grew up in the old Sephardic Jewish quarter of the island of Rhodes and is now almost 100 years of age, and Michael Frank, who listens to, captures, and retells the story of her survival and embrace of life.
Michael Frank will be in conversation with award-winning New York journalist Sandee Brawarsky.
About the author:
Michael Frank is the author of What Is Missing, a novel, and The Mighty Franks, a memoir, which was awarded the 2018 JQ Wingate Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by The Telegraph and The New Statesman. One Hundred Saturdays is a Jewish Book Council Natan Notable Book. The recipient of a 2020 Guggenheim Fellowship, Michael lives with his family in New York City and Camogli, Italy.
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The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience, the Center for Jewish History, Bar-Ilan University, Dahan Center, and the Ben-Zvi Institute present:
From Middle Eastern North African Jewish Refugees to Israeli Cultural Renaissance
International Conference featuring speakers from Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States
Sunday, 4 December 10:30AM – 6:00PM EDT
($8 G/A or Donation)
Sign-up Now!
The Center for Jewish History
15 W 16th Street
New York City
Program Details:
Sunday, December 04, 2022, 4 Kislev, 5783
- 10:30-11:00: Arrival and Registration
- 11:00-12:00: Opening Session
Chair: Dr. Shimon Ohayon, Director, the Dahan Center, Bar-Ilan University
Greetings:
- Mr. Yaakov Hagoel, Chairperson of the World Zionist Organization
- Mr. Eyal Gabbai, Chairperson, Yad Izhak Ben Zvi
- Mr. David Dangoor, President, American Sephardi Federation
Keynote Adress:
Prof. Noam Norman Stillman, University of Oklahoma
Prelude to Exodus: the Jews of Arab lands in the face of the challenges and transformations of the modern era
- 12:00-12:15: Coffee break
- 12:15-14:00: Second session
Chair: Mr. Moshe Zaafrani, Manager of cultural-educational projects, Yad Ben Zvi
Mr. Gilad Erdan, Ambassador to the United Nations – Struggle and Recognition: Jews from Arab lands and Iran
Mr. Ben-Dror Yemini, Reporter –The Jewish Nakba: a Comparative Study
Dr. Stanley Yurman, Rutgers University & Director of JJAC – Justice for Jews from Arab countries: the case for rights and redress
Ms. Dana Avrish, Researcher, Artist & Creator – Rediscovering the Jewish roots in Islamic countries
- 14:00-14:45: Lunch Break
- 14:45-16:15: Third Session
Chair: Dr. Drora Arussy, Senior Director, ASF Institute of Jewish Experience
Dr. Sasha Goldstein-Sabbah, University of Groningen – Communal Dissolution and the Baghdadi Diaspora: Reframing Iraqi-Jewish Migration as Multidirectional
Mr. Edwin Shuker, Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews – The Ethnic cleansing of the Jews of Iraq in the second half of the 20th century
Dr. Jesse Weinberg, University of Oklahoma – The End of Eden: Antisemitism in Iraq, 1917-1951
- 16:15–16:30 Coffee break
- 16:30-17:30 Fourth Session
Ms. Sarina RoffĂ©, Sephardic Heritage Project – Syrian Jewish Paths to Freedom
Mr. Ruben Shimonov, ASF’s National Director of Sephardi House – Conversation with Sephardi House Fellows
Student Presentations – The Story of Our Family Roots
- 17:30-18:00: Musical Program
Naama Perel Zadok
Concluding Remarks:
Dr. Shimon Ohayon and Dr. Drora Arussy
Supported by Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, World Zionist Organization, and World Jewish Congress – North America.
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The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience presents:
Exclusive Authors Series with Alan Verskin
Join us for this episode of Exclusive Authors Series with Alan Verskin discussing his new book, A Vision of Yemen.
Tuesday, 6 December at 12:00PM EDT
(Complimentary RSVP)
Sign-up Now!
About the book:
In 1869, Hayyim Habshush, a Yemeni Jew, accompanied the European orientalist Joseph Halévy on his archaeological tour of Yemen. Twenty years later, Habshush wrote A Vision of Yemen, a memoir of their travels, that provides a vivid account of daily life, religion, and politics. More than a simple travelogue, it is a work of trickster-tales, thick anthropological descriptions, and reflections on Jewish–Muslim relations. At its heart lies the fractious and intimate relationship between the Yemeni coppersmith and the “enlightened” European scholar and the collision between the cultures each represents. The book thus offers a powerful indigenous response to European Orientalism.
This edition is the first English translation of Habshush’s writings from the original Judeo-Arabic and Hebrew and includes an accessible historical introduction to the work. The translation maintains Habshush’s gripping style and rich portrayal of the diverse communities and cultures of Yemen, offering a potent mixture of artful storytelling and cultural criticism, suffused with humor and empathy. Habshush writes about the daily lives of men and women, rich and poor, Jewish and Muslim, during a turbulent period of war and both Ottoman and European imperialist encroachment. With this translation, Alan Verskin recovers the lost voice of a man passionately committed to his land and people.
About the authors:
Alan Verskin is Associate Professor of History at the University of Rhode Island.
Click here for more about the book.
Sponsorship opportunities available:
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The ASF Institute of Jewish Experience presents:
The Multifaceted History and Culture of Bukharian Jews
The eclectic story of Central Asia’s ancient Jewish community—Bukharian Jews—is situated at the lesser-known intersection of Sephardic, Mizrahi and Russian-Speaking Jewish identities.
Join us as we discover the ways in which Bukharian Jews have developed their multilayered and rich culture against the backdrop of the changing societies surrounding them—including various Persian, Arab, Turkic and Russian empires. Taking us on a journey through Central Asia, West Asia/the Middle East, North Africa, the United States and Europe, our discussion will also shed light on how the Bukharian Jewish experience fits into the broader historical saga of the Jewish People.
Tuesday, 6 December at 6:00PM EST
A Hybrid Event
Sign-up Now!
(In-person G/A $10)
Sign-up Now!
(Zoom $8)
About the speaker:
Ruben Shimonov is an educator, community builder, and social entrepreneur passionate about Jewish diversity and intercultural understanding. He previously served as Director of Community Engagement & Education at Queens College Hillel. Currently, Ruben is the National Director of Sephardi House & Young Leadership at the American Sephardi Federation. He is also the Founding Executive Director of the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, as well as Director of Educational Experiences and Programming for the Muslim-Jewish Solidarity Committee. As a visual artist, Ruben uses his multilingual Arabic-Hebrew-Persian calligraphy to build Muslim-Jewish interfaith bridges. Ruben has been listed among The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” emerging leaders and changemakers. He has lectured around the world on the histories and cultures of Sephardic and Mizrahi communities.
Sponsorship opportunities available:
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The American Sephardi Federation and the Moise Safra Center present:
Sephardi: Cooking the History with Hélène Jawhara-Piñer
Join Chef Hélène Jawhara-Piñer for an extraordinary cooking class as she recreates recipes from her award-winning and best-selling cookbook.
Thursday, 8 December at 10:00AM EDT
(Tickets: $50 – $95)
Sign-up Now!
The Moise Safra Center
130 E 82nd St. (7th Floor Culinary Studio)
New York, NY 10028
In this extraordinary cooking class, chef and scholar Hélène Jawhara-Piñer has selected some of her favorite recipes from her latest cookbook, Sephardi: Cooking the History. Recipes of the Jews of Spain and the Diaspora, from the 13th Century to Today, to serve up in our culinary studio. Steeped in the history of the Sephardic Jews and their diaspora, these recipes are expertly collected from such diverse sources as medieval cookbooks, Inquisition trials, medical treatises, poems, and literature. Original sources ranging from the thirteenth century onwards and written in Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Occitan, Italian, and Hebrew, bear witness to the culinary diversity of the Sephardim, who brought their cuisine with them and kept it alive wherever they went.
Jawhara-Piñer provides enlightening commentary for each recipe, revealing underlying societal issues from anti-Semitism to social order. Hélène Jawhara Piñer holds a doctoral degree in Medieval History and the History of Food. In 2018, she was awarded the Broome & Allen Fellowship of the American Sephardi Federation, dedicated to recognizing outstanding academic accomplishments and services to the Sephardic community, as well as encouraging continued excellence in the field of Sephardi studies.
Each creation and bite of the dishes are guaranteed to transport you to the most deeply moving and intriguing aspects of Jewish history. Jawhara-Piñer reminds us that eating is a way to commemorate the past.
Sponsorship opportunities available:
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ASF Broome & Allen & ADL Collaborative for Change Fellow Isaac de Castro presents:
Entre Diasporas: Telling the Latin-American Jewish story. Contando la historia judĂa latinoamericana
Tell your story. Cuenta tu historia.
We’re looking for first-generation Latino Jews in the United States who immigrated because of political and social turmoil. Jews of Sephardic descent from Colombia, Cuba, and Venezuela that now reside in the Miami area will be given priority, but others are welcome to apply as well.
Fill out this form to be considered as an interviewee for this project. After you’ve submitted, we will be in touch promptly to set up a preliminary phone call.
Click here for more information.