Sephardi Ideas Monthly Nov.: Elazar’s “Can Sephardic Judaism be Reconstructed?”

In Memory of Salim Eliahou Dangoor, z’l 10 NOVEMBER 2014

The American Sephardi Federation is delighted to introduce our newest publication project, Sephardi Ideas Monthly, a continuing series of essays from the rich, multi-dimensional world of Sephardi thought that will go out on the second Monday of every month.



For our inaugural issue we present Professor Daniel J. Elazar’s seminal, 1992 essay, “Can Sephardic Judaism be Reconstructed?”

Daniel J. Elazar Professor Elazar (1934–1999) was the first president of the American Sephardi Federation (1973-1975). He was also a renowned professor of political theory, a prolific author, and the founder of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. In the course of his career, Professor Elazar wrote a number of important works on Sephardim and the Sephardi world, including The Other Jews: The Sephardim Today.

Daniel J. Elazar

Professor Elazar (1934–1999) was the first president of the American Sephardi Federation (1973-1975). He was also a renowned professor of political theory, a prolific author, and the founder of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. In the course of his career, Professor Elazar wrote a number of important works on Sephardim and the Sephardi world, including The Other Jews: The Sephardim Today.

Professor Elazar begins our featured essay by arguing that “the iron grip” of Ashkenazi forms of Judaism serve “to weaken the relationship of Jews with the rest of the world.” In response, he calls for the revival of “Classic Sephardic Judaism,” a tradition “not given to excess, seriously Jewish, yet worldly and cosmopolitan.”   A realist unimpressed by conventional pieties, Professor Elazar traces the decline of Sephardi communities and the historic, demographic and institutional factors that have led to what he calls the “Ashkenazification of the Sephardim.” These difficulties do not deter him, however, from concluding that Jewish life needs a “revival of a living organic Judaism…through the Sephardic way.”

Professor Elazar begins our featured essay by arguing that “the iron grip” of Ashkenazi forms of Judaism serve “to weaken the relationship of Jews with the rest of the world.” In response, he calls for the revival of “Classic Sephardic Judaism,” a tradition “not given to excess, seriously Jewish, yet worldly and cosmopolitan.”

 

Today, a little over twenty years after Professor Elazar’s essay appeared, does “the need of the hour” in Jewish life remain the same? Is the Jewish world more open now than it was in 1992 to “the Sephardic way”?  And what would an alternative built along the lines of “Classic Sephardic Judaism” look like in our time? These are a few of the questions that we invite you to consider as you read, “Can Sephardic Judaism be Reconstructed?”

Today, a little over twenty years after Professor Elazar’s essay appeared, does “the need of the hour” in Jewish life remain the same? Is the Jewish world more open now than it was in 1992 to “the Sephardic way”?  And what would an alternative built along the lines of “Classic Sephardic Judaism” look like in our time?



These are a few of the questions that we invite you to consider as you read, “Can Sephardic Judaism be Reconstructed?” Class @ ASF’s Sephardi House in the Center for Jewish History: The Brooklyn Institute for Social Research’s “Jews and the Colonial Project” starts November 25th. Members receive a 10% Discount. Click here for additional information and to register. 

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Copyright © 2014 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 an integral part of the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, NY., 10011). 

American Sephardi Federation | http://www.Sephardi.House | info@Sephardi.House | (212) 294-8350


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