Dr. Solomon Gaon addressing historic first Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference at Yeshiva University. Seated (I to r) Dr. Samuel Belkin, President, Yeshiva University, and Mr. Joseph Kattan, Conference Chairman . Vii
PUBLISHED BY THE SEP~ffo1c STUDIES PROGRAM OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY /olu me I Number I Kislev 5727-December 1966 MENDEL GOTTESrAAN LIBRARY Letter from the Editor Dear Reader: With the publication of the Rrst bulletin of "THE AMERICAN The Rev. Dr. Haham Solomon Gaon SEPHARDI," the stage is set for a new adventure in the saga and of Jewish group life in America. The editorial board of "THE The Faculty of AMERICAN SEPHARDI" has responded to the call of Sephardi leaders to launch this bulletin so it can serve as a clearing-house THE SEPHARDIC STUDIES PROGRAM for the exchange of information and ideas on religious, educational of and communal activities. Equally important, it will also provide a platform for the expression of significant issues affecting our group. Yeshiva University Much has been said about the obstacles facing us, the most extend warmest appreciation and blessings to the formidable being the one of maintaining and strengthening the ties of our scattered brethren. In our increasingly shrinking world, initiators of the physical obstacles of establishing face-to-face contact and of "The American Sephardi" opening lines of communication between our communities can be readily overcome. The crux of the problem lies more with our determination to strengthen our spiritual and cultural bonds. If MR. AND MRS. DAVID POLITI "THE AMERICAN SEPHARDI" is to serve a useful purpose, it must address itself to the key objective of discovering effective whose generosity in making possible this publica means for the revitalization of the Sephardic group life here in tion, and whose understanding, vision, and devo America. tion to higher Jewish learning in America, will The enthusiastic responses to our Erst letter lead us to believe strengthen, enrich and help perpetuate our noble that we will succeed and that our expectations are well placed. Sephardic heritage. Your reactions to this and future bulletins will serve as barometers of the vitality and interest value of our material. So keep in regular contact with us and let us know that you care! Hyman J. Camp eas
THE A MERI CAN SEPHARDI MR. DA YID POLITI, recently elected Vice President of the Union of Bulletin for American Sephardic Congregations published semi-annually Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, is a Past President and Treasurer by the Sephardic Studies Program of Yeshiva University in association with of the Mens' Club of the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, New York City. the Community Service Division. He is also a Past President and active member of the Board of the Central . Address all correspondence to: The American Sephardi, Community Serv Sephardic Jewish Community of America, a founder of the Sephardic Home ice Division, Yeshiva University, 186th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New for the Aged and holds leadersrup positions in many other community York, N.Y. 10033. organizations.
MRS. DA YID POLITI , is a Past President of the Sisterhood of the Spanish & MR. H YMAN J. CAMPEAS, Editor Portuguese Synagogue, New York City, Past President of the Womens' Division MRs. BLANCHE ATTAS, Technical Assistant of the Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America and actively par ticipates in all worthy Jewish causes. RABBI HERBERT C. D OBRINSKY Advisor to The American Sephardi
2 3 'lll"'\r1 EJ,uc.L GOTTESMANLIBRARY 1966. Boys and girls, 14 to 18 years of age, from New York State, ~ ew Jersey and Pennsylvania, are invited to participate. Rabbi Current Events Barris Guedalia will supervise the program. Mrs. Blanche Attas will 3rd Annual Sephardic Synagogue serve as Advisor to the girls. :Many congregations are partially sub Leadership Conference-December 18th, 1966 sidizing this strictly kosher, educational trip which will be an excit Mr. Victor Tarry, Chairman of the Ste(:)ring Committee of the ing experience in Jewish learning and living in addition to seeing Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference of Yeshiva Univer the sites. For further information, contact Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrin sity, has announced that all rabbis, officers and congregational sky at Yeshiva University, LOrraine 8-8400, extension 264. leaders are cordially invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference to be held at Yeshiva Lecturers on Sephardic Themes University on Sunday, December 18th, 1966. Chairman of this 5727 Through the Lecture Bureau of Yeshiva University's Commu Conference will be Mr. Robert Salomon of New York City. The full day Program will begin with a Symposium on the nity Service Division, a host of outstanding lecturers are available to discuss a variety of stimulating topics of special interest to theme, "Developing Responsible Synagogue Leadership Among Sephardic Congregations and organizations. Without a doubt, our Youth." Discussants will be Rabbis, Synagogue Leaders, Youth vour organization's program can be greatly enhanced by including Personnel and Youth Committee Chairmen of various congrega ;ome of these personalities in your events. For the Lecture Bureau tions. At the luncheon, which will follow, the Rev. Dr. Haham, brochure, write to Rabbi Robert S. Hirt, Community Service Divi- Solomon Gaon will deliver the keynote address. In the afternoon, several leadership workshops will grapple sion, Yeshiva University. with different aspects of the problems and challenges related to the development of leadership within the synagogue among our Leon A. Ligier Confers Gift young people. Professional consultants of the Yeshiva University Upon Yeshiva University Staff will serve as advisors during these discussions on effective Mr. Leon A. Ligier of Los Angeles, California, author of the Youth Programming, raising our educational standards in Talmud forthcoming book, "The Odyssey of the Sephardim," presented the Torah, the development of a Sephardic Hebrew Day School, and manuscript as a gift to Yeshiva University, in honor of the Rev. Dr. the role of the Sisterhood in preparing our youth for the future. Haham Solomon Gaon, Director, Sephardic Studies Program, and The Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference will also pay Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Director, Sephardic Community tribute to men and women through whose generosity and vision the Sephardic Studies Program at Yeshiva University has been Activities. It is hoped that the manuscript will appear in book form in sustained. Sephardic students of the University will be available the near future and tl1at appropriate support for the publication to conduct guided tours of the University's Washington Heights of this significant work will be forthcoming from the community. campus and will participate in the sessions. We invite the participation of patrons of Sephardic Jewish history For reservations, please contact the office of Rabbi Herbert C. who would like to bring to light this scholarly treatise which is so Dobrinsky, Director, Sephardic Community Activities, Yeshiva Uni beautifully prepared to attract the popular reader. versity, 500 West 185th St., New York, N.Y., 10033 or telephone him at LOrraine 8-8400, Extension 264.
Tour for Sephardic Teenagers The Sephardic Community Activities Program of Yeshiva Uni· versity is featuring its second Sephardic Teenagers TOUR Oi\ 'WHEELS. The first tour was to the Touro Synagogue in Newport Rhode Island, and the current excursion is a two day trip to the ~f'v5°lho_mon Gaon addressing Second Annual Sephardic SynagogueLeadership Conference es 1va University. nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. on December 26th and 27th• .J
4 Current Events 1966. Boys and girls, 14 to 18 yea :\Tew Jersey and Pennsylvania, ai 3rd Annual Sephardic Synagogue Harris Guedalia will supervise the l Leadership Conference-December 18th, 1966 s~r~ . as Advisor to the girls. Many Mr. Victor Tarry, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the s1d1zmg this strictly kosher, educati Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference of Yeshiva Univer ing ~xperience in Jewish learning sity, has announced that all rabbis, officers and congregational the sites. For further information, c, leaders are cordially invited to participate in the 3rd Annual sky at Yeshiva University, LOrrain, Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference to be held at Yeshiva University on Sunday, December 18th, 1966. Chairman of this 5727 Lecturers on Sephardic Them Conference will be Mr. Robert Salomon of ew York City. The full day Program will begin with a Symposium on the Through the Lecture Bureau c theme, "Developing Responsible Synagogue Leadership Among nity Service Division, a host of ou our Youth." Discussants will be Rabbis, Synagogue Leaders, Youth to discuss a variety of stimulatin Personnel and Youth Committee Chairmen of various congrega Sephardic Congregations and or: tions. At the luncheon, which will follow, the Rev. Dr. Haham, your organization's program can b; Solomon Gaon will deliver the keynote address. some of these personalities in your In the afternoon, several leadership workshops will grapple brochure, write to Rabbi Robert S. with different aspects of the problems and challenges related to sion, Yeshiva University. the development of leadership within the synagogue among our young people. Professional consultants of the Yeshiva University Leon A. Ligier Confers Gift Staff will serve as advisors during these discussions on effective Upon Yeshiva University Youth Programming, raising our educational standards in Talmud Mr. Leon A. Ligier of Los An Torah, the development of a Sephardic Hebrew Day School, and forthcoming book, "The Odyssey of the role of the Sisterhood in preparing our youth for the future. manuscript as a gift to Yeshiva Uni' The Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference will also pay Haham Solomon Gaon Director S tribute to men and women through whose generosity and vision Rabbi Herbert C. D~brinsky, 'D the Sephardic Studies Program at Yeshiva University has been Activities. sustained. Sephardic students of the University will be available It is hoped that th e manuscrip to conduct guided tours of the University's \Vashington Heights the near future and that approprfr campus and will participate in the sessions. of this significant work will be for For reservations, please contact the office of Rabbi Herbert C. \Ve invite the participation of patrc Dobrinsky, Director, Sephardic Community Activities, Yeshiva Uni who would like to bring to light th versity, 500 West 185th St., New York, N.Y. , 10033 or telephone beautifully prepared to attract the him at LOrraine 8-8400, Extension 264.
Tour for Sephardic Teenagers The Sephardic Community Activities Program of Yeshiva Uni versity is featuring its second Sephardic Teenagers TOUR ON 'WHEELS. The first tour was to the Touro Synagogue in ewport, Rhode Island, and the current excursion is a two day trip to the Dr. Solomon Gaon addressing Second Annual Se1 nation's Capital, Washington, D.C. on December 26th and 27th, at Yeshiva University.
4 1966. Boys and girls, 14 to 18 years of age, from New York State, )Jew Jersey and Pennsylvania, are invited to participate. Rabbi iardic Synagogue Harris Guedalia will supervise the program. Mrs. Blanche Attas will ference-December 18th, 1966 serve as Advisor to the girls. Many congregations are partially--su b y, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the sidizing this strictly kosher, educational trip which will be an excit ue Leadership Conference of Yeshiva Univer ing experience in Jewish learning and living in addition to seeing d that all rabbis, officers and congregational the sites. For further information, contact Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrin lly invited to participate in the 3rd Annual sky at Yeshiva University, LOrraine 8-8400, extension 264. .1e Leadership Conference to be held at Yeshiva ay, December 18th, 1966. Chairman of this 5727 Lecturers on Sephardic Themes Mr. Robert Salomon of New York City. 'rogram will begin with a Symposium on the Through the Lecture Bureau of Yeshiva University's Commu g Responsible Synagogue Leadership Among nity Service Division, a host of outstanding lecturers are available ;ants will be Rabbis, Synagogue Leaders, Youth to discuss a variety of stimulating topics of special interest to 1th Committee Chairmen of various congrega Sephardic Congregations and organizations. ·without a doubt, ieon, which will follow, the Rev. Dr. Haham, your organization's program can be greatly enhanced by including l deliver the keynote address. some of these personalities in your events. For the Lecture Bureau m, several leadership workshops will grapple brochure, write to Rabbi Robert S. Hirt, Community Service Divi :cts of the problems and challenges related to sion, Yeshiva University. ,f leadership within the synagogue among our fessional consultants of the Yeshiva University Leon A. Ligier Confers Gift advisors during these discussions on effective Upon Yeshiva University g, raising our educational standards in Talmud 1ment of a Sephardic Hebrew Day School, and Mr. Leon A. Ligier of Los Angeles, California, author of the terhood in preparing our youth for the future. forthcoming book, "The Odyssey of the Sephardim," presented the Synagogue Leadership Conference will also pay manuscript as a gift to Yeshiva University, in honor of the Rev. Dr. d women through whose generosity and vision Haham Solomon Gaon, Director, Sephardic Studies Program, and .dies Program at Yeshiva University has been Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Director, Sephardic Community Activities. lie students of the University will be available I tours of the University's Washington Heights It is hoped that the manuscript will appear in book form in articipate in the sessions. the near future and that appropriate support for the publication s, please contact the office of Rabbi Herbert C. of this significant work will be forthcoming from the community. r, Sephardic Community Activities, Yeshiva Uni- We invite the participation of patrons of Sephardic Jewish history 185th St., New York, N.Y. , 10033 or telephone who would like to bring to light this scholarly treatise which is so beautifully prepared to attract the popular reader. 8400, Extension 264. rdic Teenagers Community Activities Program of Yeshiva Uni g its second Sephardic Teenagers TOUR ON st tour was to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, l the current excursion is a two day trip to the Dr. Solomon Gaon addressing Second Annual Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference- Nashington, D.C. on December 26th and 27th, at Yeshiva University.
.J Scholarship Gifts Strengthen . . . When history is recalled i Sephardic Studies Program assured. Therefore, to acknowledg committed to a tradition involves At a recent meeting of the Steering Committee of Yeshiva Uni creative determination. The recol versity's Sephardic Synagogue Leadership Conference, two scholar members of a present generation ship gifts were announced which serve as a wonderful_ exam~le maintenance of a culture. . . . Ir of generosity and dedication to the growth of the Sephardic Studies writer, you are the bows from whi< Program at Yeshiva University which will help train leaders for the are sent forth." Jewish community in years to come. Montreal, Quebec, Rabbi Solon A $1,000 scholarship gift by Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Salomon was gogue Bulletin offered in loving memory of Henry S. Hendricks and Judge Edgar J. athan Jr., former presidents of the Spanish & Portuguese Syna An outstanding regular feature gogue, New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Salomon and Mr. and Bulletin of the Sephardic Jewish Co Mrs. Robert Salomon are patrons of the Sephardic Studies Program biographical sketches of active me1 at Yeshiva University. It is through their munificence and whole hood. hearted devotion to the cause of training Sephardic Youth in the Written in a creative, heart-wi high calibre Jewish education available at Yeshiva University that gnettes enable the reader to me< this entire Program has been made possible. leaders who, by dint of their gifts A $1,000 scholarship gift by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Elias was con to the rennaissance of the Americ: ferred in loving memory of Henry S. Hendricks and Judge Edgar The colorful and substantial :r J. athan, Jr., former presidents of the Spanish & Portuguese Syna exciting personalities: Stella Ruget gogue, New York City. Mr. Irving Elias is Chairman of the Sephar dic Studies Program Campaign Committee. Mr. Richard Amado, long acti, May the benefactors of the Sephardic Studies ~rogram at Temple Tifereth Israel of the Se1 Yeshiva University be blessed with good health, long life and the Brotherhood of Los Angeles, was abundance of nachat from their selfless and consecrated endeavors. phardic Heritage Award. Past recir Mr. Joseph V. Amira, Mr. Max < Cohen. From: Temple Tifereth Israel B
"Throughout history, including o Notable Notes that a Jewish education is neither i and Quotes but an absolute necessity, if we w: and healthy lives. The vicissitude~ "The tragic quality of independence and disunity among Se make it necessary for them to kno~ phardic Jews results in not only the weakening of Se~lrnrdic in~u people's heritage. Certainly, it is t} ence on World Jewry, but also the gradual and consistent declme duced. It is necessary to inculcate of spiritual and religious standards." children to be proud of their J ewisl New York, N.Y., Rev. Dr. Haham Solomon Gaon, Congregation R. Nessim Gambach, in The Gani Shearith Israel Jewish Center of Canarsie, Oct. 15
6 s Strengthen ... When history is recalled as a living present, the future is es Program assured. Therefore, to acknowledge that one is uncompromisingly committed to a tradition involves the individual in his peoples' ing of the Steering Committee of Yeshiva Uni creative determination. The recollection of the past enables- the :ynagogue Leadership Conference, two scholar- members of a present generation to become participants in the 1ounced which serve as a wonderful example maintenance of a culture. . . . In the words of a contemporary !dication to the growth of the Sephardic Studies writer, you are the bows from which your children as living arrows University which will help train leaders for the are sent forth." n years to come. Montreal, Quebec, Rabbi Solomon Frank, Shearith Israel Syna ·ship gift by Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Salomon was gogue Bulletin ~mory of Henry S. Hendricks and Judge Edgar :r presidents of the Spanish & Portuguese Syna An outstanding regular feature of the Temple Tifereth Israel :ity. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Salomon and Mr. and Bulletin of the Sephardic Jewish Community of Los Angeles, is short n are patrons of the Sephardic Studies Program biographical sketches of active members of their Board and Sister ty. It is through their munificence and whole hood. > the cause of training Sephardic Youth in the Written in a creative, heart-warming style, these personal vi education available at Yeshiva University that gnettes enable the reader to meet some of our up-and-coming has been made possible. leaders who, by dint of their gifts and dedication, are contributing ·ship gift by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Elias was con to the rennaissance of the American Sephardic community. ~mory of Henry S. Hendricks and Judge Edgar The colorful and substantial New Year issue presented two ,er presidents of the Spanish & Portuguese Syna exciting personalities: Stella Rugeti and Irwin Lieberman. :ity. Mr. Irving Elias is Chairman of the Sephar n Campaign Committee. Mr. Richard Amado, long active and distinguished leader of factors of the Sephardic Studies Program at Temple Tifereth Israel of the Sephardic Jewish community and be blessed with good health, long life and the Brotherhood of Los Angeles, was the recipient of the 1965 Se at from their selfless and consecrated endeavors. phardic Heritage Award. Past recipients include Mr. Leon Ligier, Ylr. Joseph V. Amira, Mr. Max Candiotty and President, Aron Cohen. From: Temple Tifereth Israel Bulletin, May, 1966.
"Throughout history, including our age as well, we have learned that a Jewish education is neither a luxury nor merely a tradition, but an absolute necessity, if we want our children to live happy and healthy lives. The. vicissitudes of life and the environment Liality of independence and disunity among Se- make it necessary for them to know their spiritual origin and their 1lts in not only the weakening of Sephardic influ people's heritage. Certainly, it is the best that humanity has pro iwry, but also the gradual and consistent decline duced. It is necessary to inculcate these values if we want our eligious standards." children to be proud of their Jewish identity. . .." Y., Rev. Dr. Baham Solomon Goon, Congregation R. Nessim Gambach, in The Candlelite Bulletin of the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie, Oct. 1966.
7 In the St. Thomas Convent, In Avila, where the Inquisitor Tor A Community Profile quemada lived and died, Jewish-Christian Amity Day was cele brated. Pronouncements were made by Dr. Max Mazin, President A Birdseye View of the of the community and Rev. Vicente Serrano, both of whom are Magen David Congregation vice-presidents of this Society. Brooklyn, New Yark From "Hakesher" Circular of the Council of the Israelite Com munities of Spain. by HYMAN J. CAMPEAS The humble beginnings of the 11 back to the first decade of this cent1 Jewish immigration stemmed from} Tradition has it that the pioneerin Voices From the Past who arrived in the New World in t arrived before the advent of the C ". . . these are Khasde Avoth-the merits of the fathers-and the Lower East Side. vainly should we plead them at the bar of history unless we too transmit parental merits libne benehem, unto children's children. Moving first into a Hester StreE Unless in this new world we build up colleges, support teachers, lished the congregation Sha'arei Ze produce an Hebraic literature, and lead intelligent, faithful, observ the third floor of a loft building at / ant, Jewish lives, like those that made memorable the days of our it "Aram Zovah" because this bibli fathers in Spain, let us keep silent." native city of Aleppo. ( Address delivered by Rabbi Solomon Solis Cohen at 25th By 1917, their Talmud Torah c anniversary celebration of Rev. Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes as staff of three teachers. Under the Minister of the Congregation Shearith Israel of New York, 1903). Waknin, the school conducted clas~ days ( 4 hours daily) and on Sal " ... What better Jewish activity can there be than to save "healthy" schedule even for a Yesh Jewish souls? W'hat better work can each of our societies accom in Arabic and Hebrew. The curric plish than to support the Jewish education of our children, who transmitting their unique Nosakh in are now neglected and abandoned to their sad fate? accurate pronunciation of the Hebre Editorial by Albert Levy, October 17, 1930. rendering of the Hebrew is almost between the gutteral letters of the I . . . "The most disgraceful and sad thing to note are those and the distinction between Kamatz Sephardic parents, who just a few weeks before their sons' thir all characteristic of the melodious d teenth birthday, just a few weeks before becoming Bar-Mitzvah, engage a tutor to teach their son. a Bar-Mitzvah speech.... With the gradual improvement oJ The youngster, who never frequented a Talmud Torah, who munity began to move to Mapleton F never saw the doors of a Jewish School, who never learned Aleph In 1920, they conducted services in a of the Torah, goes up on the Sabbath of his Bar-Mitzvah to the and one year later built the present Bimah, and in the manner of a parrot, recites his speech, without near 20th Avenue. Simultaneously, a c knowing what he is saying and without knowing what he is building was held and by 1924, a s pledging.... the same compound. The total cost for Excerpt from La Vara Editorial "Sephardic Parents-Do Your no small sum for a small and stru, Duty" by Albert Levy, Aug. 15, 1930. congregation was now called Magen
8 ,s Convent, In Avil a, where the Inquisitor Tor- A Community Profile died, Jewish-Christian Amity Day was cele ents were made by Dr. Max Mazin, President A Birdseye View of the rnd Rev. Vicente Serrano, both of whom are Magen David Congregation 1is Society. Brooklyn, New Yark ' Circular of th e Council of th e Israelite Com- by HYMAN J. CAMPEAS
The humble beginnings of the Magen David Congregations goes back to the first decade of this century. The initial wave of Syrian Jewish immigration stemmed from Aleppo ( Halab) and Damascus. Tradition has it that the pioneering "Halabi" was Joseph Beyda ~ Past who arrived in the New World in the year 1900. Some 60 families arrived before the advent of the Great War and they settled 011 Khasde Avoth-the merits of the fathers-and the Lower East Side. ead them at the bar of history unless we too erits libne benehem , unto children's children. Moving first into a Hester Street store, they soon after estab world we build up colleges, support teachers, lished the congregation Sha'arei Zeclek Aram Zovah, situated on literature, and lead intelligent, faithful, observ the third floor of a loft building at 52 Orchard Street. They called :e those that made memorable the days of our it "Aram Zovah" because this biblical site is identified with the : us keep silent." native city of Aleppo. red by Rabbi Solomon Solis Cohen at 25th By 1917, their Talmud Torah consisted of 120 pupils and a tion of Rev. Dr. Henry Pereira :Mendes as staff of three teachers. Under the guidance of Haham Mayer 1gregation Shearith Israel of New York, 1903 ). Waknin, the school conducted classes Sundays ( 3 hours), week days ( 4 hours daily) and on Sabbath afternoon ( 5 hours )-a .er Jewish activity can there be than to save "healthy" schedule even for a Yeshivah! Classes were conducted better work can each of our societies accom in Arabic and Hebrew. The curriculum placed great stress 011 nt the Jewish education of our children, who transmitting their unique Nosakh in Prayer and Cantillation and 111d abandoned to their sad fate? accurate pronunciation of the Hebrew language. Their meticulous >ert Levy, October 17, 1930. rendering of the Hebrew is almost legendary. The differentiation between the gutteral letters of the Dagesh Hazak and the Mapik disgraceful and sad thing to note are those and the distinction between Kamatz Gadol and Kamatz Katan-are who just a few weeks before their sons' thir all characteristic of the melodious di2tion of this community. ;t a few weeks before becoming Bar-Mitzvah, ,ach their son a Bar-Mitzvah speech .... With the gradual improvement of their economic lot, the com who never frequented a Talmud Torah, who munity began to move to Mapleton Park in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. s of a Jewish School, who never learned Aleph In 1920, they conducted services in a private home on 66th Street, up on the Sabbath of his Bar-Mitzvah to the and one year later built the present synagogue at 2025-67th St., manner of a parrot, recites his speech, without near 20th Avenue. Simultaneously, a campaign for a Talmud Torah is saying and without knowing what he is building was held and by 1924, a school edifice was erected on the same compound. The total cost for both structures was $150,000, a Vara Editorial "Sephardic Parents-Do Your no small sum for a small and struggling community! The new ~vy, Aug. 15, 1930. congregation was now called Magen David.
9 The Synagogue ritual is characteristically eastern Sephardic, An exciting event is the annua with the Hazzan reciting all the prayers aloud with the congre lath Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai) v gants quietly joining him in unison. The Hazzan stands on the binical Council of Syrian and Ne elaborately decorated Tebah which is situated in the middle of in America. Magen David CongrE the synagogue. Kassin ) Ahi Ezer ( Damascan ) ( Zion, ( Rabbi Jacob Kassin and Ra The Hazzan on Shabbat and Festivals has considerable latitude tion Ababa Ve'Ahva (Rabbi Halfo in the creative selection of melodies for the various sections of the Zebulun Lieberman ), Magen Davi service. A variety of tunes for example are applicable to ishmat, Ocean Parkway, and Congregatic the Kaddish, Shav'at Aniyim, Semehim Betzetam, Ra-u Banim and jointly in this characteristically Se] the Kedushah. The seating is arranged in a "U" shape with the open end facing the Aron Kodesh. The Sefer Torah is enclosed in a cylindrical wooden encasement and decorated with silver reppousee and fili gree work and decorative Rimonim. The Torah is read while it is in an upright position. Recent Articles You May Want to Read Magen David is , in a sense, the Mother Community of a con stellation of daughter congregations that grew and prospered since Helen Shirazi, "The Communal the Forties, particularly after the cessation of hostilities in 1945. the United States," Le Judaisme The most noted was the one begun in about 1940 when some 150 The author briefly traces the hist families moved to the Ocean Parkway section of Flatbush and phardic life in America from colo established "The Shaarei Zion Congregation." particular emphasis on the varied , A most significant step however, was undertaken in 1943 when former territories of the Ottoman'. the Magen David congregation decided to establish a Yeshiva politan New York at the beginning Ketanah. By the year 1951, the Yeshiva Magen David was moved Irving Benveniste, "The Glory into a spacious new Center at 50 Avenue "P" which featured a Kol Sepharad, 2:3-4, March/ April, Synagogue, a library, recreational facilities as well as modern and writer returns to the island for a s} airy classrooms. Today, there are close to 400 students in attend of the Sephardim from the period ance. Many of the graduates continue their Hebraic studies at the time of the azi holocaust. Yeshivoth on the Secondary level and beyond. Israel Grama, "From Yemen to ,vith its traditional emphasis on Jewish studies, Magen David March-April, 1966. A bird's-eye viE Congregation continues to sponsor Sabbath lectures on Judaism Jewry is given as background matE conducted by home-bred young Rabbis and Yeshiva students and tiny community now es tablished in Sabbath afternoon classes for young people (ages 8-17) on subjects such as Bible, Laws and Customs, Mishnah and Jewish Ethics. Jacob Beller, "Among Jews ar Special events in their calendar include a "Taanith Hadiboor Day" Jewish Life, 33:5, May-June, 1966. in the month of Shevat, a Sabbath Hebrath Tehillim group which of Jewish Portuguese history from t holds an annual King David celebration on Sabbath Calla or on the present time with particular e Shavuoth itself. Other activities include a regular Midrash class, Jewish group life among recent a1 a weekly Rashi class and a daily Zohar class. A Hazanooth class Sephardim. Some attempt is made t for adults trains its participants in oriental melodies. of the Anusin ( Marranos) to their
10 ritual is characteristically eastern Sephardic, An exciting event is the annual Lag B'omer celebration ( Hilu :citing all the prayers aloud with the congre- lath Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai) which is sponsored by the Rab 1g him in unison. The Hazzan stands on the binical Council of Syrian and Near Eastern Jewish Communities ~d Tebah which is situated in the middle of in America. Magen David Congregation, 67th Street ( Rabbi Saul Kassin ) Ahi Ezer ( Damascan) ( Rabbi Zion Maslaton), Shaarei Zion, (Rabbi Jacob Kassin and Rabbi Abraham Hecht) , Congrega Shabbat and Festivals has considerable latitude tion Ahaba Ve'Ahva (Rabbi Halfon Savdie) Shaarei Torah (Rabbi :tion of melodies for the various sections of the Zebulun Lieberman) , Magen David of Ocean Parkway, Ahi Ezer, f tunes for example are applicable to Nishmat, Ocean Parkway, and Congregation Ahavath Achim, participate t Aniyim, Semehim Betzetam, Ra-u Banim and jointly in this characteristically Sephardic festivity.
-ranged in a "U'' shape with the open end facing The Sefer Torah is enclosed in a cylindrical t and decorated with silver reppousee and fili orative Rimonim. The Torah is read while it is Recent Articles ion. You May Want to Read ;, in a sense, the Mother Community of a con :er congregations that grew and prospered since Helen Shirazi, "The Communal Pluralism of Sephardi Jewry in 1larly after the cessation of hostilities in 1945. the United States," Le Judaisme Sephardi, 1 :31, January, 1966. ts the one begun in about 1940 when some 150 The author briefly traces the historical thread of organized Se the Ocean Parkway section of Flatbush and phardic life in America from colonial times to the present with ,haarei Zion Congregation." particular emphasis on the varied groupings that have come from former territories of the Ottoman-Empire and settled in Metro mt step however, was undertaken in 1943 when politan New York at the beginning of this century. congregation decided to establish a Yeshiva ear 1951, the Yeshiva Magen David was moved Irving Benveniste, "The Glory and the Tragedy of Rhodes," :w Center at 50 Avenue "P" which featured a Kol Sepharad, 2:3-4, March/ April, 1966. A native of Rhodes, the .ry, recreational facilities as well as modern and writer returns to the island for a short visit. He describes the role oday, there are close to 400 students in attend- of the Sephardim from the period of the Spanish Inquisition to 1e graduates continue their Hebraic studies at the time of the Nazi holocaust. ,econdary level and beyond. Israel Grama, "From Yemen to Boro Park," Jewish Life, 33:4, ional emphasis on Jewish studies, Magen David :-.Iarch-April, 1966. A bird's-eye view of the history of Yemenite tinues to sponsor Sabbath lectures on Judaism Jewry is given as background material for the description of the :ie-bred young Rabbis and Yeshiva students and tiny community now established in Boro Park, Brooklyn. classes for young people (ages 8-17) on subjects 1ws and Customs, Mishnah and Jewish Ethics. Jacob Beller, "Among Jews and Crypto-Jews in Portugal," their calendar include a "Taanith Hadiboor Day" Jewish Life, 33:5, May-June, 1966. This is an interesting account ,hevat, a Sabbath Hebrath Tehillim group which of Jewish Portuguese history from the period of the Inquisition to King David celebration on Sabbath Calla or on the present time with particular emphasis on manifestations of )ther activities include a regular Midrash class, Jewish group life among recent arrivals, both Ashkenazim and :lass and a daily Zohar class. A Hazanooth class Sephardim. Some attempt is made to explain why the restoration its participants in oriental melodies. of the Anusin ( Marranos ) to their ancestral faith failed.
11 Literary Contribution On December 31st, 1229, King captured Palma from the Moors ar ish renegades, soon secured the wh Excerpts from the forthcoming book, "THE ODYSSEY OF TIIE ity took over the rich farmlands a SEPHARDIM," by Leon A. Ligier. before and to improve commerce a:
The Holocaust of 1391 Author's Introductory Note: The arrival in Israel of four families of ( so calle 12 1tion On December 31st, 1229, King James I of Aragon (1213-1276 ) captured Palma from the Moors and with the help of a few Moor ish renegades, soon secured the whole Island. The Aragonese nobil forthcoming book, "THE ODYSSEY OF THE ity took over the rich farmlands and the Jews left to carry on -as eon A. Ligier. before and to improve commerce and industry. The Holocaust of 1391 Note: The arrival in Israel of four families of ( so Majorca, has stirred much discussion. The Jewish The holocaust of 1391 that spread all over Spain, reached the Majorcan emi grants erroneously classified them as Island of Majorca in August. The Juderia of Palma was a'ssaulted and every Jew in sight was murdered. Before the Governor of the is generally accepted as meaning "Crypto-Jews" :ret while outwardly passing as Christians . When the Island could interfere, 350 Jews were killed and 850 took refuge elf, the "Marrano" discarded all pretense to Christi in the Royal palace. Hundreds who sought refuge in the Churches ;cd Judaism. were forcibly baptised. 'When calm was finally restored, Palma M aiorca were devoid of any real affection for the was in ruins, and the only Jews alive in the Island of Majorca · conversi on. They lost all traces of their ancestry and were those converted to the Christian religion. One of the Syna Jn continued to profess the Christian religion. After gogues was demolished. "La Sinagoga de La Calle del Kahal" and r over five-hundred years, called themselves "Mar o Israel. the Mount Zion Synagogue were taken over by the Church and L.A. L. were converted for Christian use by the new "conversos." While most of the converted Jews in Spain continued to profess "Marranism" the "Conversos" merged with the general Christian Jf the population within one or two generations. Jrca The Conversos of Majorca, in spite of their great devotion to the Christian religion, they earned nothing but distrust. Although iorca, the largest and by far the richest of all been prosperous under the Phoenicians, the they became more Catholic than the Catholics of old, and tried inians, the Romans, the Visigoths and the to show their strong attachment to their newly embraced religion, they were shunned by the Majorcan Catholics, who continued to identify them with disdain as "Chuetas." s had come to Majorca before Hadrian ( 117- in Palma, the capital and enjoyed peace and The "Chuetas" were still discriminated against as late as the t of the rulers. The shortest period of peace 18th century. nder the Visigoths and the Spaniards. Charles III King of Spain ( 1711-1740 ) recognizing the equality [oors drove out the Visigoths from the Island of the "Chuetas" with other vassals and, having proof of their !ligious tolerance should be extended to all. loyalty to Church and State, decreed they should be admitted to iation the Island of Majorca became rich; the all professions, also be allowed to live in any part of the city of 1griculture, terraced the mountainside for the Palma, the Capital, or any other city in the Island. The decree were the first to build irrigation canals. provided severe punishment to those who insulted or shouted at orca, having maintained close contact with them in a contemptuous manner; it prohibited their being termed o, Egypt, Asia Minor and Flanders, extended Jews, Hebrews or Chuetas. a became a commercial center. In character In 1492 all Jews were banished from Spain and its dependen is lived near their Synagogues on "La Calle cies, but the "Chuetas" remained in the Island of Majorca, as good fount Zion Synagogue. Catholics. 13 Sephardic Studies Program Persona I ities Faculty Appointment Announced in the News Highland Park, New Jersey Mr. Meyer Namias, President 1 announces that Rabbi Raphael 1 Rabbi M. Asher Murciano, spiritual blanca, has been engaged as spiri leader of the Sephardic Jewish Center of Rabbi " ' izman was awarded a sc: the Bronx, has been appointed to the Yeshiva in 1956. He has since rec€ faculty of the Sephardic Studies Program Berlin Rabbinical Academy and w, at Yeshiva University effective Septem Congregation in Montgomery, Ah ber, 1966, Rev. Dr. Haham Solomon of Perth Amboy before joining :E Gaon, Director of the Program, an placed at Congregation Etz Ahairr nounced. through the Community Service : A native of Morocco, Rabbi Murciano teaches a course titled, Brooklyn, New York "The History of Sephardic Jews in the Middle East and Israel," Mr. Louis E. Rousso, who had at the University's Erna Michael College of Hebraic Studies. as President of the Sephardic HomE Rabbi Murciano assumed his position at the Sephardic Jewish as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Ja Center in 1953, following two years of service as rabbi of Mikveh dent. The ceremonies are beautift Israel Congregation in Philadelphia. the August, 1966 issue of the "SE The Yeshiva University instructor began his religious studies at Mair Jose Benardete, Profess1 Brooklyn College and the outstan the Rabbinical College of Tangiers and was ordained by the Mirrer lore, was honored on the occasion Yeshiva of New York. He is a 1958 graduate of C.C.N.Y. where IN HONOR OF M. ]. BENARL he received a Bachelor of Arts degree for studies in the field of Sephardic Culture.) New York; La Romance Languages. In 1960, Rabbi Murciano received a Master of Arts degree from Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate New York, New York School, where he studied Jewish History. Rev. Mr. Harris Guedalia has Currently enrolled in programs leading to Ph.D. degrees at Congregation Shearith Israel. He both ew York University and Columbia University, he is writing from .Y.U. and his "Sernihah" ar his thesis on the sources and liturgy of the Arabic and Spanish University. He continued his rabb traditions of the Jews of Morocco, a subject on which he has College and simultaneously served lectured widely. munity under Dr. Haham Gaon's Rabbi Murciano speaks Spanish, Castillian Ladino, French, York after receiving a Certificate i1 Arabic, and Hebrew fluently. He recently wrote articles about the Rabbi Harris Guedalia was gm Jewish community of Tangiers for "Le Flambeau," a French publi treat at Yeshiva University held b cation of Yeshiva College. -Adult Education Institute of No 16th 1966. The topics were "The v\ He resides at 80 McClellan Street, Bronx, N. Y. , with his wife Sephardic Jewish Community." and two children. 14 Program Personalities ent Announced in the News Highland Park, New Jersey Mr. Meyer Namias, President of the Congregation Etz Ahaim, announces that Rabbi Raphael Wizman, originally from Casa Rabbi M. Asher Murciano, spiritual blanca, has been engaged as spiritual leader of the congregation. leader of the Sephardic Jewish Center of Rabbi Wizman was awarded a scholarship to study at the Mirrer the Bronx, has been appointed to the Yeshiva in 1956. He has since received ordination from the Chaim faculty of the Sephardic Studies Program Berlin Rabbinical Academy and was associated with the Sephardic at Yeshiva University effective Septem Congregation in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Hillel Academy ber, 1966, Rev. Dr. Haham Solomon of Perth Amboy before joining Etz Ahaim. Rabbi Wizman was Gaon, Director of the Program, an placed at Congregation Etz Ahaim in Highland Park, New Jersey, nounced. through the Community Service Division, Yeshiva University. cco, Rabbi Murciano teaches a course titled, Brooklyn, New York bardic Jews in the Middle East and Israel," Mr. Louis E. Rousso, who had just completed a four-year term :rna Michael College of Hebraic Studies. as President of the Sephardic Home for the Aged, has been installed 1ssumed his position at the Sephardic Jewish as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Jack Baker was installed as Presi wing two years of service as rabbi of Mikveh dent. The ceremonies are beautifully described and illustrated in in Philadelphia. the August, 1966 issue of the "SEPHARDIC HOME NEWS." ·ersity instructor began his religious studies at Mair Jose Benardete, Professor of Romance Languages at ;e of Tangiers and was ordained by the Mirrer Brooklyn College and the outstanding scholar on Sephardic folk k. He is a 1958 graduate of C.C.N.Y. where lore, was honored on the occasion of his retirement. See STUDIES for of Arts degree for studies in the field of IN HONOR OF M. ]. BENARDETE (Essays in Hispanic and . In 1960, Rabbi Murciano received a Master Sephardic Culture.) New York; Las Americas, 1965. Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate ,died Jewish History. New York, New York Rev. Mr. Harris Guedalia has recently joined the Ministry of ,d in programs leading to Ph.D. degrees at Congregation Shearith Israel. He received his B.A. with honors rersity and Columbia University, he is writing from N.Y.U. and his "Semihah" and M.H.L. degree from Yeshiva urces and liturgy of the Arabic and Spanish University. He continued his rabbinical studies at London's Jews ws of Morocco, a subject on which he has College and simultaneously served in the London Sephardic com munity under Dr. Haham Gaon's guidance. He returned to New speaks Spanish, Castillian Ladino, French, York after receiving a Certificate in graduate Talmudic studies. fluently. He recently wrote articles about the Rabbi 1-I arris Guedalia was guest speaker at the One Day Re f Tangiers for "Le Flambeau," a French publi treat at Yeshiva University held by the B'nai Brith Organization )llege. -Adult Education Institute of Northern New Jersey on October McClellan Street, Bronx, N. Y. , with his wife 16th 1966. The topics were "The World of Maimonides," and "The Sephardic Jewish Community." 15 Rabbi Ariel Toaff, son of Dr. Elio Toaff, Chief Rabbi of Italy Questions to the Editor bas come to study at Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School. ·what is the Derivation of the Name "Se Rabbi Henry Toledano, formerly of the faculty of Yeshiva Uni versity's Sephardic Studies Program has accepted a post at the SEPHARAD is a geographical point mentic The exact location remains uncertain. With the c University of Minnesota where he is Associate Professor of Semitics. became identified with the Iberian Peninsula. Je Rabbi Toledano retains his association with Yeshiva University and Spain, or their descendents, were therefore calle serves as a field consultant for the Sephardic Community Activities l\Iaimonides for example, appended the title, '11 Program. He is available for lectures. name. Today, the term is usually applied to a: Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinslcy, Director, Sephardic Community do not identify themselves with the Ashkenazic Activities recently lectured on "Sephardic Jewry in America-Its Prospects and Problems," to the Women's Division of the Yeshiva of Spring Valley, Spring Valley, New York and to the High School students of the Bayside Jewish Center. Rabbi Dobrinsky was How Many Sephardic Jews Are There in th Guest Speaker at the opening meeting of the Bronx Sephardic Jew No nationwide census has ever been take1 ish Center's Sisterhood on Monday, October 3rd where he spoke on from 60,000 to well over 100,000. With the ir "The Relevance of Succoth in Modern Living." North African and Cuban refugees during the Rabbi Solomon Maiman of the Sephardic Congregation Bikur estimates will probably move upward. Holim, Seattle, Washington, was a featured participant at the re cently held Rabbinical Council of America Convention. Rabbi Ismael Cohen, a musmach of Yeshiva University currently What is Ladino? visiting from Congregation Moriah in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was Ladino is Judeo-Spanish. It is spoken by a warmly welcomed guest at the Yeshiva University Rabbinic Sephardim. Ladino is usually written in Hebrew c Alumni Convention in Monsey Park, New York. works can be found in the Libraries of Yale, HE Public Library, Jewish Theological Seminary, Y< Washington, D. C. Hebrew Union College, Y.I.V.O. and the Librar) At the U.O.J.C.A. Convention held on Thanksgiving Weekend, Mr. David Politi of New York City was elected Vice President of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. How Did "Ezra Besaroth" Get its Name At that same convention, Mr. Victor Tarry of the Spanish and The Hebrew phrase "Ezra Besaroth" literally • Portuguese Synagogue, N.Y.C., a leading figure in American Se in trouble." A society of this name existed in Ecle1 phardic life, was reelected President of the National Organization Turkey. It was a philanthropic organization th: of Orthodox Synagogue Administrators. Yeshiva. Its graduates served admirably as Rabb of the ear East. "Ezra Besaroth" also maintained Long Beach, New York and a lodge for Palestinian "Sheluhim" and other , Mr. Joseph Levi, President of the Sephardic Jewish Center of for the support of its activities, were raised thr Long Beach, recently received a Leadership Award from the tax callecl "El Diezmo," or "The Tithe," which ev Yeshiva University Synagogue Council and was also awarded the poor, had to pay. Immigrants from Ederne in Ame Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregation's President's Award. own organization after its illustrious counterpart in 16 r, son of Dr. Elio Toaff, Chief Rabbi of Italy Questions to the Editor Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate What is the Derivatfon of the Name "Sephardi?" 3clano, formerly of the faculty of Yeshiva Uni SEPHARAD is a geographical point mentioned in the Bible. :tudies Program has accepted a post at the The exact location remains uncertain. With the centuries, the name '.)ta " ·here he is Associate Professor of Semitics. became identified with the Iberian Peninsula. Jews who resided in ns his association with Yeshiva University and Spain, or their descendents, were therefore called "SEPHARDIM". ultant for the Sephardic Community Activities Maimonides for example, appended the title, "ha-Sephardi" to his able for lectures. name. Today, the term is usually applied to all those Jews who . Dobrinslcy, Director, Sephardic Community do not identify themselves with the Ashkenazic community. :ctured on "Sephardic Jewry in America-Its ·ms," to the Women's Division of the Yeshiva ing Valley, New York and to the High School 1side Jewish Center. Rabbi Dobrinsky was How Many Sephardic Jews Are There in the United States? opening meeting of the Bronx Sephardic Jew No nationwide census has ever been taken. Estimates vary d on Monday, October 3rd where he spoke on from 60,000 to well over 100,000. With the influx of Egyptian, 1ccoth in Modern Living." North African and Cuban refugees during the last decade, these iaimon of the Sephardic Congregation Bikur estimates will probably move upward. 1ington, was a featured participant at the re al Council of America Convention. :en, a musmach of Yeshiva University currently What is Ladino? ·gation Moriah in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was Ladino is Judeo-Spanish. It is spoken by almost a million I guest at the Yeshiva University Rabbinic Sephardim. Ladino is usually written in Hebrew characters. Ladino in Monsey Park, New York. works can be found in the Libraries of Yale, Harvard, New York Public Library, Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University, Hebrew Union College, Y.I.V.O. and the Library of Congress. . Convention held on Thanksgiving Weekend, New York City was elected Vice President of .ox Jewish Congregations of America. How Did "Ezra Besaroth" Get its Name? vention, Mr. Victor Tarry of the Spanish and The Hebrew phrase "Ezra Besaroth" literally means "aid when Je, N.Y.C., a leading figure in American Se in trouble." A society of this name existed in Ederne ( Adrianople ) :lected President of the National Organization Turkey. It was a philanthropic organization that supported a ;ue Administrators. Yeshiva. Its graduates served admirably as Rabbis in many parts of the Near East. "Ezra Besaroth" also maintained a small hospital , York and a lodge for Palestinian "Sheluhim" and other wayfayers. Funds President of the Sephardic Jewish Center of for the support of its activities, were raised through an annual tly received a Leadership Award from the tax called "El Diezmo," or "The Tithe," which every Jew, rich or ,ynagogue Council and was also awarded the poor, had to pay. Immigrants from Ederne in America named their ewish Congregation's President's Award. own organization after its illustrious counterpart in the old countr:,. 17 What's in a Name? Letters to the Editor H ispano-Arabic Names ... We extend our warmest greetings to you and · It is a known historical fact that Arab dominion over the Iberian in your new venture. Peninsula extended over several centuries and that Arabic was the lingua franca of that time. To cite an example, the. Spa~ish Skokie, Illinois. Nathan I. Weiss, Rabbi, Iran Hebn compound "al" meaning "to the," corresponds to the Arabic _arti_cle al. Sephardic names that begin with Al, often have an A~ab1c rmg * * * to them. The following names undoubtedly can be attnbuted to I am personally looking forward to the proposec this influence: wish you every success. Rochester, New York. David Na hmias, Presiden Alboher Alhadeff Alalouf Alcosser Light of Israel Aldoroty Altaras Albahae Almaleh Alfasso Algazy Albala Alnekave * * * I was delighted to hear of the founding of "The Am( It will fill a great need in our community. We sha. you every cooperation within our power. Passover Na mes Brooklyn, N. Y. Irving Bass, Executive Director, ~ for the Aged. Many family names are derivations of popular Hebraic terms used in Jewish religious practices. For example, we have well * * * known Sephardic names related to Passover, such as: PESAH, Dear Mr. Campeas, and my Good Fellow Sephar, MASSA, (MATZA ) A D HA METZ. COLCHAMIRA is most I would like to contribute book reviews on the i probably related to th e Aramaic "Kol Khomira" which are the first published dealing with scholarship around our tn words recited when removing the leaven ( Hametz ) from the house ture .... hold on the eve before Passover. It means "all leaven." Brooklyn, New York. Prof. M. J. Benardete, Depait1 Languages, Brooklyn College. Place Names I was very happy to learn* the news* that* at a rec Often, a name will give some inkling of the original geogra the Steering Committee, it was decided to pub! phical area from which that family hails. Family names such ~s Bulletin. There is a sore need for one. TOLEDO or TOLEDANO would probably indicate that theH forefathers came from the city of Toledo, Spain. ESKE AZI or New York, N.Y. Simon S. Nessim, U.S. Member World Sephardi Federation. ASHKENAZI might reflect an ancestor who resided in ASHKE~AZ ( Hebrew for Germany). In a similar manner, SARFATTY 1s a derivation of TSORFATH (Hebrew for France). IRUSHALMI Gentlemen: * * * means, "one who hails from Jerusalem. The Rabbinical Council of America wishes you ever: ( Contributors to "WHAT'S I A AME?" are urged to send publication of "The American Sephardi." their entries to Editor-"The American Sephardi," Yeshiva Univer New York, N.Y., Rabbi Israel Klavm1, Executive ' sity.) Rabbinical Council of America. 18 ne? Letters to the Editor ames . . . We extend our warmest greetings to you and wish you success )rical fact that Arab dominion over the Iberian in your new venture. over several centuries and that Arabic was Skokie, Illinois. Nathan I. Weiss, Rabbi, Iran Hebrew Congregation . that time. To cite an example, the Spanish ing "to the," corresponds to the Arabic article that begin with Al , often have an Arabic ring I am personally looking* forward * to the *proposed Bulletin and I ing names undoubtedly can be attributed to wish you every success. Rochester, New York. David Nahmias, President, Congregation Alhadeff Alalouf Alcosser Light of Israel Altaras Albahae Almaleh Algazy Albala Alnekave * * * I was delighted to hear of the founding of "The American Sephardi." It will fill a great need in our community. We shall of course give you every cooperation within our power. Brooklyn, N. Y . Irving Bass, Executive Director, Sephardic Home for the Aged. nes are derivations of popular Hebraic terms ?;ious practices. For example, we have well * * * ames related to Passover, such as: PESAH, Dear Mr. Campeas, and my Good Fellow Sephardi: AND HAMETZ. COLCHAMIRA is most I would like to contribute book reviews on the important books the Aramaic "Kol Khomira" which are the first published dealing with scholarship around our tradition and cul removing the leaven ( Hametz) from the house ture .... ore Passover. It means "all leaven." Brooklyn, New York. Prof. M. J. Benardete, Depmtment of Modem Languages, Brooklyn College. I was very happy to learn* the news* that* at a recent meeting of ;vill give some inkling of the original geogra the Steering Committee, it was decided to publish a Sephardi hich that family hails. Family names such as Bulletin. There is a sore need for one. EDANO would probably indicate that their New York, N.Y. Simon S. Nessim, U.S. Member of Presidium, :>m the city of Toledo, Spain. ESKENAZI or World Sephardi Federation. reflect an ancestor who resided in ASHKENAZ any) . In a similar manner, SARF ATTY is a :lFATH (Hebrew for France). IRUSHALMI Gentlemen: * * * 1ils from Jerusalem. The Rabbinical Council of America wishes you every success in the , "WHAT'S IN A NAME?" are urged to send publication of "The American Sephardi." tor-"The American Sephardi," Yeshiva Univer- New York, N.Y., Rabbi Israel Klavan, Executive Vice President, Rabbinical Council of America. 19 Sephardic Studies Program The Sephardic Studies Program was established at Yeshiva If. University in 1964 to help preserve the rich Sephardic heritage and develop rabbis, teachers and other key leaders for the Sephardic Jewish community. The Program operates on two levels, one, providing informational, educational, and cultural community serv ice for Sephardic congregations throughout the United States. The other level provides courses on the history, culture, and traditions of Sephardic Jewry which are integrated into regular courses of study at Yeshiva College, The Ema Michael College of Hebraic Studies and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. The Program is directed by Rev. Dr. Haham Solomon Gaon, Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic Congregations of the British Commonwealth in association with Yeshiva University's Community Service Division. Sephardic Student Committee with Rabbis : M. A. Murciano, H. C. Dobrinsky and A. Toaff. DR. SAMUEL BELKIN, President, Yeshiva University DR. EMANUEL RACKJ\IAN, Assistant to the President, Yeshiva University l'lEv. DR. HAHAM SOLOMON CAON, Director Sephardic Yeshiva University RABBI MORRIS H . FINER, Director, Community Service University RABBI HERBERT C. DoBHLNSKY, Director Sephardic Community Activities and Dr, Em~nuel Rackman, Assistant to the Presid1 Director, Rabbinic Placement, Community Service Divi~ion, Yeshiva S~phard1c lay and relig io us leaders at a Reception p1rector of Yeshiva University's Sephardic Studies University in New York on March 8th on his return from Loni Salomon, noted supporter of the Sephardic Studi1 yea~s ago, Mr. Max J. Etra, Chairman of the Board , ~hair~an of the Proceedings, Dr. Rackman, Mr. In 1s Chairman of the Sephardic Studies Program Deve - 33 PUBLISHED BY THE SEPHARDIC STUDIES PROGF ime I No. 2