David Serero grew up in France dining with his Muslim friends ‘no-pork tables’ and hearing family stories about Jewish-Arab friendship in Morocco. While the world has changed, Serero’s worldly, Mediterranean-Sephardi spirit deeply informs the musical interpretations of Verdi and Shakespeare that he has been bringing to The Center for Jewish History’s stage with ASF’s theatrical season.
Click here to reserve tickets for Serero’s Nabucco in April
David Serero as Shylock in ASF’s production of The Merchant of Venice (Photo courtesy of David Serero)
R’David Menahem performs “Ranu ve’Gilu” (“Sing and Be Joyful”), a piyyut composed by the 19th century poet of Aleppo, R’ Rafael Antebi, that begins by celebrating the ‘miracle’ of Purim and concludes with the hope for the restoration of the Temple
Dnyaneshwar Mulay, Consul General of India at New York, spoke to a capacity crowd at the opening of Baghdadis & the Bene Israel in Bollywood & Beyond, Forchheimer Auditorium/Kumble Stage, Center for Jewish History, 3 November 2015 (Photo courtesy of Chrystie Sherman)
Everyone knows about Jews and Hollywood. But what about Jews and Bollywood? The American Sephardi Federation and author/collector Kenneth X. Robbins are sharing the fascinating story of Jews and the Indian film industry with an exhibit, “Baghdadis and The Bene Israel in Bollywood and Beyond,” on display at Manhattan’s Center for Jewish History through the end of March. According to ASF’s Executive Director, Jason Guberman, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive: “There is tremendous interest in the Jews of Bollywood (and India more broadly), and we have received an outpouring of support from New York’s predominantly non-Jewish Indian community.”
ASF’s Young Leadership Board, headed by Lauren Gibli, is hosting an After Party for the Festival’s NY première of Midnight Orchestra, a Moroccan film starring French comedic superstar Gad Elmaleh.
Order here or by phone (1.800.838.3006) Visit NYSJFF to learn about Sponsorship and Advertising opportunities
Special Announcement
Sephardic Birthright Trip Summer 2016
Sephardic Communities in New York, Miami, and Seattle, are joining together to create a Sephardic Birthright Israel Trip this Summer from August 7th to August 17th! If you've never been on Birthright before and want to go to Israel for free, this is your chance! For 10 days, you'll be able to travel around the country with amazing people with Sephardic, Greek, and Turkish backgrounds, all while exploring everything Israel has to offer. You'll be able to ride camels in the desert, raft down the Jordan River, explore the Old City in Jerusalem, and a whole lot more.
The trip is totally free and anyone between the ages of 18 and 26 who hasn't been on a Birthright Israel trip before is eligible. What's more, we are working on creating an extended portion of the Trip to Greece! Even if you've been to Israel before on a non-birthright trip you may still be eligible.
If you or someone you know is interested, please register today at https://www.israelfreespirit.com/app and use the organizational referral code "Sephardic Trip." Registration takes less than 10 minutes and no final commitment is necessary. You can also email the organizers to find out more info at sephardicisraeltrip@gmail.com
Note: ASF is not organizing this trip, although individual members of our Young Leadership Board are participating
Shirat Baqashot ve-Piyyutim
Mondays, starting March 21st 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 sessions
Cost: $20 for four classes
The American Sephardi Federation invites you to experience
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Come visit ASF’s Leon Levy Gallery at Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street) to view our new exhibition: “Baghdadis & The Bene Israel in Bollywood & Beyond: Indian Jews in the Movies”
on display now through March 2016
Click here for viewing hours and additional information
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The American Sephardi Federation's Sephardi House is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, New York, 10011).