If it becomes law, how many Jews will be tempted to return to the country that expelled their ancestors in 1492? NPR’s Jeremy Hobson turns to Jason Guberman, the American Sephardi Federation’s Executive Director, for insights on the “Sephardi Ancestry Bill,” Enrico Macias (whose family name means “from Grenada”), and his wife’s lamb harissa.
Jewish diplomat, financier, and Biblical commentator Isaac Abravanel negotiates with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela (“The Edict of Expulsion of the Jews” by Emilio Sala y Francés,1889).
Tzuri (Heng) Shi, a member of the community who converted to Judaism and made aliyah, returned to Kaifeng from his Jerusalem home to lead this year’s seder (Photo courtesy of Shavei Israel)
What was featured on this year’s Passover Seder menu in Kaifeng, China? “Soups with bamboo and huge chunks of fresh tofu, steamed fish and platters of crisp greens in mustard sauce.” Eight of the city’s clans claim to descend from Sephardim who assimilated and disappeared into local society at the end of the 19th century. Today, there is a mini-revival of interest in Judaism.
The Likud Party’s Avraham Negusie was the only Ethiopian elected to the Knesset in Israel’s recent elections. Pressed to clarify why Ethiopians consistently vote Likud, Negusie explained, “Ethiopians were brought to Israel only under Likud governments… It’s a fact.”
Avraham Neguise (Photo courtesy of Office of Avraham Neguisey).
April 12th at 6:30PM
Hebrew College
160 Herrick Road, Newton, MA
Moroccan Jews traditionally marked the end of Passover with an interactive community celebration, going from home to home in the Jewish quarter to share sweets and greetings.
Join Beit Sasson, the Sephardic Congregation of Newton, in partnership with the Boston Jewish Music Festival and the American Sephardi Federation for a sensational, multi-sensory Sephardic celebration!
This Mimouna will feature traditional Moroccan delicacies, rare archival photographs of Jewish life in North Africa, including some over 100 years old, as well as contemporary photos of Jewish sites in Morocco.
Pepper, Silk & Ivory: Amazing Stories about Jews and the Far East
April 20th at 7:00PM
at the Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street, New York, NY
Join the American Sephardi Federation for a discussion with Rabbi Marvin Toyaker and Ellen Rodman, co-authors of Pepper, Silk & Ivory, a new book exploring the colorful and captivating history of Jews in Asia.
Donate nowand your tax-deductible contribution will help ASF “Connect, Collect, and Celebrate” Sephardi culture throughout the year with engaging programs and compelling publications.
Contact us by email or phone (212-294-8350) to sponsor future issues of the Sephardi World Weekly in honor or memory of loved ones.
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 located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th St., New York, NY., 10011).