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6 September 2019
 

In Memory of Sarah Cohen, A”H, who was the oldest of the last Jews in Mattanchery’s Jew Town, Kochi (Cochin), India. 

 
Click here to dedicate a future issue in honor or memory of a loved one. 
The Sephardi World Weekly is made possible by generous readers like you. Now there is a new way to show your support. Become a Patron of the Sephardi World Weekly via Patreon and your name will appear in each edition along with timely, thought-provoking articles on Greater Sephardi history, the arts, and current affairs. Thanking you in advance!
 
Return to Sepharad” 
By Isaac Nahón-Serfaty, Caracas Chronicles
 
The recent awakening of Crypto-Jewish ancestry in South America has taken an unexpected and utilitarian turn in Venezuela, as the country’s socialist-caused catastrophe has some Venezuelans searching for Sephardi heritage. Why? In order to acquire a Spanish passport with which to escape the country. After all, “you don’t need to be Jewish by birth or conversion to obtain… Spanish citizenship; anyone wishing to become a citizen has to provide evidence for one of their ancestors, proving descendance of a Sephardic Jew through genealogy… or history….” 

Note: The deadline for applications is fast approaching. ASF Pomegranate Cardholders, who have documented their Sephardic heritage and otherwise meet the application requirements, can request a letter of support/proof of connection with the Sepahrdic community. Please contact us here
 
A graphic expressing the link between genealogy, tradition, and obtaining a “Sephardic” passport
(Image courtesy of Sofia Jaimes Barreto/Caracas Chronicles
Feature: Netflixs The Spy
 
 

The official trailer of The Spy
(Image courtesy of Netflix
 
In the upcoming Netflix première ofThe Spy, Sacha Baron Cohen brings to life Israel’s Egyptian-born Syrian Sephardi hero, Eli Cohen, the Mossad agent who sacrificed his life to pass on the secrets of Syria’s political and military elite to Israel ahead of the Six Day War. The movie will be available for streaming beginning 6 September. 

Sacha Baron Cohen as Eli Cohen in a scene from The Spy
(Photo courtesy of Netflix
Sacha Baron Cohen Triumphs as Eli Cohen in Netflix’s The Spy
By Hannah Brown, The Jerusalem Post
 
Another tale of Israeli heroism is being reimagined by Netflix’s The Spy, the amazing true story of Eli Cohen. Cohen was sent to Syria by the Mossad in 1955 as Kamel Amin Thaabet, an ex-pat Argentinian businessman who threw lavish parties for Syria’s political and military elite. In the process, Cohen earned their trust and learned their secrets, and his intelligence played a crucial role in Israel’s victory in the Six Day War. Eli Cohen is portrayed in The Spy by Sacha Baron Cohen, the comedic actor, who, this time, is earning high praise for playing a dramatic role: “Gangly, ambitious and often shocked by his own daring, Cohen the comedian makes Cohen the spy into a compelling character, with no winks or gimmicks.”
 
Remembering Sasson Somekh, Who Insisted On Arab Literature’s Place In Israel” 
By Benjamin Ivry, Forward
 
Born in Baghdad in 1933, Sasson Somekh, A”H, emigrated with his family to Israel in 1951. Bringing with him a deep love of the Arabic language, Somekh became a prolific translator and celebrated historian of Arabic literature, earned Israel’s most prestigious cultural award, the Israel Prize, and counted the Nobel Prize-winning Egyptian novelist, Naguib Mahfouz, amongst his friends. Somekh passed away on 18 August. In this re-published piece from 2012, Benjamin Ivry touches on some of the high points of Somekh’s distinguished career.
 
Sasson Somekh with his friend, Najib Mahfuz, Alexandria, Egypt , 1994
(Photo courtesy of Sasson Somekh/Jewish Review of Books
Sephardi Gifts:
Iraq's Last Jews: Stories of Daily Life, Upheaval, and Escape from Modern Babylon 
by Tamar Morad

Iraq's Last Jews is a collection of first-person accounts about the once-vibrant, 2500 year-old Jewish community and its disappearance in the middle of the 20th century. This book tells the story of this last generation of Iraqi Jews, who both reminisce about their birth country and describe the persecution that drove them out, the result of Nazi influences, growing Arab nationalism, and anger over the re-birth of the State of Israel.

Our Story: The Jews of Sepharad; Celebrations and Stories
by Lea-Nora Kordova Annette and Eugene Labovitz

Celebrations and Stories, a special publication of the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education with the American Sephardi Federation, is an essential work that enhances the teaching of Sephardi history, traditions, and cultures. 

The life cycle and calendar sections are designed to horizontally connect to the teaching of customs and ceremonies from the Spanish & Portuguese, Syrian, Judeo-Spanish, and Moroccan traditions. Other sections include translations of classic texts and poetry, tales of our history’s heroes, and classroom activities. 

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Upcoming Events or Opportunities:

The American Sephardi Federation Presents:

The New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival’s (NYSJFF)
23rd Anniversary Edition


SAVE THE DATE
18-27 February 2020!
Please click here to reserve your Festival Passes now!


SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!

Please click here to send us your Sephardi short or feature-length films!

We are looking for documentaries and narratives on a Sephardic theme or featuring a tie-in. For ideas of the types of films we are interested in, see our archive of recent Festival entries.

Through the poignant medium of film, The NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival provides viewers with an understanding of the rich mosaic culture of Jews from the Middle East and Greater Sephardic Diaspora. Contemporary voices steeped in history and tradition are celebrated throughout this week-long series of events, including première screenings, intriguing stories, powerful documentaries, director Q&As, and The Pomegranate Awards Ceremony.

The NYSJFF proudly accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, the world's best online submission platform. FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more.

Click to submit with FilmFreeway.

For more information, please email: 

info@nysephardifilmfestival.org


The American Sephardi Federation/ASF Young Leaders are partnering with Germany Close Up for the first-ever trip for Sephardi young professionals to Germany!

Dates:  4-12 May, 2020
Total cost: $1,000
(includes airfare, hotels, sightseeing, and meals)


Please here to apply

Travel to Germany with the American Sephardi Federation - ASF Young Leaders and Germany Close Up this spring! This will be Germany Close Up’s first-ever partnership with a Sephardic group – join us and make history! This trip has been tailor-made just for us to connect with our past.  We’ll interface with what remains of the Portuguese Jewish community in Hamburg, dive into artifacts of the Turkish Jewish community in Berlin, and explore other Sephardic histories on our journey.  We will find out how Germany is relevant to a more diverse Jewish story – including Sephardic Jews!

About Germany Close Up:
Founded in 2007, Germany Close Up introduces young Jewish professionals to modern Germany.  The Germany Close Up experience is administered by the Action Reconciliation Service for Peace, the New Synagogue Berlin Centrum Judaicum Foundation, and the German government’s Transatlantic Plan.



The American Sephardi Federation is proud to partner with Combat Anti-Semitism on its Venture Creative Contest - Round 1. The Contest’s Art Award is named in honor of Emma Lazarus, the Sephardi American patriot, poet, playwright, critic, journalist, campaigner against anti-Semitism, and champion of Zion.

Venture Creative Contest – Round 1

Anti-Semitism is once again on the rise, just 75 years after the Holocaust. This irrational hatred of Jews and the world’s only Jewish State harms both innocent victims and perpetrators infected by bigotry. The resurgence of anti-Semitism poses a challenge to all people of conscience:
How can we work together to stop anti-Semitism?

This contest is crowd-sourcing new solutions to help end “the world’s oldest hatred.” The contest is sponsored by the CombatAntiSemitism.org Coalition.

People of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities are encouraged to participate by creatively addressing one of the categories. 


Round 1 Deadline: 1 December 2019
Future Rounds Coming Soon

Please click here to submit your contest entry 

Contest Rules – Contest Judges – FAQ – Contact

Specific contest awards co-sponsored by Coalition Members, including:

American Sephardi Association logo
Israel on Campus Coalition logoGaliaArtists


The American Sephardi Federation presents:

Anne, a Musical
Based on the life of Anne Frank
U.S Première


Wednesday, 11 September at 3:00PM
(Sold Out)
Sunday, 15 September at 8:00PM
Opening Night;
Followed by After Party
(Sold Out)

Tuesday, 17 September at 8:00PM
Monday, 23 September at 8:00PM
Tuesday, 24 September at 8:00PM

Closing Night;
Followed by After Party


Please register here

American Sephardi Federation
15 W 16th Street
New York City


Music & Lyrics by Jean-Pierre Hadida

Directed and Produced by David Serero

Anne, A Musical tells the story of Anne Frank through the lyrics and music of Algerian-French Sephardi composer Jean Pierre-Hadida. David Serero is producing, directing, and staring (as Otto Frank) in this English language première adaptation of the highly successful and well-reviewed original French production, which has been touring for 10 years and was recognized by the Anne Frank Museum at Amsterdam. At the crossroads of musical theater, opera, and oratorio, the twelve artists onstage will bring to life Ms. Frank's world in hiding. This musical piece is educative, emotional, and showcases the universal legacy of one of the most important Jewish figures of the past century.


David Serero (Otto Frank), Kristyn Vario (Anne Frank), SaraKate Coyne (Margot), Lisa Monde (Edith Frank), Wendell Hester (Peter), Jacob Waid (Herman Van Pels), Mackenzie Tank (Augusta Van Pels),  Erik Contzius (Fritz Pfeifer), Jordan Flippo (Miep), Alex Schecter (Slammer and U/S), Emily Samuelson (Ensemble and U/S).


The American Sephardi Federation's Sephardi Scholars Series presents:

North African French Resistance:
A Well Kept Secret

The Vichy Regime, the Allies, and the Camps
by Dr. Nicole Cohen-Addad 
 

Monday, 7 October at 7:00PM

Please register here

Center for Jewish History
ASF Sephardi Scholars Center
15 W 16th Street
New York City


They were hundreds, they were a thousand. French citizenship had been confiscated from most through discriminatory Vichy laws. Nevertheless, they fought as “patriots,” neutralizing the Vichy forces and paving the way for American and the British landings on the coasts of Morocco and Algeria in 1942, the first successful Allied landings on Axis soil. This was a major turning point in the Second World War. And, then, inexplicably, they were sent to camps in North Africa. Join us as we explore this little known aspect of World War II history.

Dr. Nicole Cohen-Addad has been building an array of oral archives over since 2002, with various actors and witnesses of this very special time around 8 November 1942. The video interviews are readily available for viewing on the website of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum under her name.


Embracing the Rituals of a Moroccan Wedding

A Joan Roth Photographic Journey, which opened on 17 June as part of The Morocco Conference (Uncommon Commonalities: Jews and Muslims of Morocco), continues in the
Leon Levy Gallery


On view until October

Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street 
New York City


About the Photographer

In addition to Morocco, Joan Roth traveled to Ethiopia before Operation Moses and again afterwards, Yemen, Bukhara, India, Israel, and photographed extensively in the United States. Her photographs of Jewish women are published, exhibited, and collected by museums and collectors worldwide. Some of Joan’s photographs are published in the book: Jewish Women: A world of Tradition and Change (Jolen Press, 1995).

Gloria Steinem has written the following appreciation: “Joan Roth has looked at the Jewish world as if women mattered, and therefore as if everyone mattered. Across all the boundaries of geography and language, there is not only a common world of belief, but a common world of women. We see into its intimacy through her eyes. 
 
Roth richly depicts the personal and historical dimensions of these women as they preserve and adapt centuries-old traditions amid varied cultural surroundings. The effect, in the words of Rocky Mountain art critic Mary Voltz Chandler, “is like opening a jewelry box filled with so many secrets women know but never told each other. 

 and your tax-deductible contribution will help ASF preserve and promote the Greater Sephardi history, traditions, and culture as an integral part of the Jewish experience! 

Contact us by email to learn about giving opportunities in honor or memory of loved ones

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The American Sephardi Federation is located at the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16th Street, New York, New York, 10011).

www.AmericanSephardi.org | info@AmericanSephardi.org | (212) 294-8350

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