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27 December 2019

In Memory of Ami Isseroff, A”H, a courageous advocate for peace as co-founder & editor of both the MidEast Web for Coexistence and ZioNation. Always ahead of his time, Ami was an enthusiastic supporter of efforts to preserve Sephardic history in the Middle East and North Africa, foster people-to-people relations between Muslims and Jews based on shared history and culture, and was uncowed by Islamists or their apologists. At this time of year, we recommend Ami’s “The Hitchens who Stole Hanukkah,” in which he celebrates the holiday as “a victory for Jewish political as well as religious freedom over the imperialist government of Antiochus IV and his Seleucid [D]ynasty.”
 
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! And thank you to Sephardi World Weekly Patrons Maria Gabriela Borrego Medina and Gwen Zuares!
 
Show goes on with Israeli orchestra under BDS threat in Morocco” 
By Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel
 
Defying pressure from local BDS activists, the organizers of the recent 16th Andalussyat Festival at Casablanca, Morocco, “the largest and most important event for classical Andalusian music in the world,” opened this year’s Festival on 4 December with the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod. The Orchestra’s Director, Jacob Ben Simon, penned a letter expressing his thanks and admiration to his Moroccan colleagues: “‘I am filled with appreciation and awe of your silent efforts behind the scene to reject any attempt to cancel our performance… One must study the uniqueness of Morocco as a place that offers security to all religions.’”
 
Poster for the 16th Andalussyat Festival 

 
Special Feature: The Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod Opens the Andalussayat Festival in Casablanca


Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod, 15th Andalussyat Festival, Casablanca, Morocco, 2018
(Photo courtesy of Israel Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod)

Watch and listen as the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra Ashdod opened the Andalussyat Festival in Casablanca, Morocco, on 4 December. The Festival’s organizers deserve praise for defying attempts by local BDS activists to prevent the show from taking place, and for providing a platform for Israeli Jews (many with Moroccan roots) and Moroccan Muslims to share, together, their love of beautiful music that is also a common cultural heritage.
 
Shadow in Baghdad tells the story of Linda Abdul Aziz Menuhin, whose father remained in Iraq after her emigration to Israel and was later abducted by Saddam Hussein’s intelligence services into the Qasr al-Nihaya (“Palace of the End”).
With no formal ties, Israel is using digital diplomacy to reach out to the Arab world” 
by Ruth Eglash, The Washington Post
 
What accounts for the popularity of the Arabic-language social media platforms run by Israel’s Foreign Ministry? They’re garnering approximately ten million viewers per week! For young people like Hind Hazim from Northern Iraq, the platforms are an opportunity to meet Jews, even if only digitally, “‘At the beginning of the 20th century, it was normal to have Jewish friends and neighbors, but now we are separated from them. I don’t have the chance to talk to them face to face.’” As Iraqi Jewish refugee turned diplomat Linda Abdul Aziz Menuhin says ‘“I am glad to see there is growing recognition in the Arab world for Israel. At the end of the day, do not look at the harvest you reap but at the seeds you plant. We are planting the seeds, and I am sure this will only grow.’”
Berenjenas fritas enmeladas con queso (Sweet fried eggplant)” 
By Hélène Jawhara Piñer, S&P Central
 
Certain foods have been historically associated with Jewish communities. For instance, “Eggplant was so often cooked by Spanish Jewish families that it became an identity sign of their culinary practices… used in the Inquisition trials to denounce crypto Jews.” Likewise, “… in the 15th century, the city of Seville was known and denounced as a city of Jews because of its smell of olive oil.” In celebration of Hanukkah, ASF Broome & Fellow Hélène Jawhara Piñer put together her own original recipe featuring these two historically Jewish foodstuffs. (Recipe included).
 
Berenjenas fritas enmeladas con queso (Sweet fried eggplant)
(Photo courtesy of S&P Central)
Sephardi Gifts:
The Hebrew Portuguese Nations in Antwerp and London at the Time of Charles V and Henry VIII: New Documents and Interpretations
by Aron Di Leone Leoni

The Hebrew Portuguese Nations in Antwerp and London at the Time of Charles V and Henry VIII , based on documents (which appear in the appendix on pp. 129-238), reconstructs the activities of Conversos who fled the Portuguese Inquisition to Antwerp and to London. These “Portuguese Nations” established the Sedakah Rescue Organization to help smuggle fellow Conversos from Lisbon to Antwerp and over the Alps to Italy or to the Ottoman Empire.

England served only as a temporary refuge for Conversos who were persecuted in the Low Countries. However, they were generally (despite occasional persecution) allowed to remain in Antwerp due to the policies of Emperor Charles V and local authorities, both of whom were guided by economic considerations. This book disputes the view that Charles was responsible for bringing the Inquisition to the Netherlands and stresses that the Emperor used civil, not ecclesiastical institutions, to attain his goal, which in the case of the Conversos (as opposed to the Protestants) was enrichment rather than the persecution of heresy.

The Rescue Organization, headed among others by Diogo Mendes (Benveniste), helped Conversos reach, among other places, Ferrara, where Duke Ercole II of Este provided them with good conditions, including the right to practice Judaism, in return for their role in developing the local economy.
Studies in Sephardic Culture
by Hakham Rabbi Dr. Marc D. Angel 

Memorial volume dedicated in memory of David N. Barocas, A”H. This book contains material of great value to students of Judeo-Spanish language and Sephardic culture. In addition to the intrinsic scholarly value, a wonderful aspect of the anthology is that each contributor has a personal relationship with David N. Barocas.

We present this volume to the public in the hope that it will encourage further interest in Sephardic Studies.

 
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Upcoming Events or Opportunities:


The American Sephardi Federation, the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America and the Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation present:

International Ladino Day:
A Celebration of Story and Song
 



On view 29 October through 24 November, 2019

Sunday, 12 January at 2:00PM

Light refreshments will be served

Please register here

~Sponsorship Opportunities Available: Email or Call (212.294.8350) Yves Seban ~

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


Come celebrate Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish, with acclaimed scholars and musicians. Hear Prof. Gloria Ascher, who has taught courses in Ladino at Tufts University for 17 years; Prof. Dina Danon, whose new book brings Izmir's Ottoman Jewish community to life; two scenes from a New York Ladino play; a panel of Generation Y and Z Ladino enthusiasts; and musicians dear to our hearts, The Elias Ladino Ensemble and Sarah Aroeste.

Since 2013, International Ladino Day celebrations have been held around the world. January 12th marks Manhattan's Third Annual Ladino Day created by Prof. Jane Mushabac for the American Sephardi Federation at The Center for Jewish History.

Ladino is a bridge to many cultures. It is a variety of Spanish that has absorbed words and expressions from many languages, most notably Hebrew, Turkish, Arabic, Greek, and French. The mother tongue of Jews in the Ottoman Empire for 500 years, Ladino became the home language of Sephardim worldwide. While the number of Ladino speakers has sharply declined, distinguished Ladino Day programs like this one celebrate and preserve a vibrant language and heritage for future generations.


  American Sephardi Federation Logo — In color     SEPHARDIC HOME FOR THE AGED FOUNDATION

The American Sephardi Federation Presents:

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


SAVE THE DATE
23-29 February 2020!
Please click here to reserve your Festival Passes now!

~ Sponsorship Opportunities Available: Email or Call (212.294.8350) Yves Seban ~


The Philos Project and the American Sephardi Federation present:

Nosotros 3.0: Strengthening Bonds Between Jewish and Latino Communities

On view until May 2020

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


The Philos Project and the American Sephardi Federation cordially invite you to the third edition of our Latin American classic art exhibit: Nosotros 2019. 

This years exhibit explores the Judtice of Zionism through the lens of Jewish and Latino national liberation struggles for independence from European colonialism. A new collection of art pieces will be revealed, including pieces from master artists Norma Lithgow and Deyvi Pérez. It will be a night of celebration of the shared history and culture of the Jewish and Latin communities.

 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).

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