From the desk of David Shasha

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. Setting Aside Sephardim in a Discussion of Jewish Intellectualism By: David Shasha published at  The Jerusalem Post Until a truly rational understanding of culture in the most expansive and pluralistic sense is adopted by intellectuals, we will sadly continue to see the …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. From Sephardic Horizons, Volume 2 Issue 3, Summer 2012 The Story of Ladino: From Roots to Branches By: Judith Roumani1 “La verdad va enriva como la aceite” [Truth rises to the top just like oil] –Traditional proverb quoted by Moshe …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. Israel’s New War: Orthodox vs. Orthodox By: Tehila Friedman-Nachalon Reading this article out of Sephardic eyes I see a great irony in an Ashkenazi speaking about a fight between Ashkenazi groups while Sephardim remain outside the discussion. Ashkenazim – as …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. The Tragedy of the Lost Yemenite Children: In the Footsteps of the Adoptees By: Shlomi Hatuka Dedicated to my grandmother, who gave birth to twins in a hospital, and came home with only one of them. May her memory be …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. Jewish Music in Yemen: Shalom Sana’a By: The Economist Listening to its lyrics, is it not surprising that residents of Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, are fond of Zion Golan’s song «Sana’a al-Yemen«. The catchy tribute to the city’s charms is frequently heard …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad.   Sephardi Typologies: Hating Ourselves and Others The fool does not understand, who complains of the sufferings that the world inflicts upon us [all]. He does not understand that such are the ways of the world: for vile men to …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. Just over a year ago our dear friend Maria Rosa Menocal passed away. I would like to take a moment on the first anniversary of her death to once again pay tribute to the brilliant and deeply moving work that …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. The following article was published in the Sephardic Heritage Udate #601 How to Recognize a Secret Spanish Jew by his Marrano Accent By: Philologos From The Forward, August 25, 2013 Dr. William Greenfield of Libertyville, Ill., asks: “Are you familiar …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. The following article was published in the Sephardic Heritage Udate #581 The Betrayal of Salonica’s Jews By: Andrew Apostolou Andrew Apostolou is a historian based in Washington D.C. From Jewish Ideas Daily, April 18, 2013 Here is a very interesting …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. Ashkenazim and Sephardic History in Mexico By: David Ramirez In Mexico there is a daily radio talk-show called “Que tal Fernanda!,” hosted by Fernanda Familiar, a Mexican journalist who tailors a show of varied interest, but also focused to women and …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. The following article was published in the Sephardic Heritage Udate #592 The Stale Winds of Summer: “The Idiot Sephardim” Refuse to Get Off the Titanic by David Shasha As we enter into the annual Summer vacation season, the Brooklyn Syrian …

This is the weekly column of David Shasha in eSefarad. The following article was published in the Sephardic Heritage Udate #605 This Day in Jewish History: First Sephardic Congregation Established in Amsterdam By: David B. Green From Haaretz, October 2, 2013 On October 2, 1596, according to tradition, the first …