Fall Programs at the American Sephardi Federation

A year-long program made possible with the generous support of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation

Thursday, October 15th
 Jerusalem and the Jews of Spain: Longing and Reality
Exhibition Opening Reception & Program
– 6:30pm View the exhibition: Jerusalem and the Jews of Spain: Longing and Reality
For centuries, a central theme among the Jews of Spain was their longing for a return to the Land of Israel. This was a romantic and religious desire of many Spanish Jews – a desire that eventually became a reality.
– 7:30pm Keynote Address: Professor Ross Brann, Milton R. Konvitz Professor of Judeo-Islamic Studies, Cornell University, New York.
Admission at the door: $8; Free for ASF members. Reservations requested: 212.294.8350 x0
Tuesday, November 10th, 6:30pm
The Great Hebrew Poets of Medieval Spain
Peter Cole, poet and translator, brings the often overlooked works of medieval Spain to English-speaking audiences. His many books include translations of Shmuel HaNagid, Shelomo Ibn Gabirol, and Yehuda HaLevi, three of the greatest Hebrew poets of Al-Andalus (Spain). Of his anthology, The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492, the New York Times wrote, «His versions are masterly.» He will be joined by Professor Ross Brann, Milton R. Konvitz Professor of Judeo-Islamic Studies, Cornell University, NY.Audience Q&A follows.
Admission at the door: $5; Free for ASF members and students. Reservations requested: 212.294.8350 x0

Concert & Symposium
Saturday, December 5th
8pm Gala Concert: Sueños de Sefarad
ASF is delighted to present the music of Spain’s Paco Díez. One of the most important musicians in Judeo-Spanish music, Mr. Díez has been decorated by the Sephardic authorities (ANL) for his work in spreading Sephardic music and culture. He brings his voice, guitar, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes and percussion, and his scholarship of the folk traditions from the varied regions of Spain. A dessert reception follows.
We express our appreciation to the Consulate General of Spain in New York, and its Consul General Fernando Villalonga,
and to Casa Sefarad Israel, Madrid and its Director General, Diego de Ojeda, whose support and assistance has made this concert possible.

Sunday, December 6th
9:30am Registration and Coffee
10:00am Welcome & Introduction to the Symposium
10:30am From Insiders to Outcasts: A History of the Jews of Spain- Prof. Jane S. Gerber, CUNY/Graduate Center, New York.
11:15am The Life & Times of Judah Halevi – Prof. Raymond P. Scheindlin, The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York.
12:15pm The Challenge of Philosophy on Religious Thought: The Times and Life of Maimonides – Dr. Alfred L. Ivry, New York University.
1:15pm Buffet Luncheon
2:15pm Jewish Thought: The Mystical Traditions – Prof. Elliot Wolfson, New York University.
3:15pm The Reconquista: Jews and the New Realities of Christian Spain – Prof. Jonathan S. Ray, Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
4:30pm The Jewish Artists of Medieval Spain – Dr. Vivian Mann, Director of the Master’s Program in Jewish Art and Visual Culture, The Jewish Theological Seminary, New York.
5:30pm Day One concludes

Monday, December 7th
9:30am Registration and Coffee
10:00am Welcome
10:15am The Inquisition/The Expulsion of 1492 & Don Isaac Abravanel- Prof. Eric Lawee, York University, Toronto, Canada.
11:15am The Dispersion of 1492 and Beyond – Prof. Matthias B. Lehmann, IndianaUniversity, Bloomington, Indiana.
12:15pm Buffet Luncheon
1:30pm Introduction to Present Day Spain
1:45pm Spain and The Jews Today – Enrique Múgica Herzog, Defensor del Pueblo (Ombudsman), Madrid.
2:30pm The Jewish Communities in Contemporary Spain – Jacobo Israel, President of the Federation of the Jewish Communities of Spain.
3:15pm The Sephardic Heritage as a Living Part of Spanish Culture- Diego de Ojeda, Director General, Casa Sefarad/Israel, Madrid; Assumpcio Hosta Rebes, Secretaria General Red de Juderias
4:00pm Roundtable: Contemporary Spain and the Jews
Moderator: Stanley A. Urman, Executive Director, ASF.
5:30pm Conclusion of Symposium
Additional Fall Programs
Thursday, November 19, 6:30pm
 
Salaam Shalom: The Jews of India Dir. Vanessa C. Laufer / Canada, 1999 / 5O mins. / English This colorful film brings to life a remarkable history dating back two millennia. The filmmaker travels to Goa, Bombay, Cochin, and Calcutta the cities of the fascinating subcontinent of India where Jews have made their homes. December 10th 2009, 1pm The Pioneers (HeHalutzim) Israel, 2007, 50 mins. Hebrew w/English subtitles. A film by Aharale Cohen and Sigalit Banai. The Pioneers depicts the establishment of Sderot – today’s target of terrorist rockets — from the viewpoint of the first settlers, early immigrants from North Africa who were transported on trucks in the middle of the night to a desolate desert ma’abara (transit camp). Despite severe hardship, they stayed and developed a unique, vibrant town. Admission at the door: $5 for each program. Free for ASF members and a guest. New members may sign up at the door. Reservations requested:212-294-8350

ASF Books & Authors Series
Exiles of the Heart: Two Sephardic Women from Egypt Share Their Stories of Loss and Connection
Jews can trace their presence in Egypt back more than 3,000 years. In 1948 there were 80,000 Jews in Egypt; today, less than 100.

Jean Naggar’s book Sipping From the Nile: My Exodus From Egypt is a fascinating look at a forgotten world. Naggar was born in Alexandria and grew up in Cairo in a world of wealth and sophistication that disappeared after the Suez Canal crisis of 1956. Having left at the age of 18, her childhood memories open a window into a little-known time and place.

Joyce Zonana’s book Dream Homes: From Cairo to Katrina, an Exile’s Journey is one of seeking memories and constructing identity. She left Cairo with her family at 18 months, following the Arab-Israeli war of 1948.
Admission at the door: $5; Free for ASF members. Reservations requested: 212.294.8350 x0

 
Monday, December 14, 7pm
Ilyas Malayev: Remembering the Poet Laureate of the Bukharian Jews
Ilyas Malayev (1936-2008) was an immensely popular musician across Uzbekistan and deeply loved by the Bukharian Jewish community. He was a master of the Central Asian classical music cycles known as «Shash maqâm,» and a major innovator of traditional forms through his musical compositions, poetry and theatrical works.

ASF/SH is pleased to be a co-presenter of this event organized by The Center for Traditional Music and Dance, the Center for Jewish History, and The An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture Presentation Series, curated by Walter Zev Feldman, Ph.D. (Bar Ilan University, New York University).
$15 general; $10 for CJH, ASF and Center for Traditional Music and Dance members.
Purchase tickets online at www.smarttix.com or by phone at 212.868.4444.

American Sephardi Federation / Sephardic House
15 West 16th Street, between Fifth & Sixth Avenues, NYC
phone: 212-294-8350 – www.americansephardifederation.org