eSefarad Noticias del Mundo Sefaradi
Dear Friends,
Boas vindas! Bienvenida! Bienvenue! Shalom shalom!
This is the first of what we hope will be a quarterly (or even monthly) update of items concerning Western Sephardic communities around the globe. These communities share a wonderful, rich heritage with beautiful traditions, and so it is hoped this effort may allow for more knowledge of these communities and their traditions.
Once upon a time, long before the advent of the Internet, the communities knew each other well, sent kashered meat, prayer books and other provisions to each other, and even brides and bride grooms. Through this and other efforts, perhaps the communities can come to know each a little better again today.
If you have an item you would like to suggest for the next edition, just email us at sandpcentral@gmail.com with the details. Also, if you have suggested improvements for the website or this newsletter, or would like to help in some other way, we’d be glad to hear that as well.
Best,
S&P Central
RECENT EVENTS
Philadelphia: Joint Shabbaton of Congregations Mikveh Israel and Shearith Israel
In April, the Spanish & Portuguese congregations of New York and Philadelphia held a joint Shabbaton at Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia, led by their religious leader, Rabbi Albert Gabbai, along wiith Hazan Shalom Garson, together with participation by Rabbi Shalom Morris and Shamash Zacharia Edinger of Shearith Israel. It was a great success.
NEWS OF NOTE
London: New Rabbi Announced
Rabbi Joseph Dweck was recently named Senior Rabbi of the Spanish & Portuguese Jewish community in London. Following is an article posted in the London Jewish Chronicle:
New York: New Rabbi and Distinguished Rabbinic Fellow Announced
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik was recently named Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel, the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue in New York. In addition, Rabbi Richard Hidary was named Distinguished Rabbinic Fellow at the congregation.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Bayonne: France Thanks Sephardic Jews for Chocolate, 500 Years Too Late
Interesting article on how Portuguese Jews, fleeing the Inquisition, settled in Bayonne in the early 16th century and established there the country’s first chocolate factories.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/
Applying for Spanish & Portuguese Citizenship
As some of you may have heard, descendants of Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal may now receive citizenship although the process for doing is not as yet entirely clear. Here are two articles concerning the matter:
VIDEOS OF INTEREST
Porto: 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Synagogue
For those who don’t know of this synagogue in northern Portugal, this video is well worth watching. It was founded with the assistance of its sister S&P synagogues abroad and served as a haven for other Jews fleeing the Holocaust.
Amsterdam: Visit by the Head of the European Commission
José Manuel BARROSO, President of the EC, visits the Joodse Historische Museum and Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam.
http://ec.europa.eu/
Montreal: Ah! El Novio, a Ladino Wedding Song
Choir at the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue in Montreal sings this fun Ladino wedding song
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I find S&P communities around the world?
Right here on this list we’ve compiled:
Please note it’s a work in progress. If you see something that is missing or incorrect, please do write and let us know.
How can I learn more about S&P minhag and melodies?
Happily, a number of the S&P communities have built websites filled with an abundance of readings, recordings, and commentary. You can find those sites here on these two pages:
Where can I purchase S&P prayer books, birkat hamazon books, etc?
There are a number of versions in various translations offered by several communities. You can learn what is available and how to contact the communities here on this page:
Where can I join discussions of S&P traditions with others online?
Facebook features several excellent discussion groups. Please see a list of them here:
I’m interested in the food! Where can I find some good S&P and other Sephardic recipes?
For excellent Greek, Turkish, Moroccan, Italian and other recipes, you can some excellent websites here on this page:
I’d like to find others to form an S&P minyan in my area. Do you have a suggestion?
Yes! Do you live in Nome, Alaska? No worries. We are beginning to form a list of people with this goal. Please send us your name and location, and we’ll let you know if we hear from others in your area.
It is sad that Ashkenazic rabbis will be leading both Sephardic communities.
Rachel