sephardicnewsletter2008

SephardicNewsRabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary � Sephardic Council of Overseers

Y E S H I V A U N I V E R S I T Y

Volume XVII I N D E D I C A T I O N T O A H E R I T A G E No. 1

Sephardic Community Program � Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic StudiesInstitute of Yemenite Studies � Dr. Joseph and Rachel Ades Sephardic Outreach Program

This past fall semester, Chief Rabbi ofIsrael, the Rishon LeZion, Hakham ShlomoAmar, Shlita, spent a day on campus visitingand inspiring the Yeshiva University com-munity. The visit was organized by theCenter for Jewish Future (CJF) in cooper-ation with Yeshiva University’s SephardicCommunity Program (SCP) and involveda day full of Shiurim (Torah lectures) andmeetings with important leaders within YU.

The Chief Rabbi was received at 10 amin Zysman Hall and greeted by PresidentRichard Joel, Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dr.Hillel Davis, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, RabbiElie Abadie, Rabbi Moshe Tessone, RabbiEliyahu Ben-Haim, as well as other RosheiYeshiva, such as Rabbi Hershel Schachter.

A highlight of the day’s activities was ashiur that lasted over an hour in the mainBeit Midrash, where the student body ofRIETS and other YU students were inattendance. The topic of the shiur wasShemita (the agricultural laws of the

Sabbatical year) and many of the relevantTalmudic and Halakhic issues that have todo with Shemita observance in Israel thisShemita year.

Later in the day, the Rishon LeZiongave special addresses to the student bodyof Yeshiva University’s High School forBoys and the students of Stern Collegefor Women, and he also took time tomeet with Yeshiva University officials andRoshei Yeshiva.

He also participated in Minha withthe Sephardic students in the ShenkSynagogue on the Wilf Campus andattended a dinner reception held in hishonor at Stern College. In attendancewere The Sephardic Council of Overseersand select lay leaders of the Sephardiccommunities representing the Syrian,

Moroccan, Persian, Judeo-Spanish, Greekand Iraqi communities. Upon entering theroom, the Chief Rabbi was greeted withthe singing of a special Sephardic Pizmon,led by Rabbi Moshe Tessone. Rabbi Amarwas introduced by SCO Chairman DavidEshagian and then addressed the gatheringin Hebrew (which was translated by RabbiElie Abadie). Rabbi Amar commended allwho attended for their dedication to Torahscholarship and their support for commu-nity growth for all Jewish and Sephardiccommunities.

Dr. Herbert Dobrinsky, vice president forUniversity Affairs, extended his apprecia-tion and gratitude to the Rishon LeZionfor gracing Yeshiva University with hispresence and for visiting many schoolswithin the University. Rav Amar was dulyimpressed with the impact of Torah at allof YU’s schools, and he and officials fromthe school both expressed the hope thathe can return soon. �

More photos continue on page 3

Chief Rabbi of Israel Visits Yeshiva University

Chief Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar delivering a

shiur in the main Bet Midrash at Yeshiva University

L-R: Rabbi Moshe Tessone and Rabbi Elie Abadie,

greeting Chief Rabbi Amar

Chief Rabbi addressing students at Stern College

for Women

The Sephardic Home was pleased towelcome Rabbi Moshe Tessone, directorof Yeshiva University’s Sephardic commu-nity program, as he accompanied a groupof outstanding Yeshiva University studentswho cheerfully celebrated Hanukkah andparticipated in related activities with theresidents. The students enjoyed exchangingstories, talking and singing with the residentsin the dining room and synagogue. Theyalso visited many residents individuallyin their respective rooms, accompaniedby Michael New, the executive director ofthe Sephardic Home.

The home has a history of intergenera-tional programs with students from localpublic schools and yeshivot. However, thevisit of the YU students was special asthis was their second visit this year.

The earlier visit took place last Springon the eve of Rosh Hodesh Nissan, whenstudents and residents celebrated RoshHodesh and partook in pre-Pesach holiday

activities. Rabbi David Friedberg, a cher-ished resident and a graduate of YU, wasecstatic to share his personal experienceswith the students. Rabbi Friedberg wasalso pleased to see the return of DavidNew, the son of Michael New, whovolunteered at the home last summer.

On behalf of its residents, the homeextends its heartfelt gratitude to RabbiTessone and to all the Yeshiva Universitystudents who participated in theseevents. Special recognition goes toRabbi Herbert Dobrinsky, vice presidentfor University Affairs at YU, for hisinstrumental role in coordinating thisprogram. He assures us that the studentswill be visiting on a regular basis. It isimportant that these young futurecommunity leaders meet with the eldersof the Sephardic community to upholdour beautiful traditions, as we say,“M’ Dor L’ Dor.” �

S E PHARD I C N EWS 2 W IN T E R / S P R I NG ED I T I ON

Hazzanut Course at Yeshiva of Flatbush High School

This past spring semester, the Yeshiva of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School offered a course in Sephardic Liturgical music,taught by Rabbi Moshe Tessone. This course was arranged in cooperation with the Belz School of Jewish Music (BJSM) at YeshivaUniversity, and with the foresight of Dr. Joel Wolowelsky and leadership of Cantor Bernard Beer, director of the BSJM at YU.

Among the students who participated were Isaac Cohen, Morris Jerome, Ariel Mizrahi, Isaac Mograbi, and Charlie Shrem.These students will all be receiving college credits for the course and hope to continue in their studies of oriental hazzanut inthe immediate future.

The course examined the origins, relevant background and development of Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Spanish liturgical musicand chants. It also included a survey of different prayer modes according to the Oriental cantorial tradition followed by theSyrian Community. The course was grounded in the theory and knowledge of liturgy and also provided development for thepractical skills necessary to become baalei tefillah and amateur hazzanim. �

Yeshiva University Sephardic Students ClubVisits Sephardic Home

YU students Sion Setton (L) and Victor Gheriani (R) visiting residents of

the Sephardic Home

L-R: David New, Rabbi Amar, Mr. Michael New, Rabbi Tessone, Ephraim Iliagouev

and Victor Gheriani


Chief Rabbi of Israel Visits Yeshiva University (continued)

Chief Rabbi delivering a shiur in the main Bet Midrash to students and roshei yeshiva at

Yeshiva University L-R: Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, head of

school at YU High School for Boys

L-R: Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop and Rabbi Eliyahu

Ben-Haim

L-R: David Eshaghian, Rabbi Moshe Tessone, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar,

Rabbi Elie Abadie, and Rabbi Herbert Dobrinsky

L-R: Dr. Hillel Davis, Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi

Zevulun Charlop and Rabbi Meir Goldvicht

Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar with President Richard M. Joel

L-R: Stern College women, Ralph Harary, Rabbi Moshe Tessone,

Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Rabbi Elie Abadie

L-R: Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz, Rabbi Hershel Reichman and Chief Rabbi

Shlomo Amar


HAKHAM BARUCH BEN HAIM z’tlwas a highly respected leader of theSyrian/Middle Eastern communitythroughout his life. He was an alumnusof the Sephardic Yeshiva, Porat Yosephin Jerusalem, where he studied and wasordained under the Rosh Yeshiva HahamEzra Attieh and Haham Ben-Zion HaiUziel, the late Chief Rabbi of Israel. In1950, he was invited to visit the Syriancommunity in an effort to assist theHakham Bashi, Rav Jacob Kassin z’tl.During his leadership, Haham Barukhwas an extremely active and effectiveleader in the service of Shaare ZionCongregation, in Yeshivat MagenDavid and the Kol Yaacov Synagoguein Deal, NJ. �

REVEREND ABRAHAM LOPESCARDOZO z’tl, served as Hazzan andas a spiritual leader of the Spanish andPortuguese Synagogue in New York Cityfor more than half a century. Born inAmsterdam, Holland, Reverend Cardozocame to the United States and rebuilthis life after losing his family in Europe.He was a faculty member at the BelzSchool of Jewish Music for some twodecades and played a significant rolein the development of YU’s Sephardicprogram, dating back to 1964. Hepublished the Sephardic music of hiscommunity and taught the traditionsof the prayers and liturgy of occidentalJewry to his many students. �

RABBI YIZHAK KADOURI z’tl wasnot only an acclaimed Sephardic Rabbiand Kabbalist but was also highly respectedand well known by the Ashkenazim as well.He was known as the ”zaken ha’mekubalim”of Jerusalem and a master teacher ofKabbalah to many students and followers.He was of Babylonian descent and at ayoung age he received blessings from thegrand rabbis of his time, including theBen Ish Hai, Rabbi Yehuda F’taya, andRabbi Yoseph Haim. Although he wasdevoted in his studies of Kabbalah, he stillreserved much of his time for bookbinding.He lived a very simple life and refrainedfrom eating all different kinds of meats.His popularity expanded during the YomKippur War, when he guided parents inknowing whether or not their children werealive using his special perception. He wasrevered by many of the Sephardic Iraqileaders and Middle Eastern communitieswho looked to him for guidance. �

In Memoriam of our Sephardic Leaders:Hakham Baruch Ben Haim, Rabbi Abraham L. Cardozoand Rabbi Yizhak Kadouri

Over the past two years, the Sephardic community suffered the loss of some of our great rabbinic leaders in the Syrian and near

eastern communities of the United States and Israel, as well as the Spanish and Portuguese community of New York.

The loss of these renowned Sephardic rabbinic leaders who touched Jews all over the world left a huge void in the lives of many.

But their passing is a reminder that we must strive to educate the great leaders of the future. As Judaism teaches us, we are

placed in this world for a reason and then we move on to the world to come. Indeed, these great scholars and leaders lived a life

in which they all strived for perfection and gave and taught to their communities, and to the world, the most precious of gifts:

the Torah. May we all learn and emulate the ways of our past leaders and pass on their commitment to the Torah to our children.

So long as we do, their legacy will live on through us and future generations.


Magen David Yeshiva andYeshivah of FlatbushStudents Visit YU campus

This past spring semester both MagenDavid Yeshiva and Yeshivah of Flatbushsent a group of their students to visit YUwhere they were welcomed by RabbiMoshe Tessone and Rabbi Elie Abadie.The students were addressed by RabbiEliyahu Ben-Haim, Sephardic RoshYeshiva at YU and visited the StudentOrganization at Yeshiva’s (SOY) annualsefarim sale.

The Magen David students were ledby Mr. Richard Altabe, principal atMagen David Yeshiva, who was also veryactive in planning the trip. The studentsfrom Yeshiva of Flatbush were led by RabbiAbraham Benhamu, who is a rabbinicgraduate of YU and a teacher in theMiddle Division at the Yeshiva of Flatbush.All those who participated had an excitingand educational day. �

YU Alumnus Sam Sutton serves asa trustee of the Board of CUNY

Yeshiva University Graduate (CumLaude), Sam A. Sutton was appointed byGovernor Pataki in 2006 to serve as atrustee of the Board of The City Universityof New York. Sutton, a well known layleader in the Syrian Sephardic communityof Brooklyn and Deal, NJ, is chief execu-tive officer of Accessory Exchange, acompany that designs, manufactures anddistributes handbags and leather goods.

Sutton is well known for his leader-

ship role in the Syrian community, including serving as presidentof Sephardic Bikur Holim, a premier community-based socialservice organization. He also serves as president of the SephardicCommunity Federation, an umbrella public policy group of theSephardic Jewish community.

Sutton chaired the board of education for Sephardic HighSchool in Brooklyn and is a certified foster parent who has openedhis home to a dozen children, including many with special needs.

Among his volunteer work in education, Sutton served aschairman of the Sephardic High School fundraising committee,as chairman of its board of education, and as a member of itsboard of directors.

Sutton is also a proud Yeshiva University parent, as his son,Ezra, is currently enrolled at Yeshiva College for Men and Ezra’solder brother, Abe, is a recent graduate of YC. �

L-R: Mr. Richard Altabe, Rabbi Greenblatt, Rabbi Abadie, Rabbi Ben-Haim, Rabbi Tessone and Rabbi

Matalon

Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim addressing the students of

Magen David Yeshiva

Mr. Altabe and Rabbi Tessone with students at

the main Bet Midrash at YU

Rabbi Avraham Benhamu with his students from Yeshiva of Flatbush visiting YU


Hilula for Baba Saliat Yeshiva University

BY DAVID OHANA

On the fourth of Shevat, the YU Sephardicclub celebrated the annual hilula of TheBaba Sali, z’tl, Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira.Planned by David Ohana (Syms 08) andMikael Knafo (Syms 07), the eventmarked the first ever hilula at YU run bythe students for the students. Signs postedaround the campus promoted attendance,which was higher than expected.

A crowd of 60 plus packed theSephardic Bet Midrash to hear divreihizuk from Rabbi Refael Benchimol ofThe Manhattan Sephardic Congregation.The rabbi dazzled the crowd with hisspeech about the Tzadik and his greatness.The students sang in unison speciallyselected piyoutim, including Habibi,Ashorer Shira, and many songs aboutthe Abuchatzeira family, including theclassic Likevod Hakadosh Rebi.

Most of the crowd was fromthe Sephardic community butother members of the studentbody were represented. Moroccanstudents sang and danced inhonor of their hometown hero,and there was an array of foodfrom all over the world: Chinese,Israeli, deli, and of courseMoroccan food ordered from arestaurant in the city.

Many of YU’s rabbis stoppedin to join the celebration. RabbiLevi Mostofsky from the Centerfor Jewish Future said that theenergy and passion of theSephardim, baruch Hashem,should be used to plan evenlarger events that involve thetri-state Sephardic community.With the help and merit of theBaba Sali z’tl, may he grant usmuch success in our futureendeavors and help us bemekadesh shem shamayim. �

BY CHAD HOPKOVITZ

“What a Zekhut! To not only learn aboutour Sephardic laws and customs in theclassroom, but to also see them in practicein vibrant Sephardic communities through-out the Metropolitan area,” said JeremyMillul, after returning from a MechinahProgram Shabbaton at the home of Rabbiand Mrs. Ely Allen in Teaneck, New Jersey.Millul is a junior at Sy Syms School ofBusiness; he came to Yeshiva Universityfrom his home in Paris, France.

The Mechinah Program at YeshivaUniversity was established in the fall of2004, at President Richard Joel’s initiative.Under the direction of Rabbi Zev Reichman,the Mechinah provides educational andsocial programming for undergraduate stu-dents with little to no background in Jewishstudies. Small class sizes and personalattention are the hallmark of the program.

Students also receive mentoring andtutoring from RIETS rabbinical students.Benyamin Segan-Kohanim, a semichastudent of Iranian heritage, appreciatesthe opportunity to learn and live with stu-dents from similar backgrounds and “toencourage and to be encouraged in ourreligious growth and connection with ourSephardic Heritage.”

In order to even better serve theSephardic students, Mechinah hiredRabbi Avidan Elkin as a full-time facultymember last year. Rabbi Elkin, who is arabbinic graduate of Yeshiva Universityand RIETS, participated in the Shabbatonin Teaneck, NJ, with Rabbi Ely Allen.Rabbi Elkin also serves as the spiritualleader of Kehillat Ahavat Achim in Fair-lawn, NJ, and taught at Ben Porat Yosef,which is the Sephardic Yeshiva DaySchool of Bergen County.

Mechinah has sponsored community

Shabbatons for YU Sephardic students inRiverdale, NY at the home of PresidentJoel, in Englewood, NJ at the home ofRabbi Zev Reichman, and in Great Neck,NY at the home and synagogue of RabbiAvraham Kohen. They have also spon-sored Sephardic shabbatons at YU’s Wilfand Beren campuses.

“Sometimes strict classroom educationcan only go so far,” noted Rabbi Reich-man, director of the Mechinah program.“We saw the need to show our studentsreal Sephardic practice, by their Rebbeimand teachers, and by businessmen,professionals, and families. In whicheversynagogues we find ourselves, the studentsgain tremendously from the warm com-munities that host them.” The eagernessand zeal of the students has also rubbedoff, so much so that some families havealready invited their guests back again. �

YU Mechina Students Meet Sephardic Communities and FamiliesThroughout the Tri-State Area


Last spring, the current Chief Rabbi of Istanbul visited YU where he met withPresident Richard M. Joel, Dr Herbert Dobrinsky, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, RabbiJ. J. Schacter, Rabbi Moshe Tessone, and other faculty members of YU and RIETS.Rabbi Haleva was accompanied by his son, Rabbi Naftali Haleva, who is a rabbinicgraduate of YU and RIETS. Rabbi Naftali Haleva is also currently serving as aRabbi in the Jewish community of Istanbul.

In addition to visiting many divisions of the university, including the Centerfor the Jewish Future (CJF), Rabbi Isaac Haleva delivered a Torah Shiur to theSephardic students in Rabbi Ben-Haim’s class. �

Chief Rabbi of Turkey, Isaac Haleva Visits Yeshiva University

L-R: Chancellor Norman Lamm and Chief Rabbi

Isaac Haleva

L-R: Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Rabbi Nafatali Haleva, Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva, President Richard Joel,

Rabbi Elie Abadie, Rabbi Herbert Dobrinsky and Rabbi Moshe Tessone

L-R: Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva, Rabbi Moshe Tessone

and Rabbi J. J. Schacter

Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva with President Richard M. Joel Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva conversing with RIETS student

L-R: Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva and Chancellor Norman Lamm Chief Rabbi Isaac Haleva addressing Sephardic students of Yeshiva College


� Students Visit SephardicCongregation ofNewton Center

YU students David Ohana andReuben Abitbol visited theSephardic Congregation of NewtonCenter, MA and ignited a sense ofTorah, ruah and Sephardic pride inthe entire community. They led theservices, delivered shiurim (Torahlectures) and sang zemirot at thecommunity shabbaton in which YU’sSephardic students were featured.The program was organized throughthe efforts of Rabbi Tessone incooperation with local communityleaders, including the presidentof their congregation, Dr. SimoneLevy and Dr. and Mrs. RalphPhilosophe. Later in the semester,Rabbi Tessone visited the communityas a scholar-in-residence, where hedelivered Torah and cultural lectureson Sephardic history. He alsocelebrated that community’s annualdinner, at which Elias Cohen washonored as a founder of that com-munity.

� Sephardic Community ofElizabeth, NJ, FeaturesYU Cultural Program

Last spring, YU’s SephardicCommunity Program featured aSephardic Night of Torah andMusic at the Jewish EducationalCenter in Elizabeth in cooperationwith the Sephardic Minyanim ofthe JEC and the Elmora Ave Shul.The event was organized by variouscommunity leaders, includingReuven Rahmani, Nissim Kontente,

Dr. Solomon Galimidi, and others.The featured speaker was YU’s

Rabbi Elie Abadie, who inspired theaudience with his words of Torah.The hazzanut (cantorial) andmusical performance featured YU’sRabbi Moshe Tessone and Jewishmusic sensation Ira Heller, whotreated the large crowd to anexciting musical duet. Localcommunity rabbis, including RabbiTeitz and Rabbi Shapiro, alsoattended and participated in thiscommunity-wide celebration.

� RJC Sephardic Minyan Ledby Rabbi Michael Kaplan

Under the leadership of RabbiJonathan Rosenblatt, RiverdaleJewish Center has formed aSephardic Minyan. Rabbi MichaelKaplan, a recent rabbinic graduatetrained at YU, joined the newSephardic Minyan in Riverdale’sRJC synagogue, where he servesas the rabbi. Rabbi Kaplan alsoserves as associate director for Ora,a non-profit organization that activelyassists agunot.

� Congregation Mikveh Israel,Philadelphia

During the fall semester, RabbiTessone was scholar-in-residence atthe Spanish & Portuguese Congre-gation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia,where he was welcomed by RabbiAvraham Gabbai, the communityrabbi who is a graduate of YU andatended RIETS. Rabbi Gabbaiorganized Torah lectures on

Sephardic culture throughout theShabbat. A warm melave malkaprogram was followed on MotzaeiShabbat and featured Rabbi Tessone,who led the singing with live accom-paniment.

� The Mashadi Communitiesof Great Neck

During the fall semester, RabbiTessone visited the Mashadi com-munity of Great Neck on Shabbat.He toured all the communitysynagogues throughout the Shabbat,including Shaare Shalom, ShiraHadasha, and Shaare Rahamim.Rabbi Tessone delivered a Torahlecture and led the Tefilla usingtraditional Sephardic melodies.

A good number of young adultsfrom the Mashadi community arestudents at Yeshiva University. RabbiBen Haim, their Chief Rabbi, is theSephardic Rosh Yeshiva at YU andholds the Maxwell R. MaybaumChair at YU in Talmud andSephardic Halakha (Codes).

� Ladino Music Festivalin Atlanta

Rabbi Hayim Kassorla, rabbinicleader of the Or VeShalom Syna-gogue in Atlanta and rabbinicalumnus of Yeshiva University,hosted a Ladino Music Festivalin his community. The programwas organized by YU’s SephardicCommunity Program in cooperationwith the synagogue president,Lenny Franco.

COMMUNITY NEWS BULLETS

Sephardic Community Program UpdatesYeshiva University’s Sephardic Community Program has been active in numerous communities in the pastsemesters. Here’s a closer look at just a few:

Students in the Community

� Student teaches Sephardic Tefillah at Ramaz

Last year, Yeshiva University sent a Sephardic student, Sion Setton,who was supervised and mentored by Rabbi Moshe Tessone, toserve in Ramaz Middle School. Part of his task was to conduct a

Minyan for their Sephardic studentsand to explain Sephardic tefilla(prayer) to the students. This Minyanwas inaugurated with 25 males and20 females attending on a weeklybasis. It has now grown to morethan 30 males and an equivalentnumber of females.

The Sephardic students atRamaz are currently learning theMiddle Eastern melodies for variousparts of the “se’la” (Judeo-Arabic

word for “prayer”). They also sing the Tehillim (psalms) in theirproper tunes and Az Yashir in the Sephardic Ta’amei Hamikra.Additionally, once a week, a Sephardic club is conducted wherehe teaches the students many of the famous pizmonim (liturgicalpoems) pertaining to Sephardic tefillah throughout the year, aswell as important Sephardic halakhot, traditions and foods. Sionhopes that his teaching will instill more of the traditions that areessential to the students’ growth as Syrian Jews. Hazzak UBarukh to Sion Setton for his fine community work!

Sion is also involved with youth leadership in his communitycongregation Ahava Ve Ahva in Brooklyn, as well as his currentduties at Ramaz. �

� Alumnus Establishes Sephardic Dating Service

Moshe Frances, a recent YU alumnus, established SephardicDating.com, an exclusive Online Dating service for globalSephardic singles. This new dating service allows its members

to directly contact one another andfeatures personalized profiles foreach member; each is reviewedbefore being allowed on the site.SephardicDating.com recentlyfeatured a successful InternationalSephardic Singles Shabbaton inMiami, FL. The event drew acrowd of over 75 singles from theUS and South America. MosheFrances recently joined the RJC’sSephardic Minyan in Riverdale,

where he serves as baal koreh and hazzan. He has served insimilar positions at the Shaare Rahamim and Kahal KadoshJanina synagogues in previous years. �

COMMUNITY NEWS BULLETS SEPHARDIC BOOK REVIEW

Rabbi Michael Reichel’s recently published PhDdissertation, Persian American Jewry at a Crossroads:Will the Tradition Continue, published by LV Press ofGreat Neck, NY, presents a groundbreaking andthoroughly researched history of the Persian andMashadi communities from its inception to thepresent day. This work documents a comprehensiveexamination of the Persian American Jewry’s educa-tional experiences and attitudes and provides insighton the many facets of the Persian American experi-ence; it also marks the beginning of research projectsthat will document the American experience ofvarious Sephardic ethnic communities.

Even though the author is of Ashkenazicdecent, his personal and professional experiencewith the Persian and Mashadi communities isinvaluable and evident throughout the book. Reichelhas lived and worked in the Great Neck, NY com-munity as an educator and administrator for overa decade. He has developed an intimate understand-ing of Persian history and culture. He is a graduateof Yeshiva College, received his rabbinical ordinationfrom the Rabbi Isaac Elchannan TheologicalSeminary of YU and his masters degree and hisdoctorate from the Azrieli Graduate School ofJewish Education and Administration at YeshivaUniversity. His dissertation helped him earn hisdoctoral degree. Since his graduation, RabbiReichel has established a new yeshiva in Jerusalemwhere he now resides. �


GRADUATE

Wurzweiler Schoolof Social Work

Master of Social Work

ELSA BARKHORDARIAN

SANDY BENZAQUEN

Ferkauf Graduate Schoolof Psychology

Master of Arts

SHIPHRA HABIBIAN

Doctor of Psychology

DAVID J. SITT

Azrieli Graduate Schoolof Jewish Educationand Administration

Master of Science

JOSEPH M. ESSES

HANA COHEN

HANOCH HAIM GEZ

SHIMSHON E. JACOB

Doctor of Education

HANOCH HAIM GEZ

Albert Einstein Collegeof Medicine

Doctor of Medicine

SIVAN SHEMESH

Benjamin N. CardozoSchool of Law

Juris Doctor

SAMANTHA M. DAHAN

MICHELLE DOUEK

GISOO MOVTADY

Bernard RevelGraduate School

Master of Arts

RAPHAEL M. COHEN

UNDERGRADUATE

Stern College for Women

Associate in Arts

September 2006CHAYA MIRIAM BARZILAI

TALIA MIRIAM FARHI

AFARIN FARROKHPOUR

AVIVA ROCHELLE JACOB

TIFFANY NEJAD KHALIL

SARAH FAY MATARASSO

DANILLE SARAHYUNATANOV

May 2007SELHA RACHEL ABED

JUDITH MEIRA ALKOBY

ILLANA AMZALLAG

REBECCA ASHER

SARAH NATALIE AZRAN

LISA LICY AZULAY

SHIRA MIRIAM BARON

MARIE-PAULE BENSOUSSAN

ORLY BENTATA

GALITH BITTON

SARA CHAMAMA

TAMAR MEIRA FRANCES

NATALIE F. GABBAY

ELISHEVA GOMEZ

YULIYA KHAZAK

SARAH ROSA KNAFO

LIRIT MELEKAN

MIRNA VICKY MANDIL

DAVIDAH MARIAM MORADI

PARISA PARIZADEH

ESTHER YEKUTIELI

Bachelor of Arts

September 2006CHAYA MIRIAM BRAZILAI

TALIA MIRIAM FARHI

AFARIN FARROKHPOUR

January 2007ZARINA AVSHALUMOVA

OFELIA JOY BEHAR

TIFFANY NEJAD KHALIL

SARAH FAYE MATARASSO

MALKA NAEMA RODITI

DONNA LYNN SABAG

May 2007SELHA RACHEL ABED

REBECCA ASHER

SARAH NATALIE AZRAN

LISA LICY AZULAY

SHIRA MIRIAM BARON

MARIE-PAUL BENSOUSSAN

GALITH BITTON

SARA CHAMAMA

TAMAR MEIRA FRANCES

NATALIE F. GABBAY

ELISHEVA GOMEZ

SARAH ROSA KNAFO

LIRIT MALEKAN

DAVIDAH MIRIAM MORADI

PARISA PARIZADEH

LOUISETTE L. SOUSSAN

ESTHER YEKUTIELI

James Striar Schoolof General Jewish Studies/Mechinah Program

Associate in Arts

ETHAN MOCHE ASSOULINE

NATHAN NESSIN COHEN

MENDEL Y.R. MARCIANO

ROBERT SHLOMONOWBAKHT

SAMUEL ZAKAY

Isaac Breuer Collegeof Hebraic Studies

Associate in Arts

ELI BALLAS

MATAN COHEN

MICHAEL E. KAFFASH

Yeshiva College

Bachelor of Arts

September 2006BRUNO BELACIANO

AMITAI YISRAEL BIN-NUN

POUYAN REFAEL GOHARI

January 2007BENJAMIN COURCHIA

JOSEPH M. GALIMIDI

DAVID BENJAMIN JOYANDEH

JONATHAN JACOB KALFOUN

May 2007DAVID MATTHEW ABIKSER

LEVI ELIEZER AFRAH

ELI MATTHEW AROESTY-COHEN

DANIEL BASALELY

MOSHE FRANCES

ABDO KABARRITI

MAKHLOUF MICHAELKNAFO

JOSEPH MATALON

JONATHAN OMIDMOTTAHEDEH

GEORGIY R. NATANOV

SAMUEL PENYA

IZOL EILYAHU SEGEN-KOHANIM

RAPHAEL ABRAHAMWAKNINE


Sephardic Graduates of 2006–2007

Sy Syms School of Business

Bachelor of Science

September 2006MARK AKBASHEV-MARKEL

WILLIAM ELIE ALBERT AZOULAY

ARI BARUCH

YOUSEF DAVID SASSON

Bachelor of Science

May 2007ALPER ESKINAZI

POUYA TOOBIAN

PINCHAS AMMAR

BENJAMIN ASPIR

ARYEH YEHUDAH ASSOULINE

ETHAN MOCHE ASSOULINE

ELI BALLAS

ISAAC ISRAEL BARCHICHAT

JOSEPH BELLELI

JOSHUA ADAM BENPORAT

MATAN COHEN

ELITZAFAN EBRAHIMDOOST

MICHAEL E. KAFFASH

ISAAC KASSIN

MENDEL Y.R. MARCIANO

SIMONE NASSIMI

ROBERT SHLOMO NOWBAKHT

JASON RAHMANIM

BENJAMIN SASSOON

SAMUEL ZAKAY

SE PHARD I C N EWS 11 W IN T E R / S P R I NG ED I T I ON

AWARDS AND HONORS

James Striar Schoolof General Jewish Studies/Mechinah Program

Bnai Zion Award for Excellencein HebrewETHAN ASSOULINE

Manfred Siegbert and Migon FischelMemorial Award in Jewish Studiesand CharacterJACOB AFRIAT

RAPHAEL WAKNINE

Isaace Araten Memorial Awardfor Excellence in BibleGREGORY NATANOV

Dr. Isadore Margolis Memorial Awardfor Excellence in Jewish StudiesELI AROESTY-COHEN

Blanche Attas ZuckermanMemorial Award for Excellencein Sephardic StudiesSIMON EBRANI

Isaac Araten Memorial Awardfor Excellence in TalmudDANIEL WAKNINE

Yeshiva Program/Mazer School ofTalmudic Studies

Rose Rachel and Lewis SiegelMemorial AwardHAROLD SULTAN

Louis and Lena LankiskyMemorial AwardEHUD SASSON

Yeshiva College

Biblical Joseph Prize for Excellence inEconomics with a SpecialtySAMUEL PENYA

Departmental Award forExcellence in SociologyJOSEPH MATALON

Professor Meyer Atlas Memorial Awardfor Excellence in BiologyPOUYAN REFAEL GOHARI

GREGORY NATANOV

John Wiley Book Award for Excellencein ChemistryGREGORY NATANOV

Professor Jekuthiel GinsburgMemorial Award for Excellencein Mathematics:HAROLD SULTAN

Professor Morris and Gilda SilvermanMemorial AlumniAward for Outstanding ServiceTo the Jewish CommunityAHARON ARAZI

Sy Syms School of Business

Dean’s Award for ScholasticAchievement in MarketingMIRNA MANDIL

Stern College for Women

Biology Department Awardfor Excellence in BiologySARAH MATARASSO

Chemistry Department Awardfor Excellence in BiochemistryLOUISETTE SOUSSAN

Morris Lipton Memorial Awardfor Excellence in Studio ArtNATALIE GABBAY

Psychology Department Awardfor Excellence in PsychologyMARIE-PAULE BENSOUSSSAN

Constance Schwartzappel MemorialAward for Excellence in BiologyARIELLA COHEN

Phyllis Gordon SolomonMemorial Award for Excellencein Pre-Law StudiesARIELLA COHEN

John Wiley Book Award to anOutstanding Chemistry StudentSARA KNAFO

JACOB E. SAFRA INSTITUTE OF SEPHARDIC STUDIESSEPHARDIC COMMUNITY PROGRAM, BH - 312

500 West 185th StreetNew York, NY 10033-3201

www.yu.edu

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

URGENT APPEAL FOR SCHOLARSHIP AID FORIMMIGRANT AND NORTH AMERICAN SEPHARDIC STUDENTS

Many foreign Sephardic students from Canada, France, Morroco, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Bukhara, and elsewhere are readyto enter Yeshiva University. They will all require major scholarship assistance beyond our normal ability to provide fortheir needs. An urgent scholarship appeal for these foreign students is being launched to raise the necessary funds to

accommodate them. The cost for tuition, dormitory, and the minimum food plan is $39,970 per student.

Please complete and detach this form and send it with your tax deductible scholarship gift made out toYeshiva University Sephardic Student Scholarship Fund, addressed to the attention of:

Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Yeshiva University, 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033-3201

NAME __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________

CITY ____________________________________________________________________

STATE ______________________________________________ ZIP__________________

TELEPHONE ______________________________________________________________

CELLULAR ________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION

Please indicate the amount of your scholarship gift forSephardic students at Yeshiva University:

One Year Full Expendable Scholarship: � $39,970

Endowed Scholarship: � $26,000

Partial Scholarships:

� $18,000 � $5,200 � $500

� $10,000 � $2,600 � $101

� $7,500 � $1,000 � Other _________

Contributions of $25,000 or more will establish a personal endowed scholarship inyour name that will be listed in all appropriate university publications in perpetuity.

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