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Page 1: Sephardic Newsletter 20docshare01.docshare.tips/files/24221/242216415.pdf · Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music. “The Sephardic world is multifaceted,” said Rabbi Tessone. YU is

Beginning with just seven students in 1964, the Sephardic Studies Program at Yeshiva University now marks its 50th year—and it has never been stronger. And as the Sephardic population of North America continues to grow, the prospects for continued expan-sion over the next decade are extremely promising.

The Sephardic Studies Program was co-founded by Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, YU’s vice president of university affairs. Thanks in part to his vision, Dr. Dobrinsky has seen a vibrant YU Sephardic presence consistently grow over the last fi ve decades. Today,

the Sephardic Program boasts close to 400 undergraduate men and women and serves an additional 100 graduate students, including 17 rabbinical students. “One of our main goals was to create an environment where Sephardic students who came to YU would have ample opportunity to learn about and practice their own traditions,” said Dr. Dobrinsky, explaining why the program was originally created.

Today’s generation of YU students have also benefi tted from new young leadership. Rabbi Moshe Tessone has directed the Sephardic Community Program (SCP) at Yeshiva since 2000, and also serves as a rabbinic faculty member at YU and its Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music. “The Sephardic world is multifaceted,” said Rabbi Tessone. YU is the only place in North America that has such diversity of Sephardic students and makes a concerted effort to educate them, in both secular and Jewish studies, while giving special appreciation to their Sephardic heritage. This began with Dr. Dobrinsky’s vision more than a half century ago. Now, thanks to his foresight, we have an opportunity to do better than we’ve ever done before.”

Over the last few years demographics have evolved, with a dramatic increase in the number of Sephardic students attending the Orthodox day schools that

serve as primary feeders to YU. As a result, the Sephardic students at YU refl ect a growing percent-age of the overall campus population. “The synergies are potentially explosive as the number of Sephardic students at YU grows,” said Rabbi Tessone. “There was a sense that these incoming Sephardic students needed to feel as if they had a home at YU, where they would he able to grow not just academically, but also on a religious, cultural and spiritual level. We want to attract these students who we train to become future leaders of the Sephardic world, and give them an inspiring experience here at YU.”

To augment these efforts, Rabbi Simon Basalely was appointed during the fall of 2013 as the Edmond J. Safra S’gan Mashgiah for the Sephardic campus community at YU, a newly established position, which was made possible by the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, which is providing a 3 year grant totaling $180,000 to sponsor this posi-tion. Within the fi rst year, Rabbi Basalely has already made a positive impact in his new role. He serves as a role model and mentor for students, running minyanim in the Sephardic Beit Midrash during the week and on Shabbat, and coordinating Shabbat

One of the major accomplishments within YU Sephardic Programs this year took place in March when, as part of the RIETS Chag HaSemikha event, 17 rabbinic graduates who received ordina-tion were of Sephardic origin. This represents a record number of Sephardic rabbis produced by YU and RIETS in a period of four years.

Chag HaSemikha is a quadrennial celebration of all the rabbis who earned rabbinic ordination at YU/RIETS during a four-year period. This year’s event also refl ected a record number of YU rabbinic graduates not only for Sephardim but for the general Jewish population as well, as an astounding 230 young men received semikha—a historic number of rabbis produced by RIETS over a four-year period.

The Sephardic community at large celebrated a “Salute to the Sephardic Musmakhim” morninggala event on March 9 at Congregation Magen

SephardicNewsletter

Jubilee Anniversary EditionYU Sephardic Programs

Sephardic Program at YU Reaches 50-Year Milestone

17 Sephardic Rabbis Ordained in 2014Brings Total Sephardic Rabbis Ordained at RIETS to Almost 100

In commemoration of our cherished friend Moise Safra a’h, YU Benefactor and Honorary AlumnusThe Yeshiva University family mourns the loss of YU Benefactor Moise Y. Safra a’h in June 2014. Safra was a great Jewish philanthropist who exemplifi ed the very fi nest in Sephardic lay leader-ship during his lifetime. He is survived by his wife, Chella, who resides in São Paulo, Brazil, and his children, Edmond, Jacob, Ezra, Esther and Olga.

In 2012 Mr. Safra received an honorary degree at Yeshiva University’s 88th Annual Hanukkah Dinner and Convocation at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. Safra, a philanthropist and an accom-plished fi nancier, fi rst developed a relationship with YU when he and his wife, Chella Safra, were honored at the inaugural dinner of YU’s newly-formed Sephardic Council of Overseers in 1992. The Safras formed a close relationship with both Dr. Norman Lamm, who was president of YU at the time, and Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, vice president for University Affairs. They have always main-tained a strong connection and a warm friendship with YU, which has continued with Yeshiva Uni-versity’s President Richard M. Joel.

During his lifetime, Mr. Safra expressed his admi-ration and high regard for YU and its unique mission of Torah Umadda. “YU is the perfect balance of both Torah and secular education, one that I have always believed in,” said Safra. “While Torah studies might be the pillar of Jewish life, secular academics is the second pillar that complements it. Yeshiva Univer-sity is the ideal place for one to achieve this goal of a well-rounded and complete education.” Through the family’s charitable foundation a $3 million gift to Yeshiva University established the Moise Safra Undergraduate Scholarship Fund and the Moise Safra Scholars.

We salute Moise Safra’s lifetime of accomplish-ments in the business world and equally his life-long dedication to outstanding leadership and service to the greater Jewish community and his fellow Sephardim all over the world. May his memory be an inspiration for other great leaders to emulate and may his good deeds be a source of blessing for his family and the entire Jewish people. Yehi Zikhro Barukh. ❖

continued on page 2Inaugural Dinner of YU’s Sephardic Council of Overseers (SCO), 1992

Rabbi Kassin and Rabbi Ben-Haim congratulate Rabbi Setton

Jack Lew, Moise Safra a’h, President Richard M.Joel

Edmond M. Safra, Moise a’h, Chella Safra, Shari Safra, Jacob M. Safra

Back row left to right: Eduardo Szajman, Shari Safra, Jacob M. Safra, Edmond M.Safra, Marielle Safra, Elie Cohen, Carole Sasson Cohen, Joseph Cohen, Colette Nehmad, Michael Kattan, Albert Cohen Front row left to right: Esther Safra Szajman, Moise Safra a’h, Chella Safra, Bassia Lowinger, Dalia Picciotto Cohen

The YU Sephardic Newsletter Jubilee Edition is dedicated by Martin Eliasand family in honor of Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky and Dina Dobrinsky in

tribute to their half century of dedication to the Sephardic community.

continued on page 3

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2Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

events, Torah lectures and other programs that en-hance and lend warmth to the religious and cultural environment of the Sephardic community. “I feel privileged to work with a group of such wonder-ful, energetic students, aspiring to learn and to take advantage of the opportunities to further connect with their heritage,” said Rabbi Basalely, a gradu-ate of Yeshiva College, the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theology Seminary and the Beren Kollel Elyon. “We are planning on campus Shabbatonim for students to spend Shabbat together enjoying Sephardic food and singing Sephardic pizmonim immersed in the Sep-hardic liturgical tradition, while at the same time, spending Shabbat in their Yeshiva.”

“Rabbi Basalely is the person who students can turn to after classroom hours, to help give them spiritual and religious guidance that they need beyond academics,” said Rabbi Tessone. “He is therefor students in the capacity of a campus rabbi to provide hashgaha ruhanit [spiritual guidance] on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to make the Sephardic Beit Midrash a warm, spiritual haven right here on campus.”

For Charles Saka, a sophomore at the Sy Syms School of Business majoring in business manage-ment, some highlights of the Sephardic programs include the weekly Sephardic pizmonim club and his daily shiur with Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva and Chair holder of the Maxwell R. Maybaum Chair in Talmud and Sephardic Halakhic Codes.

“Rabbi Tessone has elevated the Sephardic life on campus with his weekly course in Sephardic hazzanut,” said Saka. “Rabbi Basalely has also been a great source of daily inspiration and spirituality with our minyanim, as well as his divrei Torah and nightly shiurim in the Sephardic Beit Midrash.”

Dr. Dobrinsky, who continues to nurture and over-see the Sephardic programs on a daily basis, notes, “The Sephardic faculty members at YU include many

giants in their respective fi elds, both in advanced Torah studies and Sephardic history and culture.”

Among the world-renowned faculty at YU are Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Rabbi Hayim Angel, Dr. Ronnie Perelis, Dr. Hayim Tawil and Dr. Daniel Tsadik, among many others who teach Sephardic courses and serve as role models to their students.

Dr. Dobrinsky fondly recalls the late revered Hakham Solomon Gaon a’h, who was a mentor to him in his early years interacting with the Sep-hardim, and whose legacy at YU lives on to this day. “When we started the program,” he recounts, “Hakham Gaon and I would travel the length and breadth of the country to many Sephardic communi-ties in order to recruit students and help raise funds to support the Sephardic Program.”

Hakham Gaon, also known as “The Hakham,” was the leading Sephardic rabbinic fi gure and states-man in the Americas and Europe during the 1960s and ‘70s. The late Ivan Salomon and his wife Sophie were instrumental in bringing The Hakham to YU initially as a visiting professor at RIETS, and this initiative later gave rise to the development of YU’s Sephardic Studies and Sephardic Community Program. After retiring from the position of Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Britain in the 1980s, he moved to New York and held the Maxwell R. Maybaum Chair in Sephardic Codes at RIETS, a position he held for the last 12 years of his life.

We were blessed to have The Hakham at Yeshiva,” says Dr Dobrinsky. “He was able to relate to people of so many diverse Sephardic backgrounds, and in doing so he inspired our students and our program in a lasting way.”

According to Dr. Dobrinsky, “Yeshiva will con-tinue to invest resources into developing the Sep-hardic programs that educate the youth and serve their communities. My hope and prayer is that this program will continue to blossom for the next 50 years and beyond!” ❖

Sephardic Program at YU Reaches 50-Year Milestonecontinued from page 1

Photo Credits: Yeshiva University Archival Collection/Curator, Shulamith Berger

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1. Hon. Herbert Tenzer a’h, YU Trustee Chairman, Joseph A. Ades a’h, YU Trustee and Benefactor, Dr. Norman Lamm, YU President

2. Col. J.R. Elyachar a’h, YU Benefactor and Hakham Solomon Gaon a’h, Professor and Co-Founder, Sephardic Studies Program

3. Dr. Lamm, Moise J. Safra a’h and Chella Safra receiving Heritage Award in 1992 when Sephardic Council of Overseers was established, 1992

4. Rabbi Raymond Harari, Abe M. Cohen a’h, then President of Shaare Zion Cong. Bklyn, Dr. Lamm and Dr. Dobrinsky

5. Regina Gaon a’h, Hakham Gaon a’h, David Eshaghian, Chair, Sephardic Council of Overseers

6. Albert J. Ades and his son Joseph A. Ades 7. Joseph J. Safra, unidentifi ed dinner guest, Dr. Dobrinsky 8. Dr. Dobrinsky presenting Kiddush cup to Hakham Gaon a’h,

Dr. Lamm, Rabbi Myron Rakowitz 9. Jacob M. Safra, Chella Safra, Esther Safra, Ezra M. Safra 10. Rabbi Zevulun Lieberman receiving award from Dr.

Dobrinsky 11. Rabbi Soleyman Dayan a’h, former Rabbi of Sephardic

JC of Queens, David Eshaghian, Rabbi Doniel Hakimi, Mr. Ebrahim Ben Davood Eliahu Eshaghian a’h

12. Dr. Dobrinsky presenting award to Joseph Safra, Moise Safra a’h and Chella Safra in center

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3Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

David of Manhattan (MDM), which was attended by many distinguished community leaders and rabbis. Among the many notables in attendance were Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva at YU, and Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Chief Rabbi of the Syrian community of New York and New Jersey.

The event was co-chaired by David Dweck of MDM and Rabbi Moshe Tessone of YU. Rabbi Tessone, who has mentored and coached many of these young men as they experienced their education at YU said: “This milestone is refl ective of YU’s dedi-cation to training Sephardic religious and educational leaders for the current and future generations of Sephardim.”

Dr. Herbert Dobrinsky, who was the keynote speaker at this event, said: “I was truly inspired to see a record number of Sephardic rabbis and teachers now embarking on careers where they will serve the Sephardic communities. These young men are indeed Yeshiva’s historic gift to the Sephardic world!” ❖

Sephardic Rabbinic Graduates of 2014continued from page 1

1. Back Row (L to R): Zachary Hepner, Ariel Levi, Benjamin Kohanim, Avraham Harari, Meyer Laniado, Saul Haimoff, Sion Setton, Eitan Bendavid, Simon Basalely

First Row (L to R): Mordechai (Evan) Gershon, Nathan Dweck, Gabi Danieli, Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Yosef Sharbat, Haim Yanetz

2. L to R: Jacob Bitton, Meyer Laniado, Nathan Dweck, Efraim Illiguev, Avraham Horn, Sion Setton, Alon Amar

3. Rabbi Tessone addressing audience at “Celebrate the Sephardic Musmakhim Event 2014”

4. Dr. Dobrinsky (keynote speaker) addressing audience at “Celebrate the Sephardic Musmakhim Event 2014”

5. Rabbi Ben-Haim addressing audience at “Celebrate the Sephardic Musmakhim Event 2014”

6. Jacque Erdos Esq, Rabbi Setton, Dr. Dobrinsky, Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Jacob Kassin, David Eshaghian, Rabbi Tessone

7. Rabbi Kassin, Sam Sutton, Rabbi Tessone

8. Rabbi Ben-Haim congratulates Rabbi Laniado, Rabbi Charlop alongside

9. Rabbi Kassin and Rabbi Ben-Haim congratulate Rabbi Alon Amar

10. Rabbi Kassin and Rabbi Ben-Haim congratulate Rabbi Dweck

11. David Eshaghian, Rabbi Tessone, Rabbi Bronstein, Michael Strauss, Rabbi Penner, Rabbi Charlap, Rabbi Kassin, Dr. Dobrinsky, Rabbi Dr. Abadie

12. Sam Saka addressing audience at “Celebrate the Sephardic Musmakhim Event 2014”

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4Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

The Yeshiva University community was privileged to host Rabbi Eli Mansour, rabbi of The Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in Brooklyn in March 2014. The visit began with greetings and a grand tour of the YU campus led by Rabbi Moshe Tessone and Rabbi Simon Basalely; during the tour, Rabbi Mansour expressed his appreciation of Yeshiva’s rich social and intellectual history and its historic impact on the Jewish people. This was Rabbi Mansour’s fi rst visit to YU, and he was especially inspired to see Lamport Auditorium, which he knew was the room where

"The Rav", Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveichik a'h, delivered his most famous and historic Talmudic and halakhic discourses to capacity-fi lled audiences in earlier decades.

Rabbi Mansour then proceeded to the Schottenstein Center, where a group of almost 300 men and wom-en had gathered to hear him speak. After a warm introduction by Rabbi Tessone, Rabbi Mansour delivered an inspiring talk on the upcoming holiday of Purim. As part of his message, he commended the students on their dedication to Torah studies and

encouraged them to continue even further. The event was co-sponsored by the Sephardic

Student Club, the Student Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) and the Sephardic Community Program (SCP).

Student leaders Elie Takhalov (Sephardic Club president) and Isaac Attia (SOY president) and Albert Dweck were instrumental in organizing the evening event. They joined with the leaders of the Women’s Sephardic Club at Stern College for Women to attract a full crowd in anticipation of the Purim festival. The students left inspired and pleased. ❖

Pre-Purim lecture at YU delivered by Rabbi Eli Mansour

Rabbi Eli Mansour delivers Pre-Purim lecture at YU Yehuda Mansour, Rabbi Basalely, Albert Dweck, Rabbi Mansour, Rabbi Tessone, Isaac Attia

As an expression of gratitude for the work done to establish the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie almost fi ve decades ago, a gift of $225,000 to be used as a scholarship fund was recently presented to YU by the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie. Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky made the announcement at the meeting of the Sephardic Council of Overseers held in May 2014; an additional amount of up to $30,000 was also promised.

The Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie was once a thriving community of Sephardim of Judeo-Spanish decent that served immigrants from Turkey (some by way of Cuba) and Greece. Due to changing demographics and a decline in Sephardic local popu-lation in its Brooklyn neighborhood, the community found no option but to close its synagogue.

The community leaders, led by Jeff Beja, estab-lished this scholarship fund at YU in tribute to their longtime spiritual leader, Rabbi Myron, and his “Rubisa” Sarah Rakowitz. Some 40 years ago, Rabbi Dobrinsky placed Rabbi Rakowitz as a rabbi in the Canarsie congregation following the tenure of Rabbi Chananya Berzon; Rabbi Berzon was the fi rst RIETS musmakh whom RIETS funded to serve that community.

Jeff Beja grew up in the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie, but now resides in the Five Towns. Many of his former fellow community members who are descendants of the original Turkish and Greek immigrants from Canarsie and New Lots live there as well.

Rabbi Rakowitz is himself a rabbinic alumnus of RIETS who has served his community with steadfast dedication and commitment for nearly half a century. He has been a close friend to YU and its Sephardic programs throughout his tenure. This scholarship will serve to honor Rabbi and Mrs. Rakowitz and to eternally perpetuate the name of the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie at YU. ❖

YU’s Mekhina Students Visit Sephardic HomeSephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie establishes Sephardic Scholarship at YU

A group of some two dozen young men from Rabbi Tessone’s Halakha-Mekhina class visited the Sephardic Home for the Aged in Brooklyn during Hanukkah 2013. These fine students enjoyed a private lunch with Louis Rousso and Michael New, executive director of the home. Both Rousso and New addressed the group, after which the students, led by Rabbi Tessone, entered the Social Hall and led a group of nearly 100 senior residents in the singing of festive Sephardic melodies accompanied by live music. The young men also participated in festive dancing, which livened up the spirits of all who attended.

The Mekhina Program at YU (as opposed to the “yeshiva program”) is particularly geared for students with little background in Jewish studies and practice, and offers these students a chance to grow in Torah learning and Jewish observance. Mekhina is directed by Rabbi Yonasan Shippel and has, in recent years, attracted many Sephardic students both from the United States and abroad. The students were especially thankful to Chad Hopkovitz, associate director of Mekhina, who accompanied them with Rabbi Tessone, and helped make this visit most memorable.

Hazak U’Barukh to these fine young men for helping to bring joy to so many! ❖

1. YU students celebrate a dance with residents of the Sephardic Home in Brooklyn, NY

2. YU’s Mekhina students prepare to leave for a class trip to the Sephardic Home

3. Isaac Harari, Aron Zohar, Nissim Temstet, Meir Tordjman with resident of the Sephardic Home

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5Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

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YU and The Sephardic Community Gallery 1. L to R: Louis Rousso, Laurie Camhi, Nathan

Halegua, Mousa Bildiricci, Ron Palti, Loni Mori, Saul R Tawil, Maurice Bigio, Yonni Ahavan, Albert Allen

2. Isaac Dabah, Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Dr. Dobrinsky, Ezra Dabah

3. Rabbi Avishai Levy, Rabbi Tessone, Josh Behar 4. Dr. Dobrinsky, Prof. Perelis, Martin Elias,

Rabbi Tessone 5. David Eshaghian, Joseph Amirian, Rabbi Tessone 6. Dr. John Foxe, Dr. Haddad, Dr. Dobrinsky 7. Simon Ebrani, Sharam Yaghoubzadeh, David

Eshaghian, Dr Roubini, Nasser Mochtar Zadeh, Eli Reinitz, Aron Ebrani, Bahman Kamali, Rabbi Tessone

8. Prof. Tsadik, Marc Harary, Daniel Rushefsky, David Moreno, Jeff Beja, Howard Franco

9. Rabbi Kassin with Dr. Dobrinsky 10. Rabbi Tessone with Sam Sutton 11. Top row: Dr. Raphi Aharon, Dr. Jack Burstien,

Charles Saka, Rabbi Setton, unidentifi edBottom row: Sam Hadad, Elliot Laniado, Nadine Laniado, Esther Greenfeld

12. Rabbi Ilan Acoca, Rabbi Tessone 13. Leon Levy with Dr. Dobrinsky14. Dr. Dobrinsky, Jack Abraham, Rabbi Tessone,

Dr. Shafi zadeh, Jeffrey Mosseri15. Sam Saka, Charlie Saka, Raymond Saka at YU

Sephardic Program event16. Charles Ouaknine, Rabbi Tessone, Robert Abitbol17. Dr. Dobrinsky with Sam Sutton18. Eleanor Oziel, Salomon Oziel, Rabbi Tessone19. Laurie Camhi, Louis Rousso, Dr Dobrinsky

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6Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

In Memoriam • נפלה עטרת ראשנוIn Memory of Rabbi Dr. Zevulun Lieberman a’hThe Sephardic community lost a legendary leader—Rabbi Dr. Zevulun Lieberman—who served for near-ly 30 years as a Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva

University (YU) and the affi liated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). For some fi ve decades, Rabbi Lieberman, was also the faithful sheperd and rab-binic leader of Beth Torah Congregation, one of the fl agship synagogues that is part of today’s Syrian com-munity of Brooklyn.

Few leaders in the rabbinic world earn the title of “Ha–Hakham Ha-Shalem,” a sage who is com-plete in all areas of Torah and worldy knowledge. Rabbi Lieberman was such a distinct and remarkable leader, who left an indelible impression of tolerance, love for Torah, and commitment to Israel in a man-ner that is the benchmark for other leaders to follow. Rabbi Lieberman mentored and taught many of today’s fi nest Sephardic rabbis who graduated from YU and RIETS and are committed to community work and Jewish education.

Rabbi Lieberman was an educator par excellence, with vast knowledge and expertise in Torah and halakha, and his erudition extended into literature, history, fi nance, languages and sports. Rabbi Li-

eberman was himself a graduate of Yeshiva College and was ordained at RIETS. He was appointed the Maxwell Maybaum Professor of Sephardic Halakhic codes at Yeshiva by Dr Norman Lamm. Rabbi Lieber-man passed away in December of 2012.

The Yeshiva University family fondly remembers Rabbi Lieberman and acknowledges with gratitude the loss of a profound leader in the Jewish world, whose commitment to the Sephardic community and its development was apparent throughout his life. We extend our condolences to his wife Bracha, his daugh-ters Tehilah and Elyora, his brother Paul Lieberman, his daughter-in-law Yael, and his grandchildren. May his memory serve as a blessing to his loved ones, to his community and to the Jewish people. ❖

In Memory of Maran Hakham Ovadia Yosef a’hRabbi Ovadia Yosef, the former chief Sephardic rabbi of Israel who passed away Oct. 13, 2013, visited YU many times in the past 45 years. On one occa-sion he spent two or three weeks at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he gave shiurim on a daily basis.

On his fi rst visit to Yeshiva in the early 1970s he met with The Rav, Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi Solevi-etchik, a'h, who was then Rosh Yeshiva at YU and a world-renowned Talmudic Scholar, Jewish philoso-pher and posek to American Jewry.

Rav Ovadia Yosef visited YU several times since that historic visit. The picture below was taken dur-ing one of his visits in the early 1980s; he is seated alongside YU students and Dr. Norman Lamm, chan-cellor of YU, and the late revered Hakham Barukh Ben-Haim a’h, who served as spiritual leader of the Syrian community of New York, and maintained a lifelong close relationship with both Yeshiva University and Rav Ovadia Yosef a’h.

Like Hakham Ovadia a’h, all the Sephardic

chief rabbis, known as “Rishon L’Zion,” beginning with the late revered Hakham Yizhak Nissim a’h in the 1960’s, Hakham Ovadia Yosef a’h, Hakham Mordekhai Eliyahu a’h, Hakham Bakshi Doron and Hakham Shlomo Amar, have visited YU and RIETS on numerous occasions; they have delivered high-level shiurim at YU, and have maintained close ties throughout the years with the rabbinic and adminis-trative leadership at Yeshiva over the past 50 years.

With his passing this past year we have truly lost a great Torah luminary who served as a premier posek of our generation, and has equally been a source of Sephardic pride. Rav Ovadia’s Torah legacy has been stellar throughout the Jewish world, and he has certainly left an indelible mark as one of the greatest rabbinic fi gures in modern times. His halakhic writings are indeed a monumental con-tribution to the corpus of Torah literature and his unifying impact on the Sephardic population all over the world will continue to inspire our people for generations to come. ❖

1. Top row: Rabbi Yitz Rosenblum, Josh Poltenson, Hillel Novetsky Bottom row: Hakham Barukh Ben-Haim a’h, Dr. Lamm, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a’h, Rabbi Krimsky, Rabbi Jeffrey Palay2. Dr. Belkin, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rabbi Dweck, Rabbi Soloveitchik

1. Rabbi Lieberman a’h delivers lecture at YU2. Richard M. Joel speaking at memorial service at YU in memory of Rabbi Lieberman a’h3. Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky speaking at memorial service at YU in memory of

Rabbi Lieberman a’h

Rabbanit Bar Shalom Speaks at Memorial for her Father Hakham Ovadia a’hShortly after the passing of Hakham Ovadia Yosef a’h, Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future, in partnership with the Sephardic Community Program on campus, presented a special edition of the Abraham & Millie Arbesfeld Kollel and Midreshet Yom Rishon in tribute to Gadol Hador Maran Harav Ovadia Yosef a’h.

The keynote presentation, which took place during the fall 2013 semester, was made by Rabbanit Adina Bar Shalom, founder, CEO and chair of the Board of Directors of the Haredi College of Jerusalem, and daughter of Rav Ovadia Yosef a’h. Rabbi Moshe Tessone made special remarks about Hakham Ovadia and recited the Hashkava.

The program also featured refl ections by Rabbi Hershel Schachter, a Rosh Yeshiva of RIETS and Rosh Kollel of the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel, and Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, a Rosh Yeshiva of RIETS, on Hakham Ovadia’s impact on Jewish life and practice. ❖

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7Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

1. The Rishon L’Zion Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim a’h, addressing assembly2. Left Rabbi Joseph Karasick, Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim a’h, Rabbi Aharon Shatzkes a'h, Mr. Levine3. Dr. Samuel Belkin, a'h, Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim a’h, Rabbi Mordecai Kirschblum,

Rabbi Dobrinsky, Rabbi Berzon a’h, Rabbi Seymour Turk a’h4. Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim a’h, unidentifi ed, Rabbi Mordecai Kirschblum a’h,

Rabbi Jacob Nefoussi a’h, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman a'h5. Rabbi Avigdor Cyperstein a’h, Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, a’h, Dr. Belkin,

Rabbi David de Sola Pool, a’h, Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Lesin a’h

Yeshiva University has created a chair in Sephardic studies and a scholarship fund, established in 2009 by Naumi Alcalay a'h, in honor of her parents, at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Dr. Ronnie Perelis was appointed to the new Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham and Jelena (Rachel) Alcalay Chair in Sephardic Studies (Judeo-Spanish) in August 2009.

In 1970, Yeshiva University honored Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay at a Sephardic Heritage Dinner held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, where the featured speakers were Dr. Samuel Belkin a’h and The Hakham, Rabbi Dr. Solomon Gaon a’h.

Naumi Alcalay a'h, believed that her parents would be thrilled to know that today’s students can learn about the history and culture of Sephardic Jews from countries such as Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia.

Naumi Alcalay’s father, Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham Alcalay, and her mother, Jelena Alcalay, dedicated their lives to serving Sephardic Jewry in Europe and America. ❖

The Chief Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham And Jelena Alcalay Chair in Sephardic Studies (Judeo-Spanish)

Chief Rabbi Visits to YU: A Historical GalleryRishon L’Zion Hakham Yitzhak Nissim a’h, (1960’s)

1. Jelena (Rachel) Alcalay a’h2. Rabbi Dr. Isaac Abraham Alcalay a’h3. Rabbi Alcalay a’h, addressing Heritage Dinner, Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, Hakham Gaon a’h

4. Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay a’h, and entourage5. Rabbi Alcalay a’h, and wife Jelena Alcalay a’h,6. Rabbi Alcalay a’h, and Nobel Laureate René

Cassin at YU Convocation in 1973 when he received an honorary doctorate

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8Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

1. Hakham Gaon a’h, with Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h, and entourage

2. Rabbi Shaul Kassin, unidentifi ed, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h, Dr. Dobrinsky, Rabbi Hecht a’h, unidentifi ed, with students in background

3. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h greeted by Dr. Dobrinsky

4. Back row: Dr. Dobrinsky, Rabbi MutzapiFront row: Rabbi Leiberman a’h, Rabbi Charlop, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Rabbi Tessone

5. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h delivering lecture in main Beit Midrash

6. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a’h addressing gathering

Chief Rabbi Visits: A Historical Gallery ContinuedRishon L’Zion Hakham Ovadia Yosef (1970’s) a’h

Rishon L’Zion Hakham Mordechai Eliyahu a’h (1980’s)

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1. Dr. Dobrinsky, Gabriel Eshaghian being blessed by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a’h, David Eshaghian

2. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef addresses dinner audience 3. Rabbi Dweck, Rav Ovadia Yosef, Dr. Dobrinsky,

Rav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik a’h, Dr. Belkin a’h 4. Rabbi Raymond Harari, Abe M. Cohen, Rabbi Ovadia

Yosef a’h, Hakham Barukh Ben-Haim a’h 5. Rabbi Dobrinsky escorting Rav Ovadia Yosef a'h

with crowd, Rabbi Dweck 6. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a'h, Hakham Barukh Ben-Haim Back Row: Unidentifi ed, Rabbi Sion Maslaton, 7. Dr. Lamm, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a'h and students 8. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a'h addressing a YU gathering 9. Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a'h, Rabbi Yosef Dov Halevi

Soloveitchik a’h, Dr. Samuel Belkin a’h, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop

10. Rabbi Dweck, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a’h, Rabanit Yosef a’h, Dr. Dobrinsky

11. Dr. Dobrinsky greets Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a'h,student in background, Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie

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9Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

Rishon L’Zion Hakham Bakshi Doron a’h (1990’s)

1. Ebrahim ben Davood Eliyahu Eshaghian a’h, Rabbi Bakshi Doron, David Eshaghian, Dr. Lamm

2. Rabbi Bakshi Doron touring YU campus with Dr. Norman Lamm

3. Ebrahim ben Davood Eliyahu Eshaghian a’h, Rabbi Yedidia Azrahian, Rabbi Bakshi Doron, David Eshaghian, Rabbi Soleyman Dayan a”h

4 Unidentifi ed, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Rabbi Bakshi Doron, Rabbi Zevulun Lieberman a’h, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Dr. Norman Lamm, Dr. Dobrinsky, Rabbi Robert S. Hirt

5. Dr. Dobrinsky greets Hakham Bakshi Doron

Rishon L’Zion Hakham Shlomo Amar (2000’s)

1. Rabbi Moshe Tessone, Rabbi Elie Abadie greeting Rabbi Shlomo Amar2. Rabbi Amar and President Richard M. Joel3. Rabbi Amar, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rabbi Yona Reiss4. Rabbi Marc Penner, Rabbi Amar, Rabbi Abadie, Rabbi Tessone5. Rabbi Amar, President Joel, Rabbi Gershon Yankelevitz a’h6. Rabbi Amar delivers lecture in Glueck Beit Midrash7. Rabbi Amar and Rabbi Ben-Haim with YU students Photo Credits: Yeshiva University Archival Collection/Curator, Shulamith Berger

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YU Sephardic Campus Programs: A Year in Review

Memorial Event Commemorating Rabbi Ovadia Yosef a’hStudents and faculty of Yeshiva University gathered to commemorate and pay tribute to the late revered Hakham Ovadia Yosef a'h on Nov. 5 (the third night of Kislev) at YU’s Zysman Hall. The assembly took place on the 30th day after the passing—part of the tradition to hold a memorial service known as a “Sheloshim” and to deliver divrei hesped (words of eulogy). The program began with an introduc-tion by Rabbi Simon Basalely, the Edmond J. Safra Sephardic S’gan Mashgiah at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Moshe Tessone recited Tehillim in memory of Hakham Ovadia, after which Rabbi Eliyahu Ben- Haim began the eulogies. Rabbi Ben-Haim spoke of Rav Ovadia’s incredible ability to make the Torah and its laws accessible to all Jewish people, even applying the halakha in very lenient but halakhi-cally permissible ways when he felt it was neces-sary. Rav Ben-Haim’s presentation was followed by Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, dean emeritus of RIETS and special advisor to the President on Yeshiva Affairs, who shared his personal memories of Rav Ovadia’s visits to Yeshiva University, and in particular his role in helping secure Rabbi Ben-Haim as YU’s Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva. Hakham Ovadia indeed regarded Rabbi Ben-Haim as a Talmudic expert and a leading Sephardic halakhic authority in North America.

The third eulogy was delivered by Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, who conveyed many anecdotes illus-trating Rav Ovadia’s greatness and concern for the Jewish people. The ceremony was concluded by the recitation of a Hashkava (memorial prayer) by Hakham Ben-Haim. Students afterward said they felt privileged to have taken part in such a powerful evening of inspiration in memory of Hakham Ovadia Yosef a’h.

Sephardic Shabbat Luncheon—Shabbat of Parashat Bo Rabbi Basalely hosted over 30 Sephardic students at his home for kiddush and lunch on a January 2014 Shabbat. The event was particularly timely as the students celebrated the upcoming hilula of the great Sephardic leader Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzira, betterknown as the Baba Sali. Rabbi Basalely shared a story and divrei Torah about the Baba Sali, and the students, led by a large French-Moroccan contin-gent, sang the well-known pizmon, “Yodu Lekha Ra’yonai,” which was authored by the Baba Sali him-self. The students, who came from varied Sephardic backgrounds, also sang Judeo-Spanish classics like “Quando El Rey Nimrod” and “Bendegamos.” Students had the opportunity to share divrei Torah as well. The Basalelys served homemade Sephardic food such as lahama b’ajin as well as more classic

Shabbat dishes. The students (and the Basalely family) look forward to many more such gatherings.

Shabbat Zakhor and Purim at Yeshiva University Sephardic Beit Midrash The Sephardic Students packed in to the Sephardic Beit Midrash for the biggest and most exciting Shab-bat of the year. Friday night included a standing-room-only crowd to welcome in the Shabbat as a Sephardic community. On Shabbat morning the beit midrash reached capacity early on in the tefi llah, pushing the crowd into the larger Morgenstern Beit Midrash downstairs. Approximately 70 men and women, mostly students and alumni of Yeshiva University, fi lled the room to pray together and hear the reading of parshat Zakhor. continued on page 11

The Sephardic Student Club and the Sephardic Community Program, benefi ting from the leadership and encouragement of Rabbi Moshe Tessone and from Rabbi Simon Basalely’s daily oversight, have presented and participated in numerous special Sephardic campus events over the course the academic year. Some of them are as follows:

A group of nearly 20 young men from Hillel Yeshiva High School of Deal, NJ visited the Yeshiva University campus for a day of learning activities and a grand campus tour during the spring 2013 semester. The group, comprised of many Syrian-Sephardic students from Monmouth county area of New Jersey, were greeted by offi cials from the YU admissions team and were addressed by Rabbi Moshe Tessone, director of YU’s Sephardic Community Program, followed by a question and answer session. The visiting students were also given a special treat as they heard a shiur delivered by YU’s Sephardic Rosh Yeshiva Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim. They also interacted with some of YU’s current Sephardic students.

In recent years Yeshiva has experienced a signifi cant increase in the number of students from Hillel High School, some of whom opt to enroll in the Sy Syms School of Business. The educational leadership at Hillel, including Rabbi Howard Bald, Dr. Ruth Katz, Rabbi Saul Kassin and Rabbi Victor Gheriani (RIETS 2010) and Sam Saka, president of Hillel, has been instrumental in encouraging their students to pursue a college education at YU. Here, students can achieve academic excellence while being immersed in a wholesome environment of Torah learning and Sephardic life, including daily Sephardic minyanim. ❖

Hillel HS of Deal NJ Visits YU Campus

Rabbi Tessone delivers shiur in Sephardic Beit Midrash

Dr. Dobrinsky addressing students at YU who are visiting from Escola Beit Yaakov, São Paolo, Brazil

Rabbi Ben-Haim learning with students in Sephardic Beit Midrash

Dr. Jacob Tangir with son Elie Tangir and Rafi Katz

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Sephardic Campus Programscontinued from page 10

The tefi llah was followed by a lavish kiddush and luncheon, prepared primarily by Rabbanit Basalely, featuring delicious food, communal singing and Torah study in anticipation of the upcoming Purim holiday. As soon as Shabbat ended, over 100 men and women of the Sephardic Yeshiva University commu-nity joined together on the lower level of Morgen-stern Hall to pray Arbit and to hear the reading of the Megillah. Purim day the Sephardic Beit Midrash hosted two morning minyanim, the fi rst one begin-ning before sunrise. This pre-Purim Shabbat and the Purim festival itself gave the Sephardic students an excellent opportunity to join together and pray in their nussah, and to hear the Megillah in their nus-sah while enjoying collective time in a warm campus community holiday environment.

Sephardic Shabbaton II The Sephardic community on campus enjoyed the second of two major Sephardic Shabbatonim of the year on Shabbat Parashat Tazria, March 2014. The standing-room-only crowd of students joined togeth-er for Minha and Kabbalat Shabbat in the Sephardic Beit Midrash, with a d'var Torah from Rabbi Basalely. The students, many of whom were staying in Yeshiva for the fi rst time for Shabbat, were uplift-ed by the ru'ah (spirit) and beautiful singing during the tefi llah. After the tefi llah, the students headed to the cafeteria for the fi rst seudah. Many students had the opportunity to sit with Rabbis Avidan Elkin and

Simon Basalely, both of whom joined the students for the fi rst seudah in the cafeteria. In honor of the Shabbaton, special Sephardic delicacies were served to all the students. The Shabbat zemirot were also coordinated especially for the Sephardic Shabba-ton, as both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic students joined together for singing Sephardic classics like “Ki Eshmera Shabbat,” “Nagillah” and “Habibi.” After the seudah, the students proceeded to the Rubin Shul where they were treated to “hamin” (cholent), refreshments and divrei Torah from Rabbi Herschel Reichman, Rabbi Avidan Elkin and Profes-sor Daniel Tsadik. Shabbat morning services were beautifully led by the students, including members of the Syrian, Persian and French-Moroccan com-munities. The services were followed by a delicious lunch and kiddush in the Sephardic Beit Midrash serving wonderful Syrian delicacies. Rabbis Elkin and Basalely shared Divrei Torah while the students fi lled the beit midrash with pizmonim and zemirot. Seudah shelishit was again another opportunity for the students to join together in the Sephardic Beit Midrash for a meal with more singing and more divrei Torah from Rabbi Elkin. Overall, the students were delighted with the experience of a warm Shab-bat in the Yeshiva, which gave them the opportunity to both integrate with the larger student body while celebrating in the ways of their tradition.

Hazkarah for Hakham Zion Levi a’h It is exceedingly rare for one rabbi to have as much impact on a community as Hakham Zion Levi had on the Jewish community of Panama in his 57 years as their spiritual leader. On Wednesday night, Oct. 30, Rabbi Basalely hosted several Panamanian students for a learning session in memory of their late beloved rabbi and leader. The evening began with a video presentation by Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim who discussed many of Rabbi Zion Levi’s accomplish-ments in Panama, such as establishing an education-al system, strengthening the kashrut and bringing intermarriage to near zero. The students then heard from Rabbi Levi’s grandson, Avi Levi, a senior in Yeshiva College, about some of his memories of his grandfather. The evening continued with studying Torah in memory of Rabbi Levi and concluded with Rabbi Basalely sharing some thoughts about lessons the students could learn from the life and legacy of such a great person. The students truly appreciated the opportunity to join together and to honor the memory of their esteemed rabbi. ❖

Dr. Nicole Shreiber-Agus, director of YU and Einstein’s Program for Jewish Genetic Health, along with the program’s genetic counselor Estie Rose, visited Rabbi Tessone’s Sephardic Halakha class at Stern College for Women in March. During the visit, the two women dis-cussed the importance of genetic testing in the Sephardic Community. They introduced them-selves and their platform by asking students why they believe the Sephardic students were not “invited” to the genetic testing event for Ashkenazic Jews hosted at the Yeshiva College Campus earlier in 2014. The goal of the visit was to provide an open forum for the young women to ask questions about the prevalence of genetic diseases in the various Sephardic and Mizrahi communities.

The session was both educational and informative, as many students learned about the prevalence of genetic diseases in the various Sephardic sub-groups, as well as the modes of genetic inheritance in these groups. Dr. Shreiber-Agus and Rose explained that genetic testing in the Sephardic and Mizrahi populations is unique because the genetically distinct Jewish groups in

the United States are from different regions of the Middle East and North Africa, and the Jews from each region may be carriers of specifi c genetically transmitted diseases; however, these can be iden-tifi ed and curbed with proper outreach, testing and treatment.

There was an open discussion between the panelists and Rabbi Tessone’s students, who hailed from various communities in the U.S. and abroad including the Judeo-Spanish community in Seattle, the Mashadi community in Great Neck, the Moroccan community of Casablanca and the Syrian community of Panama. The event ended with a chance for students to ask the researchers questions and to connect with them; the hope is that they will serve as liaisons in their hometown Sephardic communities, where they may be able to spread awareness about population genetics and how genetic diseases can be prevented. ❖

Einstein’s Program for Jewish Genetic Health Visits Sephardic Students at SCWBy Jackie Benayoun

Dr. Nicole Shreiber-Agus with Esti Rose

Students engaged in Pizmonim Club activities, singing in Sephardic Beit Midrash

Prof. Claude (Dov) B. Stuczynski, Dr. Perelis, Dr. Dobrinsky

Students in Sephardic Beit Midrash at Sephardic Shabbaton Motza’ei Shabbat event

Rabbi Basalely speaks with students in Sephardic Beit Midrash

Rabbi Basaley addressing students

Students studying in Sephardic Beit MidrashDr. Tsadik, Dr. Perelis

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12Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, visited the Yeshiva University-affi liated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) during the spring 2013 semester.

The chief rabbi, also known as the Rishon LeZion, was welcomed with a performance by YU’s Sephardi choir before delivering a shiur to students in the Glueck Beit Midrash. He then offered divrei chizuk to students in the James Striar School of General Jewish Studies/Mekhina Program during their siyum of Masekhet Tamid, and participated in a luncheon with various roshei yeshiva, members of the YU faculty and administration and local Sephardi community leaders.

“It is truly a privilege to have Rav Amar in the Yeshiva,” said Rabbi Marc

Penner, dean of RIETS. “So many things come together when he is here: Ashke-nazim and Sephardim, Israel and the Diaspora. His visits not only enlighten us, but remind us of how close we are as a people.”

This was Rabbi Amar’s fourth visit to the YU campus in recent years. His wife, Rabbanit Mazal Amar, delivered a lecture titled “Women’s Leadership According to Hazal” to students on the Israel Henry Beren Campus.

“Hakham Amar’s visit was particularly exciting this time, because he was here to visit the talmidim of the Yeshiva as well as to attend the RIETS dinner,” said Rabbi Moshe Tessone, director of the Sephardic Community Program at YU. “His unique ability to connect in his presentations to people of all ages and to students of varied demographic and religious backgrounds is really remarkable.” ❖

Rabbi Shlomo Amar Delivers Shiur to Students, Meets with Roshei Yeshiva

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu’s Visit to YURabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, visited the YU campus and the Yeshiva University-affi liated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) during the spring 2014 semester. Rabbi Eliyahu is the son of the late revered former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Hakham Mordekhai Eliyahu a’h, who visited YU and RIETS numerous times during his lifetime.

Rabbi Eliyahu was greeted by Rabbi Moshe Tessone and Rabbi Simon Basalely, and he also had the opportunity to meet with various roshei yeshiva and members of the YU faculty and administration, including Rabbi Dr. Herbert

C. Dobrinsky, Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Dr. Elazar Hurvitz.Rabbi Eliyahu not only gave a shiur in the main beit midrash of Glueck, but

he also spoke in the Sephardic Beit Midrash to some of the Sephardic students. There, he fondly described his late father’s remarkable accomplishments as one of the great rabbinic sages of our generation. Rabbi Mordekhai Eliyahu a’h was the son of Hakham Suleiman Eliyahu of Baghdad who lived during the era of the Ben Ish Hai and had a relationship with him as well. ❖

4. Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Rabbi Avraham Amar, Rabbi Ben-Haim 5. Rabbi Amar, Rabbi Zev Reichman6. Richard M. Joel with Rabbi Rabbi Amar

1. Rabbi Amar with YU Mekhina Class2. Rabbi Amar, Rabbi Tessone, Leon Levy3. Students look on at Rabbi Amar lecture, YU

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13Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

Mekhina Class Visits Rebbe’s OhelIn honor of Lag La’Omer, Rabbi Tessone’s JSS/Mekhina class spent an afternoon visiting the Ohel of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson a’h.

Rabbi Yagen Speaks at YUYU’s Sephardic Club hosted Rabbi Yaakov Yagen as a guest speaker during the spring 2013 semester. The event was orga-nized by club leaders including Benjamim Lugassy and several others. This was Rabbi Yagen’s second visit to the YU campus and was very well received by all who attended, including many Sephardic young women from Stern College for Women. Rabbi Yagen’s inspiring words of Torah and life anecdotes were particularly exciting to today’s young men and women; he has a unique ability to identify with the young generation who appreciate his timely message. ❖

Sefer Torah Dedicated for the Sephardic Beit Midrash

The Sephardic Community Program at Yeshiva received a new and beautifully written Sefer Torah for the Sephardic Beit Midrash in July 2013. The Torah scroll was donated by Mr. Benjamin M. Aminoff in memory of his nephew Sam Aminoff a’h.

The festivities began with the completion of the letters of the Sefer Torah in the lounge of Morgenstern Hall, and continued with a processional of joyous liturgical pizmonim and dancing onto the pedestrian mall of Amster-dam Avenue on the YU Wilf Campus. The traditional singing and dancing continued into the Sephardic Beit Midrash where the new Torah was placed alongside two other scrolls in the “Heikhal” (Holy Ark). A brief dedication ceremony was conducted in the Beit Midrash by Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim, Rabbi Moshe Tessone and Rabbi Simon Basalely.

Dr. Dobrinsky, who shared words of inspi-ration at the dedication, said: “This sefer is particularly beautiful and will be put to much good use by our students in their daily and Shabbat services; indeed, it also marks a new beginning for the Sephardic Beit Midrash and the rabbinic leadership will benefi t from it in the coming years.”

The donor, Benjamin Aminoff, also ad-dressed the audience and expressed his joy and gratitude for the opportunity to partake in this great mitzvah. He also shared his par-ticular personal fulfi llment in knowing that the new Torah scroll was being placed in a sanctuary that will put it to immediate and frequent use. The program concluded with a delicious meal in Morgenstern lounge. The event marked the inaugural occasion for Rabbi Simon Basalely, who is the grandneph-ew of Mr. Benjamin Aminoff. Rabbi Basalely is also the newly appointed Edmond J. Safra Sgan Mashgiah who will fi ll this newly estab-lished position to work with the Sephardic students on the Wilf Campus, made possible by a grant from the Edmond J. Safra Philan-thropic Foundation.

“This dedication was especially meaningful because Rabbi Basalely is closely related to the Aminoff family,” explained Rabbi Tessone. “He now has the unique opportunity to oversee the religious growth that will be reaped from the frequent use of this Sefer Torah.”

Since this dedication, Benjamin Aminoff a'h, passed away in March 2014, but his contribu-tion to the Sephardic students at YU lives on. ❖

Rabbi Tessone’s class in front of Rebbe’s Ohel on Lag La’omer YU Mekhina students visit Lubavitcher Rebbe's Ohel Students praying at the holy site

1. Rabbi Yagen speaks with students2. Women of Stern college attending Rabbi Yagen’s lecture at

YU Wilf Campus3. Rabbi Yagen addresses YU students4. Ben Lugassy (YU Sephardic Club President) with Rabbi Yagen

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4. Rabbi Ben-Haim dancing with New Torah5. Rabbi Ben-Haim addressing gathering in

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Sefer Torah in front of Sephardic Beit Midrash on Amsterdam Avenue

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14Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

Jackie Benayoun is a graduating senior at Stern College for Women and a student in the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program where she majored in biochemistry. She is of Sephardic-North African descent, as her father was

born in Morocco. After graduating from Shevach High School in Queens, she attended a year at Michlalah Jerusalem College where she greatly enriched her Torah knowledge and deepened her love for Eretz Yisrael. During her year in seminary, she connected to her Sep-hardic heritage by visiting the kivrei tzadikim of the Sephardic gedolim, including Rav Yosef Karo and the Rambam, a’h.

During her undergraduate days at Stern College, Benayoun participated in various programs that exemplifi ed her leadership abilities including tutoring inner-city children through Project START Science in Washing-ton Heights and tutoring at Norman Thomas

High School in New York City. In addition, Benayoun applied her love for help-ing others to a non-academic setting, serving as a hospital leader for Project TEACH at New York Presbyterian Hospital, a program aimed to perform activi-ties and experiments with hospitalized children and their siblings. Benayoun’s passion for community service also extends well beyond the Yeshiva University community. This summer, she participated in the prestigious Roth Scholars’ Program at YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Benayoun is as enthusiastic about her Sephardic heritage as she is about her scientifi c achievements. In fact, she has merged the two interests by writ-ing about the possibility of genetic testing in the Sephardic community in the Stern College Science and Torah journal Derech Hateva. As a member of the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program, she has decided to make the topic of her honor's thesis the prevalence of genetic diseases in the various Sephardic sub-groups. Her love for her heritage has inspired her to accept and appreci-ate the differences among Jews, and to recognize the importance of Jewish community outreach. Benayoun hopes to become a medical doctor serving in the fi eld of obstetrics and gynecology and in doing so, to spread awareness about genetic diseases and how they can be prevented. ❖

Daniel Danesh (YC 2013) and his twin brother David (SSSB 2013), are Sep-hardic Students who attended YU and are fi rst generation Iranians Americans who grew up in Brooklyn, NY. Both attended Yeshivat Ateret Torah for elemen-

tary and high school. Following their graduation from Ateret Torah they both studied at Yeshivat Torat Moshe in Jerusalem for a period of two years, after which both enrolled at YU’s un-dergraduate studies program. While at YU Daniel received a degree in Hebrew Literature with Latin honors from Yeshiva College (YC) and Da-vid was a leading student at the Sy Syms School of Business (SSSB).

Daniel and his twin brother Da-vid, are both currently attending YU’s

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where they were awarded the Dean's Merit Scholarship to study at Cardozo School of Law. They are also both cur-rently working as LSAT instructors at Kaplan Test Prep in NYC. They are also both currently serving on YU alumni boards as members of the YU GOLD Society with Daniel serving on the YU Young Alumni Committee and the YU Nachshon Society.

As an undergraduate student, Daniel was also elected Co-President of the Jacob Hecht Pre-Law Society for two terms. In addition, he also served as President of the Torat Moshe Symposium at YU for two terms as well. In 2012, he placed as a fi nalist at the Sy Syms School of Business Fast-Pitch Sales Competition. As an undergraduate student, David was very involved in campus activism and student leadership. With his brother, he has also been the Co-President of the Jacob Hecht Pre-Law Society for two terms, together with serving on the boards of the YU Real Estate and Management Clubs. David also interned in his last semester with YU’s Offi ce of the General Counsel as a speechwriter for the General Counsel.

By combining their love for Torah observance and their interest in becoming professional lawyers serving in the corporate world, both Daniel and David will continue to exemplify the Jewish ideal of leading a life that combines ‘Torah U' Madda’ in a most fulfi lling way. ❖

Jackie Benayoun

We Take Pride in Our Students

Congregation Shearith Israel in The City of New YorkThe Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue’s Role in The Development of Yeshiva University’s Sephardic Studies Programs is Remembered With GratitudeCongregation Shearith Israel in the City of New York, the Mother Synagogue of American Jewry played a critical role in the development of Yeshiva University’s Sephardic Studies Programs in 1964 under the leadership of Rabbi David de Sola Pool and his congregation’s clergy and lay leadership. The establishment of the Sephardic Hazzanut courses at the Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music was initiated by the congregation’s Hazzan, Reverend Abraham Lopes Cardozo, a’h who taught the Occidental Nussah Hatefi llah for decades, which was aug-mented by Hazzanim of the Syrian community’s congregations who taught the Oriental Nussah Hatefi llah. The Sephardic Reference Room which houses the largest Sephardic Collections in North America was established through the generosity of their Trustee, Ronald P. Stanton (who later became the largest Benefactor of YU with his $100 million gift) and a Chairman of the YU Board of Trustees. The Library’s Sephardic Reference Room was donated in honor of the congregation’s past president, Judge Edgar J. Nathan Jr., a’h, and Mr. Ivan Salomon, a’h, who had provided the necessary funds to cover the expenses of travel and lodging for The Hakham, Rabbi Dr. Solomon Gaon, a’h, Chief Rabbi of the Sephardic Congregations of the British Commonwealth, who never accepted personal compensation until after his retirement from that prestigious rabbinic position to assume full-time teaching as YU’s Professor of Sephardic Studies. The congregation during the Presidency of Edgar J. Nathan 3rd, a’h, engaged the fi rst Sephardic rabbi ordained by the Sephardic Rabbinic Program at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary to assume a pulpit, Rabbi Dr. Marc D. Angel, currently its Rabbi Emeritus, is serving the congregation with distinction for forty fi ve years and was the youngest rabbi, and the fi rst Sephardic rabbi, to become the President of the Rabbinical Council of America. He was an award-winning author of many books on Sephardic history and related subjects and the Congregation has continued to engage its rabbis and Hazzanim from YU’s affi li-ated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary ever since. Its current spiritual leader is the highly respected rabbinic scholar, Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik. The Congregation’s Sisterhood provided scholarship help for deserving and needy Sephardic students at Yeshiva University and the Congregation hosted the Central Sephardic Jewish Community’s Men’s and Women’s Divisions, where its current Women’s president, Mrs. Irma Cardozo, provides annual contributions to YU’s Sephardic Student Scholarships. The editors of “The American Sephardi”, Journal of YU’s Sephardic Studies Programs, Professor Herman P. Salomon and the late Tomás L. Ryan, Esq., a’h, produced outstanding academic articles until the publication ceased publication in 1978.

Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky has reported that the initial fi nancial support for Yeshiva University’s Sephardic Student Scholarships and special projects was

secured from the Congrega-tion’s members, among other communities who followed their example and were in-spired by the leadership they provided, which they regarded as an endorsement of this ma-jor Yeshiva University historic program.

The lay leaders of Con-gregation Shearith Israel, whose names are too many to list, played a very important role in the acceptance of the Yeshiva University initiative by President Samuel Belkin, Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinsky and The Hakham Rabbi Dr. Solomon Gaon who came to spend one month a year to travel with Rabbi Dobrinsky throughout the United States and Canada to recruit students and fi nancial support, and to be available for consultations with leaders of all Sephardic congregations in North America. The rabbis and key offi cers attended several Synagogue Leadership Conferences organized by Rabbi Dobrinsky. The congregation’s infl uence spread to leaders on the Board of the Sephardic Home for the Aged in Brooklyn, some of whose mem-bers belonged to The Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst and other congregations in New Jersey, the Bronx and in Brooklyn, all of whom became involved with Yeshiva University. At a later time, members of Nassau County and many com-munities outside of New York joined in sending students and became involved on a personal level and fi nancial basis.

YU President, Professor Richard M. Joel, Dr. Norman Lamm, President Emeritus and Rabbi Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, YU’s Vice President for University Affairs and co-founder of, and consultant to, and overseer of all the Sephardic Programs at Yeshiva University and Rabbi Moshe Tessone, Director of Sephardic Community Programs and Strategic Planning, all join in expressing Yeshiva University’s everlasting appreciation of its past and present kinship with Con-gregation Shearith Israel which played such an important role in strengthening Yeshiva University from the inception of its Sephardic Studies Programs until now as we celebrate our Jubilee Anniversary (1964–2014). ❖

Daniel and David Danesh

Jackie BenayounThe Danesh Twins at YU

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15Jubilee Anniversary Edition YU Sephardic Programs

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY SEPHARDIC GRADUATES 2014

ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINEDoctor of Medicine(as of May 28, 2014)

Michael Sassoon AboodiBS, Yale UniversityDavida CohenBA, Yeshiva UniversityEdward Jack EbaniBS, Brandeis UniversityFrank LalezarzadehBS, Cornell UniversityWendy Lauren RabbenouBA, Yeshiva UniversityMichael Aaron ShamoonBA, Wesleyan UniversitySahar Eshrat ZaghiBA, Yeshiva University

EINSTEIN GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES—SUE GOLDING GRADUATEDIVISIONDoctor of Philosophy(as of January 31, 2014)

Jeannette Anne NachbarBA, Yeshiva UniversityMA, Columbia UniversityMS, Albert Einstein Collegeof MedicineKifC3 Promotes Mitotic Progres-sion and Integrity of the Central Spindle in Cytokinesis

Doctor of Philosophy(as of May 28, 2014)

Ariana Bree HarariBA, Wheaton CollegeMS, Albert Einstein Collegeof MedicineThe Role of FGF Signaling in Early Embryonic Forebrain DevelopmentEpidemiology of HPV31 Evolutionand Pathogenicity

Rachel S. SalamonBA, CUNY–Queens CollegeMS, Albert Einstein Collegeof MedicineClass I and Class III PI3 Kinases in Endocytosis, Integrin Signaling, and Nutrient Sensing

AZRIELI GRADUATE SCHOOLOF JEWISH EDUCATION ANDADMINISTRATIONMaster of Science(as of September 30, 2013)

Ouriel Isaac Hassan

Master of ScienceAccelerated Program(as of September 30, 2014)

Tali Sasson

BENJAMIN N. CARDOZOSCHOOL OF LAWMaster of Laws(as of January 15, 2014)

Neta HassidimLLB, MBA, College of Management–Israel

Master of Laws(as of May 27, 2014)

Alain D. BensimonLIC, MAIT, Université de Paris X–FranceAlison E. BensimonBA, New York UniversityJD, Loyola University ChicagoLaurie Esther MamaneMA 1, MA 2, LIC, Université de Paris-Sud XI–France

Juris Doctor(as of January 15, 2014)

Jacob S. AryehBS, New York University

Juris Doctor(as of May 27, 2014)

Morris S. DweckBA, CUNY–Brooklyn CollegeThema A. EmanuelBA, University of PennsylvaniaMichael J. Emrani

BS, University of Southern CaliforniaJoseph A. FrancoBBA, CUNY–Baruch College

Brachah GoykadoshBS, MA, CUNY–Brooklyn CollegeDavid IsraelBS, New York UniversityAdrienne D. LevyBA, SUNY–BinghamtonAbraham Z. MelamedBA, Touro CollegeDanit L. MishaniBA, SUNY–BinghamtonBenjamin D. OhebBA, New York UniversitySara RohaniBA, Hofstra UniversityZubin D. SoleimanyBA, Bennington CollegeNicole M. WaknineBA, Rutgers UniversityMichael Oriel ZarifpoorBA, Yeshiva University

BERNARD REVEL GRADUATESCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIESMaster of Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Jonathan Jacob CohenGidon Michael Shamir

Master of Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Ezra AshkenazieMeyer E LaniadoYoel Saidian

FERKAUF GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGYMaster of Arts(as of January 15, 2014)

Michael AnavianBA, CUNY–Queens College

Doctor of Psychology(as of September 30, 2013)

Ariella AbrahamBA, Touro College

WURZWEILER SCHOOL OFSOCIAL WORKMaster of Social Work(as of May 30, 2014)

Lillian Beth Rishty

Certifi cate in JewishPhilanthropy(as of May 30, 2014)

Alisha J. AbboudiKeith S. Barbarosh

SY SYMS SCHOOL OFBUSINESSWilf Campus

Bachelor of Science(as of January 31, 2014)

Raphael Nessim AbergelJoseph Dilmani CLeon FrancoOren Heskia CItamar Nissim

Bachelor of Science(as of May 30, 2014)

Brett Baruch Bar-Eli HDaniel BenchimolAbraham BendahanJonathan Danesh HEdward Dayan HJoshua Eleyahouzadeh HJacob Robert FrancoDaniel Yehuda HazanMordechai KhaimovMoises Isaac Tarazi

Bachelor of Science(as of September 30, 2014)

Shlomo Shawn Aziz HEzra BarryJoshua S. Cohen HIsaac Henry HarariEvan KalatizadehYonatan Kamel H

Asher Perez HMeir Tordjman

SY SYMS SCHOOL OF BUSINESSIsrael Henry Beren Campus

Bachelor of Science(as of January 31, 2014)

Morgane BenarrochLiyah Moran Eliyahu

Bachelor of Science(as of May 30, 2014)

Lauren Esther Guenoun

Master of Science in Accounting(as of May 30, 2014)

Raphael Nessim AbergelMichelle Khakshoor

Executive Master ofBusiness Administration(as of September 30, 2014)

Adebola Alade AdedimejiShlomo Amram

GRADUATE PROGRAMS INARTS AND SCIENCESSTERN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

Associate in Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Morgane Benarroch Koral Rivka DadonLiyah Moran EliyahuAvital MeiriBriana MizrahiBarbara OuaknineTalia SaghianMalka SassonNasim Tishbi

Associate in Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Yael AlmaniRachel AmsellemTovly AronovMargot Michelle AtriLeslie AzranRebecca Leah BenhaghnazarAshley Myriam BenloloDana Ariela Ben-ZakenTamar Zilpa BenzaquenElana Sarah BetaharonEllie Faye BlancoTamar Henrietta BuzagloVictoria Elizabeth ChabotDevora CohenPenina Sima CohenSara Malka CohenSharon CohenNeda EghbaliGabriella Hannah Michelle ElkaimYael Malka FarzanDaniela GarzonDeena R. GilboaLauren Esther GuenounSharon HaimShlomit Tehila KahanDesiree KashizadehMariya KulangiyevMichelle N. LeviTal H. MeiriSarah Miriam MizrachiGabriella Eftihia NunezShaina SanieoffLea L. SoussanRebecca TabarokiJessica TuachiDevorah E. YarmushMoran YazdaniDoreen Zehavi

Associate in Arts(as of September 30, 2014)

Stephanie AbrahamJacqueline Simha BenayounLeedan CohenAnna Nathanie HakakianYonati Esther HaymovMiriam KhukhashviliElina MosheyevaAriella Raviv

Batya SadekZelda Rachel SalfatiSara Elizabeth Shamir

Avital TzubeliElvira Yevdayeva

Bachelor of Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Tal Ben-ZakenKoral Rivka Dadon SAvital Meiri MBriana Mizrahi MBarbara Ouaknine CTalia SaghianMalka Sasson CNasim Tishbi S

Bachelor of Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Yael Almani HTovly AronovLeslie Azran HRebecca Leah Benhaghnazar HDana Ariela Ben-Zaken HTamar Zilpa Benzaquen HElana Sarah BetaharonEllie Faye Blanco HTamar Henrietta BuzagloDevora CohenPenina Sima Cohen H*Sara Malka Cohen H*Sharon Cohen HNeda Eghbali HGabriella Hannah Michelle ElkaimYael Malka Farzan H*Daniela Garzon HSharon HaimShlomit Tehila KahanMariya Kulangiyev HMichelle N. Levi HTal H. MeiriSarah Miriam Mizrachi H*Gabriella Eftihia NunezShaina Sanieoff HNancy Shilian H*Lea L. SoussanRebecca Tabaroki HJessica TuachiMoran Yazdani HDoreen Zehavi

Bachelor of Arts(as of September 30, 2014)

Jacqueline Simha BenayounAnna Nathanie Hakakian HYonati Esther HaymovMiriam KhukhashviliElina MosheyevaAriella RavivBatya Sadek HZelda Rachel SalfatiLeora Sanieoff HSara Elizabeth ShamirAvital TzubeliElvira Yevdayeva

Master of Arts in Biblical andTalmudic Interpretation(as of May 30, 2014)

Rachel Chaviva AbboudiSarit Bendavid

JSS/JAMES STRIAR SCHOOLAssociate in Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Raphael Nessim AbergelArman DavtianJoseph DilmaniLeon Franco

Associate in Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Alon AvitanJacky BedaDaniel BenchimolJacob Robert FrancoElliot ShavalianMoises Isaac Tarazi

Associate in Arts(as of September 30, 2014)

Isaac Henry HarariMeir Tordjman

ISAAC BREUER COLLEGEOF HEBRAIC STUDIESAssociate in Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Itamar Nissim

Associate in Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Abraham BendahanGabriel DavidoffDaniel Yehuda HazanMordechai Khaimov

YESHIVA COLLEGEBachelor of Arts(as of January 31, 2014)

Jonathan Andrew Abda SMatthew Mosheh NassimiMichael YousefzadehBachelor of Arts(as of May 30, 2014)

Nathan Yehuda Ben Agi H*Michael David AhdoutIsaac A. Attia HAri Yonah Bardash HJacky Beda HTeddy Edery HEli A. EliasOren Eliahu Ishal HAbraham Joseph Levy HMichael Mizrahi HJedidiah SeguraElliot Shavalian HDarren Lyndon Sultan HIrving David Sultan HYousaf Zaghi H

Bachelor of Arts(as of September 30, 2014)

Noah Ariel CohenRafael David DayanJonathan Ismaili HEitan J. Selevan

Abbreviation Key:S: Summa Cum LaudeC: Cum LaudeM: Magna Cum LaudeH: HonorsH*: Completed the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva College or the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program at Stern College for Women

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AWARDS AND HONORS

VALEDICTORIANS

JSS/JAMES STRIAR SCHOOLIsaac Araten Memorial Award forExcellence in BibleJacky BedaDaniel BenchimolTeddy EderyMoises TaraziMeir Tordjman

Isaac Araten Memorial Award for Excellence in TalmudJoseph DilmaniJoshua EleyahouzadehAlan Geni

Professor Solomon WindMemorial Award in Jewish Studiesand Character (Valedictorian)Elliot Shavalian

ISAAC BREUER COLLEGE OFHEBRAIC STUDIESBlanche Attas ZuckermanMemorial Award for Excellencein Sephardic StudiesNathan Agi

Isaac Araten Memorial Award forExcellence in Jewish StudiesAsher Perez

YESHIVA PROGRAM/MAZERSCHOOL OF TALMUDIC STUDIESFOR EXCELLENCE IN TALMUDThe Meyer and Bella RhineMemorial AwardAbraham J. LevyDarren L. Sultan

The Rose Rachel SiegelEndowment Foundation AwardEvan Pieri

YESHIVA COLLEGEProfessor Meyer Atlas MemorialAward for Excellence in BiologyNathan AgiEvan Pieri

Professor Michael Bernstein Memorial Award for Excellence in BibleGilad Barach

Departmental Award forExcellence in SociologyMichael Mizrahi

Biblical Joseph Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Study of EconomicsEvan Pieri

Samuel and Emily Granet LemlerMemorial Award for Excellencein Pre-Medical StudiesOren Ishal

Masmid Award for OutstandingService to the Student BodyElliot Shavalian

Gertrude Nissenbaum Memorial Award for Excellence in Computer ScienceIrving SultanJordan Sved

Orthodox Union Award forExcellence in Jewish StudiesJonathan Drory

Fannie and Asher Scharfstein Award for Best Essay on Gemilut ChesedDavid Drory

The 2013–2014 Lillian F. and William L. Silber Professor of the Year AwardAmish Khalfan

Dr. Samuel Soloveichik Prizein Natural ScienceDarren Sultan

David and Rebecca Wolstein Memorial Award for Excellence in PsychologyElliot Shavalian

SY SYMS SCHOOL OF BUSINESSBernard Brown Award for Business StudiesBrett Bar-Eli

The Lillian F. and William L. SilberProfessor of the YearGalit Ben-Joseph

Professor Richard WilliamsMemorial Award for Service andCharacterBrett Bar-Eli

Dean’s Award for ScholasticAchievement in ManagementJosh Eleyahouzadeh

Dean’s Award for Serviceand CharacterJonathan Danesh

STERN COLLEGE FOR WOMENAmerican Institute of ChemistsAward for Excellence in ChemistrySarah Mizrachi

Jason Botnick Memorial Award for the Pursuit of Graduate Studies in Jewish EducationVictoria ChabotBenjamin and Jennie HammerMemorial Award for Excellence inPolitical SciencePenina Cohen

Ida Lamport Hurewitz MemorialAward for Excellence in PsychologyYael Malka Farzan

Langfan Family ConstitutionalOratorical Prize–First PlaceYael Malka Farzan

The Dean David Mirsky MemorialAward for Excellence in Studio ArtVictoria Chabot

The Dean David Mirsky MemorialAward for Excellence in Creative WritingYael Malka Farzan

Marcia Pearlstein Memorial Awardfor Excellence in Hebraic StudiesAvital Meiri

The Edward A. Rothman MemorialAward for the Best Paper onIssues in Judaism in PracticeYael Malka Farzan

The Lillian F. and William L. SilberProfessor of the Year AwardAaron Cohen

Ann and David SteinbergMemorial Award for Growth andCommitment to Jewish StudiesMichelle N. Levi

With Gratitude to our Current Major DonorsWe would like to acknowledge with gratitude the current generous support of the following families who have taken a lead role in enabling the YU Sephardic Community Program to fl ourish and for their kind help in providing scholarships that benefi t our deserving and needy Sephardic students at Yeshiva University.

Jack AttiaLydia and Joseph AbergelThe Ades Family FoundationSara and Albert AllenNazanin and Joseph AmirianRenée and Ezra DabahMartin Elias and FamilyThe Elyachar Family Foundation

Simone and David EshaghianThe Gindi Family/Century 21

Associates FoundationBeatrice Levy Scholarship FundFran and Leon L. LevyThe Leon Levy Family FoundationThe Families of the late

Joseph E. and Sam Maleh, a’h

The Maybaum Brothers Memorial Fundfor Fellowships, Scholarships and Professorships

The Mitrani FoundationChella and the late Moise J. Safra, a’hThe Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation The Sephardic Geriatric Foundation of New York, Inc.The Sephardic Jewish Center of CanarsieDebra and Asher Zamir

Urgent Appeal For Scholarship Aid For ImmigrantAnd North American Sephardic Students

Many Sephardic students from Canada, France, Morroco, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Bukhara and elsewhere are eager to enter Yeshiva University. We are launching an urgent scholarship appeal for these students to raise the necessary funds to

accommodate them. The cost for tuition, dormitory and the minimum food plan, plus fees, is $49,630 per student.

Please complete and detach this form and send it with your tax deductible scholarship gift made out to:YESHIVA UNIVERSITY SEPHARDIC STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

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

Credit card contributions will also be accepted. Please call 212.960.0850NAME ________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________

CITY _________________________________________________

STATE ___________________ ZIP _________________________

TELEPHONE __________________________________________

CELLULAR ___________________________________________

Contributions of $100,000 or more will establish a personal endowed scholarship and blended scholarship (half expendableand half endowed) in your name that will be listed in all appropriate University publications in perpetuity.

CONTRIBUTION

Please indicate the amount of your scholarship gift for Sephardic students at Yeshiva University:One Year Full Expendable Scholarship: l $49,630Personal Endowed Scholarship: l $50,000Personal Endowed and Blended Scholarship: l $100,000

Partial Scholarships:

l $26,000 l $7,500 l $1,000 l Other l $18,000 l $5,200 l $501 _______________ l $10,000 l $2,600 l $101

תזכו לשנים רבות נעימות וטובות“May you merit many years in good health and happiness.”

If you receive more than one copy of this YU Sephardic Newsletter, kindly share it with a friend who will appreciate its content.