Sunday, August 8, 2010

Day 6: Saying Farewell to the SEC in Jerusalem




With the end of the SEC’s Summer Institute program this week, I leave the magical Old City of Jerusalem and Israel with fond memories. The seminar this past week was full of insightful halachah according to Sephardic scholars, a look at the Sephardic traditional Judaism and the influence of Sephardic Jewry on Israeli society today.

Perhaps one of the most memorable aspects of this visit to the SEC for me was seeing the organization’s founder, Dr. Jose Nessim, witness the flourishing of this non-profit he set up 30 years ago. While there was no official passing of any “Sephardic torch” from Dr. Nessim to the other executive board members of the SEC, I could see the tremendous pride in his eyes everyday as he attended the seminar’s activities. In addition I also found the visit by Israeli Member of Knesset, Rabbi Haim Amsellem another very interesting twist to the week-long program. This is because Amsellem discussed his recent proposals to offer a moderate traditional religious Sephardic approach to the troubling question of Jewish conversion for approval as law in the Knesset. I was additionally surprised to learn from reporter Yossi Klein Halevi that an Iranian Jew, like Meir Banai, had had such an influence on contemporary Israeli rock music! Lastly it was refreshing to discover that there is a Sephardic organization in the world like the SEC which is seeking to both keep alive the beauty of its traditions and also maintain a traditional but non-fanatic approach to Judaism today.

About 14 years ago I arrived at the SEC as a soon-to-be college student and embarked on a trip of Israel which was life transforming for me. Israel is and will always be a very special place on earth for me. This partly because of the warm welcome I have always received at the SEC. So spending this special week at the SEC in Jerusalem brought back those old memories and solidified the fact that the SEC is indeed my home away from home in Israel! The organization and its members are incredible individuals who make me proud to be a Sephardic Jew in the 21st century.

In closing, I tip by hat to the SEC’s leadership and to Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, who organized is remarkable seminar in Jerusalem. Thank you rabbi for allowing me to witness this historic transformation of the SEC and to blog about it. My blessings and love to the SEC’s executive board…you are on your way my friends to a very bright future ahead!

Here are some closing remarking from SEC executive board member Neil Sheff about this week’s seminar…





SEC member Moussa Shaaya also sends his closing well wishes to Dr. Nessim here…





-- Karmel Melamed

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Shabbat at the SEC was spiritually uplifiting...



For those of us that have experienced the start of Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem praying at the Western Wall, there is only one word to describe it…magical! Since the SEC is situated only five minutes from the Western Wall, our group enjoyed a very spiritual and uplifting Shabbat praying in the evening at the Kotel. We later enjoyed a fun filled a relaxing Shabbat dinner in the SEC’s courtyard area.

Shabbat morning was filled with continued prayer at the SEC’s chapel with their donated Torahs and followed with lunch. Later in the afternoon the rabbis had a lively discussion about Jewish religious laws in a Q&A secession. Finally Shabbat was brought to a close in an uplifting Havdalah. Ultimately Shabbat at the SEC in Jerusalem turned out to a remarkably relaxing, spiritual and thought provoking time as our summer seminar was completed.

-- Karmel Melamed

Friday, July 30, 2010

Day 5: Looking into the future with new SEC manifesto...



This morning the SEC’s Rabbi Bouskila presented the executive board of the organization with the SEC’s new proposed “manifesto” of moving the group forward in the 21st century. The plan outlines efforts to have the SEC provide traditional Sephardic religious education, potential on going training courses for rabbis as well as an array of youth programs. In my opinion, perhaps one of the most important components of the plan was its overriding goal to provide a moderate yet traditional approach to Sephardic Judaism. From our brief education on the long history of Sephardic religious sages and legal ruling during this week, it seems as if they have maintained a voice of moderation. Therefore I think it’s only natural for Rabbi Bouskila and the SEC to continue with this long standing tradition of maintaining a moderate Sephardic approach through out all their programs and efforts.

The feedback from the SEC’s executive board was indeed positive but various additions and recommendations being offered to the plan. Some individuals also tossed around the idea of possibly changing the organization’s name in an effort to attract new faces to the SEC. Whether any name changes will be made, time will only tell. However it seems as if the SEC is on its way to pursing new and exciting endeavors in the next five to ten years.

-- Karmel Melamed





Day 4: Detour to the ruins of Beit She'an


(Beit She'an Mayor Jackie Levy)


As our time in Safed was coming to an end, at dinner we were joined by Jackie Levy, the mayor of the Israeli city of "Beit She'an" which is also located in northern Israel near the border with Jordan. Levy, who is son of the former Israeli Foreign Minster David Levy, invited us to see a light show at the ruins of the ancient city of Beit She'an. We took him up on his offer and journeyed to Beit She'an that evening only to be mesmerized by the creative light show that had been incorporated in the excavated ruins of Beit She'an.

According to our tour guide, Beit She'an was once a thriving Roman city completed with trading, bath houses, theatres and other attractions for visitors traveling through the area. Unfortunately several centuries later the city was destroyed in a massive earthquake that leveled the city completely. During the last 20 years the residents of Beit She'an, with some government funding excavated the ruins and uncovered a remarkable city.

The following is a brief video from the light show at the ruins...




Here are some other snapshots of the ruins I captured that evening...











(SEC's executive board member Ray Malell)

Day 4: On the road to Safed - Elvis, Kabalah and the Shulchan Aruch

The journey from the SEC’s base in Jerusalem to the mystical Sephardic city of Safed (a.k.a. Tzfat) in northern Israel was a three hour drive and full of interesting surprises along the way. On the way to Safed, our group briefly stopped by a rest stop which interestingly enough was dedicated to the late “King” of rock n’ roll Elvis Presley. While we enjoyed our own boxed lunches, I could help but noticed the face of Elvis plastered everywhere in the nearby diner, a souvenir store and complete with a gigantic bronze statute of man who had a likeness to Elvis but had Asian eyes and a Jewish “Chai” necklace around his neck! It's interested how Israelis sometimes take on American entertainment icons and put their own twists to them. Here are just a few photos from the rest stop…








Upon our arrival in Safed, our tour guide took us to a series of ancient and well known synagogues including the Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue, the Abuhav Synagogue and the Yosef Caro Synagogue. Each synagogue was unique in itself with elaborate designs but the Caro Synagogue which was very simple had plenty of significance for our group. This because in the 16th century, Caro is best known for composing the “Shulchan Aruch” (Hebrew translation for ‘set table’) which is a codification of Jewish law. Together with its commentaries, it is frequently considered the most authoritative compilation of Jewish law. We learned that Caro was a mystic of his time and believed strongly in Kabalah, Jewish mysticism.

In addition to the various synagogues in Safed, we were also enticed to shop at the countless art stores in the city. Here are just a few of the snapshots I captured from the city…











(Inside the Ashkenazi Ari Synagogue)




(Inside the Abubav Synagogue)









(Yosef Caro synagogue in Safed).



(Cave where it's believe Yosef Caro wrote the Shulchan Aruch)


(Rabbi Bouskila explaining how the Shulchan Aruch was prepared by Yosef Caro).


-- Karmel Melamed

Day 4: Picard sheds light on the real Rabbi Ovadia Yosef



Yesterday we were visited by Dr. Ariel Picard, a research fellow at the Jerusalem based Hartman Institute who researches contemporary Jewish law. In 2007 he his book on the Jewish legal decisions of the well known Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. Picard joined our summer seminar group to shed light on Yosef’s mindset when dealing with modern problems.

Picard said that Yosef Jewish legal finds tend to be more lenient because of his efforts to be more inclusive of various different groups. For example, when Yosef was approached give a ruling on what a local school should do with young ladies who wear mini-skirts instead of longer more modest dresses, the former chief rabbi recommended a compromise that they wear long pants instead of the mini-skirts. Picard said this was just one of many findings he uncovered showing that Yosef was trying to adapt Jewish laws to include as many people as possible, show some flexibility where possible and ultimately prevent them from leaving the faith if they may be unhappy with current Jewish religious law.

-- Karmel Melamed



(Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, former chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel)

Day 3: Amsellem’s Surprise Visit to SEC in Jerusalem



Israeli Member of Knesset, Rabbi Haim Amsellem is considered by many Israelis and the Israeli press as a maverick from among those in his “Shas” political party for his outspoken strong support for Sephardic Jewry regardless of party positions or political correctness. He’s also turned heads in Israel for offering potential solutions to pressing societal problems by presenting the various Sephardic religious Jewish law and approaches to such issues over the centuries.

Amsellem made a surprise visit to the SEC in Jerusalem on July 28, 2010 to share some insights about his approach to leadership and use of Sephardic religious and legal approaches to problems in Israeli society. “It’s forbidden for a leader to know something is the truth and keep it to himself out of fear,” said Amsellem. “Leadership is to stand for the truth in all circumstances, even when it’s not popular”.

Amsellem was treated like a bit of a “rock star” by various guests at the SEC because of his frankness, creative approach to Judaism in the modern world and use of Sephardic religious legal works to help bring about solutions in Israel from his position in the Israeli government. Amidst the recent controversy in Israel regarding new proposed conversion legislation, Amsellem shared a two volume research book he has been preparing over the last 20 years on the very topic of conversion from commentaries given by religious Sephardic religious leaders over the centuries. “There’s nothing in this book that’s new, I just pulled out what the Sephardic sages have determined and decided on the topic of conversion,” said Amsellem. “I can tell you there is a quiet revolution going on in Israel with this issue”. Never before in Israel’s history have the approaches of the Sephardic sages been looking to for solutions to serious problems in Israeli society. Whether Amsellem is successful in swaying other Israeli officials to accept his ideas, only the future will tell.

-- Karmel Melamed




(left to right; Rabbi Daniel Bouskila and Rabbi Haim Amsellem)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Day 3: It’s Torah Time at the SEC!



Nearly 60 individuals, supporters, friends and family members of the SEC in the Old City of Jerusalem packed their center for the completion and dedication of a brand new Torah. The holy scrolls were donated to the SEC by Israel Shalem, the administrative director of the center’s Jerusalem base in honor of his late father who passed away four months ago. At the same time, an older Torah was donated to the SEC in Jerusalem by the Los Angeles based Tifereth Israel synagogue. There was dancing, singing and celebration after the new Torah was completed at the SEC.

Here is video I captured of the celebration that took place at the SEC before the torah was completed…




Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, the director of special events for the SEC in Los Angeles sheds light on the significances of the Torahs and new Torah arks dedicated to the SEC’s Jerusalem Campus in this interview…





Here are just a few snapshots from the evening's celebrations...










-- Karmel Melamed

Day 3: Jackie Handaly - Sephardic Holocaust Survivor speaks out



During our visit to Yad Vashem this afternoon we also met Jackie Handaly, one of the few Sephardic survivors of the Holocaust who miraculously survived the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz and other concentration camps during World War II. Handaly was one of the 50,000 Jews living in the Greek port city of Salonica and in his early teens when the Nazis deporting him and his family to Auschwitz to be murdered. His parents and siblings were exterminated at the death camp but due to miracles he ended up working in the camp’s kitchen which allowed him to survive. Toward the end of the war, he was involved in the death marches out of Auschwitz and sent to other Nazi death camps which he again managed to survive.

At the end of the war a little less than 2,000 Greek Jews from Salonica survived the genocide with the majority of the population being completely obliterated by the Nazis. Handaly said that Greek Jews perished and suffered tremendously because unlike their Ashkenazi brethren in the death camps, they could not understand the German guards speaking to them nor could they endure the tremendous frozen temperatures of eastern Europe.

The following are three different videos from Handaly’s story I captured during his re-telling of his experience at the hands of the Nazis…










- Karmel Melamed




Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Day 3: Visiting Yad Vashem - Holocaust Remembrance



This afternoon, the SEC’s seminar participants visited Israel’s national Holocaust memorial at “Yad Vashem” where they paid their respects to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazi genocide during World War II. We traveled through the new museum and uncovered countless documents, photos and artifacts from the Holocaust. Often times scholars and teachers fail to convey the stories and impact of the Holocaust one the Sephardic Jews of Europe. At the same time the SEC’s seminar group learned more about some of the Sephardic victims of the Holocaust who primarily hailed from the large Greek port city of Salonica (a.k.a. Thessalonica). During 1943, roughly 50,000 of the city's Jews were deported to concentration camps, where most were murdered in Nazi death camps such as Auschwitz in Poland. On a sad note the group came across train tickets that Salonica Jews were actually fooled into purchasing so that they would pay for their death trips to Auschwitz. At the end of the war a little less than 2,000 Greek Jews from Salonica survived the genocide with the majority of the population being completely obliterated by the Nazis.

The sights and sounds of inside the Yad Vashem were often very difficult for those in our group to experience. I saw a number of them wiping away tears through out the entire visit. What was personally heartbreaking for me was to see the photos of the more than a million Jewish children who were murdered by the Nazi genocide. I couldn’t help but imagine what lives these children would have lead, or what achievements to humanity they might have been able to accomplish had they grown up or other ways in which they could have changed the world. The loss of so much innocent life was a tragedy for the Jewish people but also humanity because of the sheer magnitude of human life totally erased.

At the same time our tour guide for the day also made clear the message of many Jews worldwide and Israelis that Jews when it comes to the Holocaust that they will indeed never again allow another entity to eradicate them as the Nazis had had done. Acknowledging the Holocaust also helps all Jews (Ashkenazi and Sephardic) reinforce their sense of Zionism because of their determination to fight back and defend themselves when dictators or other extremists have had a chance to kill them off.

The below are just some of the snap shots I captured during our visit to Yad Vashem.

-- Karmel Melamed




























Day 3: Israeli journalist Meir Uziel




Grandson of Israel’s first Sephardic chief rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Uziel and now a well known newspaper columnist, Meir Uziel came to the SEC this afternoon to shed light on the life of his famous grandfather. “Ha-Rishon Le-Eretz Ziyyon” is Uziel’s best-selling biography of his grandfather that highlights the late rabbi’s interactions with British officials who controlled Israel before its establishment and his ability to use diplomacy properly in his role. Uziel also indicated that his late grandfather also have a modern view of the Torah and application of Sephardic traditions (halacha).

-- Karmel Melamed

Day 3: Shuraki’s quest for Sephardic social activism in Israel




One of the few Sephardic group’s in Israel that is seeking to train Israeli rabbis to better address social needs in their society is Memizrach Shemesh. This morning Rabbi Yizthak Shuraki, the Memizrach Shemesh’s Director of the Rabbinic training course, outlined some of the activities his organization is undertaking to help transform the mentalities of the country’s rabbis—which may ultimately help the people of Israel. Shuraki said the overall objective of his program was to offer rabbis in Israel with the knowledge and training to resolve issues of identity and serious social problems instead of merely addressing smaller topics of keeping kosher, or keeping the Sabbath or traditions. One success story Shuraki outlined was of a religious rabbi who had completed the program at Memizrach Shemesh and returned to his community to encourage young religious men to complete their high school education. This effort would result in enabling religious men in Israel to be able to earn a living, instead of being trapped in poverty or the welfare system.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Shuraki’s program is the fact that it welcomes rabbis who are both Ashkenazi and Sephardic and hail from various levels of religiosity in the country. Interestingly, Shuraki’s program began in 2004 and 36 rabbis since then have completed the program since then. Participants of the S.E.C.’s summer seminar said they were impressed with and interested in Shuraki’s program being introduced in the U.S. for American rabbis.