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Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2026-02-23

RACHEL: A LIFE IN A TURBULENT CENTURY, WITH STELLA DARVEY JOORY

TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 
       7:00 pm UK/ 11:00 am PT/ 2:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm Europe / 9:00 pm Israel 

A new book called Rachel tells the story of the author’s mother, a girl born in the Jewish Quarter of Damascus, who in 1927 wins a scholarship to study in Versailles to become a teacher with the Alliance Israélite Universelle. Posted to Baghdad, she meets Victor, a young man from a wealthy Iraqi Jewish family,  fresh from years of study & work in Germany.

The book follows their relationship against the backdrop of the Holocaust & the upheavals of the 20th century.

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/89403174068?
Meeting ID: 894 0317 4068
Passcode: Joory

IMPORTANT: Only participants identified by name, and not 'Ipad' or 'Wonderwoman', willl be admitted. The event will be recorded.

Get the Book: bookshop.org/p/books/rachel-a-

Event Info: harif.org/event/rachel-a-life-

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewish #JewishHistory #JewishWomen #MENA #Sephardi #Mizrahi

Harif UK Association of Jews from the MENA presents Rachel, Life in a Turbulent Century Black and white photo of a large wedding reception.
דער קערפער פֿון השםdukepaaron@babka.social
2026-01-11

"#Historically, long before the emergence of modern #nationalism or centralized institutions, #Jewish connectivity was sustained primarily through extended family networks that spanned continents. These #kinship systems linked distant communities through marriage alliances, commercial partnerships, #rabbinic succession, and diplomatic brokerage, forming a durable transregional architecture that allowed Jewish life to persist despite political upheaval, expulsion, and shifting imperial borders.

Rather than operating as isolated enclaves, Jewish communities across the #Mediterranean basin and the #MiddleEast functioned as nodes within a continuously reinforced familial web.

#Genealogically, prominent #Sephardi lineages illustrate how these networks operated in practice."

blogs.timesofisrael.com/jewish

Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-12-31

*Moroccan Jews in the Americas. Tuesday 13 January 2026, 7:30 pm UK, 2:30 pm ET.

The largest Jewish community in the Arab world, Jews in Morocco have a remarkable history of migration. In the 19th century they sought their fortunes in South America, settling in the Amazon . In more recent times they moved to the US and Canada.They have proved to be a resilient and enterprising community.

ZOOM login details will be sent to every person on our mailing list a few days before the event. Enquiries info@harif.org

Mailing List: harif.org/subscribe-to-our-mai

#Mazeldon #Jewish #Judaism #MENA #Sephardi #Mizrahi #JewishHistory

Harif Association of Jews from the MENA Lockdown Lectures www.harif..org Dr. David Bensoussan has been a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure de l'Université du Québec since 1980. As well as publishing in his chosen field, he is a polymath and prolific writer.
דער קערפער פֿון השםdukepaaron@babka.social
2025-12-28

The identical nature of Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, and Megyn Kelly's antisemitic rhetoric with a large portion of the modern left is a case of 'allayall are the same enemy' as far as I'm concerned. Anyone who feels more comfortable aligning themselves with these people ideologically without interrogating why they're in alignment and rejecting it is a dangerous fn kookball.

"[T]he real outrage here is the insidious underbelly of his argument: the suggestion that #Jews today aren't "real" descendants of biblical #Israelites. This is straight out of the #antisemite's playbook, echoing debunked #Khazar #conspiracy theories that have fueled #pogroms and prejudice for centuries. The science is overwhelming and unambiguous. Peer-reviewed studies from powerhouse institutions like Harvard and Hebrew University show that #Ashkenazi, #Sephardi, and #Mizrahi Jews share deep #Levantine roots tracing back to ancient populations, with natural admixtures from #diaspora life."

jfeed.com/news-world/tucker-ca

Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-12-15

From Reboot:
This season, bring a vibrant new tradition to your Hanukkah or winter gatherings with Erev Yalda: A Celebration of Persian-Jewish Winter Traditions, a short film and beautifully designed digital resource guide from Reboot Studios.

Resources: rebooting.com/article/erevyald

#Mazeldon #Jewish #Judaism #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #Persia #WinterSolstice #Hanukkah

Celebrate Light and Resilience with Erev Yalda  Download Resource Guide for the Persian-Jewish Winter Solstice Celebration. Winter Solstice Overlaps with Hanukkah Sunday, December 21 Blending the ancient Persian solstice festival Yalda with the themes of Hanukkah, Erev Yalda offers a fresh way to honor light, warmth and resilience during the darkest time of year. Conceived by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Rachel Sumekh and food writer Tannaz Sassooni, the project invites communities of all backgrounds to embrace connection and hope through shared ritual, food, poetry and storytelling. The short film, featuring Michaela Watkins, Noam Shuster-Eliassi and Tehran Von Ghasri, beautifully captures this unique cultural intersection. Set amid glowing candles, Persian rugs and a menorah, it evokes both the ancient roots and new spirit of the celebration. “Erev Yalda is a living ritual—a way for Iranian Jews to build new traditions and share them with others in a way that respects the past but feels resonant today.”  - Rachel Sumekh In 2025, the Winter Solstice falls on the morning of Sunday December 21, overlapping with Hanukkah. Download the Erev Yalda Guide, complete with background, discussion prompts and ideas for celebration.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-12-08

From Harif:
The largest Jewish community in the Arab world, Jews in Morocco have a remarkable history of migration. In the 19th century they sought their fortunes in South America, settling in the Amazon.

In more recent times they moved to the US and Canada.They have proved to be a resilient and enterprising community, and individual Moroccan Jews have excelled in their respective fields.

Info: harif.org/event/moroccan-jews-

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewish #MENA #Sephardi #Mizrahi #JewishHistory

Amerique Terre d'accuell Moroccan Jews in the Americas  WITH DAVID BENSOUSSAN TUESDAY 13 JANUARY   7:30 pm UK / 11:30 am PT / 2:30 pm ET / 8:30 pm Europe / 9:30 pm Israel Collage of scenes from early american history. Dr. David Bensoussan has been a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure de l'Université du Québec since 1980. As well as publishing in his chosen field, he is a polymath and prolific writer. He has produced writing on  subjects ranging from the a bible commentary to a novel, to articles on contemporary politics.  His main passion, however,  remains Morocco, where he was born. He has written scores of articles and given dozens of lectures. He has received several prizes for his work. He has served as President of the Communauté Sépharade Unifiée du Québec and has been involved in philanthropic, community and interfaith organizations for many years.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-12-02

From Harif UK:

Hanucah this year begins on 14 December and lasts for eight days. Because the festival commemorates how the oil in the Temple lasted miraculously for eight days, it is customary for Jews to eat fried foods. Ashkenazim indulge in latkes and jam doughnuts, but Sephardim prepare a rich variety of fried foods.

Join Zoom meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/88282523576?

Meeting ID: 882 8252 3576
Passcode: doughnuts

IMPORTANT: Please note that no registration is required but for security reasons, only participants identified by name, and not 'Ipad' or 'Wonderwoman', willl be admitted. The event will be recorded.

To see recordings of previous events,  click here: youtube.com/user/bataween1/vid

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #Judiverse #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #JewishFood #JewishHistory #Judaism #Jewish

BEYOND LATKES! A SEPHARDI HANUCAH WITH LINDA DANGOOR, VIVIANE BOWELL & RAQUEL LEVY-TOLEDANO TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2025 At 7:30 pm UK / 11:30 am PT / 2:30 pm ET / 8:30 pm Europe / 9:30 pm Israel Raquel Levy-Toledano from Morocco, Viviane Bowell from Egypt and Linda Dangoor from Iraq will each share a favourite Hanucah recipe. They will talk about how the festival was celebrated in their country of birth. Photo: Moroccan sfenjs
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-11-04

Mizrahi Heritage Month from JIMENA

Click here for more info:
jimena.org/mizrahi-heritage-mo

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #Jewdiverse #Jewish #Judaism #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #JewishHistory

Mizrahi Heritage Month The history that connects us all: From the first diasporas in the Middle East to Jewish Life around the world our story is one of resilience, return, and connection. Collage of black and white photos of Mizrahi Jews in various national styles of historic apparel and jewelry.
Serge from Babkaserge@babka.social
2025-09-26

I'm watching a live Jewish concert, and you can be too!

youtube.com/watch?v=jXWayrcvRi

Balkan Sephardic Songs by Shira utfila

#Music #Sephardi #Jewish #Mazeldon

Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-07-24

"We are proud to launch JIMENA’s Jewish-Iranian Resource Guide—a living resource created to help educators, community leaders, and individuals better understand the history, heritage, and contemporary realities of Iran’s Jewish community."

By utilizing and sharing this guide, you help preserve the history and amplify the voices of Iranian Jews—past and present.

Link: sepharditoolkit.org/wp-content

#Mazeldon #Jewish #Judaism #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #JewishHistory

Introducing JIMENA's Jewish-Iranian Resource Guide This guide arrives at a critical moment. As tensions between the regime in Iran and Israel escalate, and the remaining Jews of Iran live under increasingly precarious conditions, it is more important than ever to amplify their voices and preserve their story. Once numbering over 100,000, Iran’s Jewish population has now dwindled to fewer than 10,000. Their existence is too often erased or exploited for propaganda purposes. The Iranian Jewish community is central to JIMENA’s mission. This guide reflects not only our commitment to education, but also our dedication to honoring and uplifting a diaspora community whose story spans 2,700 years—and whose resilience endures to this day. This living guide will continue to grow and evolve as we discover new materials. It includes links to lesson plans, books, articles, documentaries, videos, educational units, social media content, podcasts, testimonies, and more. Whether you're an educator building a curriculum map or someone seeking to learn, this resource is for you.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-07-24

News From JIMENA:
“In a post–October 7th world—where so many Sephardi & Mizrahi Americans have been directly affected by events in Israel & the ME, and amid rising antisemitism & social strain—our research & community experience point to a clear demand for culturally responsive training for health professionals & social service providers working with Sephardic & Mizrahi Jews," said Sarah Levin, Executive Director at JIMENA.

“This inaugural cohort—comprising of therapists, counselors, crisis & trauma practitioners, providers for aging populations & at-risk youth, and clinical social workers—reflects that demand.”

Over a series of sessions, the Fellows...will explore a range of topics relevant to working with Sephardi, Mizrahi, and other unique Jewish communities. These include mental health stigma..., LGBTQ youth, inter-generational trauma in immigrant and refugee families..., and economic vulnerability."

Meet the cohort on Instagram: instagram.com/p/DMY6koTyICx/?h

#Mazeldon #Sephardi #Mizrahi

JIMENA - Jews Indigenous t the Middle East and North Africa In First-of-its-Kind Program, Jewish Social Service Professionals Receive Specialized Training to Better Serve Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews Through JIMENA's Sephardic Leaders Fellowship, a select cohort of 30 health professionals learn from experts to provide culturally responsive care and support. The cohort will also engage in discussions on trauma-informed care with a focus on sexual abuse, as well as traditional Sephardic perspectives on identity, belonging, and community care. This will include a dedicated session on vulnerable Sephardic and Mizrahi LGBTQ youth, led by JQY. Additionally, participants will receive a foundational overview of Sephardic Jewish history, context, and key definitions“Sephardic Jews 101.” “Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities reflect a wide spectrum of cultures, histories, and social service needs. We are proud to support a group of exceptional practitioners who are deeply committed to expanding their cultural competencies and advancing more responsive and inclusive models of care. Every member of the Jewish community in need of social services deserves to be met with respect, understanding, and informed support. We are especially grateful to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for making this initiative possible and for their dedication to strengthening the well-being of our diverse Jewish communities.”
Serge from Babkaserge@babka.social
2025-07-02

TIL I learned Eugene Levy is Sephardi!

#SephardiRepresentation #Sephardi #Mazeldon

Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-06-05

From JIMENA:
Sontinuity: The Tree and the Web

The scientific study of sound explains how Sephardic Jews have been able to transmit tradition and culture over time despite a history of traumatic rupture.
By Vanessa Paloma Elbaz

More than just a written reflection, this piece includes audio recordings that allow readers to experience the musical traditions discussed — a rare opportunity to not only read about heritage, but to hear it come alive.

Click below to read and listen to this unique exploration of Sephardic memory through sound:
distinctionsjournal.org/the-tr

#Mazeldon #Jewish #Judaism #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #JewishMusic

JIMENA Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa In a powerful contribution to JIMENA’s Distinctions Journal, scholar and vocalist Vanessa Paloma Elbaz, PhD explores the deep role of sound in preserving Sephardic identity across generations. "In her essay, “Sontinuity: The Tree and the Web,” Elbaz introduces a compelling framework for understanding Sephardic cultural transmission. The Tree symbolizes structured traditions passed through synagogues, family, and formal ritual. The Web represents the organic, sensory ways culture flows — through lullabies, songs, and oral storytelling, often shared in intimate, domestic spaces... Dr. Elbaz is a researcher on the UKRI project Ottoman Auralities, a senior research associate at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge, and founder of the KHOYA Jewish Morocco Sound Archive. Her forthcoming monograph, Sontinuities: Cycles of Sound in Jewish Northern Morocco, will be published with Brill." Distinctions is the online journal of JIMENA that elevates the voices and talents of Sephardi and Mizrahi scholars, researchers, artists and activists. Our content challenges traditional narratives about Jewish people and communities, and addresses contemporary Jewish concerns through a classical Sephardi and Mizrahi lens. Our mission is to spread knowledge so that everyone can better appreciate these important distinctions, while providing a vehicle that treats Sephardi and Mizrahi people with distinction.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-05-09

"As JIMENA prepares to release three landmark studies — including a national demographic study of Sephardi Jewish Americans and two assessments of Jewish day schools and summer camps in Los Angeles and New York — we are not focused on a headline number.

Yes, our study will show that roughly 10% of American Jews identify as Sephardi, according to Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies, but the real power lies in the recommendations, not the numbers: the action steps, the language changes, the cultural shifts and interventions these studies propose."

Read the [subscription required] original article: ejewishphilanthropy.com/jewish

[Sorry, there doesn't seem to be a copy of the newsletter on the JIMENA site.]

#Mazeldon #jewish #Judaism #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #JewishHistory

JIMENA Jew Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa Jewish Demographic Research must be Followed by Meanaingful Action By Sarah Levin, eJewish Philanthropy, May 9, 2025 Email Newsletter excerpts: "...At the time of JIMENA’s founding, I was an undergraduate — one of the only Jews in my diverse friend group — grappling with my mixed Sephardi-Ashkenazi identity in the aftermath of 9/11. I didn’t feel like I belonged in any Jewish space, and I was searching for some indication that there was a place for me in the broader Jewish world. That same year, I read The Flying Camel, a groundbreaking anthology of essays by Middle Eastern and North African Jewish women edited by Loolwa Khazzoom. It changed the trajectory of my life. I began to understand that I fit into the messy, evolving space of a Jewish multicultural movement...pioneered by women like Khazzoom & Shahanna McKinney-Baldin, who planted seeds that are only now beginning to flourish. ...Language that has helped so many find their place in Jewish life is now being weaponized in intracommunal debates. Words like “Mizrahi” and “Jews of color” have become so politicized, so scrutinized, that they risk obscuring the very people they were meant to elevate. Instead of building bridges, we’ve become preoccupied with who gets to set the categories — who has the power of naming, who counts, who belongs and who doesn’t. Judaism itself is often completely missing from these conversations, replaced by a spiral of semantics...."
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-04-24

From Jimena, for those still on Instagram:
instagram.com/jimena_voice/?hl

Click on the icon that looks like this photo:

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewish #YomHaShoah #JIMENA #MENA #Sephardi #Mizrahi

JIMENA Yom HaShoah VeHagevurah Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day A time to mourn, remember, and stand united. Photo of a lit candle and an iron star of David, entertwined with barbed wire.
Serge from Babkaserge@babka.social
2025-04-13

A combining of cultures or a clash of titans?

#Charoset #Mazeldon #Passover #Pesach #Ashkenazi #Sephardi

Two bowls of charoset. On the left, a bowl of Moroccan charoset, and on the right, a bowl of Ashkenazi charoset.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-04-09

Discover Bsisa: A Pre-Passover
Tradition from Libya

Bsisa is a cherished Libyan-Jewish tradition observed in the days leading up to Passover—a symbolic ritual of abundance, renewal, and preparation.

It’s a beautiful example of the unique ways Jewish communities across the Middle East and North Africa mark this sacred time.

Click to view the full post on Instagram and learn more: instagram.com/jimena_voice/p/D

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #Jewdiverse #Jewish #Judaism #Pesach #Passover #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA

BSISA: A Libyan Jewish Passover Blessing A sacred ritual of protection, memory, and transition
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-04-09

From JIMENA:
These traditions—while beautifully varied—are also deeply interconnected, much like the Jewish people themselves. Our shared stories of resilience, liberation, and celebration unite us across geography, language, and time.

The guide features:
Traditional and contemporary Passover recipes from across the MENA region
Rituals and customs from countries like Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, and beyond
Links to stories, videos, and cultural content to deepen your holiday experience

PDF Link: jimena.org/wp-content/uploads/

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #Jewdiverse #Judaism #Jewish #Pesach #Passover #Seder #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA #Kosher

Honoring Sephardi & Mizrahi Passover Traditions Dear JIMENA Community, As we approach Passover, we’re proud to once again share JIMENA’s interactive Passover and Mimouna Guide—a cherished resource that highlights the rich, diverse traditions of Jewish communities from the Middle East and North Africa. The guide also includes a special section on Mimouna, the joyful post-Passover celebration rooted in North African Jewish heritage. Marked by open homes, sweet treats, and music, Mimouna reminds us of the importance of hospitality and community as Passover comes to a close. We hope this guide brings meaningful connection to your Passover experience and inspires you to honor and share the rich heritage of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews this holiday season. From all of us at JIMENA, we wish you a Chag Pesach Sameach—may this season of liberation bring you and your loved ones joy, connection, and peace. Warmly, The JIMENA Team
Leah kvetches all the timeLeah@babka.social
2025-03-07

The republican party is no friend to any non-christians and I am baffled how Jewish leaders fail to see that. They are using Jews to cosplay their end times fantasies, and nothing more.

"The Trump administration's halt to all refugee programs — except for the one serving white South Africans — has trapped more than 700 Iranian Jews who have applied for asylum as persecuted religious minorities.

Their advocates in the United States are desperately seeking a champion in Congress. But a March 15 deadline to reauthorize the Iranian religious minority program looms.

“I'm alone here in the United States and my family is in a bad situation,” said one Iranian Jew who arrived just weeks before Trump's inauguration. “I'm praying that maybe Donald Trump comes to understand the difference between Jews and minorities and everyone else in Iran. All Iranians are not the same.”

Read the Article: jta.org/2025/03/06/united-stat

#Mazeldon #Jewish #coup #Antisemitism #MENA #Mizrahi #Sephardi

Jewish Telegraph Agency: Trump promised to protect Jews and religious liberty. His refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews.
Chevra haChachamotchevrahachachamot@babka.social
2025-02-27

JIMENA is sharing an important new report released by our partner organization, Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC), which documents the history, heritage, and forced displacement of Iraqi Jews—one of the world’s oldest and most influential Jewish communities.

Access the full report here for the JJAC report on Iraq: justiceforjews.com/iraq-report

Read the JPost article about it: jpost.com/middle-east/article-

JIMENA continues to work toward truth, recognition, and justice for Jews from Arab countries and Iran. Thank you for being part of this mission.

Support JIMENA: buy.stripe.com/6oE7vaelbdjZasw

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #Jewdiverse #Jewish #JewishHistory #Sephardi #Mizrahi #MENA

JIMENA Jews Indigenous to the Middle East & North Africa New Report Sheds Light on the History & Dispossession of Iraqi Jewry For over 2,500 years, Jews thrived in Iraq, shaping Jewish life through their contributions to scholarship, commerce, and culture. The Babylonian Talmud, a cornerstone of Jewish law, was written in Iraq, and the Jewish community played a vital role in shaping the region’s history. However, by the mid-20th century, state-sanctioned persecution & violence led to the forced displacement of over 135,000 Jews, bringing an abrupt end to this chapter of Jewish history. The JJAC report reveals that assets, institutions, and property seized from Iraqi Jews totaled over $34 billion in today’s valuation, underscoring the massive financial & cultural loss endured by this community. Despite this, the story of Iraqi Jews remains largely ignored in discussions of Middle Eastern history & population displacement. This report is the 2nd in a landmark series documenting the experiences of Jews from Middle Eastern & North African countries. The 1st report, released in December, focused on Syria, and additional reports on other MENA Jewish communities will be published in the coming months. At JIMENA, we remain committed to preserving & sharing the histories of Jews from the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), ensuring that their experiences are recognized & acknowledged. JJAC’s reports are a crucial step toward addressing historical erasure & advocating for justice.

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