18 July marked the 30th Anniversary of Hizballah’s bombing of Buenos Aires' AMIA (Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina) building, the Iranian regime’s deadly terrorist attack on the Argentinian Jewish community. Justice for the victims, the survivors, and Argentina remains elusive as the murderers continue to hold senior IRI positions and are aided and betted by “Qatar, Russia, Syria, Bolivia, and Nicaragua.” The IRI responded to the commemoration by threatening Argentina again, making a mockery of regime apologists and those who doubted prosecutor Alberto Nisman, HY”D, who was killed as part of the cover-up
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“The Talmud in Context | Dr. Shai Secunda”
By The Podcast of Jewish Ideas with J.J. Kimche
Dr. Shai Secunda
(Screenshot courtesy of Yeshiva University)
The Babylonian Talmud (BT) was produced within the Persian Sassanian Empire sometime between the 3rd and 6th centuries of the common era. How important is the Sassanian context for our understanding of the BT?
Dr. Shai Secunda is the leading spokesman for the academic school that stresses the relevance of the Sassanian context. His 2014 book, The Iranian Talmud: Reading the Bavli in Its Sasanian Context, articulated the main reasons for “reading the Bavli in Iran.” J.J. Kimche recently hosted Secunda on “The Podcast of Jewish Ideas” for a conversation that explored the way in which Sassanian notions of ritual purity, the veneration of fire and ideas regarding the afterlife impacted rabbinic thought and Jewish life.
One of Secunda’s basic points is that we cannot speak about Sassanian rule separate from Zoroastrianism, the ancient Iranian religion that was deeply integrated into the empire. A dualistic, ritually sophisticated religion that considered evil to be an independent entity originating outside of “good god’s” purview, the BT even records a theological disputation between the Jewish sage Amemar and a Zoroastrian magus, or priest, in which the rabbi humorously uses the magus’ dualistic premise against him:
A magus said to Amemar: From your waist upwards is of Hormiz (the good god): From your waist downwards is of Ahormiz (the evil god). Amemar said to the magus: If so, how does Ahormiz let Hormiz pass urine through his land (i.e., a person drinks with his mouth, which is in his upper half, and urinates from below)? Sanhedrin, 39a
As for what Kimche calls the elephant in the room, the question of Zoroastrian influence on Jewish life and practice, Secunda points to laws of family purity that were shaped in dialogue with the Sassanian context.
Ultimately, agues Secunda, Rabbinic and Zoroastrian texts “seem to be in conversation with each other… I think there’s much more to explore.”
A Psalm for the Hostages Still in Gaza
The ASF proudly supports the #BringThemHome campaign
More than 100 hostages are still being held in Hamas’ underground dungeons. Earlier this year, popular Israeli vocalist Omer Adam participated in an event remembering the hostages and praying for their return by offering a heartfelt rendition of Psalm/Tehillim 121:
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains—
from where will my help come?
My help is from the Lord,
maker of heaven and earth…
“Macro, Micro, and Balanced Perspectives: Thoughts for Parashat Balak”
By Rabbi Marc D. Angel, The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals
Rabbi Marc Angel, Joshua Benaim, and Rabbi Yamin Levy
(Screenshot courtesy of Zakaria Siraj/YouTube)
Rabbi Marc D. Angel notes how this past week’s Torah portion, “Balak,” includes a strange contradiction. On the one hand, we hear from Bil’am, the non-Jewish prophet-for-hire, that
none has beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither has one seen perverseness in Israel; the Lord his God is with Him…How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel. (Numbers 23: 21; 24:5)
On the other hand, at the end of the weekly portion, we read how
the people began to commit harlotry with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods; and the people did eat, and bow down to their gods…and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. (Numbers 25:1-3)
How are we to understand these two radically different pictures of Israel? According to R’Angel, Bil’am
offered a macro-perspective. A macro-perspective sees the big picture, but does not focus on specific details. From this grand perspective, the Israelites were a blessed nation, beloved by God, characterized by orderliness and righteousness.
However, “The Torah then provided a micro-perspective. A micro-perspective focuses on specific details, but omits the larger picture. It sees every blemish close up.”
R’Angel finds a general principle implied by the Torah’s double perspective: both the big-picture and the granular view are necessary for understanding reality, especially political reality. Today, however, there is a tendency to see only blemishes, especially when it comes to viewing Israel and the United States. Too often an obsession with Israel’s flaws overlooks “the noble ideals upon which Israel is based; they do not focus on the incredible idealism, righteousness, and fairness that characterize the Israeli nation.” Likewise, while the United States is constantly reminded of its past sins and contemporary shortcomings, America remains “a tremendous experiment in democracy, a monumental advance in human civilization… The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, changed the course of human history dramatically and very positively.”
Ultimately, R’Angel argues that “to only see the virtues of individuals, communities or nations is to engage in unhealthy fantasy.” Likewise, “To only focus on the flaws of individuals, communities or nations is to engage in destructive misrepresentation of truth.” The two contradictory perspectives in this week’s Torah portion constitute a “vivid reminder to maintain an all-encompassing macro and micro perspective. Our goal must be not to engage in propaganda, but in an honest and sincere search for truth.”
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Exploring Sephardic Customs and Traditions
By Hakham R’Marc D. Angel, Ph.D
Over the centuries, Jewish communities throughout the world adopted customs that enhanced and deepened their religious observances. These customs, or minhagim, became powerful elements in the religious consciousness of the Jewish people. It is important to recognize that minhagim are manifestations of a religious worldview, a philosophy of life. They are not merely quaint or picturesque practices, but expressions of a community’s way of enhancing the religious experience. A valuable resource for Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike.
Concealed: Memoir of a Jewish Iranian Daughter Caught Between the Chador and America
By Esther Amini
Esther Amini grew up in Queens, New York, during the freewheeling 1960s. She also grew up in a Persian-Jewish household, the American-born daughter of parents who had fled Mashhad, Iran. In Concealed, she tells the story of being caught between these two worlds: the dutiful daughter of tradition-bound parents who hungers for more self-determination than tradition allows.
Exploring the roots of her father’s deep silences and explosive temper, her mother’s flamboyance and flights from home, and her own sense of indebtedness to her Iranian-born brothers, Amini uncovers the story of her parents’ early years in Mashhad, Iran’s holiest Muslim city; the little-known history of Mashhad’s underground Jews; the incident that steeled her mother’s resolve to leave; and her parents’ arduous journey to the U.S., where they faced a new threat to their traditions: the threat of freedom. Determined to protect his daughter from corruption, Amini’s father prohibits talk, books, education, and pushes an early Persian marriage instead. Can she resist? Should she? Focused intently on what she stands to gain, Amini comes to see what she also stands to lose: a family and community bound by food, celebrations, sibling escapades, and unexpected acts of devotion by parents to whom she feels invisible.
In this poignant, funny, entertaining, and uplifting memoir, Amini documents with keen eye, quick wit, and warm heart how family members build, buoy, wound, and save one another across generations; how lives are shaped by the demands and burdens of loyalty and legacy; and how she rose to the challenge of deciding what to keep and what to discard.
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Upcoming Events or Opportunities
Our friends at Qesher present:
Greek Jewry: At the crossroads of civilizations
“The presence of Jews in Greece dates back to antiquity; it is the oldest Jewish community in Europe and the western hemisphere, with a unique and multifaceted cultural heritage. It was the epicenter of Sephardi culture in Europe and boasted the unique Greek-speaking Romaniote community as well as Jews that had taken refuge there from all across Europe. At the start of WWII, Jews in Greece numbered around 80,000, however the Holocaust decimated the Jewish population. At present, the Jewish community is working to preserve its unique heritage. We will explore this ancient, diverse and unique Jewish culture that has spanned more than two millennia and yet is still present and relevant in our modern era.”
Sunday, 21 July at 3:00PM EDT
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $9-$18
About the speaker:
“Joseph Michael Vardakis was born in Athens, Greece. He has a B.A in Psychology, an M.A in Psychobiology and is currently completing his M.Sc in Clinical Psychology. He has lived and studied in the UK, South Africa and Israel and is currently residing in Athens. He has been a student counsellor for the Ministry of Absorption for new immigrants to Israel and has also worked in an educational framework for the Jewish community in South Africa before his studies. On his spare time, he offers themed tours in Athens, including sites of Jewish interest.”
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American Sephardi Federation presents:
The Trial of Adolf Eichmann
Adapted on stage by David Serero
Inspired by actual events, this powerful drama takes audiences on a haunting journey through one of the most infamous trials in history, examining the depths of human evil and the quest for justice.
Don’t miss this compelling and thought-provoking theatrical experience as the world premiere of “The Trial of Adolf Eichmann” opens in July 2024 at the Center for Jewish History, inviting audiences to reflect on the lessons of history and the enduring struggle for justice and reconciliation.
Sunday, 21 July at 7:00PM EDT
Monday, 22 July at 8:00PM EDT (Premiere)
Tuesday, 23 July at 3:00PM EDT
Thursday, 25 July at 8:00PM EDT
@the Center for Jewish History
Sign-up Now!
Tickets: $26-$36
For questions and more details please call 855.688.7277 (ext.1)
The play revolves around the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the principal architects of the Holocaust, who orchestrated the systematic murder of millions of Jews during World War II. Set in Jerusalem in 1961, the story follows the trial of Eichmann, a former Nazi officer captured by Israeli agents in Argentina and brought to Israel to face justice. As the courtroom drama unfolds, audiences are confronted with the moral dilemmas faced by the prosecution, defense, and the international community. Eichmann’s unapologetic defense, which hinges on his claim of “just following orders,” sparks intense debates about responsibility, collaboration, and the nature of evil. The play delves into the legal and ethical complexities of the trial, exploring how the pursuit of justice can intersect with the need for closure, healing, and reconciliation in the aftermath of unspeakable atrocities. David Serero’s masterful writing combines historical accuracy and dramatic tension to create a riveting theatrical experience. “The Trial of Adolf Eichmann” challenges its audience to grapple with profound questions about humanity’s capacity for cruelty and the enduring quest for accountability in the face of unimaginable horror. With a talented ensemble cast, David Serero’s direction, and meticulous attention to detail, this Off-Broadway production promises to be a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of a pivotal historical moment. “The Trial of Adolf Eichmann” is a timely reminder of the importance of remembering the past and seeking justice, even when the wounds are deep and the scars are still fresh.
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The American Sephardi Federation presents:
“The Golden Age of the Jews of Alandalus” | “La Edad de Oro de los judíos de Alandalús”
On View in the Paul S. And Sylvia Steinberg Great Hall
through July 2024
@ the Center for Jewish History
The Jewish community of Alandalús gave the world extraordinary thinkers like Maimonides, diplomats like Ibn Shaprut, and poets like Ibn Gabirol and Judah Halevi, whose wisdom, works, and accomplishments resonate through the ages. 820 years after his death, the RAMBAM’s contributions to medicine, philosophy, diplomacy, and Jewish law continue to inspire wonder and influence till today. Across the Mediterranean in Fustat (Cairo) about two hundred thousand documents accumulated in the Ben Ezra Synagogue’s Genizah—a room or grave where obsolete sacred documents are respectfully discarded—over the course of nearly a millennium.
The geographical location of Egypt, a natural bridge between the Islamic East and Christian West, made it possible for many of these documents to be of Andalusian origin. This exhibition, curated by the University of Granada Professor José Martínez Delgado, takes us on a journey from the origins of this important community to its exodus and extinction in the XIX century. Although subsequently scattered all over the world, Sepharadim have maintained connections to their past by perpetuating traditions, the Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) language, and exemplifying a seriously Jewish yet cosmopolitan worldview.
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The American Sephardi Federation presents:
Convergence: Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian Calligraphy in Conversation
Featuring the multilingual art of Ruben Shimonov Convergence creates a visual world where Hebrew, Arabic, and Persian languages interact with, and speak to, one another; a world where stylized letters and words dance together on the page; a world where cultures, religions, communities, and philosophies intersect.
Juxtaposing cognates from these ancient West Asian languages, artist Ruben Shimonov encourages the viewer to explore the deep-rooted connections between these tongues, as well as the multilayered and transnational identity of the artist himself.
On View in the Leon Levy Gallery
through July 2024
@ the Center for Jewish History
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The American Sephardi Federation and Mimouna Association’s Rebuilding Our Homes Project present:
Re-Creation: Judaica by Moroccan Muslim Artisans
Explore the exhibition of Judeo-Moroccan art, Moroccan Judaica, cultural and religious objects, including Menorot, Mezuzot, Yads, Shabbat Candleholders, Seder Plates, Hallah Covers, and much more.
On View through July 2024
@ the Center for Jewish History
As Moroccan Jewish populations largely left the mellahs (Jewish quarters) in the latter half of the 20th century, there was a danger that not only designs but even the traditional artisanal techniques needed to create them would be lost. Passed down from one artisan to another and perfected over time, these designs and techniques. ranging from vibrant patterns to intricate metalwork and soulful wood carvings, are expressions of Moroccanity and reflect the individual character of each city. The materials and craftsmanship of Rabat are different than Fez, and Essaouira is distinct from both.
Mimouna Association and the American Sephardi Federation’s Rebuilding Our Homes Project, a multi-year USAID-supported New Partnerships Initiative, brought three notable experts-Ms. Zhor Rehihil, Ms. Deborah Koenigsberger Gutierrez, and Ms. Meryem Ghandi to train Moroccan Muslim artisans in the history of Judeo-Moroccan art and guided them in re-creating Moroccan Judaica, which encompasses a diverse array of cultural and religious objects, including Menorot, Mezuzot, Yads, Shabbat Candleholders, Seder Plates, Hallah Covers, and much more.