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June 22, 2001/Tamuz 1, 5761, Vol. 53, No.38
Sephardic culture adds 'piece of puzzle'
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
A new organization formed to preserve and promote the spiritual and cultural traditions of Sephardic Judaism has planned its first High Holiday service in Phoenix.
The seven board members of The Sephardic Community of Arizona met April 29 to discuss plans for a traditional Sephardic service - a first step toward their goal of introducing the Valley's growing Jewish community to the Sephardic culture, said Jacky Sebag, president of the group.
"We received a great heritage from our parents and grandparents and we don't want it to just stop now," he said.
The term "Sephardic" refers to Jews whose ancestors lived in Spain and Portugal, most of whom were expelled in the 1490s during the Spanish Inquisition. They were scattered throughout the Mediterranean world, including the north coast of Africa, the Turkish Empire and the Balkans, where they established unique customs and rituals.
Their culture is distinguished from that of Ashkenazic Jews. The term "Ashkenaz," originally applied to Jews of Germany and Northern France beginning in the 10th century, and in the middle of the 16th century expanded to include Jews of Eastern Europe.
Differences between the cultures include customs, foods, Hebrew pronunciation, liturgy and holiday traditions.
The new Phoenix group plans to recreate a traditional Sephardic service by adorning the worship space with Sephardic dˇcor, serving traditional cuisine and engaging two or more chazzanim (cantors) to lead customary melodies.
"We want (to reproduce) the ambiance we grew up with and we want to pass it on," said Sebag, who is originally from Morocco.
Although The Sephardic Community of Arizona is not affiliated with Chabad - which is largely Ashkenazic - Rabbi Laibel Blotner of Chabad of Phoenix will officiate at the services.
Blotner worked with a Sephardic community in Sydney, Australia, in 1994 and developed a fondness for Sephardic songs and melodies.
"I feel very strongly about the importance of preserving the culture of the people and the countries that they came from," Blotner said.
Blotner estimates that at least 30 Sephardic families are affiliated with Chabad of Phoenix, but is unsure of how many live in the Greater Phoenix area. Among those who attend Chabad are Phoenix residents originally from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Turkey, and The Sephardic Community of Arizona hopes to gain a better sense of how many live in Phoenix from those who attend the service.
Rabbi David Rebibo, spiritual leader of Beth Joseph Congregation in Phoenix, was born in Morocco and estimates that more than 200 Sephardic families live in the Valley.
In the past, a few of the Valley's Sephardic families traveled to Jewish communities in other cities to attend High Holiday services, Sebag said. Those who have remained here often have brought a Sephardic machzor (prayerbook used for High Holidays) to Ashkenazic services, keeping their favorite liturgy in front of them and even quietly singing melodies remembered from childhood.
The founders of the new local group intend not only to keep their families' traditions alive, but also to educate the non-Sephardic Jewish community.
"The Sephardic culture today does not belong only to Sephardic Jews, it belongs to all - to the whole Jewish community," Sebag said. In fact, Sephardic teachings are now taught in many Israeli yeshivot and "are considered mainstream compared to (how it was viewed) in the past," added Blotner.
After the High Holidays this fall, group members hope to host cultural events and organize a Shabbaton (Sabbath study program) that includes lectures about Sephardic history and culture. If the demand exists, board members would consider starting a Sephardic synagogue.
Sebag said he is pleased about the community's response. Chabad of Phoenix, Chabad of Scottsdale and Beth Joseph Congregation have offered to lend the group Sefer Torahs for the High Holidays, and several individuals have agreed to help financially and in other ways.
"This is one way to enrich the community," Rebibo said. "It's another piece of the puzzle to make this a total, complete Jewish community."
Rosh Hashana services will be held Sept. 17-19 and Yom Kippur services Sept. 26-27 at The Cedars, 1702 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix. Exact times have not been scheduled.
Cost for reserved seats are $100 or $150 per family.
Call Sebag, 602-995-3874, Blotner, 602-674-0067, or write Sephardic Community of Arizona, c/o Avi Dahan, 7045 N. 21st St., Phoenix, AZ 85020.
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