Welcome to the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America
Welcome to the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America!
About Us
The Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America is the largest Sephardic benevolent organization of its kind in the United States. Our mission is to support the financial, social, educational, and religious welfare of Sephardic families who derive their lineage from the Ladino-speaking Jewish communities of Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans. Through a host of services and programs, the Brotherhood is dedicated to caring for and strengthening our Sephardic community.
Founded in 1916 as the Salonician Brotherhood of America, Inc. by immigrant Jews from the city of Salonica (Thessaloniki) in modern day Greece, the Brotherhood has worked to serve the most needy in our communities and create a home for Sephardic Jews from around the world.
Sephardic Resources
The Brotherhood prides itself on providing all different types of resources to our membership and the wider Sephardic community. In addition, on this website you can find introductory information on Ladino (Judeo-Espanyol) which is the traditional language spoken by Sephardic Jews.
Our new Sephardic Songs and Hazzanut Database can help anyone learn the traditional liturgy from Sephardic communities worldwide. Our partnerships with various academic institutions link rare manuscripts and educational resources to the wider Jewish world.
News & Announcements
Barukh Dayan HaEmet - Passing of Irving Barocas, President Emeritus
September 19 2023
It is with immense sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved President Emeritus Irving Barocas. Irv served as Brotherhood President for the past two years before stepping down this summer due to ill health. He was an active leader of the Brotherhood for nearly 50 years, serving for nearly two decades as Chair of our Scholarship and Education Committee, along with several roles on the Executive Committee and National Central Council.
Tickets Now on Sale! - International Sephardic Community Gala
Sunday, December 17 2023
Join the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America for a special International Sephardic Community Gala celebrating our collective Sephardic identity, culture, and community. The evening will feature delicious kosher Sephardic food, live Sephardic and Israeli music, special Sephardic guests of honor, dancing, and a whole lot more. The evening will be hosted at the beautiful Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, and includes complimentary access to one of the Museum's featured exhibits.
Programs & Events
Learn more about our incredible Sephardic culture and traditions through some of our amazing community programs and events!
We believe that engaging with the next generation of Sephardic Jews is critical to ensure our community's ability to thrive. Through initiatives such as our Scholarship Program, Sephardic Birthright Israel Trip, and Young Professionals Network, we are able to help the youth of our communities reconnect with their roots in fun and meaningful ways.
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Announcing our New National Strategic Plan
August 9 2023
We are thrilled to announce that our National Central Council has adopted its first ever Strategic Plan in our 108 Year history! This major initiative outlines Six Strategic Goals that we will prioritize as an organization over the next few years, bringing us fully into the 21st century and ensuring our long term success as a Sephardic Community.
Ladino Quote of the Week
Community of the Month
לוס קי סולו בושקאן פירפ׳יקסיון אינטיליקטואל נון סון מוי ב׳אלידוס סי נון בושקאן פירפ׳יקסיון מורא
Los ke solo bushkan perfeksion intelektual non son muy validos si non bushkan perfeksion moral
Those that look only for intellectual perfection are of less value if they don’t also search for moral perfection
Every week we highlight a Ladino Quote, a line of poetry, advice, or a common saying used in our Sephardic culture. The sayings are written in Ladino with Hebrew characters, Ladino with Latin characters, and in English. We hope this helps you learn more about the language and culture of our people.
Congregation Ahavath Achim Portland, OR
Every month we highlight a specific Sephardic community in the United States or around the world, each one demonstrating the richness and diversity within our Sephardic communities. Here, you can find out more about specific traditions, history, and songs that are unique to this community.