The Sephardic Jewish
Brotherhood of America
La Ermandad Sefaradi
ב''ה
Welcome to the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America
Learn more about our mission, history, leadership, and community
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
Tickets Now on Sale! Arrivals - A Sephardi-Ashkenazi Love Story
October 30 - November 6 2022
Join us for the New York Premiere of the Off-Broadway Show, "ARRIVALS" A Jewish Romeo & Juliet love story based on historical events. When the first Sephardic Jew arrived in Seattle in 1902, not everything went as planned. Marco Cordova, a young Sephardic Jew from Turkey, came to America to make his fortune. Bayla Keigelman, a fragile Ashkenazi girl from Russia, arrived fleeing a pogrom. Their meeting seemed written in the stars until tradition declared their love forbidden.
Anyada Buena i Dulse! - High Holidays 2022
Sunday June 26 2022
For those of you who may be celebrating Rosh 'Ashana and Yom Kippur on your own, we have included a number of Sephardic resources, including a printable Sephardic Rosh 'Ashana Dinner Guide in Hebrew, Ladino, and English, access to our database of Sephardic High Holiday Hazzanut through our Zemirot.org Initiative, a number of upcoming classes and programs through our Sephardic Digital Academy, and much more.
Sephardic Rosh 'Ashana Booklet
September 2022
We are excited to announce our new Rosh 'Ashana Simanim Seder Booklet, generously sponsored by the Villarreal Family in memory of Joseph Villarreal. This special booklet, a national collaboration between the Rabbis and lay leaders of our 12 affiliate communities, is an exciting new resource for our Ladino-speaking Sephardic Community, with step by step guidance on the Rosh 'Ashana Seders conducted in the Sephardic tradition on both nights of the Jewish New Year.
Ladino Quote of the Week
Community of the Month
אה לה איסקולה קון באב׳אס אל פ׳יירירו קון בארב׳אס
A la eskola kon bavas, al fierrero kon barvas.
To school with drools and to the blacksmith with a beard.
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.
Kehila Kedosha Janina
New York, NY
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.
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.