Professors Benardete and Mr. Barocas were both born in Turkey and were active in the promotion of Sephardic culture in the United States. Professor Benardete was Professor of Spanish at Brooklyn College and was the author of an important work, “The Spanish Culture and Character of the Sephardic Jews.” David Barocas wrote and edited a number of booklets published by the Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture. Louis N. Levy, of blessed memory, was American-born and was raised on the Lower East Side. He was a businessman who devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to promoting Sephardic cultural activities and publications. Rabbi Angel represented the next American-born generation, since both of his parents had been born in the U.S. The four of them comprised an inter-generational group of Sephardim interested in promoting Sephardic history and culture. These men were inspired to create a cultural center that would be a clearing house for information about Sephardic Jewry and raise the consciousness of the Jewish Community at large about the customs, traditions, history and contributions of Sephardim to the Jewish world.

When Sephardic House began in 1978, the Sephardic community felt very much ignored by the mainstream American-Jewish community. Its contributions to history and civilization were almost totally neglected. The Sephardic component in Jewish life was simply not part of the over-all agenda of the American-Jewish intellectual and cultural establishment. Twenty-seven years later; the situation has changed dramatically for the better. While there is still much work to do, one can point to many clear successes in gaining respect and understanding for the Sephardic traditions and historical accomplishment. Sephardic House has played an important role in this transformation in American-Jewish cultural life.

Sephardic House, based at Congregation Shearith Israel from 1978-1992, began its activities in the fall of 1978, by offering courses on different aspects of Sephardic life and producing its first 4 page Newsletter. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Many students attended the classes and a great many more expressed interest in ongoing events and programs. By 1979, Sephardic House became a membership organizations and gradually attracted members from throughout North America and abroad. In the fall of 1992, Sephardic House became a non-for-profit organization and moved its offices to Broadway, near the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, where it remained until its move to The Center for Jewish History in August 2000. In June of 2002, Sephardic House joined and became affiliated with the American Sephardi Federation with the ultimate goal of having one stronger organization that would work to ensure that the history and legacy of the great Sephardic communities be remembered and celebrated.

Sephardic House began its publication program in 1980 with “Studies in Sephardic Culture” a collection in memory of David N. Barocas, published by Sephardic House and the Foundation for the Advancement of Sephardic Studies and Culture. Sephardic House now under the auspices of the American Sephardi Federation, has published 13 books including two books in the Sephardic and Greek Holocaust Library series, and has also been a major distributor of books, videos and musical cassettes and CDs with Sephardic content.

Over the years Sephardic House presented concerts of the popular performers of Ladino and Judeo-Arabic music, hosted book receptions for authors of new books of Sephardic interest, and sponsored Singles Shabbatonim. The popular Sephardic Cooking classes were inaugurated in 1997 and continue today under the direction of our chef, Carole Basri.

In addition to the ongoing lectures and concerts, two of the most popular events began by Sephardic House were The International Sephardic Film Festival initiated in 1990 and the annual Sephardic Experience Weekends that celebrate the history and culture of a different Sephardic ethnic group each year. These events continue to attract an ever-growing number of enthusiastic people.

Sephardic House has been a significant cultural organization on the American-Jewish scene, and we are proud of its many accomplishments.