SephardicNewsletter2009

SephardicNewsRabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary � Sephardic Council of Overseers

Y E S H I V A U N I V E R S I T Y

Volume XXXIII • No. 1 I N D E D I C A T I O N T O A H E R I T A G E Spring 2009

Sephardic Community Program � Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic StudiesInstitute of Yemenite Studies � Dr. Joseph and Rachel Ades Sephardic Outreach Program

Daniel TsadikJoins YU Faculty

Daniel Tsadik,Ph.D. hasjoined the YUfaculty as anassistantprofessor ofSephardic andIranian studiesat the BernardRevel GraduateSchool ofJewish Studies.

Tsadik, who began his appointment in thefall of 2008, teaches at both the graduateand undergraduate level. Tsadik and hiscourses have been well received among theentire student body, Sephardic andAshkenazi alike, and have created a greatsense of excitement for his area of expertise:Jews living under Islam.

A Fulbright scholar, Tsadik received hisdoctorate in history in 2002 from YaleUniversity, specializing in Iranian andMiddle Eastern history, as well as in the

history of the Jews under Islam. Hisresearch focuses on the modern historyof Iran, Shi’ah Islam, and Iran’s religiousminorities.

Subsequent to his studies at Yale, Tsadiktaught at the Hebrew University inJerusalem and elsewhere. He receivedfellowships from various institutions,including: Tel Aviv University’s MosheDayan Center for Middle Eastern andAfrican Studies; Hebrew University’sGolda Meir Fellowship Fund; the WarburgFellowship of the Institute for JudaicStudies; Berlin’s Institute for AdvancedStudy; and the University of Pennsylvania’sCenter for Advanced Judaic Studies.

Tsadik has published numerousarticles in his fields of interest, including:“The Legal Status of Religious Minorities:Imami Shi’i Law and Iran’s ConstitutionalRevolution,” published in Islamic Lawand Society; “Nineteenth Century Shi‘iAnti-Christian Polemics and the JewishAramaic Nevuat ha-Yeled [The Prophecy ofthe Child],” published in Iranian Studies;and “Religious Disputations of ImamiShi‘is against Judaism in the LateEighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries,”

published in Studia Iranica. He hasauthored a book entitled “BetweenForeigners and Shi‘is: Nineteenth-CenturyIran and its Jewish Minority,” publishedby Stanford University Press.

Earlier on, during his studies toward abachelor’s degree, Tsadik studied at theHebrew University in Jerusalem under thelate, revered, internationally-acclaimedprofessor Amnon Netzer, a”h, one of theworld’s leading scholars in the field ofIranian Jewish history.

Through his teaching at YU, Tsadik iscontinuing the important work that wasbegun several years ago by his mentorNetzer, who piloted a program of Judeo-Persian studies at YU during the summerof 2005.

Since his arrival, Tsadik has beenoffering lectures and study workshopsin both the Ashkenazic and Sephardiccommunities. Any synagogue or commu-nity institution wishing to arrange aspecial guest lecture by Tsadik on topicsrelated to Jews living under Islam maycall the Sephardic Community Programof Yeshiva University, at 212-960-5492,to schedule such an event. �

Sephardic StudentValedictorian at YUDror Galamidi is the 2008 YeshivaUniversity valedictorian of the IsaacBreuer College of Hebraic Studies. Hereceived this honor due to his overallexcellence in his limudei Kodesh (Judaicand Torah studies).

Galimidi completed a bachelor’s

degree in psychology and an associatedegree in Judaic studies. He was born inIsrael and moved to Brooklyn at a youngage, where he lived within a thrivingSephardic Jewish community.

Dror’s parents and the rest of his family’sconstant encouragement drove him toexcel as he attended elementary and highschool institutions that were dedicatedto excellence in Jewish education.

continued on page 2

Inside This Issue…Campus Minyan Thriving 3

YU’s First Annual 3Middle Eastern Kumzits

A Tribute to Leon Levy a’’h 7

Sephardic Club Shabbaton 8at Stern College for Women

Sephardic Student Valedictorian…continued from page 1

He is very grateful to his family,friends and teachers at YU who helpedprovide him with the tools and talents heneeded to reach this high point.

He is especially thankful for hisgrandfather Moshe Galimidi, a”h, forhis support.

Dror's specific career plans are as ofnow undecided, but he hopes and plans

to spend a great deal of effort helping toimprove life for Jews in the United Statesand around the world.

Sephardic Rabbi Offers InvocationAmong the special guests at the 77thannual commencement exercises wereRabbi Raymond Harari, who delivered theinvocation at this event, held at the WamuTheatre of Madison Square Garden inNew York City. Rabbi Harari, who was alsoattending the ceremony as a proud parent

in celebration of his son David’s graduation,is himself a graduate of Yeshiva Collegeand the Bernard Revel Graduate Schoolof Jewish Studies, and was ordained atthe Rabbi Isaac Elchanan TheologicalSeminary.

Rabbi Harari now serves in theSephardic community as spiritual leaderof Kol Israel Congregation and as headof school of Yeshivah of Flatbush HighSchool in Brooklyn. �

S E PHARD I C N EWS 2 S P R I NG ED I T I ON

Dror Galamidi is the 2008 Yeshiva University valedic-

torian of the Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies.

Yeshiva University President Richard M. Joel congratulates Dror Galamidi.

Rabbi Raymond Harari delivers the invocation. Looking on are, from left, Abraham Foxman,

Richard M. Joel, Rabbi Zevulun Charlop and Moshael Straus.

Rabbi Raymond Harari


Sephardic Minyan at YU Thriving

This past fall semester has ushered in a new era in student involvementand unity in the daily Sephardic minyan at Yeshiva University. RabbiAvraham Sarfaty, a distinguished Sephardic rabbi and scholar of RIETSin his own right, has been appointed to oversee the daily Shaharitminyan in the Sephardic beit midrash. Students from a variety ofSephardic communities join this minyan on a daily basis, where theyalso enjoy a daily breakfast of fresh bagels, cereals and hot coffee.Rabbi Sarfaty also serves as a faculty member of YU’s Stone Beit

Midrash Program and is an assistant to Rosh Kollel Rabbi HershelSchachter of the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel.“Thanks to Rabbi Sarfaty’s daily presence and his dedication to

running a smooth and pleasant minyan, YU’s Sephardic minyan hasdeveloped a new spiritual energy and sense of unity, resulting inincreased attendance with each passing day,” said Rabbi MosheTessone, director of Sephardic Community Programs and a memberof the Judaic studies faculty at YU. This year, for the first time, thestudents maintained the daily morning minyan even after the semesterofficially ended, and met with Rabbi Sarfaty for some Torah learningduring breakfast.A record number of students attended Selihot services during the

month of September, when Selihot were held during weeknights at1 a.m. Additional transportation was arranged by YU to bring dozensof Sephardic women from Stern College on a nightly basis to theWilf Campus so that they might join the men for inspiring SephardicSelihot services throughout the 40-day period of Selihot reading.Rabbi Sarfaty’s words sum it up best when he said:

“The Sephardic students of YU have truly created a beautifulcommunity feeling in their own beit midrash, and are benefitingfrom the atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie that theyeshiva encourages.” �

Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim, center, with his students in the Sephardic beit

midrash.

First Sephardic Kumzits at YU

BY AARON EBRANI AND YANIV MORADI

Our very own Rabbi Moshe Tessone, director of YU’sSephardic Community Program and member of theJewish studies faculty at Yeshiva University, recentlyperformed for the University’s student body in anevening Middle Eastern kumzits (concert), which wassponsored by the Student Sephardic Club in cooperationwith the Yeshiva College dean’s office and the StudentOrganization of Yeshiva (SOY). Rabbi Tessone, anaccomplished hazzan, is known for his talents in Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Spanish liturgy and cantillation and isalso knowledgeable in the area of Sephardic communitycustoms and traditions.

The students who attended enjoyed an array of Judeo-Arabic and Judeo-Spanish melodies, some well knownand some were new to them. This event gave attendeesa rare opportunity to hear a wide variety of MiddleEastern Jewish music. The songs and piyuteem (liturgicalpoems) also attracted a good number of Ashkenazistudents who clearly enjoyed the program as well.

Rabbi Tessone’s performance warmed the hearts ofall the students, and helped to excite them about theirvery own rich heritage. The songs included differentmelodies and poems such as: “Yigdal Elokim Hai,”“Mak’helot Am,” and “Avram Avinu,” as well as manyother religious songs.

The students had ample opportunity to enjoy andsing along to the energetic rhythmic music, to dancetogether and to enjoy traditional ethnic sweets andrefreshments. The kumzits truly left the students withnot only a sense of identity and pride in their respectivecommunities, but more important, with a greater senseof unity. Some students said that they never had theopportunity to experience such an enriching andenlightening event, and no one wanted to leave when itwas over. Many students demanded an encore. Onething is for certain—everyone who participated had awonderful time and left with music on their lips andin their hearts. �

Rabbi Moshe Tessone with students at YU’s first Sephardic kumzits.


YU Annual Sefarim Sale Hosts Sephardic Studentsfrom Various Schools

For many years, Yeshiva University has held one of thelargest Judaic book sales in the nation. This year, thesale included more than 10,000 titles, and more visitorsthan ever before attended this impressive event.

Many Jewish day schools participated in the sefarimsale by sending groups of their Sephardic students tosee the many books for sale on topics related toSephardic history, culture and Halakha. Their visitswere coordinated by the Sephardic CommunityProgram in cooperation with the Center for theJewish Future.

Among the participating schools were: Yeshiva ofFlatbush middle school, Magen David Yeshiva highschool, Ramaz middle school and high school, Hillel

high school and many others. In total, more than 300Sephardic Students visited the sale.

Visiting students were given a tour of YU’s WilfCampus and some had the privilege of hearingpresentations and inspiring words of Torah from YUfaculty members, including Hakham Eliyahu Ben-Haim,Rabbi Elie Abadie and Rabbi Moshe Tessone. Othervisiting students spoke with Sephardic professorsand YU students. Professor Hayyim Tawil and YUrabbinic students Victor Gheriani and Sion Settonwere among those who greeted and addressed thegroups who treated them to a tour of the campusduring their visit. �

Murray Sragow of the Admissions Department welcomes

students to the sale.

Professor Haim Tawil speaks to students visiting the Sefarim Sale.


One of the hardest challenges in life isovercoming adversity and using it as aninspiration for self growth. YU alumnusJack Doueck, a noted author and Jewishcommunity leader, captivated the audienceat YU with a powerful presentation that dealtwith this very topic, “Overcoming Adversity.”He proposed the timeless question: “Howis it possible to use our life challenges tohelp strengthen our personal development?”Doueck shared his solutions to this dilem-ma in a motivational lecture presented toabout 70 students. Doueck plans to pub-lish what he described as a six-step systemto overcoming adversity in an upcomingbook on the topic.

Doueck has attained much wisdom andknowledge in this area by participating invarious aspects of community work and

experiencing firsthand the difficulties in lifethat both individuals and families face.Doueck works full time as principal ofStillwater Capital, and still finds time torun dozens of educational and motivationalseminars for professionals, youth and youngadults. He also volunteers much of histime to Sephardic Bikur Holim in Brooklyn,where he offers consultation and supportto others who lost their jobs and careers,helping them find new work opportunitiesand turn their lives around.

Through the touching personal storiesand real-life scenarios that he related, thestudents were able to relate to the simplicityof the six-step solution he presented. Onemessage was taken clearly by all: Hashemsends us challenges that we can overcome,and hidden within each one of these chal-

lenges is a personal message for each andevery one of us. Our job is to interpretthese messages in a way that helps us togrow and develop into successful peoplewho contribute to society in a productiveway. Doueck related that every occasion ofadversity is indeed a chance for self-intro-spection and self-growth. The key is to notalways wait until adversity actually occurs.

Doueck is also a proud YU parent —his son Hal is a student at The Sy SymsSchool of Business.

The event’s sponsors for the eveningpresentation were YU’s SephardicCommunity Program and the SephardicStudent Club, both of which expressedtheir appreciation to Doueck for visitingthe Wilf Campus and motivating thestudents in such a meaningful way. �

HIGHLIGHT: YU STUDENT SEPHARDIC CLUB EVENT

Among the attendees were many women from Stern College. Yaacov Bitton, Jack Doueck and Rabbi Moshe Tessone.

Yeshiva Alumnus Jack Doueck Inspires Sephardic Students

Jack Doueck addresses students in YU’s Sephardic beit midrash.


YU and the Sephardic Community

1) Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, President RichardJoel, Ezra Hanon and Rabbi Moshe Tessone.

2) Cantor Sherwood Goffin, Rabbi MosheTessone and Cantor Eric Freeman performtogether at a community event in Baltimore.

3) Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Bob Kamali, LouisEbrani, Dr. David Schnall, George Dilmani,Morris Aziz, Rabbi Moshe Tessone andDr. David Pelcovitz.

4) Henriette Sasson, Lydia Abirgel, Haim Sassonand Joseph Abirgel.

5) Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, George Haroonianand Dr. Daniel Tsadik.

6) Hakham David Shloush, Chief Rabbi of Netanya,Rabbi Moshe Tessone and Rabbi GideonShloush.

Dedicated in memory of Aghajan (Shmuel benMashiakh) Nassimi,11 Adar II 5768 a”h

7) Rabbi Elie Abadie addresses SephardicLeaders at YU.

8) Moshe Frances and Sion Setton visit theJewish community of San Jose on behalf of YU.

9) Rabbi Moshe Tessone teaches a class at YU.

10) Dr. Ralph Philosoph, Elias Cohen andRabbi Moshe Tessone at community event inNewton Center, Mass.

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LEON LEVY, born in Seattle, Wash., toSephardic Jewish parents who emigratedfrom Turkey, served in the United StatesArmed Forces during the Pacific Campaignunder General MacArthur. Upon his returnfrom his tour of duty, he completed his stud-ies in civil engineering and began a lifelongcommitment to the Jewish community atlarge and to the broader global society.

During a lifetime of service to thecommunity that spanned 84 years, Levywas active on the boards of and served asa key lay leader of many organizations. Hewas the founder of the American SephardiFederation, where he was named honorarylifetime president, and he was also involvedwith many other local and internationalgroups both here and abroad.

Yeshiva University was an important anddear part of Levy’s communal life. He wasinvolved with YU’s Sephardic programsfor more than 40 years, and supportedvarious scholarships throughout his yearsof service.

Levy also served as a member of YU’sSephardic Council of Overseers until thevery last year of his life, and he remainedactive with this distinguished group ofleaders even during periods of medicalhardship.

Levy, who left an unblemished memoryto the Jewish people, also made his markon YU’s students when he addressed theSephardic Student Club on issues relatedto communal leadership, motivatingthem to follow in his dedicated path ofcommunity work.

Levy is survived by his wife, Elsie,their children Mark Levy, Mimi Frank,Judy Safran and Janet Pahima, as wellas 10 grandchildren and three great-grand-children.

This pictorial tribute is dedicated tothe memory of a leader who was lovedand cherished by all who surrounded himthroughout his life of service to others. �

—Yehi Zikhro BarukhMay his memory be blessed

Dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. Martin I. Elias

In memory of a great Sephardic Leader of the Jewish People…

A PICTORIAL TRIBUTE TO LEON LEVY a”h

Leon Levy

Leon and Elsie Levy

David Eshaghian and Leon Levy

Top row, from left: Dr. Hebert C. Dobrinsky, ElsieLevy, the late Ebrahim Eshaghian a’’h, Regina Gaon,Simone Eshaghian, David Eshaghian, NormanBelmonte and the late David H. Zysman a’’h.Bottom row, from left: Leon Levy, Dr. Norman Lamm,Dr. Solomon Gaon a’’h, Moise and Chella Safra.

Leon and Elsie Levy

Moise and Chella Safra and Leon Levy

Dr. Norman Lamm and Leon Levy

Moise and Chella Safra and Leon Levy

Dr. Norman Lamm and Leon Levy

Leon Levy

David Eshaghian and Leon Levy


A Memorable Shabbat

BY VICTOR GHERIANI

This year, the Sephardic Shabbaton wastruly an unforgettable experience for all whoparticipated. Friday evening began withthe chanting of the Sephardic liturgicalprayer “Lekha Dodi.” Hazzan NathanDweck, who is also a YU graduate andcurrent RIETS rabbinic student, led theSephardic minyan, introducing authenticSyrian and Middle Eastern melodiesduring the tefillah.

Following prayers, the group wasescorted to the dining room where theyenjoyed an exquisite Sephardic Shabbatdinner that included Moroccan cigars,kibbehs and lahmagine.

The delightful meal was just thebeginning of the special evening. After theShabbat meal, a group of Sephardic youngmen and women, led by Hazzan Dweck,sang an array of Sephardic songs with aspecial birthday cake celebration honoringVictor Gheriani.

The Shabbat kiddush and lunch programwas hosted by Rabbi Elie Abadie, M.D.,director of YU’s Jacob E. Safra Institute ofSephardic Studies and founding rabbi ofthe Edmond J. Safra Synagogue in NewYork City. Rabbi Abadie presented a thought-provoking session in which he illustratedthe plight Middle Eastern Jews faced afterthey were evicted from their lands and thedifficult challenges they faced in trying torebuild their lives.

Following Seuda Shelishit and Havdalah,students enjoyed an evening of bowling inthe city, during which time they had theopportunity to unite and create bonds thatwould last a lifetime. This Shabbaton, runby the students for the students of YeshivaUniversity, was a great success.

Student leaders Jacob Bitton andRaquel Amram chaired the weekend-longprogram, investing their tireless effortsorganizing a Shabbat to remember. Allparticipants expressed their excitementand anticipation for the next year’s springSephardic Shabbaton. �

HIGHLIGHT: YU SEPHARDIC CLUB SHABBATON

YU students visit the Sephardic Home for the Aged in celebration of Hanukah.

� Yaakov Bitton Serving the Mashadi and Iraqi Communities ofGreat Neck

Yaakov Bitton, SSSB ’08, has a diverse background. Born in Argentina,Bitton has followed his father, Rabbi Yosef Bitton, to different communi-ties in several countries throughout North and South America. Before

settling in Great Neck in 2004 and enrollingin Yeshiva University, he and his family hadlived in Argentina, Uruguay, Israel andMexico. Bitton graduated from Or Israel HighSchool of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and then attendedYeshivat Shaalvim in Israel for one year.

Bitton has been serving as the hazzan ofthe Babylonian Jewish Center of New York inGreat Neck for the past three years, whilestill carrying a full academic load at YU. Inaddition to this, he is involved in various

programs affiliated with the Mashadi community, including teachingSephardic Ta'amim and tefilla in the Mashadi Talmud Torah School tochildren in grades three through six, as well as helping to organize the“Learn-It-Up” program—a newly-established program where over 100youth get together Wednesday nights to study Torah in havrutot (smallstudy groups).

Bitton is currently pursuing his semikha ordination from the RabbiIsaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts degree inTalmud from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.Bitton’s dream for the future is to serve as a spiritual leader in theSephardic community and help to shape it’s future in a positive way. �

� Nathan Dweck Serving in the Syrian Community of Brooklyn

Nathan Dweck, a 2008 graduate of Yeshiva College, is in his second yearat the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, and is simultaneouslypursuing his master’s degree in Talmudic studies at the Bernard Revel

Graduate School of Jewish Studies.Dweck resides with his wife, Sophia, in

the Syrian community of Brooklyn.For the past eight years, since he was a

student in high school, he has served in theSephardic community as a ba`al koreh (Torahreader) and a hazzan for the youth minyan ofthe Sephardic Synagogue in Brooklyn.

Dweck also teaches a weekly Tanakh classat Congregation Bnei Yitzhak as part of theirBeit Midrash Program. He is currently thevice president of Tebah Educational Services,

a group that publishes articles of religious and Jewish educationalinterest. Dweck’s decision to study at YU and pursue the rabbinate is adirect result of his community and educational upbringing as a memberof the Syrian community. Upon completion of his studies at YU, Dweckis eager to serve in his community as an educator within the Jewish dayschool system. �

Yom TeruahBY JACK DOUECK

Jack Doueck, noted author of “ChesedBoomerang,” has published a new book, “YomTeruah,” which portrays the significance of theshofar and its relevance to Rosh Hashanah.This book is written in a most informativestyle and is quite easy to read and understandfor all types of audiences. “Yom Teruah” setsthe reader on an inspiring course to a deeperunderstanding of the shofar and its religiousand spiritual importance.Doueck, a distinguished alumnus of both

Yeshiva University’s undergraduate and grad-uate programs, received his graduate degreein Jewish philosophy from the Bernard RevelGraduate School of Jewish Studies. “YomTeruah” was published by the SephardicHeritage Foundation, and was dedicated tothe memory of Doueck’s father-in-law Jack“Noonie” Cohen, a”h, who blew the shofarfor four decades in the Sephardic communi-ties of New York and New Jersey.The topics of “Yom Teruah” include the

shofar and the three corresponding themesof Rosh Hashanah, the shofar as a “wake-upcall,” and more. The book beautifully exploresthe history, purpose, and legal requirementsof the sounding of the shofar, and is sure toserve as a popular companion for those inneed of High Holiday reading material. In“Yom Teruah,” Doueck, who quotes keySephardic and Ashkenazi sources, has createda fresh, scholarly, well researched yet verypractical book, ideal for teachers, rabbis andlaymen hoping to expand their knowledge ofthe shofar and Rosh Hashanah �

YU STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY SEPHARDIC BOOK REVIEW

SEPHARD I C N EWS 9 S P R I NG ED I T I ON


Yeshiva UniversitySephardic Graduates2008

WURZWEILER SCHOOLOF SOCIAL WORK

Master of Social Work(as of September 25, 2007)

LIMOR FRANCORACHEL SAYEGH

Master of Social Work(as of January 31, 2008)

DAVINA FREIDA AMRAMI

Master of Social Work(as of May 30, 2008)

DANIEL IFRAH

FERKAUF GRADUATE SCHOOLOF PSYCHOLOGY

Master of Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

MAYER HAIM BELLEHSENSHIPHRA HABIBIAN

Doctor of Psychology(as of June 30, 2008)

DEBRA A. SASSON

AZRIELI GRADUATE SCHOOLOF JEWISH EDUCATIONAND ADMINISTRATION

Master of Science(as of September 25, 2007)

JULIE ANZAROOT

Master of Science(as of January 30, 2008)

SHEENA KASHI

Doctor of Education(as of May 30, 2008)

CARON KUESSOUS

ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGEOF MEDICINE

Doctor of Medicine(as of June 5, 2008)

NATHANIEL NATANELI

SUE GOLDING GRADUATEDIVISION OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Dr. of Philosophy(as of September 20, 2007)

SOUVIK SARKAR

BENJAMIN N. CARDOZOSCHOOL OF LAW

Master of Laws(as of May 30, 2008)

ROTEM DOURBANFANNY ESKENAZI

Juris Doctor(as of May 30, 2008)

DERIC M. BEHARADAM DAYANYUVAL SIMCHI-LEVYRAMI YOMTOV

BERNARD REVEL GRADUATESCHOOL OF JEWISH STUDIES

Master of Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

REBECCA SARAH ALLEN

STERN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

Associate in Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

GALITH BITTONMICHELLE ARIELLA COHENREBECCA HEDAYA

Associate in Arts(as of January 31, 2008)

LAURENCE SUISSA

Associate in Arts(as of May 30, 2008)

TALIA MAZAL ABADIEAGNES NATHALIE N. ABITBOLCLAUDIA ESTHER AMZALLAGILANA AMAZALLAGBATYA STELLA BELECENLAURENCE RACHELGABRIELL BENARROCHNECHAMA SARA CITRINRINA COHENTALYA COHENCHANA DABAHMAGGIE SARA DWECKSARAH ALICE GUIGUISINA HADAD-AVIADGOLDIE JACOB

STEPHANIE MOSSERIJENNIFER MOTTAHEDEHMALKA SASSONSARAH SHUKURILANA TORDJMANILLANIT ZAFRANYSUZANNA ZAKAY

Bachelor Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

ILANA R. ALEZRALISA LICY AZULAYGALITH BITTONMICHELLE ARIELLA COHENDEENA RACHEL HASSANREBECCA HEDAYASHEREEN SARA RASHIDI

Bachelor Arts(as of May 30, 2008)

AGNES NATHALIE N. ABITBOLCLAUDIA ESTHER AMZALLAGNINA Z. BURSKY-TAMMAMRACHEL ANNE COHENTALYA COHENMAGGIE SARA DWECKSARAH ALICE GUIGUIGOLDIE JACOBSTEPHANIE MOSSERIJENNIFER MOTTAHEDEHELISHEVA RENA ROUIMIMALKA SASSONELEONORA YAKUBOVAILANIT ZAFRANY

JAMES STRIAR SCHOOL OFGENERAL JEWISH STUDIES

Associate in Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

JONATHAN MENAHEM BEZALEL

Associate in Arts(January 31, 2008)

ETHAN MOSHE ASSOULINE


JACOB L. ASHERKIRILL ILAGOUEVEVAN LEVIANJEREMY ABRAHAM MILLULJEREMY CHARLIE SEBBAGH

ISAAC BREUER COLLEGEOF HEBRAIC STUDIES

Associate in Arts (as ofJanuary 31, 2008)

MATAN COHENMICHAEL E. KAFFASHDANIEL DOV WAKNINE


MOSHE MICHAEL ABRAHAMMOISES BENCHIMOLSIMON EBRANIDROR GALAMIDINAVAZ NOUROLLAHDANNY RAHMANI

YESHIVA COLLEGE

Bachelor of Arts(as of September 25, 2007)

HAROLD MARK SULTAN

Bachelor of Arts(as of January 31, 2008)

NATHAN M. DWECKSAMUEL PENYAMEIR SAADIA

Bachelor of Arts(as of May 30, 2008)

YAACOV STEPHANF AMARAHARON ZE’EV ARAZIELIAHU ARIAVHAIM ASERIELYONAH DAVID BARDOSCHAIM BAR-ELIYOSEF DANIEL COHENSIMON EBRANIDROR GALAMIDIDAVID YONATAN HARARIJOSEF HAYYIM KASSORLAJOSHUA SIMON LEVYNAVAZ NOUROLLAHDANNY RAHMANISION SETTONIMMANUEL AARON SHALEV

SY SYMS SCHOOLOF BUSINESS

Wilf Campus

Bachelor of Science(as of September 25, 2007)

JONATHAN MENAHEM BEZALELADAM M. COHENRAFAEL D. COHENALBERT PINHASOV


Bachelor of Science(as of January 31, 2008)

ETHAN MOCHE ASSOULINEJOSEPH BELLELIMICHAEL BENZAQUENNATHANIEL NESSIN COHENELITZAFAN EBRAHIMDOOSTOREN G. HASHIMICHAEL E. KAFFASHGIL A. SIMCHI

Bachelor of Science(as of May 30, 2008))

DMYTRO ARSHYNOVMOISES BENCHIMOLGABRIEL S. DANIELIDAVID DAYANANDRE J. GHIGHISAMUEL ELIE HOURIEPHRAIM ILIAGOUEVDANIEL KOHANCHIMEYER E. LANIADOEVAN LEVIANDAVID MARCIANOMENDEL Y.R. MARCIANOJEREMY ABRAHAM MILLULYOAV DANIEL NAKACHEHAROLD ISAAC NAONDAVID OHANASAMUEL M.A. SALFATIJEREMY CHARLIE SEBBAGHSAMUEL SIBONYTOMER DAVID YAHID

SY SYMS SCHOOLOF BUSINESS

Beren Campus

Bachelor of Science(as of September 25, 2007)

OLGA ARKADIEVNA IZRAILOVNOOSHENE ESTER NILI

Bachelor of Science(as of January 31, 2008)

CAROLINE VALERIE MARCIANOOLGA MARTYNOV

Bachelor of Science(as of May 30, 2008)

TALIA MAZAL ABADIEILANA AMZALLAGBATYA STELLA BELECENRINA COHENCHANA DABAHSINA HADAD-AVIADILANA TORDJMANSUSANA ZAKAY

Awards and Honors

JAMES STRIAR SCHOOL OFGENERAL JEWISH STUDIES

Bnai Zion Award forExcellence in Hebrew

JACOB BENGIO

Manfred Siegbert andMignon Fischel MemorialAward for Jewish Studiesand Character

EVAN LAVIAN

Isaac Araten MemorialAward for Excellence in Bible

EVAN LAVIAN

Isaac Araten MemorialAward for Excellence inTalmud

JACOB BENGIO

ISAAC BREUER COLLEGEOF HEBRAIC STUDIES

Valedictorian

DROR GALAMIDI

Harris Altshul/MoshePerlstein Award for HighestRank in All Jewish Studies

DROR GALAMIDI

Dean Pinkhos ChurginMemorial Award forExcellence in Jewish History

MOISES BENCHIMOLGOLAN ELIASDROR GALAMIDI

Blanche Attas ZuckermanMemorial Award forExcellence in SephardicStudies

MOISES BENCHIMOL

Isaac Araten MemorialAward for Excellencein Talmud

BENJAMIN BENSON

IRVING I. STONEBEIT MIDRASH PROGRAM

For Excellence in JewishStudies

CHAIM BAR-ELIDAVID DAYAN

YESHIVA PROGRAM/MAZERSCHOOL OF TALMUDIC STUDIES

Rose Rachel andLewis Siegel EndowmentFoundation Award

SAUL HAIMOFF

Louis and Lena LankiskyMemorial Award

NATHAN DWECKJACOB BITTON

Joseph and Lena HoenigMemorial Award

YOSEF COHEN

YESHIVA COLLEGE

Biblical Joseph Prize forExcellence in Economicswith a Specialty

SIMON EBRANI

Morris and Chaya ZuckermanMemorial Award forBest Research Paper inJewish History

IMMANUEL SHALEV

Samuel and Emily GranetLemler Memorial Awardfor Excellence in Pre-Med

MEIR SAADIA

Sidney P. RosenblumAward for Excellencein Jewish History

SAUL HAIMOFF

Dean Samuel L. Sar MemorialAward for Excellence in Bible

DAVID HARARI

Departmental Award forExcellence in Chemistry

BENJAMIN BENSON

John Wiley Book Award forExcellence in Chemistry

BENJAMIN BENSON

Mina Belkin Memorial Awardfor Service and Dedication tothe College

IMMANUEL SHALEV

Professor Jekuthiel GinsburgMemorial Award forExcellence in Mathematics

NATHAN DWECKHAROLD MARK SULTAN

Langfan Family ConstitutionalOratorical Prize(Second Place)

TAL OVADIA

Professor Daniel BlockMemorial Award forExcellence in Mathematics

SAMUEL PENYA

SY SYMS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Dean’s Award for ScholasticAchievement in Finance

SINA HADAD-AVID

Mildred SchlessbergAccounting Society Awardfor Outstanding Service

DAVID OHANA

Sy Syms Alumni AwardExcellence in Service

MEYER LANIADO

Student Council Awardfor Outstanding Service

BATYA BELECEN

Dean’s Award for theHighest Ranking Junior

MATTHEW RAHMANI

STERN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

Economics DepartmentAward for Excellence inEconomics

RACHEL COHEN

Bryna Miller Fertig MemorialAward for Volunteer Workwith Hospital Patients

MALKA SASSON

Ida Lamport HurewitzMemorial Award forExcellence in Biochemistry

SARAH GUIGUI

Physics Department Awardfor Excellence in Physics

NINA BURSKY-TAMMAM

Langfan Family ConstitutionalOratorical Prize(Third Place)

SHANEE OVADIA

Cengage Learning BlockAward for Excellence inChemistry

NATHALIE ABITBOL

Constance SchwartzappelMemorial Award forExcellence in Studio Art

REVITAL AVISAR

JACOB E. SAFRA INSTITUTE OF SEPHARDIC STUDIESSEPHARDIC COMMUNITY PROGRAM500 West 185th Street, BH 312New York, NY 10033-3201

www.yu.edu

NON-PROFIT

U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

URGENT APPEAL FOR SCHOLARSHIP AID FORIMMIGRANT AND NORTH AMERICAN SEPHARDIC STUDENTS

Many foreign Sephardic students from Canada, France, Morroco, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Bukhara and elsewhere are ready toenter Yeshiva University. We are launching an urgent scholarship appeal for these foreign students to raise the necessary

funds to accommodate them. The cost for tuition, dormitory, and the minimum food plan is $41,970 per student.

Please complete and detach this form and send it with your tax deductible scholarship gift made out to:Yeshiva University Sephardic Student Scholarship Fund

c/o Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, Yeshiva University500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033-3201

NAME __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________

CITY ____________________________________________________________________

STATE ______________________________________________ ZIP__________________

TELEPHONE ______________________________________________________________

CELLULAR ________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION

Please indicate the amount of your scholarship gift forSephardic students at Yeshiva University:

One Year Full Expendable Scholarship: � $41,970

Endowed Scholarship: � $26,000

Partial Scholarships:

� $18,000 � $5,200 � $501

� $10,000 � $2,600 � $101

� $7,500 � $1,000 � Other _________

Contributions of $25,000 or more will establish a personal endowed scholarship inyour name that will be listed in all appropriate University publications in perpetuity.

Documents

SephardicNewsletter2009