Sephardim

Tamara Cohen's ancestors were expelled from Spain, now she’s bringing bagels to Madrid

Mazál owner Tamara Cohen, a Philadelphian who became Spanish through a law granting citizenship to Sephardic Jews whose ancestors were expelled during the 1492 Inquisition.

Tamara Cohen, founder of the Mazál bagel restaurant in Madrid, immigrated from the United States through  Spain's Sephardic ancestry law.
Baba Baruch, heir of Baba Sali, speaks to prime minister Yitzhak Shamir during traditional ceremonies in Netivot, 1988.

This week in Jewish history: Nobel prize winners, biochemists, and the Baba Sali

A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a portrait of him in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026.

Maduro has claimed Jewish ancestry, here is what is known - explainer

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

Ex-Sephardi chief rabbi slams Tel Aviv rabbi as 'heretic' after he calls for haredi IDF enlistment


'Throw them in the toilet': Yitzhak Yosef urges students to 'tear up' draft orders

"What do we have without our Torah? Why did we come here—to become secular? If a draft notice arrives, tear it up. Do you have a toilet at home? Flush it down,” Yosef said.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.

Bridging Histories: New WJC exhibition celebrates Sephardi history, heritage and contributions

"Sephardi Heritage is Jewish Heritage," says Rabbi Isaac Choua, of Lebanese origins, who oversees the exhibition, promoted as part of Sephardi Heritage Month.

Part of the exhibit.

'Across So Many Seas': Sephardi history from young adults - review

Ruth Behar tells the stories of four generations of 12-year-old Sephardi girls in a single family over a 500-year period. Music, poetry, and food all play significant roles in the interwoven stories.

 'Auto de fe en la plaza Mayor de Madrid,' painted by Francisco Rizzi, 1680.

Rabbi David Yosef chosen as Israel's Sephardic chief rabbi

Position for Ashkenazi role sees tie • New round of votes not yet set

 Rabbi David Yosef.

The unsung Sephardi pioneers who built Jerusalem and beyond - opinion

Learn about the forgotten Sephardi pioneers who played a crucial role in building modern Israel, long before the First Aliyah.

 A MURAL shows Aharon Chelouche, far left, who founded Neveh Tzedek, with Shimon Rokach, center, in the foreground, and Haim Amzalak dressed as British vice-consul. On the right is Zerah Barnett, who also contributed to Neveh Tzedek’s founding.

Silvio Santos, legendary Jewish Brazilian TV host and media mogul, dies at 93

Silvio Santos, Brazil’s top TV personality and media mogul, passed away at 93. Known for his Jewish pride and philanthropy, Santos left a lasting legacy.

 Brazil's most famous TV personality and host of various game shows Silvio Santos waves to the crowd from atop his float for the 'Tradicao' samba school during a late-evening parade at the Sambadrome stadium in Rio de Janeiro February 25, 2001.

From Essaouira to Latin America: Reviving the Moroccan Jewish Diaspora’s rich history

'These exchanges culminated in a collective commitment to strengthen bonds between Jewish communities across Latin America and their historical roots in Morocco.'

 JACOB MARRACHE presents to the director of Bayt Dakira Ghita Rabouli the book resulting from his project transcribing ‘beit din’ ledger books from Essaouira dating from 1919 to the 1960s.

Major haredi systems to face organizational overhaul after financial trouble

The issue of the haredi school system is unrelated to the ongoing issue of the haredi exemption from IDF service, whose legal basis expired in July 2023.

 HAREDI STUDENTS learn in a yeshiva.

A vision for the future: Observations of Jewish life and heritage in Morocco - opinion

Essaouira, with its rich history and vibrant culture, stands as a reminder of what is possible when we embrace our shared heritage.

 THE WRITER (third from left) poses with leaders of the Mimouna Association and participants from Latin America at the recent conference in Essaouira, Morocco.

ANU to screen documentary on plight of crypto-Jews

Israel must rise to challenge of welcoming millions of potential Jews and Israel supporters.

 MEMBERS OF the Barra Salada and Armenia emerging communities in El Salvador pose with Michael Milgrom.