American Sephardi Federation
Encyclopedia
The American Sephardi Federation, a member of the Center for Jewish History
, is a non-profit Jewish organization that strengthens and organizes the religious and cultural activities of Sephardic Jews, preserves Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture in the United States
and assists in the publication of books and literature dealing with the Sephardic culture and tradition. The Federation is also active in issues related to Israel
and the refugee status of Jews
in the modern-day Middle East
following the creation of Israel.
and the goal of its founding conference was to "dedicate itself to revitalize the Sephardi culture and heritage in the U.S. and to aid the underprivileged population of the State of Israel." The Federation's annual conferences, which also publish a number of reports about the work of the organization and issues related to Sephardic Jewry in the United States, is held in various locations throughout the United States
and serves as a cultural reminder of the Middle East and African roots of the movement.
Its role in the Center for Jewish History
is considered by some to be somewhat peculiar for a number of reasons, including its addition to the center four years after the Center's creation and its focus on Sephardic rather than Ashkenazi Judaism and its political nature due to the connections with the World Zionist Congress. In 2000, the Federation opened what was then the only dedicated Sephardic exhibition space in North America
in the Center's new location.
One of the most important functions of the Federation is its role in the lives of Sephardic youth. The first National ASF Youth Convention was held in Atlanta in November 1973 and was attended by more than 450. The federation's youth education programs also help to ensure the continued growth and vibrancy of the Sephardic culture.
When the U.S. Senate began to look into the issue of Jews fleeing Arab areas in the Middle East, the Federation was involved with their research about the more than 800,000 Jews that chose to leave their homes at the time. In connection with a number of other groups worldwide, the Federation has been involved with efforts to obtain restitution for those affected.
In 2002, the Sephardic House, which had been sharing space with the Federation at the Center for Jewish History
joined with the Federation. The two now operate as one under the name, the American Sephardi Federation with Sephardic House as a national Jewish organization with local chapters. It is dedicated to preserving the history, legacies and traditions of the great Sephardic communities throughout the world as an integral part of Jewish heritage.
Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History is a partnership, or consortium, of five Jewish organizations based in Manhattan. It is a partnership of five organizations of Jewish history, scholarship, and art: the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, the...
, is a non-profit Jewish organization that strengthens and organizes the religious and cultural activities of Sephardic Jews, preserves Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and assists in the publication of books and literature dealing with the Sephardic culture and tradition. The Federation is also active in issues related to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the refugee status of Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
in the modern-day Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
following the creation of Israel.
Activities
The Federation exists to organize and preserve Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the goal of its founding conference was to "dedicate itself to revitalize the Sephardi culture and heritage in the U.S. and to aid the underprivileged population of the State of Israel." The Federation's annual conferences, which also publish a number of reports about the work of the organization and issues related to Sephardic Jewry in the United States, is held in various locations throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and serves as a cultural reminder of the Middle East and African roots of the movement.
Its role in the Center for Jewish History
Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History is a partnership, or consortium, of five Jewish organizations based in Manhattan. It is a partnership of five organizations of Jewish history, scholarship, and art: the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, the...
is considered by some to be somewhat peculiar for a number of reasons, including its addition to the center four years after the Center's creation and its focus on Sephardic rather than Ashkenazi Judaism and its political nature due to the connections with the World Zionist Congress. In 2000, the Federation opened what was then the only dedicated Sephardic exhibition space in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in the Center's new location.
One of the most important functions of the Federation is its role in the lives of Sephardic youth. The first National ASF Youth Convention was held in Atlanta in November 1973 and was attended by more than 450. The federation's youth education programs also help to ensure the continued growth and vibrancy of the Sephardic culture.
When the U.S. Senate began to look into the issue of Jews fleeing Arab areas in the Middle East, the Federation was involved with their research about the more than 800,000 Jews that chose to leave their homes at the time. In connection with a number of other groups worldwide, the Federation has been involved with efforts to obtain restitution for those affected.
History
Although formed in 1952 as a branch of the World Sephardi Federation, the American Sephardi Federation remained relatively inactive until it was officially organized in 1973 after which it was established as a national organization. Some reports, however, cite the Federation's founding date as late as 1984.In 2002, the Sephardic House, which had been sharing space with the Federation at the Center for Jewish History
Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History is a partnership, or consortium, of five Jewish organizations based in Manhattan. It is a partnership of five organizations of Jewish history, scholarship, and art: the American Jewish Historical Society, the American Sephardi Federation, the Leo Baeck Institute, the...
joined with the Federation. The two now operate as one under the name, the American Sephardi Federation with Sephardic House as a national Jewish organization with local chapters. It is dedicated to preserving the history, legacies and traditions of the great Sephardic communities throughout the world as an integral part of Jewish heritage.