Community Magazine January 2012

I t was some thirty years ago, Rabbi Shimon Hai Alouf recalled, when Hacham Ovadia Yosef shelita , was spearheading the formation of a new political party. Somewhat bewildered by the commitment of Maran (our teacher) towards the project, RabbiAlouf asked the sage, “Hacham, why get involved in the unsavory world of politics? Maran is already an established posek (rabbinic authority), widely loved by the people. Why not just write more sefarim (holy books) in peace? Isn’t politics only going to bring headache?” The answer, which made a deep impression on RabbiAlouf, aptly explains the ultimate purpose of the Shas political party. “There are one million children in Israel now, who don’t even know the most famous verse in the Torah – Shema Yisrael,” Hacham Ovadia explained. “But with this undertaking, we can establish schools, teach our children to have pride in their heritage and provide the foundation so that the next generation of Israeli children will have a chance to build a life of Torah… And though I don’t know if Hashem will give me the zechut (merit) to see the fruits of our labor in my lifetime, this must be our mission.” Baruch Hashem, Hacham Ovadia has merited to see the incredible renaissance of Torah that was brought about thanks, in no small part, to the phenomenal growth and influence of the Shas political party within the Israeli government. And though he has undoubtedly earned the right to rest on his laurels, Hacham Ovadia is providing the force behind another push to take the mission of Shas to the next level. Moving beyond the well-established network in Israel, an international support system is currently being formed, bringing together Sephardic Jewish communities from across the United States on behalf of the party. To this end, Hacham Ovadia sent his secretary, Rabbi Zvi Hakak, to New York to assist in this endeavor and ensure its success. On Sunday morning, December 4 th , a group of concerned and dedicated individuals, including numerous community rabbis and political activists, gathered in Flatbush to launch the American Friends of Shas, a new group that will work to assist and support the Israeli Shas political movement. nearly three decades ago, hacham ovadia yosef shelita founded the shas party, to promote traditional sephardic values in the jewish state. today, after growing the party beyond anyone’s expectations, maran is calling upon american jews to do their part. American Friends Shas of BY: PNINA SOUID PHOTOS BY: MORRIS ANTEBI Gathered for the formation of American Freinds of Shas (from left to right) Assemblyman Rory Lancman, Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Rabbi Shimon Alouf of Ahaba VeAhva, Rabbi Uziel Admoni of Bnai Yosef Torah Center, Congressman Bob Turner, Rabbi Zvi Hakak, Hacham Ovadia Yosef's personal secretary. 34 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE