Community Magazine January 2012

Restoring Sephardic Pride The Shas party was founded in 1984 under the official name “The Worldwide Sephardic Association of Torah Observers,” with the goal of revitalizing the pride and religious commitment of Israel’s Sephardic population. Since the earliest days of the Jewish State, the country’s government was dominated, to a large extent, by secularist leaders of European descent who aspired to develop Israel into a modern western society with little substantive connection to authentic Jewish belief and practice. When hundreds of thousands of Sephardic Jews emigrated to the fledgling Jewish state in the years following its establishment, many mainstream Israelis viewed them as culturally inferior, and eagerly sought to purge the new immigrants of their ancient heritage and integrate them into the “enlightened” western society. The Sephardic émigrés struggled, often unsuccessfully, to preserve their traditions under such conditions. Many also suffered from poverty, unable to succeed in a, somewhat discriminatory, Ashkenazi-dominated marketplace. The wide socioeconomic gap that separated the Sephardic and Ashkenazic populations only reinforced the stereotypical perception of Sepharadim as an inferior class. Shas was formed in advance of the 1984 general elections, in order to give a political voice to the Sephardic population and to restore Sephardic identity and pride. Since then, the party has played a vital role in keeping Israel’s character as a Jewish State part of the national agenda, and in securing funding for educational and social programs among Sepharadim. These programs have succeeded in injecting vigor and confidence within its constituency, and drastically raising halachic awareness among Sephardic communities and in Israel generally. Over the years, Shas MK’s have held numerous influential ministerial positions in the Israel government. The party holds 11 seats in the current Knesset, and five Shas MK’s serve as ministers in Benjamin Netayahu’s government, including Shas Chairman Eli Yishai (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs) , Yaakov Margi (Minister of Religious Affairs), and Yitzchak Cohen (Deputy Minister of Finance). All the party’s policy decisions are made in consultation with Maran Hacham Ovadia Yosef, under whose guidance, leadership and inspiration Shas operates. Already as a teenage yeshiva student, Hacham Ovadia was committed to raising the religious standards of Jewish émigrés from Middle Eastern lands, writing, teaching and lecturing to audiences of all levels, disseminating Torah and words of inspiration. He has worked to reaffirm the stature of Maran Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575), author of the Shulhan Aruch halachic code, as the authoritative arbiter of Jewish law, returning Sephardic Jewry to its authentic ancient heritage of religious observance. Despite his advanced age, Hacham Ovadia travels to communities across Israel to deliver lectures, especially during the month of Elul, when he exhorts audiences to return to Hashem in preparation for the Days of Awe. He formed and leads the Shas movement as an integral part of his lifelong endeavor to restore the pride of Sephardic Jewry and raise religious standards in Israel. Friends Across the Ocean With the encouragement of Hacham Ovadia, American Friends of Shas was created for the sake of bringing together Shas’ supporters in the United States and spreading awareness of its work. The group’s pilot meeting on December 4th was organized by Mrs. Shoshana Bekkerman, assistant to Nissim Zev, one of the founders of Shas who now serves as one of the party’s Knesset members and Mrs. Odeleya Jacobs, a political activist. The program of the historic meeting was emceed by Yair Meirov of Chazak (one of the Chofetz ChaimHeritage Foundation’s programs) and chaired by Rabbi David Algaze. Many prominent community rabbis and lay leaders attended to lend their support to the initiative, including Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Rabbi Shimon Hai Alouf of Cong. Ahaba ve Ahva, Rabbi Hanania Elbaz of Cong. Ahi Ezer Avenue X, Rabbi David Jemal of Har HaLebanon (and brother-in-law of MK Nissim Zeev), and Rabbi David Ozeri of Yad Yosef Torah Center. Congressman Bob Turner and Assemblyman Rory Lancman of Queens also attended and delivered brief addresses expressing their support. In the coming weeks, American Friends of Shas will be consolidating its Membership Committee and Ladies Auxiliary. For more information on its future events and on how to get involved, contact friendsofshas@yahoo.com. A special video message aired at the meeting featured Hacham Ovadia Yosef shelita encouraging the establishment of American Friends of Shas. Congressman Bob Turner greeting Rabbi Kassin. Standing behind the Rabbi is Mr. Ronnie Tawil. Rabbi David Algaze addresses the gathering. Other rabbis pictured include Rabbi Joseph Dweck (center) and Rabbi David Jemal (far right). TEVET 5772 JANUARY 2012 35