As Israeli civilians are once again under rocket attacks from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups, we the undersigned, Sephardic rabbis representing communities all over the world, stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel.
We support Israel’s right to defend her cities and civilians, and to assert her sovereignty over Jerusalem, the historic and eternal capital of Israel.
We offer our love and prayers to the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli Police, Israel’s Home Front Command and Medical First Response units. May God strengthen and protect them as they protect Israel.
We condemn the violent ways of all terror groups attacking Israel, whose hypocrisy recalls the Biblical verse: “I am all peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalms 120:7).
In the words of our great Sephardic sage Rabbi Bension Meir Hai Uziel, “we desire peace, but we will not go as sheep to the slaughter, rather we will defend ourselves with strength and courage in our historic homeland.”
Today and every day, we are proud to stand with Israel.
Rabbi Elie Abadie, Senior Rabbi, Jewish Council of the Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
Rabbi Ilan Acoca, Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee (New Jersey)
Rabbi Marc Angel, Institute of Jewish Ideas and Ideals (New York)
Rabbi Haim Amsalem, Am Shalem/Zera Yisrael Foundation (Jerusalem, Israel)
Rabbi Yaakob Levy Aserraf, Communidad Israelita de Cueta (Spain)
Rabbi Eitan Bendavid, Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Moshe Benzaquen, West Coast Torah Center (Los Angeles)
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle, Washington)
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Sephardic Educational Center (Los Angeles/Jerusalem)
Rabbi Nissim Elnecavé, Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America (New York)
Rabbi Albert Gabbai, Congregation Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia)
Rabbi Baruj Garzon, Kehillat Yagdil Torah (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy, Shiviti/Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim (San Diego)
Rabbi Yaacov Betzalel Harrar, Kehillat Shuva (Ra’anana)
Rabbi Ben Hassan, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (Seattle, Washington)
Rabbi Daniel Kahana, (Brooklyn, New York)
Rabbi Dr. Abraham Levy, Spanish & Portuguese Community (London)
Rabbi Mordejai Maarabi, Kehillat Torah ve’Jaim (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Mimon Mamane, Congregation Magen David of Manhattan (New York)
Rabbi Raif Melhado, Americans4Israel (Los Angeles)
Rabbi Moshe Nahon, Kahal Kadosh Abudarham Synagogue (Gibraltar)
Rabbi Abraham Tobal, Monte Sinai Community (Mexico City)
Rabbi Devin Maimon Villareal, Kehillat Sha’ar Tsafon (Pocatello, Idaho)
Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun, Skylake Synagogue (Miami)
Sephardic Rabbis Stand in Solidarity with Israel
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila
As Israeli civilians are once again under rocket attacks from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror groups, we the undersigned, Sephardic rabbis representing communities all over the world, stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel.
We support Israel’s right to defend her cities and civilians, and to assert her sovereignty over Jerusalem, the historic and eternal capital of Israel.
We offer our love and prayers to the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces, the Israeli Police, Israel’s Home Front Command and Medical First Response units. May God strengthen and protect them as they protect Israel.
We condemn the violent ways of all terror groups attacking Israel, whose hypocrisy recalls the Biblical verse: “I am all peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalms 120:7).
In the words of our great Sephardic sage Rabbi Bension Meir Hai Uziel, “we desire peace, but we will not go as sheep to the slaughter, rather we will defend ourselves with strength and courage in our historic homeland.”
Today and every day, we are proud to stand with Israel.
Rabbi Elie Abadie, Senior Rabbi, Jewish Council of the Emirates (United Arab Emirates)
Rabbi Ilan Acoca, Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee (New Jersey)
Rabbi Marc Angel, Institute of Jewish Ideas and Ideals (New York)
Rabbi Haim Amsalem, Am Shalem/Zera Yisrael Foundation (Jerusalem, Israel)
Rabbi Yaakob Levy Aserraf, Communidad Israelita de Cueta (Spain)
Rabbi Eitan Bendavid, Kehillat Shivtei Yisrael (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Moshe Benzaquen, West Coast Torah Center (Los Angeles)
Rabbi Simon Benzaquen, Congregation Ezra Bessaroth (Seattle, Washington)
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Sephardic Educational Center (Los Angeles/Jerusalem)
Rabbi Nissim Elnecavé, Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America (New York)
Rabbi Albert Gabbai, Congregation Mikveh Israel (Philadelphia)
Rabbi Baruj Garzon, Kehillat Yagdil Torah (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy, Shiviti/Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim (San Diego)
Rabbi Yaacov Betzalel Harrar, Kehillat Shuva (Ra’anana)
Rabbi Ben Hassan, Sephardic Bikur Holim Congregation (Seattle, Washington)
Rabbi Daniel Kahana, (Brooklyn, New York)
Rabbi Dr. Abraham Levy, Spanish & Portuguese Community (London)
Rabbi Mordejai Maarabi, Kehillat Torah ve’Jaim (Ra’anana, Israel)
Rabbi Mimon Mamane, Congregation Magen David of Manhattan (New York)
Rabbi Raif Melhado, Americans4Israel (Los Angeles)
Rabbi Moshe Nahon, Kahal Kadosh Abudarham Synagogue (Gibraltar)
Rabbi Abraham Tobal, Monte Sinai Community (Mexico City)
Rabbi Devin Maimon Villareal, Kehillat Sha’ar Tsafon (Pocatello, Idaho)
Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun, Skylake Synagogue (Miami)
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Wayward Jewish Minds
It’s Hard to Understand Trump Until You Realize He’s Still a TV Showman
World’s Leading University System’s Role in Combating Antisemitism
Change in Iran Must Come from Within
A Donkey’s Perspective on Politics
They Hate the Left, Love America, and Blame the Jews: How the Woke Right Mirrors the Left
Rabbis of LA | The Fast-Paced Life of Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Michelle Missaghieh, Temple Israel of Hollywood’s associate rabbi, is likely the busiest rabbi in Los Angeles.
Why Do Some Jews Support Those Who Hate Them?
The lesson of Mamdani’s victory is not just that dangerous ideologies can win elections — but that they can win them with Jewish help. That makes them even more dangerous.
Balaam’s B-Sides – A poem for Parsha Balak
If you’re a good Jew, and who am I to assume otherwise…
When Jew-Hatred Meets Partisan Hatred, Things Can Get Complicated
Jew-hatred is terrible regardless of where it comes from. But not all Jew-hatred is created equal. Depending on where you sit politically, some Jews can be more hated than others.
Israel Discount Bank’s Soiree, LA Jewish Film Fest Closing Night, AJU Board Chair
Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.
Bombing Auschwitz—in Iran
The Allies faced similar dilemmas during World War II, yet that never stopped them from bombing necessary targets.
Joshua Stopped the Sun
A Bisl Torah — A Prayer for the People of Texas
Together, we cry. Together, we mourn.
A Moment in Time: “The Awe of In-Between”
Print Issue: Hate VS. Love | July 11, 2025
The more noise we make about Jew-hatred, the more Jew-hatred seems to increase. Is all that noise spreading the very poison it is fighting? Is it time to introduce a radically new idea that will associate Jews not with hate but with love?
Prophetic Illumination, or, The Comedy Club of Canaan
Warren Rockmacher: Kosher Barbecue, Crack Dogs and Brisket
Taste Buds with Deb – Episode 115
‘Fagin the Thief’ — A More Nuanced Portrait of Dickens’ Jewish Villain
The desire to set things right animates “Fagin the Thief.”
‘Bad Shabbos’: You’ll Laugh, You’ll Cringe, You’ll Hide the Body
The film, built on a witty and well-paced script by Robbins and co-writer Zack Weiner, invites us to what is well set to be a disastrous Shabbat dinner.
LA Federation to Award $500,000 in Security Grants
The funds, according to JFEDLA, will provide for vital security personnel for organizations, institutions and groups primarily serving children.
Mother, Daughter and OC Synagogue Lead ‘Mitzvah Missions’ to Cuba
Currently, there are an estimated 600-800 Jews living in Cuba, most of whom are based in Havana, though there are small Jewish communities in Cuban cities Santa Clara and Cienfuegos.
From LA to Israel Under Fire: Why One Woman Still Chose to Make Aliyah
On June 12, Eve Karlin made Aliyah to Israel with the assistance of Nefesh B’Nefesh. Twelve hours later, at 3:30 a.m., she woke up to the sounds of loud sirens.
A Snapshot of Love and Herby Fish Brochettes
Pairing the tender fish brochettes with the vibrant herb sauce and crispy potatoes reminded us of eating by the sea with the scent of saltwater in the air.
National Ice Cream Month: Delicious Decadence, Along with Some Healthy Recipes
While you don’t need a reason to try some new cool, sweet ice cream — or ice-cream adjacent — recipes, it’s certainly fun to have one.
Table for Five: Balak
Doing God’s Will
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.