Can Bibi’s wife Sara spoil Israel’s coalition?

Published on January 25, 2013

Forging a coalition is, without a doubt, the most difficult part of the election process in Israel.

Studying Sephardic roots

Published on January 9, 2013

Adina Jalali, a 15-year-old student at Yeshiva High Tech in Los Angeles, has many Ashkenazi friends, but when her parents recently offered her the chance to visit Israel for the first time, she opted for a trip that would resonate with her Sephardic upbringing.

Film Fest celebrates Sephardim

Published on November 8, 2012

For its 11th festival, the Los Angeles Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (LASJFF) needed an honoree for its gala, which takes place Nov. 11 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. At the same time, the Portuguese-American actress Daniela Ruah needed a community. Or at least as much of a community as a busy young actress on a hit TV show can find time to fit in.

L.A.'s Top Ten Mensches: Our fourth-annual salute to big-hearted Angelenos

Published on December 31, 2008

The Jewish Journal created this list as a response to all those lists extolling fame, money, power and hotness. We honor these special ten because they are just people -- menschen, to use the proper Yiddish plural -- who understand the power and possibility of just one person.

Meet Gabriel Halimi, Kim Krowne, Manijeh Youabian, Andrew Wolfberg, Susan Corwin, Ari Moss, Richard Braun, Bracha Yael, Jack Matloff and Neil Sheff

Abraham’s Children: Genetic research opens book on Jewish identity—for good and bad

By Adam Wills
Published on December 26, 2008

Letter from Pasadena: I’m in the oud for love [MUSIC VIDEO]

By The Web Guy
Published on December 17, 2008

Genetic research can open book on Jewish identity—for good and bad

By Adam Wills
Published on December 11, 2008

Critics fear that Jewish genetic research also opens a Pandora's box. The discovery of a shared genetic marker among men who claim to be descended from Kohanim grew into wild, exaggerated claims in the media that geneticists had confirmed the story of Aaron

Rabbis on anti-gay marriage Prop 8: Yes, no, maybe

By Tom Tugend
Published on October 10, 2008

Same-sex marriage is likely to remain a hot-button issue in the presidential race, with Prop. 8 backers looking to Sen. John McCain for ideological support, and opponents to Sen. Barack Obama.

MUSIC: ‘That Yemenite Kid’  Diwon makes a mix tape—in Yiddish

Published on October 7, 2008

Courtesy of Diwon, the artist formerly known as DJ Handler and otherwise known as the executive director of Modular Moods and Shemspeed.com, comes this fresh mix of pop, hip-hop, electronica and . . . Yiddish?

Talk like a pirate—talk like a Jew?

By The Web Guy
Published on September 18, 2008

MUSIC VIDEO: Amonai Shamati—Moroccan High Holy Day Piyyut

Published on September 10, 2008

Beautiful, pleading Sephardic High Holy Day piyyut recited on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur before Amidah. Tradtional Moroccan melody sung by Eyal Bitton.

VIDEO: CNN visits the dwindling Jewish community of Yemen

Published on August 6, 2008

CNN's Paula Newton reports on the few hundred Jews left in Yemen

The Best of (Jewish) Los Angeles 2008

Published on July 3, 2008

We like to think of our Annual Guide to the Best of (Jewish) Los Angeles as kvetch-proof. Our writers and editors provide personal favorites that are so idiosyncratic and eclectic that it's hard to argue. Year after year, by the way, Los Angeles is still our "Best Jewish City."

Paris with a Jewish accent

By David Suissa
Published on May 29, 2008

Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi Amar to visit Los Angeles

By Amy Klein
Published on October 19, 2006

Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Amar to visit Los Angeles; Ask A (Different) Rabbi; Inquiring Minds Want to Know.

Texas Quartet Bucks Tradition

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on August 14, 2003

"I love shattering musical stereotypes," Galeet Dardashti said. Her energetic quartet, Divahn, plays Sephardi and Mizrahi music with an American twist.

Two Insults Too Many

By Eric Silver
Published on August 10, 2000

Ovadia Yosef, the Shas spiritual mentor and former Sephardichief rabbi of Israel, is a gold medalist among insulters. The mediahere monitor his Saturday night sermons, broadcast live on Shas's pirateradio station, for his latest news-making tirades.

The Honeymoon is Over

By Eric Silver
Published on February 24, 2000

Nine months after Ehud Barak took office as "everybody's prime minister," the honeymoon is over -- with his voters, coalition allies and Arab partners in the quest for peace. It is too early to write him off, but the Labor leader can no longer rely on loyalty or goodwill to see him through.