Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America

Founded 1942 as Federation of Sephardic Organizations.

From the description of Records, 1942-1971, 1942-1962 (bulk) (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155470971

The Sephardi immigrants coming to the United States during the early part of the twentieth century developed a strong yearning for a central body along the lines of the communities they knew in their old hometowns. It took the arrival in 1941 of Dr. Nissim J. Ovadia, former Chief Rabbi of Paris, to unite all the societies under the sponsorship of a few businessmen who were impressed by Dr. Ovadia’s energy and dedication. On June 29, 1942, the first meeting of delegates of societies and members at large of the Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America was held.

Upon the death of Dr. Ovadia on August 30, 1942, Dr. David J. Cardozo filled the gap as the leader for a short interval until he was called to serve Congregation Mikveh Israel of Philadelphia. Dr. Isaac Alcalay, the former Chief Rabbi of Yugoslavia, who had escaped from the Nazis, was in New York at the time and accepted the position of Chief Rabbi and leader. In 1944 Mrs. Mazel Ovadia founded the Woman’s Division, which was the right arm of the Community for many years.

The Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America conducted a large number of social activities. In the field of philanthropy, the Community extended financial emergency help to many needy families. In the field of religion and Jewish education, the Community succeeded in uniting a number of Sephardi Talmud Torah in Brooklyn, and later in the Bronx, and subsidized education for a number of years. The Community helped in founding the Sephardic Jewish Center of the Bronx. In 1952, the Community engaged Dr. Moise Ventura as principal of schools and as a general director of Sephardi Jewish Education. The Community also organized rabbis in a central committee for the purpose of improving their religious services. The Community formed the Sephardic Youth League in the mid-1940s, consisting of over 1000 boys and girls distributed in several chapters covering the entire city, under the guidance of John J. Karpeles as director. The league carried on social and cultural activities and assisted young people in their higher studies with scholarships.

In matters of general Jewish interest the Community organized dinners and other functions for the benefit of the Federation of Jewish Charities and the United Jewish Appeal, and for the purchase of Israel bonds. The Community occasionally assisted Sephardi communities and institutions outside of the United States.

For many years the Community struggled with the problem of a home for the Sephardi aged, and as a result of a study requested by and paid for by the Community, the Board of Directors decided to build a home for the Sephardi aged. Money was raised with the substantial help of the Women’s Division, and the Sephardi Home for the Aged opened its doors on May 20, 1951 in the Bronx.

In the field of public relations the Community acted as the representative body at many national and international conventions and meetings. The Community also, by means of the publication of The Sephardi from 1943 to 1957, kept the Sephardim of the United States and particularly the youth apprised of events of Jewish and Sephardi interest.

Another important service rendered by the Community was its work in locating relatives who had lost contact with each other, as a result of World War II.

By 1987 the men who stayed with the Community were only a few, and the organization's funds were dormant. It was decided that the Woman’s Division of the CSJCA would take over the organization. A meeting was held in 1989 in the Library of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue. It was suggested by Mrs. Emilie Levy to merge together with the men under the original name “Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America, Inc.” All assets were merged, and Mrs. Irma Cardozo was elected as President of the new organization.

From the guide to the Records of Central Sephardic Jewish Community of America, undated, 1935-2000, (American Sephardi Federation)