The words I remember uttering with a sarcastic laugh, when Rabbi Harold Sutton approached me two years ago, after he received a phone-call requesting a pulpit rabbi in Indianapolis are: There are Sephardim in Indianapolis?
After spending three years in YUs ordination program under the tutelage of Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Haim and three years immersed in studies under the wings of Haham Shimon Alouf and Rabbi Harold Sutton at the Sephardic Rabbinical College, the time had come to leave the comforts of the Brooklyn community and make a difference.
Nestled on a tree-lined country road, in the heart of the American mid-west, is a 100 year-old Sephardic community, The Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The first Sephardic settlers to arrive in Indianapolis were from Monastir, Yugoslavia in 1906. Names such as Toledano, Meshulam, and Sarfati appear in the records dating back to that time. The Sephardim who came to Indianapolis settled in a small area on the south side of what is today downtown Indianapolis. Almost all of the early settlers (men) came by themselves to find employment and worked, mostly as tailors. Once they were established, they sent for their wives and children.
From the years 1911 to 1913, the Sephardic community of Indianapolis was formed. The importance of being with their own, eating the same foods they were accustomed to, and the ability to converse in Ladino gave them the sense of being one big family.
The years 1914 to 1918 saw the introduction and settlement of Sephardic families from Salonika, Greece. They integrated perfectly, and established produce businesses in Indianapolis in the 1920s. Of course, the community would not be complete without the SY influence and in 1920 the Dayan family arrived from Alleppo. They sold linens from door to door and by 1923 prospered enough to open the famous Circle Linen Shop in downtown Indianapolis.
For many years, the Sephardim were not recognized as Jews by some of their Ashkenazi counterparts in Indianapolis because they did not speak Yiddish. The Sephardim, proud of their heritage, withheld social contact when they werent accepted. For many years, a social rift prevailed in the Indianapolis Jewish community between the two groups. There was no intermarriage of Sephardim and Ashkenazim until 1932 when three marriages took place.
The burial society was founded in 1921. A Sephardic weekly publication called La Vara, printed in Ladino, kept the community informed of important events and national news. Historical essays, poetry, and fiction were also a part of the newspaper.
This paper, published in New York by Albert Levy, was an important link with the rest of the Sephardic world. It was published from 1922 to 1948. By 1933, the community consisted of about 75 families, totaling about 350 individuals. At that time, there were two market stand owners, seven wholesale fruit peddlers, four retail fruit peddlers, two secondhand dry goods dealers, three privately owned tailoring shops, three shoemakers, two mens furnishing shops, one baker, one grocer, one confectionery, and one dry goods store. Almost 50% of the community worked for the Kahn Tailoring Company, including some women who worked before they were married. A few others worked at the August Julian Tailoring Company.
During the 1920s and 1930s, women didnt work after marriage. They were devoted mothers and worked very hard. They did their own laundry, sewing, and baked their own bread, in addition to all other household chores. Most were married by 20 years of age, the men by 23. Engagements were short, and weddings were simple, but very musical. The birth rate was slightly higher than that of other Jewish groups.
The women looked after one another during childbirth, sickness, or any emergency that might arise. The custom of providing food and cleaning house for those in mourning prevails even today.
The womens Sisterhood group, Society, was formed in 1925. The first president was Senyora Toledo. A very special fund called the Fundo Secreto (Secret Fund) was formed by the women and helped those in need of financial aid. It was, as its name implies, very secret, its funds lent or given in the strictest confidence. This fund is still part of the Sisterhoods treasury. Fortunately, it has not been needed or used for many years.
By World War II, many young men had enlisted and served in the US Armed Forces. During the war years, many young women, 18 years and older, served as hostesses in the USO (United Service Organization).
Like many Sephardic communities around North America, with perseverance and incentive to better themselves, the community has produced many businessmen and other professionals.
Of the second generation born Sephardim, all of the children have completed high school and about 70% have completed college. They are represented in fields such as law, medicine, dentistry, art, jewelry design and engraving, and many others.
The cuisine is also quite different. Whereas I was raised around kibbe, sambusak, lahmabigen, and spanik begiben, the Sephardim of Indianapolis have Borekas, Keries De Spinache and Poro (meatballs with spinach and leeks), and Tadalikos (sweet cookies).
Since most of the members moved to the north side of Indianapolis by 1960, it became necessary to find another location for Etz Chaim, closer to the majority of its members. In 1963, the congregation moved into an old church. The steeple was removed, extensive remodeling and additions were made to convert it to a proper place of worship for the congregation and a special celebration was held when the Torahs were moved from the old synagogue to the new one.
Indianapolis has the largest Jewish population in the statemore than 10,000. Most live in the city of Indianapolis and its northern suburbs. The Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center, and the Bureau of Jewish Education are located at the heart of the Jewish community and within walking distance from three of the six synagogues, including ours. The Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis, a Jewish day school for 18 months through 8th grade is under the leadership of Mrs. Miriam Gettinger, daughter of Rabbi Berel Wein and is located across the street. Youll find a large selection of kosher food at the local supermarkets, which brings us to the Sephardic Indianapolis of today. Many of the old generation and their children have moved away while an influx of new families from different spectrums of the Sephardic world have arrived; Persian, Moroccan, Syrian, and Tunisian. Five years ago a beautiful new building for Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation was erected on the Jewish campus of Indianapolis.
Theres an amazing vibrance of life here while people still enjoy the tranquility of the Midwest, not unlike the Deal community. Opportunities for expanding the Jewish community abound (were still waiting for our first kosher pizza joint and burger place!), a Sephardic mikveh campaign is underway, and new siddurim are needed (to replace the ones still being used from the 1950s). The price of real estate is extremely affordable. We welcome new families, especially Sephardic families, who want to impact the Indianapolis community.
I am extremely grateful and thankful to the team at YU and to the SRC, especially Rabbi Harold Sutton, Haham Shimon Alouf, and Mr. Mike Tawil, for enabling me to learn and to give back to a great Sephardic community. Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation was founded by men and women who were determined to create a Sephardic presence in Indianapolis that focused on maintaining Sephardic customs, and traditions, acts of loving kindness, and, foremost, a belief in the Almighty, G-d of Israel. Etz Chaim continues to hold true to these principles and thrives as an Orthodox Sephardic synagogue. For nearly a century, the congregation has maintained a strong Shabbat program with Erev Shabbat (Friday night) to Sunday morning services, an inviting and warm Oneg Shabbat kiddush, programs and classes for men and women, along with other youth programming. Expanding and thriving past its centennial year, Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation continues to flourish as a light of Sephardic tradition in Indianapolis and a true jewel of the Midwest.
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Rabbi Dr. Eytan M. Cowen is the spiritual leader of Etz Chaim Sephardic Congregation of Indianapolis. He and his family moved from Brooklyn to Indianapolis to lead the community.
