The Sephardic National Alliance, compromised of community leaders working together for the benefit of our community, have had many notable meetings throughout the years. Here’s a look at some of them.
Everyone was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with President Bill Clinton at the home of Joe Cayre. The visit was the first by a US President to the home of a community member. The leaders of the community had an opportunity to speak to the President about numerous important subjects of concern to our community, the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
When King Abdullah of Jordan visited New York, we complimented him on following in the footsteps of his late father, by continuing the peace with the State of Israel. We asked him to use his influence with the President of Syria to negotiate for permanent peace with Israel.
We met with Senator Joseph Lieberman at the offices of Abe Chehebar. Mr. Lieberman is a strong advocate of school vouchers and had a lot of respect for the unity of our community.
Throughout the years, the members of the Board of Directors of the SNA have enjoyed a warm relationship with numerous Israeli heads of state, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Minister David Levy, President of Israel Moshe Katsav, Ambassador to the US Shmuel Sisso, Israeli Ambassador to the UN and numerous Israeli Knesset members.
Rabbis and spiritual leaders from Israel and around the world who support the goals of the SNA include Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Bakshi Doron, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of France Joseph Sitruk and the respected Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Every time a rabbi visits we welcome him to the community and we are consistently in touch to get advice and guidance on various issues.
We had a meeting with the Governor of New York, George Pataki, at his office, where we spoke to him about important issues.
The Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, is a close friend of the Sephardic community, and we have met with him several times to discuss various issues that affect the community, including building permits, crime prevention issues in our neighborhood, school vouchers and monetary aid for our educational institutions.
Senator Chuck Schumer has been a personal friend of numerous leaders from the Sephardic community since his days as Congressman. He has worked long and hard for issues such as crime safety and Israel. Senator Schumer is there for the community, helping with everyday problems.
Congressman Anthony Weiner has met with leaders of the community many times and we share a close bond.
The Congressman helped introduce the bill for green cards for the Syrian Jewish immigrants and has always been at the forefront helping the Sephardic community.
We met with Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who explained the commitment he has towards the release of the jailed Iranian Jews, and a bill in Congress forewarning Arafat against declaring statehood. He is also working hard to improve the economy of Brooklyn.
While Congressman Rick Lazio was running for a seat for US Senator from New York, he came to Deal, New Jersey and met with numerous leaders of our community. He discussed his aspiration to work together with the community in the future and maintain a close relationship working on issues that are important.
During a visit to the offices of the Public Advocate of New York, Mark Green, we spoke about the importance of small businesses in New York and especially Sephardic businesses, and what he is doing to keep government “performing efficiently.”
Comptroller of New York Alan Hevesi visits our community often. The Comptroller had a lot of praise for the Sephardic National Alliance. He awarded Ben-Gurion Matsas with the “Jewish Heritage Award” for his continuous hard work for and devotion to the Sephardic community.
When Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer came to our community, we discussed the large Sephardic business presence in the Bronx and what Mr. Ferrer is doing to improve the quality of life in that region.
President of the SNA Ben-Gurion Matsas had an opportunity to quiz Senator of New Jersey Bill Bradley while he was campaigning for president. Mr. Matsas asked about his stance on school vouchers.
At one of the meetings with Peter Vallone, Speaker and Majority Leader of the Council of New York City, we discussed the Speaker’s role in police safety, the creation of new jobs, obtaining scholarships for students and procuring medical supervision (nurses), provided by the government, to our yeshivot.
A meeting at the offices of Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver was a chance for us to speak about health care for our senior citizens, including help with transportation and insurance, issues the Speaker has worked hard for.
Council Member Michael Nelson of the 48th District, the heart of our community, has been a good friend of the SNA since he was running for office. We frequently speak to the Councilman about issues such as allocating much-needed city funds for Sephardic schools, and taking care of day-to-day issues that affect the community directly, such as sanitation, police safety, library funds and senior citizen services. He is always there for our community needs.
The safety of our community’s streets is one of the most important subjects the SNA is working on. Community leaders are always in contact with Police Chief of Booklyn South Joseph Fox to discuss issues such as maintaining good police relations and crime reduction.
While meeting with Assemblyman of the 48th District, Dov Hikind, the SNA asked him about important issues.
Councilman Dear is often seen around the Sephardic community visiting and supporting the Sephardic Community Center, and he is in frequent contact with community leaders. He is always working on important issues such as school vouchers, zoning, Israel and the marriage penalty tax.
Deal, New Jersey and its surrounding townships are an important part of the growth of the Sephardic community. We meet regularly with Mayor of Deal Harry Franco, an honorary board member of the SNA, to discuss issues important to the Sephardic community there in the summer and year-round. In addition we have met with Mayor of Long Branch Adam Schneider, Police Chief Mike Sylvester, the Deal Fire Department and Deal First Aid.
The SNA also works closely with various leaders of Sephardic congregations and organizations, including rabbis from many communities.
The relationship the SNA shares with Jewish organizations such as the American Sephardi Federation, the UJA, Sephardic Bikur Holim, Shehebar Sephardic Center, Sephardic Educational Center and many more, plays an important role for our community. We are consistently working together with these organizations, offering educational and social programs that enhance our history and heritage.
Ben-Gurion Matsas, President of the SNA, together with community leaders, is working hard to maintain the unity and survival of the customs and heritage of our community. With G-d’s help, working together, we can do a world of good.
