THREE HUNDRED MEMBERS OF THE BROOKLYN SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY GATHERED TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF GADOL HADOR HACHAM OVADIA YOSEF WITH A NIGHT OF LEARNING AND INSPIRATION, ON THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING.
T he night began with everyone participating in a group learning experience. They had gathered together to read, learn, and complete one entire book of Hacham Ovadia’s halachic works. With everyone’s participation they accomplished their goal. Reading the entire book of Hazon Ovadia Halakhot Shabbat Volume 1 in one night was a wonderful achievement.
Rabbi Yochai Cohen had recently finished a 9 year study of all six books of Hazon Ovadia Halakhot Shabbat. Once group learning had ended, he did a suyum. The attendees moved into the main dining room where a lavish dinner was served. Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rabbi Ouri Lati, Rabbi Yaakov Mizrahi, and Rabbi Yochai Cohen spoke about Hacham Ovadia’s legacy and his love for the Sephardic community of Brooklyn. Then they shared some of their personal experiences with Hacham Ovadia. After the speeches a traditional Hilula ensued with Sephardic pizmonim and other traditional songs, to the delight of the crowd.
The evening would not have been possible without the help of the World Zionist Movement Department of Hebrew and Culture and the many donors who helped fund the event. May the zechut of learning, and the memory of Hacham Ovadia be a blessing to our entire community.
