Acelebration was held at the home of Lillian and Ken Cayre, to honor the first graduating class of rabbis from the Sephardic Rabbinical College. This reception marked the first tier of accomplishment for the college. Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin, Rabbi Shimon Alouf, Rabbi Harold Sutton, Ezra S. Ashkenazi, Paul Kopyt and others who were involved in the Sephardic Rabbinical College were ecstatic at the realization of their dream of educating community members according to the Sephardic tradition and providing “home grown educators” for our community.
Four years ago, the concept of Mr. Ashkenazi was brought to fruition as the Sephardic Rabbinical College was formed. A scholarship program was implemented to enable dedicated individuals to participate in the program and live with dignity among their peers. In return, students are required to commit to work and serve in our Sephardic traditional community institutions.
The meeting, attended by many community rabbis as well as the families of the honorees, began with host Ken Cayre greeting the crowd and welcoming them. Chief Rabbi Shaul Kassin spoke to the audience and articulately explained to the crowd the importance of keeping Sephardic customs and traditions alive. He was followed by our esteemed and honorable Mr. Sam Catton, who was the keynote speaker.
Rabbi Shimon Alouf, the head of the college, spoke about how the ceremony was of special importance to him because of his connection with the rabbis. He was immensely pleased to give them their diplomas that were signed this past summer by former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Rabbi Alouf said, “It was a great experience for me personally to see American students, who studied here, passing the tests like Israeli kollel students and receiving smikhah (rabbinical ordination). I look forward to seeing additional capable and talented young men assuming the responsibility of leadership to fill the needs of our community, to maintain our traditions dor midor (from generation to generation) in the spirit and encouragement of our great Rabbi, Rav Ovadia Yosef, shlita.”
Ezra S. Ashkenazi gave an eloquent speech, discussing the importance of the rabbinical college to the future of Sephardic customs and traditions.
Rabbi Harold Sutton remarked that “Being involved in the training of the community’s future teachers and leaders has been truly inspiring. There is nothing as gratifying as watching those whom you have taught attain positions of leadership in the community.”
Rabbis Joe Beyda, Saul Chamoula, Joe Dweck and Jack Savdie were the original four students of the Sephardic Rabbinical College and were the first to take and pass the rabbinical test given by Chief Rabbi of Israel (Rabbi Bakshi-Doron).
In their intense studies, the rabbis learned both secular and rabbinical studies. Other students in the college included Moses Haber, Azriel Izhar, Daniel Kahana, David Zeit and Yehezkel Zion.
The event served not only as an exciting and important graduation but also as community support for the next four to five years and for the new class. Said Ezra S. Ashkenazi of the day, “We want to thank everyone who came to this momentous event, a highlight in community history. The Sephardic Rabbinical College will be a key fixture in our community for years to come and will become one of the main organizations that will provide for all age groups in the community.”
