|
| Weekly Parshat |
|
Netzavim - You Are Standing
Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20
Torah Reading for Week of Sep 9-15, 2012 - Elul 22-28, 5772
 Links
Anusim Store
Click on the CD cover to review Dona Gracia's CD's
This issue is Now in Spanish!
Esta edicion se ofrece ahora en Espaņol!
Click on the special Sephardic Issue of the TJCI magazine below to purchase from our Secure Web Store
Click below if you want to order your DNA testing!!
Click on the box for DNA Testing
Anousim Names
Click on the map to check out the SHI Anusim Names Project
We Need Your Help to Continue
|
|
|
|
Sephardim Hope News
...And the regathered shall inherit the Negev. Obadiah 1:20 
Elul/Tishri 5772/September 2012
|
|
|
Greetings!,
L' Shanah Tovah from our house to yours!
September 16, 2012, will be E'rev Rosh Hashanah, or Yom Teruah, for the New Year of 5773!
There is no doubt that Israel stands in a perilous position, during this time, but our hope is in Ha Shem, as this season of holiness comes into view.
The light of Ha Shem continues to shine upon us. The voice of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continues to resound in the cry of the shofar, for what lies ahead.
May Ha Shem grant you a wonderful year of hope, thankfulness and bless your families with good health and provision. As for myself, I am so grateful for this time of reflection, teshuva and the good health that Ha Shem has granted. May you also be blessed.
 | | Jerusalem Awaits You! |
We pray to return to our Eretz Israel in the Fall! We "pray for the shalom of Yerushalayim".
Rosh Hashanah (meaning the head of the Year) is the first and second days of the first civil Jewish month of Tishrei. The celebration of Rosh Hashanah is marked with solemnity, as the day on which the world is judged for the coming year.
Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah, the day of the awakening blast) is also considered the birthday of the world, as it was on this day that Ha Shem created man on the 6th day.
Elul is the final month in the Jewish year. This time is particularly important for prayer, self introspection, and reflection for repentance. This is a time of intense spiritual preparation, before the 10 Days of Awe between Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur.
 | | The Kotel at Night |
Yom Kippur , the holiest day of the year, falls on Sept. 25, 26, (Tishrei 9,10). The shofar reminds us to let go of un-forgiveness and to make amends. It is the hope of renewal and a new spiritual beginning. The awakening call of Yom Teruah, calls us from our slumber to Teshuva. (repentance).
 Rosh Hashana brings us these distinct sounds of the shofar for this awakening period:
Tekiah, which means "blast", to cause the worshiper to come to attention. (one long blast).
Shevarim, means "broken", represented by three short notes, showing our broken state and need of HaShem in our lives.
Teruah, or "alarm" is the numbering of at least nine rapid short blasts.
Finally, "tekiah ha-g'dolah", represented by a the longest note that the shofar player can hold, which is the last trump of this day!
We will enjoy the sweetness of sliced apples dipped in honey, a special bread shaped like a crown, sweetened with raisens, nuts, as we end this celebration, saying, "Shana Tova, Tikateivu!" meaning, "May your name be inscribed for a good, sweet year".
|
Akedah
 The story of Abraham and Isaac are the two Torah portions read in congregation from Genesis chapter 22. The first portion details the birth of Isaac. The second portion is called the "Akedah", literally meaning the "binding". It is the account of the three day journey of Abraham, his two servants, and Isaac, to Mount Moriah . The portion ends with the binding of Isaac, for the required sacrifice. Here, Adonai provided the ram and hence the "ram's horn" tradition of the shofar. "Keren", means "horn" in Hebrew , but also means "foundation" and "rays of light".
Isaiah 60:1 says, "Arise and shine for thy light has come". Let us be encouraged to act as those "rays of light" with mitzvahs of good deeds, with the compassion of Ha Shem to others.
May the light of Torah guide each person seeking spiritual strength and give us wisdom.
May Israel be protected and a light to the nations . May we proclaim G-d as our one and true King on this special day of the year. Let us pray for the change of our hearts, to love Ha Shem, as his Torah calls to us from his Great shofar.
We send you our most loving Shalom and our warmest,
Shana tova!
Doņa Gracia Serrano Fenn |
Check Out Our Website...
We continue to upgrade our website with new features, more articles, newsfeeds direct from Israel and much more to serve you better. Check our blog on our website for articles and to send a message or comment!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNA Project Continues
We want to thank you for continuing to use our "DNA project" link on our website, www.SephardimHope.net
.
If
you would like to take a DNA test to see if you might have "Jewish"
DNA Sephardim Hope International has a special project with FamilyTree DNA. Click on the "FamilyTreeDNA" Search Button above to search your name and/or order your DNA test
kit. We are building a data base of names and your information is
kept strickly confidential.
|
Anusim Names Project
Sephardim Hope International continues to develop a network of B'nei Anusim (Children of Anusim/Crypto- Jews) for the purpose of education and mutual support. This project is called the Anusim Names Project. We believe it is part of the biblical fulfillment of Obadiah 20.
If you feel you have Benei Anusim/Jewish roots in your family line, please email brief information, names, origin, to: anusimproject@sephardimhope.org . You may also fill out the e-Form on our website: Anusim Names Project .
Your information will be held confidentially, unless you include permission for possible research in Israel.
- Dona Gracia Serrano-Fenn |
| Aliyah Links
This month we also want to pass along again some great links regarding Aliyah information that we give to those who write us. We hope this information will be helpful to answer more questions that many on our email list may have. We hope to also include these links in the new book, Anusim Awake that is almost ready for our newly found
publisher.
The Jewish Agency is very much concerned about the Anusim and will do everything they can to help. So anyone is welcome to contact the Global Center through the toll free numbers (listed below) or e-mail. They will be helped in Spanish or English whichever is best for them.
You may also click on the flags for more contact information for that country...
 U.S.A.: 1-866 835 0430
 Canada: 1-866 421 8912
 Argentina: 0-800-444-9744  Brazil: 0-800-891-8023
 Mexico: 1-877-684-55-52  Uruguay: 000-412 Code 2086  Venezuela: 0-800-1001-131 Code 2079  Spain: 900-931-828 |
Thank You for Your Prayers and Support!
If you have questions,
please do not hesitate to email us or to call our contact at 408-422-5498 and
speak with Drake for scheduling or further information.
|
Awakening The Sephardim To The Negev!
Sephardim Hope International is a tax-deductible 501 (c) (3) educational and benevolent international non-profit to bring the message of the Sephardic Anusim Jews (the descendents of the forcibly converted ones) from Spain to the awareness of the world.
To donate by regular mail use the address at the bottom of this page. You may also donate securely on-line by clicking here. Or you may call (408) 422-5498 and ask for Drake Fenn to donate by phone.
We look forward to hearing from many of you. Remember that you can respond to our newsletter or email directly with questions at info@SephardimHope.org. The website address, however is http://www.sephardimhope.net/
May HaShem continue to bless you! Please do contact our administrator, Drake (my awesome husband and webmaster) at Drake@SephardimHope.org for speaking and music engagements.
|
Loving Shalom,
Dona Gracia Serrano Fenn
Sephardim Hope International
|
|
