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Haazinu - Listen In
Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52
Torah Reading for Week of Sep 1-7, 2013 - Elul 26, 5773-Tishrei 3, 5774
 Links
Anousim Store
Check out Doona Gracia's new book Anousim Awake here...
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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!
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Click on the box for DNA Testing
Anousim Names
Click on the map to check out the SHI Anusim Names Project
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Sephardim Hope News
...And the regathered shall inherit the Negev. Obadiah 1:20 
Elul/Tishri 5773-74/September 2013
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Greetings!,
L' Shanah Tovah from our house to yours!
September 4, 2013, will be E'rev Rosh Hashana, also known as Yom Teruah, (day of the awakening blast)for the New Year of 5774!
We will enjoy the sweetness of sliced apples dipped in honey, a special bread shaped like a crown, sweetened with raisins, or nuts, as we end this Rosh Ha Shana celebration, saying, "Shana Tovah U'metukah!" meaning, "May your name be inscribed for a good, sweet year".
Today, voice of the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob continues to resound through the cry of the shofar! His Covenant is forever. We are called to awaken to teshuva (repentance) so may we answer this call.
So much turmoil transpiring in the world. It is a great challenge to keep our shalom in the mist of so much that is not positive.
This is where the Torah is so important in our lives. This is where we find the blessing and hope, as the shofar sounds.
We must pray and act to stand for the innocent. I am so grateful for this time of reflection, teshuva and the good that Ha Shem has granted.
 | | Jerusalem Awaits You! |
This is one of my favorite pictures! We pray to return to Ha Shem's beloved Eretz Israel in the late Fall of 2013!
"Pray for the shalom of Yerushalayim". Please pray with us for safety and protection for Israel. We lift up every family, the IDF and the leadership of Israel for wisdom and protection. Psalm 37
The High Holy Days
Rosh Hashana, meaning the head of the year, is marked with solemnity, as the day on which the world is judged for the coming year.
Rosh Hashana (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).
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 the longest note that the shofar player can hold, which is the last trump of this day!
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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.
We send you our most loving Shalom and our warmest,
Shana tova!
Doņa Gracia Serrano Fenn
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DNA Project Continues
We want to thank you for continuing to use our "DNA project" link on our website, www.SephardimHope.net
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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.
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Anousim/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 |
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.
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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.
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Loving Shalom,
Dona Gracia Serrano Fenn
Sephardim Hope International
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