Our Programs
Education: The Heart of the SEC
Intellectual depth. Respect for sophistication. Think Maimonides, not memes.
The SEC launches
“He’iru Pnei HaMizrach”,
a new year-long Sephardic think-tank fellowship in Jerusalem. 18 amazing young Israelis diving into the big issues of Israeli society through Sephardic-Mizrahi wisdom.Sephardic Philosophy takes center stage with
“He’iru Pnei HaMizrach”A brand new year-long Sephardic think tank fellowship program. Weekly on Sunday evenings for 4 hours, 18 select and brilliant young Israelis take a deep dive into the hot button issues of Israeli society, examined through the lenses of classic Sephardic-Mizrahi philosophy. High level Beit Midrash studies, including guest professors, writers, scholars, social activists…and NO politicians!
“The East Shines Forth”
The SEC’s Hamsa Teens program offers you a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Fly El Al, Israel’s official airline… your Israel experience begins in the air!
Visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Northern & Southern Israel, Beaches, IDF & Air Force Bases and museums. Hike Israel’s nature reserves, canyons, Masada… and more!
Pray at the Hotel, holy sites, and ancient synagogues.
Live at the Sephardic Educational Center, your “home away from home” in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Learn Ancient History, Zionism and the Modern State of Israel.
The Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival
The Los Angeles Sephardic Jewish Film Festival brings original stories highlighting the rich heritage and culture of Sephardim to the big screen. The festival’s diverse array of films promote a deeper understanding of Sephardic Judaism for all.
The Opening Night Gala is our kick-off to the Sephardic Educational Center’s week of film. This glamorous event includes a fabulous Silent Auction, dinner, feature film, and dessert. One of our many favorite parts of the Gala is an entertaining and touching awards presentation where we proudly honor distinguished individuals for their special contributions to our community and entertainment industry.
What it means to sponsor our film festival.
Being a sponsor of the Los Angeles Sephardic Film Festival helps our organization continue to do our good work in the community, as it is our only fundraiser. Our festivals’ proceeds directly support the Sephardic Educational Center’s Campus in the old city of Jerusalem. Every bit of your donation is felt in the Sephardic Educational Center community.
Your donation is used to:
Subsidize teen and young adult trips to Israel
Host IDF soldiers throughout the year
Run first-rate rabbinic programs
Facilitate high quality educational seminars
Sponsors Bar/Bat Mitzvahs for needy Israeli kids
Thank you for your continued support of the Sephardic Educational Center!
Metivta Program
The SEC campus in the Old City of Jerusalem is the proud host of an annual international Rabbinical seminar with the top Sephardic Rabbis from around the world. Learning takes place on the very site that once housed the Hakhan Bashi or the Rishon Le-Tzion (Chief Rabbi) during the Ottoman Empire and also a number of rabbinical schools or Yeshivot throughout those previous centuries. Topics are all contemporary and essential from history to medicine, philosophy, Zionism and more.
SEC Annual Selihot Concert
A one of a kind event that brings Arabic musicians and top Sephardic “hazzanim” (cantors) together each year during the High Holidays in Los Angeles. The audience is treated to the timeless holiday tunes that highlight the Sephardic liturgy accompanied by the mesmerizing sounds of the oud, darbuka, qanun and Arabic violin. This has been a signature SEC event for over 10 years, unmatched anywhere.