KJ The Shofar - Kahal Joseph

2 / THE SHOFAR SEPTEMBER 2008

BENEFACTORS CIRCLE 

2007 ~ 2008 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

Our New Board of Directors 4 

The President’s Message 5 

The Sound of the Shofar 6 

Rabbi Haim Ovadia 

On Israel’s 60th Anniversary 7 

Ambassador Yuval Rotem 

Karen & Frank Dabby 

BENEFACTOR 

Sholeh & Moussa Shaaya 

AIPAC 2008 9 

Emily Shaaya 

VISIONARIES 

Majdoline & Nassim Hay Mussry 

Alice & Maurice Zekaria 

CREATORS 

Caroline & David Azouz Elizabeth & Shaoul Levy Hanina Mathalon 

Yvette & Joseph Dabby 

Letizia & Ronald Einy 

Ourite & Abe Kamara 

Dr. David Meyer Amron 

Teresa & Charles Dabby 

Selena & Mayer Dallal 

Denise & Hooman Farahmand 

Ruth & Edmond Hagooli 

Tikva & Yoel F. Iny 

Stanley & Tova Bidney 

Sarah Bouchoucha 

Shahrzad & Simon Cohen 

Audrey & Vlady Cornateanu 

Rylla & Ben Elias 

Rica & Messod Emquies 

Mahnaz & Asher Eshaghpour 

PROTECTORS 

Sigal & Jonathan Kelly 

Hannie & David Kelly 

Nicole & Abe Mathalon 

GUARDIANS 

Dror, Dan & Dennis Ironi 

Tracy & Sidney Mathalon 

Rabbi Haim & Edna Ovadia 

Adele & Jack Mussry 

Natalie & Sol Mussry 

Esther & Ariel Ovadia 

FRIENDS 

Jennifer & Kevin Faith 

Evelyn & Reuben Itzhaki 

Yvonne & Zvi Moalim 

Ruth Eliza Mussry 

Grace & Keyvan Nahai 

Rosy & Albert Nissan 

Hilda & Touraj Rojhani 

Aviva & Ezra Sagi 

Ruby & Joe Samuel 

Sisterhood of Kahal Joseph 

Dafna & Rex Young 

Paul Youssef Mir 

Pauline & Emil Youssefzadeh 

Ruty & George Zioni 

Suheila & Maurice Ovadia 

Sherly & Ramin Peyman 

Solomon Rojhani 

Imbar Sagi 

Rachel & Neil Sheff 

Jennifer & Robert Shiri 

Miriam & Nico Tabibi 

Time to Forgive 10 

Rabbi Yosef Benarroch 

Iraqi Jewry in the News 11 

Talmud Torah 12 

Benefactor’s Circle 13 

A Year in Pictures 14 

Members In the Spotlight 17 

High Holiday Greetings 19 

Member Happenings 20 

Weddings, Newborns, Graduates, 

B’nei Mitzvot and other Milestones 

In Memoriam 22 

The Story of Regina Basha 

Calendar 23 

STAFF: 

THESHOFAR 

EDITED AND DESIGNED BY 

NADINE DABBY 

YVETTE DABBY 

SARAH BOUCHOUCHA • JOSEPH DABBY 

RONALD EINY • DAFNA EZRAN • RITA HANIN 

RAFI ITZHAKI • JOE SAMUELS 

We apologize for any errors or omissions that may 

occur in this issue. 

SEPTEMBER 2008 

3 / THE SHOFAR

B O A R D 

O F D I R E C T O R S 

Moussa Shaaya 

President 

Ronald Einy 

Chairman, Senior VP 

Abe Mathalon 

VP of Finance 

Michelle Kurtz 

VP of Education 

Yvette Dabby 

VP of Membership 

Edmond Hagooli 

VP of Operations 

Neil Sheff 

VP of Religious Affairs 

Jonathan Kelly 

VP of Ways & Means 

Rafael Itzhaki 

Secretary 

Abe Abraham 

Board Member 

Suzy Assia 

Board Member 

Mordecai A. Cohen 

Board Member 

Lisa Dabby 

Board Member 

Selena Dallal 

Board Member 

Dror Ironi 

Board Member 

Tracy Mathalon 

Board Member 

Albert Nissan 

Board Member 

Renee Reiz 

Board Member 

Aaron F. Sassoon 

Board Member 

Sam Shaaya 

Board Member 

Saul E. Levy 

Past President 

Benjamin H. Elias 


Joseph H. Sassoon 


Joseph Dabby 



President’s Message 

Spring has passed, summer is slipping by 

rather swiftly, and we are awaiting the 

beginning of fall. For all the Jews, fall is 

the start of Rosh Hashanah along with its festive 

traditions and family reunions, and followed by 

Yom Kippur’s soul cleansing. Looking back, we 

have encountered so many obstacles and 

problems, yet we have coped with all and 

overcame our challenges. I share with all of you 

my wishes for continued prosperity, security, 

intellectual wealth and well being of our 

community and the Jewish people throughout 

the world. 

On behalf of our Board of Directors and the 

Kahal Joseph family I would like to express our 

thanks and appreciation to the Ovadia family 

for their hard work serving our community for 

the last six years. Rabbi Haim Ovadia inspired 

our youth and instilled within us the spark of 

Judaism and Sephardic values. Mrs. Edna 

Ovadia brought music and the love of Judaic 

studies to our children. For that we are very 

grateful. We wish them the best of luck in their 

future endeavors. 

Thank you to the outgoing Board of Directors 

who have worked so hard over the past three 

years, to help us achieve our goals. I would like 

to welcome the new Board of Directors who has 

already begun to share and implement their 

ideas and projects. This enthusiastic team of 

contributors will greatly add to Kahal’s work in 

the Sephardic community and pave the way for 

our future. Kahal Joseph under the leadership of 

its Board of Directors, is fully committed to 

educating our youth and instilling within them 

the spark of Judaism and Sephardic values. 

The Norma and Sam Dabby Talmud Torah 

have grown by leaps and bounds to over 45 

students. Our 2007-2008 graduation program 

was attended by a record number of parents, 

with a record number of students graduating 


with Bar/Bat Mitzvah 

credentials. Our deepest 

gratitude goes to the 

hardworking teaching staff. 

Our utmost thanks to Karen 

and Frank Dabby for 

supporting this wonderful 

program, and as the 

program continues to 

expand we need to consider 

expanding our facilities. 

Senior Hazan Sassoon Ezra is complimented 

on his services to Kahal with his extra rigor and 

energy. We wish him health and prosperity, and 

pray that God gives him the strength to 

continue to attend to our synagogue’s needs. 

Our Benefactor’s Circle continues to grow. The 

Benefactors’ Fund enables us to offer enhanced 

educational programs for our youth, more social 

services and activities to our community, and 

helps to maintain our beautiful facilities. 

Our fund raisers for Israel continue as in the 

past years. Recently funds were raised to help 

build new recreational facilities for the Israeli 

soldiers. 

Kahal Joseph’s services for Rosh Hashana and 

Yom Kippur were as moving as every year. The 

celebrations continued with the Purim Carnival, 

Chanukah party, and Yom Haatzmaut. 

Our thanks and appreciation goes to the Office 

staff: Sarah Bouchoucha and Dafna Ezran for 

their selfless dedication, and to our Sisterhood, 

under the direction of Elsa Singman, for their 

social programs and activities. 

May we all begin the year with a renewed 

vision, hope, and strength. 

May we all be sealed in God’s Book of Life for 

a year of peace, health, happiness, and success. 

Shana Tova 

Moussa Shaaya 

5 / THE SHOFAR

The Sound of the Shofar 

By Rabbi Haim Ovadia 

Usually, I am not a procrastinator, but for 

some reason, I have delayed writing this 

article for the Shofar until the last 

moment. Well, as we say, everything does have a 

reason. As I was sitting down at the computer to 

start writing, on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 11:42 

am, when in rapid succession I was first 

distracted by the noise the workers were making 

on the roof, then my mind told me that nobody 

is working on Kahal’s roof and that more than 

just the noise, it seemed like a couple of 

elephants are on the loose in the building and 

then again in a split second I realized the last 

time I have seen elephants it was in the L.A. 

zoo. When it finally hit me that this is an 

earthquake and that my bookshelves are 

dancing tango I ran out of my office as fast as I 

could, clutching the cell phone and trying to 

check on everyone I know. As it turned out, it 

was a moderate earthquake, but even as such it 

rendered everyone scared and shook up. Not 

only that, we all suddenly recalled that some 

shelves are not fastened to the walls, that we 

don’t have food supplies and first aid kits 

available. Many of us also thought in those 

panicky seconds, when we did not know if this 

is the beginning or the end, of all the things that 

we have left unattended. Apologies to be made, 

errands to be run, books to write, e-mails and 

letters to send, maybe we want to reconcile with 

a close friend or a relative that we haven’t been 

talking to for years, visit that one place you 

must see before you die or read that highly 

recommended novel all your friends were 

talking about. And what about the kids and the 

family Did we take good care of them Are 

they going to manage on their own And then 

it’s all over. This amazing and overwhelming 

outpour of information, emotions and concerns 

stops abruptly and we go back to our routine, 

just checking the news from time to time and 

recalling the scare we had. In a sense, this is 

what rosh hashana and the shofar are all about. 

The rabbis say that all natural phenomena were 

created to straighten our crooked heart. It does 

not mean that God wants to scare us but rather 

that when we experience an earthquake or a 

thunderstorm or a volcanic eruption we are 

suddenly forced to be put into perspective. A 

perspective of the cursory nature of life, on the 

fact that we don’t have much control over the 

natural world with all our wisdom, genius and 

inventiveness. It reminds us how fragile and 

ephemeral is this moment and that sometimes it 

is too late to mend that which in our vanity and 

arrogance we have torn and discarded. The 

sound of the shofar, like a thunderstorm; like an 

earthquake, shakes us up, it reminds us to take 

stock of what we have and what we want to 

have, what is precious and what is marginal, 

what would we have carried with us when we 

run away from a house threatened to be 

destroyed by the forces of nature Our laptop 

Cell phone our kids What part of our lives 

will be saved and preserved for eternity This is 

our decision, every day, but especially on rosh 

hashana and kippur. 

May we all have a wonderful and fruitful 

year, a year of a deep understanding of ourselves 

and the paths we are trailblazing for our 

children, for our community, for the whole 

world! 

Shana Tova! 

Rabbi Haim Ovadia 


On Israel’s 60 th Anniversary 

By Ambassador Yuval Rotem 

In every nation’s history, there are days and 

events which forever mark a crossroads in 

time, indicating a clear division between that 

which happened before and that which came after. 

May 1948 was a defining moment for the 

Jewish people. All that Jewish history had once 

been, would never be again. On that day the 

Jewish people vowed never again to be 

voiceless, homeless and defenseless. On that 

day, our people arose from the seeds of the 

Diaspora and the ashes of the Holocaust to be 

recognized as a people amongst nations. On that 

day, we were given the opportunity to grasp 

hold of the book of history in order to write 

down our own destiny. We, the children of 

Abraham, survivors of 2000 years of exile and 

persecution, were home at last, and free at last. 

Let us not forget how far we have come in 60 

years. How far we have risen. We have built a 

wonderful home. We have reconstituted our 

national treasure, the Hebrew language, the living 

symbol of the Jewish renaissance, making it the 

vibrant and expressive voice of a country. We have 

turned streets of sand into shining boulevards. We 

have constructed democratic institutions, the rule 

of law, world class universities and research 

centres. We have enshrined personal freedoms, 

freedoms of speech, expression and thought. We 

have developed the arts and sciences, cuttingedge 

medical, agricultural and computer 

technologies. We have brought to our shores 

millions of immigrants from the far corners of the 

Earth; ensuring a diverse, multi-cultural and 

complex nation in one small strip of land. 

Perhaps we are not the Promised Land that we 

expected to be, but we are not devoid of 

promise. The torch of this promise has been 

passed down to us by the generation who 

dreamed of a nation for Jews; who met in 

crowded, secret rooms to 

imagine, discuss and plan 

the reemergence of a Jewish 

sovereign state. Now the 

country is ours. Now we 

discuss openly and proudly 

the state of the nation. 

In the land holy for three 

great religions, sacred sites 

for Islam, Judaism, and 

Christianity, exist side by side. There is so much 

history in the country; the children of that 

history should be able to cross the divisions of 

the past and build the bridges for the future, so 

that we may all live together. 

Ultimately, our triumph, our progress, our 

fulfillment will only come by winning the battle 

for peace. Peace is the beauty of life; it is the 

smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a 

father, the togetherness of the family. It is the 

advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, 

the triumph of truth. Peace is all of this and 

more. And every sacrifice and risk is worth the 

price. We shall labor long and hard to turn this 

into a reality because of the blessings it holds for 

ourselves and for our neighbors. 

In the Book of Books, in Hebrew- Kohelet/ 

Ecclesiastes, there is a known passage which says: 

To every thing there is a season, and a time for 

every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, 

and a time to die; a time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to 

mourn and a time to dance; a time to love and a 

time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace. 

The time has arrived to heal, to laugh, to love 

and most importantly, to have peace. 

Ambassador Yuval Rotem is currently the 

Ambassador of Israel to Australia, New Zealand, and 

surrounding islands. 


7 / THE SHOFAR

Ruth & Edmond Hagooli 

welcome the arrival 

of their grandchildren 

EZ Kitchen & Bath, Inc. 

Major Appliances 

Plumbing Fixtures 

8865 W. Pico Blvd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90035 

Tel. 310-652-2862 Fax 310-652-6915 

Holden Coby 

& Mia Keren 

and wish the Kahal 

community 

a happy and healthy 

New Year 

Shana Tova and our best wishes to 

Rabbi Haim & Edna Ovadia and Family 

And all the members of Kahal Joseph Congregation. 

May the year ahead be blessed 

With good health, happiness and prosperity 

For you and for those you love 

Shaoul & Doris Moshi and Family 


AIPAC 2008 Policy Conference 


By Emily Shaaya 

May 2008, I found myself in Washington 

D.C., attending AIPAC’s 2008 Policy 

Conference for the third time. With the 

timing of the conference just a week before finals, 

I had hesitated attending this year, but then I 

remembered. I remembered that we don’t get to 

wait for the “right” time or a moment that is convenient 

for us, because it is now that the State of 

Israel needs our support more so than ever before. 

AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, 

the most influential pro-Israel lobby in the 

United States, makes clear the importance of the 

mutually beneficial relationship between Israel 

and America. Attendance at this years’ conference 

titled “The U.S.-Israel Relationship: Built To Last,” 

was at its peak, with approximately 7,500 attendees, 

1,200 of which were college and high school 

students. The urgency of the U.S.- Israel relationship 

in combination with the upcoming November 

elections brought in many speakers, including 

Prime Minister Olmert, Secretary of State Condoleezza 

Rice, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 

and Presidential candidates Hilary Clinton, John 

McCain, and Barack Obama. All candidates 

stressed the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance, 

linking the two nations with their common threat, 

Iran, whose nuclear capabilities are on the incline. 

AIPAC’s 2008 Action Agenda calls for sanctions 

on the central banks of Iran’s banks, on foreign 

energy companies investing in Iran, and the prohibition 

of exportation of petroleum products 

from the country. The Action Agenda includes 

passage of a foreign aid bill, which would provide 

30 billion dollars for the maintenance of the “qualitative 

military edge” and the vital security assistance 

for the State of Israel. The agenda also calls 

for initiation of a peace process between the 

Israeli and Palestinian people once the terror 

infrastructure has been dismantled, and emphasis 

on the accountability of the Arab states to “shoulder 

responsibility” and encourage the peace 

process. Of the Presidential candidates, Senator 

Obama was the most anticipated, and mesmerized 

many with his powerful speech, stating that he “will 

bring to the White House and unshakeable commitment 

to Israel’s security.” McCain and Hillary 

demonstrated their unfaltering support for Israel, 

and expressed the necessity for terrorism to cease 

before a two-state salutation can be considered. 

Attendance at my first AIPAC Policy Conference 

was just the beginning of the journey. My 

involvement in AIPAC has also allowed me to 

participate in the Saban Leadership Program in 

Washington D.C., where selected students from 

high schools and college have the opportunity to 

strengthen their advocacy skills and develop personal 

relationships with their Congressman as 

they lobby for pro-Israel legislature on Capitol 

Hill. At the University of California, Irvine, I took 

on an active role and am the former Co-President 

of Anteaters For Israel, UCI’s Pro-Israel group. 

The 2009 Policy Conference will take place May 

3 rd - 5 th . AIPAC is an incredible opportunity to 

come together with people from across the country 

and internationally to learn more about and 

enhance the U.S-Israel relationship, and I hope 

that in the coming year, we can attend the conference 

together as the Kahal Joseph Congregation. 

Under the direction of Rabbi Wolpe, Sinai Temple 

brought with them over 240 delegates, and so I 

hope that we can follow their example, and use 

the strengths of our congregation to support the 

State of Israel, at a greater level, by affecting policy 

and legislation within our own nation. 

Kahal Joseph Leaders Mobilizing for UJWF, 1974 

Leaders gathered to plan activities on behalf of United 

Jewish Welfare Fund/Israel Emergency Fund campaign. 

(From Left) Edwin Ives, Mrs. Florence Joseph, 

Mordechai Cohen, Saul E. Levi, and Rabbi Elias Levi. 

9 / THE SHOFAR

By Rabbi Yosef Benarroch, SEC Jerusalem 

The High Holiday season begins with the 

inception of the month of Elul. Forty days 

before the festival of Rosh Hashanah we 

begin with our preparations. What makes the 

month of Elul so special 

The “Tur” in his compendium of Jewish law 

(OH 581) explains that it was on the first day of 

Elul, that Moses ascended the mountain to receive 

the second “Tablets of the Law” (Luhot Haberit). 

Forty days earlier on the 17 th day of the month of 

Tamuz Moses descended the mountain with the 

first “Tablets”. He was filled with excitement as he 

approached the nation readying himself to give 

them G-d’s law. But everything came shattering 

down when instead of finding an awe inspired 

nation waiting impatiently for the “Tablets” he 

found them dancing in a frenzy around the 

“Golden Calf”. It was the ultimate moment of 

betrayal. Forty days later on the first day of Elul, 

Moses once again ascended the mountain to 

9 TH L.A. SEPHARDIC JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 

Roll out the red carpet Sunday November 9 th 2008 the 9 th Los 

Angeles Sephardic Jewish Film Festival presents the Opening 

Night Gala at Paramount Studios. This spectacular event 

includes a buffet dinner, silent auction, feature film and a 

Sephardic dessert reception. The Festival will continue from 

November 11th-16th 2008. 

We are proud to be honoring two deserving recipients, the 

Maimonides Leadership Award to Rabbi Daniel 

Bouskila for his many years of unconditional support and 

guidance to the SEC and his love for Israel. The Cinema 

Sepharad Award is being presented to Eli Attie, Emmy- 

Award winning producer. A few of his many credits include: 

The West Wing; America: A Tribute to Heroes; House; and 

Studio 60. 

The Student Film Competition "My Sephardic Experience" is a 

new addition to our film festival. This film competition will 

involve young adults in recognizing and learning about the 

Sephardic heritage, culture and history. 

The Sephardic Educational Center, headquartered in 

Jerusalem, takes pride in educating Jewish youth worldwide, 

perpetuating their heritage and culture. 

www.sephardicfilmfestival.com 

A Time to Forgive 

receive the second “Tablets of the Law”. He 

would remain atop the mountain for another forty 

days descending on “Yom Kippur” and giving the 

nation the new “Tablets”. 

It is intriguing to imagine what was going on 

between Moses and G-d during those last forty 

days from the first day of Elul to Yom Kippur. 

What could Moses say to G-d after such betrayal 

Our Rabbis explain that he was steeped in prayer, 

relentlessly asking G-d to forgive the Jewish 

people. G-d’s wrath was great but Moses 

persevered, and finally at the end of the forty 

days on Yom Kippur Moses prevailed. G-d forgave 

the Jewish nation and agreed to begin anew. 

The month of Elul begins a new page in the 

relationship between G-d and the Jewish people. It 

is a time of love and compassion. It is a time of 

renewed trust. It teaches us that we can rebuild our 

relationships even after they have been seriously 

challenged. It teaches us that there is a time to 

mend even when the pain runs deep. It teaches us 

that even after betrayal there can be love and 

reconciliation. It teaches us to never lose hope. 

Our Rabbis in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 

10b) explain that on the first day of “Tishrei” on 

“Rosh Hashanah”, Joseph the forsaken son of Jacob, 

was freed from the Egyptian prison. He had been 

betrayed by his brothers. Thrown into a pit filled 

with snakes and scorpions, sold to Egyptian 

slavery, imprisoned for a crime he did not 

commit. Who would have blamed him had he 

later taken revenge against his brothers Yet he 

chose to forgive, he chose to let go of the past and 

forge a new relationship of love and trust with his 

brothers. When he emerged from that pit on Rosh 

Hashanah he resolved to put the past behind and 

find the inner strength and courage to forgive and 

start anew. Joseph becomes the model of what we 

must strive for during the month of Elul. 

Dear friend’s there is too much hatred and 

jealousy in our world. It is easy to live in anger and 

hang on to the slightest injustices against us. Elul 

and the High Holidays teach us that we must learn 

to forgive. The month of Elul, which ushers in the 

High Holiday season, teaches us that even when 

our relationships are seriously challenged we can 

rebuild them with trust, compassion, and love. 

Wishing you all a Shana Tova Tizku Leshanim Rabot 


By Joseph Dabby 

Iraqi Israeli, Arab Jew, or Mizrahi Jew Was 

the question of the first ever Academic 

Conference on the topic held at Tel Aviv 

University at the end of April, 2008. 

An excerpt from the Haaretz (May 30, 2008) 

report on the conference: 

“The first academic conference of its kind 

examining the integration of Iraqi Jewry in 

Israel was held over two days last week in Tel 

Aviv University…… 

Professor Habiba Fidaya (the granddaughter of 

Rabbi Yehuda Ftaya), a poet and researcher into 

modern jewish culture from Beersheva 

University, objected to all communities being 

lumped together as ‘Mizrahim’, which happens 

whenever there is oppression. They have 

different voices and channels, just like the 

different voices on the panel which makes it 

hard to define what is specifically Iraqi. Yet she 

explained that she can live with the cultural 

space being defined as Iraqi since it includes 

folklore, music, food etc.” 

The World Organization of Jews from Iraq 

(WOJI) was established on June 23,2008 in 

London by representatives from different Iraqi 

Jewish communities worldwide. 

Among the aims of the organization: asserting 

ownership of the Jewish Communal property in Iraq. 

The following were elected members of the 

Board of Trustees: 

President: David E. R. Dangoor, USA 

V P Legal Matters: Carol Basri, USA 

VP: David A. Dangoor, UK 

Treasurer: Shlomo Bakhash, USA 

Secretary: Gladys Daoud, Canada 

Public Relations: Maurice Shohet, USA 

50 delegates from 10 countries met at the 

Founding Congress of the Justice for Jews from 

Arab Countries (JJAC) International Council 

Iraqi Jewry in the News 

in London, June 23-25, 2008. 

The By-Laws of the organization were finalized 

and a Board of Directors were elected. 

Among those elected on the Board of Directors: 

Gladys Daoud (Canada), Emil Fattal (Canada), 

Linda Mnuchin (Israel), Maurice Shohet (USA), 

Carol Basri (USA), Edwin Shuker (UK). 

The JJAC have been very active on the 

international scene. They testified before the 

United Nations Human Rights Council in 

Geneva, in March 2008, and before the UK 

House of Lords in June of 2008, where among 

the speakers were Carol Basri (USA) and Edwin 

Shukr (UK). 

The fourth International Congress for the 

Study of Babylonian Jewry was held in Israel, 

June 15-18, 2008. For more information visit 

www.babylonjewry.org.il 

Halahel, a celebration of the Iraqi Jewry 

heritage was held in London, June 22, 2008. 

The one day program encompassed multi-track 

presentations, lectures and discussions on 

contemporary history, music and maqam 

presentations, films and other exhibitions. 

A Literary evening at the 

Jewish Library 

Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM 

Book presentation and signing. 

Kahal Joseph and the Jewish Library will 

co-sponsor a literary evening with 

Mira Rocca as she presents 

“Memories of Eden” by Violette Shamash. 

Violette memoir is drawn from recollections 

and notes she sent over a period of 20 years to 

her daughter Mira, and edited by her son in 

law Tony Rocca. Mr. Rocca is the author of: 

Catching Fireflies (Random House) 


11 / THE SHOFAR

Norma and Sam Dabby Talmud Torah 

By Michelle Kurtz 

The Talmud Torah Graduation was a great 

success. On June 1st, Frank and Karen Dabby 

gave 43 students certificates and Tzedaka box 

gifts for the wonderful work they did during 

the school year. Edna Ovadia and the teachers 

did a great job with their performances. The 

Sisterhood put on a beautiful and delicious 

lunch for the graduates and their families. 

We wish to thank all the teachers and the 

families for making this year’s Talmud Torah a 

huge success. We look forward to the next school 

year which starts in September. Please call the 

office now if you would like to sign up your 

child for this wonderful educational experience. 

Talmud Torah students presented an exciting play. 

Congratulations to our 

Norma and Sam Dabby 

Talmud Torah Graduates 2008 

Rachel Benezra 

Niki Bina 

Daniel Dalah 

Chantal Eliaszadeh 

Michael Kamara 

Ashton Nahai 

Ashley Nobel 

Ethan Shiri 

Rebecca Yadegari 

Talmud Torah Choir performed several beautiful songs, 

directed by Mrs. Edna Ovadia. 

Bar Mitzvah boys demonstrated their skills in reading 

from the Torah. 


Benefactors 2008 

TWO MEMORABLE EVENTS 

On September 9, 2007 

Sholeh and Moussa Shaaya graciously hosted 

the Benefactors' dinner in their home. 

On June 12, 2008 

The Board of Directors honored the 2007 / 2008 

Benefactors at a cocktail reception 

at the synagogue. 


13 / THE SHOFAR

A Year In Pictures 

With each turn of the season, 

myriad events enriched and 

enlivened the Kahal Joseph 

community during the past year. 

Fall began with the festive Benefactor’s 

Circle Dinner hosted by our 

Board President and his wife, Moussa 

and Sholeh Shaaya providing support 

for each of the wonderful events to follow 

in the coming year. The High Holy 

Days marked numerous accomplishments 

for Kahal Joseph. The uplifting 

services for Rosh Hashana and Yom 

Kippur were punctuated by the landmark 

concert entitled “Anenu.” The 

product of collaboration between Rabbi 

Haim Ovadia and Yuval Ron, the production 

featured a cadre of talented 

Jewish and Middle Eastern musicians 

presented traditional Iraqi and Sephardi 

melodies for the Days of Awe in 

contemporary arrangements. A wonderfully 

appreciated and well-attended 

success, the concert reached out to our 

congregation, to the greater Jewish 

community, as well as to numerous 

arts and cultural groups showcasing 

the unique heritage of our community. 

Then during Sukkoth, our community 

enjoyed two festive celebrations. The 

spirit of our annual, anticipated musical 

fete at Rabbi Haim and Edna Ovadia’s 

was furthered by a celebration at 

the Shaaya sukkah. Throughout the 

autumn holidays, children enjoyed the 

many services and events alongside 

their parents. During prayers, special 

programs prepared by our Shabbat 

staff along with featured entertainers 

engaged kids and teens, creating positive 

memories of their times at Kahal. 

The Jewish engagement and learning 

that often begins during the fall, continued 

on through winter for both the 

younger and older set. Sephardic education 

classes included multiple classes 

by Rabbi Haim Ovadia in Sephardic 

music and liturgy, regional history and 

the autobiography of leading figures, 

theology and halakha, as well as life 

practices and philosophy. For women, 

and a few brave men, a tantalizing 

cooking class was taught by Penina 

Meghnagi-Solomon. The series covered 

Libyan, Tunisian, Moroccan, Italian and 

other regions of Jewish Middle Eastern 

cookery, culture, and history. 

For the very youngest, Kahal offered 

a Mommy and Me class to give our 

toddlers a taste for the tolerance and 

love embodied in the Sephardic 

approach to Jewish education. And, as 

always, the Talmud Torah presented a 

spiritually uplifting Hannuka musical 

program designed by the teachers and 

director Edna Ovadia. The Kahal 

Joseph Sisterhood, lead by Elsa 

Singman, then created a charming Children’s 

Hannuka party, replete with gifts 

and treats enjoyed by all the kids in our 

community. 

In late winter, several community 

and cultural events marked the season 

as well. Elsa Singman presented 

“Remember When: A Night of Music 

and Dancing from the 50’s and 60’s,” to 

enchant and enthrall with a delicious 

feast and energetic entertainers. We 

were fortunate to host a program in 

Yemenite Women’s Song featuring the 

dynamic and internationally famous 

performer, Margalit Oved in concert 

along with cameos from Barak Marshall, 

her son, a world-renowned choreographer 

and musician. And we 

screened our own excellent mini-filmand-discussion 

series featuring pivotal 


pieces such as The Sandak, Salah Shabati, 

and My Fantasia. The series peaked 

with the Los Angeles premiere of Got 

No Jeep and My Camel Died, a seminal 

film about the music and life work of 

Iraqi world-music icon, Yair Dalal. 

Continuing into spring, another bevy 

of holidays and festive occasions 

brought our community together. In 

addition to the ongoing classes on 

Sephardic and Jewish learning, Rabbi 

and Edna Ovadia began a special 

Hebrew-speakers’ group and choir that 

began preparing a special repertoire for 

the upcoming celebration of Israel’s 60 th 

birthday. For the young families in our 

community, a homestyle Friday Night 

Dinner with children’s entertainment 

and community singing of Shabbat 

zemirot or songs took place in February. 

Then in March, the whirlwind of Purim 

precipitated a flurry of baking by Yvette 

Dabby and the women of our community 

along with holiday cards and crafts 

prepared by the Talmud Torah for Kahal 

Joseph’s special gift baskets. A thoughtful 

and entertaining Megillah reading, 

was followed a few days later by the 3 rd 

Annual over-the-top, kid-pleasing 

Purim Carnival—a fabulous fantasia 

spearheaded by Molly Jalali and 

Jonathan Kelly. The holiday of Pesah 

wrapped our families and community in 

the ritual of examining our lives and 

actions. And spring wound up with a 

home-cooked, Iraqi-style Board Installation 

Dinner prepared by Yvette Dabby 

and the women of Kahal Joseph as we 

recognized the Board members who will 

serve our community for the coming 

three years, and those who recently 

completed their years of service. 

Moving from spring toward summer, 

we began to celebrate our accomplishments 

and plan for the health of our 

future. The Yom Haatzmaut Celebration 

rejoiced in the accomplishments of 

the state of Israel and also recognized 

the hard work and efforts of the men 

and women who have given their best 

to build and grow the Jewish state. 

Kahal’s own Israeli Choir performed 

musical standards, notable speakers 

along with the children of the community 

lit candles recognizing the contributions 

to the state, poems were read, a 

former chief assistant to Ariel Sharon 

shared his insights, and then entire community 

celebrated with an evening of 

Israeli dancing, falafel & hot dogs. Further 

developing the spiritual and intellectual 

depth of our community, the Talmud 

Torah crowned its year of learning 

with an amazing graduation program 

highlighting the holiday of Shavuoth 

and the great gift of the Torah to the 

Jewish people. 

As we moved into the lazy days of 

summer, other events continued to 

strengthen our community. Healthy 

You, an event for women organized by 

Dahlia Nemzer, treated the devoted 

volunteers in our community to an 

evening of filled with healthful demonstrations, 

taste tests, and presentations 

about raw foods, healing strategies, 

and other ways to improve their physical 

health and emotional well-being. 

Later in June, an evening for men, 

Dad’s Night Out, offered the fathers in 

our community a place to relax and 

share their concerns and provided them 

with tools for handling the ordinary 

stresses of family life and parenthood. 

And for kids and teens, STAR Ranch 

Day presented in collaboration with 

Kahal Joseph and other Sephardic congregations 

continued the celebrations 

of Israel’s 60 th and offered a slew of 

ranch and carnival activities to ease the 

younger set into summer. 

With so much intellectual, emotional 

and spiritual inspiration and wealth to 

draw upon, Kahal Joseph will continue 

to grow and prosper in the coming 

year. 


15 / THE SHOFAR

Wishing all our friends, 

family, 

and Kahal Community 

A Happy and Healthy 

New Year 

And well over the fast 

HANNIE & DAVID KELLY 

SIGAL & JONATHAN KELLY 

and FAMILIES 


Shayna Fensten 

Israel Government Fellows Program: 

This past year, I was privileged to have 

the opportunity to participate in the Israel 

Government Fellows Program. Run 

under the auspices of the Menachem 

Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, the 

Israel Government Fellows Program gives 

participants a first hand look into Israel’s 

policy making and public service 

positions. The only program of its kind, it 

enables non-Israeli’s to work in the 

government Ministries. Other aspects of 

the program include trips around Israel 

and intensive weekly seminars lead by 

high government officials on Israel’s 

history, political dilemmas and current 

events. 

In early October I began working in 

the Ministry of Tourism in the Marketing 

Administration for North American 

Affairs. Israel is a country that relies 

heavily on its tourism industry and I 

was a part of the daily efforts and 

initiatives to encourage visitors to the 

country. My mentors and I worked with 

American production companies filming 

in Israel and spoke with delegations of 

Members In The Spotlight 

travel agents advising them on how to 

market Israel as a travel destination. I 

worked with publishing companies, 

international airlines and even a group 

of American Jewish magicians who 

demonstrated the diverse nature of the 

tourism industry. 

Living in Jerusalem for six months 

allowed me to integrate into Israeli 

society. I experienced Israel as a 

resident and familiarized myself with 

the country, moving beyond the 

perspectives of a tourist. Working in 

Jerusalem and engaging in daily errands 

exposed me to multiple aspects of Israeli 

culture. Routine tasks like opening a 

bank account and setting up ‘direct 

deposit’ was ironically one the toughest 

obstacles, as Israel’s bureaucratic 

systems are difficult to navigate. I was 

also forced to learn the intricate bus 

lines as I relied on “Egged” buses to 

travel around town. Despite the 

challenges, I learned about the facets of 

life in Israel and grew to love the pace, 

rhythm and welcoming atmosphere of 

the country. 

Dear Jacob 

Mazal Tov on your graduation 

Love and Best Wishes 

Elizabeth and Shaoul Levy 

Nathaniel and Gigi 

Hannah Sassoon, daughter of Joseph 

and Kitty, was honored on May 12 as 

one of Maryland's Top 100 Women. She 

was recognized for her 20 years 

working to improve the lives of women 

and children. Hannah works for the 

Sheriff of Montgomery County, 

Maryland, as the Domestic Violence 

Coordinator. 


17 / THE SHOFAR

Mazel Tov to our 

granddaughters 

Rebecca & Eden 

on their Bat Mitzvah 

Shana Tova and 

Best wishes to our family 

and friends 

Ruby and Joe Samuels 

Suheila & Maurice Ovadia 

welcome the arrival of 

their grandson 

Marc Moshe 

and 

wish you and 

your families a 

year of good health, 

happiness and peace 

Dear Jasmine 

Mazal Tov on Graduating from UC Berkeley 

We love you and are so proud of you 

Caroline and David Azouz 

Albert, Oliver and Isabelle 


To Our Families and Friends: 

We Wish You a Happy & Healthy New Year 

Mazal Tov to 

Daniella & Gabriella Kamara 

On their graduation 

& 

Michael Kamara 

On his Bar Mitzvah 

Shana Tova 

Tizkoo L’Shanim Rabot 

Manachi Kemareh & Family 

Shana Tova 

From our family 

to yours 

THE BENHAMOU FAMILY 

SHANA TOVA 

From our family 

to yours 

FLORA & JUDAH SASSOON 

Pauline & George 

Abitboul & Family 

With his harp he calmed his King, 

and his sling brought down 

Goliath. May David’s example 

inspire us during these 

Days of Awe. 

Blessings of Health and Shalom 

to all 

VERA LEVI & FAMILY 

To our friends and 

extended family at 

Kahal Joseph 

Tizkoo L’Shanim 

Rabbot 

May it be a year of good 

health, happiness 

and peace 

Yvette and Joseph Dabby 

& Family 

Tizkoo Leshanim Rabot 

Best wishes for a wonderful 

New Year 

Sr Hazan Sassoon Ezra 

SHANA TOVA 

from 

Judy & Fred Lurie 

and Family 

To our grandson 

Sammy Sheff 

Mazal Tov on your 

Bar Mitzvah 

Rica & Messod Emquies 

Charles, Teresa 

& Chas Dabby 

Sheila, Mordecai 

and Fiona Cohen 

Rabbi Haim & Edna Ovadia 

and Family 

Rosy and Albert Nissan 

and Family 

Mazal Tov Natalie 

Suzy, Isaac and 

Jonathan Assia 

Sisterhood 

Of Kahal Joseph 


SHANA TOVA 

Ramah Mingail 

Rachel, Hyam & Brandon 

Shana Tova Ve’Metukah 

Wishing all of you a very 

blessed year filled with health 

and happiness 

With love 

Adele, Jack, Gabriella 

And Noah Mussry 

SHANA TOVA 

GMAR HATIMA TOVA 

Rita Hanin 

Jeffrey Hanin 

Elsa & Harry 

Singman and Family 

Mollie and Norman 

Konigsberg 

19 / THE SHOFAR

Newborns 

Sherly & Ramin Peyman • Micha Solomon 

Dahlia & Elan Carr • Hannah Eliora 

Dana Hagooli & Oscar Bolanos • Mia Keren 

Esther & Ariel Ovadia • Orly Leah 

Stella & Omid Ezer • Marc Maurice 

Ilana & Bobby Daftari • Sophie 

Sophie & Roy Faith • Lyla 

Sherry & Moshe Hagooli • Holden Yaacov 

Shanie & Yoel Stoler • Sivan 

Graduates 

Member Happenings 

Julie & Marc Darwish • Mathew Daniel 

Ting Wang & Alex Dranovsky • Toby Meir 

Riki & Tal McAbian • Moriah 

Elizabeth & Morris Salem • Daniel and Eliana 

Dalia & Robert Nemzer • Mayah 

Jennifer & Robert Shiri • Serena Flora 

Karen & Eli Sokolov • Gabriel Yossef 

Carla & Jack Singman • Cayla Ann 

Shirin & Devin Sawdayi • Jordan 

Weddings 

Candace Ezer & Mert Beraze 

Heather Ships & Michael Ezer 

Melissa Helali & Michael Akiva 

Shirley Dloomy & Guy Mani 

Esther Navaro & Ariel Ovadia 

Lisa Dabby & Brian Joyce 

Natalie & Eric Kotler 

Alizo Devor & Yosef Wartelsky 

Jessica Bass & Jay Ginsberg 

Lara Nikolayevsky & Ike Zekaria 

Jacob Levy 

Harvard Westlake High School 

Photo Not 

Available 

Shiran Ovadia 

Bais Yaakov 

Melissa Yaghoubian 

Beverly Hills High School 

Photo Not 

Available 

Jasmine Azouz 

BA Communication 

UC Berkeley 

Joseph Miskabi 

UCLA - B.A. - History 

& Political Science 

Daniella Kamara 


Photo Not 

Available 

Itamar Ovadia 

Yeshivah Gedolah 

Natalie Assia 


Milestones 

Albert Jacob Shohet 

70 th Birthday 

Maurice Zekaria 

80 th Birthday 

Mazal Tov to 

Hazan Ariel Ovadia 

on getting his Smiha. 

He passed with flying colors 

Hold the date 

November 9, 2008 

Sisterhood Party 

A Night In Greece 


Bar & Bat Mitzvot 

Rebecca Hannah 

Benest 

Eden Noa 

Jablon 

Michael Kamara Ashley Nobel Aaron Sabin Daniel Joseph 

Dalah 

Sammy Sheff Ethan Shiri Rachel Benezra Amiad Davis Ashton Nahai 

PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE: 

Niki Bina 

Joseph Abraham Isaac 

Zachary Isaac 

Leroy Rayn 

Yonathan Talassazan 

We wish all our friends 

and members of 

Kahal Joseph 

A happy and healthy 

New Year 

Letizia & Ronald Einy 

Charles & Miranda 

Happy Holidays from 

The Law Offices of Neil J. Sheff 

10850 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 550 

Los Angeles, CA 90024 

(310) 446-3844 

info@sheffimmigration.com 

Serving all your immigration needs. 


21 / THE SHOFAR

In Memoriam 

Ruhama bat Hanah 

Dina Bat Noam 

Sara bat Soli 

Ike Ezekel 

Aliza Iny 

Eliahou Irani 

Nurit Ishaaya 

Rabbi Meir Kohen 

Lt. Col. Joseph H. Mingail 

Eliza Moses 

Naim Nabah 

Kemal Shaby 

Naim Nabah z”l 

Iinherited from my father, Naim the love and 

appreciation for the Bible, especially the wisdom of 

the words of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. As 

long as I remember, he always used to recite an 

appropriate quote, usually from one of these three 

books. On his death bed he held the Tanach high in 

his hands and said to family members around him 

“Make sure to continue to read and learn from this 

book, in it you will find all life’s secrets.” 

Our father, Naim Nabah z”l, was born in 1911 in 

Amara (vrng) Iraq. After his graduation from the State 

teacher’s college in Baghdad (Dar El-Moalemin El- 

Alya), he was sent to work as a teacher in a state 

school in the town of El- Haay, in southern Iraq, where 

he met my mother, who was also a teacher there. 

Ike Ezekiel z”l 

Ike was born in Singapore. His mother died when 

he was a boy. He survived the Japanese invasion in 

WWII. 

He was determined not to live the rest of his life in 

complaint. “Don’t tell me your problems, tell me the 

solutions” was his motto. 

He lived with a flow. He always had music on at 

home. He loved to dance. He went with the flow 

with his children. He did not want to interfere with 

Naim had a talent and passion for acting, he taught 

drama and acted in and directed several theatrical 

productions. He was one of the first to immigrate 

with his family to Israel in 1951. In Israel Naim had to 

give up what he loved most: the theatre, and became 

an English teacher. 

Naim believed that Halachah (vfkv) comes from the 

Hebrew root word Halach (lkv) - to walk, meaning we 

can not stand frozen in one place and we must allow 

ourselves to always move forward. His life was a long 

journey that left its marks in many places and on 

many people in so many ways; a life that began in a 

small town in Iraq in the beginning of the 20 th century 

and ended in Los Angeles 96 years later. 

lurc urfz hvh 

By Rabbi Avi Navah 

his daughters-in-law. And they, in turn, adored him. 

Do you remember how he would answer the telephone 

In all the years I’ve known him, there was a 

consistent flow when he said hello. No matter what 

was going on in his universe, there was a consistent 

melody. He would accent on the “l” and rise up to 

the “o” and just linger there with the “o”. There 

would be a pause and the conversation was 

“Destined” to begin on a high note. 

May his soul rest in peace. 

By Naomi Ezekiel 

The Story of Regina Basha 

My mother Regina Basha was born in 

1880 in Baghdad, Iraq. She began her 

career by designing jewelry for brides 

and their families, traditionally an 

important time to purchase jewelry for 

the family. Her designs were mostly 

pearl necklaces and matching bracelets, 

rings and earrings. She was extremely 

efficient in developing this trade, as 

being a woman allowed her entrance to 

wealthy private homes to visit the 

women folk and show them her 

collections, as husbands would not 

allow a woman to visit unaccompanied. 

This proved to be an important factor in 

the development of her reputation. In 

those days it was unheard of for a 

woman, let alone a Jewish woman, to 

deal in business in an Arab country; 

these were huge obstacles in her path 

but she persevered without concern. 

Her husband, my father, Moshe Basha 

was the “buyer” and traveled to India 

to buy bushels of real (not cultured) 

pearls to support her emerging trade. 

Eventually her hard work and success 

enabled her to open her first jewelry 

store in Baghdad in 1944 where she 

employed master Armenian jewelers, 

and quickly became a popular store for 

the wealthy. My two brothers and I 

were educated about the jewelry trade 

by her during these times and joined 

the business. 

In 1948, with the establishment of the 

State of Israel, most Jews were forced to 

flee Iraq or face certain death. Our 

family had to escape in the dark of 

night with only the bare essentials and 

without warning. We all made it out all 

right, but of course the business 

remained and to this day is being run 

by the family of the Armenian jewelers 

whom Mother employed. In the years 

after our 

departure, the 

inherited store 

flourished with 

the top echelon of 

the community, 

and even the 

family of Saddam 

Hussein were 

customers. 

We are three 

brothers that graduated from her 

school. Up to this day, most members 

of the family are well known jewelers in 

the United States and Canada. 

The heritage that this special and 

courageous woman established proudly 

lives on through all of us who have 

learned the trade from her and therefore 

carry her in our hearts and minds forever. 

Sol Basha 


5769 

september/october HIGH HOLIDAYS SCHEDULE tisheri 

28 

28th of Elul 

29 

19 20th of Tishrei 

5 

6th of Tishrei 

6 

12 


13 

Sukkot VI 

Hol Hamoed 

30 

29th of Elul 

1st of Tishrei 

20 21st of Tishrei 

Erev Rosh Hashana Rosh Hashana 

Shelihot — 5:30 a.m. 

Shaharit — 8:00 a.m. 

Shaharit & Hatarat 

Minhah — 6:00 p.m. 

Nedarim — 6:30 a.m. 

6:22p 

7:22p 

Candle 

Candle 

Lighting 

Lighting 


7 



14 


Erev Sukkot 

6:03p 

7:03p 

Candle 

Candle 

Lighting 

Lighting 

Sukkot VII 

(Hoshana Raba) 

2 

2nd of Tishrei 

3rd of Tishrei 

22 23rd of Tishrei 

Rosh Hashana II 

Shaharit — 8:00 a.m. 



9 


Erev Yom Kippur Yom Kippur 

Selihoth— 5:30 a.m. Shaharith— 7:30 a.m. 


Mussaf — 1:30 p.m. 


Kol Nidre — 6:30 p.m. Neilah — 5:30 p.m. 

6:10p 

7:11p 

Candle 

Havdalah 

Lighting 

Yom Kippur Ends 

15 


16 


Sukkot I Sukkot II Sukkot III 

Hol Hamoed 

1 

8 

21 22nd of Tishrei 

Shmini Atzeret 

Simchat Torah 

23 24th of Tishrei 3 


4 


24 15th of Tishrei 25 


6:17p 

7:12p 

Candle 

Havdalah 

Lighting 

10 


11 


6:07p 

7:02p 

Candle 

Havdalah 

Lighting 

17 


18 


Sukkot IV 

Sukkot V 

Hol Hamoed 

5:59p 

6:54p 

Candle 

Havdalah 

Lighting 

5:55p 

Candle 

Lighting 

6:55p 

Candle 

Lighting 

7:23p 

Havdalah 

5:50p 

Candle 

Lighting 

6:45p 

Havdalah 

Shana Tova 

Have a Wonderful Healthy New Year 

Moussa Shaaya — Abe Kamara 

AMT Enterprise 


23 / THE SHOFAR

KJ The Shofar - Kahal Joseph

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