Shining A Light On The Forgotten Jews: JIMENA

In this conversation, Sarah Levin, the executive director of JIMENA, discusses the experience and identity of Sephardic (Iberian) and Mizrahi (Middle Eastern) Jews in the United States. The conversation explores the historical context of Jewish immigration, the demographic makeup of American Jewry, and the cultural distinctions between different Jewish communities. Levin highlights the importance of inclusivity within Jewish spaces and shares surprising findings from a recent study on the economic vulnerabilities and political perspectives of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews. The conversation concludes with a call to action for creating a more inclusive and understanding Jewish community. Takeaways:- JIMENA focuses on the identities and experiences of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa.- Sephardic Jews descend from those expelled from Spain and Portugal in 1492.- Mizrahi Jews are defined as those from the East, particularly the Middle East and North Africa.- The first Jewish communities in America were primarily Sephardic.Intermarriage between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews has increased over time.- 10% of American Jews identify as Sephardic or Mizrahi, though this number may feel low in certain communities.- Bukharian Jews are often classified as Mizrahi, following Sephardic customs.- Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews share more similarities in religious practices than with Ashkenazi Jews.- Younger Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews are more engaged in Jewish communal life.- Economic vulnerability is a significant issue within Sephardic and Mizrahi communities.--Follow Sarah Levin & JIMENA:https://www.instagram.com/jimena_voice/https://twitter.com/JIMENA_Voicehttps://www.facebook.com/JIMENAVOICE/https://www.tiktok.com/@jimena_voicehttps://www.instagram.com/sarahrl8181/--Follow JLTV:https://facebook.com/jewishlifetvhttps://twitter.com/jewishlifetvhttps://instagram.com/jewishlifetvhttps://tiktok.com/@jltvtok--Follow Brad:https://facebook.com/bradpomerancehttps://x.com/bradpomerancehttps://instagram.com/bradpomeranceofficial