The Sephardic heritage  has a rich spiritual and cultural legacy that encompasses every aspect of  individual and communal life. Many young women of Sephardic descent are proud of their background, but lack specific knowledge of Sephardic customs, rituals, history, philosophy, and halacha. This is particularly true of women  who come from homes that have not maintained strong cultural or religious  practices.  

The Sephardic Heritage Program is a complementary track that supplements the  school's Beit Midrash textual learning program. Developed for women of  Sephardic background, but open to all students interested in learning about  Sephardic culture and traditions, the curriculum includes:

Halacha, including practical halacha as well as a survey  of historical and contemporary Sephardic halachic authorities.    
 
Sephardic commentators.
 
Sephardic customs and rituals. 

History of Sephardic communities

Great personalities of the Sephardic world.

Students enrolled in the program will meet with Sephardic Rabbinical  personalities in Israel and  enjoy Shabbat home visits with traditional Sephardic families in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. 
    

Participation in the She’arim Sephardic Heritage Program will enable students of Sephardic decent to return  to their home communities with renewed pride and knowledge of their rich  tradition, customs and halacha

 

Non-Sephardic students who participate in the  program will gain an appreciation and knowledge of the ways in which Sephardic scholars  and communities shaped Jewish history, and will develop a greater sense of  connection to the modern Sephardic communities in Israel and throughout the  Diaspora.