3 September 2004

International Sephardic Journal, the official publication of the International Society for Sephardic Progress wins the 2004-2005 Fromer Award.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: [email protected]

The International Society for Sephardic Progress (ISFSP) announced today that it has been awarded the 2004-2005 Fromer Award for its official publication, the International Sephardic Journal. The ISFSP is a Jewish organization developed to serve the Sephardic community-the descendants of the Jews of historic Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Levant who share both common religious and cultural bonds.

The Fromer Award is an endowed gift housed at the Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of the Greater East Bay, Oakland, California. It is awarded for projects in the area of Jewish arts, scholarship or education with potential significant impact on the Jewish community or Jewish life. The gift was established in honor of Seymour Fromer, founding executive of the East Bay's Jewish Education Council and one of the pioneers of East Bay Jewish communal life.

Shelomo Alfassa, Executive Director of the ISFSP declared:

"We are truly honored to have earned the distinction of being awarded the Fromer Award. It's gratifying to know the International Sephardic Journal has earned the admiration of the Fromer Fund Committee, we are privileged to have been selected by such a respected organization."

Rabbi Glenn Karonsky, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Living and Learning and Secretary to the Fromer Fund wished the ISFSP "continued success" in their future projects, as did Mr. Seymour Fromer.

The International Sephardic Journal is a publication produced from within the Sephardic community for readers across the globe. As the only journal of its kind, it strives to promote the study of Sephardic Jewish history while at the same promoting topics of interest from contemporary Sephardic life. With only its first issue appearing in August 2004, the journal is already gathering praise by its readers; Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, Director of the Kehila Kedosha Janina museum and president of the Association of Friends of Greek Jewry stated:

Both by topic and contribution, this Journal is destined to fill a void in published scholarly research on topics of Sephardic interest...Each and every article is a treasure, an example of the specific expertise of the contributor...A remarkable journal, one that should be on the shelves of every academic library."

Although based in the United States, the ISFSP is an advocacy organization representing Sephardim internationally. It functions to produce high quality Jewish educational projects and publications which will help teach the public about the vibrant Sephardic Jewish communities, past and present.

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International Sephardic Journall

Fromer Award