Michael Cohen

Rabbi Michael Beyo will speak on October 14, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. His topic will be “Israeli Life; Clash of Cultures: Ashkenazim vs. Sephardim.”

Rabbi Beyo is the CEO of the East Valley Jewish Community Center as well as being an author, university lecturer and historian. He currently teaches at the EVJCC’s Open Bet Madrash discussing all aspects of Jewish history, culture and traditions. Information regarding these classes can be found at evjjc.org. Students have found him to be extremely knowledgeable, insightful and an extraordinary teacher.

Ashkenazim and Sephardim are ancient practices of Judaism with different rituals, cultures and traditions. Historically, because of very long and complicated migrations, these two sects of Judaism have been defined geographically. Ashkenazim is generally from central and eastern Europe and Russia, while Sephardim are generally from the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean Basin. They arrived in Israel during different waves of immigration. Today there are about equal number of Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Israel. Because of dramatically different religious, cultural and educational experiences, they bring different priorities and emphasis to Israel, leading to conflicts of values and leadership.

Rabbi Beyo will explore these differences and their impact on Israel on October 24, 2018, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. If you have questions, call Michael Cohen at 480-895-4660.