About Us

Who we are

Distinctions: A Sephardi and Mizrahi Journal

Distinctions is the online journal of JIMENA that elevates the voices and talents of Sephardi and Mizrahi scholars, researchers, artists and activists. Our content challenges traditional narratives about Jewish people and communities, and addresses contemporary Jewish concerns through a classical Sephardi and Mizrahi lens. Our mission is to spread knowledge so that everyone can better appreciate these important distinctions, while providing a vehicle that treats Sephardi and Mizrahi people with distinction.

Editorial Advisors

  • Ada Aharoni, Founder and President, The International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace
  • Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Director, Sephardic Educational Center
  • Meir Buzaglo, Professor, Department of Philosophy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Eliezer Papo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Hebrew Literature, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
  • Sarah Sassoon, Poet, Essayist and Children’s Book Author
  • Norman A. Stillman, Founding Director, Center for Judaic & Israel Studies, University of Oklahoma
  • Ophir Toubul, Activist and Founder of the Tor HaZahav Movement

Distinctions is generously supported by JCRIF: Jewish Community Response and Impact Fund

JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa

JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa pursues universal recognition for the heritage, history, and rights of the one million indigenous Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa and their Mizrahi and Sephardi descendants.

Sephardic Leadership Institute

JIMENA’s Sephardic Leadership Institute shares the knowledge, expertise and recommendations of Sephardi and Mizrahi thought leaders with Jewish communal and lay leadership to help organizations become more adept at integrating and representing Sephardi heritage into their communities.

Our Team

staff-illo

Sarah Levin

Ty Alhadeff

Stuart Eskenazi

Neomi Assiabanha-Rapoport

Yehuda Rapoport

JIMENA Executive Director

Director of Education, JIMENA’s Sephardic Leadership Institute

Editor

Art Director

Website Developer

Sarah Levin      JIMENA Executive Director

Ty Alhadeff    Director of Education, JIMENA’s Sephardic Leadership Institute

Stuart Eskenazi      Editor

Neomi Assiabanha-Rapoport      Art Director

Yehuda Rapoport      Website Developer

Opinions expressed by the authors contributing to Distinctions journal reflect the views of the individual writer and not necessarily those of JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa.