SHAS Party launches American affiliate

Its name carries an international cachet: Worldwide Sephardic Association of Torah Guardians, emerging as a party within the Jerusalem municipal election in 1983. Today, Shas is the fourth largest party in the Knesset, representing the Sephardic sector of Israeli society. On Dec. 4, at a meeting held in Brooklyn, a new supporting organization, the American Friends of Shas was launched. The group is charged with promoting Sephardic traditions and representing the party in the United States. “Shas represents the religious political soul of Israel, it has played an active role in all Israeli governments,” said Rabbi Zvi Hakak, the personal assistant to Shas founder Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef.
At the breakfast, prominent local Sephardic rabbonim included Rabbis Hanania Elbaz, Shimon Alouf, and Shaul Kassin, a leading figure in the Syrian Jewish community.
Rabbi Hakak spoke of Rabbi Yosef’s inspiration for creating the party. “If we give a little glance into Israeli history, one of the goals of the nation’s founders was to erase immigrant culture and create a new Israeli identity.” When Rabbi Yosef arrived in newborn Israel, it was common practice for Sephardic immigrant children to be assigned to Ashkenazi schools and for Arabic-sounding last names to be Hebraized. “The dream was to raise the image of Sephardic Jews,” Rabbi Hakak said.
Its platform of promoting religious education, while flexible on foreign policy, has enabled Shas to partner in left-leaning and nationalist coalitions with ease. “The main aspect of Shas is educational and as such it plays a very important role in bringing the Jewish tradition to all Israelis,” said Rabbi David Algaze of Forest Hills, an activist in a variety of pro-Israel causes. On the political side, Rabbi Algaze said that having a Jewish party with Middle Eastern roots enables it to have a stronger understanding of the Arab world. “Because of our experience, we have a keen understanding of the Arab hatred of the Jews. But on the other side, we know that there is an aspect of goodness in the Arab mind and perhaps our common experience could revive the centuries-old friendship.”
The Shas movement has taken a very proactive role in the campaign against the delegitimization of Israel. Most notably, under the guidance of MK Rabbi Nissim Zeev, Shas organized highly publicized meetings with key UN commissioners and other diplomats as well as hosting important political leaders from abroad, most recently former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Over the past year, the Zionist element of Shas was also strengthened, with its support for keeping Jerusalem whole and opposition to the dismantling of settlement communities.
Acknowledging that Shas is not the only Sephardic political movement in Israeli history, Rabbi Hakak added that it is by far the strongest, crediting the leadership of Rabbi Yosef and its commitment to Torah values.
Expressing support for the American Shas affiliate, Rep. Bob Turner spoke of the voting power of the Jewish community and its ability to keep the land of Israel intact. Queens Assemblyman Rory Lancman said that the new group would enable the local Sephardic community to become more active in its support of Israel. “Every part of the Jewish community can be active in its support,” Lancman said.
Fellow Queens resident Rabbi Ilan Meirov noted that the first Bukharian Jewish member of Knesset, Amnon Cohen, is a Shas member, and how Rabbi Yosef impacted his own Jewish identity. “Coming to America, I attended a Hasidic elementary school and a Litvishe high school, and they deserve much credit for my education, but I did not connect with my Sephardic heritage until I saw a video of Rav Ovadiah at age 15,” Rabbi Meirov said. “I am proud of this beautiful heritage.”

In the coming weeks, American Friends of Shas will be consolidating its Membership Committee and Ladies Auxiliary. For more information on its future events, contact friendsofshas@yahoo.com