Taking the Sephardic Program to the Next Level - Rav Dan Cohen & Rav Mordechai Djavaheri

https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lect... General Overview Rabbi Mordechai Djavaheri and Harav Dan Cohen reflect on the growth of the Sephardic program at Yeshiva University and the strong community built around it. They describe expanded minyanim, lively shiurim, student-led initiatives, Shabbat and holiday programming, and a campus atmosphere that gives Sephardic students greater pride, connection, and access to rabbinic guidance. They also express gratitude for the Yeshiva’s leadership and look forward to continued growth, including a future full-time rebbi. Sephardic Program Growth Harav Dan Cohen says he has led the Sephardic program for 11 years and credits Rabbi Simon Basalely, Rav Moshe Tessone, and Dr. Dobrinski Alav Hashalom for laying the groundwork. He says the program has come a long way and now includes multiple Sephardic rabbeim, a BMP shiur, and a broad campus presence. Rabbi Djavaheri says the Sephardic student body has grown into a robust part of the Yeshiva, with five rebbeim and about 250 Sephardic talmidim among more than a thousand students. Both speakers say the current level of activity is far greater than in the past and deserves appreciation. Daily Life and the Beit Midrash They describe how the Sephardic Beit Midrash has changed from a small, cramped space into a large and beautiful lounge-based Beit Midrash with tables, chairs, a library, breakfast, and a coffee station. Harav Cohen says there are now two shacharit minyanim every day, along with regular mincha and arvit, and that the room is full of people from many backgrounds and countries. They say the daily atmosphere includes divrei Torah, chazzanut, students serving as baal korei, and a strong sense of shared tradition. They also note that rabbis and students alike participate consistently, and that the environment encourages serious tefillah and communal warmth. Shiurim, Learning, and Halakhic Guidance Harav Cohen says Wednesday night Parashah Shiur has grown from a small gathering with snacks into a major event with sponsored food and strong student participation. He says the Sephardic WhatsApp group and regular guest speakers have made it much easier to reach students and fill the room. They also describe the BMP shiurim as major centers of learning and interaction. Rabbi Djavaheri says his IBC courses include Sephardic Halacha, Safrut, laws of war, and life-cycle halakhot, and he says the Sephardic Halakha class often takes place in a Beit Midrash format rather than a classroom format. Student Relationships and Halakhic Questions They say the students now have direct access to rabbanim for questions, guidance, and personal support. Harav Cohen describes a Sephardic Halakha Q&A WhatsApp group created by Gavriel Laluz, with four rabbis responding to questions and many students following up privately afterward. They say this system has deepened students’ relationship with halakha and with a rebbi. They present this as especially important because many students did not develop that kind of relationship at home, and now have ongoing access to rabbinic support while in Yeshiva. Shabbat, Communal Life, and Special Events They say the Sephardic Shabbat experience gives students a place to belong through meals, kiddushim, seudah shlishit, and tishim with rabbeim. Rabbi Djavaheri says students feel at home at these gatherings and that the setting creates intimacy and connection. They also describe major events such as the annual selichot gathering, Purim, Chanukkah, Yamim Noraim, and Shavuot programming. Harav Cohen says these events, along with Shabbatons, make the program feel like a living kehillah rather than a narrowly academic structure. Panels, Guests, and Broader Sephardic Identity Harav Cohen says Rabbi Sultan brings nuance and breadth by hosting panels on controversial topics and inviting guest speakers to discuss them. He mentions panels on conversion and the halakhic prenup, and says next year they plan a panel on techelet. They also mention many guests, including Rabbi Jachter, Rabbi Avraham Benhamu, Rabbi Yosef Yanetz, Shwekey, and Rabbi Michael Kakon. They describe a late-announced Baba Sali hillula and special Shabbatons as highlights that strengthen Sephardic identity and pride. Leadership, Gratitude, and the Future They thank Rabbi Dr. Berman for welcoming and supporting the Sephardic program and say Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky strongly pushes them to do more. Harav Cohen says there is a secret upcoming announcement about a full-time rebbi being appointed next year. They close by saying they feel fortunate to serve the students and want to keep expanding the program, reaching more talmidim, and building the Sephardic community at Yeshiva University.