The Le'Dor Va'Dor project caters to all Jewish people in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds to connect with Sephardic traditions.

We offer three types of programs: education, flavors, and culture.

Education includes Torah classes and services, flavors focus on Sephardic food experiences, and culture includes both Jewish events done in the Sephardic way, such as Shabbat dinners (where we might tear the challah with our hands, enjoy a little Arak with the meal, and add some extra spice to the food), and uniquely Sephardic traditions like Mimouna and other customs (which, of course, also involve food—because what would a Sephardic event be without it?). While our current focus is on young professionals, we are planning to start very soon to cater to all age groups and people in different stages of life and career, such as families, kids, and those in their golden years, as we expand based on capacity and community priorities.

Le'Dor Va'Dor means “from generation to generation.”

We named the Sephardic Heritage project Le'Dor Va'Dor because it reflects our mission of passing traditions and values from one generation to the next.

Now, more than ever, generations are facing an identity crisis.

The Sephardic heritage might offer to some people a new perspective on what it means to be Jewish—it’s very authentic, very vibrant, and full of a deep sense of belonging.

Because of that, it just clicks when a person experiences it. Our gatherings make people feel that they’re part of a big, warm family, all connected by this time-honored tradition.

Last year (2024), we welcomed almost a thousand new visitors, and many were amazed that a place like this exists. They shared sentiments like:

“I’ve never felt so accepted in my life!”

“This place fills me with pride to be a Jew!”

“I feel a true sense of belonging here.”

This heritage is rooted in the past and lives on in the present. It’s this authenticity, vibrancy, and sense of belonging, passed down through generations, that can help us as a Jewish community navigate today’s identity challenges.

Le'dor Va'dor achieves its mission by adding a Sephardic touch to our traditional Jewish practices, making them more appealing to today’s generation.

Additionally, We develop programs like Kululu matchmaking to help singles build families, as well as Sephardic events such as cooking sessions with community grandmothers.

We are also considering offering classes in Ladino, Haketia (Haquetia), and the songs of Rabbi Shalom Shabazi, known as the Diwan, along with other Sephardic cultural classes, to keep the heritage alive.