The first-ever Sephardic culture festival just kicked off in NYC

All month long, Sephardi Jews in New York—and anyone interested in their rich culture—can celebrate Sephardic heritage at a host of events organized by the newly launched Festival Sefarad NYC. This city-wide, month-long celebration is the first of its kind in the U.S., inspired by the long-running Festival Séfarad de Montréal in Canada, now in its 45th season.

Events will span Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, and include exhibits, book talks, Shabbat dinners and more. At the heart of the celebration is the 27th New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, which runs from June 8 to 15 at the ASF Center for Jewish History, located at 15 West 16th Street near Union Square. The festival will open and close with special screenings at El Museo del Barrio. You can explore the full film lineup here.

The wider Festival Sefarad NYC features a range of standout programs. On Wednesday, June 11, urban historian Bradley Shaw will lead a walking tour exploring Sephardic Jewish historical sites across New York, offering participants a deeper connection to the city’s layered Jewish past. That same evening, artist Ruben Shimonov will present a pop-up gallery and artist talk focused on the traditions of Arabic, Hebrew and Persian calligraphy, examining the intersections of language, identity and visual art.

Later in the month, on June 19 at the Tribeca Synagogue, a Juneteenth celebration will honor the Black American experience by spotlighting jazz music and its deep cultural resonance within both African American and Jewish communities. Rounding out the month, the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network—a grassroots movement that creates inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews—will host a special Shabbat dinner, blending ritual, identity and community.

Taken together, the events offer a look at the many dimensions of Sephardic life and culture, both past and present, across New York City—and we’re absolutely here for it.