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SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY ALLIANCE
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 270728655 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE X90 · Religion-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$1.2M
expenses
$1.1M
net assets
$-530K
employees
4
program ratio
75%
profile · synthesized from sources

SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY ALLIANCE is a New York-based nonprofit focused on preserving and promoting Sephardic and Jewish heritage through educational and cultural programming. It serves young adults and the broader Jewish community with initiatives centered on religious education, identity, and solidarity with Israel. The organization operates primarily through events, lecture series, and trips that emphasize Middle Eastern Jewish traditions.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $557K
    YOUNG ADULT INITIATIVES:THESE EVENTS, FOR MEN AND WOMEN AGES 18-25, OFFER EDUCATION ON A VARIETY OF THEMES INCLUDING SEPHARDIC AND JEWISH HERITAGE AND PRIDE, ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS AND SOLIDARITY TRIPS TO ISRAEL THAT FOCUS ON VISITING FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES, SOLDIERS AND TOURING THE LAND.
  2. #2 $0
    MINHAG OF THE WEEK:OUR MINHAG OF THE WEEK EPISODES EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT ITS SYRIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN TRADITIONS. THIS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 2019 AND NOW HAS OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION VIEWS.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Israel Winter Lecture Events Program
Series of lectures held on Israel Independence Day and Unification of Jerusalem Day, featuring back-to-back educational sessions
Minhag of the Week
Video series launched in 2019 that educates the community about Syrian and Middle Eastern Jewish traditions, amassing over 250,000 views
Special Events
Panel discussions and community gatherings, such as a 2023 event on "Israel, Morality and Current Events" featuring teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Young Adult Initiatives
Educational events for men and women ages 18–25 focusing on Sephardic and Jewish heritage, antisemitism on campus, and solidarity trips to Israel, including visits to families of hostages and soldiers
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Jewish Religious Education and Outreach 4 activities
    • Educational programming on Sephardic heritage and culture
      Provides ongoing educational events, classes, and resources focused on preserving and celebrating Sephardic values, traditions, and Halakhic integrity for young adults and the broader community. Includes gender-separated courses at affiliated colleges and the production of "Minhag of the Week" episodes, which have garnered over 250,000 views since 2019.
    • Livestreamed and virtual educational access
      Offers livestream access to classes and events through the SCA app and virtualmidrash.com, enabling remote participation in educational programming, including large-scale events like the Rabbi Dr. Ezra Labaton Day of Learning attended by thousands virtually.
    • Summer religious and educational programming for young adults
      Conducts weekly Minha prayers and delivers educational messages for hundreds of young adults every Shabbat afternoon during the summer months, both in person and through recurring community engagement.
    • Young adult engagement and reintegration programs
      Organizes events, mentorship pairings, and communal dinners to support young adults returning from gap years in Israel, facilitating their reintegration and continued growth in Torah and community life. Includes structured discussions and mentorship from peers who have undergone similar transitions.
  • Combating Antisemitism and Hate 1 activity
    • Antisemitism education initiatives
      Co-sponsored and produced the "Antisemitism, Explained" video series and integrated education on combating antisemitism into broader programming for young adults, particularly in campus contexts.
  • Jewish Holiday and Shabbat Community Events 1 activity
    • Community events commemorating Jewish fast days and holidays
      Hosts annual large-scale educational and religious gatherings for Jewish observances such as 17 BeTamuz and Tisha BeAb, featuring days of learning, prayers for the State of Israel, and discussions with IDF veterans. Events draw hundreds to thousands of participants in person and via livestream.
  • Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
    • Community gatherings and fundraising events
      Organizes large community events such as beach gatherings in Deal, NJ and DSN beach attended by over 350 young adults, and culinary competition fundraisers supporting families of hostages, combining social engagement with communal solidarity and financial support.
  • Israel and Jewish Heritage Educational Travel 1 activity
    • Mission trips and solidarity programs for young adults
      Organizes domestic and international trips for young adults, including a week-long solidarity mission to Israel following October 7th, a three-day retreat in Pennsylvania, and Kadima/ILEAD co-led missions focused on rebuilding and connecting with Israeli communities. Programs include educational components on antisemitism, Sephardic identity, and Israel.
  • Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
    • Public lectures and panel discussions on contemporary issues
      Hosts public events featuring scholars, activists, and community leaders to discuss current events, antisemitism, and Jewish thought. Examples include a panel on Israel and morality inspired by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, discussions with Shai Davidai on campus antisemitism, and an event with Elizabeth Savetsky on activism.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.21M
Contributions & grants$639K53%
Program service revenue$566K47%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.13M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$181K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$68K
Cash$68K
Investments$0
Liabilities$597K
Net assets$-530K
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +8.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 15
  • ALAN SHAMAH — BOARD MEMBER
  • BOBBY DWECK — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANIELLE HAZZAN — SECRETARY
  • IKEY CABASSO — VICE PRESIDENT
  • IRENE HANAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • JESSE SALEM — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOEY SOFFER — BOARD MEMBER
  • MORRIS A COHEN — TREASURER
  • OVADIA SUTTON — BOARD MEMBER
  • RAYMOND TAWIL — BOARD MEMBER
  • RICKY NOVICK — PRESIDENT
  • ROCHELLE HAFIF — BOARD MEMBER
  • SAM HADDAD — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHIRLEY CATTON — BOARD MEMBER
  • SUSAN DAYAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 68

Who they work with

  • Ahaba Ve Ahva Partner — Sephardic synagogue affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Ahi Ezer Yeshivah Partner — Sephardic school in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Aram Soba Raanana Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Raanana, Israel affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Ave N Sephardic Congregation Partner — Sephardic synagogue affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Barkai Yeshivah Partner — Sephardic school in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Bet Rachel of Larchwood Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Oakhurst, NJ affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Bnei Yitzhak Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Carol and Ikey Chera Partner — Sponsor of the 17 BeTamuz Day of Learning
  • Community Mikveh Partner — Mikveh facility affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Community Security Alliance Partner — Security organization in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Congregation Beth Torah Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Congregation Ohel Yosef of Oakhurst Partner — Sephardic synagogue affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • DSN Partner — Co-hosted an event for young adults at DSN beach.
  • DSN Partner — Co-hosted an event honoring Israeli soldiers receiving therapy and counseling.
  • DSN Partner — Partnered with SCA on events including an evening in Deal, NJ honoring IDF soldiers and a beach event for young adults.
  • Duvdevan Unit Partner — Honored soldiers from this IDF unit who are participating in therapeutic programming.
  • Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Deal Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Deal, NJ affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of NYC Partner — Sephardic synagogue in New York, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Edmond J. Safra Synagogue of Turnberry Partner — Sephardic synagogue in Aventura, FL affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Enough is Enough Partner — Organization affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Eshel Sephardic Midrasha Partner — Sephardic school in Jerusalem, Israel affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Florence and Jack Dweck - Leiluy Nishmat Ezra Ben Rchel Partner — Sponsor of the 17 BeTamuz Day of Learning
  • Fonz Fired Pizza Partner — Catered dinner for a young adult reintegration event hosted by the Sephardic Community Alliance.
  • Helene and Alan Shamah Partner — Sponsor of the 17 BeTamuz Day of Learning
  • Hillel Yeshivah Partner — Sephardic school in Ocean Township, NJ affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • ILEAD Partner — Co-organized a week-long mission to Israel for young adults with SCA.
  • ILEAD Partner — Organization in Brooklyn, NY affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • JCC Partner — Hosts the Rabbi Dr. Ezra Labaton Day of Learning event at the JCC.
  • Jersey Shore Erub Partner — Erub organization affiliated with the Sephardic Community Alliance
  • Joey and Frieda Franco Partner — Hosts of the event on campus.
+ 38 more
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Community-Centered Engagement Through Religious and Forum-Based Practices
    methodology: community_engagement_through_religious_practice
    By hosting Shabbat-based educational events, commemorative learning programs, and public forums featuring firsthand accounts, the organization fosters deep community engagement—because shared ritual, collective memory, and authentic storytelling strengthen emotional and communal bonds.
  • Cultural Identity Strengthening Through Experiential and Digital Engagement
    methodology: cultural_and_experiential_education
    By using experiential trips to Israel, digital preservation of Syrian and Middle Eastern Jewish customs, and accessible online educational content, the organization strengthens Sephardic identity and intergenerational connection—because immersive and accessible cultural experiences foster belonging and continuity.
  • Education and Peer-Based Empowerment to Combat Antisemitism
    methodology: education_and_empowerment
    By combining educational programming on the historical roots of antisemitism with peer mentorship and experiential learning, the organization empowers young adults to recognize, confront, and advocate against antisemitic threats—because lived experience and knowledge build confidence and communal resilience.