A Rich History

Nestled among 80 year old oak trees, B’nai Sephardim is Broward County’s oldest and largest Sephardic synagogue.  Founded in 1970, it has grown to serve over 700 families in the community during the High Holidays.

Our congregation’s history and heritage are rich and varied, as our members are descendants of Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Though English is the first language of most of our congregants, it’s not uncommon to hear Hebrew, Spanish, French, and Arabic being spoken, sometimes all within the same conversation.

We have an active Sisterhood, Men’s Club, study groups, as well as social, educational, youth and singles’ activities throughout the year.

Every Shabbat we provide a hot Sephardic style sit down luncheon and a youth program within a warm inviting environment.

Religious Services

Shabbat Services                                                                                              

Services are held each Shabbat and on all Holidays at 8:30 AM and are followed by a Sephardic-style lunch.
Friday night community dinners and services are held monthly.  Check the calendar for details.
Our distinctive and beautiful religious services have been maintained for over 500 years, passed down through each generation.

Unique Sephardic Traditions

Sephardim recite a Memorial Prayer that is specific to an individual, called Hashcabah. It is traditional to have this prayer recited on the Shabbat closest to the person¹s anniversary of passing. On Holidays, we do not recite the Ashkenazi Yizkor prayer, but instead offer Hashcabah prayers as on Shabbat. During High Holiday services, it is traditional to recite these prayers for all loved ones who have passed, regardless of the anniversary of passing.

Sephardim pray as a group

Other than the Amidah, we do not have times in our service when each person is praying individually. We keep a pace that allows everyone to participate. For those who are still learning Hebrew, saying Amen and reading with us in English is encouraged. There are many Sephardic differences in religious items and religious rulings, including Tefillin, Talitot, Mezuzot, Ketubot (Marriage Certificates), and other items. Rulings differ in the area of Kashrut (dietary laws) and several others.