From the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry to the immigration of European Jews to South America, Jewish community has flourished across dozens of Spanish-speaking countries. With both Ashkenazi and Sephardic roots, Spanish-speaking Jewry is a rich and diverse tapestry of culture and ancestry. Join us and hear first-hand accounts of young Jews from across the globe who are now making their lives in LA, united by language yet unique in their traditions. Featuring community members from Spain, Argentina, and Mexico (see more information below).

Thursday, February 8 at 7:00 pm
Monk Space
4414 West 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Thank you for your interest in this event! Tickets will be available at the door for $25. Hope to see you there!

Tickets include: Program, heavy appetizers, drinks.

Karyn Maczka is a Mexican-American Ashkenazi Jew who was born in San Diego, CA and grew up in Mexico City until the age of 13. Her grandparents were Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Poland, Russia, and Germany, who arrived in Mexico in the 1930’s and 1940’s; Karyn’s maternal grandfather was a Holocaust survivor. After returning to the US, Karyn moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA, where she earned a B.A. in Linguistics and continued her study of Hebrew, French, Spanish, and Arabic. Her fascination with the human mind and dedication towards helping others, inspired her to pursue a Masters in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Besides practicing as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Karyn enjoys playing tennis, flag football, yoga, woodburning, and learning new languages.

Max Greenberg is a fourth-year doctoral student in the department of Chicana/o Studies at UCLA. Their research brings together themes of Jews in diaspora, US-Mexico cross-border networks, and racial and ethnic formation. Currently, they are working towards a dissertation that explores patterns of Jewish migration and cross-border incorporation between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California, between the interwar and post-war eras. As an activist-scholar, Max’s work seeks to center a diversity of ethnic, racial, geographic and class identities and experiences within the global Jewish diaspora. Max holds an M.A. in Chicana/o Studies from UCLA, and a B.A. in Spanish Literature from Kenyon College.

Yasmin Safdie is an Israeli-born, Argentinean-raised Sephardic Jew with grandparents originating from Syria and Morocco. After living in Argentina for 13 years and in Brazil for 2, she came to the US at the age of 16. She attended UC Berkeley, where got a B.A in Social Welfare and Columbia University, where she graduated with a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work. She currently works at various community clinics in Los Angeles providing mental health services to underserved and at-risk populations. When not attempting to save the world, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, doing arts and crafts, and being outdoors.

Yosef Bendahan was born and raised in Spain. He received his B.A. in Israel, studying Education & Jewish Studies in Israel. In 2014, Yosef went back to Spain and worked with the Jewish young professionals in country, organizing activities and opportunities connect, including from Friday night dinners. Yosef relocated to Los Angeles three months ago and continues to learn, connect, and educate.