Sephardic Community Bet Din

A Letter of Blessing and Recognition

For many years I was very bothered with regard to the many large and prominent communities in the diaspora, who are established in all areas of education and sanctity, such as synagogues and study halls engaged in Torah study and prayer, and yet always had a shortcoming in that they noticeably lacked an authoritative rabbinical court, without which leaves a community incomplete in its ability to advance itself and to safeguard its people from sin.

This is especially a concern with matters of sanctity, and specifically in the areas of marriage and divorce, which must be determined based on Torah law so that sanctity may be maintained.

I have discussed this matter numerous times, both privately and publicly, with the Rabbinic leadership of the communities. There were, however, obstacles, as is the case in all holy matters.

Until a group of motivated Rabbis established an institution for the purpose of becoming thoroughly trained in matters of Halacha, under the guidance of the esteemed Dayan and Hacham, Rabbi Golan Aluf, who, besides his broad scope of knowledge, uses his analytical expertise and invests great efforts to draw conclusions. And with matters of great severity, he takes council with others.

This Rabbinic group underwent training in the courts of Israel and elsewhere until they developed expertise (in the area of divorce law).

Subsequently, they established the Sephardic Community Bet Din within the Syrian / Sephardic community of Brooklyn, NY, with Rabbi Golan Aluf at its helm. This Bet Din will not execute a Gett unless in the presence of one of the reliable and experienced judges of Israel.

This Group has turned to me for guidance and support, in order so that all their activities be authorized and indisputable.

They are G-D-fearing, knowledgeable and forthright, and the community is fortunate to have this Bet Din established in their midst.

My prayer is for them to be respected and accepted, to be protected from any mishaps, and for Hashem’s Shechinah to dwell amongst them until the arrival of our redemption.