Sephardic Minyan
Welcome to the Sephardic Minyan at AABJ&D - in the heart of Essex County
The Sephardic Minyan at Congregation AABJ&D was established in the early 1980s. Comprised of a handful of families, the group met regularly in various classrooms in the Shul. When AABJ&D embarked on its second expansion, in the early 1990s, Rabbi Alvin Marcus strongly encouraged the Sephardic Minyan to take this opportunity to build a proper “home” for its minyan. Thanks to the tireless devotion, commitment and leadership of Albert Jacob, z’l, and a group of committed families our beautiful Sephardic Wing was built.
On Shabbat Miketz 5769, the Sephardic Wing of Congregation AABJ&D was dedicated in memory of Mr. Albert Jacob, z”l. Albert and Doreen (z"l) Jacob’s vision, passion for tradition and love of our shul are what made our Sephardic Sanctuary as beautiful as it is today. He will forever be remembered, in our minds and hearts, as a baal Tzedakah, a man who loved Torah and a man of integrity.
The strong connection to tradition and the desire to pass their customs and rituals onto the next generation has ensured the growth of the West Orange Sephardic Minyan. The Sephardic Minyan brings to our community a rich tapestry of traditions representing countries such as Iran, Morocco, India, Syria and Israel.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, our warm and welcoming Sephardic community continues to thrive. We have daily Sephardic minyanim, educational programming and social activities for youth and adults. We invite you to join us!
For information about our Sephardic West Orange community, please contact Rabbi Yosef Sharbat at ysharbat@gmail.com.
Meet the Rabbi
Rabbi Yosef Sharbat
Sephardic Rav
Rabbi Sharbat received Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University and also from Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Chaim. He graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Jewish Studies from Yeshiva College where he was also the recipient of The Rabbi Judah Feinerman Memorial Award for Excellence in Talmud and the Maybaum Sephardic Fellowship. He also holds a Master's Degree in Secondary Jewish Education from the Azrielli Graduate School of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Sharbat is a member of the Vaad Harabanim of MetroWest, on the rabbinic board of the Essex County Mikvah and a rabbinic advisor to the West Orange Eruv. He previously taught Judaic Studies at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus. Rabbi Sharbat teaches Tanach and Halacha at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, along with his wife Batya who teaches Tanach and is the director of interdisciplinary studies. They are the proud parents of Yael, Moshe, Leora and Nava.