Sephardic Legacy Series was founded in 2007. The founder, Yehuda Azoulay, envisioned an institute that would inspire Sephardic Torah Jewry through numerous publications, articles, and extensive research on vast Sephardic essential topics.

These projects would only enable us Sephardic Jews to preserve our Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture for the future generations to come. We are dedicated to ensuring that the history, legacies and traditions of the great Sephardic communities throughout the world be recorded and remembered as an integral part of our rich heritage for generations to come. We mainly act to preserve and promote Sephardic Torah literature in the English language.

Founder
Yehuda (Allen) Azoulay is a young and passionate individual who is devoted to his studies in Torah, historical research, education, and Jewish history. He attended Ohr Haemet Sephardic School, Ner Yisrael Toronto, and Yeshivah Darchei Torah, and continued his post high school studies at Yeshivat Mikdash Melech in Yerushalayim. Yehuda excelled in his religious studies and attended Yeshiva Gedolah of Lakewood and continued in Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, New Jersey. Later in 2007 he married Rena Klein from Lakewood, New Jersey and today baruch hashem has two young beautiful girls - Esther and Yael Azoulay. Yehuda finished his studies in Excelsior College and received his Bachelors Degree this past year. Currently Yehuda is attending Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration and will be receiving his Masters degree from Yeshiva University.

Yehuda is the founder of the Sephardic Legacy Series - "Institute for Preserving Sephardic Heritage" which he envisions will help structure future Sephardic publications, articles, extensive research on vast Sephardic essential topics and other works geared for Sephardic communities worldwide. Yehuda is passionately committed to spreading awareness of the great knowledge and deeds of the Sephardic hachamim of both past and present.

He authored two renowned books - 'A Legacy of Leaders' (Inspiring Stories and Biographies of Sephardic Hachamim) Volume One & Two, and these books are now published in French, and Hebrew. Yehuda is also a columnist in Sephardic Community Magazine - the most widely distributed Sephardic magazine in the world today. He is currently working on a documentary film entitled 'From Past to Present' - The History of Sephardic Jewry, and his next publication will be on biography of the Ben Ish Hai which will be released September 2011.

Yehuda’s works capture the essence of great Sephardic luminaries from our recent past in a way that is interesting, accessible, and inspiring. His focus is essentially on Jewish History and Sephardic History as well. His works has filled a major void in the Sephardic Torah world, and his goal is simply to inspire anyone who seeks to learn the glorious past of Sephardic Jewry. He hopes to create for Sephardic Jews everywhere a pride in their heritage and an intensified faith in Hashem and His Torah.

Executive Assistant to Founder
Leon Sakkal was born and raised within the vibrant Syrian community where he attained a great pride for his Sephardic heritage. After graduating Deal Yeshiva, Leon excelled in his studies at Yeshiva Mikdash Melech of Yerushalayim for the two subsequent years. Later, he returned to join "Beth Medrash of Long Branch", a new and vibrant Yeshiva headed by Rabbi Shlomo Diamond shlita, where he currently continues a full-day of study. Leon's goal is not merely to increase the awareness of Sephardic hachamim, but to instill an overall motivating pride within Sephardic Jews worldwide.

Rabbinical Researcher
Rabbi Shai Cabessa born in Toronto, Canada and raised in a home filled with Torah and Mitzvot. Rabbi Cabessa studied for many years in Yeshiva Porat Yosef and is a previous student of the renowned current Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shalom Cohen. He recently studied in Yeshivat Ahavat Shalom under the guidance of Rabbi Yaakov Hillel, and is currently studying in Yeshiva Neve David under the guidance of the Av Beth Din of Jerusalem – Rabbi Baruch Shraga. Rabbi Cabessa is currently the main Rabbinical Researcher and he reviews all material before all publications for all of Sephardic Legacy Series upcoming publications. He is an expert in Sephardic Torah literature and Halacha and is exceptionally accomplished young scholar. He recently authored a sefer entitled ‘Bikure Shai’ – Responsa and Hidushim (novelties) on Shas.

Rabbinical overview:
Hacham Amram Assayag
Rabbi Eliyahu Yanay
Rabbi Messod Azoulay
Rabbi Shai Cabessa

Editors:
Mrs. Yael Lock edited ‘A Legacy of Leaders’ Vol. I.
Mrs. Atara Snowbell edited ‘A Legacy of Leaders’ Vol. II.
Rabbi David Silverberg edited ‘Ben Ish Hai – The Life and Times of Hacham Yosef Haim’

Graphic designers:
Mr. Sruly Pearl designed ‘A Legacy of Leaders’ Vol. I.
Mrs. Glenna Daniels designed ‘A Legacy of Leaders’ Vol. II.
Mr. Sruly Pearl designed ‘Ben Ish Hai – The Life and Times of Hacham Yosef Haim’

Assistant Translators:
Rabbi & Mrs. Elbinger
Mrs. Rivki Greenspan
Mrs. Rafaella Levine

Translations in other Languages:
Editions Hinoukh Publishers translated ’A Legacy of Leaders Vol.I’ (French Edition).
Iris Meir translated ’A Legacy of Leaders Vol.I’ (Hebrew Edition). – Both versions in stores!

Note: Regarding all the individuals above are based on per project assignments, and are not employees for Sephardic Legacy Series.