JIMENA - Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa

Seeking peace, justice and reconciliation in the Middle East

JIMENA seeks recognition for the nearly one million Jews indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa who were displaced from their country of origin. JIMENA is dedicated to the preservation of Mizrahi and Sephardi culture and history. JIMENA seeks to address the existing gap in the historical narrative of the Middle East and North Africa by sharing the Mizrahi and Sephardi story of oppression, plight and displacement. View our brochure >>>
In the News...
Qaddafi Crushed the Graves in the Jewish Cemetery February 25th, 2011 Elad Benari and Yoni Kempinski, Arutz Sheva
Out of Egypt February 9th, 2011 Paula Sadok, Tablet Magazine
Synagogues in Egypt are safe, but police are gone January 31st, 2011 Roger Bilboul, Point of no return
JCC exhibit shows sunset of Yemeni Jewish community January 27th, 2011 Amanda Pazornik, J Weekly
20 Jews from Tunisia make aliyah January 20th, 2011 Itamar Eichner, Ynet News
	JIMENA News Archives >>>

Stay Tuned!
New interactive Web 2.0 website coming soon!

JIMENA is proud to have completed our first three of eleven comprehensive country specific websites:

Egyptian Experience

Iraqi Experience

Libyan Experience

Yemenite Experience

Current Programs
Speakers Bureau JIMENA’s Speakers Bureau is composed of former Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa who share their personal story of displacement and spread the message of tolerance and respect for all. Members of the Bureau undergo intensive training and are available to visit academic institutions and organizations throughout North America. Learn more
Visual History Project This project aims to collect the recorded personal testimonies of Jews who fled North African and Middle Eastern countries and now live in North America. These testimonies will help preserve and advance the important heritage and history of Jews indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa. Learn more
Cultural Outreach Through cultural programming such as Henna Ceremonies, Mimouna Celebrations, Mizrahi Shabbaton, Middle Eastern Cooking Classes, Film Screenings and Music Series JIMENA shares the rich culture of Mizrahi and Sepahrdi Jews with the general public. Learn more Jimena 2011-12 Student Internship Help preserve and bring Mizrahi and Sephardi culture to your college campus – Become a JIMENA Student Intern! Learn more Your generous donation is tax deductible! Join Our Email Newsletter!

Upcoming Events
	Mizrahi Oral History Filming in Los Angeles Tuesday, January 10th – Wednesday, January 11th More info
	“The Forgotten Refugees” and the Arab Spring With JIMENA’s Egyptian Speakers, Albert Bivas, Remy and Joe Pessah Saturday, January 14th More info
	A Lost Art from the Last Jews of Yemen: Filigree Jewelry JIMENA Speaker Yehuda Tassa Presents at Jewbilee Sunday, January 22 More info
	Jewish Heritage Month at Foothill College Featuring JIMENA Speaker Albert Bivas Thursday, Jan. 26 More info
	A Jewish Exodus from North Africa: A Point of No Return JIMENA Speakers Dalia Sirkin and Albert Bivas present at Feast of Jewish Learning Saturday, January 28th More info
	*Opening Reception of Last Jews of Yemen* Photo Exhibit featuring Journalist Josh Berer** Tuesday, February 7th More info
	JIMENA Mizrahi Shabbat at USC Friday, February 10th More info
	JIMENA Shabbat at Secular Jewish Circle of Puget Sound Featuring JIMENA Speaker Lily Golan Friday, February 17th More info
	Spanish Jewish History Class Fridays, February 17th & 24th More info
	JIMENA Speaker’s Bureau Presents: Remy & Joe Pessah Sunday, February 19th More info
	JIMENA Director Sarah Levin in conversation with Speakers’ Bureau Member, Rachel Wahba As Part of a Series on Modern Anti-Semitism Sunday, February 26th More info
	2012 Lion of Judah Luncheon Featuring Gina Waldman Jewish Federation of the Desert – Palm Springs, CA Wednesday, February 29th More info

JIMENA is generously supported by:

Kanbar Charitable Trust: Administered by the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of San Francisco the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties	Helen Diller Family Foundation: Administered by the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of San Francisco the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties	Donors: The Irving and Varda Rabin Philanthropic Fund, The Saal Family Foundation, The Somekh Family Foundation, The Anne and Alec Stern Philanthropic Fund, The Norman and Carol Traeger Foundation, Inc., The Waldman Family Philanthropic Fund, The Barbara and Ron Kaufman Philanthropic Fund	Donors: Eric Benhamou,Francine Gani,Helen Diller Foundation,Maurice Kanbar, Mark Litwin, The Saal Family Foundation, Nathank Saks, The Alon Family Foundation, The Bernstein and Gersznowicz Philanthropic Fund, The Pasternak Fidelity Charitable Fund, The Richard Tavan Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, The Thomas and Susan Klein Foundation Fund, The Leo and Jacqueline McCarthy Family Foundation