Sharona and Ben Hassan
Seattle, Washington, USA
Rabbi Ben and Sharona are the Rabbi and Rebbetzin of the Sephardic Bikur Cholim Congregation, and teachers in the community Jewish Day School. In addition, Sharona is the Coordinator of Youth Activities. They have been on shlichut in this location for just over 7 years.
Children:
Cochava – 14
Gavriella – 12
Ruti – 9
Tova – 7
Tell us about the position you’re in:
The local Sephardic community is an old community which has existed for over 100 years, originating from Jewish families who immigrated from Turkey. Today there are about 300 families in the community, half of them religious and half traditional. The community school serves all the Jews in the area, with children from kindergarten to eighth grade studying there.
What did you receive from the Straus-Amiel Educational Emissary Training Progam and the Claudia Cohen Women Educator Institute?
We gained many connections and tremendous sources of knowledge, which help us in our shlichut. In addition, we receive constant contact from the institutes and ongoing support, especially from Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein.
What message would you like to impart regarding shlichut?
Emissaries can foment change and greatly affect the spiritual life of the members of the community.
