Clergy
Yehuda Benhamu, Rabbi Emeritus
Rabbi Yehuda L. Benhamu was born in Melilla, Spain. In 1961, he graduated from high school and began his advanced rabbinical studies in England at the Sunderland Yeshiva. In 1966, he relocated to London to study in the High Rabbinical College Kollel.
In 1976, Rabbi Benhamu received his rabbinical ordination from the London Kollel. Additionally, he was certified as a shochet and mohel.
Rabbi Benhamu and his family moved to Colon, Panama to fill the position of Rabbi of the Sephardic Synagogue. In 1978, the family relocated to Bogota, Colombia, where Rabbi Benhamu led the large and active Sephardic community as rabbi, shohet and mohel.
In 1986, Rabbi Benhamu moved to North Miami Beach as Rabbi of B'nai Sephardim Shaare Shalom. Due to the expansion of his congregation, the synagogue was relocated to Hollywood, Florida.
Recently, Rabbi Benhamu was bestowed the title of Judge "Dayan" from the Chief Rabbinate "Rabbanut Harashit" in Jerusalem, Israel.
Rabbi and Mrs. Benhamu have been blessed with four daughters and two sons and grandchildren.
Hazzan Joseph Harrar
Rabbi David Avitan
Rabbi David Avitan has a vast Orthodox Jewish religious education and was ordained as an Orthodox Rabbi by Kehilat Beit Shlomo Umichal—earned his “smicha” on July 4, 2017 in Jerusalem, Israel. Over the years, he had studied at Yeshivat Shevut Yehuda, Mosdot Or Baruch, and at Yeshiva Gedola, all in Jerusalem. He has a high degree of expertise of halacha and Torah due to his stellar academic formation and education in premier Jerusalem-based religious institutions. He further is a skilled Torah-reader, shofar blower, and has Cantorial skills and experience.
Rabbi Avitan is a charismatic and energetic young Rabbi who clicks with everyone he meets and he is invaluable for all of our synagogue functions, programs, and events, and especially for other native Israelis in the congregation.