Limmud Seattle

Ladino, the language of Sephardic Jews, has been passed down since the golden age of Spain in the 14th and 15th centuries. For Hazzan Isaac Azose, it was passed down as his family was exiled from Spain in 1492, moved to Turkey, and then in the early 1900s to Seattle. While Seattle’s Sephardic Jews no longer converse in Ladino, they retain much of its deep richness. Ladino romansas—love songs—are some of Hazzan Azose’s favorite Ladino songs. He incorporated their melodies into the Sephardic prayer service at Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, where he served as Hazzan (Cantor) for 34 years. Come and enjoy stories and romansas with Hazzan Azose!