Sephardic
Congregation
of Fort Lee
Our history
Established in 1984, SCFL has maintained a proud and distinct set of minhagim, cultural standards and meaningful values that reflect the joyous approach to living that is distinctively and deeply Jewish and yet still accepting of and connected to the world around us.
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Like many Sephardic congregations in North America, the member community of SCFL is religiously diverse – made up of families who are observant; families who are traditional but not fully observant; families who have more of a cultural affiliation; identify as Jewish and participate in annual Jewish rituals and milestones (Yom Kippur, Passover, Hannukah, Purim etc.); and families who are on the periphery of the Jewish community. The one thread that ties all of these families together is that when they choose to attend religious services, they will attend them at SCFL. Accordingly, SCFL is an inclusive congregation, one that does not create fissures within its own community, but one that seeks opportunities to bring the members of its community together.
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Sephardic Congregation of Fort Lee maintains deep connection to our heritage manifested ritually through paytanut, the knowledge and practice of its liturgy, which is unique even among Sephardic congregations. Culturally SCFL is connected through language (French, Judeo-Arabic), its foods, its love of family and its deep respect for the idea of tradition itself. Taking care of the members of the community is a central part of the congregation’s values, passed down to children and grandchildren.
Our rabbi & Rabbanit
Rabbi ILAN ACOCA
Rav Ilan Acoca was born and raised in Bat-Yam, Israel. At the age of thirteen, he moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
He received his rabbinical ordination from the Rabbinical Institution Beth Hamidrash L'Hora’ah of Montreal and a Master's Degree in Talmudic studies. Rav Acoca is an expert Mohel who was trained under world renowned Mohel Rabbi
Shlomo Mahfud in Israel.
Prior to moving to New Jersey in 2016, Rav Acoca served as Rabbi of Congregation Beth Hamidrash in Vancouver for seventeen years and taught regularly in the local Jewish schools. As well, he served as a member of the Beth Din of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of British Columbia and was a member of the Rabbinical Association of Vancouver.
In 2014, Rav Acoca was chosen to represent Canadian Jewry in a meeting with former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. During this historical event, Rav Acoca had the privilege of blessing the Prime Minister on behalf of Canadian Jewry.
Rav Acoca is an executive member of the Rabbinical Council of America, a member of the Rabbinical Executive of Bergen County as well as a member of the Sephardic Educational Centre Metivta Group.
In 2016, Rav Acoca published his first book entitled “The Sephardic Book of Why”. Rav Acoca is a regular contributor to the Jewish Link and previously maintained a monthly column in the Canadian Jewish News for many years.
Rav Acoca's passion and love for teaching Judaic studies at different levels is palpable and he often shares his enthusiasm of Torah and the Sephardic heritage through lectures, sermons and articles.
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He is married to Dina and together they have six children and four grandchildren.
Rabbanit DINA ACOCA
Dina Delmar Acoca has worked in Jewish education for over 30 years as a dedicated and passionate teacher to students of all ages.
She was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in a Sephardic Moroccan community. She married Ilan Acoca in 1996 and moved to Vancouver BC, Canada in 1999 to serve as Rabbanit of the Beth Hamidrash Sephardic community for the next 17 years. She was an invaluable spiritual resource to women and families, prepared many brides for their wedding and young women for their Bat Mitzvah. She revived the synagogue’s Sisterhood and Children’s programming over the years, contributing greatly to the synagogue's social activities. As well, she taught Judaic Studies at the Vancouver Hebrew Academy including Chumash, Navi, Mishna, Halacha and Ivrit. She was a 2010 recipient of the prestigious Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for teaching excellence.
In 2016, she and her family moved to Fort Lee, NJ to serve the Sephardic community Bet Yosef and simultaneously teaches MS Judaics in Yeshivat Ben Porat Yosef of Paramus. Although she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Hautes Etudes Commerciales, her passion has always been in Jewish education.
In her spare time, she can be found hiking, swimming, kayaking, playing board games with her family or reading books on various topics.
Our MIKVE
Our Mikve was generously donated by Rabbi Simon Abergel ZL. It was recently completely renovated and is the only one in Fort Lee. For more information and reservations, please call Rackel Bouskila at 201-543-9459.
Our Sisterhood
The Bet Yosef Sisterhood stands as an active and dynamic cornerstone within our community. Our primary objective is to unite women, foster social connections, provide mutual support, and notably contribute to the welfare of the synagogue.
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Throughout the year, we curate a comprehensive calendar of educational and social programs thoughtfully tailored for both general occasions and festive holidays. A point of particular pride for us is the weekly Kiddushim, which not only elevates our Shabbat experience but also strengthens the familial bonds among our members.
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We extend a warm invitation to all women within our community to actively participate and contribute their ideas to our vibrant array of activities. At the heart of our fundraising initiatives are the Mishloach Manot program, followed by the Seudat Purim, both of which play a crucial role in sustaining our communal endeavors.
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To enrich our educational offerings, we engage distinguished rabbis and speakers, providing Shiurim in Hebrew, English, and French, reflecting the diverse linguistic backgrounds of our community.
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Our diverse programs includes events such as Hanukkah Parties for both children and adults, Bowling Nights, Movie Nights, Bake Sales, Hafrashat Challah, Shiur & "Amen Seudah," Falafel Nights, and BBQs in celebration of Yom Ha'Atzmaut. Additionally, we organize activities like Painting for Ladies and Casino Nights to cater to various interests.
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In addition to our joyous celebrations, we remain committed to providing assistance and support to those in need. This includes fundraising initiatives, preparation of shiva meals, delivering flowers to celebrate new births, and various other acts of kindness.
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We look forward to welcoming and encouraging the active involvement of all ladies in our community as we continue to cultivate an environment of unity, support, and shared celebration within the Bet Yosef Sisterhood.