NYSJFF2024

Opening Night: Pomegranate Awards Ceremony, Yasmin Levy Performance, & Ghiora Aharoni Installation



The American Sephardi Federation is pleased to announce the names of the Recipients of the 2023 Pomegranate Awards, and which will be awarded in conjunction with the 25th ASF New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, May 7th – 11th at the Center for Jewish History.

The beautiful and prestigious Pomegranate Award, sculpted by renowned Baghdad-born artist Oded Halahmy, recognizes extraordinary achievements in the arts.



Sephardic artists, film actors/directors, writers and other personalities are having an ever-greater impact on the Israeli, as well as the international, cultural arena. They are importantly also bringing forward an increasing awareness and appreciation for the very rich Sephardic Jewish culture and heritage. The American Sephardi Federation is proud to award this year’s well deserving recipients,” says David E. R. Dangoor, President.





Two Ways to Attend: Opening Night Only Ticket or VIP Festival Pass



The 2023 Pomegranate Recipients are:

  • Hélène Cixous, the Algerian-born, French writer and novelist, who will be the first woman to receive the “Pomegranate Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature.”


  • Yasmin Levy, the world’s most popular contemporary Ladino singer-songwriter, will receive the “Pomegranate Award for Music.” Opening Night will feature a special performance by Levy!



  • Shlomi Elkabetz, the Israeli-born Moroccan screenwriter/director/producer/actor, will receive the “Pomegranate Award for Filmmaking.” Elkabetz, a member of the Jury of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, will be part of our tribute series to his sister, Ronit Elkabetz, A”H. The tribute will start with a screening of GETT on Sunday night followed by the North American premiere of JE T’AIME on Tuesday. Another announcement coming soon!



  • Ghiora Aharoni, the Israeli-born Yemenite artist and designer, will receive the first “Pomegranate Award for Art, Design, and Architecture.” “Selected Works for The Pomegranate Award,” an exclusive, limited installation by Aharoni will be presented in the Center for Jewish History's Great Hall on Opening Night!




We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these exceptional individuals!