Publications & Resources
Zemirot HaMizraḥ
Zemirot HaMizraḥ is the first and only Sephardic/Mizrahi egalitarian and inclusive Hebrew and English holiday prayerbook of its kind. With full English translation and select transliteration, this abridged Yom Kippur prayerbook provides traditional texts with egalitarian and inclusive revisions, alternative options for those desiring more contemporary prayer, and extended versions of traditional prayers in its appendix.
Spanning four distinct traditions, our maḥzor (holiday prayerbook) includes the full liturgy of the following rites: Moroccan, Eastern Communities (“‘Edot HaMizraḥ”, including Iraqi, Persian and communities of West/Central Asia), Syrian, and Spanish-Portuguese.
The prayerbook’s title, which translates as “Songs of the East,” highlights the musical traditions of the Sephardic and Mizrahi world, with lyrical translation of piyutim (liturgical poems) that can be sung to traditional Hebrew melodies.
Siddur Masorti is a new weekday prayerbook with traditional Sefaradi liturgy, full transliteration, inclusion of all genders, and illuminating art and commentary. The first volume features the entire weekday prayer service in a beautiful four-column layout (text, translation, transliteration, commentary). Amongst the prayers you'll find seven custom-made plates of calligraphic artwork done by Noam Sienna. The Hebrew text includes gender-inclusive options as well as a uniquely gender-neutral translation.
Siddur Or VeShalom
Siddur Or veShalom is the second volume of Siddur Masorti, a new Sefaradi siddur. Siddur Or veShalom contains the liturgy for Shabbat and Festivals and is a part of Izzun Book’s first community partnership with Congregation Or veShalom in Atlanta, Georgia.
This prayerbook celebrates traditional Sefaradi liturgy, with a diversity of Sephardi/Mizraḥi customs, and includes an unprecedented full transliteration, guiding commentary, and adaptations for use by all genders.
Resources
Cantorial/Piyut (Liturgical Poetry)
7 Dorim - historical and cultural information about Persian Jewry, as well as recordings of Persian liturgy (in Farsi version only)
Sephardic Hazzanut Project - Syrian cantillation and cantorial resource, including a wealth of recordings.
Sephardic Pizmonim Project - Syrian cantillation and cantorial resource by source, maqam, and event/holiday.
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Simanim - Kanisse’s alternative wishes accompanying this holiday’s simanim, a Sephardic/Mizrahi ceremony of symbolic foods for a sweet new year. Traditional blessings with egalitarian additions also included.
Yom Kippur Prayer Guide - some of the holiday’s best known sung prayers and piyutim (liturgical poems), with prayer texts in Hebrew, English translation and English transliteration, along with sound clips in various traditions.
Ḥanukah Blessings and Songs - festive texts with translations and transliterations in the Sephardic/Mizrahi tradition.
Tu BiShvat Resource Links - resource page put together by Sam Miller with links to various holiday materials, including the Pri Ets Hadar Tu BiShvat Seder, performances of the well-known Mizrahi piyyut for the holiday Az Yerannen, and slides from a virtual seder.
Purim Megillah Blessings & Special Verses - the blessings recited before and after the Megillah, along with special verses recited by the entire congregation.
Purim Megillah Reading Resources - recorded reading of Megilat Esther by Rabbi Haim Ovadia and materials for learning to read the Megilah, including a video tutorial, accompanying te’amim (cantillation marks) according to Sephardic/Mizrahi tradition, and a full version of the Megilah for viewing and download.
Home Cooking
Aromas of Aleppo (Poopa Dweck) - quintessential cookbook for Syrian cooking, with beautiful photography and detailed recipes for everything from maza (appetizers) to halawiyat (sweets). There is also historical information about the Syrian community as well as a guide to foods by holiday.
Balaboosta (Einat Admony) - Mediterranean recipes from the Yemeni-Persian chef and restauranteur Einat Admony
Flavours of Babylon (Linda Dangoor) - staple for Iraqi Jewish cooking
The Classic Cuisine of the Italian Jews, I (Edda Servi Machlin) - traditional Italian Jewish recipes, along with a description of Jewish life in Pitigliano, the “little Jerusalem of Italy.” See also The Classic Cuisine of the Italian Jews, II and The Classic Dolci of the Italian Jews by the same author.
The Vegan Iraqi Cookbook (Lamees Ibrahim) - plant-based adaptations of tradition Iraqi dishes
If you have any recommendations for resources relating to Sephardic/Mizrahi culture (food, art, music, poetry, etc.), liturgy, history, or traditions, please contact us to share with our community.