Hatanim
The tradition of choosing two men each year as Hatanim (bride grooms) for Simchat Torah is relatively recent. For example, the first mention of immediately starting to read from Bereishith after completing the reading cycle of veZot HaBerakha, only occurs in times of the Shulkhan Arukh (1565). Prior to that the main focus dating back to the 1st century was on dancing 7 Hakafot .
Among them, the Hatan Torah has the honour of being called up to finish the reading of the Torah, and the Hatan Bereshit to read the first part of the Torah immediately afterwards. These are distinguished honours given to members of the community who with their wives and family have been actively involved for the betterment of the community.
In the Rambam Sephardi community, each of the Hatanim have the right to choose a Shushbin (best man) to accompany them through their tasks on the day. Additionally, our community continues to celebrate the Hatanim also on Shabbat Bereishith.
| Year | Hatan Torah | Hatan Bereshit | Hatan Me'Onah |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5786 2025/26 | Jaroslav Pantsjoha | Eli Caplin | Gedalia Alexander |
| 5785 2024/25 | Vic Alhadeff | Uri Kamara | Gabriel Kosky |
| 5784 2023/24 | Yoav Amit | Rabbi Raviv Rahmani | Rami Maya |
| 5783 2022/23 | Charles Ezekiel | Dan Benveniste | Daniel Cohen |
| 5782 2021/22 | Ravid Autmazguin | Danny Hazan | Joseph Gorjian |
| 5781 2020/21 | Raphael Lavi | Rabbi Eliyahu Hye | Ariel Kosky |
| 5780 2019/20 | Meir Gotlieb | Justin Berger | Benjamin Cohen |
| 5779 2018/19 | Gary Somers | Rabbi Jeff Berger | |
| 5778 2017/18 | Neville Levy | Eric Misan | |
| 5777 2016/17 | David Gasc | Derek Sheena | |
| 5776 2015/16 | Ab Wahnon | Yuval Cohen | |
| 5775 2014/15 | David Halfon | Natan Servi | |
| 5774 2013/14 | Joe Arazi | Gedalia Alexander | |
| 5773 2012/13 | Ralph Levy | Daniel Carmel |