Dr. Sol Hasson z”l, Photo courtesy 
of the Hasson Family

Building a Home for Sephardic Jews

In the heart of Chicago’s Jewish community stands a legacy not carved in stone, but built through vision, service, and unwavering dedication. Dr. Sol Hasson z”l was not a rabbi, but he was the pillar upon which the Sephardic Congregation of Evanston was built. For decades, he carried on the traditions of his ancestors, Jews who had been exiled from Spain, scattered throughout the Ottoman Empire, and who carried their customs, language, and prayers wherever they went.

Dr. Hasson understood something that many forget: tradition doesn’t survive by accident. It survives through action. And for the Sephardic Jews of Chicago, a small group within an already small minority, it took someone willing to build for the future. He was that someone.

He was instrumental in securing the physical space for the Sephardic Congregation and making one of its most important decisions: hiring a full-time rabbi to lead the community. That act alone ensured that generations of Sephardic Jews would have a spiritual and cultural home, a place where the melodies, Halakha ( Jewish laws), customs, and Ladino ( Jewish Spanish language), prayers of their ancestors could not only be remembered, but lived.

His contributions weren’t about personal recognition. In every generation, there are those who quietly carry the weight of the community on their shoulders. They don’t seek titles or applause, they simply show up, give of themselves, and leave behind a world better than they found it. Dr. Hasson was such a man.

Thanks to his vision and action, the Sephardic Congregation in Evanston is more than just a synagogue, it’s a living, breathing center of Jewish life. It now includes a kollel, a dedicated group of Torah scholars who study full-time and enrich the broader community through learning and leadership. For a region once uncertain about the future of its Sephardic traditions, this is no small accomplishment.

But the impact of his work didn’t stop in Evanston. Today, there are four Sephardic synagogues in the greater Chicagoland area, along with two active kollels, and a growing population committed to sustaining Sephardic identity. The community continues to grow in numbers, strength, and pride.

It’s important to understand how exceptional this is. According to the American Sephardi Federation, Sephardic Jews make up only about 10 — 15% of the Jewish population in the United States. In cities like Chicago, the numbers are even smaller. That makes intentional preservation even more essential.

As Dr. Devin Naar, professor of Sephardic Studies at the University of Washington, has observed:

“The survival of Sephardic identity in America requires conscious effort, community-building, education, and pride.”

The great Rambam (Maimonides) once wrote:

“There is no greater or more glorious mitzvah than to support the building of a synagogue or a study hall, for it is the foundation of Jewish life and continuity” (Hilchot Tefillah 11:1).

Dr. Hasson fulfilled this mitzvah not with sermons, but with service. His fingerprints are still visible in every prayer sung in Ladino, in every young person learning Torah, and in every Sephardic home where tradition is honored and preserved.

The greatest tribute to his life’s work is the fact that it continues. But the work is not done. Tradition doesn’t survive without guardians. If we want our children and grandchildren to keep singing those sacred melodies, to keep lighting candles the way our ancestors did, then we must follow his example.

Dr. Sol Hasson z”l built a home, not just for one generation, but for all those who follow. May his memory be a blessing. May his legacy continue to inspire.

About the Author

Alvin Raúl Cardona is the founder of Life Force Health Wellness & Fitness LLC, where he teaches Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Chi-Kung, and holistic healing practices. His work centers on personal transformation, community wellness, and the power of mindful movement.

If you enjoy his writing and would like to support future articles and community programs, you can do so here:

https://ko-fi.com/ironeaglekungfu