A Legendary Return to New York

Sunday, June 15th, 2025— The night air buzzed with anticipation as legendary French Algerian singer Enrico Macias returned to New York by overwhelming demand to headline the 27th Annual New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival. Performing to a sold-out theater at El Museo del Barrio, Macias didn’t just close the week-long celebration; he set the city’s cultural heart ablaze with a performance that was at once deeply personal and universally uplifting.

Organized by the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) and supported by more than 50 community organizations, the festival—part of the inaugural Festival Sefarad—showcases the richness of Sephardic scholarship, music, film, art, and spirituality. This special evening, dedicated to Ike, Molly, and Steven Elias and made possible by the UJA-Federation of New York, brought together audiences from across the globe—from North Africa and the Middle East to the United States and Europe—to celebrate Sephardic history, resilience, and cultural expression.

Jason Guberman welcomes the crowd with heartfelt words. — New York Jewish Travel Guide

Setting the Stage: Awards and Legacy

Jason Guberman, executive director of the American Sephardi Federation, welcomed the crowd with heartfelt words about the situation in Israel, recognized ASF board members, filmmakers Rafael Balalu and Meital Cohen Navarro, Pomegranate Award honorees Roya Hakakian and Fortuna, and global guests, including author and artist Stella Cohen from Zimbabwe and Huda Rafael Sievers from the United Arab Emirates. He thanked the dream team behind the festival: NYSJFF Committee Chair and ASF VP Raquel Laredo Benatar, Anna Vasquez, Yves Seban, Sophie Pierson, and festival producer Zak Siraj.

During the evening, ASF President David Dangoor introduced the Pomegranate Award, created by Baghdad-born artist Oded Halahmy, as a lasting tribute to Sephardic excellence in arts and culture. As he noted, the award not only honors distinguished recipients like Enrico Macias but also ensures their legacies are preserved in the archives of the ASF’s National Sephardic Library & Archives at the Center for Jewish History, enriching the Jewish narrative for generations to come. Dangoor also noted that in addition to his renown as an artist and philanthropist, Oded is a patriot who served in Israel’s War of Liberation. The audience applauded and laughed along to the world premiere of the festival’s final film, Echoes of the Pomegranate: The Art and Journey of Oded Halahmy. Dangoor, together with Jason Guberman, also presented Halahmy with a basket of fresh pomegranates as a heartfelt tribute.

David Dangoor presents the Pomegranate Award, created by artist Odette Halahmy, with Jason Guberman (right). — New York Jewish Travel Guide

An Emotional Welcome for a Cultural Icon

When David Dangoor introduced Macias, the theater erupted in thunderous applause, cheers, and heartfelt cries of “We love you, Enrico!”—a refrain that would echo throughout the unforgettable night.

Macias, an international musical icon with over 60 years of global acclaim, is more than just a performer. He’s a cultural bridge—connecting Jews and Muslims, East and West, and young and old. Known for his fusion of Arabic, French, Spanish, and Hebrew musical styles, his work celebrates themes of peace, identity, and exile.

As Macias took the stage, he graciously thanked the team behind the event, especially David Dangoor, Jason Guberman, and festival producer Zak Siraj, noting with warmth:

“I am here every year thanks to David, and I hope to be back for many more.”

A Concert That Became a Cultural Celebration

From the opening chords of “Adieu Mon Pays”—the bittersweet anthem written aboard the ship that carried him into exile from Algeria—Macias transported the audience through time, memory, and geography. He moved seamlessly between languages and musical traditions, singing in French, Arabic, Hebrew, and Spanish, each transition met with bursts of applause and emotional gasps.

The crowd clapped in rhythm, swayed to the melodies, and by the third song, they were dancing in the aisles, hands raised, voices united. Women stood, ululating with joy—their trills of celebration rising between verses, echoing through the theater like the soundtrack of a Sephardic wedding. These spontaneous outbursts were more than applause; they were emotional responses to music that awakened ancestral pride and longing.

Some audience members wept. Others sang every word. Grandparents clutched their grandchildren, sharing the meaning of the lyrics and the moment. One could feel the collective heartbeat of a people in every note.

Macias was joined on stage for the first time at the ASF by his talented son, Jean-Claude Ghrenassia, and grandson, Symon Milshtein, who performed one of his latest hits, Paris, to wild applause—adding a touching, generational continuity that made the evening feel like a multi-generational family celebration.

Enrico Macias performing at El Museo del Barrio—New York Jewish Travel Guide

A Repertoire of Memories

Macias performed his greatest hits, each introduced with rich personal stories and cultural reflections that brought the music to life:

• “Le Violin de Mon Père”—A moving tribute to his father’s violin

• “Je Suis Un Juif Espagnole”—A proud declaration of Sephardic heritage

• “La Ville Blanche,” “Melissa,” and “La Femme de Mon Ami”—tender love songs that stirred hearts

• “Solenzara” and “OH Guitare, Guitare”—Mediterranean ballads that transported listeners to sunlit shores

• “L’Oriental,” “Enfants de Tous Pays,” “Le Mendiant de L’Amour”—songs of unity, nostalgia, and peace

• “Paris, Tu M’as Pris Dans Tès Bras”—A heartfelt tribute to the city that embraced him with open arms and became his cherished second home.

• “Oseh Shalom”—a poignant prayer for peace in these turbulent times.

Then came “El Porompompero”—the Spanish hit that turned the evening into a cultural explosion. The crowd leapt to their feet, clapping in unison, stomping, singing at full volume, and dancing without inhibition. The theater felt alive with pure energy. It was no longer a concert—it was a Sephardic simcha, a wedding without a bride, a festival without borders.

Macias was joined on stage by his grandson, Symon, who performed one of his latest hits to wild applause—New York Jewish Travel Guide

A Message of Unity and Hope

Throughout the evening, Macias returned often to his message of hope and unity:

“We must bring all Jews together. If we are united—Sephardim and also Ashkenazim—we will see the light.”

His words, spoken with sincerity and conviction, drew cheers and nods of agreement from all corners of the audience.

And when he sang,

“Chaque chanson Est une histoire, une mémoire… et vous en faites partie,”
(“Each song is a story, a memory… and you are part of it.”)
He wasn’t just performing. He was opening a door and inviting everyone inside—to remember, to feel, and to celebrate together.

A Triumphant Farewell… Until 2026

As Enrico Macias prepared to leave the stage, the audience would not let go. Chants of “Enrico! Enrico!” filled the air, accompanied by rhythmic stomps, ululation, and calls for an encore that echoed with sincerity and longing. He returned once more for a final song, sending the audience into one last euphoric dance, leaving everyone glowing from the experience.

By the time the house lights came back on, no one wanted to leave. The crowd lingered, talking excitedly, reliving their favorite moments, still humming the melodies. It was not just a concert; it was an emotional homecoming, a cultural gathering, and a testament to the enduring power of music to connect people across borders, languages, and generations.

Chants of “Enrico! Enrico!” echoed through the theatre as dancing and ululation filled the air—New York Jewish Travel Guide

A Triumphant Conclusion:

Enrico Macias delivered more than a performance—he offered a gift: a moment in time where heritage, heart, and harmony merged into an unforgettable celebration. His presence in New York City, especially in the context of the ASF’s NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival, reinforced his enduring status not only as a musical legend but as a cherished cultural icon whose message of peace, unity, and love continues to inspire.

As he left the stage, he promised to return. And New York will be waiting eagerly for the next elaboration, the next beloved chord, and the next night that becomes a celebration. As the crowd slowly filtered out, still singing, still glowing, it was clear: this was not merely a concert. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a joyful communion of music, memory, and identity.

Enrico Macias’s 2025 New York performance will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the history of the NY Sephardic Jewish Film Festival.

Mark your calendar: Enrico Macias will return in 2026. Until then, his music remains in our hearts.
And as he promised, he will return.
Until 2026, we say:
Merci, Enrico. We love you. You are our family.

By Meyer Harroch, New York Jewish Travel Guide