Alan Hadida

   Please tell us about your profession.
   I'm a man of many professions.

   Still, how would you briefly describe what you do?
   My main field is financial investment.

   Where is your family originally from?
   We’re from Morocco, from Casablanca.

 

 

 

Tell us about how Jewish traditions were observed in   your family — by your parents, grandparents.

We’re Sephardic Jews. My grandmother was truly an amazing woman and played a huge role in the spiritual upbringing of her grandchildren. She had a very strong influence on us when it came to faith. My grandfather, Nissim — I was named after him — unfortunately, I never met him; he passed away before I was born. But from what my family says, he was a kind and respected man. 

My mom — to me she was like an angel, probably like most moms are to their kids. And my dad had a big heart. It was actually him who sent me to yeshiva in France when I was nine. That was a turning point — that’s when I really became connected to Jewish tradition.

 

So your family was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition even back in Morocco. And after moving to Canada — were they involved in the Jewish community here in Toronto?

Yes. I was born in 1961, and my parents moved here around that time. Those were the years when a lot of Jews were leaving Morocco. Antisemitism was still felt there. And honestly, it was felt here in Toronto too. But despite it all, my parents stayed true to their faith — they kept Shabbat, took part in community life. My father took Judaism very seriously and wanted us to continue the tradition.

 

Since we’re talking about tradition — that’s a great segue to the next question. What did your grandmother and mother like to cook?

Traditional Moroccan dishes. The Ashkenazim have cholent, and the Moroccans have dafina.

 

We hear you’re a big fan of dafina! But it’s also known that you’re a fan of gefilte fish?

I love gefilte fish!

 

Are you sure you’re Moroccan?

(Laughs) Yes, yes, I’m a real Moroccan — I just have a broad culinary taste.

 

How important is community involvement for you?

I think it’s really important. Especially in synagogues like the ones at your Centre. You’re doing incredible work. And I believe that being part of the community is a responsibility for anyone who considers themselves a member. That’s what gives a community the strength to do good — chesed (kindness) — just like you’re doing.

 

How did the idea come about to donate a Torah Scroll to the JRCC Rockford synagogue?

I met the rabbi of the synagogue, Rabbi Shmuel Neft. We spoke a lot about developing the community, discussed various initiatives. Some of them we were able to implement — for example, we put up Chanukah menorahs together. And one day, I promised him that I would someday donate a Torah Scroll to the synagogue. And we did it. Together.

 

If we’re not mistaken, that conversation took place in 2021?

Yes, that’s right. It was a longtime dream that finally came true.



Why that synagogue in particular? What’s your connection to the JRCC Rockford?

My mother lived for thirty-six years in the building next door. I grew up there myself. Back then, many Sephardic Jews attended JRCC Rockford, and I immediately felt a closeness to the place. First of all, it was right near our home. And secondly — my mother really loved that synagogue. I remember on Simchat Torah, she would go out on the balcony, watch people dancing with the Torah, and say with a smile: “These are my people.”

 

We’ve heard you have your own story connected to Simchat Torah?

Yes! One time I was driving down Rockford Road— the celebration was going on, people were dancing with the Torah scrolls. Rabbi Yoseph Zaltzman saw me in the car, stopped me. I got out — and somehow, he ended up on my shoulders with the Torah! We started singing. It was an incredible feeling — true joy of the holiday.

 

Do you have any hobbies?

I don’t know if you’d call it a “hobby,” but I try to help people however I can. I’m always thinking about what else I can do to be useful.

 

What are your hopes for the future?

With G‑d’s help — to keep helping you grow this amazing JRCC synagogue, especially when it comes to youth. The way you engage them — it’s incredible. You’ve inspired me, just like you’ve inspired many others. A friend of mine, a baal teshuva (literally: someone who has returned to Jewish observance), had never set foot in a synagogue before. And the first one he came to was JRCC Rockford

 

What’s his name?

Joey Blumberger. We bought him an aliyah (being called up to the Torah) during the “Ne’ilah” prayer on Yom Kippur. He opened the Aron Kodesh — the ark where the Torah scrolls are kept — and he just couldn’t hold back the tears. It was a very powerful, emotional moment.

 

A real connection with the Almighty!

Exactly. An incredible feeling!