“Like David and Yonatan.” That’s how Hacham Ovadia had described his relationship with the beloved departed leader of the Syrian Sephardic Community, Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim zt”l.

Both Chacham Ovadia and Chacham Baruch grew up under the careful watch of the famed Gaon, Hacham Ezra Attiye, Rosh Yeshivat Porat Yosef. Best friends from adolescence, they built a warm friendship founded upon Torah. Eventually they’d go their separate ways, with Chacham Baruch being summoned to America to help lead the growing Syrian community in N.Y., and Chacham Ovadia going initially to Egypt and ultimately returning to Israel.

Despite the physical distance between them, their friendship remained strong.

This beautiful piece of artwork captures the two childhood friends, sharing a light moment during one of Chacham Ovadia’s visits to the Jewish Syrian community, of Brooklyn, NY. Seen in the background is the beautiful Heichal of Congregation Sh’aare Tzion, in the famed “Dome” room.