How We Met
Walking home to Harlem after leaving a far-away Shabbat dinner on the upper west side, Mordechai was strolling with a friend who was feeling the heavy weight of the dating world, lamenting just how difficult it was to find a shidduch. Mordechai, firmly believing that sadness has absolutely no place on Shabbat, turned to his friend with deep kavanah...
"We will find your wife!" he declared.
Right at that exact moment, Daniella walked by.
They stood on the Manhattan sidewalk talking for about five minutes. Daniella carefully memorized Mordechai's phone number. It took a few weeks for her to dial it, and a few months more before they finally went on their first official date.
Their journey wasn't a straight line. With differing levels of religious observance and plenty of wild-card factors in their respective life paths, it took time for their worlds to fully align. But the foundation they built was unshakeable. Thank G-d, they stood under the chuppah and married in the month of Av (July) in 2021.
In the years since, their home has grown beautifully and quickly. Blessed with children Hila (3.5), Moshe (2), and baby Jeremiah (8mo), there is rarely a dull moment. Bringing an extra dose of love and playful energy to the household is their big brother, Yahlee (16), who adores his three younger siblings.
Along the way, Mordechai and Daniella have connected with incredible souls and have begun the fulfilling work of building community. To understand the heartbeat behind their dream—and to see how you can help them make it a reality—take a look at "Our Why".
A Home for Jewish Souls
As a family, we have always believed that a home should be more than just a place to live—it should be a sanctuary, a gathering space, and a source of spiritual warmth. Over the years, we have poured our hearts into creating spaces that bring people together, driven by a deep sense of hashgacha pratit (divine providence) guiding our steps.
As our own family grew, so did a profound vision that had been close to our hearts since we married: a dream to build a unique bayit (home) that could be completely open to Jewish neshamot (souls) from all walks of life. We envisioned a vibrant, welcoming space dedicated to those seeking connection—particularly ba'alei teshuvah (those returning to Jewish tradition), dedicated learners, and creative, artistic spirits who don't always fit into conventional boxes. Embracing our own rich heritage—including Mordechai’s Ethiopian-Israeli roots—we felt a deep calling to establish a foundation specifically celebrating diversity and warmth within the Jewish community, creating a true home for Ethiopian Jews and all who seek a place to belong.
To bring this dream to life, we acquired a historic single-family property in Harlem that was in complete disrepair. We named the project Et Yofia, which translates from Hebrew to "Her Beauty"—a beautiful nod to the land of Ethiopia and the hidden brilliance we knew we could restore within these walls.
A Multi-Level Center for Spiritual & Communal Life
- The Ground Level: A dedicated Beit Midrash (house of study) and a community Mikveh, creating a sanctuary for deep learning, reflection, and spiritual immersion.
- The First Floor: An expansive, open space designed to host dozens of guests for vibrant, warm Shabbatot and Chaggim (holidays), where food, song, and Torah can be shared freely.
Transforming this vision into reality has been a true labor of love. We took on the monumental task of a complete gut renovation, managing architects, clearing permits, and sourcing materials to rebuild this space from the inside out. While the journey of historical renovation brings its own set of challenges, delays, and immense carrying costs, our focus remains unwavering. Et Yofia is being built to serve the local Jewish community and beyond—a foundational space where people can come exactly as they are to connect, learn, and feel the warmth of family. We invite you to partner with us in completing this home and breathing life into a sanctuary that will nurture Jewish souls for generations to come.
Hamilton Heights Oasis
We recently purchased a building on a historic block in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Harlem. Our dream is to transform the garden-level oasis into a nourishing hub featuring a mikveh, a learning center, a community kitchen, a gathering and prayer space, and a peaceful backyard garden. Directly above, the parlor floor will host countless Shabbatot, Chagim, live music and activities centered around shared meals and meaningful conversation. Finally, the top floor will serve as a women’s creative and healing space—a sanctuary for movement and yoga classes, creative painting workshops, and powerful Rosh Chodesh gatherings with guest teachers. It will also provide an intimate setting for small smachot, from a brit milah to shevah brachot.
Top Floor: Creative & Healing Sanctuary
Movement and yoga classes, creative workshops with featured artists, Rosh Chodesh gatherings, and intimate smachot (brit milah, shevah brachot).
Parlor Floor: Hospitality Salon
Expansive communal salon designed for weekly Shabbat dinners, holiday meals, song, Torah, and rich conversation around the table.
Garden Level: Community Hub
Dedicated learning space, community Mikveh, industrial kosher kitchen, prayer space, and peaceful backyard garden.
Support Our Vision
Every contribution brings us closer to building a vibrant, lasting Jewish home in Harlem. All donations are fully tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) organization Yodayah Shemecha Inc.
The Mikveh & Ritual Bath Desert Project
Look at the map—Harlem is a mikveh desert, and our growing community deeply needs a local space for ritual immersion. Help us build a beautiful, modern, and accessible sanctuary for spiritual renewal.
The Garden Oasis & Healing Space
Our dream is to turn the garden level backyard into a peaceful, green sanctuary for outdoor learning, children's activities, and quiet reflection. Funds will cover landscaping, outdoor seating, and weatherproofing.
The Main Sanctuary & Prayer Space Furnishings
Help us furnish our gathering space with a beautiful Aron Kodesh (Torah Ark), a bimah, and comfortable seating for communal davening and lectures.
The Stained Glass Windows
Bring light, color, and storytelling into our space. These custom windows will be designed by Blimah Inc, beautifully capturing the imagery and legacy of the 12 Tribes.
Custom Aron
Help us build a home for Torah. Handcrafted custom wood ark to protect and honor our sacred scrolls.
Custom Bookshelves
Help us build a home for our holy books. Custom, handcrafted wood bookshelves will be built to hold our community’s growing collection of sacred texts, commentaries, and books.
The Community Kitchen
From hosting joyous Shabbat dinners to teaching the next generation at our challah baking classes, this industrial kosher kitchen will be the warm, beating heart of our building.
Women’s Creative & Healing Program Fund
Support the top-floor sanctuary. This fund will help build a structure for movement and creative art workshops and will include stipends for powerful teachers to lead Rosh Chodesh gatherings and women-centered learning.
The Hospitality & Shabbat Fund
Directly sponsor a community Shabbat dinner, a festive holiday meal during the Chagim, or a community kiddush. This ensures that our doors remain open and a warm meal is always available to anyone who walks in.
Naming Opportunities & Major Dedications
For donors looking to leave a lasting legacy in honor or memory of a loved one, we have premier naming opportunities available for the Garden Level Oasis, the dedication of a Torah, the Main Salon, and individual elements of the Mikveh. Please contact us directly for our full dedication menu.
Become a Matcher for Our Charidy Campaign
We are launching a time-sensitive, high-impact Charidy match campaign and are seeking foundational donors to help us anchor it. By pledging a matching gift, your generosity will double the impact of every dollar raised by the community.
If you are interested in this meaningful tzedakah opportunity and want to help us catalyze our community's giving, please reach out to us directly at daniellatasma@gmail.com
The Harlem Mikveh Desert
Harlem is currently devoid of ritual immersion facilities. Look at the maps below showing Manhattan's current mikveh distributions and the clear gap in Upper Manhattan.
Connect With Us
We would love to hear from you. Whether you want to learn more about the Et Yofia vision, sponsor a Shabbat dinner, volunteer your time, or discuss major naming opportunities, please connect with us.
Email Address
Location
Hamilton Heights, Harlem, New York City
Non-Profit Entity
Yodayah Shemecha Inc — 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization
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