Iranian American Jewish Federation

The screening of "Screams Before Silence" directed by Sheryl Sandberg took place at the full Saban Theatre on July 15, 2024

From left to right: Zainab Khan, Ahmed Fouad Al Khatib, Anila Ali, Soraya Deen, M. Elie Alyeshmerni (President-IAJF), Elham Yaghoubian (EVP-IAJF), Susan Eshaghian (VP-IAJF)

Dear Community,

The four-year term of the current Board has expired.

We are excited to send you significant information on 39 candidates for the Board of Directors. As our bylaws state, the community votes for 15 candidates. This is our initial step. The bylaws will be followed by appointing a member from each affiliated organization, as well as appointment of 15 community directors until we have a full Board of Directors, each serving for a period of 4 years. We hope to involve as many qualified board members as possible.

It is the first time that the community can examine the qualifications of the candidates and vote for 15 out of the 39 names you see below. Let us begin with our mission statement below.

Please know that the new Board can follow procedures to make changes in bylaws as prescribed by the bylaws.

The October 7 tragedy has awakened our youth to action. We are so grateful that the new generation will be even stronger than the current generation.

There will be a Candidates' Forum on Monday May 13, at 6:00 PM when you have an opportunity to further question the candidates.

Following the Candidates' Forum, the community will have a week to make their selection of the 15 candidates by emailing us a list of 15 candidates from this list. The 15 with most votes will be declared Board Members. Also, as a reminder, everyone who votes must also subscribe to our mailing list for future communications.

To see the name of the candidates and also to vote, please click on this link

IAJF Special Election Edition (May 8, 2024)

Please click on this link for RSVP
https://us14.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=61e00b3db3c2abb2021ad04f7&id=f7c5bb10a2

For friends in Los Angeles. Dr. Ari Babaknia the author of definitive books on the Holocaust and an incredible artist, is having an exhibition at the Beverly Hills Public Library this weekend 2pm - 7pm.

For the past quarter-century, Dr. Farshid Delshad has been instructing on the languages and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, having taught in Iran, Georgia, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

Farshid holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and a Master's degree in Persian and Arabic Philology from Shiraz and Tehran Universities, respectively. He attained his doctorate in philology, specializing in Historical-Comparative Linguistics with a focus on the cultural and literary aspects of Caucasian nations and Slavic languages, from both the Faculty of Philology at Tbilisi State University in Georgia and the Institute of Oriental Studies at Moscow University, Russia.

Relocating to Germany in the mid-2000s, he commenced his academic career as an assistant professor of Linguistics within the Faculty of Linguistics at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, where he also pursued his postdoctoral research.

Subsequently, between 2001 and 2006, he acquired his Master's degree in German language and literature from the same institution. From 2004 to 2012, he served as an associate professor at the Chair of Persian Language and Literature and Comparative Linguistics within the Faculty of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Bern in Switzerland, as well as in Freiburg,
As a polyglot, Farshid exhibits excellent proficiency in major European languages, along with Arabic, Russian, and various Caucasian dialects, including Georgian and Abkhazian. He has authored numerous articles and dozens of books in the fields of Linguistics and Cultural Studies.

I am Yoel Neman, born on December 15, 1950, in Tehran, Iran. My educational journey began when I left Iran in 1967 to pursue studies in England. Initially, I completed my high school education before furthering my academic pursuits at Essex University and subsequently at London Polytechnic, where I obtained my MBA.

Returning to Iran, I served in the army and gained valuable work experience over the years. Eventually, I made the decision to relocate permanently to the United States, joining my parents, brothers, and sisters. Together with my father, I embarked on the establishment of Neman Brothers, a successful textile business.

With the involvement of my brothers, our enterprise flourished, and we ventured into international markets, procuring fabrics for distribution in the US, Mexico, and South America.

In addition to my professional endeavors, I am deeply committed to honoring my father's legacy. He envisioned a vibrant Jewish community center, a place where people of all ages could come together for worship, fellowship, and the nurturing of lasting relationships.

Though our initial attempt to secure the Nessah Synagogue did not materialize, subsequent developments led to the realization of his vision with the establishment of the Iranian American Jewish Center in Crescent Heights. I played a significant role in the construction of Neman Hall, a cornerstone of the center.

Throughout the years, I have remained actively involved in various capacities, serving on the boards of both the Federation and the Center. I have overseen the remodeling of Neman Hall on two occasions, ensuring its upkeep and cleanliness. Moreover, I have contributed to the Emergency Fund and participated in numerous activities organized by the IAJF, finding great personal fulfillment in these endeavors.

This journey has been immensely rewarding and enriching for me. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all past presidents and chairmen who have served as a source of inspiration and guidance for me and my family.

https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/26/record-setting-1-billion-dollar-gift-einstein-medical-school-tuition-free-gottesman/amp/?fbclid=IwAR3N7fyZSnwcKgZZeWV-suPxU5LyBZfOsNYn71TtQFq7V-dDOCgCULYlrWo_aem_AcCUHGWfeZG1CT9komRZ2K5O75N2qs_w0hfaMnNQjqf6UyqCdUYOAZV5NadBwYouo6k&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Record-setting $1 billion gift will allow Einstein Medical School to go tuition-free The gift from board chair Ruth Gottesman to Albert Einstein Medical College in the Bronx removes a major financial hurdle to becoming a physician in a historically underserved borough.

Susan Eshaghian embarked on a new journey of life in 1979, at the age of twelve when she, alongside her family, moved to Los Angeles. She graduated summa cm laude in Communications & Marketing, demonstrating her unwavering dedication and intellectual prowess. Her commitment to education and excellence became a defining element of her early successes.

Growing up in a philanthropic third generation Zionist family, Susan channeled her passion for supporting Israel and community welfare into tangible actions. Opting to volunteer across diverse organizations, she devoted her time and energy to causes close to her heart. Susan's dedication spans over 26 years with Malka Hadassah, 22 years with Looking Beyond, 12 years with PAWC, and IAJF for 14 years, currently serving as the Vice President of Administration.

Susan has been blessed with an incredibly supportive husband, Joubin. Their 37-year marital journey has been blessed with two children, married into families who are engaged in philanthropy and civic duty.