My Story is a community storytelling initiative created in partnership with 30 Years After. The goal of the project is to preserve the life stories of Iranian Jews before, during, and after the Iranian Revolution. Each personal account becomes part of a shared archive that ensures our experiences are remembered, respected, and never lost to time.
This effort is not only about history. It is about identity, family, and cultural continuity. Participants are invited to share their journeys through video interviews, recorded either by our team or by families using our easy-to-follow Home Interview Kit. The kit includes guidance, equipment options, and everything needed to create a meaningful recording that future generations can cherish.
My Story invites you to explore your heritage and contribute your voice to our evolving history. Every interview matters. Every memory counts.
To participate or request a Home Interview Kit, please contact our team.
The Besheret Table is a privately hosted dinner series for Jewish singles in Los Angeles. Each event brings together 26 carefully selected guests, 13 men and 13 women, from a growing community of over 200 applicants. Every guest list is thoughtfully curated to encourage authentic conversation and connection.
This program is fully sponsored and designed to be warm, meaningful, and rooted in Jewish values. Guests are welcomed into intimate dinner settings where shared heritage and thoughtful dialogue shape the evening.
The Besheret Table was founded by Rabbi Mendy Mentz of Chabad West Bel Air and Jacob Zackary, with the support of IAJF LA and friends. It was created with the vision of building stronger bonds within the Jewish singles community and offering a new way to meet with intention and purpose.
Each gathering is an opportunity to connect with others and to engage with tradition in a setting that feels personal and sincere. The Besheret Table is a gathering that supports Jewish connection, identity, and the creation of meaningful relationships.
The Dispute Resolution Committee (inception, July 2014) consists of legal and mediation experts who utilize different processes to resolve disputes among parties. Working with both sides, together and sometimes separately in absolute privacy and maintaining confidentiality, the committee members help establish a resolution that is sustainable, voluntary, and nonbinding. Profuse legal costs are another reason to choose mediation vs. litigation. This committee has successfully solved business and marital disputes, as well as employee and employer, conflicts at no cost to the parties. Parties are eligible for up to 3 hours of collaborative negotiations with the legal team. The Dispute Resolution Committee is a bilingual team (speaking in both fluent Farsi & English). Confidential meetings are by appointment only.
Emergency Fund Committee, a division of IAJF was established at the same time and assisted the applicants with financial needs such as food coupons and rent assistance.
In 2014, The Emergency Fund was restructured into three divisions:
Social Services Division
The Social Services division was established in 2014 and has proudly served the community in crisis. This division extends the Emergency Social Fund services beyond the traditional coupons or short-term monthly rental subsidies. Emergency Fund case workers consist of a group of volunteer multi-disciplinary professionals who serve the community with dignity, compassion, and dedication. The Committee members utilize a holistic approach in evaluating each applicant and consider contributing factors such as physical and emotional health, family situation, financial situation, and cultural influences in order to find the best solutions toward an improved quality of life and self-sufficiency at levels appropriate for each applicant.
Eligibility for Services:
This is an inclusive service provided to Iranian American Jewish applicants residing in the larger Los Angeles area. EF applicants fall into two general categories.
Range of Services:
The type of assistance is varied based on each individual’s needs and includes assistance with housing issues, food, medical, and mental health; fighting addiction; assistance with technical and professional training, tools, and work for those who can benefit from training to become self-sufficient. Services also include research into resources and options, life skills coaching, career counseling, financial analysis, and psychotherapy offered in confidential settings. Follow-up calls
contribute to long term effectiveness of the program. Planning a new category to assist in strengthening Jewish identity among our youth.
Intake and Follow–Up Procedures:
1. Each applicant calls for help and is advised to fill out an application.
2. An application is mailed or emailed to the applicant.
3. After submission of the application, applicants will receive a phone call confirming the
receipt of the application. They will be informed to provide documentation supporting
their request. EF will not be able to provide services without the proper documentation
requested from the applicant and reviewed by EF.
4. After receipt of documentation, the case will be added to the agenda for the next
Committee meeting.
5. Applications can be rejected if the Committee notices discrepancies between
applicant reports given at different times and/or between applicant reports and
verified documentation. In some cases, EF may deny compensation for applicant
expenditures incurred before application for service.
6. The case will be discussed, and if determined eligible for service, two case managers will
are designated to each case.
7. Case managers will conduct a home visit with the applicant and provide the
Committee with a report of the interview for approval of recommendations.
8. The EF service manager will follow up with the services recommended in the report.
Service delivery may include, but is not limited to, arranging payment for
recommended services, research into existing resources within the community,
coordinating services with the applicant and case managers for the delivery of services.
9. Upon completion of services, applicants will receive follow-up calls in periodic
interims that might include every three months, six months, or a year.
Psychologist, psychotherapist
EF services coordinator
IAJF former president
IAJF past president
Professor Emeritus of Social Work
Holistic Psychiatrist
Case manager at Jewish Family Service
University professor
Retired director of Disability and Assessment
Case Coordinator
Founder of Persians for Cure, philanthropis
Qualified Senior Rehabilitation counselor
Physical therapist
Member of VBS Counseling Center
Activist, philanthropist
Case Manager
In the heart of West Hollywood between Sunset and Santa Monica on North Crescent Heights Boulevard, our Kosher facility is ideal to host your special event. With two elegant banquet halls, we can accommodate up to 450 guests for a seated banquet.
Neman Hall and Sapper Hall are exquisitely appointed to serve as the venue for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Brit Milahs and any other event. Each hall boasts sparkling chandeliers and individual foyers and can be used alone or together for the duration of your event.
Our Glatt Kosher kitchens are fully equipped to ensure that your meal service will abide by all dietary requirements. To maximize your dining options, we do not offer on-site catering, but welcome any catering service that supplies Glatt Kosher certification.
We are proud to feature two sanctuaries as part of our facility. Among the oldest in Los Angeles, they are inviting spaces for your guests. Our main Temple Beth-El sanctuary can seat over 1,000. Our smaller sanctuary is a special, intimate space that can seat up to 80. You’ll find that each uniquely stands out from other sanctuaries in the area.
Our experienced staff is available to help you with all stages of planning for your special event. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service and are honored to be considered for your simcha.
The Health and Wellness Committee seeks to strengthen our community by promoting awareness and education in medical, social, and cultural issues. We conduct seminars and interactive workshops led by experts in various fields in Farsi or English. Our goal is to provide an engaging forum to discuss the various health and cultural topics faced by our community. The programs are free of charge and are funded by generous donations and sponsorships.
The Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF) is excited to introduce Jewish Light and Learning, a new initiative conceived by Ilana Duel and led by her and Chelsea Larian.
The program is designed to provide young children attending secular schools with engaging, sensory experiences that bring Jewish holidays and traditions to life. This program offers children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and spirit of Judaism alongside their peers, fostering meaningful memories and connections.
The inaugural series focused on Passover, where children gathered in host family homes to enjoy a Passover story puppet show, followed by an interactive matzah-making activity. A total of eight events were held for young students from Warner and El Rodeo schools, marking a successful launch of the program.
Public Affairs The mission of the Public Affairs Committee is to foster, empower, and implement policies and guidelines so as to build a closer network and collaboration with local, national, and international groups, student clubs, associations, think tanks, institutions, religious-cultural centers, and policy-makers; in order to combat Anti-Semitism, Anti-Zionism, and hatred based on universal core values.
The Youth Affairs Committee at IAJF is committed to supporting and expanding on the mission of the organization by addressing the needs and interests of young Jews in Los Angeles. It is a driving force in empowering the next generation of leaders, fostering cultural pride, and making a difference in the community. Primary goals of the committee include community building, celebrating and educating others on our religion and culture, combating antisemitism, and supporting Jews in need around the world. Programming includes networking for young professionals, singles, and like-minded individuals, as well as philanthropic initiatives that provide a platform for the youth of our community to make a positive impact on society
Make a donation to the IAJF, or choose to contribute to our emergency fund for immediate assistance
