The following biographical information has been provided by the respective candidate. Nothing herein constitutes an endorsement or acknowledgment by Nessah as to any candidate or the contents of their biography.”

Mr. Aaron Kahen
I have had the privilege of being an active and dedicated member of Nessah, attending on a weekly basis for over a decade. Over this time period I attended both private Jewish schools and public schools which allowed me to recognize the need for a proper Jewish education and identity among the youth of our community. After high school, I spent a year in Israel studying the meaning and foundation of Judaism, followed by completing an army program in the IDF. Upon returning to Los Angeles, I started school at SMC where I came to see the struggles and obstacles many of our youth face upon gaining their independence. While completing my Psychology degree at UCLA, I served as a board member for 30 Years After where I gained a greater understanding of the journey, progress, and potential of our Iranian Jewish community. Currently I am a dental student at USC and serve as the philanthropy officer of the Alpha Omega Dental Organization where we actively improve and make a difference in the lives of the less privileged. Appreciating and being grateful for our blessings in life has been a motivating factor for my community involvement. /
Mr. Asher Eshaghpour
Asher Eshaghpour holds a Bachelor and Master Degree from USC.
He has been a memberof Nessah Board of Director for three consecutive terms, since 2010 to present.
AtNessah hehas served as the Vice President, Co-Treasurer, andChair Person of various committees.
Asher was co-founder of Reach-U-All Group in 2008 which held more than fifty (50) successful programs, lectures, and events.
He served on Board of Trustees of UCLA Persian Hillel.
Hewas an editor and one of compliers of “Never Again”Book.
Asherwas a lecturer andcounselor ofNational Council of Jewish Women, (NCJW) 1978-1979.
He was elected Executive Board of Directors of Iranian Jewish Student Organization,(IJSO) for two consecutive terms 1977-1978.
Asheriscurrently serving on Gindi-Maimonides Academy Board of Directors, since 2013 to present.
He volunteers and dedicates his timeand resources inmany other Jewish Organizations and Causes. /
Mrs. Edna Broukhim
I am a Beverly Hills High School teacher. As an experienced educator, who served three terms on board of Nessah, five years as Vice President, and chairman of numerous groups, I make an excellent board member connecting the youth to our community.
Currently I am the sponsor of Club Ness at Beverly High and the chairman of Nessah Israel Teens.
My goal is to get the youth more involved with Nessah, and to protect Judaism for our youth and future generation. /
Mr. George Haroonian
Mr. Haroonian’s community service career spans over 4 decades now. He is the Senior Vice President as well as Treasurer for Nessah for the current term. He has been board member of Iranian Jewish Cultural Organization, founder and Farsi editor of Etehaad Magazine, Vice President of Iranian Jewish Association (SIAMAK) and the president of Council Of Iranian Jewish Organizations 2000-2004 among many community activities and responsibilities. He has organized many events and functions in these capacities. George is of firm belief that Nessah is not only geographically but socially and from a religious point of view, at the heart of our community. This is where we call "ours". We should all strive and cooperate to make everyone feel at home. Young and old, observant and less observant. /
Mrs. Helena Shahery Bral
Education: Studied Fashion Design at Santa Monica College
Profession: Charity Work
Community Service:
1.  Hadassah Zionist Organization from 1992 till present.
2.  Malka group President for Hadassah, from 1998-2000.
3.  National Convention local Co-Chair for Hadassah in 2008.
4.  Attended Hadassah International Conference in Europe and Israel, in addition to five other National Conventions.
5.  Co-Chaired , Past Women of Distinction and hosted numerous events including Metro ARC Chai Society.
6.  Volunteered at the Iranian Jewish Federation, Milken Community High School and Nessah Gala Event.
7.  Was active with the Golda Magbit Foundation.
A member of Nessah Synagogue since the beginning. /
Mr. Jack Nourafshan
Is one of the founders of Nessah on Rexford and has been on Nessah Board of Directors from 1995-to 2011. Since then he has been overseeing all parking negotiations with adjacent property owners and properly planning all security, Parking and necessary staff for all weekly events. He has been one of the major donors to Nessah. He attends services with his family every week and attends many weekly classes and events. He has the pulse of current and future direction of Nessah. He brings speakers from Israel to Nessah. He knows the building and all it’s remodeling and maintenance needs. He has been involved with all major fundraisings at Nessah. He wants to bring unity to Nessah and grow its appeal to the ones who rarely attend. He has also formed a group for young Bachelors to be properly introduced to their future spouse. He has lived in Beverly Hills area for over 4 decades. Education: Bachelor’s in Construction/ Engineering and MBA from USC. /
Mr. Mike Cohenshad
I am a real estate broker & investor for the past 15 years in Los Angeles.
I have been involved with Nessah for the past four years. I attend morning services daily & Shabbat weekly. I have been taking care of the book keeping for the donations received & record keeping for all donations at Simcha Hall. I facilitated the daily Minyan, as well as, encouraged teens to attend. I planned & executed single’s events (Shabbatons & parties). I am always thinking of ideas to serve the Nessah community better.
I strive to be a peace maker & want to see an end to strife & divisiveness in this Shul. I aim to unite people, regardless of the level of their religious observance.
Through involvement, cooperation & dedication, we can make Nessah a vital & indispensable place for our children, the next generation. /
Mr. Morris Shamouni
Mr. Shamouni has been a devoted friend and attendee of Nessah Synagogue since its early stages and is passionate about creating unity within the overall community. He has served as the Chairman of Cultural Committees of Bnai Brit International (Fariborz Matloub Chapter), as well as having been an active board member at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy in Beverly Hills, California and a committedmember of multiple Jewish institutions since 1981. /
Mr. Parviz Benyamini
Mr. Benyamini is a Mechanical Engineer from Geneva, Switzerland. He is the
Founder of a Synagogue in Geneva and a founder of a Synagogue in
Kisha/Tehran. He was the Vice President at United Talmud Torah School (over
4000 children) in Montreal Canada. He was a board member and Vice
President of Nessah Synagogue during 2012-2013 term. He was also the chairperson of the Ritual Committee at Nessah during that period. /
Dr. Shahin Sadik
I came to USA 1978 and finished high school in the United States. I finished college and medical school in Virginia and did my residency and fellowship in University of Pennsylvania. Afsaneh and I were married in 1991 in New York and we moved to LA in 1993. For the past several years, I have been involved with various Jewish, professional and community organizations and have been part of several boards both in the Jewish community and in my profession. My general emphasis in any organization is to be part of a team that works together and accomplishes its goals by collaborating and coordinating with others.
My wife and I strive to better ourselves and educate our children in Torah and Science and most importantly as proud Jews. Involvement in Nessah and the Community is a very important tool to assist, give back, and be of service. /
Mrs. Sonia Motamed
I have graduated from Tehran University as a Pharmacist.
After coming to USA I have done several volunteer jobs in Different Temples:
1- Valley Beth Shalom.
2- Eretz Cultural Center.
3- 13 years in Nessah as volunteer and organizer of Sisterhood. I was involved in a lot of fundraising for Nessah and the sisterhood.
4- I was Nessah board member for four times over the years
5- 2 years Management in Nessah as requested by Mr. Leon Farahnik and approved by the board. /