LOS ANGELES, CA – The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles proudly announced the Y&S Nazarian Iranian Young Leadership Initiative, in partnership with the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation. Through this Initiative, funded by a matching major gift from the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation, the Federation will greatly expand its outreach and connection with the Los Angeles Persian community through enhanced programming and engagement, strengthening the Jewish community for generations to come.
The goal of the Initiative is to engage hundreds of young Persian adult leaders connected to the work of the Federation and the community at large. With a full-time Federation professional dedicated to Persian outreach, the Federation and the Persian community will have the opportunity to work together to strengthen the larger Jewish community. The Federation will offer inclusive opportunities for cross-cultural leadership and engagement, as well as opportunities for Persian members of our community to take an active role in participating, supporting, leading and growing the wider Jewish community.
“We are grateful to the Nazarian family for the opportunity to work together and engage with the young Persian community. For the first time, our Federation has a dedicated professional to work with the Persian community, which will enable us to make one-on-one connections,” said Julie B. Platt, Federation’s Chair of the Board. Platt continued, “Our Federation’s mission is to build the Jewish community of Los Angeles. This Initiative creates an exciting opportunity for us to bring all of Los Angeles’ communities together.”
The Federation has been working closely with the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation to create an engagement strategy based on Jewish values, focused on sharing Persian and non-Persian Jewish cultures, committed to cross-community organizational partnerships and dedicated to developing a new generation of Persian leaders for the wider community. The Y&S Nazarian Iranian Young Leadership Initiative is the culmination of three years of learning and information gathering, during which the Federation and the Y&S Nazarian Family Foundation developed understanding and engagement strategies specifically suited for the Los Angeles community. Supporting the Initiative will be an Advisory Committee of Persian community leaders, chaired by Avid Shooshani and Jonathan Elist.
“The Family is thrilled to be partnering on this Initiative, as well as extending to the Federation our longstanding commitment to the community. We believe in a future in which the various Jewish communities of Los Angeles come together with understanding and shared commitment.” said Dr. Sharon S. Nazarian, President of the Y&S Nazarian Foundation.
“We would like to thank the Nazarian family for their passion, partnership and investment in this Initiative. We are excited to strengthen the relationship between the Persian and wider Jewish communities, and look forward to leaders of the Persian young adult community sharing leadership skills and taking active leadership roles within our larger community,” said Jay Sanderson, Federation President & CEO. He continued, “We are also looking forward to weaving the energy, traditions and vibrant culture of the Persian Jewish community into our Federation’s work to create long-lasting impact in Los Angeles, while also strengthening our community for future generations.”
The Federation is committed to supporting and sustaining the Jewish community of today, as well as ensuring a Jewish community accessible to everyone for generations to come.
Photo Details: Members of the Nazarian Family and Federation Leadership celebrate the signing of the grant agreement.
For more information, email AWeiner@JewishLA.org.