OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1992, Sephardic Heritage Alliance, Inc. (SHAI) is a multi-generational organization dedicated to enhancing community and preserving our rich Judeo Persian heritage. SHAI’s founders anticipated that the post-Iranian-Revolution Persian Jewish community in New York would grow and flourish, necessitating support in its transitions. Since its inception, SHAI has been devoted to supporting our community: preserving our proud three-millennial cultural heritage; educating families and individuals; and embracing positive acculturation in the United States.
SHAI operates as a Jewish Community Center without walls. Serving the tri-state area with rich and diverse programming, SHAI also partners closely with public officials, schools, synagogues, and community centers to ensure that local needs are met. Funded by donor generosity, and boasting a thriving and active volunteer board, SHAI provides the Persian Jewish population and our neighbors with leadership, community, unity, and growth opportunities.
OUR IMPACT
- Supports senior citizens' health and wellness as the largest not-for-profit sponsor of the Great Neck Social Center;
- Awards in total confidentiality need-based scholarships to enable deserving students to pursue higher education, with over $2 million awarded to date;
- Engages Persian Jews of all ages in multiple Youth, Young Families, Young Professionals, Star Singles, and Seniors events;
- Subsidizes a Summer Youth Day Camp and Teen Leadership Program;
- Partners with local institutions, such as schools, synagogues, libraries, the park district, and the Town of North Hempstead to educate and support the community;
- Awards merit scholarships every two years in memory of esteemed members of our community.
With minimal overhead and maximal donor and volunteer dedication, SHAI accomplishes all of this and more because we are committed to preserving the best of Persian Jewish culture while continually laying the groundwork for positive acculturation for the next generation of Persian Jewish Americans.
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT
Mojgan Cohanim Lancman
TREASURER
Raymond Eshaghoff *
SECRETARY
Simone Camhi
VICE PRESIDENTS
Edwin Cohen-Azarkian *
Shahram Mike Delafraz *
Erika Goldstein-Kashi *
Jacqueline Harounian *
Rebecca Yousefzadeh Sassouni *
Michael Shahkoohi
SENIOR AFFAIRS
Parvaneh Khodadadian
EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS
Pargol Khadavi *
COMMUNICATIONS
Shahruz Shahery
CULTURE AND ARTS
Tania Eshaghoff-Friedberg
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Claudine Amirian
Joseph Amirian
Monika Amirian
Saeed Amirian
Bobby Bakhchi
Parisa Bokhour
Kambiz Damaghi
Keivan Farhadian
David Gabbaizadeh
Mar Green
Misha Haghani
Hercel Harounian *
Michael Harounian
Rebecca Harounian
Edna Khalily
Behnam Kohanim
Joseph Moinian
Nazee Moinian
Fred Ohebshalom *
Shawn Rafie
Rafael Sassouni *
Shabnam Torkian Tabaroki
Michael Terrani
Payman Yadidi
Eleanor Yomtobian-Askari
*indicates Past President
*indicates Past President