On a beautiful, sunny, cold Sunday, SHAI welcomed in spring by celebrating a cultural Nowruz celebration in New York City at a new, state-of-the-art venue, Lavan Midtown. March 19th was an evening of celebrating SHAI’s mission to enhance and preserve our beautiful Persian and Jewish heritage, ushering in the new season, while showing solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran. Over five hundred guests of all ages enjoyed a multi-sensory evening of history, culture, art, music, and dance.

Committee members Erika Goldstein Kashi, Tania Eshaghoff Friedberg, Marjan Greenblatt, Mojgan Lancman, Edna Khalili, and Jackie Harounian created a fresh, fun, evening to remember. Tania curated the art show using the latest technology of projection mapping and featuring over 40 artists ranging from well-known Iranian artists to local artists of all ages. Stephanie Ohebshalom opened the event singing “Barayeh,” followed by Mehram Rastegar playing the Kamancheh. A beautiful Nowruz message was delivered by President Erika Goldstein Kashi. World Entertainment Dance by Anna Pipoyan wowed and entertained the audience. Lederman Caterers provided delicious cuisine. A magnificent traditional Hafsin table was displayed in the center, designed by Rahloo Khalili and Dalia Baratian.

The beauty of the event was that the entire community participated and was engaged in this evening. It was a night of art, culture, joy, and self-expression, and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iran who are fighting to be able to share in these very same basic rights. Everyone left with a smile, their calligraphy in Farsi by Majid Khosrow Shahi, and a goldfish. A special thank you to our committee, Lavan, Lederman Caterers, DJ Iman, Arick Sebag, and our sponsors, Saeed Amirian, Tania Eshagoff Friedberg, Nazee Moinian and the Moinian Group, for making this such a memorable and enjoyable way for all generations to celebrate spring. SHAI truly took us to the next level in what our community needs and wants for our future growth as a community. SHAI also was able to celebrate Nowruz locally in Great Neck at the Great Neck Library where we featured a Hafsin table.