In 1980 a small prayer group gathered. They were Iranian Jews seeking a spiritual home in Los Angeles. This humble beginning marked the birth of Nessah Synagogue.
Rabbi David Shofet a visionary leader had arrived from Tehran. He recognized the need for a synagogue where Iranian Jews could practice their faith. He wanted to maintain their traditions in their new American home. The first Shabbat service at Nessah Synagogue was held at Beth Jacob. Only nine men attended. They even borrowed a member from Beth Jacob to reach a minyan. But word spread. The congregation grew rapidly reaching almost 300 people in just a few weeks.
Rabbi Shofet’s father Hakham Yedidia Shofet the Chief Rabbi of Tehran joined him. Together they built Nessah into a thriving community. The name Nessah meaning eternal in Hebrew perfectly reflected their aspirations. They established a Hebrew school and later a nursery school. They had ambitious plans for a day school as well. Jewish education was fundamental to their mission. They wanted to preserve Iranian Jewish history and traditions for future generations.
Nessah Synagogue moved several times. Finally in 2002 it found a permanent home in beautiful Beverly Hills. This move realized the dream of a large religious educational and cultural center. Today Nessah offers three weekly Torah classes daily prayer services lectures and various programs. It serves as a central hub for the Iranian Jewish community providing services classes and counseling. It even has a teen minyan a testament to its commitment to youth engagement.
The synagogue holds three Shabbat services. One is led by Rabbi David Shofet in Hebrew and Farsi. Another led by Rabbi Sakhaii is in Hebrew and English. The Torah ark inside is a remarkable replica of the one in the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam. Nessah Synagogue stands as a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Iranian Jewish community. It is a place where tradition and modernity coexist a beacon of faith in the heart of Beverly Hills.