BEITH DAVID Educational Center and Synagogue History Services Challenges Plans
Our Mission For members of all ages and backgrounds, to provide: Traditional Iranian-Sephardic (Mizrahi) prayer and ritual services A peaceful, inspiring, and soul-refreshing environment every single day, and particularly on Shabbats and Holidays Cultural enrichment, and a social hall for all life cycle events Financial assistance to those in need within our local Jewish community Promote Jewish Family Values Facilitate a healthy and safe environment for young professionals to socialize, promote relationships within our community, and avoid intermarriages Jewish studies and education (Judaism and Zionism) for all ages specially children ages 8-15 to maintain our Jewish identity and carry our rich Jewish Iranian heritage to next generations
Background Structure: Nonprofit organization, with a volunteer board of directors and volunteer rabbi Founders: Mousa. Hanasab, Rafael Raz, Elyahou Hakimi, Shokr-o-lah.Tavakoli, Mansour Sadian, Kia.Pezeshki, Bahram Neman, David Fakheri, Parviz Hakimi, Enayat Ahdoot, Javid Rad, Jacob Hakaka, Parviz Louie, Rabbi Shimon Esmailzadeh, Dr. Sedigh Lalezari, Vafa Pezeshki, Rafael Pezeshki, Mansour Aghaii, Rahim Yaghoubian, Shlomo Sharaf, Nasser Hassidim, Hanookah Eshaghian. And great help and assistance from Mitra Pezeshki, Manijeh Ahdoot, Fahimeh Pezeshki, and many other active members 1996 2006 conducted services in a converted store (6545 Reseda Blvd, Tarzana, CA) 2006 2007 Purchased Tarzana s Old Post office building and developed dedicated building Purchase price $1,500,000, with $450,000 down payment from savings and money raised from members, $1,000,000 first trust deed loan, $800,000 in new construction loan and private loans 2007 Refinanced, new loan from Bank of America, and paid off initial mortgage and all private loans. 2007 2011: Have been serving the community of more than 500 families at this location, offering rituals, events and variety of programs and services Maintained cash flow through the following sources and means - Donations on Shabbat and Holidays - Events, and Catering services - Sales of plots and endearment services in Eden memorial and Israel (Immediate payments from clients and financing by Eden memorial) Regarded as one of the best Iranian style synagogues in Southern California Full Kosher kitchen and gourmet catering services Synagogue owns its property and is committed to be here for the long haul Full accountability to members with books open for anyone to inspect Feb. 2011 Present Continued our services, however not able to afford monthly mortgage payments In May 2013, Bank of America sold our note to a financial institution which is currently our new lender and expects to be paid off $1,750,000by Aug. 2014 ($100,000 paid in Aug. 2013, and have been paying $10,000 monthly since then)
Services Daily morning prayers Shabbat Early Minyan: 18-30 members and guests, Shabbat Main Minyan: 60-100 attending regularly, and 160-300 members and guests on shabbat s with Simha Young Professional Minyan (20-30 members and guests 21-40 years old, English Sermon and Torah Study) Shabbat evening services High Holiday services at the synagogue and a large hall in nearby hotel (Radisson) Private bar Mitzva and Bat-Mitzva classes to prepare young Jewish boys and girls 11-12 years for ceremonies and Torah Reading Catering and private events for all cycles of life; Birthdays, Brit (Circumcision), Bar Mitzva, Bat Mitzva, Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, Engagement parties, Wedding, Special ceremonies, and memorial services Public lectures, and social/ Cultural programs for general public. Social hall with capacity of more than 300 Concert sitting, and 250 Ballroom Style sitting. Beith David Emergency Fund - To help any Iranian family in immediate financial need (Jews or otherwise), particularly health threatening situations Kids room with a teenager as mentor / teacher to keep our children busy while parents relax and get inspired during Shabbat and holiday Services Sales of burial plots in Los Angeles and Tel-Aviv Israel
Programs Sisterhood Shabe Sher (poetry night) Yaran (Halotzeim) Group Sponsored by Jewish family Service Yoga Classes Meditation Classes Summer camps for 10-14 years old Computer Classes Nutrition Classes Self Esteem, Self improvements lectures and training sessions Food donation, counseling, and social support to some low-income families, single moms, and a number of widow and widowers Club Style parties for young professionals in one of upscale hotels in Los Angeles, or private homes sponsored by some of our members, to facilitate young Jewish boys and girls mingle within our community in a Fun, safe and healthy environment Classes and lectures series for young couples to enhance their relationship and improve initial years of married life
Value of Beith David for the Community Private events and celebrations held at Beith David (last 12 months ) - Catering by Beith David or Other Kosher Caterers 41 Bar /Bat Mitzvah Torah Reading /celebrations on Shabbats 117 lunch or dinner events for relatives and guests of funeral survivors and families 63 memorial events on 7 th day, or anniversary 36 Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations with or without catering from Beith David s Kitchen 27 Brit Celebrations 47 other Happy events, Baby Shower, Bridal Shower, Engagement party, etc. Classic Concert Talent Show Numerous lecture, Seminars and cultural events, e.g. lecture and presentation by Holocaust Survivor, Purim Bazar presented by Sisterhood Hosted 4 Club Style parties with about 200-550 guests in each event, for young professionals in Hilton Universal, Marriott LAX.., and private homes sponsored by one of our members.
What makes us proud of Beith David Educational Center/Synagogue? Very low overhead, only a skeleton number of individuals on payroll All management and most of the activities are run and managed by volunteers Full service Kitchen has enabled us to offer a wide variety of social and cultural events, as well as private get together for all life cycle events Our Hazan Raffi Raz educated and trained as an official Hazan in Israel with full knowledge of Halacha and Torah studies, is one of the best Sephardic Hazan s in the world Nicely decorated and combination of stained glass, Wood trims, mahogany doors, and magnificent Chandeliers, adds to the holiness and beauty of our synagogue. Friendly staff and friendlier congregation, no politics at any level Hazans, Rabbis, management and staff work all hand in hand as in most sincere harmony Opportunities: Many sections of our building and sanctuaries are available for naming rights We need your help URGENTLY, to pay off our loan and continue our services to the community without worries about high monthly mortgage payments and rents. We don t have much time left till August 2014.
Real Estate Asset Free standing building, over 20,000 Sqft Land, 7000 Sqft Building Newly remodeled C2 Zone, in a perfect location, close to great commercial district and residential apartment buildings. Value assessed at over $4,500,000 Title under Beith David Educational Center, a non-profit with Federal and State Tax Exemption and Tax ID Building and loan totally belongs to Beith David Educational Center. According to our By Laws, any Equity accumulated or realized any time during the life of Beith David must be donated to State of Israel or a qualified charity organization in State of Israel
Challenges Have not been able to pay our monthly mortgage (over $14,000) since Feb. 2011 Need to raise $1,650,000 before August 2014 in order to avoid losing our home. Current lender has the deed in lieu of foreclosure, so in the event of loss of payment for 2 consecutive months or in case we don t pay off total balance by August will own property with no need to go through foreclosure process. Being competitive and offer better sermons and services. Outreach and try to absorb more young couples and young kids to our Synagogue Lower our catering service s cost and offer competitive pricing for private events Our goal is to have the building free and clear and not to worry about any mortgage payments, rents or any other high monthly expenses towards the building
Plans Raise and collect $1650,000 Increase our Event and Catering Revenue, by a Online advertising and enhance our exposure to capture more event sales, business seminars,, Product launches as well as regular Jewish life cycle events and parties. Full time and resident Rabbi to promote our services, events, and classes and help bring younger and increase membership Increase number of lectures and outside Speakers on Shabbat and holidays to ensure members are inspired and educated with new teachings in addition to enjoying the prayer services Enhance our level of Orthodoxy, to capture more members that have stronger belief in prayers and pledging donations New classes and After school activities for Young Jewish children Music and other Fun Educational classes for Adults Hebrew and history of Israel classes for Post Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah boys and girls.