Etta pioneered providing support and programming for the Iranian Jewish Community in Los Angeles, and the division continues to break the mold. The Iranian-American Community Services Division offers the only support group for parents of children with disabilities conducted in Farsi. Additional Services include community outreach, education and translation of important articles into Farsi.

The one-of-a-kind support group helps Iranian Jews overcome the cultural stigma attached to children with disabilities. Led by Manijeh N. Nehorai, Program Director, the group now reaches out to dozens of families a year. The Iranian-American Community Services Division also works directly with clients for interview, support and referral.

Funding for the Iranian Parent Support Group generously provided by HaMercaz.

The Friends of The Etta Israel Center group, established through the division, also works to change the Persian community's attitude toward disabilities and help people overcome the shame the community traditionally associated with having children with special needs.

President: Haleh Banayan

Members:

Vida Afari                   Lili Babaoff                Haleh Banayan           Hilda Bayanfar            Shireen Broukhim

Kami Boudai               Janet Daneshvar         Shayda Ebrahimi        Denise Hakim             Mojgan Halloossim

Rosette Illoulian          Betty Kermanian         Afsaneh Levy             Jasmine Manshoory    Marjan Lameh Nehouray

Pouya Nehouray          Manijeh Nehorai         Rosie Noorani            Farzad Pournazarian   Navid Rashtian

Dalia Saour                 Mitra Shamash           Nora Shofet               Patricia Torkan              Farideh Torkian

Jacklin Yazdani

Contact: (818) 985-3882 ext 221