A powerful evening of connection and growth unfolded this past Saturday night (2/8/25) as young married couples gathered at Trattoria Natalie on Pico Boulevard. The sold-out Shalom Bayit workshop, expertly led by Elan Javanfard, LMFT, focused on the critical topic of navigating stress and anxiety in relationships. By design, the event was limited to an intimate group of couples, creating an atmosphere where meaningful discussions could flourish.
JLIC West Young Professionals directors Drs. Rod and Daniella Najibi orchestrated an event that seamlessly blended professional insight with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The workshop demonstrated their commitment to supporting young couples beyond the traditional college campus setting, extending JLIC’s invaluable resources into the graduate school and young professional space.
“The Najibis have shown remarkable insight in identifying and addressing a critical need in our community,” shared Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, Director of JLIC West Coast. “Their ability to fill an event of this nature almost immediately speaks volumes about both their understanding of young couples’ needs and their exceptional leadership in meeting those needs. This is exactly the kind of innovative programming that strengthens Jewish marriages and communities.”
The evening proved to be more than just a workshop – it became a testament to the community’s desire for meaningful relationship guidance. Despite intentionally keeping the group size small to foster deeper connections, many additional couples expressed interest in participating, highlighting the pressing need for such programming. The thoughtfully crafted combination of Javanfard’s expertise in marriage and family therapy with the intimate restaurant setting created an environment where couples felt comfortable exploring these important topics together.
Under the Najibis’ thoughtful leadership, this event marked an exciting expansion of JLIC’s mission, bringing Torah values and professional marriage wisdom to young professionals at a crucial stage in their lives. The overwhelming response suggests this workshop has set the stage for future gatherings that will continue to strengthen marriages within the community.
The impact of the evening resonated well beyond its conclusion, as participants flooded the organizers with messages of gratitude and appreciation. One couple wrote, “Thank you so much for last night! It was amazing. I’m already looking forward to the next one.” Another shared, “Elan was a great speaker. Really amazing. Thank you.” These heartfelt responses further validated JLIC’s vision to extend their programming into the young professional space, confirming that they are indeed filling a crucial gap in the community’s needs.
The success of this Shalom Bayit workshop demonstrated that when expert guidance meets genuine community need, the impact can be transformative. As young couples left Trattoria Natalie that evening, they carried with them not just strategies for managing relationship stress, but also the confidence that comes from knowing their community supports their journey together.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and to support our programming.
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