Selichot Live: A Tradition of Inspiration for Los Angeles Young Professionals

For the past seven years, Los Angeles has witnessed a unique tradition that has brought young Jewish professionals together in the weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah. Organized by Parham Javaherizadeh, a dedicated UCLA JLIC and Yavneh Fellow who is now a practicing attorney, this series of Saturday night Selichot events has become a cornerstone of the community’s spiritual preparation for the High Holidays.

Unlike the Ashkenazi custom of beginning Selichot closer to Rosh Hashanah, this program aligns with the Sephardic tradition of starting on the first Saturday night of the Hebrew month of Elul. For five consecutive weeks, young professionals gather to hear inspiring speakers, enjoy community fellowship, and participate in the powerful Selichot prayers.

The event, branded as “Selichot Live” for the past four years, has grown significantly, thanks to the support and partnership of JLIC, Yavneh Young Professionals, and several local organizations. This year, we are especially grateful to our newest partner, the OU-ECP (Emerging Career Professionals) division, whose support has allowed the program to expand even further. Each Saturday night, the program features a speaker from either the Los Angeles community or international circles, offering wisdom and encouragement to the attendees. Following the lecture, participants come together for Selichot, creating a shared experience of reflection and spiritual growth.

Parham’s commitment to this initiative is unwavering. Even with his busy career, he continues to invest his time and effort into ensuring the success of Selichot Live, with the help of key contributors like Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, Dr. Ethan Youssefzadeh, and Danny Lavehim. Their collective efforts have made it possible to consistently attract a crowd of 200 participants each week.

Last year, Kehilat Bnei Torah played host to these events, providing a venue that allowed the program to reach new heights. The synagogue’s support enabled the team to bring in world-renowned speakers, including Harav David Yosef and Rabbi Ari Bensoussan, whose words left a lasting impact on the attendees.

The true significance of Selichot Live lies in its ability to touch lives. One memorable moment occurred three years ago when an attendee, moved by the speaker’s message, approached them afterward to share that the experience had inspired her to start keeping Shabbat again. Stories like these are a testament to the profound impact of these gatherings and the importance of continuing this tradition.

Selichot Live is set to return on Saturday night, September 7th 2024, promising another year of inspiration and community connection. Young professionals in Los Angeles can look forward to five weeks of meaningful engagement as they prepare for the High Holidays together.

Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about and to support JLIC programming.