There are a variety of Iranian institutions located throughout Los Angeles, and the Iranian Jewish people consider Nessah as one of them. Although members of the Iranian Jewish community attend different synagogues instead of Nessah, Nessah does not see this as a problem. Nessah sees this as something positive because it shows that the Iranian Jewish people have not abandoned their own traditions and customs, even though they are far from home. There is also a duality of citizenship in Nessah’s congregation, where the Iranian parents go to one temple, while their American kids go to another temple.

Although each synagogue provides the Iranian Jewish people with a place of worship that allows for their history to be alive, Nessah sees itself as being distinguished from other temples because its ceremonies and traditions are done the way it has been done for centuries. By going back to how the Babylonians did it 3,000 years ago, Nessah brings reverence and a sense of identity to the Iranian Jewish people.

Life in America is very different for Iranian Jewish people from how life was in Iran. In Iran, the Iranian Jewish people did not have religious freedom after the revolution, so many of them could not keep their customs and traditions. However, in America they are free to practice their religion. As a result, life in America is more dynamic, which has allowed the Iranian Jewish people to grow and change.

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