September 26, 2007 | 3:27 pm

Israel’s Danoch given warm farewell by L.A.‘s Iranian American Jews

Posted by Karmel Melamed

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Last night nearly 200 Los Angeles area political officials, rabbis, Iranian Jews and American Jews gathered at the Iranian American Jewish Federation’s (IAJF) synagogue in West Hollywood to show their gratitude and bid a farewell to Ehud Danoch Israel’s Consul General for the Western Region. Since his arrival in Los Angeles nearly three years ago Danoch who is very media savvy and also speaks Spanish fluently, has been able to generate support for Israel from various diverse groups in the western part of the U.S. Immediately prior to arriving in Los Angeles, Danoch served as Chief of Staff to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom. Danoch received both a law degree and an MBA from Manchester University and specializes in corporate and finance law and business litigation.

Perhaps Danoch’s greatest success during his tenure came in engaging and winning support for Israel among major forces in the entertainment industry based in Southern California. Last night, Danoch received high praise from community leaders and even the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who showed up to bid farewell to Danoch. “Ehud stands out, he’s a coalition builder, he understands it’s important to build bridges with many communities,” said Villaraigosa. “He’s going to have a bright future in politics in Israel”. Beverly Hills Iranian Jewish Mayor Jimmy Delshad also presented Danoch with a “Key to the City” and named him as an honorary member of the Beverly Hills City Council.

(Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, photo by Karmel Melamed)

Danoch praised the support of his pregnant wife Michal for standing by him amidst his busy schedule and in particular acknowledged the camaraderie he received from the Iranian Jewish community. “I want to thank all of my friends in the Iranian Jewish community for your warmth, hospitality and embracing us,” said Danoch. “You made it a lot easier for us”.

Other local officials on hand included L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and L.A. Councilman Jack Weiss. Local Jewish community leaders visiting included John Fischel of the L.A. Jewish Federation, Rabbi David Shofet of the Nessah Synagogue, and Secretary General of the IAJF, Sam Kermanian. Local organizations presenting Danoch with proclaimations of appreciation included the Magbit Foundation, the L.A. County Sherrif’s Department, the Iranian Jewish Women’s Organization, Haddassah, and the ORT organization.

(left to right; Danoch and his wife Michal, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(left to right; Danoch and Magbit Foundation President Bijan Nahai, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(Philanthropist and Iranian Jewish businessman, Youness Nazarian, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(left to right: Zev Yaroslavsky and Danoch, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(L.A. City Councilmember Jack Weiss)

(left to right: Iranian Jewish businessmen and community leaders Lotfolah Hay and Nourollah Gabbai, photo By Karmel Melamed)

(Los Angeles Jewish Federation President John Fischel)

(left to right: Jeffery Oberman, Dr. David Menasheri, Dr. Nahid Pirnazar, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(left to right: Rubin Dokhanian and Habib Pournazarian, Eretz-SIAMAK Cultural Center Board members)

(Philanthropist and Iranian Jewish businessman, Ezri Namvar, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(left to right: Beverly Hills Mayor Delshad and L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(KIRN 670 AM Persian language radio talk show host John Farahi, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(left to right: John Fischel and Israeli Consul for Media Affairs Gilad Milo)

(Iranian Jewish publisher and activist Bijan Khailli, photo by Karmel Melamed)

(Veteran Jewish Journal and international journalist Tom Tugend, photo by Karmel Melamed)