Sara Raoof Jacobs was born in Shiraz, Iran. At just 15 months old, she fled with her family to escape religious persecution during the Iranian Revolution. Inspired by her mother’s giving spirit, Sara dedicated her life to helping others and galvanizing her community to do the same—a passion that ultimately led her to establish Maman Nonprofit.
Throughout her life, Sara has been deeply involved in community service. While studying Psychology and Social Welfare at UCLA, she became an integral member of various social justice organizations, including the Coalition for Coexistence in the Middle East. She also served on the board of the Iranian Jewish Women’s Organization and co-founded Persian Hillel. These experiences, coupled with the influence of a mentor, inspired her to pursue a law degree, and she later earned her J.D. Community work has always been a central part of Sara’s life. When she volunteered, friends often wanted to join her efforts, but there was no formal system to organize their collective contributions—until she founded Maman Nonprofit. Sara established Maman to honor her mother’s legacy and create a platform for others to pay it forward.
She also teaches Kabbalah, continuing a practice deeply rooted in her ancestral bloodline. Her mission is to do good, bring light into the world, and inspire others to do the same. Sara currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.
Liana Sikavi
Volunteer Coordinator
Michelle Mirshokri
Chief of Staff
Algom Ben-Horin
Development Manager
Founding Board Members
Sara Raoof Jacobs
Azadeh Lavi
Arezou Tofer
Board of Directors
Sepi Makabi
Board President
Tanaz Golshan
Board Member
Farah Vhadat
Board Member
Arezou Tofer
Executive Board Member
Omid Tofer
Executive Board Member
Allen Ashouri
Board Member/Marketing
Rebecca Berliner
Board Member
Samuel Raoof
Board Member
Debbie Banafsheha
Board Member
Isaac Banafsheha
Board Member
Sarah Talei
Board Member
Sarah Benator
Legal Counsel
Advisory Committee
Igal Yazdi
Community Engagement & Logistics
Susan Arasteh
Community Engagement
Rama Fakheri
Community Care & Relief Liaison
Chana Hertzog
Jewish Community Engagement Liaison
Shiva Beck
Advisory Member
Sherly Kashani
Accounting Consultant
Alissa Haroush
Community Engagement
Rania Dean
Druze Community Engagement Lead
Rebecca Soferi
Community Engagement
Anita Kamjoo
Event Coordinator
Mahsa Shamsa
Fundraising and Community Engagement
Sanaz Jedian
Advisory Member
Madeline Arenas
Advisory Member
Sharon Litwak
Israel Experience Chair
Ravash Ram
Advisory Member
Michelle Ischayek
Bone Marrow Initiative Director
Community Leaders
Afsaneh Geola
Sigalit Revivo
Sharon Mehdian
Yasaman Morim
Jillian Williams
Ruth Sonbolian
Sharona Farzam
Valintin Rashtizadeh
Rachel Schwartz
Shiva Yazdi
Neda Kohanteb
Kaila Charice
Eli Wininger
Maman @ UCLA Board
Academic Year 2024-2025
Shannon Broman
President
Jasmine Golshan
Vice President
Shanee Javaherian
Secretary
Ariel Okhovat
Treasurer
Ava Ghashghaei
Volunteer Chair
Jaden Ezer
Event Chair
Maman @ UCLA Board
Academic Year 2025-2026
Jasmine Golshan
President
Ava Ghashghaei
Co-Vice President
Nicole Kahen
Co-Vice President
Nicolette Geoola
Treasurer
Natasha Magrefte
Volunteer Chair
Jasmine Agavian
Event Chair
Daniella Malkoukian
Social Media Chair
Maya Nejathaim
Community Service Chair
Yasmin Soferi
Fundraising Chair
Benjamin Sarir
Co-Outreach Chair
Tandis Mehr
Co-Outreach Chair
Ayla Davidi
Partnerships Chair
Shaleev Javerhian
Communications Chair
Leorah Emrani
Secreretry
Teen Leaders
Camryn Banafsheha
Board Vice President of Maman Teens
Brooke Shamsa
Maman Teens Board President
Ella Jacobs
Co-President and Outreach Director for Maman Teens