בס״ד
Clergy of Eretz Synagogue
“Remember the entrance to the sanctuary is inside you.”
-Rumi
Our Rabbi at Eretz helps our members to foster a spiritual sanctuary within themselves and the lives of their family, as well as contributing to the temple’s sanctuary in which the Eretz community gathers to connect for service. We are blessed to have Rabbi Mordechai Azran as our Rabbinical presence at Eretz. He brings his joy, warmth, and insight into every service he leads, making everyone feels at home and inspired.
In Shabbat services, on High Holidays, and all other religious services Rabbi Azran leads the Torah portion, while our Spiritual Kabbalistic Leader does the reading of the week, known as Parshah. He also participates in the Kabbalah class services. Rabbi Azran is available for individual counseling if there is a need.
Our leaders grew up at Eretz with parents who participated in the temple before its transition, so they are an integral part of the growth we continue to enact.
Rabbi Eliyahu Benesty
Greetings,
My name is Eliyahu Leon Benesty, and I was born on July 11, 2000, the 8th of Tammuz, at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Bnei Brak, Israel. My heritage is a beautiful blend of Moroccan and Syrian roots. My father, Hazan Haim, serves as a dedicated Hazan at Nessah Synagogue on Shabbats and is a skilled pilot. My mother, Sarah, is a passionate teacher, nurturing young minds in kindergarten and 1st grade at the Jewish School of Las Vegas. I am the eldest among five siblings, with three brothers and two sisters, making our family a lively and close-knit unit.
Our family's remarkable journey led us from Israel to the United States in 2012, where we found new opportunities and a diverse community to call home. After completing my middle school education in Las Vegas, I embarked on a
transformative educational path at the prestigious Mesivta Birkas Yitzchak (MBY) in Los Angeles, where I spent four
formative years and graduated in 2018. This was followed by four enriching years of study in the east coast at the
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia from 2018 to 2020, Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn from 2021 to 2022, and at Ner Israel Rabbinical College of Baltimore from 2022 to 2023.
In 2023, I returned to the West Coast to embrace the role of Hazan and assistant Rabbi at the esteemed "West Coast
Torah Center" in Beverly Hills. Simultaneously, I had the privilege of serving as a Rabbi at my alma mater, MBY High School, and teaching the bright students of "Harkham Gaon'' school.
My life's journey has been marked by unwavering dedication to faith, continuous learning, and active community
engagement. I eagerly look forward to further contributing to the spiritual and educational growth of those around me and cherishing the bonds of our vibrant community.
To my cherished community, we are a formidable force, a living testament to our cherished values and traditions. While we are fortunate to have a beautiful synagogue, a parking lot, and even a basketball court, our true strength lies within our people – a community of builders who generously invest their time and effort to secure a brighter future for generations to come. These devoted individuals understand the importance of nurturing and educating our youth, recognizing that by passing down our traditions, we ensure the continuity of our congregation. Our synagogue is more than bricks and mortar; it is a sacred space where we connect with the Divine. As
custodians of our faith, it is our sacred duty to impart this knowledge to our children, so they too can find solace and strength in this spiritual haven.
This is why I became part of the Eretz community, to actively contribute to the "how." Working alongside our valued congregation members, we strive to unravel the ways in which we can ensure that our younger generation embraces our mission within this very synagogue. How can we kindle in them a sense of ownership for this place, a haven of reconnection and belonging? How can we unveil to our children the splendor of our faith and traditions, fostering a genuine connection to the Divine through prayer and study? I am eagerly anticipating the journey ahead, enthusiastic to turn these aspirations into reality. With heartfelt prayers, I beseech the Almighty to guide us along the righteous path toward achieving this noble objective, echoing King David's words in Psalms (Chapter 90, Verse 17), "And may the pleasantness of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish the work of our
hands upon us; establish the work of our hands."
With much blessings and gratitude,
Hazan Eliyahu
