Seattle Community Reception 2026
- Seattle, WA
- April 19, 2026
- 5:30PM VIP Reception
- 6:00 General Reception
- 7:00PM Program
- Delicious kosher buffet | Israeli wines
- Location given upon registration
- Keynote Speaker: Noa Cochva
- Hosted by StandWithUs Northwest
Keynote Speaker
Noa Cochva
Noa Cochva is a fierce defender of the state of Israel, both on the battlefields of Gaza and on social media. Born and raised in Bnei Atarot near Tel Aviv, she comes from a family deeply rooted in service to Israel. Her father served in the Israeli Air Force for 30 years, and her mother dedicated 16 years as a military psychologist—instilling in Noa values of strength, discipline, and unwavering commitment to her country and its people.
Early in life, Noa faced a serious hematological disease, an experience that strengthened her resilience and determination. Crowned Miss Israel in 2021, she later chose to step away from the spotlight to serve during the 2023 conflict, spending five months at the Gaza border and prioritizing saving lives above all else, regardless of background.
Legal front updates:
Carly Gammill
Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Policy,
StandWithUs Saidoff Law
Honorees
Atul
Hirpara
About:
Atul Hirpara
Atul Hirpara is a technology and international business leader, entrepreneur, and CEO of AVA Retail, with a strong track record of building and scaling technology‑driven ventures across global markets. His leadership is rooted in innovation, execution excellence, and long‑term value creation.
Beyond business, Atul is a dedicated social and community leader. He is actively involved with Hindus of Seattle, has served as President of the Seattle Gujarati Cultural Society, and has held leadership roles in Ek Bharat initiatives.
Since 2022, Atul—together with leaders and peers from the Jewish and Iranian communities of Seattle—has spearheaded an ongoing effort focused on friendship, collaboration, and mutual understanding. This enduring partnership has brought communities together through conferences, marches, celebrations, and shared cultural events, creating meaningful cross‑community engagement and strengthening social cohesion.
Hannah
Abrams
About:
Hannah Abrams
Hannah Abrams is a high school junior from Bainbridge Island, and a member of the Seattle Holocaust Student Leadership Board, Partners In Health Engage Team, Model UN and BISD’s superintendent advisory committee. She is the 2025–26 Kenneth Leventhal High School Intern for StandWithUs, an international and non-partisan Israel education organization. Through StandWithUs, she has led presentations ranging from an interactive Sukkot lesson to meeting with the district’s superintendent on resolving antisemitic instances. She has published an article calling for unity following an antisemitic attack and has led lessons on the history of Israel. Through it all, she continues to hold a strong sense of caring, professionalism, and courage. She is elated to continue empowering and inspiring her community.
Homeira
Bakhtiari
About:
Homeira Bakhtiari
Since 2017, Homeira Bakhtiari has been actively involved in the United States as a Human Rights advocate, focusing particularly on the quest for freedom in Iran, working alongside fellow advocates who share this vision. She has participated in numerous political and Human Rights organizations, including the Coordinated Front of Fighters and the Fighting Doctors, an organization that operates internationally. She has organized multiple demonstrations in Washington State to protest against oppression by the regime of the Islamic Republic in Iran. She graduated from the Belarusian Dental University in 1998, pursued advanced training in Iran, and is a dentist.
Noah
Yashar
About:
Noah Yashar
Noah Yashar is a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow and senior at Western Washington University. He is a campus leader dedicated to combating antisemitism and supporting Israel. As part of this goal, he helped establish Students Supporting Israel at WWU to create a strong pro-Israel presence and stand up to anti-Israel hate, while tabling publicly in the center of campus consistently since October 7th, 2023.
Will
Simon
About:
Will Simon
Will Simon is a StandWithUs Emerson Fellow and senior at Western Washington University determined to fight antisemitism and stand up for Israel on his campus. After seeing antizionism and antisemitism rising amongst his peers and campus faculty, Will took action in founding Alpha Epsilon Pi of Bellingham and Students Supporting Israel at WWU to create a positive impact on the Jewish community at his school.