Iranian jews

Iran's Jewish community maintains low profile amid nationwide protests - KAN

Members of Iran’s roughly 8,000-strong Jewish community are avoiding protest flashpoints as unrest spreads nationwide, according to a report by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN News.

Iranian Jews, including Rabbi Younes Hamami Lahlezar (R), hold an anti-Israel meeting in a Tehran synagogue in solidarity with Hamas terrorists and Gaza amid the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War, October 30, 2023; illustrative.
FOR IRAN’S Christian community, the postwar crackdown has been particularly severe, with at least 50 members detained by authorities. Here, Iranian Christians take part in the New Year prayer ceremony at a church in Tehran last January.

When faith comes under fire: How Iran’s repression of religious minorities has increased

THE HISTORY of Jewish-Persian friendship goes back over 2,500 years, and it is unlikely there is any other example of two civilizations enjoying such a long and prosperous relationship. Here, anti-Iranian regime protesters wave the Iranian Lion and Sun flag before the 1979 revolution and Israeli fla

Fifty years of Islamic rule can’t erase 2,600 years of Jewish-Iranian friendship

Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi vists the Beheshtieh Jewish cemetery in southern Tehran, January 9, 2015

Iran authorities summon Jewish rep. over community's pro-Israel likes on social media


Iran’s sole Jewish MP says he has ‘no trust for Zionists,’ warns ceasefire could snap

He accused Israel of “seeking to breach the truce to regain lost deterrence.” In an Interview, he said, “There is no trust that the Zionist regime will keep the ceasefire."

 Dr. Homayoun Sameyah Najafabadi, the sole Jewish representative in Iran’s Majlis.

The Cyrus Cylinder: Archaeological treasure that connects Ancient Persia and the Jewish people

The Cyrus Cylinder is often considered the first charter of human rights, inscribed with the words of King Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire.

 The Cyrus Cylinder in Room 52 of the British Museum in London.

Iranian Jewish leaders urge 'daily missile salvos' against Israel

“The Zionists’ brutality, which is far from any human morality and has caused the martyrdom of a number of our beloved compatriots, including innocent children, has hurt all of our hearts."

 Iranian Jewish organizations denounce Israel for attacking Iran

Tehran Jewish Committee says Iran Jews live in 'complete security,' despite sanction, scrutiny

Annual report of Iran’s largest Jewish community outlines budget shortfalls, kashrut efforts, youth programs, and loyalty to Islamic Republic.

Iranian Jews pray at the Abrishami synagogue at Palestine street in Tehran December 24, 2015..

A voice of kindness: Iranian-born Maureen Nehedar finds her own melody in a new album

Nehedar will bring her new music to life in a performance on June 19 at FeelBeit in Jerusalem.

 MAUREEN NEHEDAR

How losing homes in the Los Angeles wildfires re-traumatized Jews who escaped Iran

DIASPORA AFFAIRS: 42 years ago, Mahnaz, Firouz, and their then-small children had escaped the fanatic violence and persecution of Iran in the middle of the night.

 AT LEAST 29 people were killed, more than 200,000 people were forced to evacuate, and over 16,000 structures were destroyed or damaged. The economic toll from the fires is estimated at over $250 billion. Here, an aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire is seen in March.

Trump's refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews

“We knew this was coming, so we tried very hard to promote exceptions, particularly for Iranian religious minorities,” Mark Hetfield, the president of HIAS, said in an interview.

 An Iranian cleric walks past a Jewish symbol of a menorah, shaped to spell the Hebrew words "shalom olam," meaning "world peace," during a ceremony commemorating the Jewish soldiers who died in the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) at a Jewish cemetery in southern Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 6, 2025.

The Persian winter solstice tradition of Yalda pairs perfectly with Hanukkah

Erev Yalda: Merging Hanukkah and Persian solstice traditions for a festive celebration of light and community.

 Tannaz Sassooni shows off an Erev Yalda spread in Los Angeles in December 2023. Rachel Sumekh, her collaborator, stands at the back wearing red.

Iran’s Jewish question is ancient suspicion and the “dual loyalty” - opinion

 Dr. Haim Ben. Yaakov

Young Jewish-Iranian man executed by Islamic Republic

Arvin Nathaniel Ghahremani was executed after allegedly killing an attacker who ambushed him with a knife.

Illustrative image of the executed Iranian-Jewish man, Arvin Nathaniel Ghahremani.