In Los Angeles, the largest Iranian diaspora outside Iran, Iranian Jews have emerged as vocal defenders of Israel at universities like UCLA and USC. Many Iranian Jews are the children of parents who fled Iran during the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Raised with stories of a vibrant culture in Persia, they relate more to Israel due to the regime’s suppression of their old way of life. Supporting Israel’s fight against Hamas and Iran, the key supporter of the militant group, is common among Iranian Jews in Los Angeles.
The tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated recently, with conflicts culminating in Israel bombing an Iranian consular building in Damascus. Iranian Jewish residents of Los Angeles experience a cultural dissonance as they are deeply connected to their religion. Growing up in Jewish spaces, some like Abby Yosian feel compelled to support Israel in its conflict with Iran and Hamas. Iranian Jewish families in Los Angeles, like Yosian’s, maintain strong cultural and religious ties to Judaism that date back centuries, influencing their unwavering support for Israel.
Historically, Iran’s Jewish population dates back nearly 3,000 years, with King Cyrus the Great considered a savior of the Jewish people. He allowed Jewish residents of the Persian Empire to practice their faith and return to Jerusalem. The deep kinship between Jewish Iranians and Israel spans generations, leading many to view Israel in a positive light. Despite being more Jewish than Persian in upbringing, Iranian Jews in Los Angeles like David Javidzad feel a strong connection to their Persian roots, especially during cultural celebrations like Passover and Nowruz.
While many Iranian Jews in Los Angeles support Israel, the civilian toll of the conflict in Gaza is heartbreaking for some. Rabbi Younes Hamami Lalehzar, a prominent Jewish leader in Iran, has criticized the Israeli government and condemned Zionism. Amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, the hope of reconciliation between the two nations persists among those within the Iranian Jewish community. Despite being fragmented in their views on various issues, many Iranian Jews in Los Angeles have united in their criticism of the extreme regime in Iran.
In the wake of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, Israeli criticism of the regime resonated with Iranian Jews in Los Angeles. Amini’s death at the hands of the Iranian morality police sparked international outcry, with Iranian Jews in Tehrangeles expressing solidarity with the Women, Life, Freedom movement. As tensions between Iran and Israel persist, the Iranian Jewish community in Los Angeles continues to navigate their complex identities while advocating for positive change in both their home country and their adoptive land. Through cultural celebrations and shared experiences, they strive to maintain their heritage while supporting causes that resonate with their beliefs and values.
