Jewish communities in Iran keep a low profile

Iranian-American Jewish activists in contact with Jewish friends and family inside Iran say their community is safe, but has been keeping a low public profile during the current conflict.

“While the (Iranian) regime has shut down the internet and phone lines for a few days recently because of the war, I was able to speak to some Jewish leaders in Tehran earlier who said they have directed the Jews there to leave the city due to the bombings and go to other Iranian cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan and Yazd where it’s safer and they can stay with their family members or other Jews,” one Iranian Jewish activist in Los Angeles told JNS.

Jewish Iranian American leaders have, for decades, largely avoided public comments about the regime, for fear that this could potentially lead to revenge being taken on the Jews who are still living in Iran.

Saeed Banayan, a retired Iranian Jewish businessman living in Los Angeles, said many Jews have recently fled Tehran for quieter areas north of the city during the conflict.

“I spoke to a family member of mine several days ago who lives in Tehran,” said Banayan. “She said she and her husband, along with many other Jews, have all fled the city and are now staying in the areas near the Caspian Sea, which are safer and have no military sites that would be targeted by Israel.”

An Iranian Jewish activist in Los Angeles, who asked that his name be withheld because of his fear that the Iranian regime would retaliate against his family members inside Iran, told JNS the Jewish leadership has shut down all synagogues and cancelled Shabbat services during the conflict.

“The Jewish community leaders have told Jews not to come out in public wearing kippahs, they’ve cancelled Jewish religious events and asked the community to maintain a low profile in public right now to avoid any potential issues with the regime or those who Muslims who hate Israel,” the activist said.

JNS obtained a Persian language e-mail that originated from the Shiraz Jewish Charity Association asking Jews in Tehran to temporarily come to Shiraz during the conflict for their safety.

“Due to the emergency situation, the Shiraz Jewish Charity Association has arranged for temporary accommodations for our loved ones from Tehran who plan to leave for Shiraz,” the e-mail said. “Therefore, we invite our dear fellow Jews in Tehran to coordinate with us. We welcome your arrival and will have accommodations available for you and your loved ones.”

The largest contingency of Iran’s remaining small Jewish community, estimated at 8,000, lives in Tehran.

Iranian Jewish activists in southern California said they have been in contact with Jewish friends and family members who have fled Iran altogether since the conflict broke out.

“I know of several Jews from Tehran who had the financial means and have left Iran altogether to stay in places like Dubai or some of the European countries temporarily to avoid injury or death,” said Bijan Khalili, one of the founders of the LA-based “No To Antisemitism” an Iranian Jewish non-profit group.

Yehuda Gerami, Chief Rabbi of Iran and the Tehran Jewish Committee, which represents the Jews who remain in Iran, issued statements decrying Israel’s attacks on the regime.

Iranian American Jewish activists said Jews inside Iran are living under constant duress and must issue such statements supporting the Iranian regime or face dire consequences from the regime’s security apparatus.

“The Jews who have remained in Iran have no choice but to make public statements that will keep the regime happy because they do not want problems with the government,” said Dara Abaei, who heads the LA-based “Jewish Unity Network,” an Iranian Jewish non-profit.

Abaei said he has spoken to friends and family members in Tehran since the conflict began and they have told him that the Jewish community is safe, but their situation is precarious, like most other residents of the city.

“There are about 10 million people who live in Tehran and who have mostly fled the city — and the Jews are among them because it’s just a difficult situation for everyone right now,” he said.

“There is fear for sure by some Jews since there is a possibility of being targeted because of antisemitism from some angry radical groups,” Abaei said. “So, the Jewish community is trying to stay home and avoid getting out too much right now.”