Older Iranian Jews still traumatized since Iran's revolution

An old Jewish ghetto in Tehran

photo: Iranian-American Jews blog

I just discovered a most fascinating blog. The author, Karmel Melamed, is an internationally published freelance journalist based in Southern California. Since 2000, Melamed has specialized in covering the growing influential Iranian American community in Southern California and New York-- particularly Iranian American Jewry.

His last entry is a true tale of resilience. A hugely moving story of an 80-year old Iranian Jew who lost everything after the Islamic revolution. A touching story of life-interrupted. Real people in unbelievable pain! If it doesn't get your eyes moistened at least once, check your pulse. My heart goes out to all of those who had a similar experience. I might add that this is not just Iranian-Jewish story; It's a story of many Iranians, in general. Read the full entry here.

We exchanged small talk in Persian and he began to tell me the story of his life in Iran. He starting from his childhood while living in the "Mahaleh" or the Jewish ghetto in Tehran. “You know you’re very lucky,” he said. “When we were living in the Mahaleh, we never had enough to eat, we lived in extreme poverty and we were regularly beaten and constantly harassed by the Muslims”. As he slowly relived his memories in the car, this older gentleman began shedding silent tears and then weeping. I tried to comfort him and he apologized for his breakdown. “I used to have a large pharmaceutical company in Iran, we made millions-- and overnight they took it all away from me,” said the older man. “And now look at me, I’ve come full circle and I’m living in poverty again!”

I know there are thousands of stories yet to be told. Most of these stories remain out of view for the storytellers are still traumatized and cannot speak. Even in diaspora, the palpable fear and dread from the IRI terror enforcers lingers on in the Persian community who have left Iran more than 28 years ago.