Karmel Melamed
Local Iranian Americans Protest Iranian Election
The ties that bind Los Angeles’ Iranian community to its roots a half-world away have been in full view this week, as protesters cried out in reaction to the June 12 Iranian presidential election, calling it fraudulent and a sham. Within the Iranian Jewish community in particular, the belief remains that none of the candidates can be expected to effect real change in Iran — not the rabidly anti-Israel, Holocaust-denying Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, nor the so-called moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.
Escape, exile, rebirth: Iranian Jewish diaspora alive and well in Los Angeles
Thirty years have passed since the massive and violent demonstrations against the Shah of Iran that began in September 1978, and for many, the start of that country\’s bloody revolution might seem a faded memory. Yet I have carried those shattering events with me all of my life: I was born on in Tehran on Sept. 11, 1978, as chaos unfolded on the streets outside
Younger Persians seeking greater role in community
Over the past decades, nearly two dozen local Iranian Jewish groups have been involved with political awareness efforts, but no group until now has seriously pursued or organized communitywide political and civic activism.
Hide ‘n’ seek no child’s game in fleeing Iran
His friends devised a plan. Two of them would wait outside the terminal in a car with the engine running, in case Melamed had to make a quick getaway. Two other friends and a Revolutionary Guard who had been bribed would wait inside the terminal to help the businessman escape if something went wrong.
Terrifying journey marks escape of widow and children
\”It was one of the longest nights in my life.They kept telling me to go to sleep, but I just could not, because I had young girls with me. Then one of the smugglers came into the room and fell asleep at the entrance.\”
AUDIO: Iranian American Jews — Getting ready for November’s elections
More than 300 young professionals members of the local Iranian Jewish “30 Years After” organization gathered at a private residence in Beverly Hills late last month to encourage political activism in the community.
Iranian Jews uneasy on Obama’s offer to ‘engage’ Iran
With Iran a hot topic in the U.S. presidential race this year, the candidates\’ foreign policy statements are being examined closely by everyone, not least the Iranian Jewish community. Comments by Democratic frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), in particular, have left many Iranian Jews reluctant to support his candidacy.
AUDIO: Iranian American Jews — reaching out to poor and homeless in the city
Iranian American Jews — reaching out to poor and homeless in the city
AUDIO: Iranian American Jews — Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz
Exclusive interviews with Israeli Knesset Member Ophir Pines-Paz and Iranian Jewish philanthropist Parviz Nazarian in changing Israel\’s form of government
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