The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/iranian-jews/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:52:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Iranian Jews | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/iranian-jews/ 32 32 Reeling from war after synagogue wrecked, Iran’s Jews staying loyal to regime https://www.timesofisrael.com/reeling-from-war-after-synagogue-wrecked-irans-jews-staying-loyal-to-regime/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:20:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3804010 Tehran synagogue said holding event Friday in honor of slain Iranians, as homes of some in small community suffer damage during weeks of US-Israeli strikes; Torah scrolls unharmed

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]]> IDF admits Tehran synagogue was ‘collateral damage’ in strike on Iran commander https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-claims-tehran-synagogue-badly-damaged-in-israeli-airstrike-israeli-official-we-dont-target-synagogues/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:39:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3796920 Army says it regrets damage to Rafi Niya synagogue; video from site shows rescuers handling what looks like book of Hebrew scripture found in the rubble

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]]> War with Iran casts a shadow as Persian Jews mark Nowruz in New York City https://www.timesofisrael.com/war-with-iran-casts-a-shadow-as-persian-jews-mark-nowruz-in-new-york-city/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:42:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3791728 Iranians in the diaspora now have some tentative hope there could be change for the better in their homeland, while thousands of Jews still there are thought to be in new peril

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]]> 187 years after deadly Iran pogrom, Mashhad crypto-Jews are focus of Jerusalem exhibit https://www.timesofisrael.com/187-years-after-deadly-iran-pogrom-mashhad-crypto-jews-are-focus-of-jerusalem-exhibit/ Fri, 27 Mar 2026 13:44:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3787306 Now at Israel's National Library, display shows how the Jewish community of Iranian city outwardly acted as Muslims for over a century after a massacre on March 26, 1839

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]]> Immigrating to Israel during war ‘closes a circle,’ Iranian-American Jew says https://www.timesofisrael.com/immigrating-to-israel-during-war-closes-a-circle-iranian-american-jew-says/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:15:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3787072 Sami Rahamim, whose parents left Shiraz in 1949, is one of 30 new citizens arriving Wednesday, despite travel restrictions

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]]> Amid silence of Iran’s internet blackout, diaspora creators raise their voices https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-silence-of-irans-internet-blackout-diaspora-creators-raise-their-voices/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3780328 With reliable reporting scarce and misinformation prevalent, Iranian Americans try to inform their audiences, while sharing perspectives that often diverge from each other

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]]> With Iran under US and Israeli attack, country’s Jews seek safety in silence https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-iran-under-us-and-israeli-attack-countrys-jews-seek-safety-in-silence/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:43:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3775092 As US and Israel strike Islamic Republic, sources tell ToI that country's Jews are 'physically well' but keeping a low profile to avoid regime's eye; leaders warn against contact with Israel

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]]> In Tehran he fooled the regime, in Israel he built an empire. Now he prays for a new Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-tehran-he-fooled-the-regime-in-israel-he-built-an-empire-now-he-prays-for-a-new-iran/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:48:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3773113 Roni Aynsaz posed as a Muslim to work inside a Revolutionary Guards court, secretly helping Jews, before fleeing to Israel where he founded the SCOOP shoe chain

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]]> Iranian Jews in the US view war with hope, trepidation and dreams of a future visit https://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-jews-in-the-us-view-war-with-hope-trepidation-and-dreams-of-a-future-visit/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:33:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3768031 Director of Persian synagogue in Los Angeles says congregants praying for 'freedom not only for the Iranian people but also the possibility of peace in the Middle East'

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]]> Skirting bans, Iranian products from spices to salves find way to Israeli stores https://www.timesofisrael.com/skirting-bans-iranian-products-from-spices-to-salves-find-ways-to-israeli-stores/ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:40:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3744375 Using 3rd-country loophole, merchants and restaurateurs at Tel Aviv spice market sell authentic goods from Islamic Republic, though closure of Turkey conduit sending prices skyward

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]]> Several of Iran’s Jews detained over protests, community says it’s a mistake — report https://www.timesofisrael.com/several-of-irans-jews-said-detained-over-protests-community-says-its-a-mistake/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 18:11:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3742659 Community leaders are working to get detainees freed, sources tell Hebrew media, as Jews signal total loyalty to the regime, say they've stayed away from protests

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]]> Iran jails Jewish Iranian-American for visiting Israel for son’s bar mitzvah 13 years ago https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-imprisons-jewish-iranian-american-for-visiting-israel-13-years-ago/ Sat, 08 Nov 2025 01:06:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3683576 Kamran Hekmati, 70, was detained earlier this year during brief trip; is held in notorious Evin prison; US calls for his immediate release and that of three other jailed Americans

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]]> 70-year-old Jewish man from New York said to be among four US citizens held by Iran https://www.timesofisrael.com/70-year-old-jewish-man-from-new-york-said-to-be-among-four-us-citizens-held-by-iran/ Sat, 02 Aug 2025 19:34:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3612110 Iranian officials confirm to NYT that the unnamed detainee is one of two Americans taken into custody after Israel began strikes in June

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]]> 2 US citizens among Jewish community members arrested in Iran – reports https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-citizens-among-jewish-community-members-arrested-in-iran-reports/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:45:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3607748 The two men were visiting family when war with Israel broke out last month; efforts underway to secure their release, along with three local Jews also held

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]]> End of Israel-Iran war tests the harmony of LA’s huge, mixed-faith Iranian community https://www.timesofisrael.com/end-of-israel-iran-war-tests-the-harmony-of-las-huge-mixed-faith-iranian-community/ Sat, 05 Jul 2025 17:31:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3591417 Fallout of the 12-day war has come to 'Tehrangeles,' the largest Iranian diaspora community in the world; 'It’s been an emotional roller coaster,' says one local

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