Personal Stories

Iranian Jews and their descendants share memories of home, the revolution, and the new lives they built in Los Angeles, New York, Israel, and beyond.

Written Narratives

Iranian Oral History Collection

In their own words

Oral Histories from Iran

JIMENA has recorded the memories of Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa. These interviews with Jews from Iran tell of the communities they grew up in and the journeys that followed.

Angella Nazarian

Tehran. Coming to Los Angeles during the Revolution.

Abraham Berookhim

Tehran, 1948. His uncle's execution and his own escape.

Watch the oral histories from Iran →

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Timeline of Jewish Presence

View chronological details of Jewish life and presence in Iran.

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Personal Stories

Hear firsthand accounts of Jewish life in Iran, including memories of family, community, and leaving after 1979.

Photos

See the people, synagogues, and communities of Jewish Iran, from Isfahan and Hamadan to Shiraz and Tehran.

Food

Discover Persian Jewish recipes, from Shabbat gondi to crisp tahdig and fragrant herb stews.

Videos

Watch talks, interviews, and programs on the history and heritage of Iran's Jews.

Music

Discover the Persian Jewish musicians who helped preserve Iran's classical music.

Relevant Articles

Read scholarship, journalism, and personal essays on the history, culture, and rights of Iran's Jews.

Bibliography

Explore books, scholarly works, and memoirs documenting the history and heritage of Iranian Jews.