Jewish presence in Iran dates back nearly 2,700 years. The years of the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979) are often considered a golden age for Iranian Jewry—the Iranian Jewish community thrived economically under Mohammad Reza Shah. Although Jews constituted less than a quarter of a percent of the total Iranian population of thirty-five million, their economic, professional, and cultural impact on the country was great.
L.A. LOCALS
SHIRIN
Shirin Golshani is a pediatric occupational therapist who was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a first-generation Jewish-Iranian-American woman who cherishes her involvement in various Jewish and non-denominational organizations, including Iranian American Jews for Racial Justice, Birthright Israel, 30 Years After, J.Q., and Angel City Sports. “Something that brings me awe is witnessing someone feel completely seen and accepted for who they are and watching how they flourish into their best selves from that moment on.”
“When it comes to the high holidays, my most relished memories are from my young adulthood—of my grandmother, mother, and me sitting in a grand hotel ballroom across the partition from my father and brothers during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. After spending the last few years moving from one synagogue to another for the High Holidays, I parted ways with the traditional services I grew up with hoping to find something new and beautiful that will give me the same fulfillment I received in the Persian synagogues when I was younger. I did in fact find many inspiring new traditions, but now all I yearn for is to go back to those melodies and deep powerful voices that filled the room. I become most elated reflecting on the warmth of the Persian melodies sung in unison by the hundreds of men and women in the ballroom, often three to four generations, old and young, sitting alongside each other. The deep rumble of the men’s voices overtook the room and reverberated through us, all alongside the sweet sound of the women carrying the tune. It was not just for the sake of familiarity that I wanted to return to my childhood experience; rather, it was because the melodies carry history and they symbolize strength in unity and community. Now when I sing in these vast ballrooms, I hear the voices of my late grandmother and grandfathers singing with me in spirit. I hear the shofar blowing now while also hearing that which was blown thousands of years ago. I pray that our community can stay strong and carry on these traditions while also establishing strong roots and contributing to the society we live in and now call home. Shanah Tovah.”
L.A. LOCALS
TANNAZ
Born in Tehran to a Jewish family, Tannaz is a Los Angeles-based food writer, who's written for Lucky Peach, Thrillist, the Mash-Up Americans, and Shofar. She's interested in exploring Los Angeles' global culinary landscape and interviewing moms and grandmas from Iran for a regional Iranian-Jewish cookbook. You can follow her on Instagram.
Faloudeh seeb
“I break the Yom Kippur fast with my family. And every year, the first three things we consume as soon as we get home from synagogue are pure Iranian Jewish tradition: a cup of hot black tea; a warm, comforting soft-boiled egg; and faloudeh seeb. Somewhere between a beverage and a dessert, faloudeh seeb is a refreshing mix of shredded apples in a light rosewater syrup, served over ice. You can alternate eating spoonfuls of the apple mixture and sipping the cool, fragrant juice. To me, it feels like the perfect way to rejuvenate my parched and weary body, and as I enjoy it with my family, I'm filled with relief and gratitude—we've made through another fast, we are nourished, and we have what we need to thrive as we step into a new year.”
FALOUDEH
SEEB
2 medium apples / 1½ cups ice water / 2 tablespoons rosewater / 2 tablespoons granulated sugar / ice for serving
On apples: As this recipe is so simple, it’s only as good as its ingredients. Fuji or Gala apples work great here, as do Jonagold, Honeycrisp, or any other crisp, sweet apple. Avoid Granny Smiths, as they’re too sour, and Red Delicious, as they’re too mealy.
On rosewater: Different brands of rosewater vary wildly in their potency. Domestic brands tend to be far less fragrant than imports (typically from Lebanon — I like Cortas), so adjust the rosewater amount to taste. You’ll want the rosewater’s scent and taste to be evident, but not overpowering.
1. Add about 1 ½ cups ice water to a large bowl. Peel one apple, grate it to the core on a box grater, and add it to the ice water, including any juices. 2. Submerge the grated apple under the water. Repeat with the second apple. 3. Add rosewater and sugar to apple mixture; stir vigorously to combine and dissolve sugar. Taste and adjust sugar and rosewater to your liking—there should be just enough sugar to balance the rosewater, and enough rosewater to lend a fragrant note without being overpowering. 4. At this point, you can serve faloudeh seeb immediately, or store it in the refrigerator overnight. Its color will turn to a pinkish beige as it sits, but its flavors will meld together. If the it’s been chilling for a while, at serving time taste and adjust rosewater or sugar if necessary. To serve, add a few ice cubes to a glass, then ladle in some of the apples and some of the juice. Serve with a spoon.
the SEDER
Did you know that Persian Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah with a seder? Below are some traditionally symbolic foods, our own reimagining of what these symbols represent, and some ways you can bring them into your home and think about them this year.
BEANS
to be abundant
Where would I like to experience this in the year to come?
LEEKS
to cut off enemies
What personal traits or self-sabotaging habits are no longer serving me?
BEETS
to depart
What’s something in my control that I want to leave behind that’s holding me back?
SQUASH / PUMPKIN / GOARD
to announce
What’s my intention for the year? What do I want to be known for?
FISH / LUNGS / POPCORN
for lightness
What can I implement to give me peace of mind, to have more playfulness in the year to come, to connect to my inner light?
POMEGRANATE
to do a mitzvah
What acts of kindness do I want to practice in the year to come?
DATES
to end having enemies
In what area—or towards whom—can I practice more compassion?
COW TONGUE / HEAD of LETTUCE
for leadership
Where do I want to lead this year? What leadership skills do I want to improve and what actions can I take to enhance those skills?
APPLES DIPPED in HONEY
to have a sweet new year
What sweetness and blessings do I want?
A young child eating in Tehran, in a JDC-supported kindergarten program (circa 1972)
Iran (1971)
MORE HISTORY from JDC
JDC began work in Iran in the 1950s, opening a large network of kindergartens and underwriting educational and social development programs there, particularly for children from needy families. Since then, JDC has launched a full-scale assistance program for Jewish communities in Iran, providing the community with a full range of services to care for the most vulnerable. In the 1970s, JDC funded social, educational, and medical programs in Iran, enabling 19,000 students to attend Jewish schools, and helped to build a Jewish hospital in Tehran that assisted 3,700 individuals each month.
NuRoots, from L.A.’s Jewish Federation, helps Jewish Angelenos in their twenties and thirties find and build community across L.A.
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