Persian Jews

Persian Jews or Iranian Jews are Jews originating from Iran. They have a history dating back over 2,700 years. Persian Jews have lived in the territories of today's Iran for over 2,700 years, since the first Jewish diaspora when the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V conquered the (Northern) Kingdom of Israel (722 BC) and sent the Israelites (the Ten Lost Tribes) into captivity at Khorasan. In 586 BC, the Babylonians expelled large populations of Jews from Judah to the Babylonian captivity.

Jews have had a continuous presence in Iran since then, living in various Persian empires, from the Achaemenid Empire to the Sassanian Empire, the Parthian Empire, and the Islamic Republic of Iran today. The largest group of Persian Jews, who are also the oldest ethnic group in Iran, are the Mizrahi Jews.

History

The history of Persian Jews is intertwined with the history of Judaism and Iran, and it can be divided into the following periods: the Achaemenid (Cyrus the Great, who allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple), the Parthian, the Sassanian, the Islamic period, and the modern era.

Culture

Persian Jews have their own unique cultural practices, which include the celebration of Purim Setayesh, which is distinct from the Jewish holiday of Purim. They also have their own distinct language, known as Judeo-Persian, which is a form of Persian language written in Hebrew script.

Population

The majority of Persian Jews live in Israel and the United States, particularly in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and on the North Shore of Long Island. However, there are still small communities in Iran, primarily in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz.

Notable Persian Jews

Notable Persian Jews include former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, former Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, and billionaire businessman Shari Arison.

See also

• History of the Jews in Iran
• Religion in Iran
• Jews in the Middle East