Sign in or register
for additional privileges

Iranian Jewish Life in Los Angeles: Past and Present

Saba Soomekh, Author

You appear to be using an older verion of Internet Explorer. For the best experience please upgrade your IE version or switch to a another web browser.

Los Angeles Fashion District: Just Jewish

In the Iranian Jewish community many Iranian Jews have attached themselves to Judaism as closely as possible. The reason for this was to differentiate themselves from the people being seen on TV during the Iran Hostage crises. Iranian Jews would make it as obvious as possible that they were Jewish and held Jewish beliefs at all times to show Americans they were not like the Iranian Muslims. This behavior turned into lifestyle for many Iranian Jews. Today many Iranians still observe holidays and Shabbat but to varying degrees. Roofian, when asked if he is religious, answered he is not but when asked to what extent he observes Judaism he replied that “I keep Kosher and go to temple during the holidays.” His activity in the Jewish world in his eyes is minimal but is engagement nonetheless. His activity carries into the work place as every door in his business has a mezuzah. When asked why he has them, he answers; “we have to have it, and we always have had it, it's important to have it as the religion was taught.” This is a brilliant example of how Iranian Jews have incorporated their culture with the business culture.
Comment on this page
 

Discussion of "Los Angeles Fashion District: Just Jewish"

Add your voice to this discussion.

Checking your signed in status ...

Previous page on path Los Angeles Fashion District: Bobak Roofian, page 8 of 10 Next page on path