Whenever the Iranian Jews do arrive at VBS, their method of adaptation is largely based on their origins. Iranian Jews who come from Tehran have a relatively easy time adapting to the largely Ashkenazic culture at VBS, as the environment in Tehran is relatively westernized. Tehran is known for its highly educated Jewish population, with many Tehranian Jews being fluent in English and French. Jews from smaller towns and villages in Iran, however, have had a much more difficult time adapting.

One of the most significant challenges faced by the Persian congregants of VBS is the questioning of traditional assumptions regarding the role of women. In traditional Iranian Jewish culture, men had to be financially stable before they started a family. Thus, the age difference between husband and wife was large, and the wife was expected to be economically dependent on her husband and act solely as a mother and housewife. That is a role that most Jewish Iranian women faithfully followed, until they were exposed to the American lifestyle.

The scenario of increasing contact with American Jews changing the mentality of Iranian women occurred regularly at the VBS day school. When dropping off and picking up their children, Iranian women became friendly with their Ashkenazy counterparts, noting that they were mostly professionals. In many cases, the Iranian mothers helped out with the schoolchildren, and some were offered jobs at the school. Their husbands did not approve, because they felt that their wives working emasculated them, and this caused significant tension in their relationship.

Fast forward a decade, when some of these schoolgirls were ready to go away for college. Again, this caused great tension in the family, as the ideal of girls living independently in a dorm is the antithesis of the traditional Iranian concept of being najeeb, or chaste. Thus, VBS has been a huge catalyst in the evolution of Iranian Jewish women in the Valley.

Another issue encountered by Iranian Jews at VBS is the younger generation’s distaste for their Iranian heritage. For example, many Bar and Bat Mitzvahs refuse to add a Persian segment to their speeches (usually for their grandparents’ benefit,) and they often attempt to Americanize their names to further distance themselves from their Iranian heritage. The leadership at VBS actively tries to encourage these children to embrace their heritage by hosting many Persian themed parties, including their annual Norooz celebration.

Comment on this page