Iranian American Jewish Federation (IAJF)

IAJF rejects Bernard-Henri Levy’s claims

In an interview with a French television station in April of 2018, Bernard-Henri Levy claimed that the name change from Persia to Iran was due to a secret negotiation between Adolf Hitler and the late Reza Shah.

As noted in the statement below, the Iranian American Jewish Federation has categorically denied Levy’s claims.

The following link is the interview by Mrs. Susan Azizzadeh, the president of the Iranian American Jewish Federation discussing the allegations made by Bernard-Henri Levy.

In 1935 the government of Persia, under the rule of King Reza Pahlavi the Great approved changing the country’s name from Persia to Iran.

Numerous reports, accords and documents attribute a wide range of motivations to this particular decision. The most credible of which are based on, and corroborated by, the fact that as a true nationalist, Reza Shah was tirelessly working to modernize both the country of Iran and its society and had indeed achieved tremendous success in that endeavor.

In a short span of time Reza Shah’s efforts and his personal leadership had turned Iran from a lawless country in which a lazy, unorganized, incompetent and corrupt central government was unable to exert control over its provinces, into a country of law and order, rooting out crime and corruption, rewarding performance, and demanding competence and accountability.

During the same time major infrastructure was built, Tehran University was inaugurated, a modern education system was introduced and Iran finally started to feel the pride that it had lost centuries before.

The change of name to “Iran”, according to most accounts, was first and foremost meant to signify the emergence of a new forward looking and dynamic society, as opposed to “Persia” which looked back to an ancient albeit glorious time. Then it was also meant to distinguish Iranians from the neighboring Arab societies whose conquest of Persia centuries before had left lingering effects on Persians. Effects which in the eyes of Iran’s nationalist elites were the very sources of Iranian society’s backwardness.

The Iranian-American Jewish Federation has not seen any evidence that would corroborate Mr. Levy’s claims to the effect that such name change was a result of some secret pact between Iran and Nazi Germany to divide the world among them, years before Germany embarked on the war. Nor do we find much logic in the notion that a country would need to change its name in order to enter into a pact with another, which itself did not change its name nor did it require its other allies such as Italy and Japan to change theirs!

What we do know and deeply appreciate is that as part of Reza Shah’s modernizations, our community was finally allowed to leave Iran’s Jewish ghettos, our children were provided the opportunity to seek higher education, measures of official discrimination against all religious minority groups were actively being erased and our community was allowed to enter into the mainstream of Iranian society and contribute its share to the nation’s progress. Furthermore even during the war, Iranian diplomats and official were instrumental in saving many Jewish lives from being sent to Nazi concentration camps in Europe and rejecting Germany’s requests for the rounding up of Iran’s Jews.

It is based on these facts that we find it our duty to publicly and forcefully reject Mr. Bernard-Henri Levy’s version about the reason for Iran’s name change.

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Guest Lecture Series

IAJF Public Affair Committee (PAC) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, and other organizations presents a series of lectures. The mission of the series is to raise awareness about anti-Semitism and identify ways to combat it by bringing distinguished individuals for presentations on its various aspects and the urgent need to address it.

Hatred & Violence Promoted by Palestinian Media
By: Dr. Itamar Marcus

Iranian American Jewish Federation hosted a lecture by Dr. Itamar Marcus, the founder of Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) on Monday, January 22, 2018. PMW is an Israeli research institute, dedicated to studying Palestinian society from a broad range of perspectives by monitoring and analyzing the ideologies disseminated and reproduced through Palestinian media and schoolbooks which shape the future of peace negotiations and promote anti-Semitism and violence against Jews.

Dr. Marcus, along with his team, has conducted extensive research on the Palestinian media, and school textbooks at different levels and focuses on the ways hatred against Jews and Israelis is expressed, legitimized, and reproduced. PMW also investigates the influential role of textbooks on learners’ mentality and the ways student worldviews are affected.

The findings of his studies reveals that Palestinian authorities use the media as a medium through which anti-Semitic views are promoted. For instance, the portrayal of Jews and Israelis as demonic characters in several animated series shapes and manipulates the framework of ideas and attitudes of the Palestinians from the earliest stages of childhood. Moreover, these children are frequently exposed to weapons through TV shows which promote violence inciting them to murder Jews and commit suicide bombings. He concludes that these children are indeed the victims of the propaganda controlled and funded by the government which transfers them to terrorists and suicide bombers.

Dr. Marcus has spoken on this subject, presented the results of his analyses all around the world and has addressed politicians and policy makers. PMW has developed significant achievements in this regard illuminating and elaborating on the acts of incitement by the Palestinian authorities which stands in stark contrast to their message to the international community, the current duality in PA's domestic and international policies.

PMW documentation has impacted the standpoint of key politicians around the world including President Trump and European leaders funding Palestinian institutes.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A session with Dr. Marcus, moderated by Mr. Sam Kermanian, IAJF Senior Advisor, which provided an opportunity for the audience to express their ideas and learn more.

To view the presentation, please click here.

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A Celebration of the Life & Legacy of Haj Habib Elghanayan

Thirty eight years after the cruel and tragic execution of Haj Habib Elghanayan, the Iranian American Jewish Federation proudly celebrated his life and legacy, honoring and paying tribute to his historic contributions to Iran and Iranians of all faiths.

This glorious gathering of more than 1800 on October 15, 2017, at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills was open to the public, including every age, nationality and religion. Dignitaries from Azerbaijan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Japan, Israel and the United States along with Elghanayan’s family were in attendance.

Esteemed speakers, old colleagues, journalists, religious leaders, friends and family highlighted Elghanayan’s great leadership, achievements and services to advance commerce, industry, technology, education, welfare and healthcare throughout Iran.

They marveled at his amazing sense of responsibility, humility, generosity, selflessness, wisdom, vision, patriotism and love of family, truly a sincere Iranian as well as a devoted Jew.

The program began with the national anthems of the United States, Israel and Iran, accompanied by the enthusiastic audience. Dr. Mehdi Aghazamani, master of ceremonies, welcomed the audience and invited Mrs. Susan Azizzadeh, the president of the Iranian American Jewish Federation’s Executive Board.

In her inclusive speech, Mrs. Azizzadeh highlighted the historic impact of the Iranian Jews in Iran for over 2700 years. She also stressed the late Elghanayan’s altruism and sacrifices as the leader of Iranian Jews for two decades as well as the importance of recognition of the groundbreaking services and contributions of Haj Habib Elghanayan, in particular encouraging coming generations to learn from them.

The next speaker, Mr. Nasser Oliaee, a prominent and successful businessman who had worked with Elghanayan and was a close friend, introduced Habib’s innovative ways in commerce and bringing industries like plastic and aluminum to Iran. He offered a detailed report of all Haj Habib’s impressive traits and his endeavors to care for his compatriots, including opening Iran’s markets to foreign countries and even export to China. He emphasized that Haj Habib’s return back to Iran after the 1979 revolution was simply to protect the Jewish Iranians and his love for Iran. He was presented with an appreciation plaque by Mrs. Azizzadeh, the president and Mr. Manochehr Nazarian, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Menashe Amir, the very knowledgeable and popular Radio Israel Farsi Department host for 60 years, who had traveled to Los Angeles for this commemoration, paid his respect by explaining why innocent Haj Habib was singled out to become the first Jew executed by the new regime, despite unfounded lies and false accusations.

Mr. Nourollah Gabay, esteemed community leader explained the enormous role individuals like Haj Habib play in the evolution of a community and eventually a country, with their wisdom, knowledge, leadership, and love for humanity.

In an informative documentary film made by Mr. Abbas Hojatpanah, the life and achievements of Haj Habib were portrayed with original photos and testimonies, concluding with his tragic and shocking execution. A complimentary copy of the CD was offered to the attendees.

For the first time in history, silver coins were minted with the image of Haj Habib Elghanyan to commemorate this treasured man.

Rabbi David Shofet recital of the mourner prayers was shared by the entire audience while standing. The display of emotion was a long overdue tribute to the late Haj Habib who was buried with only three people in attendance, while deserving thousands.

Mrs. Azizzadeh joined Rabbi Shofet on stage and invited the audience to partner with the Emergency Fund Committee of the Iranian American Jewish Federation to help the needy as a tribute to the memory of Haj Habib who always assisted whoever reached out to him. She gave three examples of hundreds of cases reviewed and assisted by the Emergency Fund committee which provoked a lot of emotions.

Before introducing the next speaker, Mrs. Azizzadeh acknowledged and appreciated the efforts and assistance of Mrs. Sholeh Shams, Editor in Chief of Rahavard quarterly publication in producing the tribute book which was distributed at the night of the event. The book embraces a message from Empress Farah Pahlavi admiring Habib Elghanayan as an honest patriot who contributed immensely to advance commerce and industry in Iran. Her Highness commended IAJF for preserving Iranian culture and honoring the philanthropists who had served our beloved country, Iran.

Ms. Sholeh Shams who had kindly and tirelessly edited the commemorating tribute book shared the important messages of Mr. Ardeshir Zahedi, former Iranian Ambassador to the United States, as well as Dr. Jamshid Amouzegar, former Iranian Prime Minister, to acknowledge Elghanayan’s invaluable contributions to Iran and offer their sincere condolences to his family.

Mr. Jack Rochel, a well versed historian and activist comparing Haj Habib to the Jewish philosopher, Montefiore, spoke of Haj Habib, his legacy and the need to have memorial monuments or foundations in his honor to keep his name alive and to inspire the future generations to follow his path, his benevolence and his kindness to all.

From family, Mr. Shahab Moreh, his grandson; Mrs. Shahnaz Ghodsian, his niece; and Mr. Karmel Elghanyan, his son; spoke of the amazing role model Haj Habib has been and will continue to be. “He never rejected any request for help. His love for family and celebrating the Iranian traditions and Jewish rituals was exceptional. His family is so proud of him, as are the rest of the Iranian Jews”.

The surprise conclusion of the program was Haj Habib’s favorite song, “Habibam ro Mikham”, performed by esteemed singer, the late Marzieh, and sang by two of Elghanayan’s great grandchildren, Jasmine and Jason Cohanim.

A beautiful reception was arranged by IAJF and the family before and after the program.

نکو داشت خدمات و ميراث حاج حبيب القانيان