The hardships affecting Iran's small Jewish minority gained increasing media attention in the United States this month, as the leader of the Islamic republic's Jews concluded a five-week tour of American Jewish communities.
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Voice of America's Michael Lipin wrote extensively on his tour of the country, including on the Nov. 14 speech Gerami gave to American Jews in a synagogue in Fairfax, Virginia, in which he painted a nuanced picture of Jewish life in Iran, addressing both positive and negative developments for the group.
Some Iranian American Jewish media critics, however, were skeptical of Gerami's statements, pointing out that the situation is, in actuality, far worse than the rabbi's remarks make it seem.
In recent years, explained the rabbi, his community has made progress. He points to the successful convincing of Iranian authorities to allow Jewish schools to close on Shabbat as well as the restoration of an important mikveh (ritual baths) in Tehran as proof of that progress.
The challenges facing Iran's tiny Jewish minority drew increased US media scrutiny this month, as Yehuda Gerami, chief rabbi in the Islamic republic,ended a tour of🇺🇸Jewish communities by making rare public remarks about his discreet community's situation▶️https://t.co/QDnl0lTkjW
— Michael Lipin (@Michael_Lipin) November 25, 2021
"Also, we now have about six kosher restaurants in Tehran, two in Shiraz, and two in Isfahan, with a higher level of observance of Jewish dietary laws than before," Gerami said. "And we opened a Jewish seminary in Tehran where dozens of young men learn to become rabbis and to conduct ritual animal slaughter. They then return to their cities to teach and spread holiness."
But, according to Gerami, his group has also been hit financially by Iran's high inflation and failing economy, which has impacted all Iranians.
According to the VOA article, Gerami once studied in Israel as a youth. The chief rabbi answered carefully when asked how he felt about Iran's leadership's hostile approach to the Jewish state.
"We always keep in mind that we have no interest in politics. We are Jews who only want to learn the Torah, or bible, and perform good deeds as a religious duty. But there are many times in which it is not easy to be a Jewish leader in Iran," he said.
Furthermore, while Judaism is one of three minority religions that is permitted for practice by the state's Islamist constitution, the legislation imposes restrictions on Jews when it comes to holding various positions in the armed forces and the judiciary. Those serving in the armed forces are also barred from exhibiting authority over any fellow Muslims that are also in service.
Iran's legal system also punishes Jews with imprisonment if they visit Israel, a country Iran's authorities have frequently stated they believe it has no right to exist.
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