VIDEO: Iranian Jews in Israel prepare for worst
cnn / Fionnuala Sweeney
05-Mar-2012 (2 comments)

CNN) -- Shamshiri in Tel Aviv is as busy as any restaurant might be during the lunch hour rush. Nestled in a part of the market area known as Little Persia, Shamshiri is run by Jews from Iran, providing a home away from home for other Iranian Jews.

Moluk, the matriarch of her family, is just one of tens of thousands of Iranian Jews who immigrated to Israel during the course of the last 60 years. She arrived in Israel in 1964 from Isfahan, where her sister still lives to this day.

In Iran there are an estimated 25,000 Jews remaining in the country, making it the largest Middle Eastern population center for the religion outside of Israel. Moluk, like many Iranian Jews in Israel, still keeps in touch with relatives back home.

She says there are no problems between Jews and Muslims in Iran. Jews, she explains, can practice their faith freely in Iran and are not persecuted.

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Darius Kadivar

Children of Esther

by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 05, 2012 06:19 AM PST

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Iran is largest Middle Eastern population center for Jews outside of Israel
  • Jews can practice faith freely in Iran without persecution, says one Iranian Jew
  • For Iranian Jews living in Israel, the debate about Iran cannot be escaped


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Darius Kadivar

Notice Portrait of Shah & Crown Prince Reza's in background

by Darius Kadivar on Mon Mar 05, 2012 06:53 AM PST


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