West Los Angeles, affectionately nicknamed ‘Tehrangeles,’ boasts the most significant Iranian population beyond Iran’s borders. This area, additionally referred to as Little Persia, is a testament of peaceful cohabitation among Iranian Muslims, Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Bahai, a diversity that has shaped the community over several decades. The recent Israeli-Iran conflict, a violent 12-day encounter followed by a tentative ceasefire, has stirred religious tensions and sparked political dialogues in this otherwise culturally rich, tranquil sector. In the midst of this strife, the US, a known Israeli ally, initiated an attack on Iran, further thickening the plot.
A sense of apprehension has gripped Iranian Jews in diaspora as they closely follow the unfolding war. There is a faction within the community that finds solace in the prospect of the regime they consider oppressive, meeting its downfall. Interestingly, the onset of conflict is not seen by the diaspora as a rift-causing factor owing to a mutual and shared aversion for the current regime among different religious factions, which consequently promotes unity. Tehrangeles has long served as a ‘home away from home’ for many residents by offering the grounding required in these turbulent circumstances.
Among such residents is Kamran Afary, a tenured communications professor and an immigrant from Iran from the late 20th century. He emphasizes that the community’s long-nurtured attributes of tolerance and respect reflect through his own diverse, interfaith family setup. It is reported that a community of roughly half a million Iranian Americans calls the Greater Los Angeles region their home. The mass migration of Iranians to this locale can be traced back to the turmoil of 1979 when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was dethroned, leading to Ayatollah Khomeini claiming power and the consequent establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
West Los Angeles stands out with the most substantial concentration of Iranian Jews beyond Iranian territory. In times of geopolitical turbulence, relationships among different faiths may come under strain, as opined by Diane Winston, a professor of media and religion at the University of Southern California. The recent Israeli and Iran hostilities have the potential to test the inherent solidarity between Iranian Jews and Muslims. However, Professor Winston also presents a powerful observation that people are not bound only by their religion or culture but also by their shared social standing.
In this densely woven social fabric, members attend the same educational institutions, partake in the same events, and share similar circles both socially and culturally. An instance of this collective identity reflects in the life of Tanaz Golshan who left Iran in her infancy, and now holds the position of senior vice president at the organization, ‘Caring for Jews in Need.’ She discloses a significant aspect of Iranian Jews stating that for them, Judaism stands as a pillar of ‘culture and family,’ not just religion.
The global political climate’s impact trickles down to local communities leading to genuine fears of synagogues and community centers being targeted. Yet, community sentiment following the war experienced a wide spectrum of reactions, transcending religious boundaries. For example, political activist Arezo Rashidian ardently supports a regime change in Iran, while others wrestle with their sentiments given the political unrest.
While the community’s opinions vary, there is an undercurrent of hope – a shared aspiration for unity, harmony, and mutual respect among all religious factions, particularly within younger groups. Crafting new traditions and underlining a shared culture emerge as prominent paths chosen by many in their pursuit of tranquility and understanding, in spite of the adversities brought about by the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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