June 17, 2010 | 1:13 am

Webcast: L.A.’s Iranian American Jews honored by Israel Bonds

Posted by Karmel Melamed

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Saidara family, photo by Karmel Melamed

During the last 100 years the Jews of Iran have always had a special sense of Zionism and have been strong supporters of Israel even while they once lived in a majority Muslim country like Iran. This sense of Zionism today has remained with the community after their migration to the U.S. Today Southern California’s Iranian American Jews account for a large contingency of Israel’s strongest supporters and philanthropists. One area of interest for local Iranian Jews has been in investing in State of Israel Bonds. These bonds, since the inception of Israel 62 years ago, have been used to build the country’s infrastructure, develop transportation and spur other economic activity.

Bette and Dr. Ron Saidara have been one of the many local Iranian Jews and families that have supported Israel bonds. I recently caught up with Ron, a local dentist, before he and his wife was honored by Israel Bond’s Western division for their support of the organization. My webcast interview with Ron can be found here…

Another growing tend I’ve noticed among L.A.’s Iranian Jewry is their gift giving of $100 Israel Bonds for weddings, bar mitzvahs, child births and other happy occasions. Giving of these bonds has been a recent trend that allows some in the community to show their support for Israel and at the same time give an excellent investment gift with a high rate of return to friends and family.

On an interesting side note…Ron and his wife Bette first met during my bar mitzvah in 1991! In the Iranian Jewish community, we’re all very close-knit and share common bonds…especially ISRAEL BONDS.

For more information on Israel Bonds visit: www.israelbonds.org/

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