Podcast: Young Iranian American Jews show support for U.S. troops

Nessah’s young professionals on May 26th

From my experience as a journalist covering the Iranian Jewish community in Southern California all of these years, the community is very patriotic but has never really participated in any events that would display their love of America. This past Memorial Day was a change in direction for the community with hundreds of young Iranian Jewish volunteers gathering at the Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills to prepare hundreds of care packages bound for U.S. troops based in Afghanistan and Iraq. This historic event was indeed heartwarming for me to witness as it reflects Iranian American Jews true appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in this great nation. We honor America’s Armed Forces on Memorial Day and give thanks to this nation for welcoming us more than 30 years ago after we were forced into exile from Iran by that country’s regime of violent radical Islamic clerics.

Our blog’s podcast that can be hear here had the opportunity to chat with Nessah Israel’s Young Professionals who helped organize this incredible event. The following are just a few of the photos capturing the essence of the care package preparation activities:

Iranian Jewish kids filling their care packages

foxy looking Iranian Jewish volunteer

young Iranian girl writing a letter of appreciation to a U.S. soldier

Nessah’s young professional volunteers

Nessah’s Simcha Hall turned into care package central

Nessah’s Young Professionals, (left to right) Simon Etehad, Jacob Hanaie, Bobby Zoleikhaeian, and Jubin Hanaie

Volunteers fill hundreds of care packages with goodies for the U.S. troops

Volunteer Shirley Pakdaman

(left to right) Jacob Hanaie and Iranian Muslim media personality Sassan Kamali

One volunteer getting in the spirit with a funky hat

2006 letter of appreciation sent to Nessah for their previous care packages sent to U.S. troops