# How is it even possible that there are Jews in Iran? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258 "2015-03-29T02:41:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/41 "2015-04-01T07:47:51Z")
Just to [hammer the point home once again](http://tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/187519/how-iran-kept-its-jews): > [@](#): > > … the Anti-Defamation League’s 2014 Global Index of anti-Semitism places Iran as the least anti-Semitic nation in the Middle East and North Africa region. Sooooo - we’re done here, right? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/42 "2015-04-01T14:14:50Z")
> [@Steken](#): > > Just to [hammer the point home once again](http://tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/187519/how-iran-kept-its-jews): > > Sooooo - we’re done here, right? Not so fast, Reasonable-Argument-Man!! I thought these [Metro posters, Tehran-style…](http://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2015/apr/01/tehran-iran-metro-posters-politeness-propaganda-in-pictures) were interesting; not an indication of the general public’s views and, most likely, propaganda, but interesting nonetheless. FWIW Several friends (Christian) have been to Iran and all have said how nice Iranians are. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/43 "2015-04-01T16:17:56Z")
I know Iranian Jews who travel back to Iran to visit family all the time. They’ve never felt oppressed or persecuted there. Iran is a complicated country, and so is its government. The leaders ARE religious fundamentalists who say all kinds of maniacal things… but those maniacal things aren’t always to be taken at face value. If the mullahs in Tehran were as truly crazy as they often seem, they’d have launched some kind of apocalyptic war long ago. To some extent, any Middle Eastern statesman is like a merchant at the bazaar- he makes outlandish claims and outlandish demands that both he and his potential client know are just for show. EVENTUALLY, a deal may get done- but even when it is, the merchant may pretend that he’s been grossly wronged or cheated. A middle-class Jew in Iran may hear an ayatollah proclaiming “Death to the Jewish infidels,” and yawn. He’s heard it all before, and figures the ayatollah is just talking smack that he doesn’t actually intend to act on. So far, that’s been true. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/44 "2015-04-01T17:17:25Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > FWIW Several friends (Christian) have been to Iran and all have said how nice Iranians are. FWIW I, too, have been in Iran and found the people incredibly kind and hospitable. I think I’ve mentioned this before: My companion on that journey, who speaks Persian - and loves a good practical joke! - often introduced me as either American or Israeli (I am neither), and it never led to any trouble whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/45 "2015-04-01T17:17:36Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > You appear to be proving the point against which you post. > The factions within Islam that have practiced terrorism do not make up the entirety, or even the majority, of Muslims, yet Islamaphobes act and speak as though all of Islam embraces those actions. > It is rather like various Muslims calling for hatred of all Westerners because “Westerners” have oppressed their nations and encouraged the suppression of their religion for the last 90+ years, (longer in some locales). Yeah, I’m all set with responding to mods who pose as “regular posters” yet ignore the rules and then enlist their mod buddies to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. You, **Miller,** and **Johnathan Chance** should set up a cozy little echo chamber where you can impress the hell out of each other with your progressive views. I’m not taking the bait. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/46 "2015-04-01T17:24:17Z")
Grotonian, stop threadshitting. Start a thread somewhere else if you must. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/47 "2015-04-01T17:45:37Z")
> [@TSBG](#): > > Grotonian, stop threadshitting. Start a thread somewhere else if you must. I didn’t threadshit; I politely explained to one “regular poster” why I’m declining to engage him. Hopefully, he’ll take the hint that I don’t wish to discuss anything with him. Everyone in this thread can merrily go about discussing the topic at hand. I believe my response is far more helpful than merely ignoring him. Now, back to the thesis that Western bigots cause Islamophobia, but not 9/11. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/48 "2015-04-01T17:57:43Z")
> [@XT](#): > > IIRC, most of the remaining Jews live in Tehran and there are only a a few 10’s of thousands at most left there. I think that as long as they are willing to live as 2nd class citizens and don’t rock the boat wrt which religion is really in charge they are fine (I believe this is also the case for Christians). Islam is really tolerant of other religions as long as it’s clear that the followers of Islam are in charge. Mohammad actually wrote quite a bit about tolerance for other religions as long as certain rules were followed, again from my vague memories of reading the Koran many years ago). The Christians and Jews still have to follower Islam law when they are out in public. And there are many jobs where Christians and Jews cannot get. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/49 "2015-04-01T18:11:57Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > Yeah, I’m all set with responding to mods who pose as “regular posters” yet ignore the rules and then enlist their mod buddies to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. You, **Miller,** and **Johnathan Chance** should set up a cozy little echo chamber where you can impress the hell out of each other with your progressive views. I’m not taking the bait. **Moderator Note** **Grotonian** , if you have a complaint about moderation take it to ATMB. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/50 "2015-04-01T20:40:01Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > **Grotonian** , if you have a complaint about moderation take it to ATMB. No warning issued, but don’t do this again. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator I do NOT have a complaint about “moderation.” Presumably, **tomndebb** is just a regular poster in this thread. His ONLY contribution in this thread was to accuse me of hypocrisy. I explained to him that I will not engage him. Have I broken a rule? I have no intention of discussing anything with **tomndebb, Miller, or Johnathan Chance**. Am I required to engage anyone who quotes and addresses me? You write: “don’t do this again.” Don’t do WHAT again? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/51 "2015-04-01T23:24:25Z")
> [@Grotonian](#): > > I do NOT have a complaint about “moderation.” Presumably, **tomndebb** is just a regular poster in this thread. His ONLY contribution in this thread was to accuse me of hypocrisy. I explained to him that I will not engage him. > > Have I broken a rule? I have no intention of discussing anything with **tomndebb, Miller, or Johnathan Chance**. Am I required to engage anyone who quotes and addresses me? > > You write: “don’t do this again.” Don’t do WHAT again? MODERATOR WARNING Your dissent is noted. You disagreed with **tomndebb** by referring to his response as > [@](#): > > Yeah, I’m all set with responding to mods who pose as “regular posters” yet ignore the rules and then enlist their mod buddies to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. You, Miller, and Johnathan Chance should set up a cozy little echo chamber where you can impress the hell out of each other with your progressive views. I’m not taking the bait. You must have taken the bait and swallowed it whole. Take your complaints about moderation to ATMB. If you don’t, your stay here will rather short. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/52 "2015-04-02T00:13:24Z")
Why SHOULDN’T there be Jews in Iran? ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/53 "2015-04-02T21:19:27Z")
> [@Steken](#): > > FWIW I, too, have been in Iran and found the people incredibly kind and hospitable. > > I think I’ve mentioned this before: My companion on that journey, who speaks Persian - and loves a good practical joke! - often introduced me as either American or Israeli (I am neither), and it never led to any trouble whatsoever. I got as near as Armenia, last spring. I’d like to visit there but Iran and Israel are the two countries which wouldn’t go down all that well with some of my colleagues and students. I teach in Saudi, with most of my students being Saudi military. They’re quite clear that Iranians want to do them no good, and Israelis… well, no need to go there. I’ve also visited Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait (lived there for a year), the UAE, and Bahrain - they all have their own peculiarities and advantages. I expect Israel and Iran do too, some day I’ll leave the KSA for good and will be able to go anywhere without worrying what effects my visiting a country will have. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/54 "2015-04-02T23:47:49Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Why SHOULDN’T there be Jews in Iran? Yeah, it’s kind of like arguing that because the US and North Korea don’t speak to each other, there must not be any people of North Korean ancestry in the US. But there were thousands of immigrants from the north of Korea (and their descendants) on US soil decades before there was such an entity as communist North Korea. Similarly, there were Jews living in the region of Iran for thousands of years before there was any such entity as the modern state of Israel. International political antagonisms don’t automatically wipe out an established community’s self-identification with their country. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/55 "2015-04-03T00:38:48Z")
Hello? Book of Esther, anyone? Purim and all that? Besides which, the Tajik-speaking Bukharan Jewish community branched off of Persian Jewry. Now about half of them have moved to Queens and revitalized the neighborhoods they populated. They have an awesome band called [Shashmaqom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLmcNxu-C7s) which you should check out if you ever get the chance. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/56 "2015-04-03T01:54:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > They are Iranians. Their families have been there for centuries. I can’t explain why they haven’t left. Because they are Iranians. Americans often seem less attached to place than almost everyone else, but when it comes to the crunch, even Americans don’t often seriously entertain the idea of leaving and going to someplace else completely foreign. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258/57 "2015-04-03T02:53:12Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Americans often seem less attached to place than almost everyone else Not quite. Because of our longstanding self-identification as an “immigrant nation” and “land of opportunity” and so forth, we just expect everybody _else_ to be less attached to place than they actually are. Basically, we think of the inhabitants of all other countries as would-be and/or future Americans. 😉 (Except Canadians. Somehow we’ve managed to internalize the fact that Canadians on the whole would rather stay where they are. They’re weird like that, but then they’re so close by that they’re almost Americans anyway, so that probably explains it.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-even-possible-that-there-are-jews-in-iran/716258.md?page=2)