JIMENA
Iran
The Jewish diaspora into Babylonian and Persian lands began in the 6th century BCE, during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar following the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem. Forced into exile from Judea into Babylon, Jews were not allowed to return to Judea until Cyrus the Great took control of the Babylonian Empire in the 5th century BCE. In the famous “Cyrus Declaration”, he permitted Jews to return to Judea and rebuild their homes. Although many returned, those that remained in Babylon and Persia formed the nucleus of the ancient Persian-Jewish society that still exists today.
Photos
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Jews in Hamedan
Tomb of Esther and Mordechai
Jewish Doctor
Girls Light Shabat Candles
Culture
See AllBefore the Iranian revolution of 1979 it is estimated that there were 80,000 Jews living in the country. Today it is believed that less than 25,000 remain although the Iranian government recently announced that less than 10,000 remain in a government survey. Each Jew who left Iran carried a story that could be told here.