JTA — As war rages in the Middle East, Iranian Jews in the United States are experiencing a familiar, almost generational whiplash: fear and hope, pride and anxiety intertwined.

In Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, including tens of thousands of Iranian Jews, synagogues and community leaders say the moment feels historic. But it is also deeply personal.

“At Eretz, which plays a central role in the Persian Jewish community in Los Angeles, we’re hearing a wide range of emotions from congregants — deeply felt concerns, steadfast faith and a strong sense of collective resilience,” said Rebecca Aghalarpour, director of the Eretz Cultural Center, the largest Persian Jewish congregation in California.

Many congregants, she said, carry a vivid inherited memory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when thousands of Iranian Jews fled repression and rebuilt their lives in Southern California.

“That generational memory of fleeing one’s homeland still resonates strongly among our congregants and informs much of what they feel and ask for today,” Aghalarpour said.

In practical terms, she is hearing three main requests: prayer, security and hope for political change.

“In times of global uncertainty, congregants are most often seeking collective prayer — additional gatherings and opportunities to come together as a community to find grounding and hope,” Aghalarpour said. At the same time, “families are understandably concerned about safety,” prompting reinforced security measures and coordination with law enforcement.

But there is also something more aspirational. “There is a profound sense of hope among many Persian Jews that the potential for change in Iran could eventually mean freedom not only for the Iranian people but also the possibility of peace in the Middle East — especially regarding Israel’s security and future,” she said.

That mix of jubilation and dread is echoed across the community.

Daniel Bral, a Los........

© The Times of Israel