Until April 2, a table in the corner of Sahar Saidian’s living room in the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Zeev will be set with “Haft-sin,” the careful arrangement of seven symbolic items for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, which also marks the start of the spring season.

The Haft-sin includes wheat sprouts and an apple, bowls of vinegar, dishes of garlic and sumac, as well as more modern additions, including a mirror and candles, painted eggs, goldfish and coins, flowers and a book of poetry by Persian poet Hafez.

Nowruz, which means “new day,” is celebrated on the vernal equinox on March 21 and continues for 13 days. This year, the Haft-sin table serves as the main expression of the festivities.

“We usually do more, we celebrate with music and dancing, but this year, because of the massacre and the war, we decided to cancel all the plans,” said Saidian.

While the Iranian government says 3,117 people were killed in widespread street protests in December and January, many estimates put the number at over 36,000, with tens of thousands more injured.

US President Donald Trump offered help to the anti-regime protesters and began airstrikes on regime and military targets together with Israel on February 28, launching the ongoing war with Iran.

Saidian is the editor and main presenter for the Kan television channel’s Persian programming. She immigrated to Israel from Shiraz with her brother in 1998 when she was 18, followed by their parents eight years later.

“All of the Persians live here [in Pisgat Zeev] or in Holon,” said Saidain, who doesn’t have any relatives left in Iran, but still keeps in touch with childhood friends.

“Once in a while, I send a message, and I see a check mark, and when I see the two check marks, I erase it,” said Saidian, referring to the messaging app’s way of signifying whether a message has been read. “I haven’t gotten the second check mark on the last message I sent, but I’m still hoping.”

It’s a particularly painful year for Israelis of Iranian descent, whether they immigrated themselves or their parents immigrated before they were born.

“When the massacre happened, it entered a place deep in my heart,” said food personality Rotem Lieberson, whose father emigrated from Iran as a young man. “People tell........

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