Persian Jews (Hebrew: יהודי פרס, Persian: یهودیان ایرانی) are Jews historically associated with Iran, traditionally known as Persia in Western sources.
Judaism is among the oldest religions practiced in Iran and the Biblical Book of Esther contains references to the experiences of the Jews in Persia. Jews have had a continued presence in Iran since the time of Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus invaded Babylon and freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity.
Today, only 8,756 Persian Jews remain in Iran, with much larger diaspora populations living in Israel and the United States.
Read more about Persian Jews: Terminology, Demographics, History, Current Status in Iran, Jewish Education in Iran, Related Jewish Communities, Languages
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Sometimes ‘tis grateful for the rich to try
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—Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus] (65–8)
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