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
Famous quotes containing the words persian and/or jews:
“The threadbare trees, so poor and thin,
They are no wealthier than I;
But with as brave a core within
They rear their boughs to the October sky.
Poor knights they are which bravely wait
The charge of Winter’s cavalry,
Keeping a simple Roman state,
Discumbered of their Persian luxury.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“When Hitler attacked the Jews ... I was not a Jew, therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the Catholics, I was not a Catholic, and therefore, I was not concerned. And when Hitler attacked the unions and the industrialists, I was not a member of the unions and I was not concerned. Then, Hitler attacked me and the Protestant church—and there was nobody left to be concerned.”
—Martin Niemller (1892–1984)