Iranian Jews: Challenges after the Islamic Revolution and Anti-Semitism in Today's American Society

Karmel Melamed is an award winning internationally published journalist and attorney based in Los Angeles. As a journalist since 2000, he has given a new voice to the emerging and successful Iranian American community-- including Iranian Jews. His articles have appeared in the Jerusalem Post, JTA International Wire News Service, Orange County Register, the Times of Israel, Arutz Sheva News, L.A. Jewish Journal and the Forward.

George Haroonian is a community activist. He was born in Tehran and arrived in the United States in 1970 to pursue his university studies. Since his early youth he has been active in political and community affairs. In 1995, he was instrumental in organizing the community in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles to support Brad Sherman’s first run for the congressional district. The Iranian Community’s vote was the difference between Brad Sherman’s and his opponent. He heard from the community and was responsive on various issues of interest to the community. In 1990’s he was member of editorial of Iranian Jewish magazine, Chashm Andaaz . From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Haroonian was the president of the Council of Iranian American Jewish Organizations, actively involved in efforts to bring the unjust arrest and show trial of  the famed “Shiraz 13” to the international public opinion, and mobilizing the community in their defense. He was actively involved in keeping the issue of  the “ Missing 11 Iranian Jews” alive (the ones who are missing and believed to be captive of the Islamic Republic while trying to leave Iran through Pakistan border). He has Conducted radio program exclusively dealing with the issues of the Iranian Jewish community. He has appeared as a guest on Radio Israel Farsi Program. VOA, Iran International TV, Pars Israel TV and BBC Farsi about the Iranian Jewish community and Iran-Israel relations.