Day 5 - The Jewish Community of Iran

For millennia Jews have been living far away from their native homeland in various ethnic, religious, and geographic environments. Although often being persecuted by the ruling majorities throughout their history, very often they managed to integrate themselves in the societies of the surrounding nations, and live alongside their neighbors in peace. Overall, they have contributed much to the society of the given country. The Jewish communities of Iran are one of the oldest, and historically one of the most important ones both for the history of the Jewish people and for Iran. Today’s lesson is dedicated to the Jewish community of Iran.

  1. Curriculum
  2. Intermediate Persian Syllabus
  3. Week 9 - Identity Persian
  4. Day 5 - The Jewish Community of Iran  

Reading: An article from DW Persian about the situation of the Jewish minority in Iran.

Listening: An episode from the Iranian “Movarekh Podcast” discussing the history of the Jewish community in Iran. 

Subject of Conversation: #1: The Jewish people and its ancient history; #2: The creation of the state of Israel and the Palestinians (مردم یهود و تاریخ باستانی‌شان؛ تأسیس کشور اسرائیل و فلسطینی‌ها)

In this session, students will engage in a two-part conversation. First, they will reflect on the historical journey of the Jewish people, with a focus on their ancient presence in Iran and other parts of the world. Second, students will explore more contemporary issues surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel and its impact on Palestinians. The conversation will encourage students to express historical facts, personal opinions, and contrasting viewpoints using appropriate vocabulary and grammatical structures in Persian. Through this dialogue, students will practice articulating complex political and historical ideas while strengthening their fluency and active listening skills.

Homework: 
- Complete reading today’s article and study the vocabulary.
- Watch the video and select an interesting 2-minute segment (don’t forget to mention the timecode). Transcribe the passage, then identify and translate any unfamiliar vocabulary.

Weekend Presentation: For this weekend’s presentation, each student will choose an ethnic group from Iran (or even beyond - the Greater Iran) that was not discussed during the week, such as the Baluchis, Gilaks, Assyrians, or others. Students will prepare a 10-minute presentation in Persian, introducing the group’s geographic location, key cultural and linguistic characteristics, and offering a brief overview of their historical background and current situation. The aim is to apply the analytical and linguistic skills developed throughout the week to explore new communities, while expanding vocabulary and practicing clear, structured speech in Persian.