California Documentary Project
Iranian Jewish California
Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity
Los Angeles
Project Director: Shelley Gazin,
Marina del Rey
A look at Persian Jewish immigrants in California
Since the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979, more than 30,000 Persian Jews have settled in the Los Angeles area, which now boasts the largest community of Persian Jewish exiles in the world. This project features an exhibit of photographs and stories documenting the lives of a cross-section of this community.
Project Director and photographer Shelley Gazin said, “Persian Jewish immigrants have made significant contributions to California by virtue of their commitment to higher education, professional enterprise and culture adaptation. I hope that this project will highlight those contributions and enlighten all Californians about this vibrant community.”