Educational Media Reviews Online

This short production gives a very, very brief look at the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside of Israel. Originally produced for the Australian Broadcasting Company we are given a peek at a very close and proud community. Although some seventy-five per cent of the Jewish community has emigrated from Iran since the Mullahs took power in 1979 (most to the United States or Israel), the remaining 22-25,000 have become more devout and close-knit. Enduring low-level discrimination they persevere and, although many wish to leave, a number wish to remain to make sure that the community continues its two-and-one-half millennia history. This production is a very professional journalistic production. There is not much depth, but it gives one some idea of the lives of these people. An unseen narrator explains this story as we see views of the city of Shiraz as well as scenes of the lives of these people: temple worship, business life, a circumcision among others. When the Iranian Jews speak there are subtitles to assist the viewer with their imperfect English. Technically, this production shows no lack with the sound and picture quality being very good.