Conference Explores Tensions between Israel and Iran, Reflects on Their Long HistoryRising tensions between Israel and Iran were explored in the context of their lengthy, nuanced relationship in 鈥淚srael and Iran: From Cyrus the Great to the Islamic Republic,鈥 a conference held at the on October 31.
Co-sponsored by the and the , the conference featured panel presentations that highlighted Jewish engagement with historical, cultural and contemporary Iran. Subjects ran the gamut from Jewish life under the Persian Empire to the surprising impact of Jews on classical and popular Iranian music.
鈥淭here is a larger conversation about Iran and Israel,鈥 said , director of the Center for Israel Studies. 鈥淲e really wanted to get away from the confrontation model as a way of talking about Iran and instead showcase that as a piece of this long, multifaceted history which needs to be dealt with. This is a much more complex and interesting relationship than people realize.鈥
Houman Sarshar, founder and director of the Center for Iranian Jewish Oral History, echoed that sentiment in a question-and-answer session. 鈥淚 think if there鈥檚 one thing the history has taught us, it鈥檚 that even if at times these two sides have not admitted it, they鈥檙e desperately in need of each other,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e learned through history that the posturing may be beneficial, but it鈥檚 only posturing, because the times they鈥檝e both prospered are when they鈥檝e acknowledged their interdependence.鈥
Renowned scholars in an array of fields shared their expertise. Speakers included Mahnaz Moazami, associate research scholar at Columbia University; Judith Goldstein, professor of anthropology at Vassar College; Sarshar; and 糖心破解版鈥檚 own , professor of Judaic studies at the ; Evan Resnick, assistant professor of political science at ; and , associate professor of Sephardic and Iranian Studies at Revel鈥攁ll of whom have done ground-breaking research in Mid-eastern fields.
According to Fine, one of the conference鈥檚 aims was to harness the university鈥檚 innate talent. 鈥淲e have the expertise on our campus, and this is the place to start the discussion,鈥 he said. 鈥溙切钠平獍 is the place to talk about Iran.鈥
Students, academics, members of the public and field authorities attended the conference, which was also sponsored by Revel, 糖心破解版 Museum and 糖心破解版 Sephardic Studies Program. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tremendously understudied subject,鈥 said Dr. Lawrence Schiffman, chairman of the department of Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University and an acclaimed Jewish historian. 鈥淭o have so many learned and distinguished people gathered together to talk about the relationship between Jews and Iran is truly remarkable.鈥
Mijal Bitton, a student in Tsadik鈥檚 鈥淛ews Under Islam鈥 course at Revel, agreed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a little-known subject and I think it鈥檚 foolish to ignore Iran and its history when you see its place in the world today,鈥 she said. 鈥淭here are definitely echoes of its history and its culture in modern Iran which you can鈥檛 understand without context.鈥
鈥淭he speakers today have brought out historic rhythms that helped shape Mideast relationships,鈥 said Dr. Ruth Bevan, director of the Center for International Affairs. 鈥淗ow many of us really know anything about Iran? We talk about it all the time. When you know things, you don鈥檛 just operate on fears and prejudices.鈥
Tsadik, the conference鈥檚 coordinator, drew the day to a close with a presentation of his own research, which focuses on the modern history of Iran, Shi'ah Islam and Iran鈥檚 religious minorities. 鈥淕enerally, scholars make no serious attempt to compare the Jews鈥 situation in Iran with that in other places or to systematically juxtapose, connect or contrast questions relevant to Iran鈥檚 Jews and issues of broader Jewish significance,鈥 he noted. 鈥淎 conference such as this one shows us that in virtually all sub-fields related to the Jews of Iran, so much more can and should be written. So many questions still await serious answers.鈥
