The Jews have a history in Iran which goes back more than 2,500 years. Despite the Islamic Republic's bitter hostility to Israel, the Jewish community has clung on and survived. Dwindling numbers Since the Islamic Revolution, it has dwindled from an estimated 80,000 souls, to perhaps only around 30,000. In the early years of the Islamic Republic, many Jews may have left out of fear. Now those who do want to leave do so for mainly economic reasons.
Jobs are few and far between, and candidates from the Muslim majority usually get preference.
However, the Jews are a tolerated minority who are respected, like Christians, as People of the Book. At a Jewish library in Tehran, the librarian proudly shows off a new monthly magazine now being published for the community. The librarian says that many of the books in the library are in Hebrew - though they steer clear of politics. But about religion - our religion. This is printed in Israel too.