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36 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE F ew communities have been through more trials and tribulations than the Mashadi Jews. After a deadly riot in the Iranian city of Mashad in 1839, the community was forced to outwardly convert to Islam or face annihi- lation. For nearly a century, the community practiced Judaism in secret until the rule of the Pahlavi dynasty brought a measure of religious freedom in 1925. This freedom was relatively short-lived as the Islamic revolution of 1979 brought about another upheaval and the entire community was forced to emigrate. A large portion moved to New York, where the 5,000 strong com- munity lives today, in the Great Neck section of Long Island. But now, with full religious freedom and open opportunity, the Mashadi Jewish com- munity has recognized a new challenge: resisting religious and social assimilation in America. So, in the tradition of their ances- tors, the Mashadi community has taken a proactive approach to counteract this threat. In a bold initiative, last month the leadership of the Mashadi community invited leaders of the Syrian Jewish community to share their knowledge in this area. The Syrian com- munity has become world renowned for its unique ability to remain unified in spite of the inviting allure of American assimilation. The two hour symposium at the Mashadi Shaare Shalom Synagogue in Great Neck, was attended by nearly all of the well orga- nized Mashadi Jewish community leaders, and included remarks by Mr. Louis Ebrani, Director of Jewish Education and Religious Affairs; Mr. Bob Kamali, Co-President; Mr. Mike Nassimi, Board Member; and Mr. Mehran Etessami of the Board of Trustees. Presentations by the Syrian community included: Dr. Mayer Ballas of Sephardic Bikur Holim, Irwin Dayan of the Sephardic Angel Fund, Lawrence Dayan of Magen David Yeshiva, Ely Cohen of Shaare Zion, Rabbi Raymond Sultan of the Sephardic Food Fund, Ike Dweck of SAFE, Joey Tawil of the Sephardic Community Center, Rabbi Eli Abadie of the Edmond J Safra Synagogue, Saul Mishaan of Beth Torah, Jack Setton of Gesher Yehuda, and Ronald Tawil of the SCF. Organizers Jakie Kassin and David Hidary, both of whom had exist- ing relationships with leading members of the Mashadi community, also spoke about the Syrian community in general and empha- sized the importance of yeshiva education, preventing intermarriage and giving charity generously. Attendees left this first-of-its-kind event both better informed and uniquely inspired. Aside from the valuable exchange of infor- mation, members of each community seemed to forge instant bonds with their counterparts. Aside from the basic similarities – both com- munities hail from Muslim Middle Eastern countries and have rich Sephardic tradi- tions – perhaps the strongest connection was based on the altruistic nature which seems to be inherent among members of both com- munities. This was perhaps best illustrated as Lawrence Dayan stood in the prayer hall of Shaare Shalom answering questions from a group of Mashadi attendees about building a cohesive community… after the conclusion of the event…and for well over an hour. Community Syrian community leaders share keys to success with Mashadi community of Great Neck. How Mashadi Community President Bob Kamali Ronnie Tawil of the SCF Mashadi Chief Rabbi Ben Haim gives beracha Capacity crowd at the Shaare Shalom Synagogue Photos: Morris Antebi