Between 1970- 1979, The Shah placed my father, a Jew, in charge of Iran’s coal mining, the second largest industry after oil. He was given blank checks to travel to Russia, France, and Israel and to import the latest innovations and to buy giant machinery from companies like Caterpillar. He built cities, roads, schools, playgrounds, theaters and hospitals all dedicated to mining engineers, technicians, and their families. All his friends and employees were Muslim. I recall when I was just a few years old, my father would come home exhausted having spent days driving in the desert to ensure the safety of the miners. Uncles and friends would come to visit him. I remember eavesdropping on their private conversations. Visitors would beg him: “You are just a government employee. Why don’t you just write a check to yourself or buy yourself a home?” Another would ask “I have a construction company. Take a few bids, then give me the job and I’ll give you a hefty profit.” His answer was always the same: “I was trusted to do my job and I will serve Iran to the best of my capacity and with integrity.” He never stole a dollar, and we escaped Iran as poor Jews. When I was in college, I used to begrudge my dad for not taking his share from a country that sucked out his blood and spat him out. Today, I know I would do exactly the same thing. For some of us, given a decent life of comfort, prestige, and honor, there is no amount of money that can buy a good name and a clear conscience. Good job dad! You make me proud as a Jew and as a Persian man that was once brought to Iran by Cyrus the Great.

Too many are contributing to the darkness by constantly swinging sticks and shooting their cannons.

We just got up from the floor and from marking 3 weeks of darkness. It is time for creating comfort and consolation by putting down the sticks and by bringing the light.