Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam Dispatch From Irangeles with Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh
Mar 2, 2026
Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh, a Persian-Jewish rabbi and activist in Los Angeles, offers a ground-level perspective on Iranians in LA and the diaspora. She recounts how protests began, describes cross-community solidarity and local demonstrations, critiques Western media portrayals, and reflects on the timing and consequences of recent strikes and theological meaning around Purim.
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How Social Posts Sparked A Rabbi's Activism
- Rabbi Tarlan began activism after posting about Mahsa Amini's death and realized her social posts became a primary news source for friends.
- She watched mainstream outlets lag and misreport, so she kept amplifying firsthand updates from Iranians online.
Persian Jewish Continuity Shapes Diaspora Identity
- Persian Jewish identity is deeply rooted and continuous, with families like Rabbi Tarlan's tracing community presence back thousands of years.
- Purim's Persian setting and cultural customs shape a distinct Persian-Jewish pride in diaspora hubs like Los Angeles.
Irangeles Protest Turnout And Community Scale
- Rabbi Tarlan calls the LA Iranian community 'Irangeles' and notes it's the largest Iranian population outside Iran, with huge protest turnouts.
- She recalls a single LA protest drawing about 350,000 people plus buses from Orange County.