A new blog in Persian, this time from Israel

My dream about reading a Persian blog from Israel finally came true and I had a part in it.

I'm just coming back from a casual meeting with an amazing Iranian-Israeli, Farhad Moradian, at the Ginsburg Cafe in central Tel Aviv.

After an hour or so long chat which was recorded by my suggestion for making a podcast for my Persian-speaking audience, I took out my laptop and thanks to the wonderful Tel Aviv culture of free wi-fi at cafes, quickly made him a blog, named Ginsburg Cafe, and even posted something on it.

Farhad Moradian now has a blog in Persian

Farhad, a very nice and sharp man from Arak, a central city in Iran, came to Israel in 1978, a year before the revolution in Iran. Unlike his Jewish or Muslim friends who chose the US to continue thei education, Farhad came to Israel. Simply because, contrary to what many think that all Iranian Jews are wealthy, he could not afford paying the expensive American higher education, even though he was admitted in very good universities.

But he doesn't regret it. He is one of those Iranians who value culture over money and what he found in the States was upsetting enough to convince him Israel is the best place for him and his family.

However, he can't stop listening to traditional Iranian music, reading Persian poetry-- and of course thinking about going back home, which now seems more like a dream for him and almost every Iranian who lives in Israel. They would be potential targets for the Iran's recent aggressive policy towards the West and Israel.

Now, he has a blog in Persian and he can directly communicate with his friends, family and the people from his native land. This can't possibly replace the experience he could've had by visiting Iran, but the taboo of Israel in Iran can only be broken when people stop believing the regime's propaganda.

Farhad's blog about his daily life in Tel Aviv and how he sees the world is a powerful example of how to challenge these taboos and stereotypes. We defenitely need more of of this.