Monsieur Dreyfus (A french Baha'i of Jewish Heritage) Meets Muzaffari'd-Din Shah (of Iran) - by Jinab-i-Aziz'u'llah Azizi

In Paris, I had met Monsieur Dreyfus, who was a very pure and devoted Baha'i. We would encounter each other often and would talk at length of the Faith, especially of the persecution of Persian Baha’is. As he grew more aware of the plight of the Baha'is in Iran, he became increasingly concerned. When I told him I'd become one of the company of the Shah en route back to Iran, he insisted rather strenuously that I devise a plan whereby he might be granted an audience with the Shah, to intercede with him on behalf of the Persian Baha'is. So persistent was he that at length I succeeded in making the necessary arrangements for him to attend the presence of the Shah.

After touching on various subjects at the outset, Mon. Dreyfus stated: " It is a pity that my brothers, under the kingship of so just and beneficent a monarch as you, should endure such persecution and torture even to the point of death. " The Shah reacted with some nervousness and asked, " Who are your brothers in Iran? " Mon. Dreyfus made mention of the Baha’is. Of course the Shah already knew he was speaking of the Iranian Baha'is, and asked if Mon. Dreyfus was himself a Baha'i. He affirmed that he was, and the entire encounter ranged over many other important subjects which greatly impressed the Shah. The King had given his word to Mon. Dreyfus that, upon his return back to Iran, he would look into the matter, and moreover, Mon. Dreyfus could be assured that the matter would be given personal consideration. As to the other subjects broached in the course of that session, it is not appropriate to recount them here. But what could be expected from so weak a personality as Muzaffari'd-Din Shah? He was, after all, completely in the hands of those around him, who would manipulate him to suit their own ends, so that he became the instrument for their personal machinations, ill-intentioned as they were. He certainly had no power to keep his word.

Read more about Dreyfus :  https://bahai-library.com/dreyfus-barney_biography_hippolyte_dreyfus-barney

My mother's face began to open up with a smile. - by Jinab-i-Aziz'u'llah Azizi

The first to arrive home was my mother who was hostile and abusive. Since there was no one else present (to catch me red-handed), she said: "Your aunt was just saying that you have become a Baha'i, and are socializing with infidels, have turned against the religion of Israel and have handled fire. Of course, I just cannot believe you would become the cause of our misfortune and ill-repute, making us shameful and notorious before our own people! "My mother was telling me her feelings with the utmost sadness. What could I say to a mother who was more dear to me, than my own life? I replied: "Dearest mother, you yourself, have read the Torah. In it, it is said that only illegitimate (mamzer) children would forsake their belief. There is no one else here, but you and I. Either you have concealed such a thing or the Torah is wrong?" Poor mother swore repeatedly and then became silent. I realized how hurt she was, so I said: "Dear mother, I know you have never done me wrong, nor is the Torah false, I have not forsaken my faith either. Rest assured, for it has been said that the Messiah has appeared and the time for the emancipation and progress of Israel has at last come." My mother's face began to open up with a smile.

From Jewish Traditions To Baha’i Practices - by Jinab-i-Aziz'u'llah Azizi

Not long after my acceptance of the Faith, I became unwilling to attend synagogue, and to observe Sabbath rituals according to Hebrew custom. Still, I did not dare to tell my father this fact for he was so prejudiced, ill-tempered, rough and foul-mouthed. I was waiting for an opportune time to break this news to him, and in the meantime, I engaged myself in learning Baha'i practices, observing them secretly. Then an event took place which enabled me to free myself from the hold of the synagogue.

My progress, both materially and spiritually, went hand-in-hand. By the bounty and grace of God, I cared for spiritual matters. As a result of my discipline, hard work and thrift, I was not materially lacking either. My life was good--much better than before. In accordance with the command of Baha'u'llah, I took great care to be tidy and clean. I let my hair grow longer and took care grooming it. This was not looked upon favourably at the time and was considered somewhat anti-religious. Not only was this not practiced among Jews, but pious Muslims would shave their heads and cut short their beards. They would consider shaving their beards a sin. Only the friends of God (i. e. the Baha'is) following the wish of the Blessed Beauty, would grow their hair for the sake of beauty and would shave their faces according to the practice prevalent among advanced countries.

One Sabbath, after having closed my shop, it happened that, out of respect for my father I reluctantly attended the synagogue, when a very rude youth jumped at me, yanked off my hat and shouted: " Look everyone, look at this! What kind of religious observance is this? Just look at the hair of this son of the rabbi, take a look at his hair! With him like this, what are others going to do? This kind of behaviour from a youth causes others to go astray also. "

There was no foul word which did not fall from his lips and no insult he failed to invent. I was just standing there, quiet and composed. I just looked at him and said nothing. Since I had earned the respect of my peers, and my father had always taken pride in such a son, who had brought respect, honour and solace to his father and family, this attack on my honour hurt very deeply.

I used this episode as an excuse not to go to the synagogues anymore. At first, my father would be silent about it, and later on he could not force me to go, as he no longer had the same authority and influence over me as previously. But, the gentle behaviour of the Baha’is and their kindness, together with my own attraction to the Baha'i Faith, impelled me to be present at many of their gatherings and feasts. I also willingly offered my services.

Of course, these activities could not be kept secret for long, and news of some of this eventually reached my father's ears. At first, he refused to believe what he was told. But my continued involvement, itself considered a sin, together with my neglect of Jewish custom and ritual and my conspicuous absence from the synagogue, would cause my father to wonder and doubt. Still, he could not imagine how a child of a rabbi, with such deep knowledge of the Torah and sacred tradition, could suffer himself to be misled and join ranks with the Baha'i religion, which to him was manmade and baseless. But over time, repeated events increased his suspicion and eventually he grew certain that the child he had so implored God to grant him, so that it might become a faithful observer of Jewish tradition, had easily slipped from his grasp.

How Father Attempts to Prevent the Baha'i Faith from being Taught Among the Jewish People

My father was among the most severe opponents of the Baha'i Faith, and was ever trying to find means to prevent Jewish youth from associating with the Baha'is. To accomplish this, he would seize any opportunity possible, even to the extent of forbidding school and study.

In those days, there was a school established by the French in Tehran. It was supervised by Monsieur Kazes. My father was very dissatisfied and would often bring complaints to the principal of the school. He would insult Kazes and demand that only the Torah be taught in school and nothing else. He would even complain about the plight of his own son and had begged the principal to show him a solution.

The interested reader should believe that I am not exaggerating. My father went to great pains to achieve his objective and cursed insistently the one who had caused his son to abandon his faith. As always, poor Monsieur Kazes was the recipient of his complaints. This continued until Kazes succeeded in convincing him and some of the Jewish rabbis to agree to a debate during which they could put forth persuasive arguments to win back his son. However, it seemed impossible to calm down my father who was torn with anger.

Once in a while, my father would allude to the Baha'i Faith, while talking to my mother in front of me. He would curse and insult the Faith profusely, hoping to provoke some reaction in me or at least make certain it was true, that his son really had become a Baha'i. But most of the time I would keep silent without reacting and would keep him wondering. 

 

From : Crown of Glory, by Jinab-i-Aziz'u'llah Azizi

Abdolshoghi Tebyani, a construction industrialist and pioneer for the Bahá’í Faith was a Baha'i from Jewish Heritage

Abdolshoghi Tebyani, a construction industrialist and pioneer for the Bahá’í Faith both within Iran and in Europe, helped establish an industrial school in Tehran and later was imprisoned for his role in the education of Bahá’ís. He was a 20-year member of the National Teaching Committee serving Iran’s Bahá’í community, and after his release from prison he spoke and wrote extensively for the rights of Bahá’ís in that country.

He passed away at age 86 on April 27, 2015, residing most recently in Calabasas, California.

“Through more than eight decades of service in manifold forms—and, to a superlative degree, in the harrowing imprisonment he suffered in the aftermath of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution,” the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States wrote in a letter of tribute, “Mr. Tebyani built a legacy of faithfulness, fearlessness, integrity, and strength of character that will long remain to inspire his family, friends, and fellow believers in their own services to the Cause of God and humanity.”

Tebyani was born in Sangesar, Iran, in 1929, and his family moved to Tehran when he was 7. In 1943 they moved to Shahrood at the request of Shoghi Effendi, and the family stayed several years despite hostility against Bahá’ís including the killing of Abdolshoghi’s uncle. Some years after their return to Tehran, he married Pari Khademi Ghaemaghami.

Please click here for an extensive biographical article from 2013.

Among services to the Faith not mentioned in the above-linked article, Tebyani oversaw the manufacture of several decorative lampposts that stand near the Bahá’í shrines in the Holy Land. He lived and served in the Southern California communities of Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks in addition to Calabasas. Online videos of his talks in support of human rights in Iran can be found here.

His survivors include a daughter, Fariba Phyle; two sons, Farid and Omid; six grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

 

https://www.bahai.us/community/news/2015/november-december-2015/abdolshoghi-tebyani-worked-for-education-of-bahais-in-iran/

Steven Scholl is a Baha'i of Jewish Background

Steven Scholl, a Baha'i of Jewish background and founding publisher of Ashland's White Cloud Press, has teamed with Muslim and business consultant Sam Deeb to write "Muhammad: Prophet of Islam."

Filled with pictures, the pocket guide provides a quick history on Muhammad's life, the rise of Islam and its founder's views on other religions, science and knowledge, business ethics and the treatment of women, slaves, animals and the environment.

The book comes out as Americans continue to debate whether Islam is an inherently violent religion.

Read complete story, here.

Access Steven's Baha'i articles here: https://bahai-library.com/author/Steven+Scholl