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| Anthony Azizi with Maziar Jobrani |
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/arts/mc-anthony-azizi-oslo-broadway-20170408-story.html
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Anthony Azizi is a Baha'i of Jewish Heritage
https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/arts/mc-anthony-azizi-oslo-broadway-20170408-story.html
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Joyce Shales was a Baha'i of Jewish Heritage
Joyce Shales is Tlingit, and has Haida and Jewish ancestry as well, and grew up in the southeastern Alaskan town of Sitka. She declared as a Baha’i in 1964, around the age of twenty, while living in Fairbanks, Alaska.
She has taught in many areas of the world including Greenland. She and her family live in the tiny Eskimo village of Shish-maref, where she is working on a master's degree in sociology from the University of Alaska.
On Pilgrimage, while sharing her story during her time together about her mother’s great-grandmother, who was born to a Haida mother and a German Jewish father. Recalling a childhood fascination that she had with “the holy land” in Israel, even before she learned about this Jewish relative, Shales noted that subsequent trips that she made to “the holy land” as a Baha’i were especially touching on account of this connection. Speaking about her first trip to Israel in 1968, she recalled: “I got down and kissed the ground when I went there. I felt like I came home. Must be my ancestors, my genes, my DNA. the one that kissed that ground.”
She has taught in many areas of the world including Greenland. She and her family live in the tiny Eskimo village of Shish-maref, where she is working on a master's degree in sociology from the University of Alaska.
On Pilgrimage, while sharing her story during her time together about her mother’s great-grandmother, who was born to a Haida mother and a German Jewish father. Recalling a childhood fascination that she had with “the holy land” in Israel, even before she learned about this Jewish relative, Shales noted that subsequent trips that she made to “the holy land” as a Baha’i were especially touching on account of this connection. Speaking about her first trip to Israel in 1968, she recalled: “I got down and kissed the ground when I went there. I felt like I came home. Must be my ancestors, my genes, my DNA. the one that kissed that ground.”
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Judaism and the Baha'i Faith : Warwick Leaflets
Judaism, one of the oldest of the world religions, is based on a series of Messengers and Prophets Who have revealed God's will over many centuries. Jews see it as their duty to follow God's laws to the best of their understanding and in return, God promises to guard and guide them.
Bahá'ís believe that this guidance has continued through the ages and that the latest of the Messengers is Bahá'u'lláh. He was born in Persia (now Iran) in 1817. Bahá'ís believe Him to have been the Promised One of all religions.
Bahá'ís believe that this guidance has continued through the ages and that the latest of the Messengers is Bahá'u'lláh. He was born in Persia (now Iran) in 1817. Bahá'ís believe Him to have been the Promised One of all religions.
Read full article here:
William Henry (Harry) Randall was a Baha'i of Jewish background
Immediately after my plane touched down in Boston, my host whisked me away in her car with a promise that I would love our destination.
We did not head towards the recognised highlights of the city such as the historic Boston Common or Harvard University or the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
We drove instead to the historic suburb of Medford and arrived at a cemetery where, amidst the golden autumn leaves, was the simple grey slate headstone of William Henry (Harry) Randall (1863-1929).
To the outer world Harry Randall was a multi-millionaire Boston businessman who later lost his fortune.
To the Baha’i community Harry Randall is a true hero of the Faith, one loved by Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi.
In fact, he achieved such a station that, after Harry’s death, Shoghi Effendi named him one of the 19 Disciples of Abdu’l-Baha, a “Herald of the Covenant”.1
Harry was known as an outstanding public speaker, a generous donor, a true scholar of the Faith — he read and studied the Kitab-i-Iqan more than 20 times – and a person with an astounding memory, one he had developed through practice.
He had worked his way up from office boy to become president of four shipping companies. One of his partners was the billionaire John D. Rockefeller. Even before Harry had reached the pinnacle of his wealth, he had a large home with six servants, limousines, and enough money to do what he willed.
Harry was a tall man, with reddish hair and freckles, a great sense of humour and interests ranging from music to sports to gourmet cheese to stamp collecting. Around others of lesser intellectual ability and career accomplishment he could seem somewhat daunting.
But one day in 1911 the phone rang in his affluent home and his life changed forever. To please the neighbour who called, he accepted her invitation and attended a Baha’i meeting. His interest developed with the help of a former Harvard classmate, Harlan Ober, who was already a Baha’i. Mr Ober discovered that Harry had already worked out for himself an understanding of the Baha’i teaching of progressive revelation.2
In May 1912, Abdu’l-Baha arrived in Boston, and Harry rather reluctantly agreed to meet Him. The effect of the Master upon this intuitive soul was like a slow-burning spiritual explosion.
At his first one-on-one meeting, the Master remained silent for a long time with His eyes closed. Harry, not used to being kept waiting, experienced an uncomfortable prickling sensation as he became more and more angry. Eventually, he conquered his impatience and the prickling went away. Abdu’l-Baha opened His eyes and among the words He spoke to Harry were:
“Great is the power of the intellect but it is dead without love”.3
As Harry said later in a talk, love seemed to radiate from the very words the Master spoke. “Abdul-Baha was what he talked about,” he said. The Master visited Harry’s home in Medford where his impact on Harry’s wife, Ruth, was profound and she too became a Baha’i.
So deeply did Harry learn the lesson of humility and love from Abdu’l-Baha that in later years, he would withdraw from any discussion when there was bitter disagreement and although he was the target of vicious personal attacks and business treachery, he never sought retribution of any sort.
In August 1913, more than a year after first meeting Abdu’l-Baha, Harry became a Baha’i at the Green Acre property in Maine, praying in the very room where the Master had stayed. Harry Randall was to have a connection with that beautiful riverside property for the rest of his life.
In 1919, with his wife, Ruth, and daughter Margaret (later Bahiyyih Randall-Winckler), Harry went on pilgrimage and spent much time with Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, asking questions and seeking guidance about his service as a Baha’i. The extensive pilgrim notes he took, now available to posterity, were attested as correct by the future Guardian.4
The guidance he received was important for the future development of Baha’i administration and teaching in North America. After he returned he continued service on Baha’i Temple Unity, the precursor to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada,
He proved a superb organiser, an expert in the raising and stewardship of donations, and he was an extremely generous donor himself. As chairman of the national teaching committee, he played a leading role in spreading the faith in the United States, and he personally funded much of the Baha’i literature, such as the first volume of Abdu’l-Baha’s talks in America and the books and other materials that Martha Root took with her on her overseas teaching trips.
During his pilgrimage, Harry also received guidance on his connection with Green Acre. As the years moved on, that proved vital. The property was to come under the control of the Baha’i community and remain there, despite troublesome, unjust attacks. In fact without the business and personal skills of Harry, and his great generosity, it could easily have been lost to the faith forever.
It was while the Randalls were on that pilgrimage that his wife, Ruth, offered on behalf of the couple to fund a Western Pilgrim House, a proposal accepted by Abdu’l-Baha. They were to provide a significant portion of the money for this building, which many years later was to serve as the meeting place of the Universal House of Justice and later of the International Teaching Centre until their permanent seats were established on Mt Carmel.
Harry Randall’s personal supplication to Abdu’l-Baha near the conclusion of his pilgrimage was poignant: “I ask for an understanding heart and pure purpose to serve Thee.” The Master assured him that he would be assisted and confirmed. He called Harry “my spiritual associate…my participator and co-sharer”.5
He said to Harry:
“Many I love, some I have confidence in, but I both love you and have confidence in you.”6
After Harry returned to Boston, his partners tried to persuade them to join in a venture that would make them all far richer than they already had but their proposal bordered on illegality. Harry said he did not want to be involved. The partners then asked him to greatly reduce his activity in the “Oriental cult” because they did not want their business to be associated with it.
Harry showed his integrity and removed himself from the businesses, a huge step because he was moving away from a guaranteed fortune and from his 38-year role in the shipping industry.
Eventually he invested all his savings into a business venture that involved a factory too expensive to insure. One day it burnt to the ground. His manager came to him and confessed that he had set it alight on orders from a business rival.
Harry had lost his fortune. He now had to learn to live frugally, and to accept the generosity of others. He not only maintained his service to the faith but increased it.
His loving, spiritual character shone even more brightly, to the extent that Martha Root was to say: “Harry was great in prosperity, but even greater in adversity.”
After suffering arteriosclerosis and a stroke, Harry died when only 65-years-old.
The gravesite of Harry Randall (left) Shoghi Effendi, who had become close to him during the 1919 pilgrimage, said he was grief-stricken on hearing the news of his “highly distinguished” co-worker. He asked for a “good portrait of dear Harry” for his personal study.7
There are many physical “memorials” to the great Harry Randall: the Western Pilgrim house, the Temple at Wilmette to which he contributed so generously, and “The Harry Randall Guest House” which opened at Green Acre in September 2010. But there is another memorial that is also fitting for the person who Abdu’l-Baha said had “eliminated his self in His Holiness, Baha’u’llah”.
Located not far from the place where the Master visited Harry in his Medford house, it is that simple, elegant grey headstone set in a golden carpet created by the fallen leaves on the green lawn.
We did not head towards the recognised highlights of the city such as the historic Boston Common or Harvard University or the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
We drove instead to the historic suburb of Medford and arrived at a cemetery where, amidst the golden autumn leaves, was the simple grey slate headstone of William Henry (Harry) Randall (1863-1929).
To the outer world Harry Randall was a multi-millionaire Boston businessman who later lost his fortune.
To the Baha’i community Harry Randall is a true hero of the Faith, one loved by Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi.
In fact, he achieved such a station that, after Harry’s death, Shoghi Effendi named him one of the 19 Disciples of Abdu’l-Baha, a “Herald of the Covenant”.1
Harry was known as an outstanding public speaker, a generous donor, a true scholar of the Faith — he read and studied the Kitab-i-Iqan more than 20 times – and a person with an astounding memory, one he had developed through practice.
He had worked his way up from office boy to become president of four shipping companies. One of his partners was the billionaire John D. Rockefeller. Even before Harry had reached the pinnacle of his wealth, he had a large home with six servants, limousines, and enough money to do what he willed.
Harry was a tall man, with reddish hair and freckles, a great sense of humour and interests ranging from music to sports to gourmet cheese to stamp collecting. Around others of lesser intellectual ability and career accomplishment he could seem somewhat daunting.
But one day in 1911 the phone rang in his affluent home and his life changed forever. To please the neighbour who called, he accepted her invitation and attended a Baha’i meeting. His interest developed with the help of a former Harvard classmate, Harlan Ober, who was already a Baha’i. Mr Ober discovered that Harry had already worked out for himself an understanding of the Baha’i teaching of progressive revelation.2
In May 1912, Abdu’l-Baha arrived in Boston, and Harry rather reluctantly agreed to meet Him. The effect of the Master upon this intuitive soul was like a slow-burning spiritual explosion.
At his first one-on-one meeting, the Master remained silent for a long time with His eyes closed. Harry, not used to being kept waiting, experienced an uncomfortable prickling sensation as he became more and more angry. Eventually, he conquered his impatience and the prickling went away. Abdu’l-Baha opened His eyes and among the words He spoke to Harry were:
“Great is the power of the intellect but it is dead without love”.3
As Harry said later in a talk, love seemed to radiate from the very words the Master spoke. “Abdul-Baha was what he talked about,” he said. The Master visited Harry’s home in Medford where his impact on Harry’s wife, Ruth, was profound and she too became a Baha’i.
So deeply did Harry learn the lesson of humility and love from Abdu’l-Baha that in later years, he would withdraw from any discussion when there was bitter disagreement and although he was the target of vicious personal attacks and business treachery, he never sought retribution of any sort.
In August 1913, more than a year after first meeting Abdu’l-Baha, Harry became a Baha’i at the Green Acre property in Maine, praying in the very room where the Master had stayed. Harry Randall was to have a connection with that beautiful riverside property for the rest of his life.
In 1919, with his wife, Ruth, and daughter Margaret (later Bahiyyih Randall-Winckler), Harry went on pilgrimage and spent much time with Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, asking questions and seeking guidance about his service as a Baha’i. The extensive pilgrim notes he took, now available to posterity, were attested as correct by the future Guardian.4
The guidance he received was important for the future development of Baha’i administration and teaching in North America. After he returned he continued service on Baha’i Temple Unity, the precursor to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada,
He proved a superb organiser, an expert in the raising and stewardship of donations, and he was an extremely generous donor himself. As chairman of the national teaching committee, he played a leading role in spreading the faith in the United States, and he personally funded much of the Baha’i literature, such as the first volume of Abdu’l-Baha’s talks in America and the books and other materials that Martha Root took with her on her overseas teaching trips.
During his pilgrimage, Harry also received guidance on his connection with Green Acre. As the years moved on, that proved vital. The property was to come under the control of the Baha’i community and remain there, despite troublesome, unjust attacks. In fact without the business and personal skills of Harry, and his great generosity, it could easily have been lost to the faith forever.
It was while the Randalls were on that pilgrimage that his wife, Ruth, offered on behalf of the couple to fund a Western Pilgrim House, a proposal accepted by Abdu’l-Baha. They were to provide a significant portion of the money for this building, which many years later was to serve as the meeting place of the Universal House of Justice and later of the International Teaching Centre until their permanent seats were established on Mt Carmel.
Harry Randall’s personal supplication to Abdu’l-Baha near the conclusion of his pilgrimage was poignant: “I ask for an understanding heart and pure purpose to serve Thee.” The Master assured him that he would be assisted and confirmed. He called Harry “my spiritual associate…my participator and co-sharer”.5
He said to Harry:
“Many I love, some I have confidence in, but I both love you and have confidence in you.”6
After Harry returned to Boston, his partners tried to persuade them to join in a venture that would make them all far richer than they already had but their proposal bordered on illegality. Harry said he did not want to be involved. The partners then asked him to greatly reduce his activity in the “Oriental cult” because they did not want their business to be associated with it.
Harry showed his integrity and removed himself from the businesses, a huge step because he was moving away from a guaranteed fortune and from his 38-year role in the shipping industry.
Eventually he invested all his savings into a business venture that involved a factory too expensive to insure. One day it burnt to the ground. His manager came to him and confessed that he had set it alight on orders from a business rival.
Harry had lost his fortune. He now had to learn to live frugally, and to accept the generosity of others. He not only maintained his service to the faith but increased it.
His loving, spiritual character shone even more brightly, to the extent that Martha Root was to say: “Harry was great in prosperity, but even greater in adversity.”
After suffering arteriosclerosis and a stroke, Harry died when only 65-years-old.
The gravesite of Harry Randall (left) Shoghi Effendi, who had become close to him during the 1919 pilgrimage, said he was grief-stricken on hearing the news of his “highly distinguished” co-worker. He asked for a “good portrait of dear Harry” for his personal study.7
There are many physical “memorials” to the great Harry Randall: the Western Pilgrim house, the Temple at Wilmette to which he contributed so generously, and “The Harry Randall Guest House” which opened at Green Acre in September 2010. But there is another memorial that is also fitting for the person who Abdu’l-Baha said had “eliminated his self in His Holiness, Baha’u’llah”.
Located not far from the place where the Master visited Harry in his Medford house, it is that simple, elegant grey headstone set in a golden carpet created by the fallen leaves on the green lawn.
Mysterious Forces of Civilization (Secret of Divine Civilization) was compiled by Jewish Baha'i Johanna Dawud.
Mysterious Forces of Civilization (Secret of Divine Civilization)
by Abdu'l-Bahá compiled by Johanna Dawud.
Baha'i Publishing Society, 1918
original written in Persian.
first written or published 1875
Can be read online here:
https://bahai-library.com/abdulbaha_mysterious_forces_civilization
by Abdu'l-Bahá compiled by Johanna Dawud.
Baha'i Publishing Society, 1918
original written in Persian.
first written or published 1875
Can be read online here:
https://bahai-library.com/abdulbaha_mysterious_forces_civilization
"You will make him a Baha'i also."
The greetings of several Jewish friends in America were presented and a delighted expression came over ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's face as He said: "See the Power of God, how He has united the Jew with you, such as Mírzá Lutfulláh here. In London, also, there is Yohanna Dawud. He is very good. He was a Jew. He is very good."
Mr. Latimer: "I remember some years ago Yohanna Dawud coming to our meeting in Paris. He spoke almost like an orthodox Christian, quoting the New Testament continually."
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Those of the Jews who become believers have much love for Christ. To the Jews we explain the reality of Christ. There was an English lady at ‘Akká. She was a missionary. She was very much against us. She was very prejudiced, that is, she had the utmost enmity. Whenever she would see a European or an American here she would commence to slander. She did this thinking perhaps she would convert them. One day there was a Jew with me, who had become a Bahá'í. We went to a shop. She was there also. Her colour flushed from excessive anger. I told her, ‘Dost thou know how much I love thee?' She said: ‘No.' I said: ‘As much as thou hatest me, just that much do I love thee. But if thou wishest to know how much that is, see how much hatred you have for me.' When I said this she laughed. I said: ‘Thou hast no right to hate me for this man was a Jew and I made him believe in Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost. I made him believe in the Heavenly Father. If you want to know, ask him.'
"She asked him: ‘Were you a Jew?' He said: ‘Yes.' ‘Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Christ?' ‘Yes.' Then I said: ‘Ask him, what are your reasons? What proofs have you that Christ is the Spirit of God, the Word of God? I taught him these. Ask him.' She asked. He began to give his proofs, first asking: ‘Do you want intellectual proofs or from the Book?' He proved the reality of Christ from the Old Testament. Then she asked for intellectual proofs. He gave her those also. She looked up and said: ‘In the name of God, this is very good. He has a very good faith, but thou wilt not let him remain a Christian. You speak to him of Bahá'u'lláh. If you do not speak of Bahá'u'lláh it is very good, but you will not leave him alone. You will make him a Bahá'í also."'
Mr. Latimer: "I remember some years ago Yohanna Dawud coming to our meeting in Paris. He spoke almost like an orthodox Christian, quoting the New Testament continually."
‘Abdu'l-Bahá: "Those of the Jews who become believers have much love for Christ. To the Jews we explain the reality of Christ. There was an English lady at ‘Akká. She was a missionary. She was very much against us. She was very prejudiced, that is, she had the utmost enmity. Whenever she would see a European or an American here she would commence to slander. She did this thinking perhaps she would convert them. One day there was a Jew with me, who had become a Bahá'í. We went to a shop. She was there also. Her colour flushed from excessive anger. I told her, ‘Dost thou know how much I love thee?' She said: ‘No.' I said: ‘As much as thou hatest me, just that much do I love thee. But if thou wishest to know how much that is, see how much hatred you have for me.' When I said this she laughed. I said: ‘Thou hast no right to hate me for this man was a Jew and I made him believe in Christ and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost. I made him believe in the Heavenly Father. If you want to know, ask him.'
"She asked him: ‘Were you a Jew?' He said: ‘Yes.' ‘Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Christ?' ‘Yes.' Then I said: ‘Ask him, what are your reasons? What proofs have you that Christ is the Spirit of God, the Word of God? I taught him these. Ask him.' She asked. He began to give his proofs, first asking: ‘Do you want intellectual proofs or from the Book?' He proved the reality of Christ from the Old Testament. Then she asked for intellectual proofs. He gave her those also. She looked up and said: ‘In the name of God, this is very good. He has a very good faith, but thou wilt not let him remain a Christian. You speak to him of Bahá'u'lláh. If you do not speak of Bahá'u'lláh it is very good, but you will not leave him alone. You will make him a Bahá'í also."'
‘Henceforth I am no longer a Jew.’
A message to the Jews
Luncheon (21 November 1919)
Luncheon (21 November 1919)
Shortly after breakfast, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suddenly appeared in the doorway. He had heard that Dr Esslemont, having had a relapse, was confined to his bed, and in tender solicitude had come to see him. With words of cheer He left him, saying that as He had suffered a great deal at Haifa, the Doctor was receiving a similar bounty by suffering a little. Gladly would we all have been sick for the blessing of a similar visit.
When He returned for lunch, the Master was in radiant spirits, recounting to us several amazing stories bringing out the humility and greatness of Christ.
Mr Latimer spoke of the attraction of a number of Rabbis to the Cause and that the Message had been given in a number of Synagogues, but apparently their interest had waned.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “Its influence still remains and it will flame up. All of you, your major work is service and giving the Message.”
The Master gave a vivid reproduction of his talk to the Jews, in substance:
“In one of the American cities I was invited by the Jews to speak. As they had strong enmity, it was now the time to prove the validity of Christ. The Jewish Rabbi came to me and protested that I had spoken in churches, so why not speak in a Synagogue. I told him: ‘Maybe you will find my talk against your ideas. If so will you stamp and whistle?’ He assured me they would make no disturbance. I replied: ‘You may do whatever you like at the end of the service, but do not disturb me until I finish speaking.’
“Then I spoke extensively on their history. After preparing them in detail with their own history, I told them that Christ did not appear when they were in manifest glory. Had they followed Christ they would have become the beloved of all regions. But they did not follow Christ, except some of the members who were very poor. Some were fishermen. The Jews did not follow, but Christ established His Cause and the lowly ones became great, such as Peter, John, Paul and so on. See to what glory they have attained, and how they are worshipped. And, being Jews, they have glorified you. But you have denied them and brought shame upon yourselves. The fishermen did not act in this way. If you had followed in their footsteps you would have attained eternal glory.
“O ye Jews, ye believe that Christ was the enemy of Moses. That He has destroyed his edifice, abrogated his law and changed his regulations. If that is the case we shall leave Christ also, because Christ has admitted He is a man of God, a prophet of God, the Bible is a divine book and the Mosaic law is divine. For Him to believe He is a prophet and is divine and at the same time be his enemy, this cannot be so.
“We should investigate the truth. Refer to history. You have striven for eleven hundred years. Have you caused the name of Moses to reach Constantinople? If you mention the name there, they say they have never heard of it. The Bible had not reached Damascus. But Christ spread the Bible all over the world and had it translated two hundred times. Can you find a single home in America without a Bible? Who did this? Had Christ not come, the name of Moses would not have reached America. Christ has proven that the Jews are the chosen of God. Only Christ has proved that Daniel, Solomon, Moses, Jeremiah, etc., were all Prophets of God.
“Is this the conduct of an enemy or a friend? You must be just. Consider to what an extent Christ has promulgated the teachings of Moses. Ask the people in America who is Moses. They will say: ‘He is a man of God, the Torah is the book of God, his law is the divine law.’ Ask them: ‘Who is Aaron?’ They will answer: ‘A Prophet.’ So also with Solomon, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, all of these. Does this hurt Christ, this confession? No. And if you will say Christ is a Prophet of God there will be no more conflict. What harm can there be in it? For two thousand years you have been killed and dispersed only because of these two words. Had ye admitted Christ was a Prophet of God none of these things would have happened.
When I had finished one Jew got up in the audience and said: ‘Henceforth I am no longer a Jew.’”
https://bahai-library.com/latimer_light_world
Monday, January 14, 2019
Hands of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker was a Jewel from the Jewish Treasure
 |
| Hands of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker and Ali-Akbar Furutan |
Dorothy Beecher Baker, a grandniece of the famous author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 21st of December, 1898. Her grandmother, Betty Beecher (known to the Baha'is as Mother Beecher), embraced the Baha'i Faith early in this century; later her parents also accepted the Cause of Baha'u'llah.
In 1912, when she was a young girl, Dorothy's grandmother took her to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Master called Mrs. Beecher on the following day and said, "I called you to say that your grand-daughter is My own daughter. You must train her for Me." Indeed, 'Abdu'l Baha sensed the virtues and capacities in Dorothy, who was to become one of the outstanding teachers and Baha'i administrators of the Western Hemisphere.
(Baha'i News, January 1974, Page 14)
Khalil Arjomand was a Baha'i of Jewish Background
 |
| Khalil Arjomand |
ARJOMAND, Ḵalil (Khalil Ardjomande; b. Tehran, 1910; d. Tehran, 22 October 1944), mechanical and electrical engineer, professor at the University of Tehran, inventor, and industrialist (FIGURE 1). Arjomand is known for numerous inventions, for founding the ARJ Factory and single-handedly leading it to become a dominant source of technological innovation and modernization in Iran, for his humanitarian actions, and for his role in inspiring a generation of modern Iranian engineers.
Family background, education, and the European years. Arjomand was the son of Raḥim Arjomand and Qodsiya Monajjem. He was named after his paternal grandfather who was, like his maternal grandfather, a respected physician. His father was at one time Acting Minister (kafil) of the Post and Telegraph Ministry and, during the negotiation of the Iran-Soviet Union commercial treaty in 1922-23, in Moscow, he was a member of the Persian delegation headed by Sayyed Ḥasan Taqizāda (Taqizāda, p. 90). Arjomand was educated at Tarbiat (Baha'i) School until 1922 and graduated from Ṯerwat (later renamed Irānšahr) High School in 1929.
More can be read here:
http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/arjomand-kalil-1910-1944
A newly converted Jewish Baha'i was persecuted by both the Jewish and the Muslim communities.
 |
| Persian Jews |
The fire of persecution could be ignited in the capital and provinces of Iran by the slightest spark of the most insignificant event. Muzaffar Shah’s promise to Mrs. Getsinger was fulfilled.
It happened (circa 1905) that a very well-known and learned man from the Jewish community of Hamadan, Haji Mihdi Arjumand, embraced the Faith of Baha’u’llah. Inspired by the Word of God, he was articulate and full of his convictions, and began to propagate the Cause amongst both Jews and Muslims. This proved to be a terrible blow to the prestige of the ecclesiastical leaders of both religions. This new convert was well versed in the Qur’an as well as the Old and New Testaments, and this seemed incredible to the Muslims. “A Jew proving to us the advent of our own Promised One!” was the lamentable cry of every adherent of the Islamic religion in that region. So, the Jewish and Muslim ‘ulamas lodged a grave complaint against the new intruder.
The governor, venal and corrupt, saw in the vindictiveness of the Jews and Muslims an opportunity to extort large sums of money from the defenseless Baha’is. He used the charges as a basis for their arrest. The governor’s agents immediately seized Haji Mihdi Arjumand and several other outstanding believers and carried them to the seat of the governor where they were cast into prison, chained, and detained without recourse to the courts. He then demanded large sums of money for their release.
The Bahais in Hamadan, encouraged by the reports of the King's willingness to intervene in such cases and by his reputation for justice, cabled the Shah to protest the falsity of the charges and the extortion by the governor. To their great joy and satisfaction the King immediately ordered the governor to free the prisoners and to see to their well-being. Alarmed at this royal intervention, the governor hastened to release the Baha’is and to make such restitution as would quell any possible retribution from the Court.
The other incident took place in Tehran and the account is as follows:
https://bahai.works/Baha%27i_News/Issue_514/Text
Please check above link for complete story.
Interview of Mehraeen Mavaddat, fifth generation descendent of Agha Jan, the first Baha’i of Jewish background in Hamadan.
 |
| Mehraeen Mavaddat |
http://iranpresswatch.org/post/18799/memories-of-the-bahais-of-iran-a-tear-filled-tale-a-conversation-with-mehraeen-mavaddat/
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