Padyavand: 1

by Amnon Netzer (Editor)

A Study of Iranian Jewry is both a scientific and historical publication. Padyavand is the result of much research on the history and culture of Iranian Jews, and aims to make readers aware of the nation’s rich Jewish heritage. The book’s subject matter is not limited to Iran’s present geographical boundaries. Rather, it includes all regions where one of the Iranian languages has been spoken and where, historically, Jews have lived. As the most ancient religious minority, Iranian Jews have carried and protected the true Iranian culture for 27 centuries. Their rich heritage combines elements of both Iranian and Jewish traditions. In recent years, this fantastic treasure is on the verge of being forgotten and destroyed. It is one of Padyavand’s goals to shed light on the dark corners of the culture and history of this ancient community, through research. Padyavand attempts to uphold the community’s identity by researching, recording, and documenting its history. This

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1996

About the author

Amnon Netzer (Hebrew: אמנון נצר‎; November 1934 – February 15, 2008) was an Iranian-born Israeli historian, researcher, professor and journalist. Netzer was a leading authority on Iranian history and culture as well as Persian and Judeo-Persian languages. Netzer founded Israel Broadcasting Authority's Persian Service in 1958 and was a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem until his death in 2008.

Amnon Netzer was born in Rasht, Iran. He immigrated to Israel in 1950. In 1963 graduated with degree in Middle East and International Affairs from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1965, he received his degree from Columbia University in New York in Iranian Studies, Indo-European Languages, and Semitic Language and Literature. In 1969 he received his doctoral degrees in the same subjects from Columbia.

In 1958, he launched the daily Persian language broadcasts for the Voice of Israel radio. In 1970 Netzer returned to Israel where he co-founded the Iranian Studies Department at Jerusalem Hebrew University and began his research in Iranian Jewish History and Culture. He has not only authored numerous articles about Iranian Jews in Persian, Hebrew, English, and French worldwide, but helped edit and compile "Padyavand" a comprehensive three volume book detailing various significant events in Iranian Jewish history. In 1988 Netzer was Recipient of the Distinguished Professor commendation from Jerusalem Hebrew University.