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by Spixxy on February 6th, 2004

Spixxy

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Who is Elie Tahari?

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  • by Alatea on November 4th, 2005

    Alatea

    Fashion's Tahari: `My head's in N.Y., heart's in Israel'
    SUZAN BERNS
    Contributing Writer

    More than 40 years ago, 6-year-old Elie Tahari, clutching a shoe-box, was crowded into an airplane cargo compartment along with his family and dozens of other Persian Jews desperate to leave Iran, where Jews were no longer welcome.

    The shoebox contained food for travel and the papers he would need to begin his life in Israel. "We were sneaking out," Tahari recalled. Now a renowned clothing designer who has outfitted Hillary Rodham Clinton and Leah Rabin, Tahari still has vivid memories of the ordeal.
    He discussed his experiences after showing his collection at the new Bloomingdale's at Stanford Shopping Center. Co-sponsored by the designer and the store, the event was a fund-raiser for the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation organized by the North and South Peninsula Women's Alliance.

    "We probably got out of Iran thanks to the generosity of people like you," said Tahari, commenting about the United Jewish Appeal-sponsored mission called Magic Carpet.
    For Tahari's parents, the airlift was the second time they moved to Israel. Wealthy and successful in Iran, but with rumblings of the rise of militant Islam and projected troubles for Jews, they migrated to Israel.

    But they weren't able adjust to a lower standard of living, "so they went back to Iran and opened a fabric store," Tahari said. They remained for several years, ignoring persecution until their store was burned down. Then the family decided it was time to leave. In Israel, they lived in tents. Some 20 years later Tahari was working as an electrician, when on a whim and with a free ticket from his brother, who worked for El Al Airlines, he immigrated to the United States.
    Doing odd jobs, sleeping in New York City's Central Park and learning English along the way, Tahari was finally able to get a job of sorts in the city's garment center.

    "I went from showroom to showroom changing light bulbs. It was a boring job, and the girls wouldn't talk to me," he laughed. Wanting a "more exciting life," he first became a salesman in a boutique and then opened his own tiny French boutique on Third Avenue, where he began creating special items for the shop. His career as a designer was born.

    Tahari maintains a close connection with Israel, visiting his mother in Ramat Gan, and doing charitable word for Akim, a rehabilitation organization for mentally handicapped children, which he believes is "one of the best in the world." A spiritual person, he prays every day for inner peace and understanding. Still, he's not sure his prayers can do anything to improve the political situation in Israel. "I'm not particularly happy about the last year," he said. "If I read the paper every day, I go crazy." Even so, Tahari plans to return to Israel permanently one day, he said.
    "My head is in New York, but my heart is in Israel."

    http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/5164/edition_id/95/format/html/displaystory.html

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  • by Anonymous on September 11th, 2007

    Anonymous

    This article is inherently flawed. It says Elie Tahari fled Iran 40 years ago, in 1965, because apparently Jews were not wanted in Iran anymore due to the rise of "Militant Islam"... However, the Islamic Revolution of Iran occurred only in 1979 (28 years ago), and before that the government in Iran was puppet to the Western nations. Nevertheless, Jews continue to live in Iran in peace at this time. However, 40 years ago there was nothing that even resembled a "Militant Islam" in power so what is this article talking about? Do the math and double check your history. Elie Tahari didn't have a dramatic escape to Israel, they left Iran simply in Zionist hopes of occupying someone else's land.

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  • by rutituti on August 10th, 2010

    rutituti

    I will agree that there was not a "Militant Islamic" reason for the Tahari departure. However, there was great social pressure for them to flee. And yes, the author does need to take note of the error in history. I do, however, challenge the tone of this annonymous response....The above commentator needs to double check their own history as well. Their post was written on Sep 11th, how appropo for this indifferent hater of the West and the Zionist dream of Jews to live in freedom. Thousands of Jews from all across Iran were severly persecuted for their religious beliefts throughout history. The rise of Homeini and Islamic revolution only made things worse. If one thinks that life for Jews under the Shah was nice, they are dreaming. Only very few Jews in major cities and capitals, under close watch and protection of Shah authority allowed Jews to live "peacefully." Te rest of the Jews were subject to horrific conditions in ghettos and slums where they were not allowed to participate in mainstream life or even drink from local waters lest they contaminate the water source . The Islamic Revolution was the official tribunal against the Jews living under the ficcade of a ruler that had very little of the Iranian peoples' interest at heart.

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