The following originated as an email that was circulated by a number of Orthodox institutions across the internet. It was written by R' Kalman Packouz of Aish haTorah, but it came with permission to customize, so many variants exist. The text in green we added ourselves to bring the story up-to-date and for the sake of completeness.
I'm asking you for an hour of your time which could possibly save thirteen Jewish lives.
According to current indications, the court will likely render a decision by Tuesday, June 13. At this juncture, there is simply no reliable indication as to what the judgement will be. The fate of the thirteen hangs in the balance.
We ask you to alert the community to increase their prayers at this critical point in time, to gather in shuls and schools and say Tehillim. In this merit, may Hashem have mercy and free the innocent Jews from the evil decrees of their captors.
May Hashem grant that all the captured amongst Israel quickly be gathered from the four corners of the earth to return to Eretz Yisroel with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.
Trial Drawing to a Close; 10 Moslems Also to Stand Trial
TEHRAN, Iran (AP, Afshin Valinejad, 22-June-00 8:40am ET] - None of the 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel will be sentenced to death, a judiciary official said Thursday.
The defense had said previously the charges do not carry the death penalty, but it was the first time an Iranian official representing the prosecution has ruled out death sentences for the accused.
"According to the law, none of the 13 accused are expected to get the death penalty," said Hossein Ali Amiri, the judiciary chief of Fars province, where the trial is being held. He said the verdict would be announced before the end of the month.
Amiri told The Associated Press the death penalty applies only to charges of "moharebeh," fighting against God and the state, and the men have not been charged with that offense.
The penalty for conviction on espionage charges is a long prison term.
Eight of the 13 Jewish defendants have pleaded guilty, four have pleaded innocent and one has said he passed information to Israel, but did not think that his action constituted espionage. Israel has denied any of the men were spies.
Israel and several European countries have expressed concern about the case, and the United States has said the outcome could affect a recent rapprochement. Attention has focused on the fairness of the trial, which was closed to the public with no jury and with the judge acting as prosecutor.
Eight Muslims also are on trial in the same case, including two accused of passing secret information to the Jews.
Tehran, Iran (AP) [11-Jun-00 8:13am ET] - International expressions of support for 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel could harm their cause by affecting the verdict, a senior judicial official said Sunday.
Hossein Ali Amiri, the judiciary chief of Fars province where the Jews are being tried, urged foreign governments "to stop (the) interference, because this case is purely a judicial matter and has nothing at all to do with politics."
"International support not only does not help the Jewish defendants but may worsen their situation because the judge may take that into consideration along with other documents and evidence when he issues a verdict," said Amiri in a telephone interview from Shiraz, the provincial capital.
Israel and several European countries have expressed concern about the case, and the United States has said that the outcome of a trial that began in May could affect a recent rapprochement. Attention has focused on the fairness of the trial, being held behind closed doors in which there is no jury and the judge is also the prosecutor.
There has been concern even among the defendants' relatives that international pressure on Iran could anger hard-liners who control the judiciary, and result in stiff sentences.
Meanwhile, defense lawyer Esmail Naseri said he feared that the trial could be prolonged even more.
Defense lawyers were called by the judge Tuesday to discuss some documents, Naseri told The Associated Press Sunday.
Eight of the 13 Jewish defendants have pleaded guilty, four have pleaded innocent and one has said he passed information to Israel, but did not think that his action constituted espionage.
Israel has denied that any of the 13 Jews were spies.
Eight Muslims also are on trial in the same case, including two who have been detained for passing secret information to the Jews.
And for us as well.
The history of this situation is as follows: Thirteen Jews were arrested in Iran just about one year ago. The Iranian government has charged them with spying for Israel and the USA, as well as violations of Islamic law. They are facing the death penalty. Since 1979 seventeen Jewish leaders have been executed in Iran on similar raise charges.
They organized and ran the Shuls and other communal Jewish institutions, taught classes on Judaism, made sure Kosher food was available, made sure Jewish families could keep in contact with their loved ones in Israel and the USA They were the glue that held the Jewish Community together.
We celebrate Purim when the Jews of ancient Persia faced annihilation. Today, the remaining Jews of modern day Persia (Iran) are facing a similar annihilation, both spiritual physical. These actions of the Iranian government are meant to destroy the Jewish community of Iran.
| Asher Zadmehr | Asher ben Saltana | Age 48 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| Nasser Yakob Levy-Haim | Naser ben Poran | Age 45 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| Javeed Beit Yaghoub | Javeed ben Mochtaram | Age 40 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| Ramin Farzam | Ramin ben Minzal | Age 35 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| Faramarz Kashi | Faramaz ben Aseret | Age 34 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| and his brother, Farzad Kashi | Farzad ben Aseret | Age 30 | Pleads innocent |
| Nejat Beroukhim | Negat ben Nosrat | Age 35 | On bail, not yet tried |
| Farhad Seleh | Farhad ben Hamedam | Age 30 | Allegedly "Confessed" |
| Danny Tefileen | Daniel ben Suryah | Age 28 | Allegedly "Confessed ringleader" (televised) |
| and his brother, Omid Tefileen | Omid ben Suryah | Age 25 | On bail, not yet tried |
| Shahrokh Paknahad | Shahroch ben Shahnaz | Age 29 | Allegedly "Confessed" (televised) |
| Ramin Neamati | Age 22 | Allegedly "Confessed" | |
| Navid Navir Balazadeh | Arash ben Zolkah | Age 16 | On bail, not yet tried |
There is a "behind-the-scenes" battle going on right now in Iran over the direction the country will be taking. The recent election of a more "liberal" government has created an opportunity to help these thirteen Jews.
But we must be very careful.
This particular case of Pidyon Shevuyim (Redemption of Captives) is vitally important yet more sensitive in nature than ever. Because of its unique sensitivity, it is important that concerned American Jews direct their activities in an appropriate, effective manner. Direct correspondence or protest with Iranian officials or against Iranian authorities could possibly be fatally counterproductive at the present time.
Our forefather Ya'akov prepared to encounter his brother Esau, who at their last encounter swore to kill him, with both prayer, and physical preparations.
Both the Agudath Israel of America and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America have called for special tefillos and tehillim to be said on their behalf. The recommended chapters of Tehillim are: 130, 121, 20, 120, and 142.
Alongside these prayers we need to also act within the laws of nature to assist their cause in whatever way we can.
There are a number of countries that have diplomatic and economic relations with Iran. Iran is desperate for Western economic aid and interchange. The new government in Iran has stated this as one of their chief goals. By urging these nations and organizations to get involved and protest the imprisonment of these 13 Jews we may be able to effect their release.
Attached is a sample letter and addresses to contact. Please jump on this immediately. Do not delay!!! The more letters sent the better. Get your relatives, friends, associates, etc. to send letters as well.
Just as in the story of Purim, where God's hand was not manifest but a series of incidental events seemingly led to the saving of the Jewish Community; so, today as well, our supposedly insignificant letters might effect a godsend and save these Jewish heroes from death. With your involvement, and the help of the All-Mighty, another Purim miracle may yet occur in our time.
Name and Address
Dear
I am writing to express my profound concern about the upcoming trial of the thirteen imprisoned Iranian Jews falsely accused of spying for Israel and the United States. As you may have heard, their trial is scheduled for April 13th, 2000 and is reportedly supposed to last no more than one day. These thirteen Iranian Jews were arrested nearly one year ago. Among those being held are Rabbis, religious teachers and community leaders. They have been arrested on trumped up charges of spying and for the violation of Islamic Law. They face the death penalty. Since 1979, seventeen other Jewish leaders, as well as leaders of other non-Islamic groups, have been executed in Iran.
I am deeply worried for the safety of these imprisoned leaders and for the entire Jewish community in Iran. It is most important that the trial that will take place be open and fair. In that vein, I am urging you and your Government to add your voice to those who support admitting representatives of human rights organizations and free democracies into the courtroom to assure that a fair trial takes place. Iran should be urged to treat its religious minorities with fairness, decency and tolerance.
You and your government are in a unique position to effect the Iranian authorities in this direction. I thank you for your past efforts in this direction and strongly urge your continued involvement in this vital human rights matter in consideration of those whose lives are presently at stake. The world is watching these events closely and carefully.
Sincerely;
Your name and address
His Excellency Kofi Anan United Nations Secretariat New York, New York 10017 Fax #: 1-212-963-4879 His Excellency the Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See (Vatican) 3339 Massachusetts Avenue , NW Washington, DC 20008 His Excellency Most Reverend Archbishop Renato Martino Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations (Vatican) 20 East 72nd Street New York, New York 10021 Fax #: 1-212-370-9622 His Excellency Juergen Chrobog Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany 4645 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 Fax #: 1-202-298-4249 His Excellency Francois V. Bujon Embassy of France 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007 Fax #: 1-202-944-6166 His Excellency Yury Viktorovich Ushakov Embassy of the Russian Federation 2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20007 Fax #: 1-202-298-5735 His Excellency Ferdinand Salleo Embassy of Italy 1601 Fuller Street, NW Washington, DC 20007 Fax #: 1-202-483-2187