SHABBAT READING
The Psalm of the Shofar: Its Use in Liturgy and its Meaning in the Bible: Prof. Alan Cooper, TheTorah.com, September 2022 — The standard machzorim of today, following the reading of the haftara, introduce the ceremonial sounding of the shofar with Psalm 47. The psalm is recited seven times in many congregations, a late custom probably related to the seven-fold repetition of the divine name Elohim in the psalm.
BEHIND THE HEADLINES
How Iran’s Protests Differ from Past Movements: Mehdi Khalaji, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Sept. 28, 2022 — Since erupting on September 16, Iran’s latest wave of street protests has begun to pose a serious security and political challenge to the Islamic Republic, placing regime leaders in a uniquely puzzling situation. Interestingly, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not commented on the turmoil, which was ignited by the torture and death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, at the hands of the regime’s morality police (Gasht-e Ershad, or Guidance Patrol), reportedly for disrespecting regulations on wearing a hijab. Yet he and his circle are no doubt concerned about the movement’s novel aspects.
Iran Protesters Seek End of an Islamic Republic Pillar—the Morality Police: Benoit Faucan and Michael Amon, WSJ, Sept. 28, 2022
What the West Should Learn from the Protests in Iran: Karim Sadjadpour, Washington Post, Sept. 24, 2022
Biden’s Support for Iran Protesters Comes After Bitter Lessons of 2009: David E. Sanger, NY Times, Sept. 26, 2022
Tehran Tries to Scapegoat Kurds for Widening Rebellion: Benni Avni, The New York Sun, Sept. 27, 2022
A Hacked Letter Shows Iran Officials Knew Hijab Victim’s Injury: Iran International, Sept. 28, 2022 — The copy of a judicial letter published by a hacking group shows that Iranian officials knew Mahsa Amini sustained injuries during her arrest by the hijab police.
Iran Targets Celebrity Supporters of Protests as Movement Spreads: Benoit Faucon, WSJ, Sept. 27, 2022 — As protests in Iran over the rights of women expand, the Islamic establishment is now attempting to suppress the voices of the most visible supporters of a movement that so far has been leaderless: celebrities.
The Protests Won’t Lead to Regime Change, Iran’s Foreign Minister Tells NPR: Arezou Rezvani and Steve Inskeep, NPR, Sept. 27, 2022 — Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says he is telling Western diplomats that the protests in his country will not destabilize Iran.
‘Too Early to Tell’ If Iran Protests Will Sink Regime: Alexander Ward, Politico, Sept. 27, 2022 — The Biden administration is in wait-and-see mode as it tracks what effect protests in Iran might have on the Islamist regime.
Mass protests in Iran, sparked by woman’s death in police custody, are the regime’s biggest challenge in years: Natasha Turak, CNBC, Sept. 23, 2022 — Protests rocking Iran over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody have spread to at least 50 cities, even as police arrest and kill demonstrators in a violent crackdown.
Iran: Towards a Summer of Discontent: Amir Taheri, Gatestone, June 5, 2022 — For the past two weeks a large number of Iranians, perhaps hundreds of thousands, have been taking part in protest marches in more than 100 cities across Iran to vent their anger against a system that they consider to be corrupt, incompetent and oppressive.
Evolution Toward Revolution: The Development of Street Protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Saeed Ghasseminejad, Behnam Ben Taleblu, and Eliora Katz, Journal of International Affairs, Oct. 29, 2020 — Protests are a regular feature of life in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Using street power to advance incremental change or voice frustration with government policy, protests—such as those in 1999 and 2009—have been closely identified with the country’s reform movement.
The uprising in Iran: ‘These people have nothing to lose. They’re fearless now.‘: Terry Glavin, Maclean’s, Nov. 18, 2019 — The protests began last Friday, and before the weekend was over, the Islamic Republic of Iran was in a state of insurrection. Major disturbances have been reported in more than 100 towns and cities across Iran, from Ardabil in the north, on the Caspian Sea, to Bandar Abbas in the south, on the Persian Gulf.
Gravitas: Iran protests: President Raisi warns protesters: WION, YouTube, September 2022 — Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said today that he will not accept “chaos”. Will the warning from Raisi intensify protests against the Iranian state? Priyanka Sharma tells you more.
Iran cracks down on protests after death of young woman as global demonstrations grow: PBS NewsHour, YouTube, September 2022 — Protests mostly led by women are spreading in Iran and around the world. They were sparked by the death of a young woman in the custody of the so-called “morality police.”
LISTEN: An Iranian Uprising Led by Women: NY Times, The Daily, Sept. 28, 2022 — Mahsa Amini, 22, traveled from her hometown in the province of Kurdistan to the Iranian capital, Tehran, this month. Emerging from the subway, she was arrested for failing to cover her hair modestly enough. Three days later, she was dead.
