April 7, 2000

To:         Rabbis, Officers, Synagogue leaders
From:    Richard B. Stone, Chairman

Re:        Special Update on the 13 Iranian Jews

As we indicated on our most recent update, the case of the 13 Iranian Jews is fluid and there are rapid developments.  Since yesterday, the Chief Rabbi of Iran and others have met with the judge in the case.  The following appear to be the latest developments:

1.    The families will be able to have the lawyers of their choice.  We will know after the families present the consent forms to the judge and he makes available the files to the lawyers.

2.    The trial may be postponed until April 18^th or after Passover, allowing time for the lawyers to prepare properly and putting the trial off until after the Muslim holiday.  This has not yet been confirmed.  We welcome a brief postponement but not an open-ended delay leaving the 13 Jews again in limbo. 

There are also reports that two of the defendants will face espionage charges (but not first degree involving the death penalty or life imprisonment) and the rest will have the lesser charge of “harming state interests.”  Again, this is not final and can change at any time until the trials are over.

All this can change yet again.  Action recommendations remain the same and are provided again for your use.  Special prayers and Shabbat services should be held as planned this weekend and other public events should be held in accordance with our earlier memo.

It was reported earlier that the trial could be very brief.  We will continue to press for the release of the 13 arrested Iranian Jews and, should the trial be extended or delayed, that the defendants be allowed out on bail to join their families for Pesach.

A Congressional resolution will be circulated and introduced next week.  A petition is being circulated to governors across the country on behalf of the 13 arrested Iranian Jews by Governors Pataki and Carper.  A letter from Nobel Prize winners is also being initiated.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would let us know of your activities, including prayer services, vigils, outreach to political leaders, foreign leaders, members of others faiths, legal experts, humanitarian associations etc.  This way we can know how much our community is doing in order to observe the miztvah of pidyon shevuyim.  As soon as we have any revised information, you will receive that by fax as well.

Tizku l’mitzvot.  Shabbat Shalom.

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