March 30, 2006
An Iranian Jewish women's folk group has begun a week long visit to Moscow. The 15-member amateur group was invited to take part in the Light a Candle Jewish children’s arts festival in Moscow this week. The women, aged 14 to 30, came to Russia on the invitation of Arkadi Gaidamak, a Jewish leader and business tycoon, and with a special permit from Iranian authorities. Members of the group will perform Iranian and Kurdish folk music at the festival. All members of the group also are active participants in the cultural activities of the Tehran Jewish community, the group’s leader told JTA. The Iranians will be joined by Sarun Yashaie, chairman of the Tehran Jewish community, who is expected to fly in from Tehran to attend a special reception Friday honoring the Iranian guests at the Moscow Choral Synagogue.
