Meeting

Mr. ELIAS ESHAGHIAN

and his family

On July 15, 2007 the members of the Board of Directors of the Graduate Society Foundation, along with their spouses, attended an event to greet and show appreciation to Mr. Elias Esaghian, chair of the Board of Trustees of the Iranian American Jewish Federation, for his great social and educational service. The gathering, at Mr. Esaghian’s home, also included his children and their families.

First, Mr. Jamshid Nowain expressed to Mr. Esaghian that his over 60 years of efforts and accomplishments deserve a much more formal affair to be properly recognized. However, due to Mr. Esaghian’s humility, he would not allow a gala event to be held in his honor. Mr. Esaghian replied that the Graduate Society Foundation is a highly valuable cultural organization.  He added, “My efforts have been both cultural and educational.  I feel that any service I have performed has been my duty, which I endeavored to properly fulfill.”

“Further,” Mr. Esaghian continued, “as long as each person properly completes his or her duties, society as a whole will advance.  Fortunately, our society is filled with a great number of responsible members, all of whom are aware of their duties. Thankfully, we have enjoyed many successes to date.”

As Mr. Esaghian went on to explain the history of the creation of the Alliance school in Iran, he informed the attendees that the goals of the Alliance were to be of service to Iran’s Jewish community. He feels, he said, that he is personally indebted to the Alliance and the services they provided him.

Next, Mr. Rahmatollah Uorshalimi, discussed the unique personal characteristics of the honoree. He remarked that while Mr. Esaghian was active in educational and cultural matters, so is the Graduate Society Foundation an educational and cultural organization.  He pointed to Mr. Esaghian’s youth, when he was quite bright and talented and in possession of a great memory which he used to learn the foundations of Judaism.  Because of his particular abilities, he was noticed by the leaders of the Alliance School and chosen to continue his studies in France. Upon his return, he brought with him a wealth of knowledge of French literature to Iran. He later became the Principal of the Alliance Schools in Isfahan, Yazd, Sanandaj and Tehran and used contemporary scientific educational methods to improve any shortcomings the schools had to propel them to the top of their field.  In addition, he was active in UNESCO, an editor of Journal de Tehran, and a university professor. In this capacity, he was able to improve relations between university students and administrators. His services, Mr. Uorshalmi concluded, were the cause great pride for the Iranian Jewish community. 

Mr. Esaghian’s activities were not limited to his time in Iran. In the United States, Mr. Esaghian is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Iranian American Jewish Federation. He holds this position with his impartial and democratic leadership, Mr. Esaghian has brought great strength to this organization. 

To conclude the gathering, Dr. Jacob Ayenechi presented a plaque of honor and gratitude to Mr. Esaghian to commemorate his half century of service, in particularly to help educated Iranian Jewish youth as they concluded their studies.