Jacqueline Saper is a CPA, writer, public speaker, commentator, translator and survivor of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Her memoir, “From Miniskirt to Hijab: A Girl in Revolutionary Iran,” was awarded the Chicago Writers Association 2020 Book of the Year Award for Traditional Nonfiction. Saper will speak during the upcoming National Jewish Retreat that will be held at Miami’s National Doral Hotel from August 14th–18th. Ahead of the conference, Saper shared how she came up with her book’s title.
“The title of my book, ‘From Miniskirt to Hijab’ encapsulates a profound personal and cultural transformation that I experienced firsthand. When brainstorming for a title, I wanted something to convey the dramatic shift in societal norms and personal identity during the Iranian Revolution. The term ‘Miniskirt’ represents the era of relative freedom and modernity that existed before the revolution, a time when Western influences and more liberal cultural practices were prevalent. It symbolizes a period when personal expression and style were more open and less restricted. In stark contrast, ‘Hijab’ represents the fundamentalist shift that followed the revolution. It signifies a period marked by strict dress codes and a dramatic overhaul of personal freedoms and societal norms under the new Islamic theocracy. This transition illustrates the profound changes in both daily life and individual identity that I and many others had to navigate. The title juxtaposes these two elements to highlight the stark contrast between the pre-revolutionary era and the post-revolutionary reality.”
Saper shared what she plans to speak about during the Retreat.
”I plan to address several crucial themes that draw from both my personal experiences and broader historical context which I explore in my book. These topics are particularly relevant given current global events and ongoing discussions. First and foremost, I will discuss the theme of immigration which is especially pertinent in the 2024 presidential campaign. I will share insights from my own experiences as an immigrant, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of leaving one’s homeland in search of safety and a better life. Another key aspect of my presentation will be fundamentalism. I will recount my firsthand experiences of witnessing the transformation of Iran from a secular monarchy to a fundamentalist Islamic theocracy. I will also cover the profound impact of the Iran-Iraq War, an eight-year conflict that resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and left a lasting scar on the region. The repercussions of the Iranian Revolution on the Jewish diaspora, particularly the ancient Persian Jewish community will be another focal point.”
”In addition, I will delve into the transformation of US-Iran and Israel-Iran relations from allies to adversaries,” Saper continued. ”This shift has had significant implications for international diplomacy and regional security, and understanding this evolution is crucial for navigating current geopolitical landscapes. Lastly, I will address two critical issues: antisemitism and women’s rights. Antisemitism continues to be a pervasive and dangerous force globally, and discussing it is essential for raising awareness and promoting solidarity. Equally important is the discussion of women’s rights, particularly in contexts
where fundamentalists and ideologies can severely restrict women’s freedoms and opportunities.”
Saper shared details of her life prior to the revolution.
”My family lived in the upscale northern Tehran neighborhood of Yousef Abad. My father taught metallurgy (a branch of science that studies the nature of metallic elements) at the Elm-o-San University (Iran University of Science and Technology) and at Tehran Polytechnic, the first established technical university in Iran. People in the Persian culture held individuals with advanced degrees in high regard, so my father, who had two advanced degrees in chemical engineering and meteorology was respected wherever we went. Strangers would lower their heads and call him ‘Ostad’ (Professor). My mother worked at the airport as part of the ground crew. She got all the perks that flight attendants had. One of them was discounted tickets. So, we traveled a lot. The country’s cosmopolitan nature was also evident in its fashion and lifestyle. As a young girl living in Tehran in the 1960s and 70s, the most modern of Iranian cities, I wore miniskirts and the latest fashions, attended a Jewish day school, and had many friends of different faiths and nationalities. I watched American movies, listened to the syndicated radio music program Casey’s Top 40 and had a crush on Elvis Presley. There were many Americans, Europeans and Israelis who worked and lived in Iran. Life in pre-revolutionary Iran offered a sense of freedom, opportunity and cultural richness that defined my formative years.”
In contrast, Saper recalled the ”Worst of Times.”
”The ‘Worst of Times’ for my family and me during the Iranian Revolution was marked by a series of profound and harrowing challenges. One of the darkest moments occurred when the new regime in 1979 executed Habib Elghanian, a prominent Jewish businessman and community leader. His death was a chilling reminder of the regime’s brutality and the precariousness of our safety. My experience in Iran, where espousing Zionism could have led to arrest or even death, profoundly deepened my connection with Israel once I left. This stark denial of Zionism and the oppressive environment faced by tens of thousands of Jews who remained in Iran underscored the value and significance of the Jewish homeland for me. Before the revolution, I had visited Israel several times and had personal connections through Israeli friends and their children. This early exposure only strengthened my bond with the land. The eight-year Iran-Iraq War, which began in 1980, further compounded our hardships. We faced daily uncertainty and fear as the conflict claimed the lives of many and brought economic and social turmoil. The American hostage crisis, which began in November 1979 when Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days further isolated us. The crisis strained international relations and fueled anti-American sentiment, exacerbating the climate of hostility and making it even more difficult for us to find safety or support. The revolution, the war and the ongoing hostility against Zionism altered our reality, leaving an indelible mark on our lives and shaping our perspectives in profound ways.”
”The Iranian government implemented restrictions,” Saper recalled. ”During the civil unrest, the authorities established martial law and imposed a curfew that prevented us from leaving our homes between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. The country was at a standstill, as almost every establishment, including companies, businesses and universities was on strike. All schools were closed. Gasoline was scarce, power and water shortages were rampant, leading to chaos on the streets. During that time, people lived in profound uncertainty and fear with disrupted everyday rhythms of life and a precarious future. As an American citizen, I now live in a democracy where I can exercise my voice. Whenever I stand in line to vote, I remember standing in line in Tehran to express my opinion on whether my country would become the Islamic Republic. Back then, I had to cast my ‘Yes’ ballot under the watchful gaze of armed guards, where anyone in the room could see how each person voted. The flag received a new emblem and they revised the constitution. This convergence led to the implementation of discriminatory laws against religious minorities, LGBT citizens and women, to name a few. The morality police enforce strict dress codes and behavior. Today, the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, sparked by the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini, has galvanized many women and girls in Iran to dissent en masse against the mandatory hijab. Iran’s population has more than doubled since the revolution. Most Iranians today do not recall Imperial Iran, the revolution, or the early years of the Islamic Republic. They were either not born yet or were children at the time. Therefore, I belong to an exclusive generation that fully experienced Iran in its three eras: the monarchy, the revolution and the Islamic Republic. My memories are a bridge to a past that many in my homeland only
know through stories and history books.”
Saper expressed the similarities between the Iranian Revolution to what is happening now in Israel.
”When reflecting on the events in Iran during my youth and comparing them to the current situation in Israel, several key parallels and distinctions emerge.
During the Iranian Revolution, many people, including young activists, chanted slogans like ‘Independence, Freedom and the Islamic Republic’ driven by a desire for change and dissatisfaction with the existing monarchy. However, they needed a more comprehensive understanding of what the Islamic Republic would mean in practice. This lack of clarity about the future governance and the complexities involved in transitioning from a monarchy led to unforeseen consequences and a repressive regime. Fast-forward to today, we see a similar pattern in the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests that have emerged on US college campuses since October 7th. Many protest participants are motivated by a genuine desire for justice and peace. Yet, they may need to fully grasp the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the broader implications of their actions. This lack of comprehensive understanding is reminiscent of the situation in Iran decades ago. During his recent visit to Israel, actor Michael Douglas spoke about the wave of pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests that have swept US college campuses since October 7th. He suggested the students involved underwent ‘brainwashing… because when you try to talk to many of them, there is no education, there’s no knowledge.’ Also, during his speech to the joint meeting of Congress on July 24, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said, ‘I have a message for these protestors, when the tyrants of Tehran who hang gays from cranes and murder women for not covering their hair are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots.'”
Saper shared her experience of coming to the US after fleeing Iran.
”When I arrived in the United States, I was a young mother of two with a high school degree and a new immigrant. I did not allow the hurdles of life to pull me down. We left all our property and belongings behind in Iran and had to start from zero. At times, I worked three jobs simultaneously and studied at night. I did everything I could. My husband had to study and pass many exams to regain his position as a physician in the United States. I was grateful for the many opportunities that I could pursue. I studied accounting and practiced as a CPA. Today, my daughter is a lawyer and my son is a doctor. What they have accomplished here, they could not have accomplished in Iran.”
For more information regarding the National Jewish Retreat, visit jretreat.com or call 1-877-573-8732.
