On Sunday, January 11, 2026, SHAI and the Great Neck Public Library presented our second author in a series of Author Talks centered on Persian Jewish history.

Rebbetzin Regine Monavar Omid Tessone, author of Monavar’s Journey, was interviewed by Rebbetzin Sarah Kohan on her memoirs. Rebbetzin Tessone recalled her family’s idyllic and traditional yet secular life in Iran where she attended the Lycée Razi School – the same school attended by Crown Prince Reza. She recalled the changes in the government and the citizenry that compelled her family to leave. In her young mind are seared moments of feeling homeless in her own country and being forced to shout “marg bar Shah” – “death to the Shah” – as her family made their way to the airport for their final escape.

Years later Rebbetzin Tessone designed a line of modest swimwear as her personal response to post revolution Iran where modesty became an excuse to say no to women. “Iran was a revolution of “No!”, she said. “You can’t do this; you can’t do that… With Aqua Modesta I created a revolution of “Yes! Yes, you can go snorkeling … hiking …. swim wherever you want… and this is what you are going to wear and you’re going to look so fashionable you’re going to want to wear it!” The event ended with a recitation of psalms for the Iranian people. Rebbetzin Tessone recited Tehilim 23 with the niggun recited by her father, Z”L, on Friday nights. It was the perfect conclusion to a deep and emotional conversation.