“Women’s Struggle for Freedom in Iran” ​hosted by SHAI and Temple Israel Sisterhood Golda presented featured speaker Jonathan Harounoff–acclaimed British-Iranian journalist and author, with Michelle Ahdoot as moderator, at Temple Israel of Great Neck. The event was on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 and started with remarks by SHAI President Mojgan Cohanim-Lancman.

​​The Temple Israel and Persian community gathered for a deeply moving conversation exploring the ongoing “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran. Jonathan Harounoff sat down with Michelle Ahdoot to discuss the courage and resilience of Iranian women fighting against systemic oppression.

The “Unveiled” Resistance: Harounoff’s work highlights that the movement isn’t just about the hijab; it’s about bodily autonomy. By removing their headscarves, women are reclaiming their identity from a state that has used their appearance as a pillar of political control for 46 years.

​A “New Iran”: One of the most striking points Harounoff makes is that this isn’t just a “protest”—it’s a psychological shift. He argues that it is no longer a question of if the regime will change, but when, because the fear that once kept the population submissive has been broken by the courage of teenage girls and young women.

​Harounoff shared gripping insights from his work, detailing the sparks of the 2022 uprising and the broader historical context of dissent in Iran. The interview offered a rare, human-centered glimpse into the lives of those risking everything for basic human rights, moving beyond the headlines to tell the stories of everyday resistance.

One of the key points covered was “​The Movement: Insight into the Mahsa Amini protests and why they represent a unique challenge to the Iranian regime.”

​The evening concluded with a spirited meet-and-greet and book signing, where attendees had the opportunity to speak further with Harounoff about his latest book, Unveiled: Inside Iran’s #WomanLifeFreedom Revolt.

Furthermore, Jonathan Harounoff serves as Israel’s International Spokesperson to the United Nations, working directly under Ambassador Danny Danon. In this role, he acts as the primary voice for the Israeli mission to the global media, managing press inquiries and ensuring Israel’s perspective is represented in international discourse. He leverages his background as a journalist to “tell Israel’s story” in what he often describes as one of the world’s most challenging diplomatic environments.

Beyond general diplomacy, he uses his platform at the UN to highlight human rights issues in Iran—specifically the #WomanLifeFreedom movement—and to elevate the voices of those affected by conflict, such as the families of hostages.