On April 6, 2022, SHAI and the Great Neck Library hosted a well-attended and well-received livestream one-on-one interview with author Shahrzad Elghanayan. Elghanayan is the author of the newly published and critically acclaimed biography, Titan of Tehran: From Jewish Ghetto to Corporate Colossus to Firing Squad – My Grandfather’s Life, regarding the life and execution of Habib Elghanayan.

SHAI’s past President Rebecca Sassouni interviewed Elghanayan in detail about her relationship to her grandfather; his impact on her family; her research process and sourcing;  Elghanayan’s sharp business acumen, devoted philanthropy, ardent Zionism; and, ultimately,  the tragic interwoven legacies of Habib Elghanayan and the country he transformed and loved:  Iran.  

The book and livestream conversation painstakingly recount Habib Elghanayan’s execution following a sham trial, which sent shock waves across the Jewish community from Iran all the way to Washington DC, Israel and across time.   

SHAI thanks the library for its support of this event.