Eskandar Mikael, philanthropist and a social activist
Eskandar Mikael was born into a religious family in 1945 in the Jewish area of the Oudlajan neighborhood, Tehran, Iran. His great-grandfather, Eliyahu Mikael, was one of the servants and founders of the Ezra Synagogue in the Oudlajan bazaar. His father, Luqman Mikael known as Luqmun, was also a prominent philanthropist in the Jewish community, dedicating much of his life to public service. He served as the head of the Beheshtiyeh Jewish Cemetery from the early 1950s until the end of his life. Although years have passed since Laqmun’s passing, evidence of his service still exists in the cemetery.
Eskandar Mikael finished his primary and high school education at Alliance Elementary School and Hadaf High School. After completing high school, he enrolled at the Ort Industrial Art School and applied to mandatory military service once he graduated. He served in the Education Corps (seventh course) in one of the villages near Birjand, close to Afghanistan. The Education Corps was dedicated to eradicating illiteracy in Iran, especially in far-off villages. After completing his military service, he initially found employment at the Arj Industrial Factory and later worked in other factories like General Steel and Emersan, gaining valuable experience. Eventually, he decided to leave employment at factories and personally engage in business, leading to the establishment of a textile and weaving production unit.
Mr. Mikael began his social activities at the beginning of his youth, when he was still studying and following the teachings passed down from his philanthropic parents. He became acquainted with the existing problems within the Jewish community of Oudlajan and grew up witnessing the health issues, educational challenges, and other social issues Jewish families faced. His parents’ charitable activities meant that he was also involved in resolving some of these issues, directly or indirectly, willingly or not.
Eskandar met his wife, Roza from the Delafraz family, in 1976. She was the second child of Dr. Delafraz. They married that same year, and their union resulted in a daughter and two sons named Bahador and Behdad. Bahador and Behdad inherited their father’s social activism, and today, they are actively engaged in various Jewish charitable organizations, especially in the Iranian Jewish community, volunteering in the Youth House for social services.
Marriage did not distract Eskandar from his philanthropic activities. He remained resolute in his intention to help the needy and underprivileged members of the Jewish community, dedicating most of his time to charitable associations, nursing homes, and anywhere that needed his assistance. With the help of some friends who were also involved in social activities — including the late Yaqub Yaqubzadeh, the late Solomon Cohen Ishaq, and Rahmatollah Shabetaee — he established the “Kourosh Charity Center” in 1986 to provide better support to needy families. As of 2011, this center covers over 300 needy families across Iran.
Starting from early 1988, Eskandar Mikael became a member of the Parents and Teachers Association of Ettifaq Educational Complex and rendered significant services to this cultural institution for over 13 years. In 1998, he established the Friends of Dr. Sapir Association in collaboration with his philanthropic friends and supporters from the Jewish community. The association’s objective was to provide aid to Dr. Sapir Hospital in addressing health-related concerns and the requirements of patients who were unable to bear medical expenses. Through this association, he successfully resolved financial difficulties for many patients who sought treatment at the hospital but were unable to pay. With consistent effort, he obtained financial assistance from other supportive individuals for Dr. Sapir Hospital.
Mr. Mikael never hesitated to get involved whenever he felt he could be helpful. As a result, he soon became a prominent, positive, and effective figure in addressing the problems of the Jewish community in synagogues, schools, elderly homes, and even Dr. Sapir Hospital.
In response to a group of friends and social activists — especially Parviz Yashayai, Chairman of the Jewish Association’s directors’ board, and Maurice Motamed, Jewish representative in the Iranian parliament — who asked him to participate in the Jewish Association’s elections in 2011, Eskandar participated and received the highest number of votes, earning him a seat on the directors’ board. He was appointed as the treasurer, where he actively served.
Eskandar preferred to conduct social and philanthropic activities informally, personally, and without publicity. However, his involvement with the Jewish Association brought significantly heavier responsibilities, which he never fell short of.
Mr. Mikael had long been collaborating with the late Gad na’im at the Jewish elderly home when he was designated as the liaison between the Jewish Association and the elderly home when he started work at the Jewish Association. Not long after, he officially became a member of the board of trustees of the elderly home and worked extensively alongside the late Gad na’im, Mansour Vafa Mansouri, and Manouchehr Sarafraz.
During his social activities, especially after joining the Jewish Association, Eskandar Mikael assumed various critical responsibilities, demonstrating a vital and constructive role in addressing the needs of the Jewish community. His competence led to his re-election as treasurer in the Jewish Association elections held in 2005, and he continued his active service in this position for a total of 10 years.
Among Eskandar’s achievements are his selection as a member of the board of trustees of the Levian Synagogue and his appointment as the president of the newly established Cooperative Fund there.
In 2007, with the establishment of the 7DORIM website, Eskandar Mikael joined the Center for Research and Studies of Iranian Jews and contributed significantly to the preservation and perpetuation of the oral history of Iranian Jews.
Although Mr. Eskandar Mikael couldn’t make it to the board of the Jewish Association in the 2011 elections, he remains as active as ever — directly and indirectly — in helping the Jewish community.