In solidarity with the people of Iran and all those around the world who seek personal freedom, Stephen Wise Temple offers this “Baraye Iran” video as tribute.
After the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iranian officials, protesters from around the world posted their reasons for regime change in Iran. Each of them began with the words, “Baraye,” a Farsi word which means “For” or “Because of.” Composer Shervin Hajipour turned these messages into a song: “Baraye Iran.” Hajipour was arrested on Sept. 29, 2022, two days after the song was initially published. He was released on bail on Oct. 4, 2022.
The song soon became an anthem, and the anthem, a movement.
Wise’s video features music and Farsi lyrics by Hajipour, and a special arrangement by Stephen Wise Temple and Schools Music Director Tali Tadmor. The song is sung in Farsi, English, and Hebrew by Cantor Tannoz Bahremand Foruzanfar, Cantorial Intern Andrew Paskil, and Educational and Cantorial Intern Lauren Roth. Providing accompaniment are Tadmor on the piano, percussionist Jeffrey Stern, and bassist Larry Steen.