Louisville woman from Iran finds support at Jewish Community Center amid ongoing war
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A local organization is supporting a Louisville woman who was born and raised in Iran as the war there continues.Niloofar Sabzevari, who moved to the United States in 2009, said the Jewish Community Center offered emotional support to her family as they follow developments in Iran."The only place—I didn’t want my son to see me crying every day—so I was coming here every day," Sabzevari said. "Your pool is full of my tears because I had nowhere else to go."
Niloofar Sabzevari poses with the flag of Iran. (Submitted photo)
Though she and her family are not Jewish, they are members of the center, which learned about the challenges her relatives face overseas and has stepped in to help.Sabzevari said her sister in Iran was arrested a few years ago, briefly held in solitary confinement, and tortured. The family’s concerns are compounded by the Iranian regime’s internet restrictions, which can make communication difficult.Sabzevari said she last visited Iran when her father was sick with COVID-19, a time when the government’s vaccine distribution was limited.Despite the hardships, she said she is confident in a brighter future for Iran."I am sure that it will happen," she said. "There is no other way, believe me."Trent Spoolstra, with the Jewish Community Center, said the situation has a local impact."Regardless of what is happening at the political or military stage, the people who are from Iran who are affected, who still have family back there—this affects people here in Louisville," he said.Sabzevari said she speaks with her sister almost daily by phone, updating her on the situation in Iran, even as the country restricts most media communications.Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
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