He Was Raised Muslim in Iran — Then Became an Orthodox Jew | William Mehrvarz

00:00 Teaser 00:40 Introduction: William Mehrvarz 01:49 Growing Up in Tehran Under the Islamic Republic 02:50 His Father’s Sacrifice for the Iranian Regime 04:18 How Islam Controlled Everyday Life in Iran 05:12 Taught to Hate Israel and America 07:19 Chanting “Death to America, Death to Israel” 08:31 How Iranian Children Are Taught Who to Hate 09:04 Why “Zionist” Was a Terrifying Word in Iran 09:30 Watching His School Celebrate 9/11 10:12 The Bible That Changed Everything 12:16 Questioning Islam — and Fearing the Regime 12:50 Why He Never Became an Atheist 13:49 Bringing His Questions Home to His Father 14:58 Abuse, Rebellion and Conflict Inside His Family 15:54 Learning to See God as a Loving Father 17:21 Witnessing the 2009 Green Movement Crackdown 19:30 Watching Iranian Protesters Die for Freedom 21:13 The Moment He Knew He Had to Flee Iran 23:51 Escaping Iran and Fleeing to Armenia 25:14 Secretly Teaching Himself Judaism in Iran 26:38 From Violent Fridays to the Peace of Shabbat 27:45 Arriving in America With Almost Nothing 29:37 Why He Never Regretted Choosing Freedom 31:15 Converting to Orthodox Judaism 32:12 Emerging From the Mikvah With a New Identity 34:22 Judaism’s 613 Mitzvot vs. Islamic Religious Rules 35:44 What Born Jews Can Learn From a Convert 36:42 Was He Accepted by the Jewish Community? 37:36 Preserving His Persian Identity as a Jew 38:51 Is the Problem Radical Islam — or Islam Itself? 40:35 Why October 7 Forced Him to Speak Out 42:31 His Reaction to Ali Khamenei’s Death 44:04 How October 7 Backfired on Iran’s Regime 45:05 Why the Islamic Regime Still Survives 48:11 What the Iranian Regime Fears Most 49:31 His Hope for a Free Iran 50:40 Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow William William Mehrvarz was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, in a deeply religious Shia Muslim family with close ties to the Islamic Republic. As a child, he was taught to distrust America, hate Israel and view Zionism as the enemy. Today, he is an Orthodox Jew, a proud Zionist, an American, a husband and a father. In this powerful conversation, William shares the extraordinary journey that took him from growing up under the Islamic Republic to questioning Islam, secretly studying Judaism, fleeing Iran and ultimately converting to Orthodox Judaism in the United States. William describes attending Friday prayers where crowds chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” being taught anti-Israel ideology from childhood and watching his own school celebrate after the September 11 attacks. Everything began to change when, at just 13 years old, William encountered an Armenian Christian boy carrying a Bible. Reading it raised questions he could no longer ignore and eventually sent him on a dangerous search for truth in a country where publicly abandoning Islam could have devastating consequences. He also recounts witnessing the Iranian regime violently suppress protesters during the 2009 Green Movement, including seeing a young protester shot near him in the streets of Tehran. William eventually realized that remaining in Iran could put his life in danger. He fled to Armenia and ultimately made his way to the United States with very little, leaving behind his country, his family and the life he had known. One of the most remarkable parts of William’s story is his discovery of Judaism. He explains why Shabbat captivated him so deeply: the Fridays of his childhood had been filled with angry sermons, political chants and burning flags, while Shabbat represented peace, family, singing, wine, joy and connection. William eventually completed an Orthodox Jewish conversion and emerged from the mikvah with a new Jewish identity: Liam Avraham. We discuss what it means to voluntarily join the Jewish people, whether Judaism’s 613 mitzvot felt restrictive after leaving Islam, his experience being accepted by the Jewish community and why he wants his children to remain deeply connected to their Persian heritage. The conversation then turns to Islamism, October 7, Israel, Iran and the future of the Middle East. William explains why October 7 convinced him that he could no longer remain silent, what he believes Westerners misunderstand about Islamist ideology, his reaction to the dramatic developments inside Iran, why the Islamic Republic has proven so difficult to dismantle and why he believes the regime ultimately fears the Iranian people more than any foreign military power. Finally, William explains why — despite everything he has lost and endured — he remains hopeful that one day Iran can become a free and prosperous country. This is the remarkable story of a man who went from being raised under the Islamic Republic to becoming an Orthodox Jew and Zionist in America. 💙 Support our mission or grab official Stand Tall Israel merch: https://standtallisrael.com/ 📩 Sponsorships & Business Inquiries: standtallisrael@gmail.com