Why Speaking Your Values Is Good Business with Dr. Sheila Nazarian

Jewish Identity

Sheila Nazarian shares her experiences with antisemitism and the challenges of maintaining a Jewish identity in today's world. She recounts receiving threatening messages and even a pig hoof at her office, highlighting the persistent hostility she faces 1. Despite these challenges, Sheila emphasizes the importance of teaching her children to be proud of their Jewish heritage and to speak up against hate. She notes the difficulty of explaining such deep-seated animosity to her children, especially in a world where social media can be a "cesspool of hate" 2.

It's very difficult for teenagers that are already going through so much just off the coattails of COVID to comprehend this level of hate.

--- Sheila Nazarian

Sheila's commitment to protecting her children from harmful content while encouraging them to embrace their identity is a testament to her resilience.

   

Heritage & Upbringing

Sheila's journey from Iran to the United States is a powerful narrative of resilience and gratitude. She recalls fleeing Iran with her family, enduring hardships in Pakistan and Vienna before finally settling in the U.S., where she thrived in a merit-based society 3. Her story is not just about survival but also about the courage to speak out against oppression. Sheila reflects on the changes in Iran from the shah's era to the Islamic Republic, noting the fear that now grips even those in America who hesitate to voice their opinions 4.

My parents left everything they had built in Iran just to give us freedom of speech. And now people are afraid to speak.

--- Sheila Nazarian

Her experiences underscore the importance of using one's voice, a lesson she learned from her parents' sacrifices.