Mashhad: A Hidden Chapter of Iranian Jewish History
Set in the holy Islamic city of Mashhad in 1930’s Iran, Mashhad follows Miriam, a young Jewish ghetto girl struggling to understand why her family conceal who they are. An innocent day playing with a neighborhood friend soon threatens the fragile safety of two households. Produced by Reboot Studios and inspired by writer-director Sarah Solemani’s family history in the Mashhadi Jewish community, the film offers a rare cinematic window onto a long-suppressed chapter of Iranian Jewish life. The film premiered at the 2025 HollyShorts Film Festival and Tiffany Haddish hosted a special Mashhad screening and Q&A with Solemani, October 16 at the Museum of Tolerance Los Angeles. Find out more here.
Hanukkah Resources
We believe moments of light are now more important than ever. The Hanukkah rituals of lighting candles and gathering in community provide us with the much-needed opportunity to pause and reflect on the light that we choose to share with the world. In that spirit, Reboot has put together creative activities and engaging materials to watch and listen to that help illuminate the hidden corners and give you new paths to forge ahead in these difficult times. Like everything Reboot does, this collection of content can easily complement or supplement your traditional holiday experiences to personalize how you embrace this holiday season. Download our Hanukkah resource guide here.
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Erev Yalda: A Celebration of Persian-Jewish Winter Solstice Traditions
For the annual winter holidays, Reboot Studios is presenting a new way to celebrate with Erev Yalda, a reimagining of the ancient Persian winter solstice celebration Yalda. The new ritual blends Yalda with the themes of Hanukkah, through an Iranian-Jewish lens. Conceived by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Rachel Sumekh and food writer Tannaz Sassooni, Erev Yalda brings a vibrant, new tradition to life—one that inspires people from all backgrounds to embrace warmth, light, and resilience during the year’s longest night. The project, an immersive short film with a resource kit, offers a cultural bridge, inviting viewers to create their own experience of the powerful intersection of Persian and Jewish heritage. Winter Solstice Overlaps with Hanukkah, Sunday, December 21, 2025. Find out more and download the DIY kit here.
Reboot is an arts and culture non-profit that reimagines and reinforces Jewish thought and traditions, offering an inviting mix of discovery, experience and reflection. Through Reboot Studios, our media investment and development arm, we fund and produce projects in television, film, theater, podcasts, music, publishing and beyond. We also provide a variety of educational experiences and resources connected to the arts.
Reboot envisions powerful creative arts and cultural experiences – drawn from the rich treasures of Judaism – transforming, inspiring and rekindling Jewish connections and meaning in our day-to-day lives.
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More than 1,500 organizations have partnered with Reboot to find new pathways into Jewish ideas and rituals. We believe in the idea of providing “tools and not rules” and all of our projects are adaptable to be authentic to your community.