One of the major consequences of the 1979 revolutions in Iran was the unwanted mass immigration of the Iranian elite and the minorities. Immediately after their arrival, the Iranian Jewish community who had settled in California—mainly in Los Angeles—began forming various organizations to cater to different community needs. In 1980, the Iranian American Jewish Federation (the “IAJF”) was formed as an umbrella organization with main objective of defending and protecting the interests and welfare of the Jews throughout the world—with special emphasis on Iranian Jews—as well as streamlining the philanthropic activities of its member organizations.