Next year will mark 40 years since my family left Iran for the final time, escaping in the midst of the country’s Islamic Revolution. I still hear stories from the old country, the language spoken by previous generations, and see many of the values exemplified, even after so many years of living in another place.

There’s appreciation for the opportunities coming to the United States brought, especially ones never existing for Jews in Iran. But, a degree of nostalgia survives in the hope of one day returning to visit the country my family left.

In the past days, the Iranian people have once again begun to speak out against the theocratic dictatorship leading the country. I stand with my historic community; one longing for freedom, the right to determine their country’s destiny. And, though protesters risk their lives in the pursuit of their goal, I hope their sacrifices are fruitful.

Iran’s government oppresses its own people. It restricts human rights, jails dissidents, and spreads terror throughout the world, supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza among other places. It opposes diversity and persecutes minorities.

The current government of Iran must go. Thankfully, the people of Iran are standing up to this regime, even at such great a cost.

I hope a day comes in the near future where I can go visit my parents’ childhood home, see the places they walked, and where my ancestors built their lives for hundreds of years. These recent developments suggest this day may not be too far from now.

2018 is hopefully the year the Iranian people gain freedom from their oppressive government, and eventually, better relations can be formed between the country I’ve called home during my life and the place of my ethnic origins.