Up to 100 people, including numerous religious and political figures, traveled to Roslyn last Tuesday night to hold a "vigil of hope" for 10 Jewish Iranian prisoners, currently accused and sentenced for espionage in that nation and whose window of opportunity to appeal their trial and sentence has recently expired. The event took place just before dusk on Tuesday, July 18 at The Gazebo in Roslyn Pond Park.

Organized by the Long Island Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, the vigil was designed as a show of support for prisoners whom the AJC claim have been unjustly sentenced, and also to keep pressure for an appeal alive.

Clergy from several religious affiliations, including Jewish and Christian organizations as well as representatives from the Iranian-American Jewish community gathered by the gazebo just before dusk to express their concern for the prisoners. Edward J. Miller, president of the LI Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, called the conviction a "travesty of justice" and urged those who attended to keep the pressure for an appeal alive by signing a petition and contacting their representatives in both Albany and Washington.

Cantor Renee Coleman of North Shore Synagogue of Syosset, set the tone for the vigil by singing a prayer for peace. Other clergy who offered prayers for the prisoners included Rev. Thomas Goodhue, Long Island Council of Churches; Rabbi Alan Lucas, Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn; Rabbi Michael Klayman, Temple Israel of Great Neck; Rabbi Dean Klein, Temple Sinai of Roslyn, and Rabbi Renni Altman, Temple Beth El of Great Neck.

Local political figures who attended included Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, TONH Councilmembers Doreen Banks and James O'Connor, Town Clerk Michelle Schimel and New York State Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli.

Representing the local Iranian-American community were Simon Zareh, past president of the Conference of Jewish Organizations of Nassau County, and Raymond Iriani, president of the Iranian-American Democrats of New York. The two spoke for people who, according to the AJC, are "often reluctant to speak for fear of reprisals against relatives still living in Iran." Jeffrey L. Bass, president-elect of the AJC/LI, closed the vigil with a candle lighting ceremony to represent the hope that justice and reason will prevail in Iran.

Along with the AJC, other religious organizations that co-sponsored the event were the Interfaith Alliance of Nassau County, the Conference of Jewish Organizations of Nassau County, the Interfaith Office of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, North Shore Synagogue of Syosset, Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, Temple Israel of South Merrick, and Woodbury Jewish Center.