Iran: The Middle East mastermind with the matches

I have a boyhood memory of the blockbuster award-winning movie "Exodus," staring a young Paul Newman as the leader of Jewish refugees and Palestinian Jews in their epoch struggle to establish the nation of Israel.

In commenting on the movie, my grandmother told me that her grandfather would sometimes disappear into the cellar of his house to read what I understand now was probably an English translation of the Hebrew holy book, the Torah. With the aid of research by my sister, we have discovered that the mother of the grandfather in the cellar had the birth name of Frank. As is the Jewish custom of following the mother’s religion, it appears probable that, however obscure and distant, I am the descendant of Jews.

I have never needed this connection to feel loyalty to Israel. The movie "Exodus," while not completely historical, instilled that in me.