Jack Mahfar

Early life and education Mahfar was born into a Jewish family in the Jouybareh district of Isfahan, an area historically known as the centre of Jewish life in Iran. He began his education at the Ayin School, a Christian missionary institution, before he continued at the Alliance High School and then later enrolling in the School of Literature. However, his studies were disrupted in 1948 when his family relocated their house to Tehran.

Career In Tehran, Mahfar worked at Rey Pharmacy, under Dr. Moussa Bral. He began his career as an apprentice in the pharmaceutical industry. He founded Mahfar Co., a firm that served as a local representative for foreign pharmaceutical entities, including Sweden-based Astra. The company produced medications under licensing agreements from European manufacturers.

After relocating to Switzerland, Mahfar remained active in philanthropy. He contributed to the construction of synagogues in Israel, supported medical centres, and funded educational projects, including the Encyclopædia Iranica.

Following the revolution, his business was nationalized, prompting his move to Geneva. There, he launched a new pharmaceutical enterprise and continued his humanitarian work, including assisting in the release of imprisoned Iranian Jews in Shiraz. In addition, he also received various letters of appreciation, insignias, and tablets of honor. He published an autobiography called From Laborer to Entrepreneur: Memoirs of Jack Mahfar, which narrates his life from the Jouybareh district of Esfahan to life in Tehran and later Geneva, Switzerland.