Biography of Dr. Baroukh Beroukhim

Baroukh Beroukhim was born in Tehran, Iran where his father, Asher Beroukhim, and his mother, Aalieh Ghatan, were also born. Asher was one of the most reputable merchants of Tehran. The couple are parents of six children (four sons and two daughters), most of whom reached high levels of education and obtained Doctorate degrees. Baroukh completed his preliminary studies in Alliance School in Tehran and obtained a degree in French. Later, he joined the Darolfonoon High School, one of the largest educational centers in Iran.

In those days, due to the shortage of high school teachers, in order to teach certain basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, the Ministry of Education was forced to hire foreign professors, most of whom did not speak Farsi and were forced to teach all the lessons in French.

Baroukh Beroukhim participated in the examinations for the selection of students sent to Europe after graduating from high school. The result was a dazzling success in the field of Medicine, Engineering and Science. Baroukh was known as the best student of the group, with an average grade of 19.75 out of 20.

As a result, he was introduced to Reza Shah Pahlavi and garnered his support and favor. He was then sent, along with one hundred selected students to Europe for further studies.

In France, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the Strasbourg University. Later, he attended Montpellier University and completed a Bachelor of Science Course in Physics as the first step toward getting a Doctorate degree in the field. Due to his extraordinary talent and his significant research in the field of Physics of Light, he was introduced to Professor Caban. After years of classroom and other studies, he completed his Doctoral Dissertation of " Diffusion of Light in Chloure-d'Ethyle" with Honors.

When he returned to Iran, Dr. Beroukhim married Ezat Laed. The couple raised four children who are all educated in the field of medicine and are among the most outstanding and skillful physicians in the society. These children are Dr. Bijan Broukhim, Dr. Behrooz Broukhim, Dr. Behnam (Benjamin) Broukhim and Dr. Kami Broukhim.

When Dr. Baroukh Beroukhim started working, he taught in the Teacher Higher College of the University of Tehran, which was the only institute for higher education in Iran. Later, he was conscripted and joined the Military Officers School and taught in the Aviation and Officers Schools for a year and half.

After completing his military service, Dr. Beroukhim was hired by The Ministry of Education to work in the Alborz High School. It was this school he met Dr. Mojtahedi, who was later appointed principal. Because of their deep motivation and strong ties Dr. Beroukhim and Dr. Mojtahedi both worked together to educate and guide the youth, thus rendering highly valuable service to the country. DR. Beroukhim taught Physics in French at the Razi School for thirty six years, as well.

Dr. Beroukhim was surprised by the shortage of educational materials when he joined the service of Education. He was disappointed to find no student textbooks on Physics. So, he wrote comprehensive textbooks for Physics to be taught at all of the various levels of high school education. Dr. Beroukhim's books are the most widely used books of Physics and Chemistry, being still at the disposal of Iranian students after half a century since their publication.

Once the Physics and Chemistry high schools textbooks were published, they were so widely popular and created such a change in learning these sciences that Dr. Beroukhim was encouraged to publish books on Physics and Chemistry for the participants in the entrance examinations of the School of Medicine. Dr. Beroukhim was in constant service to education for over half a century in Iran. He was the Principal of the Kourosh Schools for boys and for girls and the Etefagh Schools. He was one of the founders of the Azar Educational Group.

Dr. Beroukhim has donated his time to charity organizations as well as educational organizations.

He has a record of faithful representation of the Tehran City Council in the High Council of Education.

Dr. Beroukhim was repeatedly encouraged by the Imperial Majesties Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and authorities of the Ministry of Education, and was rewarded with the honor of receiving numerous scientific and educational medals and deciratuibs in recognition for his scientific and educational services. Dr. Beroukhim continued his residence in Iran for 2 years after the beginning of the revolution. The New Government decided to expropriate all schools and make them part of the public entities. As a result he became disheartened therefore, he decided to travel to the United States, accompanied by his wife, to live with his children who were busy studying or working as physicians.

This active and energetic man did not elect to be idle and established the "Anjoman-i-Sokhan" (the Speech Society). For years, he has been rendering valued services in the capacity of the Educational/Cultural Assistant President of the Society. Dr. Beroukhim founded the Bonyaad-i-Farhang-ye- Iranian (the Iranian Educational and Cultural Foundation) in 1984 with the help of a few friends. This foundation had undertaken extensive activities for teaching Farsi in Exile.

He is one of the Magbit Foundation's Founders and he served on Magbit's Board of Directors and the Executive Board for many years.

It was due to his endeavors and efforts that the educational authorities of cities of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills agreed to recognize and accept Farsi as a second, required language for students. Dr. Beroukhim is always ready to help students. He has been a constant friend of all students in need of assistance and guidance. His services and valuable favors have repeatedly been appreciated and cited by the authorities in Beverly Hills. In recognition of his efforts, Mr. Alexander, the Mayor of Beverly Hills proclaimed September 23, 1995 as Iranian Education Day.