"#DavidHalimi grew up #Jewish in #Tehran, watching #Bonanza. He now produces #rodeos in Northern #California and owns a bar modeled on Cheers.

At 73, Halimi is known around #Chico as the man behind a #Westernwear store stocked with thousands of #cowboyboots, a #rodeo circuit that draws #bullriders from across the region, and a U-shaped bar where locals joke about who might be the town’s version of Norm. Less obvious — but no less central — is that he is also a longtime #synagogue president, a #Hillel board leader, and a professor who teaches #businessanalytics at the local university.

Asked how an #Iranian #Jew learned the rhythms of the #American West, Halimi doesn’t mystify it. “I’m a quick learner,” he said."

https://forward.com/news/799020/david-halimi-iran-jewish-chico-western/