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cloth-selling business, but through fruitful efforts over ten years, he managed remarkable successes in the field of trade. He engaged in importing iron, industrial tools, and automotive parts, and also established a taxi company known as “Vaksal” with over 130 taxis. His business activities expanded both domestically and internationally from 1955, resulting in more than 40 trips to Europe and America.
Aghajan’s social activities began during a period when he was considered among the respected members of the Jewish community and a member of the synagogue council of Pol-e Choubi Synagogue in Tehran.
In early 1979, the Jewish Association of Tehran took the initiative to automate matzo baking (unleavened bread for Passover) and bought a matzo-baking machine. The Assosiation called for assistance from fellow community members to set up the device and manage the work. Mr. Shadi — already an active and charitable member of the community — embraced this initiative and voluntarily offered to collaborate.
For over thirty years, he took full responsibility for procuring matzo from a month before the scheduled time of Nisan, the month of Passover. He was responsible for obtaining wheat and flour, baking, packaging, transportation, sales, and handling accounts, among other duties.
Additionally, he was appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Synagogue of Yousef Abad and assumed the role of managing director in 1981. Also, due to his goodwill and philanthropic efforts, he was accepted as a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Association of Tehran in the 1980s, following community votes. He served as the head of the committee for conflict resolution for many years, and after a while, he was also entrusted with the responsibilities of the elderly residence’s affairs.
Mr. Shadi simultaneously assumed the responsibility of managing the Beheshtiyeh Jewish Cemetery on behalf of the Jewish Association, succeeding Mr. Lughman Mikail upon his retirement. With unwavering dedication, he invested years of tireless effort with an indescribable passion to rectify the shortcomings of the cemetery and organize its structure.
As his age advanced, his strength diminished. However, Aghajan had his children beside him always. They assisted him in all charitable activities, especially his son Elias, who, from the beginning of his father’s responsibility at the cemetery, assisted Aghajan in the endeavor to systematically record the names of the deceased along with the necessary information, burial locations, and section or plot numbers in a ledger for the purpose of notification. Be it scorching summer days or frigid winter moments that demanded brushing off snow from the tombstones with their bare hands to uncover the particulars of the departed, they committed to documenting the information.
Today, the Beheshtiyeh Jewish Cemetery stands at the threshold of being digitized. Undoubtedly, this critical and innovative initiative owes a great deal to the selfless efforts of this unassuming and modest individual. During this period, he never neglected any action in this regard — even managing the acquisition, washing, shrouding, and burial of the deceased. It is worth noting that Mr. Shadi was also responsible for the affairs of Kashan Cemetery.
With support from Lord David Alliance and collaboration with the Jewish Association, he dedicated himself to restoring and revitalizing the Mosheh Halevi shrine in Kashan in 2002.
In 1952, Mr. Shadi married Mrs. Nanehjan from the Tishbi family. This union resulted in five daughters and four sons.
Due to his advanced age, Mr. Shadi was compelled to retire and reduce his social activities. Nevertheless, in his last interview with Elena Lavian, he said he would come whenever needed and continue serving the people.
He has participated multiple times in various government functions, Jewish Association meetings, and meetings with officials of the Islamic Republic who invited him, as well as receiving recognition and encouragement from different Jewish organizations for his humanitarian services.
On the 10th of Heshvan 5775, corresponding to November 3, 2014, at the age of 97, Mr. Shadi passed away after years of dedicated service to the Jewish community.