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Abrishami Synagogue
Summer 2009

The Abrishami Synagogue, established in 1965 by philanthropist Aghajan Abrishami, stands as a significant cultural complex for Tehran’s Jewish community. Situated on a 1025.59-square-meter plot on Palestine Street (formerly Kakh Street), Alley 4, No. 14 and 10.1, the synagogue was founded with the support of various philanthropists and the founders of the Sedgh Cultural Association, Dr. Aghajan Abrishami, Nasser Akhtarzad, David Berukhim, Menashe Purat, Benjamin Shaban, Mehdi Musazadeh, Habib Lavi, Abdollah Netan Eli, and Musa Nassir. With their help, the biggest Iranian Jewish cultural complex in Tehran was built.

The building comprised two floors. The ground floor and first floor is a Jewish school for primary, middle, and high school students. The primary school, however, has recently relocated to a building kindly donated by Dr. Noormand. The second is a synagogue (i.e. Beit Knesset).

Unlike traditional synagogues, the architecture follows a modern style, aligning with contemporary designs. With a capacity of approximately 500 people (350 for men and 150 for women), the Abrishami Synagogue is located in the densest Jewish residence in Tehran, and thus, hosts daily prayer services (Tefillah), at various times of the day and throughout the week, particularly on Saturdays (Shabbat).

To facilitate prayer services, especially on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the complex has three tabernacles (mishkan) and a smaller synagogue with an 80-person capacity for specific hours on Saturdays. The Torah ark (hekhal) has a simple yet beautiful and relatively modern design, featuring a large door with intricate wood carving and surrounded by marble inscriptions.

A mikveh (ritual bath) named “The Late Rosa” was inaugurated in 1995 through the philanthropic support from one member. In 2008, a men’s mikveh was added as part of a significant renovation by the synagogue council and with the help of Aharon Sharga. Talmud Torah classes are conducted in the synagogue during most evenings. Prominent Chief Rabbis at the synagogue include Rabbi Yedidia Shofet, Mr. Yehoshua Netan Eli, Engineer Eliasian, and Dr. Hammami.