Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee

spring 2018

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

The Library and Museum of the Cultural Heritage of the Tehran Jewish Committee, ‎Spring 2018‎

The term “People of the Book” (i.e. ‎صاحب کتاب‎) was first used after the Arab invasion of ‎Iran to distinguish Jews from Muslims and even from infidels. This is because the Jews, ‎as a monotheistic people and possessors of the heavenly book of the Torah, were ‎known as a believing and religious people. Because they had common ground with ‎other monotheistic religions, they were to some extent respected. As a result, over ‎time, there were occasional commercial collaborations and the establishment of close ‎and friendly relations between them. In other words, the term People of the Book not ‎only served to identify Jews, but also often led their counterparts to be more mindful of ‎their rights when dealing with them.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

It’s rare to find a Jewish household, or workplace for that matter, without books. Throughout ‎history, possessing and reading books has been a hallmark of Jewish culture. According to ‎Talmudic writings, Jews were obligated to read a Torah chapter, particularly on Shabbat, to ‎fulfill their religious duties. Even during forced migrations, Jewish communities considered ‎religious texts—Torah scrolls, Psalms manuscripts, Talmudic writings, and Ketubahs—as ‎essential belongings, carrying them as ancestral heritage wherever they went. While other ‎ancient religions had physical structures made of bricks and stones, Jews, often exiled, ‎treasured their words, their oral Torah, carrying its manuscripts wherever they journeyed.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

Once synagogues were established in cities and spread to Jewish neighborhoods, it became ‎necessary to place Torah scrolls in these synagogues for religious rituals, particularly on ‎Shabbat days. Most attendees brought their own kippahs and tallits (prayer shawls), and a few ‎had prayer books too. With the rise of printing, more people could acquire prayer books and ‎Torah scrolls for themselves. Over time, other religious texts were also printed. Since not ‎everyone could afford to own all the religious books and commentaries by Jewish scholars, ‎synagogues took on the responsibility of procuring and providing necessary texts for their ‎attendees. Today, synagogues serve as cultural and religious hubs for the Jewish community, ‎offering a collection of religious books akin to a small library.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

Throughout Iran’s history, particularly during the Pahlavi dynasty’s reign (1925-1979), ‎religious and cultural houses of worship gradually emerged. Among them, the library ‎affiliated with Koorosh Elementary and High School holds a special place. Established in ‎‎1958 in memory of Mehrangiz No’parast, an outstanding student from Kermanshah at ‎the University of Tehran’s School of Pharmacy, the library was made possible by the ‎dedication of her parents, Monavar and Yaghoub No’parast.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

The establishment of the Central Library of Iranian Jews wasn’t just a mere wish of the ‎educated class within the community; it was seen as a monumental goal. Thus, making ‎it a reality appeared crucial. On one hand, the rapid advancements in science, ‎knowledge, and inventions were progressing at an ever-increasing pace. On the other ‎hand, Jewish youth and enthusiasts lacked a substantial cultural hub for exchanging ‎scientific and artistic knowledge, as well as accessing religious documents central to ‎Jewish culture.‎

Moreover, many non-Jewish compatriots and individuals interested in researching and ‎studying the Jewish creed often found themselves turning to the secretariat of the ‎Jewish Committee for access to resources related to Jewish religion and culture. This ‎was because comprehensive reference books and cultural texts were not readily ‎available elsewhere.‎

Despite some schools and other organizations such as student associations, youth ‎houses, and cultural and artistic associations having their own small libraries, it seemed ‎evident that they weren’t fully equipped to meet the community’s growing needs.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

The initial task involved identifying an ideal site for the central library. Various ‎plots owned by the Committee were evaluated, with a preference for a ‎location in northern Tehran. However, after thorough consideration, it became ‎evident that no place was as fitting as Koorosh School, which conveniently ‎housed a synagogue. Furthermore, the presence of cultural institutions ‎established by other religious minorities in the same vicinity, such as Si-e Tir ‎and Sheikh Hadi Street, added to the suitability of the location.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

In early 1991, the proposal to establish a sizable library catering to students, young ‎adults, and bibliophiles received official approval from the board of directors of the ‎Jewish Committee. Subsequently, in November 1992, the Committee’s library came into ‎being.‎

In 1994, efforts to expand the library’s space commenced with renovations on the south ‎side of the Koorosh Educational Complex. Initially, walls separating classrooms were ‎dismantled, creating a spacious hall designated for the library’s collection and reading ‎area. The Tehran Jewish Committee undertook all expenses related to the renovation, ‎demonstrating significant commitment to realizing this ambitious project. Ultimately, ‎on 1st July 1996 through the diligent efforts of Haron Yashayayi, the library was officially ‎inaugurated on the second floor of the Koorosh School building.‎

Presently, housing a collection of over 50,000 books spanning various disciplines, the ‎library not only serves the Jewish community of Tehran but also caters to numerous ‎researchers and students interested in Jewish history and culture.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

The next step was to collect books from other Jewish organizations and transfer them to the ‎central library. The Ganj-e Danesh library was exempted. Soon, efforts to purchase books for ‎the library started and some of the members of the Committee were familiarized with modern ‎library management with help from the Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, Academy of Persian ‎Language and Literature, the Malek Libraries, and the Iranian National Library.‎

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage ofTehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

Library and Museum of Cultural Heritage of Tehran Jewish Committee spring 2018

The grand opening of the largest Central Library of Iranian Jews was held in July 1996. ‎Over the course of nine days, two young Jewish girls, Mozhgan Kuchakzadeh and her ‎sister Sholeh Kuchakzadeh, meticulously organized and cataloged books, preparing ‎them for entry into the library’s computer system. Eshagh Cohensedgh was trusted with ‎the executive management of the library, while Rahman Delrahim became the ‎supervisor of the library’s religious and cultural texts. Haron Yashayayi, former president ‎of the Tehran Jewish Committee, spearheaded efforts to establish communication ‎channels with various institutions and individuals, securing resources and managing the ‎library’s operations. Throughout the years, dedicated individuals like Mehrnoush ‎Asiaban, Eliza Abdian, the late Iraj Omrani, and Linda Levi Shoghi played vital roles in ‎maintaining the library.‎

Additionally, thanks to Jewish friends abroad the library also contains book in Hebrew, ‎English, French, Persian, and “Persian-Hebrew” to cater to the needs of researchers and ‎students.‎

Sources: A Chronicle Report by Haron Yashayayi ‎

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