The small Haim Synagogue, also known as Daniel Synagogue

The Haim Synagogue, also known as the Daniel Synagogue, played a vital role during World War II as Jews sought refuge in Iran. Primarily Polish, these refugees found shelter in the Haim Synagogue, thanks to the preparedness of the Tehran Jewish Committee. As their numbers increased, a smaller synagogue, named Daniel Synagogue, was built within the Haim Synagogue’s yard to cater specifically to Ashkenazi Jews. Inaugurated thanks to the determination from the board of directors and contributions from European refugees, the synagogue has a capacity of 60 men, along with a room on its Eastern side that can accompany 25 women.It housed three Torah scrolls adorned with Ashkenazi design and a Hechal curtain the polish refugees had brought along with themselves. The Chief Rabbinate (Shaliach Tzibur) was trusted to a German called Levy.

With the coming of the Islamic republic in 1979, the migration of many European Ashkenazi Jews led to a decline in members, such that by 1991, the synagogue needed to use other Jews from Tehran in its congregational prayer to uphold the minyan requirement for congregational prayer. Minyan requires a minimum number of ten males to participate in prayer so that is constitutes a representative “community of Israel” for liturgical purposes. Currently, the synagogue only hosts Shabbat prayers and the Chief Rabbinate is Mr. Cohen, grandchild of the late Shmuel Cohen. The last remaining member of the Polish migrants was beaten and murdered in 2001.

Interestingly, Ghavam Al Saltaneh Street also happens to be the place were governmental offices, included several ministries, are placed. In addition, some of the authorities of the government lived here. For example, the Qajari and Pahlavi Prime Minister Ahmad Ghavam (known as Ghavam Al Saltaneh) lived in a seven-thousand meter garden with a 104-meter octagonal building. This was his house and office until 1953. The building is currently a museum known as the Mirror Art Museum. Another significant building in this area is the Saint Peter Evangelical Church of Tehran, that is over 135 years old. Museum of Ancient Iran is also an important structure, situated on the Easter side of Ghavam Al Saltaneh Street.