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Saturday, January 7, 1987: Celebration of the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of the Youth House
The Past and Present of the Jewish Youth Center
The House of Jewish Youth in Tehran came into being on the 29th of Kislev 5737, equivalent to the 21st of December 1976. It emerged thanks to the collaborative efforts of passionate young individuals, supported by officials from the Tehran Jewish Committee and the late Yosef Cohen, the Jewish representative to the Iranian Parliament. Their goal? To create a nurturing space where moral values could flourish, youth could find purposeful activities in their free time, unity among young Iranian Jews could be fostered, Jewish culture could be celebrated and elevated, public awareness could be raised, and connections with other Iranian Jewish organizations and institutions in Iran could be established.
The inaugural board of the House of Jewish Youth, led by notable figures like the late Ruhollah Rabi’i, along with Mssrs. Manouchehr Azari, Siamak Khakshour, and Bijan Asef, laid the groundwork. Their efforts gave rise to the Choir Music Group, led by Parviz Gerami, leading to the formation of the Jewish Committee Choir. This group curated diverse programs. Another notable outcome of this House was the Niyyat Journal that was published by Shirin Tale’ and Afsaneh Daniali.
The group dissolved in 1988 and was succeeded by another group of activists who transitioned to join the second generation of the House of Jewish Youth. This new generation brought forth fresh initiatives, including the establishment of a theater group under the leadership of Mehran Daniali, which staged multiple productions. Additionally, organized travel tours and scientific pursuits fostered closer relationships among the youth. Ninety percent of the marriages that occurred between the members of this center were the result of these activities.
The third generation of the House of Jewish Youth kicked off their journey in 1991, with the participation of some of the members of previous generations too. They wasted no time and threw themselves into refurbishing and revitalizing the youth house with immense passion and determination. During this period, the stage came alive with the popular performances of acclaimed plays by Aziz and Aghdas, captivating audiences with their unique charm. Officials noted that the active involvement of these young individuals in community events and crucial decisions, including their participation in the general assembly of the Tehran Jewish Committee, brought about significant changes. Among their notable achievements were the organization of Bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies, the formation of youth subgroups, and the initiation of an independent honor ceremony.
Similar to the second generation, the third generation used the experience of their predecessors and started their seven-year tenure of vibrant activity, particularly starting from 2001. They breathed new life into the publication “Metana”, orchestrated remarkable endeavors within the youth group, set up and managed the youth house cafeteria with the ingenuity of enterprising teenagers, rekindled the spirit of music and choir, and organized ceremonies to honor exemplary Jewish students. Standout events during this period included the staging of theater productions under the name “Asb-e Shar” (i.e. the Wicked Horse). They staged the shows Jewish TV, the Bustling Clinic, J2, For a Handful of Money, and House of the Dead, which were some of the most important activities of the House.
However, the most significant transformation came with the sale of the House of Youth property on Moshtaq Street in December 2006, followed by the reconstruction of the property donated by the late Victoria Lahijani on Bozorgmehr Street by the Tehran Jewish Committee. The tireless efforts of the sixteenth board of directors of the House of Youth culminated in the resumption of activities in its new location in June 2007. During the period of constructing the new location, the subgroups of the House of Jewish Youth continued their operations in other locations, such as the office of the Tehran Jewish Committee. Additionally, it is worth noting that the highly acclaimed J2 theater performances were a product of this generation.
We should not forget the dedicated efforts of the board of directors of the Tehran Jewish Committee, notably Mr. Eskandar Mikael, whose unwavering commitment ensured the successful execution of these initiatives.
With the commencement of the seventeenth board of directors in June 2008, a new chapter unfolded for the House of Youth. Through meticulous planning, significant progress was made in organizing student celebrations, strengthening youth group engagement in weekly programs, and collaborating on the Iranian Jewish student conference in the summer of 2008. Additionally, the board orchestrated travel tours and a day-trip to visit the Jewish elderly home.
Another notable milestone was the execution of four nights of programs to honor 600 outstanding students in November 2008, generously supported both financially and morally by the Tehran Jewish Committee and the Cultural Committee. At the ceremony honoring outstanding students, the Kinor music group delighted attendees with their performances. Meanwhile, the Simcha Choir Group, now with 20 active young members from the House of Youth, continued to thrive with the addition of new talent.
The Matana magazine, as always under the dedicated stewardship of its editorial team, has stayed true to its cultural mission by publishing six issues during this period. Lastly, the Asb-e Shar (i.e. Wicked Horse) theater group has presented its sixth play, “From Monday to Monday”, earning praise for its stellar performance.