Yusef Hamadani Cohen (Persian: یوسف همدانی کهن ;1916 – 29 March 2014) was the Chief Rabbi of Iran and spiritual leader for the Jewish community of Iran (Iranian Jews) between January 1994 and 2007.[1]
Yosef Hamadani Cohen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | 1916 |
| Died | March 29, 2014 |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Uriel Davidi |
| Successor | Younes Hamami Lalehzar |
| Position | Chief Rabbi of Iran |
| Synagogue | Yusef Abad Synagogue |
| Began | 1994 |
| Ended | 2006 |
Career
editIn August 2000, Chief Rabbi Hamadani Cohen met with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami for the first time.[2] In 2003, Cohen and Member of Parliament Morris Motamed met with Khatami at Yusef Abad Synagogue which was the first time a President of Iran had visited a synagogue since the Islamic Revolution.[3] For the event, Cohen led the opening of the Torah scroll ark and the recitation of prayers.[4]
Death
editCohen died after a long illness on 29 March 2014 in Tehran over Shabbat.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ Iran: Kosher Info and Synagogues Kosher Delight
- ^ Khatami Meets Jewish leaders BBC
- ^ Report of Iranian President's visit from Yousef-Abad Synagogue, Tehran Iran Jewish
- ^ President Khatami visits the main synagogue in Teheran on Tu B'shvat Archived 2011-05-19 at the Wayback Machine Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture
- ^ Newman, Marissa (30 March 2014). "Iranian chief rabbi Yousef Hamadani Cohen dies". Times of Israel. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Iran's Chief Rabbi Passed Away Over Shabbat". The Jewish Press. 30 March 2014.