Commemoration at Yousef Abad: Iranian Jews Honor Khomeini’s Legacy
On the evening of Wednesday, 26 June 1404 (16 June 2025), a unique and symbolic ceremony was held at the Yousef Abad Synagogue in Tehran. This event marked the 36th anniversary of the passing of Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Unlike many commemorative events organized by the state or Islamic institutions, this ceremony was notable for being initiated and attended by members of Iran’s Jewish community. In a solemn and spiritually rich gathering, Jewish believers honored the memory of Khomeini, reading passages from the Torah and reciting Psalms in Hebrew and Persian, while also offering prayers for peace and understanding among religions.
This event was not only a reflection of interfaith respect but also a rare public expression of the continuing complexities of religious coexistence in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It served to underscore both the Jewish community’s unique place within Iranian society and the long-standing, albeit cautious, relationship between the country’s non-Muslim minorities and the ideals articulated by Khomeini during and after the 1979 revolution.
A Ceremony of Reverence and Reflection
Held within the historic walls of the Yousef Abad Synagogue—one of Tehran’s most prominent Jewish places of worship—the ceremony was attended by community elders, religious leaders, youth representatives, and invited guests. The synagogue’s ark was adorned with the Star of David draped in white and green cloths, symbolizing peace and the Islamic Republic. Candles were lit in honor of Khomeini’s memory, and the event opened with the traditional Jewish prayer for the deceased, the El Malei Rachamim.