The Roohi Shad Cultural Center

Situated in Tehran on the northeast side of Saadi Street and at the intersection of Shah Reza Street (currently known as “Enghelab”), at the end of Raf’at Alley, the Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue boasts over 80 years of history.

In the early 1940s there were no synagogues in the Darvazeh Dowlat area, which meant that Jewish residents had to walk the Oudlajan neighborhood, especially on Shabbat and holidays, to use the synagogues there for their religious prayers. Seeing the difficulty, Haj Hagh Nazar Tehrani opened a temporary prayer space in one of the rooms of his house. The room was adjacent to the house’s main door and was a few steps below the yard. This humble beginning arose out of necessity.

Haj Hagh Nazar’s act of kindness was so warmly embraced by fellow Jews, that soon the room could not accommodate the number of worshippers that visited for prayer. Haj Hagh Nazar responded by moving his family to another house and donating his entire 200 square-meter house to become a synagogue. In early 1948, he collaborated with other benevolent Jews residing in Darvazeh Dowlat Street to gather donations, laying the foundation for the expansion and formalization of the Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue.

The synagogue was already well known for its enchanting Chief Rabbis — figures such as the late Abdullah Sedighpour, who properly upheld the religious practices for years — when Rabbi Uriel Davidi arrived in the area in the mid-1950s and caused a further important transformation to the synagogue; Rabbi Davidi established the first yeshiva for educating youth and holding Torah interpretation sessions. This marked a turning point in the synagogue’s history. For years thereafter, on Shabbat afternoons, Rabbi Uriel engaged with a large crowd of eager Jews, delving into the interpretation of the Tanakh and discussing the Halakha.

With its tall ceiling and spacious hall capable of accommodating over one hundred worshippers, the Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue featured a designated mezzanine for women on the east side. The basement served as the residence for the synagogue servant and his family. During significant ceremonies like Rosh Hashanah and Kippur, the synagogue’s courtyard, covered with a tent, welcomed more than five-hundred community members from the 1960s to 1978, emphasizing its central role in Jewish life in Tehran.

Darvazeh Dowlat has long been a hub of Jewish life in Tehran, dating back to the reign of Pahlavi I. It was also one of the significant gates of Tehran in the past. Alongside other central areas like Darvazeh Shemiran, North Roosevelt, and Sabagh Garden, it housed six synagogues and two schools, catering to the educational and spiritual needs of the community. The synagogues included Pol-e Choobi Synagogue, Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue, Ganj-e Danesh Fakhrabad Synagogue, Ettehad Jale Synagogue, Bagh-e Saba Synagogue, and Ganj-e Danesh-e Gorgan Synagogue. The schools included Ettehad Jale School and Ozar Hatorah Fakhrabad School.

As the Jewish population and student numbers surged in the Darvazeh Dowlat area over time, coupled with the considerable distance between this area and the Ettehad and Ganj Danesh schools, the necessity for a dedicated educational institution for Jewish children became increasingly apparent. The Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue Association recognized the necessity for a formal educational institution. Dr. Nejatolah Darvish, Bahram Yeremyan (Kedri), Abdullah Sedighpour, Asher Golestan, Dr. Habib Lalezari, Haj Hagh Nazar Tehrani, Sinoor Yadgar, Eshagh Kamkar, Eshagh Achdut, and Dr. Ezzatolah Yeremyan came together to expand the synagogue and establish a mixed elementary school.

The initial step involved navigating the administrative procedures to acquire a license for establishing a primary school, driven by Ezzatolah Yeremyan. Subsequent efforts focused on securing funds for purchasing school premises. Under the guidance of Haj Hagh Nazar, a three-person committee was formed to negotiate with neighboring property owners and synagogue neighbors, seeking their consent for property acquisition by the synagogue association.

Amidst negotiations, attention turned to Mrs. Keshvar Yeremyan, wife of Haj Israel Yeremyan. Having played a pivotal role in the Alliance School establishment and recently mourning the loss of her son, Dr. Ruhollah Yeremyan, she expressed a desire to contribute significantly towards acquiring a location for the school, keeping her son’s memory alive.

An agreement was reached to name the school “Roohi Shad”. With funds secured and additional contributions from charitable individuals, a suitable property measuring 450 square-meters adjacent to the eastern side of the synagogue building was purchased and registered in the name of Haj Hagh Nazar Tehrani. Without delay, the dividing wall between the two structures was taken down. With coordination between the Tehran Jewish Committee and the invaluable assistance of Engineer Jahangir Banayan, a single-story building was constructed on the northern perimeter. This new addition included several rooms and additional classrooms, in addition to a spacious playground and schoolyard on the southern side.

In 1951, the Roohi Shad Elementary School officially opened its doors with two classes for first and second graders, gradually adding a new class each year. Alongside the Ministry of Education’s curriculum, Hebrew and English were integrated into the school’s offerings from its inception. Tuition exemptions were granted to low-income students, with fees often adjusted by parents themselves based on their financial capabilities.

Mrs. Anavin was the principal of the school for the first few years. She also taught English in the school. Notable teachers like Narges Poursaki (Tabatabaei) and Azar Didehban contributed tirelessly to the school’s faculty. As student and teacher numbers increased in the fourth year, Habib Sadeghi, who had been a teacher and principal in public schools for years, became the headmaster until his retirement, bringing with him extensive experience in teaching and school management. He was later succeeded by Mr. Sefati.

Over the next decades, a dedicated cadre of educators, including Ezzatolah Golsaz for math, Rabbi Yosef Deylamani for Hebrew, Rabbi Uriel Davidi and Mr. Ashourzadeh for Torah studies, Musa Tajian and Mr. Kiani for Hebrew, Mr. Bayat and Mr. Manouchehr Azari for Physical Education, Deihim Parhami and Mrs. Amani for Persian, Shamsi Sofer for History and Persian Literature, Arezou Esfahani for Hebrew, Mr. Bakhshi for Music, Zarif Setareshenas for pre-school, first grade, and second grade. Mrs. Naffas was the elementary school principal, Mr. Hakimi and Mr. Shahnazi were Handicraft teachers, and Iraj Simenow taught English. Mr. Morad and Mr. Nemat sincerely worked as the school’s maintenance personnel.

In 1956, five years post-establishment, the inaugural sixth-grade class of Roohi Shad Elementary School graduated with stellar academic success. They had a 100% acceptance rate and achieved high grades, paving the way for many to pursue higher education and succeed in their chosen paths.

Additionally, in the school’s third year, a group of mothers and philanthropic women from the Jewish community founded the Women’s Association of Hatef (Guidance of Thoughts and Promotion of Culture) under the leadership of Dr. Azizeh Beryl. Operating alongside the school, this association embarked on numerous charitable initiatives, complementing its cultural endeavors for years to come.

Recognizing the deteriorating condition of the school’s classrooms and the pressing need for expansion, the school association (including Haj Hagh Nazar Tehrani, Dr. Darvish, Mr. Kedri, Mr. Shenasa, the Yadegar brothers, Mr. Banouni, Mr. Masaband, Mr. Asher Shalem, Mr. Shalem Shmuelian, and Mr. Ghalichi) joined hands with the Tehran Jewish Committee and the Women’s Association of Hatef to undertake a significant project. In 1967, under the skilled supervision of engineer Jahangir Banayan, they constructed a modern two-story building. This new facility housed additional classrooms, with administrative offices located on the first floor, while an independent synagogue was erected on the second floor’s eastern side.

With the inauguration of the new building, the Roohi Shad School welcomed the academic year accommodating five elementary classes and three middle school classes, catering to a total of two hundred students.

Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent emigration of many Jews from Iran, the Roohi Shad School adapted to changing circumstances. Although female students were no longer enrolled, the school remained operational, now with the inclusion of non-Jewish students. It continued its educational mission under the Ministry of Education’s supervision, managed by individuals such as Messrs. Ayubi, Hamid Reza Baynalo, Adel Rahimi and others.

During this period, the school garnered recognition for excellence, earning the distinction of being a model educational institution for four consecutive academic years, that is 2011-2015, by the Department of Education of Tehran’s District 12.

Meanwhile, the Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue persevered its religious activities, welcoming worshippers under the guidance of a new Chief Rabbi on Shabbat, holidays, and special occasions. Chief Rabbis included Messrs. Masaband, Banafsheh, the late Musa Mirakhor, and Yosef Darshani among others.

In 2016, through collaborative efforts involving the Tehran Jewish Committee, the Roohi Shad School Association, and the Darvazeh Dowlat Synagogue Association, significant renovations were undertaken within the synagogue’s interior space. These enhancements included updating furniture, revitalizing the Torah Ark (Hekhal), and refurbishing the prayer leader’s stand (Dukhan), reflecting a commitment to preserving and enhancing the sacred space.

A view of the entrance and exit door of Roohi Shad Tehran School 2021

The first graduates of the 6th grade of Roohi Shad Primary School (Darvazeh Dolat) with Dr. Ezzat ollah Yermiyan, Tehran, 1961

Ninth graduation ceremony of Grade Sixers of the Roohi Shad (Darvazeh Dowlat) Elementary School, Tehran, 1965.

Sitting, first row: Mrs. Parhami English teacher, Mr. Golsaz Math teacher, Molla Yosef Deylamani Hebrew teacher, Haj Hagh Nazar Tehrani member of the school association

First row, first person standing from right: Mr. Sadeghi headmaster of the Roohi Shad School

First row, second person standing from right: Yosef Setareshenas.