Yosef Hamadani Cohen Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Chacham
Yosef Hamadani Cohen
Synagogue:Yusef Abad Synagogue
Synagogueposition:Chief Rabbi of Iran
Began:1994
Ended:2006
Predecessor:Uriel Davidi
Successor:Younes Hamami Lalehzar
Birth Date:1916
Death Date:March 29, 2014
Death Place:Tehran, Iran

Yusef Hamadani Cohen (;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]

In 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]

Cohen died after a long illness on 29 March 2014 in Tehran over Shabbat.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.kosherdelight.com/Irankosher.htm Iran: Kosher Info and Synagogues
  2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/894658.stm Khatami Meets Jewish leaders
  3. http://www.iranjewish.com/News_e/22-1.htm Report of Iranian President's visit from Yousef-Abad Synagogue, Tehran
  4. http://members.ngfp.org/Month/Month_Item.2004-03-26.0421 President Khatami visits the main synagogue in Teheran on Tu B'shvat
  5. News: Iranian chief rabbi Yousef Hamadani Cohen dies. 30 March 2014. 31 March 2014. Times of Israel. Marissa. Newman.
  6. News: Iran's Chief Rabbi Passed Away Over Shabbat. The Jewish Press. 30 March 2014.