Yosef Hamadani Cohen
Yosef Hamadani Cohen  | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | 1916 | 
| Died | March 29, 2014 | 
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism | 
| Jewish leader | |
| Predecessor | Uriel Davidi | 
| Successor | Younes Hamami Lalehzar | 
| Position | Chief Rabbi of Iran | 
| Synagogue | Yusef Abad Synagogue | 
| Began | 1994 | 
| Ended | 2006 | 
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]
Career
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]
Death
Cohen died after a long illness on 29 March 2014 in Tehran over Shabbat.[5][6]
References
- ^ 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.