Rabbi Yehuda Gerami, chief rabbi of Iran, led the final selichot service on the eve of Yom Kippur at Tehran's central synagogue. The ceremony took place at the Yosef Abad Synagogue, which was filled to capacity with worshippers gathering ahead of the fast.
Erev Yom Kippur
Tehran Jews Mark Yom Kippur Eve with Selichot
Rabbi Yehuda Gerami presided over the final selichot service at the packed Yosef Abad Synagogue as Iran's Jewish community prepared for the Day of Atonement
During the prayers, congregants also performed the traditional hatarat nedarim (annulment of vows) in preparation for the Day of Judgment. Rabbi Gerami, who serves as spiritual leader of Iran's Jewish community, guided worshippers through the emotionally charged service.
The Yosef Abad Synagogue serves as the primary spiritual center for Tehran's Jewish community, which numbers approximately 20,000 people. The longstanding and close-knit community continues to maintain Jewish tradition even under an oppressive regime.
Rabbi Gerami is known for his spiritual leadership on behalf of Iran's Jewish community. He has previously led the reading of Megillat Eichah and kinot on Tisha B'Av at the same synagogue, and participated in a historic conference in Brussels with rabbis from Muslim-majority countries.
The moving ceremony in Tehran stands as further testimony to the strength of Jewish spirit and devotion to tradition, even in places where special courage is required to observe holidays and festivals publicly.
