Bagh' Saba Synagogue...

Synagogue in the Jewish Neighbohood

 

 

Today Bahram and I went to the Bagh' Saba (Garden of Breezes) Synagogue in Tehran. After ringing the bell and being let in by a tiny little woman, he explained that I was a visitor from US, and I wanted to see the synagogue.

Apparently they had just finished their meeting and the woman took us upstairs to their community room. The young man in the picture with Bahram had gotten married the night before and the party in the community room was a small celebration. He had played music there, but we had just missed it.

 

The new groom

Everyone was SO friendly and excited that I came to visit...it was an amazing moment, as the group all came over to say "Hello" and ask Bahram about who we were and why we came to visit. All these ladies, some young and some really elderly, surrounded me and were laughing and taking my hand and giving me their email and mobile numbers. It was really difficult for me to hold back tears, (and I'm not one who cries much) as the kindness and the energy that was there was overwhelming. The men all came up and greeted me as well.

Then the woman took us to the prayer room, and the crowd came and joined us. They asked if I would like to pray with them...it was really something that I have never experienced before, complete strangers being so open and friendly to me for no reason other than they were just lovely people.

 

 

Prayer room

We were then escorted back downstairs and even though many did not speak English, most knew "Goodbye" and stood outside and waved and said their goodbyes as we left.