Beheshtieh Jewish Cemetery

The Jewish community in Iran is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to biblical times. While their numbers have dwindled since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979, an estimated 8,500 Jews still reside in Iran, primarily in Tehran and other major cities. They are officially recognized as a religious minority and have a representative in the Iranian parliament. Despite facing various forms of discrimination and restrictions, they continue to maintain their religious practices and cultural heritage. Unfortunately, the exact number of Jewish cemeteries in Iran is not readily available. There isn't a central, publicly accessible registry that lists all of them. Jewish cemeteries in Iran, like other aspects of Jewish life, have been impacted by the country's political and social climate. While some cemeteries remain well-maintained and serve as important historical and communal sites, others have faced neglect. The maintenance and preservation of these cemeteries often depend on the efforts of local Jewish communities and organizations, which strive to protect these spaces as a testament to their long-standing presence in Iran. Beheshtieh Jewish Cemetery, which I pictured during a ceremony commemorating the Jewish martyrs of the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88), is a well-known Jewish cemetery located in southern Tehran, beside the Khavaran cultural center.

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