Ein Blick auf die Knesset Kamal und die Geschichte des Lebens der Juden in Yazd.

In Yazd, besides Muslims and Zoroastrians, a number of Jews also live. The Jewish community was present in some of the old neighborhoods of the city, including the Ya'qubi, Maryamabad, and several other cities in Yazd province. Gradually, the Jews of Yazd, due to their involvement in free professions and trades such as weaving, sewing, and selling, moved to neighborhoods close to the market, such as the Jameh Mosque neighborhood. There are a total of 12 synagogues (Jewish temples) in the city, and the Kamal Synagogue is one of them.

Jews in Iran
The presence of Jews in Iran dates back more than three thousand years. During that time, Jews migrated to the western and central parts of Iran. During the Islamic conquest of Iran, Jews had a close relationship with Islamic communities and still participate in some Islamic rituals. Currently, Jews reside in several provinces of Iran, including Yazd. The Jewish community has preserved its traditions in each region of the country and is free to hold its ceremonies. In Yazd, Jews have a special dialect that shares common roots with ancient Iranian languages. Historically, they have been known for their expertise in certain medical fields. Moreover, due to considerations regarding food consumption and personal hygiene, Jewish culture promotes a healthy lifestyle. However, many of their medical achievements have been at risk of being forgotten because they were not recorded.

Among the prominent Jewish figures in Iran, whose tomb is currently located in this city, is Mullah Or Shiraqa. He moved from Sabzevar to Yazd and became a religious leader for the Jews of this city. According to stories told by the Jews of Yazd, he was known for his miraculous abilities and was respected by both Jews and non-Jews. He passed away in Yazd in 1793. Every year, on the anniversary of his death, people from various parts of the country gather at his tomb to commemorate him.

Synagogues of Yazd
Of the 12 synagogues in Yazd, four have been demolished, and two others are no longer active. However, the remaining synagogues are still functioning and periodically host Jewish ceremonies.
The synagogues of Yazd include:

• Yekhut Synagogue (named after the mother of Prophet Moses – located in the Jameh Mosque Street)
• Kamal Synagogue
• Mullah Yosef Synagogue (Mashruteh Alley)
• Nezam Synagogue (Naghid Ashraf Alley)
• Mullah Aqababa or Mullah Sadra Synagogue
• Hadashi Synagogue
• Mullah Asher Synagogue and Haji Asher Synagogue (in the Jewish neighborhood near the Four-Souq)
• Eliyahir Synagogue (in the alley near the Jewish neighborhood tomb)
• Hajam Synagogue or Kusha Tokal Synagogue (Kaghazgari Alley)
• Elias Nabi Synagogue (near Enqelab Street)
• Mullah Shmuel Synagogue (Jewish neighborhood in Rasti Alley).

Kamal Synagogue of Yazd
The Kamal Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Yazd and was built in the architectural style of the Safavid period (16th century). The building contains inscriptions in Hebrew. Due to its historical significance, it was registered in the National Heritage List of Iran in 2002.
The structure of the Kamal Synagogue includes three sections: a summer house, a winter house, and rooms for storing and preserving the Torah. The synagogue's porticos are decorated with brick cladding, and the azure color of the decorations adds a visually stunning beauty to the interior.
In the center of the synagogue, there is an octagonal platform made of brick, which is the place for the Rabbi (Jewish clergy) to stand and lead the prayers.
A notable feature of the Kamal Synagogue is the presence of 9 Torah scrolls made of sheep skin, written in Hebrew and dating back to the Safavid period.