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Baghdad's first Jewish museum draws crowds to rediscover Iraq’s Jewish past
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Baghdad’s first Jewish museum recently opened in the historic Shamash Jewish School, showcasing artifacts like school certificates, photographs, and documents that reflect the once-thriving Jewish community in Iraq.
- The museum honors prominent Iraqi Jews, including Sassoon Heskel, the country’s first finance minister, and singer Salima Murad, highlighting the significant cultural contributions of Jews in Iraq’s history.
- Although no Jewish visitors have arrived yet, many Iraqis have visited the museum, expressing hope for renewed recognition and revival of the Jewish heritage in Iraq.
- The museum was established to preserve the memory of the Jewish school amid demographic and economic changes, with all funding coming from the remaining Jewish community, led by Khalida Fouad Eliyahu.
- Once comprising about 20% of Baghdad’s population, Iraq’s Jewish community has drastically diminished due to mid-20th-century violence and emigration, with only a handful remaining today, mostly living discreetly for safety.
