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Meir Taweig Synagogue

Meir Taweig Synagogue
Arabic: كنيس مئير طويج
The former synagogue, in 2000,
prior to its 2003 closure
Religion
AffiliationOrthodox Judaism (former)
Rite
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusSynagogue (1942–2003)
LeadershipRabbi Emad Levy
StatusAbandoned
Location
LocationBataween, Baghdad
CountryIraq
Meir Taweig Synagogue is located in Baghdad
Meir Taweig Synagogue
Location of the former synagogue in Baghdad
Administration
  • Ministry of Endowment
    (1968–2003)
  • Mousawi Sect
    (since 2003)
Geographic coordinates33°19′21″N 44°25′01″E / 33.322557°N 44.416861°E / 33.322557; 44.416861
Architecture
TypeSynagogue architecture
FounderMeir Taweig
Funded bySaddam Hussein (1985)
Completed1942; 1985 (restored)

The Meir Taweig Synagogue (Arabic: كنيس مئير طويج), also known as the Meir Tweg Synagogue, is a large Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located in the historic Jewish quarter of Bataween, in Baghdad, Iraq. The complex comprises the main synagogue of Iraq, a Jewish school, library, and community center.[1]

Established in 1942, it was one of the important synagogues in the city. The synagogue was impacted during the persecution of the Jews in Iraq and was also damaged during frequent occasions of unrest and wars. It was restored in 1985 by Saddam Hussein. The synagogue was further expanded in 1988. After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the synagogue was in fear of getting targeted in the attacks.[2] Today, a small group of Jews, accompanied by Muslims looks after the synagogue.[1]

History

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Early history

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A scene of Farhud, 1941

Named after Iraqi businessman Meir Taweig, the synagogue was built in 1942. Persecution of the Jews increased fear in the area. This synagogue was one of the centers for registering Iraqi Jews who wanted to immigrate to Israel and ot.[3] It emerged as a passport office.[3] They were pushed to immigrate as quickly as possible through the Baghdad bombings of 1950-1951 by bombs.[3] According to Iraqi testimony, Israel also sent professional killers to terrorize the Jews, working with the Tanweh organization.[3]

They deceived and manipulated the feelings of 107,000 Jews and forced them to leave their homeland, where they had lived and been part of its social fabric for 2,700 years.[3] As a result of external and internal pressures, the Iraqi government was forced to issue a law revoking citizenship and allowing Iraqi Jews to immigrate to Israel via Cyprus in 1950.[3] It was said that it was a deal to rent transport planes, concluded by Nuri al-Said, his son Sabah, and other partners who shared the profits.[3] It was called the deal to transport Iraqi Jews.[3][4][5]

In 1984, the synagogue was raided by the Secret Police and all Jewish Archive was confiscated. Fortune of Iraq's remaining Jews improved, as Saddam Hussein came to power. It was restored by the government in 1985.

Ba'athist period: 1968–2003

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The persecution of the Jews decreased in Iraq, after the Ba'ath Party came to power.[6] However, due to the anti-Zionist ideologies of the government, tensions remained high.[7] During events such as 1969 Baghdad hangings and anti-Zionist demonstrations, the synagogue was affected.[8] By the 1970s, gradually the government began protecting the Jews.[6] The international community also pressured the Iraqi government to preserve remaining community.[4][6]

A department within the Ministry of National Security was set up to ensure their safety and preservation of Jewish sites.[6] In 1984, the secret police forces raided the synagogue and confiscated Jewish Archives. The damaged synagogue was restored by the government.[9] Saddam Hussein paid for the restoration works.[9] The synagogue and the surrounding neighborhoods remained home to the rest of Iraqi Jews.[9] The synagogue also contains a school, library and community office.[10]

An incident took place in 1998, on the day of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, when a Palestinian man opened fire, killing four people, including two Jews, at the Baghdad synagogue.[11] Following the arrest of the perpetrator, the government pledged to ensure prompt justice.[11] As a precautionary measure, police guards were stationed at the synagogue, and the cabinet released a statement denouncing the shooting incident.[11] The cabinet emphasized that the Jewish community in Iraq are Iraqis that should not be associated with Zionist activities aimed at disrupting the political, economic, social, and health security of Arab countries.[12] Saddam himself also condemned the attack.[11] Later the Palestinian man faced trial in the court.[11]

Current: 2003–present

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The synagogue was closed in 2003, when the United States launched invasion on Iraq. The remaining Jews were scared of the future, when Saddam was overthrown after the fall of Baghdad in April 2003.[10] Throughout the Iraq War, the synagogue remained closed. Since 2003, the new Iraqi authorities have repeatedly promised to preserve and maintain the synagogue.[10][2] There is also a sect of Jews called the Mousawi sect near Al-Nahr Street next to Al-Mustansiriya University, and this is also still working until now, and this is concerned with collecting real estate and money from Jews in Baghdad.[citation needed]

Location

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The synagogue is located in Al–Bataween neighborhood in eastern Baghdad.[13] The complex is situate between Al-Saadoun Street and Al-Nidal Street, close to Firdos Square, near the riverbank of Tigris. Al-Bataween has been the only neighborhood in Baghdad which is home to remaining Jews, living alongside Muslims and Christians.[13] Al-Habibiya Jewish Cemetery is also located nearby, between Shia Muslim neighborhood of Sadr City and Al-Shaheed Monument.[13] According to a report by The National News, several buildings can be restored as heritage houses to be used for cultural and business activities.[13]

Features

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See also: Iraqi Jewish Archive

The Meir Taweg Synagogue also consists of a Jewish school, library and community center.[14] It has been redecorated and carpeted with air-conditioning equipment installed.[15] The central chamber contain the ark and bimah.[10] A Jewish school is also part of the synagogue. At the top of the main facade of the hall, there is a wooden tablet of the Ten Commandments, above which is the name of God.[16] Surrounding it are marble panels on which are engraved seven-branched candlesticks and Psalms in Hebrew, and in the middle is a luxurious cabinet containing ancient Torah manuscripts made of gazelle skin. [16]

There is also a large library in the synagogue, which used to have Iraqi Jewish Archive.[17] The library consists of approximately one million books. In 1984, the secret police raided the synagogue and confiscated Iraqi Jewish Archives from the synagogue.[18] During the battle of Baghdad in 2003, the coalition forces bombed the intelligence headquarters of Saddam Hussein.[18] They discovered the bulk of Iraqi Jewish Archives in the building's basement, which were confiscated from the synagogue.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "The Last Jews of Baghdad". National Public Radio. May 22, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Meir Tweg Synagogue at Baghdad, Iraq". Diarna.org. Digital Heritage Mapping. 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "صحيفة المثقف_شبكات التجسس من يهود العراق لصالح اسرائيل" (in Arabic). Archived from the original on June 30, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Gallery". Remember Baghdad. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  5. ^ bataween (March 8, 2022). "Iraq's Jewish heritage is in a parlous state - Point of No Return". www.jewishrefugees.org.uk. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "History". Remember Baghdad. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Yglesias, Matthew (June 1, 2008). "How Few Remain". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  8. ^ bataween (February 1, 2019). "Remembering the Jewish martyrs of Iraq - Point of No Return". www.jewishrefugees.org.uk. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Baghdad Jews: Exodus or extinction?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d "Far From Home". Tablet Magazine.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Palestinian kills 4 in Baghdad synagogue". CNN. October 4, 1998. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Safe under Saddam, Iraqi Jews fear for future". Indybay. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d Mahmoud, Sinan; Al-Ameri, Aymen. "Restoring Al Bataween - a symbol of Baghdad's lost diversity". The National News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  14. ^ "27 Centuries of Iraqi Jewish History From Abraham to Adrian". Democracy Chronicles. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Neusner, Jacob (November 28, 2017), Hinnells, John (ed.), "Archaeology and Babylonian Jewry", Neusner on Judaism, Routledge, pp. 519–531, doi:10.4324/9781351152761-26, ISBN 978-1-351-15276-1, retrieved August 18, 2024
  16. ^ a b "شاهد: بفعل الزمن والإهمال..تراث اليهود في العراق مهدّد بالاندثار". euronews (in Arabic). March 3, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  17. ^ "Ketubot and Early Documents from Baghdad – 19th-20th Centuries – From the Archive of the Meir Taweig Synagogue in Baghdad". kedem Auction House Ltd. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  18. ^ a b c AM, Steven Plaut : 4:44. "Zionist Conspiracy: Stop the Obama "Return Rip-Off" of ancient Judaica". Retrieved August 18, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)