Collection of testimonies of the Mosuli Jewish community

 Collection de témoignages de la communauté juive de Mossoul

About the Project

<img src="https://api.nakala.fr/static/website/oralhistory/home-2-png-6820a0000c86b.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

Reviving the Jewish Memory of Mosul: Cultural Heritage Documentation and Protection
Project Overview:
“Reviving the Jewish Memory of Mosul: Cultural Heritage Documentation and Protection” is a project dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Mosul’s rich Jewish heritage. This initiative is funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) and is hosted by the prestigious Le laboratoire d’excellence Les passés dans le présent (Labex PasP). Under the scholarly leadership of Dr. Omar Mohammed, this project aims to document, protect, and promote the historical and cultural legacy of Mosul’s Jewish community.
Project Objectives:
<ol>
<li>Preservation of Oral Histories: One of the core components of this project is recording and archiving oral history testimonies. These testimonies provide invaluable personal insights and narratives from Jewish community members and their descendants, ensuring that their stories and experiences are preserved for future generations.</li>
<li>Archival Documentation: The project seeks to gather and digitize archival materials, including documents, photographs, letters, and other artifacts that reflect the life and contributions of the Jewish community in Mosul from the 18th century to contemporary times.</li>
<li>Cultural Heritage Protection: By documenting and safeguarding Mosul’s Jewish cultural heritage, the project aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the city’s diverse historical tapestry. This effort is crucial in promoting cultural diversity and combating the erasure of minority histories.</li>
</ol>
Historical Context:
The Jewish community of Mosul has a long and storied history, with roots stretching back to antiquity. By the 18th century, this community had become integral to Mosul’s social, economic, and cultural life. Despite facing numerous challenges and periods of displacement, the Jewish community contributed significantly to the city’s development and cultural richness.
Project Leadership:
The project is led by Dr. Omar Mohammed, a distinguished historian and scholar renowned for his expertise in modern history and cultural preservation. Dr. Mohammed’s commitment to safeguarding heritage in conflict zones and dedication to historical scholarship underpin the project’s mission and vision.
Support and Collaboration:
This project is made possible through the generous support of ALIPH, an foundation committed to protecting cultural heritage in conflict areas worldwide. Additionally, the collaboration with Labex PasP, a leading research institution focused on studying past societies and their influence on contemporary cultures, ensures a robust academic foundation and a multidisciplinary approach to the project.
Our Team


<img src="https://api.nakala.fr/static/website/oralhistory/CAMPUS-1-png-6820a01431549.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

A digital collection preserving the voices and memories of the Jewish community of Mosul through firsthand testimonies.

Une collection numérique dédiée à la préservation des voix et des mémoires de la communauté juive de Mossoul.

<h2 style="margin-left:auto;">Oral History</h2>

Recording of oral history testimonies of the Jewish Community of Mosul
As part of the comprehensive effort to document and preserve the heritage of the Jewish community of Mosul, the project includes the recording of 17 oral history testimonies from members of the Jewish community who lived in Mosul before 1948. These testimonies provide invaluable first-hand accounts of life in the Jewish quarter, capturing the lived experiences, cultural practices, and personal stories of the community during a pivotal period in its history.
The oral histories cover a range of topics, including:
<ul>
<li>Daily Life: Detailed descriptions of daily routines, family dynamics, and social interactions within the Jewish quarter.</li>
<li>Cultural Practices: Accounts of religious and cultural traditions, festivals, and community events that were central to the community’s identity.</li>
<li>Education and Work: Insights into educational institutions, such as the Alliance Israélite Universelle School, and the various professions and trades practiced by community members.</li>
<li>Historical Events: Personal recollections of significant historical events, including the impact of political changes and the eventual migration of Jews from Mosul.</li>
<li>Community Relationships: Narratives highlighting the relationships between the Jewish community and other communities in Mosul, illustrating the social fabric of the city.</li>
</ul>
These oral histories are a critical component of the project, providing depth and context to the archival materials and historical documents. They offer a unique, personal perspective that enriches our understanding of the Jewish community’s legacy in Mosul.
The recordings have been carefully preserved and will be made accessible to researchers, historians, and the public. This ensures that the voices of the Mosuli Jewish community are heard and their stories remembered, contributing to a fuller and more nuanced historical record.

<img src="https://api.nakala.fr/static/website/oralhistory/beige-brown-aesthetic-autumn-vibe-inspiration-photo-collage-png-6820a0616d1a4.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

Explore a collection of firsthand accounts from members of Mosul's Jewish community, recounting memories of daily life, exile, and resilience.

Découvrez une collection de récits de première main de membres de la communauté juive de Mossoul, racontant la vie quotidienne, l’exil et la résilience.

Documents, Publications, and Photographs
This archive presents a curated selection of digitized materials that illuminate the rich and complex history of Mosul’s Jewish community.
It includes:
<ul>
<li>Official documents from consulates, community organizations, and educational institutions</li>
<li>Publications such as newsletters, bulletins, and religious texts</li>
<li>Photographs depicting daily life, religious ceremonies, schools, and migration</li>
</ul>
Each item is annotated and, where relevant, translated to aid accessibility and scholarly use. These materials offer vital insight into a world that once flourished along the Tigris, and into the broader historical forces that shaped its destiny.

Explore digitized documents, rare publications, and historical photographs related to the Jewish community of Mosul and its broader context.

Découvrez des documents numérisés, des publications rares et des photographies historiques liées à la communauté juive de Mossoul et à son contexte plus large.

<h2>Jewish Quarter</h2>


<img src="https://api.nakala.fr/static/website/oralhistory/image-8-1-png-6820a101b1a8f.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

The project aimed to reconstruct the narrative of the Jewish quarter in Mosul by documenting oral histories and uncovering archival materials. This multifaceted approach combined personal recollections from members of the Mosuli Jewish community with historical documents to create a comprehensive account of the quarter’s past.
Oral history documentation involved recording detailed interviews with community members who shared their personal and familial life experiences in the Jewish quarter. These narratives provided invaluable insights into daily life, cultural practices, and significant events that shaped the community.
In parallel, the project involved discovering and translating archival materials, such as records from the Alliance Israélite Universelle School and the Ottoman Registry. These documents offered concrete data on the Jewish community's educational, social, and economic conditions in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The project created a rich, multidimensional portrait of the Jewish quarter in Mosul by integrating oral testimonies with historical records. This work not only preserves the heritage of the Mosuli Jewish community but also provides a valuable resource for historians and researchers studying the region’s diverse cultural history.
<h2>Ottoman Population Registry: Jewish Population of Mosul 1834</h2>
The Ottoman Registry, now fully translated from Ottoman Turkish into Arabic and English, is a comprehensive historical document that provides a detailed account of the familial and social structures of the Mosuli Jewish community during the Ottoman era. This registry, which is expected to be finalized in July, has undergone an extensive review to ensure accuracy and completeness.
One of the significant efforts undertaken in this project was cross-referencing the family names listed in the registry with those of the Mosuli Jewish community currently residing in Israel. This meticulous process aimed to establish connections between contemporary families and their ancestors, who had been deported from Mosul. While several families have been successfully identified, some remain unrecognized due to name changes that occurred post-deportation.
The finalised Ottoman Registry will serve as an invaluable resource for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the rich heritage of the Mosuli Jewish community. It provides a vital link to the past, preserving the legacy and continuity of these families for future generations.
<h2>Mapping the Jewish families of Mosul according to Ezra Leonardo’s Map</h2>
The project includes a detailed mapping of the Jewish quarter in Mosul, incorporating historical and contemporary insights. This mapping effort has been enriched by information provided by members of the Mosuli Jewish community, alongside a recent map created by a community member specifically for this initiative.
The historical data, sourced from long-standing community members, vividly portrays the Jewish quarter as it once existed, highlighting key locations, residences, and communal landmarks. This historical perspective is crucial for understanding the spatial and social dynamics of the Jewish community in Mosul during different periods.
Complementing this historical data, the recent map created during the project implementation offers an updated area view. This map reflects the current layout of the Jewish quarter, integrating past and present geographical and cultural landmarks. The combined information from these sources ensures a comprehensive and nuanced mapping, preserving the legacy of the Mosuli Jewish community and providing valuable insights for historical research and cultural preservation.
<h2>The Alliance Israélite Universelle School in Mosul</h2>
The translation of the records from the Alliance Israélite Universelle School in Mosul offers a significant insight into the Jewish Archives of Mosul during the 19th century. These records, meticulously translated from their original languages, illuminate the Jewish community's educational, social, and cultural aspects in Mosul during this period.
The Alliance Israélite Universelle School played a pivotal role in the education and integration of Jewish youth, providing a curriculum that combined traditional Jewish teachings with modern subjects. The translated records include detailed accounts of the school’s operations, student enrollments, academic achievements, and community events, offering a comprehensive view of daily life within the Jewish community.
These documents also reveal the interactions between the Jewish community and broader societal elements in Mosul, highlighting the community’s contributions to the city’s cultural and economic life. By shedding light on these aspects, the translated records enhance our understanding of the Jewish Archives of Mosul, preserving the Jewish community's rich heritage and historical significance in the 19th century.
This translation project preserves these invaluable historical documents and makes them accessible to a broader audience, fostering greater appreciation and study of Mosul’s Jewish history.

<img src="https://api.nakala.fr/static/website/oralhistory/image-35-png-6820a10d7440b.png" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

<h3>🇬🇧 Privacy Policy &amp; Copyright Notice</h3>
All content on this website — including oral history interviews, transcripts, documents, photographs, and publications — is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.
Reproduction, distribution, or reuse of any material, in whole or in part, without prior written authorization from the project management team is strictly prohibited.
The identities and personal data of interviewees are protected in accordance with applicable data protection laws. This project adheres to ethical guidelines concerning the collection, storage, and use of sensitive historical material.
For permission requests or inquiries, please contact the project management team via the site's contact page.
<h3>🇫🇷 Politique de confidentialité et mention de droits d’auteur</h3>
L’ensemble du contenu de ce site — y compris les entretiens d’histoire orale, les transcriptions, les documents, les photographies et les publications — est protégé par les lois sur le droit d’auteur et la propriété intellectuelle.
Toute reproduction, distribution ou réutilisation, partielle ou totale, sans autorisation écrite préalable de l’équipe de gestion du projet est strictement interdite.
L’identité et les données personnelles des personnes interviewées sont protégées conformément aux lois en vigueur sur la protection des données. Le projet respecte les principes éthiques relatifs à la collecte, au stockage et à l’utilisation de documents historiques sensibles.
Pour toute demande d’autorisation ou information complémentaire, veuillez contacter l’équipe de gestion via la page de contact du site.

The project has also involved the collection of private archives from members of the Jewish community, which include photographs and documents. These personal archives provide a rich and intimate glimpse into the lives of the Jewish community in Mosul, complementing the oral histories and archival research.

<img src="https://mosuljewishmemory.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/meira-yona-siddiq-abd-ghazal-mosul.jpeg" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

Photographs: The collection includes a variety of photographs that capture everyday life, family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and significant events within the Jewish community. These images serve as visual documentation of the community’s cultural and social practices, as well as its architectural and geographical environment.
Documents: The private archives feature a range of documents, such as personal letters, family records, business transactions, and educational certificates. These documents offer detailed insights into the personal and professional lives of community members, revealing their roles in the broader economic and social fabric of Mosul.
By integrating these private collections with the broader archival materials and oral histories, the project creates a comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of the Jewish community in Mosul. This approach ensures that both the public and private aspects of the community’s history are preserved and accessible for future generations.
The collected photographs and documents are being carefully digitized and cataloged to ensure their preservation and accessibility. These materials will be invaluable for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the Jewish heritage of Mosul, providing a multifaceted view of the community’s rich and enduring legacy.

A collection of private archives of the Jewish community of Mosul.