Jewish Quarter
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 This multifaceted approach combined personal recollections from members of the Mosuli Jewish community with historical documents to create a comprehensive account of the quarter’s past.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.
Ottoman Population Registry: Jewish Population of Mosul 1834
The Ottoman Registry, now fully translated from Ottoman Turkish into Arabic and English, is a comprehensive historical document that provides a detailed account of the familial and social structures of the Mosuli Jewish community during the Ottoman era.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.
Mapping the Jewish families of Mosul according to Ezra Leonardo’s Map
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.
The Alliance Israélite Universelle School in Mosul
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.
