Meir Taweig Synagogue: Difference between revisions
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The '''Meir Taweig Synagogue''', also known as the '''Meir Tweg Synagogue''' is a [[synagogue]] in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=The Last Jews of Baghdad |url=https://www.npr.org/news/specials/iraq2003/raz_030522.html |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |date=2003-05-22 |access-date=2007-05-28 }}</ref> It is the only synagogue still active.<ref name=":0" /> Today, a small group of Jews looks after the synagogue.<ref name=":0" /> The synagogue is located in the Al-Bataween district in eastern Baghdad, which is the main [[Jewish quarter]] of Baghdad.<ref name=":0" /> |
The '''Meir Taweig Synagogue''', also known as the '''Meir Tweg Synagogue''' is a [[synagogue]] in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=The Last Jews of Baghdad |url=https://www.npr.org/news/specials/iraq2003/raz_030522.html |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |date=2003-05-22 |access-date=2007-05-28 }}</ref> It is the only synagogue still active.<ref name=":0" /> Today, a small group of Jews looks after the synagogue.<ref name=":0" /> The synagogue is located in the Al-Bataween district in eastern Baghdad, which is the main [[Jewish quarter]] of Baghdad.<ref name=":0" /> |
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Opened in the early 1940s, it served as one of the most important centers for the Iraqi Jewish community in Baghdad, during the [[Kingdom of Iraq|monarchical]] and [[Iraqi Republic (1958–1968)|republican era]]. It was heavily damaged during the [[History of the Jews in Iraq|anti-Zionist campaign across]] the country. The restoration work was done by the government under president [[Saddam Hussein]]. Today Meir Taweig Synagogue is one of the three active Jewish sites in Baghdad. |
Opened in the early 1940s, it served as one of the most important centers for the Iraqi Jewish community in Baghdad, during the [[Kingdom of Iraq|monarchical]] and [[Iraqi Republic (1958–1968)|republican era]]. It was heavily damaged during the [[History of the Jews in Iraq|anti-Zionist campaign across]] the country. The restoration work was done by the government under president [[Saddam Hussein]]. Today Meir Taweig Synagogue is one of the three active Jewish sites in Baghdad.<ref>https://assemble.imgix.net/1969/1480688806584184a6eba0e.png?w=800</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[Persecution of Jews|Persecution against the Jews]] decreased in Iraq, after the [[Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-dominated faction)|Ba'ath Party]] came to power in the country.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://rememberbaghdad.com/history |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Remember Baghdad |language=en}}</ref> However, due to the [[Saddamism|anti-Zionist ideologies of the government]], tensions remained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |date=2008-06-01 |title=How Few Remain |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2008/06/how-few-remain/45169/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> During events such as [[1969 Baghdad hangings]] and anti-Zionist demonstrations, the synagogue was affected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=bataween |date=2019-02-01 |title=Remembering the Jewish martyrs of Iraq - Point of No Return |url=https://www.jewishrefugees.org.uk/2019/02/remembering-jewish-martyrs-of-iraq.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.jewishrefugees.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> By the 1970s, gradually the government began protecting the Jews.<ref name=":2" /> The international community also pressured the Iraqi government to preserve remaining community.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |
[[Persecution of Jews|Persecution against the Jews]] decreased in Iraq, after the [[Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-dominated faction)|Ba'ath Party]] came to power in the country.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://rememberbaghdad.com/history |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Remember Baghdad |language=en}}</ref> However, due to the [[Saddamism|anti-Zionist ideologies of the government]], tensions remained.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yglesias |first=Matthew |date=2008-06-01 |title=How Few Remain |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2008/06/how-few-remain/45169/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> During events such as [[1969 Baghdad hangings]] and anti-Zionist demonstrations, the synagogue was affected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=bataween |date=2019-02-01 |title=Remembering the Jewish martyrs of Iraq - Point of No Return |url=https://www.jewishrefugees.org.uk/2019/02/remembering-jewish-martyrs-of-iraq.html |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=www.jewishrefugees.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> By the 1970s, gradually the government began protecting the Jews.<ref name=":2" /> The international community also pressured the Iraqi government to preserve remaining community.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |
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A department within the Ministry of National Security was set up to ensure their safety and preservation of Jewish sites.<ref name=":2" /> In 1984, [[ |
A department within the [[Ministry of National Security]] was set up to ensure their safety and preservation of Jewish sites.<ref name=":2" /> In 1984, the [[Secret police|secret police forces]] raided the synagogue and confiscated [[Iraqi Jewish Archive|Jewish Archives]]. The damaged synagogue was restored by the government.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Baghdad Jews: Exodus or extinction? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/10/19/baghdad-jews-exodus-or-extinction |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> [[Saddam Hussein]] paid for the restoration works.<ref name=":3" /> The synagogue and the surrounding neighborhoods remained home to the rest of Iraqi Jews.<ref name=":3" /> The synagogue also contained school, library and community office.<ref name=":4">https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/far-from-home</ref> |
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=== Current: 2003–present === |
=== Current: 2003–present === |
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The synagogue was closed few days ago, when the [[United States]] launched [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion on Iraq]]. The remaining Jews were scared of the future, when Saddam was overthrown after the [[Battle of Baghdad (2003)|fall of Baghdad]] in April 2003. Throughout the Iraq War, the synagogue remained closed. |
The synagogue was closed few days ago, when the [[United States]] launched [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion on Iraq]]. The remaining Jews were scared of the future, when Saddam was overthrown after the [[Battle of Baghdad (2003)|fall of Baghdad]] in April 2003.<ref name=":4" /> Throughout the Iraq War, the synagogue remained closed. Since 2003, the new Iraqi authorities have repeatedly promised to preserve and maintain the synagogue.<ref name=":4" /> |
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== Features == |
== Features == |
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The central chamber contain the [[ark]] and [[Bimah (platform)|bimah]]. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 14:36, 18 August 2024
 | This article needs to be updated. (April 2024) |
| Meir Taweig Synagogue | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Edot Hamizrach |
| Leadership | Rabbi Emad Levy |
| Location | |
| Location |  Baghdad, Iraq |
  Shown within Baghdad  Meir Taweig Synagogue (Iraq) | |
| Administration | Jewish Community of Iraq |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°19′21″N 44°25′01″E / 33.322557°N 44.416861°E |
| Architecture | |
| Funded by | Saddam Hussein |
| Completed | 1942 1985 (restored) |
The Meir Taweig Synagogue, also known as the Meir Tweg Synagogue is a synagogue in Baghdad, Iraq.[1] It is the only synagogue still active.[1] Today, a small group of Jews looks after the synagogue.[1] The synagogue is located in the Al-Bataween district in eastern Baghdad, which is the main Jewish quarter of Baghdad.[1]
Opened in the early 1940s, it served as one of the most important centers for the Iraqi Jewish community in Baghdad, during the monarchical and republican era. It was heavily damaged during the anti-Zionist campaign across the country. The restoration work was done by the government under president Saddam Hussein. Today Meir Taweig Synagogue is one of the three active Jewish sites in Baghdad.[2]
History
Following the end of the 1941 riots and the subsequent Anglo-Iraqi War, the remaining Jews were restored to society.[3] Al–Bataween was still home to numerous Jews, living alongside Muslims and Christians.[3] The Meir Taweg Synagogue was built in 1942.[4][3] The few remaining Jews in Iraq “worked very hard to protect and preserve their heritage, but the scale of the work was beyond their abilities.”[5][3]
Ba'athist period: 1968–2003
Persecution against the Jews decreased in Iraq, after the Ba'ath Party came to power in the country.[6] However, due to the anti-Zionist ideologies of the government, tensions remained.[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.[3][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 contained school, library and community office.[10]
Current: 2003–present
The synagogue was closed few days ago, 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]
Features
The central chamber contain the ark and bimah.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "The Last Jews of Baghdad". National Public Radio. 2003-05-22. Retrieved 2007-05-28.
- ^ https://assemble.imgix.net/1969/1480688806584184a6eba0e.png?w=800
- ^ a b c d e "Gallery". Remember Baghdad. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ "Meir Tweg Synagogue at Baghdad, Iraq | Archive | Diarna.org". archive.diarna.org. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ bataween (2022-03-08). "Iraq's Jewish heritage is in a parlous state - Point of No Return". www.jewishrefugees.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b c d "History". Remember Baghdad. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ Yglesias, Matthew (2008-06-01). "How Few Remain". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ bataween (2019-02-01). "Remembering the Jewish martyrs of Iraq - Point of No Return". www.jewishrefugees.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b c "Baghdad Jews: Exodus or extinction?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
- ^ a b c https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/far-from-home
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