First Jewish museum in Iraq opens its doors to visitors

The Jewish Shamash Museum opened its doors on historic Al-Rashid Street in central Baghdad. The museum is housed in the building of the historic Shamash School, a prestigious institution established by Baghdad's Jewish community in 1928.

The space features historical archives, official documents, old school rosters, academic certificates, traditional clothing, household items, family photos, and religious artifacts. Multimedia screens also display recorded testimonies and interviews with former members of Iraq's Jewish diaspora.

Iraq’s Jewish community dates back over two millennia. Prior to 1941, Baghdad's population was nearly one-quarter Jewish, with an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Jews living across the country. Today, fewer than ten Jewish individuals are estimated to remain in Iraq, making the initiative an effort to preserve the country's multicultural heritage and memory.