The Last Jews in Baghdad

The Last Jews in Baghdad is a memoir chronicling Jewish life in Iraq during the early to mid-20th century. Nissim Rejwan documents his experiences growing up in Baghdad's Jewish quarter during a time of significant cultural and political transformation. The book follows Rejwan's journey from his childhood in a traditional Jewish community through his career as a journalist and intellectual in Baghdad. His account captures the complex relationships between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Iraqi society before and after the creation of Israel. Rejwan details the gradual dissolution of Baghdad's ancient Jewish community, which had existed for over 2,500 years. He recounts the exodus of Iraqi Jews and the factors that led to their eventual departure from their ancestral homeland. This memoir serves as both a historical record and a meditation on identity, belonging, and the impact of nationalism on minority communities. The narrative raises questions about memory, cultural preservation, and the meaning of home in times of political upheaval.

Readers found this memoir valuable for documenting Jewish life in Baghdad during the early-to-mid 20th century from a firsthand perspective. Several reviewers noted the book provides detailed insights into the cultural and intellectual atmosphere of Baghdad's Jewish community before its dissolution. Likes: - Rich descriptions of daily life and customs - Historical context about Iraqi Jewish community - Personal anecdotes about family dynamics Dislikes: - Some found the writing style dry and academic - A few readers wanted more emotional depth - Several noted abrupt transitions between topics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (21 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (8 ratings) "A thorough historical account but lacks the warmth of other memoirs from this period," wrote one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user praised the "meticulous detail about Jewish traditions in Baghdad" but wished for "more personal reflection from the author." The book appears more frequently in academic citations than general reader reviews online.

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🔸 Nissim Rejwan, born in Baghdad in 1924, was one of the last Jewish intellectuals to leave Iraq, emigrating to Israel in 1951 during the mass exodus of Iraqi Jews 🔸 The book chronicles how Baghdad's Jewish population dropped from about 130,000 in 1947 to just 6,000 by 1952 🔸 Baghdad was once known as the "City of the Jews," with Jews making up about one-third of the city's population in the early 20th century and maintaining a continuous presence there since the 6th century BCE 🔸 The author worked as an editorial writer for the Iraq Times newspaper during a period when most Iraqi Jews were facing increasing discrimination and persecution 🔸 The memoir provides rare firsthand accounts of the Farhud, the violent pogrom against Baghdad's Jewish community in 1941, which marked a turning point in Iraqi-Jewish relations