Rediscovering the Iraqi Jewish Archives
While the museum is closed the JMM team is coming together to bring some of our favorite activities from our recent family programs direct to your homes. Each collection of materials will be inspired by either one of our exhibits, Jewish History, or a Jewish holiday. All of the activities we share will be designed for families to complete together and only require supplies you are likely to already have in your home. The activities we offer will be varied from crafts, activities, games, scavenger hunts, and online story times. You can check out previous activity packs here!
~The JMM Programs Team
The exhibit was originally developed by the National Archives and told the story of the recovery and preservation of a collection of 2,700 books and tens of thousands of documents from the flooded basement of the Iraqi Intelligence headquarters. The materials gathered all relate to all aspects of Jewish life in Iraq and paint a wonderful picture of the centuries old Jewish community that existed in this area until the mid-twentieth century.
Explore an online version of the exhibit here and take a deep dive into the digitized parts of the collection here. While much of the text is in Hebrew or Arabic, it’s very much worth taking a look even if you don’t read these languages.
Don’t forget to share photos of you enjoying our crafts and activities on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr pages and use #MuseumFromHome.
Download the full Rediscovering the Iraqi Jewish Archives activity packet as a single pdf here.
Design your own Tiq
A Tiq (or tik) was an important part of any synagogue in Jewish Iraq, an elaborate case in which the Torah was stored. The traditional Iraqi Tiq looks very different from the Torah covers found in most Ashkenazi synagogues! In this activity you will create your very own tik.
Supplies needed:
A plain box or tote bag
Sharpies, markers or other craft materials
Download Instructions to Make a Tiq
Make an Oud
Making musical instruments yourself is always fun, especially when you can recycle household objects! In this activity you will construct an oud, a stringed instrument similar to a guitar but with a very different body shape.
To learn more about your oud and traditional Judeo-Arabic music, take a listen:
Supplies needed:
An oval or circular shaped container with a rounded back, something like a disposable burrito bowl is ideal.
Six elastic bands
Sheet of cardstock
Paint stirrer
Markers and stickers for decoration.
Glue or tape
Download Instructions for Making an Oud.
Hamsa Bracelet
The hamsa (also know as a khamsa) is a recognizable symbol in many cultures around the world. In this activity you can learn about its heritage and create a protective symbol for yourself or your home.
If a bracelet doesn’t appeal, you could also make a wall hanging!
Supplies needed:
Paper or cardstock
String or elastic
Beads
Pencils and markers
Download Instructions for a Hamsa Bracelet.
Delicious Date Balls
Finish up your Jewish Iraqi experience with these simple and yummy treats!
Supplies needed:
Dates
Almonds
Sesame seems
Download Instructions for Delicious Date Balls.
Archivist Lorie Rombro blogged about making Tbeet, an Iraqi-Jewish shabbat overnight stew. The recipe was shared with us by food writer Vered Guttman at our members-only event Feast of Flavors: A Cooking Demo and Tasting. She made sure to include a PDF of the recipe so you try it for yourself!
Keep Discovering:
Interested in learning more about Jewish life in Iraq? Check out some of the resources below in addition to the online exhibit of Discovery and Recovery: Preserving Iraqi Jewish Archives.
For a real taste of life in Jewish Iraq, this blog from the Jewish Women’s archive has some great options.
When we hosted our Tik to Talmud Family Day, we were joined by the wonderful Silk Road Dance Company, who both demonstrated and taught some traditional dances from this region. Watch them perform a Lebanese dabke in the video below.
Finally, listen to the stories of those born and raised within the Iraqi Jewish community in their own words.
Make sure to share photos of you enjoying our crafts and activities on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr pages and use #MuseumFromHome!