Nehardea Magazine

Journal of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center
No.13, Summer 2001

IRAQI JEWS IN THE DIASPORA

IMPRESSIONS OF A VISIT TO THE USA
Mordechay Ben-Porat

<<< Two days before returning to Israel, Mr. Albert Nassim invited us for sabbath kiddush at his residence with the participation of the activists of the community in Great Neck. We enjoyed wonderful hospitality from his wife Janet with all the Iraqi dishes she prepared. The next day, on Saturday, we were invited to the Synagogue where Iraqi Jews who used to live in Iran and emigrated to USA or via Israel, usually pray.

(L to R) Mr. James Shasha, Mr. Mordechay
Ben-Porat, Mr. Alfred Shasha

This Synagogue was erected with the initiation of Mr. Edeed Ben-Yosef. Mr. Albert Nassim, who is the moving spirit, is now the president of the Synagogue committee. I came to know Mr. Albert Nassim in 1975 during the framework of our mutual activities in WOJAC. Mr. Nassim spends a lot of time in the service of the community and mobilizing funds for the synagogue. After being called up to read the Law, I was asked to make a speech concerning the importance of the Center's activities. I emphasized that preserving our heritage is one of the important basis for the continuing existence of the Jewish people. In the course of my speech I reviewed the progress made to enlarge the main building of the Center and the scope of the finance needed for the completion of the building and the display of the exhibits. After prayers, we were invited for lunch with kiddush. As the visit came to an end, Mr. Albert Nassim promised to try and recruit further funds for the Center.

(L to R) Mr. Robert Shasha, Mr. Oded
Halahmy, Mr. Mordechay Ben-Porat,
Mr. David Moche In Back: the Menora,
work of Mr. Oded Halahmy, which we
will donated to Or-Yehuda Municipality

We next visited Mr. Ezra Zilkha, a senior Iraqi Jew in the States and a descendant of one of the most financially respected families in the Middle East, Geneva, USA and elsewhere. He subscribed to a hall on the upper floor of the Museum and handed me a book of memoirs, which he wrote about his family (not for sale) but to be exhibited in the Museum.

Mr. Alfred Shasha and his brother Salim, also donated a hall in the upper floor of the Museum.

(R to L) Mr. Leon Levi, President of the Sepharadic
Federation in USA, Mr. Raphael Gamzou, Consol
(Cultural Affairs) Consulate General New-York,
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Porat

While in New York, the Israeli Consulate there took the opportunity of my visit to arrange a series of meeting with several journalists in order to clarify the Israeli policy, especially that of the problem of Jewish refugees.

In summing up I can report that the trip resulted in some valuable achievements whose impact we are sure to feel in the near future.

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IRAQI JEWS IN THE DIASPORA
IMPRESSIONS OF A VISIT TO THE USA Mordechay Ben-Porat
<<< Two days before returning to Israel, Mr. Albert Nassim invited us for sabbath kiddush at his residence with the participation of the activists of the community in Great Neck. We enjoyed wonderful hospitality from his wife Janet with all the Iraqi dishes she prepared. The next day, on Saturday, we were invited to the Synagogue where Iraqi Jews who used to live in Iran and emigrated to USA or via Israel, usually pray. (L to R) Mr. James Shasha, Mr. Mordechay Ben-Porat, Mr. Alfred Shasha This Synagogue was erected with the initiation of Mr. Edeed Ben-Yosef. Mr. Albert Nassim, who is the moving spirit, is now the president of the Synagogue committee. I came to know Mr. Albert Nassim in 1975 during the framework of our mutual activities in WOJAC. Mr. Nassim spends a lot of time in the service of the community and mobilizing funds for the synagogue. After being called up to read the Law, I was asked to make a speech concerning the importance of the Center's activities. I emphasized that preserving our heritage is one of the important basis for the continuing existence of the Jewish people. In the course of my speech I reviewed the progress made to enlarge the main building of the Center and the scope of the finance needed for the completion of the building and the display of the exhibits. After prayers, we were invited for lunch with kiddush. As the visit came to an end, Mr. Albert Nassim promised to try and recruit further funds for the Center. (L to R) Mr. Robert Shasha, Mr. Oded Halahmy, Mr. Mordechay Ben-Porat, Mr. David Moche In Back: the Menora, work of Mr. Oded Halahmy, which we will donated to Or-Yehuda Municipality We next visited Mr. Ezra Zilkha, a senior Iraqi Jew in the States and a descendant of one of the most financially respected families in the Middle East, Geneva, USA and elsewhere. He subscribed to a hall on the upper floor of the Museum and handed me a book of memoirs, which he wrote about his family (not for sale) but to be exhibited in the Museum. Mr. Alfred Shasha and his brother Salim, also donated a hall in the upper floor of the Museum. (R to L) Mr. Leon Levi, President of the Sepharadic Federation in USA, Mr. Raphael Gamzou, Consol (Cultural Affairs) Consulate General New-York, Mr. & Mrs. Ben Porat While in New York, the Israeli Consulate there took the opportunity of my visit to arrange a series of meeting with several journalists in order to clarify the Israeli policy, especially that of the problem of Jewish refugees. In summing up I can report that the trip resulted in some valuable achievements whose impact we are sure to feel in the near future.
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