Journal of the Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center
No.16, Spring  2008


 

Mordechai Ben-Porat:

JAMIL SHEMTOV

 

On November 9, 2006 Jamil Shemtov passed away, a brave man and one of the last remnants of Babylonian Jewry who remained in Iraq after the mass emigration.

Jamil was born in Baghdad on August 18, 1914, to Hatun and Hesqel Shemtob. Hesqel Shemtob was head of the Jewish community of Baghdad, a man of the world and on intimate terms with the country’s rulers. Thanks to him contact was established with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Tawfiq al-Suweidi, who did much to help the Jews who had remained in Iraq after Operation Ezra and Nehemiah.

Before the mass migration Hesqel had decided to send his son Jamil to study in Europe. At first he went to school in Lausanne, Switzerland, and later studied in London. Upon Jamil’s return to Iraq he established good relations with the authorities there, including the security services, the mayor of Baghdad and cabinet ministers.

In 1942 Jamil married Hatun. The couple had three children, Jackie, Linda and Samir. Jamil inherited the Masuda Shemtob Synagogue, named after his aunt, who bequeathed it to him. He worked and fostered the synagogue until he left Iraq in 1971.

Today we can already reveal that Jamil, a believer in the pioneer Zionist movement, was instrumental in the Aliyah program which operated out of the synagogue. In July 1958 a coup took place in Iraq, and the Prime Minister during the mass migration movement, Tawfiq al-Suweidi, Jamil’s good friend, was on the wanted list. Jamil decided to risk his life in order to save his friend. He went to al-Suweidi’s home and took him to his own home, where he remained in safety until the danger was over.

Jamil’s father passed away in 1954. Although Jamil wanted to stay in Iraq as a loyal citizen of that country, the authorities’ treatment of the small remaining Jewish community became ever harsher, until in 1970 he decided to take his family and flee to Iran. Unfortunately he was discovered and his entire family was arrested. Shortly after being released from jail Jamil tried to leave Iraq again, but this time, too, the police arrested him. Now he was accused of spying for Israel. He was interrogated severely and tortured. The family’s property was expropriated.

When he got out of prison he remained undaunted and tried to leave Iraq for a third time. This time he succeeded. Together with his family he fled to Persia through Kurdistan. On September 9, 1971 the Shemtov family landed safely in Israel.

Here Jamil, who was a good friend of the late Yitzhak Sofer (Aidi) worked as an employee of Bank Hapoalim, and later as a customs agent. Thanks to his activities on behalf of the Jews of Iraq and his imprisonment he was given recognition as a Prisoner of Zion. He continued to follow world events with great interest.

Jamil, a courageous, modest man, a loyal friend and lover of books, was a man of the world.

Towards the end of his life he suffered. His beloved wife Hatun came down with Alzheimer’s Disease and had to be moved into an old-age home. Jamil did not forget his first love, whom he visited every day and tried to do his best to make her life bearable. He continued visiting her to the day of her death.

Over three years ago Jamil suffered a severe stroke, which left him partially paralyzed and caused his health to deteriorate.

His friend, attorney Herzl Habakkuk, eulogised him at his grave site: “It is of you and of people like you that the prophet Micah said ‘What does the Lord demand of you … love of charity and modesty’. You belong to a generation of giants that has almost completely disappeared. You are a holy man, and deserve to be buried in the Holy Land. Go in peace and pray for us and your family”.