Library

The library contains one of the largest collections in the world documenting the heritage of Babylonian Jewry. Thousands of stories recording the history of the oldest Jewish Diaspora community are kept here. In addition, there are many special collections including: photographs documenting the folklore of Jews of Babylonia and the diaspora; private anthologies of former Iraqi public activists; records of institutions and organisations of Babylonian Jewry which were active in Israel; oral documentation of testimonies by members of the community; certificates and documents including thousands of items amassed by Iraqi Jews; and a rare special collection of holy books printed in Baghdad and Far Eastern countries by Babylonian Jews, dating back to the mid-19th century until the mass immigration to Israel in the 1950s. This collection also includes hundreds of books which were brought from Baghdad with great difficulty after the fall of the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. They constitute a rare historic testimony of the spiritual way of life of the community and its sages. 

The library serves students and researchers and is fundamental instrument in discovering the past of the Jews of Iraq.

The library is open to the public from Monday through Wednesday between

8:30AM – 12:30AM, by prior arrangement with the librarian.

Email: Library@bjhc.org.il