Notes on Armenian and Iraqi Jewish History

Armenian Diaspora: Churches, schools, and cultural centers established by Armenians abroad.

Sources for Armenian History:

• Leon Arpee, A History of Armenian Christianity.
• Philip D. Curtin, Cross-Cultural Trade in World History.
• Louise Nalbandian, The Armenian Revolutionary Movement.
• Richard Hovanissian, The Armenian Genocide in Perspective.
• Eliz Sansarian, Religious Minorities in Iran.
• Ervand Abrahamian, Iran between Two Revolutions.
• Amin Banani, The Modernization of Iran, 1921-1941.
• Nikki Keddie, Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution.
• Charles Issawi, The Economic History of Iran, 1800-1914.
• Malcolm Yapp, The Making of the Modern Near East, 1792–1923.

Jews of Iraq (1947 Statistics): 117,100, 15% of Baghdad's population; involved in trade and commerce, with distinct social classes.

Dr. Naji's Background:

• Jewish doctor born 1915; experiences in diverse, often adverse conditions in Iraq.
• Social integration into the fabric of Iraqi society.

Political Climate:

• Nationalism affects Jews; oppression increases post-World War II with palatable political tensions.
• Naji navigates professional life amidst rising antisemitism and political upheaval in Iraq.

Significant Events in Naji's Life:

• Participates in managing public health crises (smallpox outbreak).
• Must balance professional integrity with bureaucratic pressures; faces hostility from officials.
• Experiences the Farhud, an antisemitic pogrom in 1941, leading to a legacy of trauma within the Jewish community.

Consequences of 1948:

• Nationalistic tensions rise, leading to increased discrimination against Jews and eventual mass exodus by 1970.
• Naji's career reflects the decline of the Jewish community and its eventual displacement due to politics and conflict.

Crisis Under the Baathist Regime: Post-1968 regime's violence against Jews; Naji ultimately leaves Iraq in 1970 due to severe discrimination and threats to his life.