A recording of Eli Sawdayee narrating the story behind his painting Kaparot depicting the ritual of Kapparot (Sacrifies) at Home for Yom Kippur, as practiced in old Baghdad. Credit: NLI
The Sephardi Voices Collection, an initiative of the National Library of Israel, sheds light on the expulsion and forced displacement of Jews from Arab countries and Iran, particularly following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The archive documents the experiences of communities that, for centuries, sustained a vibrant Jewish life in these regions and that vanished amid growing hostility from local governments and societies.
Through oral testimonies, interviewees recount the richness of their communal lives, shaped by religious traditions, cultural practices, and strong social bonds. The narratives also address moments of rupture — expulsions, flight, or forced departures — as well as the challenges of adapting to new countries and the profound sense of loss left by the disappearance of historic communities.
A glimpse into the materials that make up the collection, through excerpts from various oral testimonies in which interviewees reflect on their departure, dislocation, and share their personal thoughts and emotions. Credit: NLI
The digital collection includes hundreds of recorded and filmed interviews, along with thousands of archival materials such as photographs and personal documents. The testimonies were collected in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, and are presented in multiple languages, including Judeo-Arabic, the distinctive dialect of Iraqi Jews.
