Meir Taweig Synagogue, Jewish synagogue in Bataween district, Baghdad, Iraq
Meir Taweig Synagogue is a two-story religious building located in the Bataween district of Baghdad with a main prayer hall, library, school facilities, and community spaces. The interior includes wooden cabinets that held Torah scrolls written on gazelle leather.
Founded in 1942 and named after a prominent Iraqi businessman, this synagogue served as a spiritual center during the 1950s when members of the community migrated to Israel. The building underwent its last major restoration work in 1985.
The synagogue features marble plaques decorated with seven-branched candelabra and psalm inscriptions on its walls. These ornaments reflect religious practices that were maintained across generations by the community.
The synagogue sits between Al-Saadoun Street and Al-Nidal Street in central Baghdad, making it relatively accessible by foot from nearby areas. Visitors should check current access conditions locally, as security circumstances may affect visiting hours.
It remains the last surviving Jewish prayer house in Baghdad, despite the community once numbering around 150,000 people. The building stands as a quiet reminder of a chapter in the city's past that has largely faded away.
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