From Baghdad to Jerusalem

In 1951, the Sassoon family embarked on a life-changing journey from Baghdad to Jerusalem as part of Operation Ezra and Nehemiah. For generations, the Sassoons had been an integral part of Baghdad's Jewish community, which had existed for over 2,600 years.

As tensions rose in Iraq following the establishment of Israel, the family made the difficult decision to leave their home, businesses, and centuries of history behind. They were among the approximately 120,000-130,000 Iraqi Jews who were airlifted to Israel during this operation.

The journey was not easy. The family could only take a limited amount of possessions, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and valuable heirlooms. Upon arriving in Israel, they faced numerous challenges, including living in ma'abarot (transit camps) and adapting to a new culture and language.

Despite these hardships, the Sassoons, like many other Iraqi Jewish families, persevered. They learned Hebrew, found new occupations, and gradually integrated into Israeli society. Today, their descendants continue to honor their Babylonian Jewish heritage while embracing their Israeli identity.

The story of the Sassoon family is just one of many that illustrate the complex and often painful history of Mizrahi Jewish migration. It serves as a testament to the resilience of these communities and the profound impact of this mass exodus on both the immigrants and the young state of Israel.