AJC Welcomes Agreement to Extend Iraqi Jewish Archives Exhibit in U.S.

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May 15, 2014, 09:45 ET

NEW YORK, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomes the U.S.-Iraq agreement that will keep the Iraqi Jewish Archives exhibition and all of the important documents and artifacts that are part of its collection in the United States for an extended period of time.

The exhibition that was presented at the National Archives in Washington in November 2013 followed years of repair and restoration work by the National Archives and Records Administration. It describes the story of how this collection was rescued in 2003 and with selected elements recounts the long history of Jewish life in Iraq.

Following the Washington show the exhibition was moved to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. With the agreement reached between the U.S. Department of State and the Iraqi government the Iraqi Jewish Archives exhibition is expected to travel to other American museums in the coming months.

"Ensuring that this invaluable collection of Iraqi Jewish items remains accessible is a paramount concern," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's Director of International Jewish Affairs. "Extending the exhibit's schedule and making it available to other American communities will benefit all who have interest in the history of Iraq's Jews."

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SOURCE American Jewish Committee