THE LOST WORLD OF THE EGYPTIAN JEWS: First-person Accounts from Egyptýs Jewish Community In the Twentieth Century

by Liliane S Dammond

Jews lived in Egypt without interruption since Biblical times. The community knew an apogee in the first half of 20th century. Political events during the second half of the 20th century caused the Jews to leave Egypt and disperse throughout the world. This book contains 28 interviews of middle class Egyptian Jews describing their life in Egypt in their own voices just before their final departure. They bring to life the charm and diversities of the lives they led with its many contradictions. A cosmopolitan life they shared with many other groups living in Egypt at that time."As a professional historian, I found the material of immense potential scholarly value. As a Jew who left Egypt during the 1956 Suez crisis, it touches me in a deep and personal way. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the forces that affect cultural dynamics, political conflict and, last but not least, human nature."-Jean Marc R. Oppenheim, PHDTeachers College, Columbia University"We have been given an extraordinary gift in this compilation of poignant memories of an Egypt of long ago. These oral histories not only capture the rich way of life of Egyptian Jews, but they also inform of their caring for this land and its people."-Nimet HabachyAuthor, Broadcaster (WQXR)

Genres: History, Judaism, Religion

326 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Shams Rashad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting historical aspect of Egypt....

[أميرة · Rating 4 out of 5]

القصص واحدة، حياة أوروبية منعزلة من أواخر القرن التاسع عشر وحتى منتصف خمسينيات القرن العشرين. أموال وثروات لا طائل لها، ثم دائما الخروج. وكأنها حلقات معادة من قصة خروج يهود موسى من مصر. دائما لملمة الأموال والزوجات والعيال ثم الخروج. سواء قصرا أم خيارا.

[I · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book if you want to get an idea of Jewish life in Egypt in the first half of the 20th century.