At our place in Iraq, we didn’t use to eat things (made) of dairy (on Passover). And we came here (and also did) the same thing. On Passover we didn’t eat neither cream nor yogurt nor cultured milk, and we did not drink milk. We said, “this is hametz”. When you leave it outside, it becomes sour, so it’s hametz.

In Iraq it was - Shavuot - it was called “eid ez-zyaġa. The day after Shavuot, (people) would take food and drinks and go to the river. And they would sit by the river and would bet who would (be able to) cross the river from side to side and return. The whole day they would spend by the river. They would make kahi, only during Shavuot they (would) make kahi. And they would put either sugar or honey on it and they would eat. The neighbours would gather, and each woman would take out plates, and everyone would sit and eat together. 

Stuffed vegetables, my mother would make - stuffed vegetables. My mother would make stuffed vegetables. She would make kechri, she would make chicken with rice, she would make engriyi…all types of those foods. She would make stuffed chicken, tbeet for Shabbat. They would slaughter the sheep and cows day by day. What was made today would not be eaten tomorrow. Every day they would make new food. That’s how they did it in Iraq. Day by day. They (would) eat in the afternoon, and at night…they (would) eat meat, chicken. And the next day they would cook again.

My father had…with the police…the best…he had a relationship. They respected him, and they would always protect him so that nobody…nobody would hurt him or us, the children. He used to tell them all (his children), “go from here. I am here - don’t be scared! I am here, don’t be scared!”. And he always used to protect us. There really were good Arabs, and there were (also) some who had…how to say…a small (amount of) hatred. Thank G-d, we were on good terms with them until we left (Iraq), and they came to hug us and kiss us (when we left). He (one of the neighbours) would tell him (my brother), “Tsiyon, are you going to Palestine? Tsiyon!”. He would be like that with my brother. “Tsiyon! Are you going to Palestine?”. And it was…really…it was a good relationship with some of them. When we left Iraq, they (the neighbours) wanted to take my brother to their place (to live), and my father did not agree to give him (my brother) away. (The neighbour) said to him, “I will give you whatever you want (if) you leave Tsiyon to me. Give me Tsiyon. Give me him.” (My father) said to him, “no! This is my son. I won’t leave him here.” My father didn’t agree.

When my brother got married, my father made a seven day and seven night (celebration) for him. Dancing and singing and…he made him the most beautiful wedding. He made him a wedding that lasted for seven days and seven nights, like (in) Iraq. He celebrated for him here as they used to do in Iraq. (My father said) “This is my eldest. I will do for him as they did for us in Iraq, we will do (the same) for him here.” He did not do the same for the rest (of his children). He only did it like that for his eldest child. The neighbours and family would come, all of them would gather, and they would do the sheva brakhot for him. They would drink, and dance, and eat, and go home at night. And the next day they would return one more time. They would do (this) for seven nights. When the bride immerses herself (in the mikva), she would stay home the next day, not leaving the house, so that no man would see her. They used to say that no man was allowed to see her until the wedding, when she (was) wearing the white dress. And during the ceremony, they woul also wed the groom…(and then) everyone (would) see her. The women would sit at home. Each woman had her own job. Seamstress, embroidery…what do they call it? Washing (laundry), and…wraps, they would make wraps. And then men (would) go outside and work…outside. The women would not go outside of the house. In the […] all the women would go out, outside. Each (women) would bring a plate, (with) whatever there was…fruit, cookies and that. They would sit, laugh, talk and converse and that, until the men would come home from work, and every woman would go into her house.

Each person has their own belief. There were (people) who believed in faith…and there are (people) who are hurt by others, and there are (people) who are loved by others. Some are given money and gold, and some are hit with a blow (so big) that they won’t have children. My sister-in-law was like that. She had a pan fall out of her hand (a sign of bad luck) and was cursed (with regards to) children, and the four (children that she gave birth to to) died two days after (their birth). (This continued) until they made her a talisman, (after which) she was able to give birth - blessings and gratitude to G-d. She gave birth to another four, and all of them (remained) alive and got married and had children. Eliyahu Kannush used to come to the synagogue. (Once) he prayed, went home, blessed (the wine for kiddush), ate, and said to his wife, “lay a blanket for me on the floor”. She lay (it) for him, (then) he laid down, and gave his soul to the creator of the world (G-d)(he passed away).

Put henna on us, put henna on us, and bring the happiness to us. We will get engaged and […] and we will put henna on our hands. Put henna on us, put henna on us, and bring the happiness to us. We will get the beloved girl engaged, and bring the happiness to us.