Lifestyle, religion and community

We were religious Jews. There were no non-religious Jews. But not like Ashkenazim. Even the flavour of life […] not every Jewish man (would) go (around) putting…a hat on his head. We were Jews with wisdom. There (were) no non-religious (Jews). At home, we would do the kiddush (blessing over wine) on Shabbat. Yom Kippur (was observed as) Yom Kippur, the Jewish holidays (were observed as) Jewish holidays. And Passover was the best holiday. We would read the haggada in Hebrew and in Arabic. And for two nights! Passover (was) two nights (in Iraq). My poor mother had to prepare food (for) the entire house and (for) guests. The Jews, every holiday, every Shabbat…everyone would pray, and do the blessing over wine, and (sing) the Shabbat songs and Eshet Hayil. And (they) would light the Shabbat candles, which were made of oil…oil and a thread (wick). And people’s lives were normal. And everything changed after the Farhud.