THE MEMORY HALL PROJECT - November 2003

Objectives

To preserve for future generations the religious and secular memory of the Jewish presence in Alexandria.

To emphasise the interaction and mutual contributions across various spheres (political, social, economic and artistic) and their broader impact on Judaism and Jewish history.

Scope

The scope of this exhibit should cover the successive Jewish communities in Alexandria, including :

A) History
B) Religion
C) Social and civil contribution
D) Interactive displays

Resources

The exhibit will be financed by Jews from Egypt living abroad as well as by any international body that would be willing to participate. A list of potential contributors is being developed.

The project will draw upon the experience of Jewish museums throughout the world as well as local experts such as those at the Alexandria Library. A detailed list is to be developed.

The project will use relevant communication techniques and media. Descriptive panels will be used as well as continuous visual displays; in addition to photos, there will be audio and video recordings (songs, speeches, recordings of reminiscences as developed by the AJE, Barda, etc); as well as a library, computer terminals will be available with search engines to access the registers and determine the location of individual burial plots at the cemeteries. A full budget will be developed covering initial investments and recurring operating costs.

Promotion

Pre-launch activities :
1) Contact the relevant local and national Egyptian authorities
2) Contact potential sources of financing
3) Contact relevant communities abroad and in Alexandria
4) Contact relevant technical experts

Post-launch activities :
1) Worldwide PR and media campaigns
2) Contact cruise and tour operators
3) Develop a web-site
4) Keep communities and associations abroad constantly informed

Content

History

This section covers the 3 great periods of the Jewish presence in Alexandria:
a) Greco-Roman
b) Byzantine and Arab
c) Ottoman and Modern
It explains their origin, evolution and decline. It introduces the leading indigenous and transient figures. It depicts key milestones of these periods, such as the translation of the Bible by the Septuagint, Philo and the Bible, the trial in front of the Emperor Claudius, the Gueniza, or the trial with the Greek community for the Nebi Daniel plot of land.

Religion

The exhibition will show the life of a number of key personalities (rabbis, philosophers, doctors) residing or passing through Alexandria. It will display and explain the various religious artefacts (Sepharim, Rimonim, Meguilot, Prayer books, Yad, Hanoukiot, chandeliers, curtains and robes of the Hekhal, Bima and Sepharim). There will be recordings of liturgical chants. It will show the different synagogues of Alexandria, their history, benefactors and administrators, as well as their present condition. It will show the recent and past history of the cemeteries and various monuments within them. It will describe the customs specific to the communities in Egypt and the various rabbinical 'responsae' from Alexandria as well as the functioning of the rabbinical tribunal.

Social and civil contribution

a) The Past :
- Important personalities of the community, their role and contribution to the cultural, political and economic development of Alexandria and Egypt throughout the centuries.
- Schools, hospitals, orphanages, old people's homes, charities, press, sports clubs, youth clubs, history, founding members, personalities, important events, the current state of these institutions.
- Major events within the community and important visitors.
- Examples of the civil registers.
- Cooking and domestic traditions.
- General photos of families, marriages and events in Alexandria.

b) The Present :
- Contemporary Jewish personalities born in Alexandria.
- Activities and publications on the different associations of Jews from Egypt abroad.
- Photos of families, marriages and events of Jews from Alexandria abroad.
- Exhibitions of artists (painters, sculptors, writers, singers) from the community in Alexandria.

Interactive display

Computerised access to the civil registers and maps of burial plots in the cemeteries.
Examples of family trees from Alexandria.
Access in a reading-room to the catalogue of the books and documents in the library.
Workstations for access to the database.
Indexed plans of the 3 cemeteries.

Location

i) Primary - Eliahou Hanabi Synagogue and the 3 cemeteries
Interactive display: Computer workstations in the present administrative offices.
Other display: In the "Ladies" gallery and/or in a wing of the Eliahou Hanabi Synagogue.

ii) Secondary subject to agreement- Displays at the Alexandria Library and at the Menasce Temple.