Cover Me With My Izar

A Jewish Family Saga

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Pub Date 15 Jun 2022 | Archive Date 21 Aug 2022

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Description

Through a series of stories that span several generations, ‘Cover Me with My Izar’, brings to vivid life the modern history of Iraqi Jews.

The stories are fascinating, humorous, filled with humanity, always captivating, and brimming with heart. Each story is told from the viewpoint of a different character across the generations.

From the tales of the vibrant Jewish community in Baghdad, through the terrors of the Farhud Pogrom to the mass immigration into Israel, a rich story of struggle and learning to adapt unfolds.

From the miracle that was visited upon the barren Latifa, to the disaster Ezra, the sword collector, brought on his own head; from Yvette, who decided to go and earn an education for herself against all odds, to the story of Itzik and Nava, children of the third generation born in Israel who wanted to be integrated into its newly forming society. These are just a handful of the rich tapestry of stories woven together to form the fabric of this book. A fabric as unforgettable and rich as that from which the traditional Izar gown, worn by the Jewish women of Iraq, is made.

Through a series of stories that span several generations, ‘Cover Me with My Izar’, brings to vivid life the modern history of Iraqi Jews.

The stories are fascinating, humorous, filled with...


Advance Praise

A beautifully crafted book!

The writer has crafted an absorbing journey of a family across several generations, showcasing some of the dramatic changes which happened to Middle Eastern Jewry over the last 100 years. During that journey, the reader is immersed in the characters’ rich culture and traditions, captured by everyday life events, feelings and stories. With my origins being from the Middle East, there is a sense of “knowing where I came from” through these stories, which is truly unique and special. I see myself laughing, smiling, toiling, and agitating with these characters as it feels a part of my own history. The writer has done a remarkable job documenting all the subtleties, phrases and cultural nuisances that should not be forgotten for future generations. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and thoroughly recommend this read !


An absorbing and fascinating tale of a Babylonian family’s journey set in a disappearing era. 

This book has given me an insight into how Jewish life was in Iraq few generations ago. A world that is so different from today and yet it was my ancestors background. It is beautifully written in short stories covering the journey of different family members encompassing their love, compassion, hardship, success and their trials and tribulations. I particularly like the usage of the Jewish Arabic words that are echoes from my past and they have been revived humorously through the writer’s lines. She has also managed to document a world that does not exist any longer and yet so important to know about.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

- Rita Shohet

A beautifully crafted book!

The writer has crafted an absorbing journey of a family across several generations, showcasing some of the dramatic changes which happened to Middle Eastern Jewry over the...


Available Editions

ISBN 9798446745500
PRICE $3.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

Very interesting book to read. Lots of information I wasn’t aware of. Lots of points made to give you things to find about. The research into the book shows. Nice characters that emerge you in there culture and lives. Very well written

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""Enjoy it while you still can," Mamma Violet says. "Eventually, the only tastes left in your life are memories"".

Cover me with my Izar is a gorgeous multi-generational biography which spans between several generations to share the history of the author, Nora's, various older Jewish relatives, weaving the intricate tale of their connections and their personal stories. Starting in Baghdad, the collection shares the well-documented but lesser discussed migration of Iraqi Jews around the region following the persecution that eventually led to mass fleeing.

"Anyone who thinks backgammon is just a game of luck is plain wrong. This game forces your brain to do a lot of exercise, sweat to see the larger picture instead of just one small corner. Which is a mistake people always make - not checking things through before they rush headlong in".

With family wisdom and pearls of knowledge laced in between the stories, we follow the character development of several entirely different paths which surprisingly all end up back together, just before the near present. Traditional Jewish traditions, combined with female independence, entrepreneurial spirit and outright survival tactics always makes for a great tale. However, Nora's ability to leave no stone unturned, and really provide context to both the setting and the rationale behind actions taken, provided a rich read which encouraged the reader to consider the history of the Jewish population outside of more commonly considered lenses. I greatly enjoyed the fresh approach and the sometimes outright mundane information being shared - such as the impatience of husbands or the lengthy bus journeys between countries.

There were so many cultural references I simply didn't understand due to the assimilation of the religion into various different countries and this book provided an opportunity to learn more about both the religion and the history of the people who - by choice and by force - continue to carry the history of existence with them.

Variety is the spice of life and to call the family central to this book 'varied' would be an understatement. There is a lot in this for everyone. Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.

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