Sophia Schultz, ARCH

News – On September 30, 2020, ARCH International was awarded a U.S. federal grant to restore the Synagogue of Ezekiel in Shush, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, which is currently in a state of disrepair.

Who – ARCH is known for being the first international NGO on the ground after ISIS overtook Mosul. The Virginia-based nonprofit is currently completing a two-year long restoration project of the Shrine of Prophet Nahum in Alqosh, Iraq. ARCH works with the Czech conservation engineering firm GEMA Art International to renovate the historic shrine following UNESCO standards. GEMA has also been hired to renovate the Synagogue of Ezekiel.

ARCH’s strength lies in over 10 years of experience in adopting innovative methods for engaging and involving communities in heritage conservation and management; its cultural heritage restoration work is anchored within the local communities, restoring not only the buildings but also the memories, traditions and positive values associated with them.

What – As part of the organization’s new project in Shush focus will again lie on sustainable methods that allow adjacent communities to hone traditional skills and knowledge to support themselves for decades to come. In unison with the renovation works, community engagement programming, such as scheduled site visits, lesson plans for schools, and a tour guide training program at the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil are planned.

Where & Why – Shush is today a rural village about 25 km from the larger town of Akre, and 121 km from Erbil. At the edge of the Nineveh Plain, it sits amidst spectacular scenery. Shush is one of the rare and unique places where tangible remnants still testify to the evolution and overlap of different faiths across thousands of years. In this “Cradle of Spirituality” we find the remains of multiple religious sites in close proximity.

This was a center of Jewish life in former times and deserves a physical record. It is a unique historic building in a lovely landscape and will provide enjoyment to visitors for many generations to come. Cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in building peace, restoring identity, and repairing the social fabric and the livelihoods of devastated communities.

When – The first assessments of the site were completed before the global pandemic. As a first and immediate step, ARCH will be focusing on research, oral history interviews, and on outlining programs connected to the training of tour guides and the design of a tourism plan together with local schools and other institutions and individuals. The organization is confident that its team members will be able to begin working on-site in Iraq this spring. The physical restoration of the historic synagogue should be completed no later than by the end of 2021.

Contact – Please contact Sophia Schultz at sschultz@arch-library.org or +1 202 223 2858 for more information.

Photo Credit: Levi Clancy, President of the Foundation of Ours. The photo shows the remote village of Shush in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq.