Correspondence from Baghdadi Jewish Community Including Legal Issues (Marriage, Inheritance, Endowments), Financial Matters, School Administration
View interactive document pageThese are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. They contain requests for community records and residency confirmations; wire transfers; correspondence regarding the adoption of Jewish laws in the Diaspora; communication from the Ambassador of Iraq in Rabat regarding Moroccan officials requesting information on laws applicable to the Iraqi Jewish community (customary laws pertaining to marriage, inheritance, etc.); legal agreements for engagement and marriage; requests for marriage confirmations, death certificates; employment separations; lawsuit regarding the management of an endowment; repairs to school buildings; correspondence regarding sending sefarim (Jewish religious books) to New York; letters referencing the Law of Acquisitions, 43/1934; discussions about tearing down or rebuilding a wall; invoices and accounting information from the Ezra Menahem Daniel Sports-Ground Committee; school administration; requests for vaccines; property laws; deeds; the administration of scholarships; announcements about community meetings and ceremonies; requests for food provisions for prisoners during the holidays; and requests for clarification of laws in conflict with the interim constitution of 1958. These documents reflect the Baghdadi Jewish community's name change to the Mosaic community.
Sale of Debris At the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, debris from the buildings of the former Alliance school, the former Al-Rashid shelter, and the schools located in the Torah neighborhood. Interested parties should contact the Community Property Committee until Tuesday, corresponding to 10/21/1958. Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Acting President of the Jewish Community Al-Jumhuriya Newspaper Al-Zaman Newspaper
Statement of Debris The Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad has debris from the former Alliance school buildings, the former Al-Rashid shelter, and the schools located in the Torah neighborhood. Those interested should contact the Community Property Committee until Tuesday, October 21, 1958. Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting Head of the Mosaic Community Al-Jumhuriya Newspaper Al-Zaman Newspaper
In the name of ⟦...⟧ At the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, there are building debris of the former Alliance school, the former Al-Rashid shelter, and the schools located in the Taura neighborhood. Those interested should contact the Community Property Committee until Tuesday, October 21, 1958. Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting President of the Jewish Community Al-Jumhuriya Newspaper Al-Zaman Newspaper
Notification of Persons At the Presidency of the Mosaic Community, persons ⟦...⟧ Who are residents and a former and current postal refuge. Those wishing to do so should contact the ⟦...⟧ Community Property Committee ⟦...⟧ To cut ⟦...⟧ it will be on Tuesday, corresponding to the date <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> Persons, so those wishing to do so should contact the Community Property Committee Before ⟦...⟧ of Tuesday, corresponding to the date 21 / 10 / 56 Meaning ⟦...⟧ presence is required Head of the Mosaic Community Acting Accountant Sending
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Number T / 57 /
Date 31 / 10 / 1957
Subject ⟦line⟧
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Honorable Mr. D. L. Lawy,
After greetings,
I have received your letter dated 21 / 10 / 1957 and inform you that the late Salim Ishaq Ezra
Houri passed away in Baghdad on 24 / 3 / 57 and that his account balance deposited with this Presidency
is - / 860 Dinars. The Baghdad Civil Court, in its letter number 9259 dated 20 / 8 / 57
(a copy of which is attached herewith), requested the delivery of the amount to it, and this Presidency sent the amount to
the aforementioned court under official receipt volume 207852, serial number 2110 / 40, and dated
27 / 8 / 1957.
Please accept our highest respect,
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
16
TELEPHONE : WESTERN 7511 D. J. LEVY 79, KENTON COURT, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET, CODES USED: BENTLEY. A. B. C. (6TH EDITION). TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: INLAND: "UPSTREAM, HAMMER, LONDON" FOREIGN: "UPSTREAM, LONDON" LONDON, 21st. October 19 57 W. 14 The Reverend The Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Baghdad, BAGHDAD, IRAQ. Reverend Sir, I beg to state that I have just heard of the distressing news of the passing away of my nephew the late Mr. Salim Houri a few months ago. I also understand that the said Salim Houri has left a certain sum of money with the Community and he died without making a Will. Under the circumstances I shall feel gretly obliged if you would be kind enough to let me know the nett amount left in the hands of the Community out of the late Mr. Houri's estate as I am his next of kin. I may add that the late Mr. Salim Houri's mother Samra was my sister and my late father who died in Baghdad in 1919 was known as Yehouda Daoud Lewy and also Yehouda Agha Daoud and this fact can be verified from the Community's Records which, no doubt, still exist in Baghdad. I myself has left Baghdad in January 1914, went first to India and then came to this Country in 1919 where I stayed ever since. I still have got my original travel Papers, which were then Turkish, to prove my identity and i was known then as Daoud Hai Levy. I will be glad to send you the said Papers if necessary. Apologising for the trouble and thanking you in advance for an early reply, I am, Reverend Sir, Most respectfully yours, ⟦signature⟧
His Eminence the Rabbi, Head of the ⟦...⟧ Community in Baghdad Baghdad - Iraq Sir, I have recently heard the tragic news of the death of my nephew, the late Mr. Salim Houri, a few months ago, and I have also understood that the late Salim Houri left a sum of money with the Community and that he died intestate. I would be very grateful if you would kindly inform us of the net amount left by ⟦the late Salim Houri⟧ with the Community, as I am his heir. Samira ⟦...⟧ mother I may add to the above that the late Salim Houri's ⟦...⟧ was my sister, and my late father, who died in Baghdad in the year 1919, was known as (Yehuda Daoud Levy). He was also called (Yehuda Akha Daoud), and this fact can be proven in the Community records which are - undoubtedly - still present in Baghdad. As for me, I left Baghdad in January 1914 and went first to India, then came to England in the year ⟦1919⟧ where I have lived since that time. I still retain the original travel documents, which were Turkish at the time, to prove my identity. I was known then as (Daoud Hai Levy), and I would be very happy to send these documents to you if you deem it necessary. I apologize ⟦...⟧ for troubling you and I thank you in advance, hoping for your reply as soon as possible. Sincerely, ⟦...⟧ (Signature)
TELEPHONE 83531 5452 President of the Jewish Community BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ No.: ⟦line⟧ BAGHDAD: 19th September, 1958 His Eminence, The Haham of the Spanish & Portuguese Jews, 4, Ashworth Road, Maida Vale, London, W.9 Dear Haham, With reference to your letter of 29th August 1958, regarding the question of Sefarim, I wish to inform you that at present we have 200 of them in surplus to our need in Baghdad. I can arrange to have all of the 200 Sefarim packed and shipped to you in London as soon as I get advice from your Eminence on this subject. The total expenses for this operation including freight, Insurance, package and customs amount to £300. Should you decide to have these Sefarim, please remit the sum of £300 to Mr. Eliahou Dangour of Baghdad who is willing to under- take to ship the 200 Sefarim to you, immediately on receipt of the above amount for the purpose of expenses. With kindest regards and best wishes to you. Yours sincerely, ⟦...⟧ Rabbi Sassoon Khedoury, Act. President.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
In Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: 57/T
Subject:
Date: 12/12/1957
Honorable President of the Jewish Community in Basra
After greetings
With reference to your marginal note dated 1/12/1957 on the letter of the Chief Rabbi of the city of
Istanbul (Turkey) dated 22nd of Iyar Hebrew year 5717, which includes a request for the divorce of Mrs. Toba
daughter of Moshi from her husband Mr. Naim Eliyahu Moallem.
We inform you that this Presidency, on the date of 15 Kislev, performed the
legal ceremonies for the divorce and delivered the Get from Mr. Naim Eliyahu Moallem to his wife Toba through
the first agent, and we have sent the Get and the second power of attorney directly to the Chief Rabbi of the city of Istanbul
enclosed with our letter dated 16 Kislev.
This is with the knowledge that you should not permit him to betroth a second woman before the arrival of an official notice
stating that Mrs. Toba daughter of Moshi has received the Get in a legal manner ⟦line⟧.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sasson Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to:-
The Chief Rabbi of the city of Istanbul - For your information
Registrar of Contracts - For filing.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
In Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Reference T/: 57
Date: 12 / 13 / 1957
Subject:
The Honorable President of the Jewish Community in Basra
Greetings,
Reference to your marginal note dated 12 / 1 / 1957 on the letter from the Grand Rabbi of the city of
Istanbul (Turkey) dated 22nd of Iyar Hebrew year 5717, which included a request for the divorce of Mrs. Toba
daughter of Moshe from her husband Mr. Naim Eliyahu Moallem.
We inform you that this Presidency, on the 15th of current Kislev, performed the legal ceremonies
for the divorce of Mr. Naim Eliyahu Moallem from his wife Toba daughter of Moshe, and we have sent the Get and the second power of attorney
directly to the Grand Rabbi of the city of Istanbul enclosed with our letter dated the 16th of current Kislev.
Please be informed that he is not permitted to get engaged to a second woman before the arrival of an official notice
of Mrs. Toba daughter of Moshe receiving the Get in a legally valid manner.
Please accept our highest respect,
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:-
The Grand Rabbi of the city of Istanbul - for your kind information
Registrar of Contracts - for filing.
⟦illegible⟧ Mr. Naim Eliyahu Moallem (1) his wife Toba
⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
No: T / 7875 / 57
Subject: ⟦line⟧
Date: 3 / 11 / 1957
His Excellency the Respected Director of Central Telephones
After greetings,
Please replace telephone number 5452 with four extensions in the name of the Secretary of the Jewish Community
Presidency with a switchboard type with three extensions.
Please accept our highest respect.
On behalf of
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Approved
And he took it, Mr. President, please grant your approval
11/3
⟦illegible⟧ Mr. President
The telephones installed on number
5452, all extensions when called
ring at the same time, and all employees
can listen to the conversations taking place, making
these telephones useless, so that we may maintain
secrecy in conversations from the President's telephone.
Therefore, I suggest replacing it with a switchboard telephone with three extensions.
With that, this risk ends, because half of the extensions and the other
cannot listen to the ⟦illegible⟧
I have no objection
T. Zubda in
And he took it, Mr.
President
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
14
Respectable Manager of the Ottoman Bank
After greetings,
Confirming our letters numbered T/53/3252 and T/53/3251 dated
12/16/53, it is not permissible to withdraw any check from your bank for the accounts of the endowments of the late Ezra Menachem Daniel
and Heskel Menachem Daniel except with the signature of the Chairman of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Farid Daoud Samra, and its Vice
Chairman, Mr. Farid Benjamin. In the event of the absence of one of them, the member of the Administrative Committee, Mr.
Shaul Sasson Fattali, shall take his place.
Please accept our highest respect.
⟦illegible⟧
Rabbi Sasson Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to: -
Presidency of the Administrative Committee
Hevra Kadisha Association Baghdad Date ⟦1958/2/10⟧ Announcement The Hevra Kadisha Association in Baghdad owns a plot, Land Registry No. 317, Al-Koulat district (Sheikh Omar) The industrial zone, located on a main street, with an area of 620m2, suitable to be a garage or a factory consisting of shops. The association wishes to lease it on a long-term lease, so interested parties should contact the head of the community. Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri President of Hevra Kadisha Association
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
⟦illegible⟧
Number: T/ 57/
Subject:
Date: 28 / 10 / 1957
His Excellency Dr. Gurji Rabi, Respected
After greetings,
We have been informed that you performed a (consultation) to examine Mr. Munir Dangoor. Since the
aforementioned gentleman has work relations in this Presidency (assistant trustee of the endowments of the late Ezra and Heskel
Menahem Daniel), please inform us whether he is able to attend the office and perform his duties,
otherwise, please inform us of the period of rest during which he will be unable to work.
Please accept our highest respect.
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
Number: ⟦line⟧ Telegraph 2: Inland Telegram "A": Outgoing Internal Telegram: Ministry of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones Sent to: Telegram Type: Hour: Minute: Time: Signature of the sending official: Preparation Department: Date | Administrative Instructions | Word Count | Fee Nothing to be written by sender above this line Nothing to be written by sender above this line. To :-: Mr. Yaqub Khamara - Head of the Jewish Community in Basra - To: The sender of the telegram must observe the paragraph The third one written on the back of this form Further to our letter No. D/407 dated 6/8/1958, it is preferable that the digging be done by the Musawis As for the transport of the deceased, it is necessary that it be done by the Musawis. Do not telegraph Information on the back of this form This telegram is sent according to conditions This telegram is sent according to conditions on reverse Not to be telegraphed Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community Name: Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Name: Signature: Signature: Address: Head of the Jewish Community - Baghdad Address:
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / 9 / 57
Subject: ⟦line⟧
Date: 20 / 8 / 1957
16
To the Respected Principal of the Gan Menachem Daniel School
Greetings,
Please register the student Nabil Sassoon Khedouri, aged 7 years, who is
four years old in your school for free, as his father Mr. Sassoon Khedouri was formerly
an employee in this Presidency and cannot pay the school fees due to his poor financial condition.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: ⟦illegible⟧
Date: 15 / 4 / 1957
Subject: Income tax of Mr. Naeem Moussa, former accountant of the Community Presidency.
17
His Excellency, the Honorable Director of General Income Tax
Greetings,
Based on the request of Mr. Naeem Moussa, the former accountant in this Presidency, we would like to
inform you that the total monthly salary received by the aforementioned, amounting to 40.000 Dinars (only
forty Dinars), was based on thirty Dinars as nominal salary and ten Dinars as high cost of living allowance.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Mr. His Excellency the Respectable Director of Income Tax Subject / Income tax of Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ Barakat The Community previously Kind regards ⟦line⟧ Based on the request of the aforementioned Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ in his letter Dated ⟦illegible⟧, we clarify to Your Excellency that the aforementioned ⟦illegible⟧ was receiving a monthly salary amounting to ⟦illegible⟧ of ⟦illegible⟧ Dinars as a monthly salary ⟦illegible⟧ high cost of living allowances And as of the date he was occupying ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ was receiving ⟦illegible⟧ The aforementioned ⟦illegible⟧ Please be so kind ⟦illegible⟧ Lawyer Sassoon Khidhouri Acting President of the Community
⟦1960⟧ ⟦1/1⟧ To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community Based on the request of the Income Tax Department, please provide me with a letter addressed to the Income Tax Department to inform them that my salary, which I used to receive and which amounted to 40 Dinars, consisted of thirty Dinars as nominal salary and ten Dinars as cost of living allowance. Thank you very much. ⟦signature⟧ Sincerely, Naeem Murad
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T/ 57/ ⟦illegible⟧
Subject:
Date: 6 / 3 / 1957
18
His Excellency the Director of Education of Baghdad Province - Center - Respected
After greetings
Reference to your letter numbered 4362 and dated 16 / 2 / 1957
Since the renewal of the lease contract for the mentioned school begins on 1 / 4 / 54, we do not agree to carry out
any repairs whatsoever until the contract is renewed. You may contract for the lease of the school for the year
1957 - 1958, taking into account the repairs and maintenance required for the school.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:-
Presidency of the General Provincial Council - Baghdad Provincial Governorate - for your kind information
1958 / 4 / 16 To the Honorable Director of the Baghdad Province Municipality Greetings and respect, Reference to your letter number ⟦...⟧ dated ⟦...⟧ We inform you that the lease agreement had been concluded between the aforementioned municipality and us on 54/8/8 regarding ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ the contract does not agree to any changes was among the terms of the contract, and in your opinion ⟦...⟧ on the rental of houses for the year 1957 - 1958 ⟦...⟧ noting the estimates and the required tax Please accept our highest respect Sincerely A copy to: 1) Real Estate Rent Estimation Committee - Baghdad Province Governorate - For your kind information. ⟦illegible⟧
Gentlemen of the Council We, the ⟦heirs⟧ of Isaac ⟦...⟧ Ahrar and his brothers in the Al-Hitawi neighborhood (formerly Rusafa), the lease contract expires on 3/31/57 Since we have made the amendment by submitting the request ⟦acknowledging⟧ the changes that if we abandon the rent amount the current house rent is 400 Dinars and accordingly, the rent of some rooms in the area which has ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 1000 Dinars, your order to reconsider the matter to form a new committee to re-estimate the amount With appreciation We agree to the ceiling according to the procedures ⟦signature⟧ 3/24/57
7154 Directorate of Education for Baghdad Province / Center Contracts No. / Date: 3/ ⟦...⟧ /1957 Presidency of the General Provincial Council - Mutasarrifate of Baghdad Province - Please kindly inform us what actions should be taken regarding the letter of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad No. 3842 dated 3/10/1957, noting that the community does not agree to carry out any repairs in the Al-Mahdiya Primary School building for boys and that the lease agreement expires on 3/31/1957, and inform us. ⟦signature⟧ Abdul Sattar Al-Qarahghouli Director of Education for Baghdad Province Center A copy to: Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad - for information. Administration of Al-Mahdiya School for Boys - regarding your letter No. 38 dated 3/6/1957 for information. Contracts Supervisor - for follow-up. Nasser / 13
Directorate of Education of Baghdad Province / Center Contracts Urgent D V 2 No. / Date 22 / 2 / 1957 Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad We confirm our letter No. 4362 dated 16 / 2 / 1957 and request the speeding up of the repairs indicated therein in the building of Al-Mahdiya Primary School for Boys as quickly as possible, otherwise we will carry them out ourselves and deduct the necessary costs from the rent. ⟦signature⟧ Director of Education of Baghdad Province Center A copy to: Presidency of the General Provincial Council - Baghdad Governorate - for your information. Administration of Al-Mahdiya Primary School for Boys - Please inform us whether the Jewish Community has carried out the repairs in the building or not so that we may take the necessary steps to carry them out. Contracts Observer - for follow-up. Nasser / 2
17 7 24 Directorate of Education, Baghdad Province / Center Contracts Number /: Date /: 12 / 8 / 1957 Administration of Bani Said Primary School for Boys Your letter No. 154 dated 27 / 7 / 1957. The Secretary of the Presidency of the Jewish Community attended this Directorate and promised that he would repair the stairs in your school building. Please be advised. ⟦signature⟧ Director of Education of Baghdad Province The Center A copy to - . Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad / Your community secretary has promised to repair the stairs in the Bani Said school building, and we hope to instruct its repair as quickly as possible and inform us Contracts Observer - for follow-up Qais Ahmed