Description
These are documents relating to the Baghdadi Jewish community, many about Iraqi citizenship. Included are various correspondences between the Jewish community and the Iraqi government. Correspondence with the Secretary General of the Frozen Fund Administration regarding the revocation of Iraqi citizenship of employees at Jewish establishments and daily payment of workers; a letter with names and salaries of employees; a letter from the Secretariat for Monitoring and Managing the Funds of the Jews to the Jewish Hospital Council proclaiming Jewish Iraqi citizenship and permitting employers to pay the employees but freeze a percentage of their salary for the Secretariat. Correspondence with the Secretariat to Monitor and Manage the Funds of the Jews: proclaiming Iraqi Citizenship to the Directorate of Travel and Citizenship, and to the President of the Jewish Community verifying if certain people are having their Iraqi citizenship revoked; requesting the release of a Jewish community fund; the formation of a committee to manage the affairs of David Ezra Synagogue; inquires related to property; request to exempt the Jewish poor from paying tax on their belongings when leaving Iraq; a request to return a shop belonging to the Jewish community; paying the Jewish cemetery guard accumulated salaries; returning an endowed Jewish property; provisions to help the Jewish poor; releasing items belonging to Ḥevrah Ḳadishah (burial society) for Jewish burial; returning the endowed eye hospital and pharmacy; Information about Hebrew religious books in the storage of the Directorate; letters between the President of the Jewish Community and Iraqi government offices regarding exchanging information and answering inquiries, the heirs of Jewish deceased, names, Jewish hospital operations, property tax, lifting the "hand" from the Jewish community funds, and management of the Jewish community funds. Documents relating to Baghdadi Synagogues: an inventory from Mindili Synagogue; correspondence between the Committee on the Administration of Ezra Synagogue and the Directory of Rights and Commercial Matters regarding the members of Ezra Synagogue citizenship status; correspondence from the Jewish Lay Council and banks about opening a bank account for Ezra Synagogue; correspondence from the Lay Council to the Secretary General of the frozen funds regarding the name of the Ezra synagogue committee. Correspondence between the Jewish Lay Council to the General Secretariat regarding exporting 100 Jewish books to without paying for the silver cover; a reply from Municipality of Rights and Commercial Matters to permit the export of the books if it had no silver cover; the Jewish presidency’s reply that it is a family owned, there are not commercial items, and it is against the freedom of religion law. Correspondence from Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri: to the General Directorate of Import regarding Iraqi Jewish property taxes, the Jewish properties exempted from tax, hospitals, schools and orphanages; to the Chairman of the Property requesting a copy of plans and documents of properties belonging to the Jewish community; to the Director of Property Tax requesting a reduction or exemption of property tax for demolition or vacancy reasons.
AI en Translation, Pages 201-225
Page 201
Property Tax Directorate
Government Press 1930 — 2 — 52
Name of Taxpayer | Annual Revenue Estimate | Tax Amount | Remarks
| Fils | Dinar | Fils | Dinar |
Israeli Hospitals Committee | — | 180 | — | 18 |
Above, and the tax has reached ⟦eighteen⟧ dinars and ⟦line⟧ fils
Chairman of the Property Assessment Committee
Taxpayer
1952 / ⟦line⟧ / ⟦line⟧
Imports / 18
Volume 2
Ticket Number 122
Assessment Ticket
272
252
⟦Street⟧
Locality | Street No. | Door No. | Property Type
Al-Rawafi | 2/9 | 21 | Reconstruction House
⟦illegible⟧
We inform you that the property belonging to you has been assessed as listed
Only on 10/20/1952
⟦signature⟧
I have received the first copy of this ticket on ....
⟦Blank slip with rust stains⟧
Page 202
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship
Liquidation Secretariat
Number: / Liquidation /
Date: 2 / 2 / 1955
To -
Presidency of the Jewish Community
We confirm for the fourth time our letter No. 25120 dated 11/17/1954, requesting the sending of
the required undertaking as quickly as possible.
Acting Secretary General
A copy of it to -
Governorate of Kut - for information and in addition to our letter mentioned above, please.
Secretariat of Immovable Property }
Secretariat of Accounts } for information and in addition to our aforementioned letter.
Secretariat of Financial Inspection }
Liquidation Secretariat - Stores - with attachments - and for action.
Mahdi 2/21
With the oldest number today
2/1
For registration
Priorities
2/22
Director General's interface
Filing
⟦illegible⟧
2/2
Page 203
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship
Liquidation Secretariat - Warehouses
Number: Liquidation
Date: 1 / 1 / 1955
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Outgoing
No. 7878
Date 7 / 1 / 1955
To -
Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad
We confirm for the third time our letter No. 25170 dated 11 / 17 / 1954, requesting
the required undertaking be sent as quickly as possible.
⟦illegible⟧
Secretary General
A copy to -
Governorate of Kut - for information and as a follow-up to our aforementioned letter, please.
Secretariat of Immovable Property )
Secretariat of Accounts ) for information and as a follow-up to our aforementioned letter
Secretariat of Financial Inspection )
Liquidation Secretariat - Warehouses - with attachments and for follow-up, please.
Mahdi / 1 / 26
Page 204
Iraqi Government
Ministry of Finance
General Directorate of Revenues
(Division)
Taxes
Number ⟦12/3/12⟧
Date ⟦21 / 8 / 1374⟧ AH
⟦12 / 3 / 1955⟧ AD
(Very Urgent)
To the Presidency of the Jewish Community
Subject: Inquiry
With reference to your petition numbered T / 3494 / 55 and dated
6 / 2 / 1955.
1- Please inform us of the neighborhood in which the properties under discussion are located
2- Please send the assessment tickets.
⟦signature⟧
For the Director General of Revenues
A copy to:
Tax Distinguished Officer - with attachments - for follow-up
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Received
Special Number ⟦481⟧
Date ⟦14 / 3 / 1955⟧
Hassan - 21
⟦handwriting⟧
Page 205
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number
3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T/ 551
Date: 21 / 3 / 1955
Subject:
To -
General Directorate of Revenues
Greetings,
Reference to your letter numbered 4420 and dated 26 / 2 / 1955
We return to your office the assessment note numbered 156 and dated 9 / 7 / 954 and the mentioned properties
in the memorandum are located in the Shorja district.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
Page 207
General Secretariat
For the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Stripped of Iraqi Nationality
Secretariat of <del>Companies</del>
Number:
Date: ⟦line⟧ 3/ /1955
282
2/4/955
Directorate of Travel and Nationality Police
We are sending you herewith a copy of the petition of Selim Manshi Saleh Shahna dated ⟦line⟧
29 / 3 / 955 with the original letter of the Israelite Community numbered 9076 and dated 6 / 1 / 955
requesting the necessary investigations be conducted regarding the subject and informing us whether Sabah Ibrahim
son of Selim Manshi Shahna, holder of the non-forfeiture identity card numbered 786 and dated 26 / 2 / 952
is the same as Ibrahim Sabah.
⟦signature⟧
General Secretary
A copy of it to -
Presidency of the Israelite Community - in reference to your above-mentioned letter.
Secretariat of Companies - Sh 59 Q 2
File
⟦illegible⟧
Mahmoud /
To the Directorate General of Radios
Greetings :-
Reference to your letter numbered 440 on 7/21/951
We are sending you <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> herewith the change ticket
Numbered 56 and dated 7/9/951
And the information mentioned in the memorandum is correct
In its respected place, and please
Accept the highest respect
The Rabbi
Page 208
Iraq
Ministry of Finance
Directorate General of Revenues
Taxes
Number 6619
Date 8 / 8 / 1374 AH
5 / 4 / 1955 AD
To: Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Subject: Sending a receipt
With reference to your letter numbered T / 7525 and dated 27 / 3 / 1955
We are sending you herewith receipt number 2 / 45112 dated 2 / 2 / 1955 for the amount of 78/- Dinars
In exchange for check number 128218 dated 22 / 2 / 1954 for property tax number ⟦...⟧ in the ⟦...⟧ neighborhood
Director General of Revenues
Copy to: - Tax Distinguished Officer - for information
221
I picked up the receipt ⟦...⟧ 954
Attachments
Receipt
⟦illegible⟧
Page 209
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T/ 55/
Subject: ⟦Consumption⟧ Tax
Date: 27 / 3 / 1955
22
To -
General Directorate of Revenues
Greetings,
With reference to your letter No. 2991 dated 5 / 2 / 1955;
We are sending you a check numbered 138318 and dated 22 / 3 / 1955 for the amount of 38/- Dinars
Thirty-eight Dinars, as payment for the property tax numbered 30 / 94, Qanbar Ali
district. Please inform us of receipt.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Page 210
General Secretariat ⟦line⟧
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Whose Iraqi Citizenship Has Been Revoked
Secretariat of Immovable Property
Number
Date
168 / 222
169 / 222 with two dates
⟦...⟧
Number ⟦...⟧
Date ⟦...⟧
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, former head of the Lay Council of the Israelite Community, passed away after the issuance of the
Freezing Law. Since this General Secretariat is unaware of who his heirs are and whether they continue to retain
their Iraqi citizenship, as it is known they retained it until the year 1952, please provide us
with a copy of the legal inheritance distribution (Qassam) for his heirs or inform us of their names, and consider this request urgent, please.
General Secretary
A copy to:
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - for information
Page 211
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / 551
Subject:
Date: 7 / 7 / 1955
His Excellency the Secretary General for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Nationality, Respected
After greetings
With reference to your letter numbered 19806 and dated 3 / 7 / 1955;
This Presidency previously, in its letter numbered T / 53/3231 and dated 20 / 11 / 953, informed
your respected directorate regarding what was stated in your above-mentioned letter; as for whether these individuals still
retain their Iraqi nationality, we cannot fulfill the request as we have no knowledge of that.
Please accept our highest respect
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible blue ink bleed-through from reverse side⟧
Page 212
His Excellency the Secretary General for the Supervision and Administration of Jewish Property
Respectfully, on their behalf, Mr. Advocate ⟦E⟧
After greetings,
Based on your letter 1989 dated 7/2/55
regarding the disclosure of numbers and accounts in our letter No. 5/1/2231 / 52
dated 7/20/52, and your esteemed directorate has been informed
noting <del>that has</del> regarding what was stated in your above-mentioned letter
but since these individuals still retain their Iraqi
nationality <del>and we have no connection to them</del> we have no knowledge other than
the request as we have no knowledge of that. Please accept
highest respect
⟦E. Qam⟧
Page 213
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship "Second Confirmation"
Secretariat of Immovable Property
Rents
Number:
Date:
To: Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
We confirm our letter No. G/11260 dated 4/3/1955
requesting that you provide us with the information available to you regarding the ownership of the annex numbered 2/2/1, Al-Rawaf
district as quickly as possible.
Acting Secretary General
A copy to / -
The Inspector, Mr. Abdul Razzaq Al-Chalabi - for information.
Rents Observer.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
⟦illegible⟧
Subject / Al-Mazawi 8/15
Mr. H. Doctor
15 / 8 / 9
Check the Menachem Daniel register and the <del>Community</del> translator
on this pure endowment
The Police
Page 214
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
3531 President
5452 Secretary
Telephone Number
⟦illegible⟧
Number: 15 / 25 / 55
Date: 28 / 8 / 1955
Subject:
His Excellency the Secretary General for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship, Respected
Greetings,
Reference to your letter numbered Kh/11260 and dated 4/3/1955
The premises No. 2/2/1 located in Al-Bataween is an endowment (waqf) from the endowments of the late Ezra Menahem
Daniel, and the trustee over it is the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community, pursuant to the endowment deed
issued by the Personal Status Court in Baghdad under file number 946/109 Sh.
Please accept our highest respect.
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to: -
Assistant Trustee - for information
Administration Department
The endowment deed is kept with the Director ⟦Doctor⟧
And the President approved it with his signature
N/26
N/27
Page 215
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / 55
Date: 18 / 8 / 1955
Subject:
His Excellency the Secretary General for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship, Respected
After greetings,
With reference to your letter numbered G / 11260 and dated 3 / 4 / 1955;
This property is among the endowments of the Presidency of the Community according to the endowment deed issued by the Court of Personal Status
in Baghdad under file number 109 / 949 Sh.
Please accept the highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
The property with municipality number
1/2/2 located in Al-Sinak is
part of the premises number
an endowment from the endowments of the late Ezra Menachem
Daniel, and the trustee committee for it is the Presidency of the Community
A copy of it to: - The Accountant General - for information - with a copy of the endowment deed issued
Assistant Trustee - for information
from the Court of Personal Status in Baghdad under file number
109 / 949 Sh
Please accept the highest respect
Accountant General
Page 216
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters
⟦line⟧
Number / Rights /: ⟦illegible⟧
Date: 1 / 8 / 1955
To -
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
We have learned that the Jew (Daoud Haroun Zilkha) passed away before the issuance of the freezing laws.
Please inform us of the date of his death and the names of his heirs and their current citizenship as quickly
as possible.
Acting Secretary General
A copy to -
Baghdad Court of First Instance - with reference to your letter numbered 5386 and dated ⟦line⟧ on
7 / 7 / 1955, lawsuits 84 / 50 and 566 / 52 for information, and please
await the response.
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - File 3 / 1
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Number 857
Date 2 / 8 / 1955
Ibrahim / 18 / 8
The Accountant
To state the date of death
Refer to register 45 - 46
The Secretary
Please state the specific
date to take the necessary action
necessary in the old registers
10 / 8 / 55
Page 217
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters
21248
Number 116 / Rights /
11 / 1955
Date
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
We reiterate our letter No. 24366 dated 4 / 8 / 955
And we request that you provide us with your information regarding the Jew (Daoud Haroun Zilkha)
Whom we learned passed away before the issuance of the freezing laws, and to state the names of his heirs and their nationality
At the present time if possible.
Hoping to receive the answer as quickly as possible.
⟦Atta Allah⟧
For the Secretary General
Copy to "
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - File 3 / 1 - for follow-up.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
⟦illegible⟧
Number 2858
Date 29 / 11 / 55
Mahmoud /
Page 218
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / 7320 / 55
Date: 23 / 11 / 1955
Subject:
His Excellency the Secretary General for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Deprived of
Iraqi Nationality, Respected
After greetings,
With reference to your letter No. 31648 dated 12 / 11 / 955
And based on the document kept by this Presidency, we confirm that the late Daoud Haroun
Zilkha died in Basra nineteen years ago and left his mother named Hanna bint Saleh Nasawi
and his wife named Naima Daoud Musfi and a son named Haroun Daoud Zilkha and a daughter named
Jacqueline Daoud Zilkha.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
Acting President of the Community
I received a copy of the letter
⟦illegible signature⟧
Abdul Monem Al-Jader
24 / 11 / 955
Page 220
⟦illegible stamp⟧
To the Honorable Secretary General for the Supervision of Frozen Jewish Property Management
To the Honorable General Directorate of Nationality
Greetings,
With reference to your letter numbered 71248 dated 11/19/1950
And based on the documents kept in this Presidency, we confirm
that the late Daoud Haroun Zilkha passed away in Basra nineteen
years ago and left behind his mother named Hanna bint Saleh Nadi
and his aforementioned wife Naima Daoud Safi and a son named Haroun Daoud
Zilkha and a daughter named Jacqueline Daoud Zilkha, <del>and her daughter named</del>
<del>Nurit and his two children retaining current Iraqi nationality</del>
<del>current this</del> and all of them except for his mother reside
in Basra and are retaining their nationality at the present time.
Please accept our highest respect.
The Rabbi
Page 221
Baghdad on 17 / 11 / ⟦1951⟧
His Excellency the President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, respected
After greetings
I have learned that the General Secretariat for Frozen Assets requested information about the late
my father Daoud Haroun Zilkha. My late father passed away in Basra approximately
19 years ago, and his inheritance was limited to his wife Naeema Daoud Musfi, his mother Hanna
Saleh Nawi, myself Haroun Daoud Zilkha, and my sister Jacqueline Daoud Zilkha, and there is
no heir other than us.
Please accept my utmost thanks and respect.
Sincerely,
Haroun Daoud Zilkha
⟦Haroun Daoud⟧
We, the undersigned, confirm that Daoud Haroun Zilkha passed away in Basra
19 years ago and his inheritance was limited to his mother Hanna Saleh Nawi, his wife Naeema Daoud
Musfi, his son Haroun Daoud Zilkha, and his daughter Jacqueline Daoud Zilkha only, and accordingly
we have signed.
Yousef Hayim Meshi
Jaafar Robin
Isaac
Page 222
General Secretariat
for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews
Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship
<del>Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters</del>
<del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
Number 22252 / Rights /
Date 26 / 11 / 1955
To - Directorate of Travel and Nationality Police
Subject / - Heirs of Daoud Haroun Zilkha
The Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad informed us in its letter numbered ⟦10/10⟧ and dated
23 / 11 / 1955 that the aforementioned Daoud Haroun Zilkha died in Basra nineteen years ago
and that his heirs are the following names, so please inform us whether Iraqi citizenship has been revoked
from them or if they still retain it and are currently present in Iraq.
1 - His mother, Hanina Saleh Nawi
2 - His wife, Naima Daoud Musfi
3 - His son, Haroun Daoud Zilkha
4 - His daughter, Jacqueline Daoud Zilkha
Secretary General
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Number ⟦illegible⟧
Date 29 / 11 / 55
A copy of it to / -
- Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad - for information and in reference to your letter above.
- Baghdad Court of First Instance - Files 84 / 50 and 566 / 52 - for information and as a follow-up to our letter
numbered 4366 and dated 4 / 8 / 1955.
Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - ( 3 / 1 ) - for follow-up.
M/ Al-Azzawi 26 / 11
Page 224
Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 5452
Number: M / ⟦560⟧
Date: 30 / 1 / 1956
Subject Summary:
41
His Excellency the Director of Tapu for the Hilla Province, Respected
After greetings
Please provide me with a copy of the registration and a map for the property, Tapu sequence 721, Jabayin Quarter, Hilla.
With respect to Your Excellency
Farid Samira
Chairman of the Administrative Committee