Citizenship Correspondence between Iraqi Government and Jewish Community; Synagogue Financial Information
View interactive document pageThese 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.
⟦We⟧ the undersigned testify that the name of the grandfather of the person named (Naji Elias) Khadouri bin Haqqi, holder of identity revocation number 1899 and date 20/4/52 is Daoud, and for this reason we have signed Baghdad 21 / 1 / 52 Witness Eliyahu Ezra Zion Witness Naji ⟦Hakim⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
General Secretariat for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews Whose Citizenship Has Been Revoked The Supervision Secretariat of Commercial ⟦Matters⟧ Number / Commercial / 247 3/10/1953 Date ⟦line⟧ Presidency of the Jewish Community Incoming Number 2167 Date 3 / 12 / 1953 To Presidency of the Jewish Community - Baghdad Subject - Jewish Hospitals Committee. Please inform us whether the committee under discussion is still practicing its activities and about how it was established and its fate at the present time. ⟦Signature⟧ Acting Secretary General ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 3 / 18 / ⟦1953⟧ Mahmoud / 7 ⟦illegible⟧
⟦wax seal⟧ T / 84 / 53 30 / 10 / 1953 Inquiry regarding the revocation of citizenship To - The General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Whose Iraqi citizenship has been revoked. 72 Greetings, With reference to your letter numbered 4558 and dated 29 / 9 / 1953. The authority in such matters is the Directorate of Travel and Nationality, and this Presidency has no knowledge as to whether any of the aforementioned individuals are deceased or not. ⟦T.T⟧ ⟦signature⟧ On behalf of the Acting Head of the Community Vice President of the Lay Council
General Secretariat for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship Secretariat of <del>Immovable</del> Property Number ⟦800⟧ Date 4 / 9 / 1951 221 2 / 9 / 52 74 Presidency of the Jewish Community Subject/ Inquiry regarding the deprivation of citizenship Please inform us whether the Jews Ephraim, Ezra, Munir, Menashe, Isaac, Baruch, and Abboudi, the sons of Abdullah Al-Haytam, owners of the shop numbered 130 / 140 located in the Obeid quarter, have been deprived of Iraqi citizenship or not, and in the event they have not been deprived of Iraqi citizenship, please state the numbers and dates of their identity cards, and in the event of the death of any of them, please state the date of death. Acting Secretary General A copy to: Secretary of the Bidding Committee - with the enclosures.
T / ⟦2021⟧ / 53 17 / 11 / 1953 Heirs of the deceased Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq. To "- The General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Who Have Lost Iraqi Citizenship Greetings, With reference to your letter No. Rights / 15697 dated 5 / 11 / 1953. We inform you that the heirs of the deceased Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq are as follows "- 1 - Toba (also called Victoria) daughter of Khedhouri Eliyahu Murad (his wife) 2 - Hayyim son of Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq (his son) 3 - Jamil " " " " " 4 - Meda daughter of " " " " (his daughter) 5 - Florence " " " " " 6 - Evelyn " " " " " 7 - Helena " " " " " Please be informed that the aforementioned deceased had another daughter named Hilda (also known as Naima) Who had passed away on July 17, 1949. Please accept our highest respect. On behalf of Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Acting President of the Community 75 ⟦squiggle⟧
52 / ⟦illegible⟧ To: His Excellency the Acting Head of the Community, Respected Subject: - Heirs of the late Eliyahu Habib Tawfiqa Greetings, With reference to your Excellency's request to conduct an investigation regarding the heirs of the late Eliyahu Habib Tawfiqa and their properties: - Based on the testimony of the witness Abdullah Ibrahim Ezra Eliyahu Rad (who is the cousin of the deceased's wife) and the information we have gathered, I state the following regarding the heirs of the deceased Eliyahu Habib Tawfiqa: - 1- Toba (also called Floria), daughter of Khedhouri Eliyahu Rad (his wife) 2- Habib and Jamil, sons of Eliyahu Habib Tawfiqa (his sons) 3- Meda, Florence, Angeline, and Helena, daughters of .. .. .. (his daughters) Note that the deceased had another daughter named Haila (also born with the name Naeema) who had passed away on July 17, 1949. With highest respect to your Excellency, Attachments: 1) Letter from the General Secretariat No. 5697/Rights, dated 11/10/1952 2) A certificate signed by Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Ezra Eliyahu Rad ⟦signature⟧ Naji Shabib Secretary Community Council and Antiquities
Baghdad 16 / 11 / 952 Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad Subject: Heirs of the deceased, the late Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiqa After greetings and much respect Based on the request of Mr. Naji Yaqub ⟦Yaniri⟧, I have provided him with the following information regarding the heirs of the aforementioned deceased The heirs of the late Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiqa are as follows: 1 - Toba (called Victoria) Khedhouri Eliyahu Murad | His wife 2 - Na'im and Jamil | His two sons 3 - Meda, Florence, Evelyn, and Helen | His four daughters Note that before he passed away, he had a daughter named ⟦Hildania⟧ who died in Baghdad on July 17, 1949 I have provided this information and it is correct, and I confirm it as the wife of the deceased is my cousin Please accept my highest respect and appreciation The Author Habiba Eliyahu Murad 16 / 11 / 952
General Secretariat for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Nationality Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters Number / Rights / ⟦line⟧ Date 11/6/1953 Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Incoming No. ⟦474⟧ Date ⟦11 / 8 / 53⟧ ( Urgent ) To - Presidency of the Jewish Community (Baghdad) Please inform us of the names of the heirs of the deceased Jew (Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq) We hope to receive your response as soon as possible. ⟦illegible signature⟧ Ahmed Al-Shalji Acting Secretary General A copy to - The lawyer Mr. Khalid Taha - for follow-up. Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - for filing. Mr. Naji Munir For follow-up ⟦illegible signature⟧ 11/8 ⟦illegible signature⟧ 11/8 Fadhil / K 11/5
T/ 53/ 28 / 12 / 1953 To " - The General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Nationality Greetings, With reference to your letter No. Rights/17449 dated 9 / 12 / 1953; Our information regarding the heirs of the deceased (Jack Safir) and their current place of residence is as follows, with the understanding that it is based on information obtained from personal inquiries. 1 - His two wives " - The first, Rachel Chapin } Residence unknown The second, Rene Menashi Sassoon } 2 - His sons " - Oisey " currently residing in the United States of America. Edward, nicknamed Eddy (Residence unknown) Victor, nicknamed Zico (Residing in France) 3 - His daughters " - Sylvia (Residence unknown) Victoria, who is the wife of Mr. Saleh Ezra Moallem and resides with him in Baghdad in Al-Alwiyah. Please accept our highest respect. Sassoon Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Acting President of the Community 77
Presidency of the Jewish Community Charity Committee With reference to the letter from the General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews ⟦deprived⟧ of Iraqi nationality No. 7649 on 9 / 2 / 1952 regarding the heirs of the deceased ⟦Salim⟧ First: Regina ⟦Aslani⟧ Schein Rachel Schein Second: Reina daughter of Menashi Sassoon His children: 1) Edwi, currently residing in the United States of America 2) Edward, permanently absent, place of residence unknown 3) Victor ⟦Zaki⟧, residing in Iran 4) Selena ⟦line⟧ place of residence unknown 5) Tiktoria, married to Mr. Saleh Ezra Selim, residing with him in Baghdad and deprived of nationality This is the information we have. Please accept our highest respects. Senior Deputy ⟦...⟧ 21 / 2 / 952
General Secretariat for the Supervision and Management of the Property of Jews Deprived of Iraqi Citizenship Number: 17448 / Rights / ⟦...⟧ Date: 1953 / 12 / ⟦...⟧ Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters To - Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad Please state whether you have any information regarding the heirs of the deceased ⟦line⟧ (Jean Safir) and their current place of residence. We hope to receive the answer as soon as possible as the matter relates to a case that has not been decided yet, so that we may be able to decide on it. Secretary General ⟦illegible stamp⟧ A copy to - Inspector Mr. Shukri Abada - for information and with reference to his letter No. 17066 dated 30 / 11 / 1953. Secretariat of Rights and Commercial Matters - for follow-up. Fadel / K / 6 / 12
Number: ⟦illegible⟧ / G / ⟦illegible⟧ Date: ⟦illegible⟧ / 9 / 1953 General Secretariat For the Supervision and Management of the Property of Persons Whose Iraqi Citizenship Has Been Revoked Immovable Property Committee 22 14 / 10 / 953 79 Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Please inform us whether the woman named Aziza daughter of Hesqel Yusuf Shantoub, owner of the house numbered 77 / 113 Qanbar Ali, has had her Iraqi citizenship revoked or not, and whether she died before the issuance of the Freezing Law and if her heirs had their citizenship revoked? We hope to be informed of your information regarding the subject. Acting Secretary General A copy to - Secretary of the Frozen Property Assessment Committee - with enclosures - for follow-up. Mr. Jalal Rashid For review with the files and communication ⟦illegible signature⟧ 10 / 10 / 953 Amer / M Wife of Ibrahim Abboudi Abu al-Nil The late Aziza daughter of Hesqel Shantoub died in Baghdad ⟦Europeans⟧ on 12 February 951, the mail corresponding to 5 February 1952 ⟦illegible signature⟧ 15 / 2 / 54
Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad Telephone No. 3502 President 5452 Secretary No. T / 53 / ⟦...⟧ Subject Date 6 / 10 / 1953 To - The General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Whose Iraqi Citizenship Has Been Revoked Greetings, With reference to your letter No. 4606 dated 30 / 9 / 1953 The person named Aziza daughter of Heskel Yusuf Shamtob had passed away on February 5, 1936, and this department has no knowledge of her heirs. Please accept our highest respect. On behalf of the Acting President of the Community Vice President of the Lay Council ⟦signature⟧
T / 53 6 / 10 / 1953 To - The General Secretariat for the Supervision and Administration of the Property of Jews Whose Iraqi Citizenship has been Revoked Greetings, With reference to your letter No. 4606 dated 30 / 9 / 1953 The named Aziza daughter of Hesqel Yusuf Shatoub had passed away on February 5, 1936, and this department has no knowledge of her heirs. Please accept our highest respect. ⟦K.S⟧ On behalf of the Acting Head of the Community Vice President of the Lay Council
The Jewish Community Committee in Baghdad Number: ⟦illegible⟧ Date: 1/18/1954 Telephone Number: 3531 / 5452 Subject: His Excellency the Respected Head of the Property Tax Bureau The Submission That based on the decision of the Property Tax Bureau dated 4/21/1954, number 116, that the property numbered ⟦illegible⟧ is not a property of the Jewish community, but rather its owner endowed it as a waqf for the (Gan Yeladim) school, which is a private institution to which the description of the community does not apply, and therefore it may not be exempted from property tax. Thus, the Bureau supported the financial authority in subjecting it to tax. Since this decision requires consideration and is at the same time prejudicial to the rights of the waqf and the community, we hastened to object to it immediately for the following reasons: ⟦line⟧ 1 - That these are among the schools and educational and charitable institutes owned by the community and the charitable and educational societies currently managing them, and they are its property. This paragraph (d) of Article Three of the Second Amendment to the Property Tax Law No. 60 of 1950 applies to the endowed place under discussion, and there is no escape from its provisions. ⟦line⟧ 2 - Considering it a school and an educational and charitable institute owned by the community on one hand, as it is the supervisor of this waqf by reference to the endower and according to Article (47) paragraph (d) of the Civil Code, and considering that the charitable waqf is considered a legal personality by the explicit text of the Civil Code in Article (47) paragraph (e), and it is one of the legal persons (charitable society); rather, it is a charitable entity established by one of the endowers, whether managed by one or more, a society or an individual, the law considers it among the (legal persons) or charitable societies. ⟦line⟧ For all of this, we, the community, hastened to object to this decision, hoping for the acceptance of our objection upon the review of the oversight and the review of the community's right of supervision. In summary, its ownership by the community on one hand, and the right of the charitable waqf and that it is one of the legal persons (charitable societies) for an educational school and that it is its property on the other hand, and consequently the matter does not correspond in the legal aspect. This is for your command. ⟦line⟧ Saleh Shaloosh Trustee of the ⟦illegible⟧ Waqf on behalf of Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Acting President of the Community
General Revenue Directorate
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 / 5452 }
Number 7705 / 8 / 4 / ⟦54⟧
Date 18 / 6 / 1954
⟦...⟧
Subject:
His Excellency the Respected President of the Property Tax Bureau
Based on the decision of the Property Tax Bureau dated 29 / 4 / 1954, number 116, stating that the property numbered ⟦1/1/16⟧ is not
owned by the Jewish community, but rather it is an endowment (waqf) for the (Kan Helom) school, which is a private institution to which the
description of the community does not apply, and therefore it may not be exempted from property tax. Thus, the Bureau supported the financial authority in subjecting it to tax.
Since this decision requires consideration and is at the same time prejudicial to the rights of the endowment and the community, we have hastened to object to it due to
the following reasons ⟦line⟧
1 - This is one of the schools and educational and charitable institutes included by the communities and charitable and educational associations that
manage them and own them. This paragraph (d) of Article Three of the Second Amendment to the Property Tax Law No.
60 of 1950 applies to the premises numbered ⟦1/1/16⟧ and its exemption is indispensable.
2 - Considering it a school and an educational and charitable institute covered by Article Three on one hand, as it is supervised by this endowment according to the explicit terms of the endowment deed,
and that Article (47) paragraph (d) of the Civil Code, and considering that the charitable endowment is considered a legal personality according to the explicit terms of the Civil
Code in Article (47) paragraph (e) and among the legal persons (charitable association), rather it is a charitable project established by one of
the endowers, whether managed by one or more persons in a capacity or individually, the law considers it one of the (legal persons) or charitable
institutions ⟦line⟧
For all of this, we have hastened, in participation with the trustee, to file this objection, hoping that our objection will be determined by reviewing the endowment deed and reviewing
the community's right of supervision. In any case, the connection to the community on one hand, and the right of the charitable endowment and that it is one of the legal persons
(charitable associations) for an educational school and considering it its property on the other hand, the final result is exemption according to the law.
With this, the matter is yours ⟦line⟧
Saleh Shalhoub
Trustee of the Endowment
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦Presid⟧ency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad 3531 Telephone Number 3531 5452 Number T/ 87 / 54 Date 15 / 7 / 1954 Subject :: ✓ His Excellency the Director General of Revenues, Respected After greetings With reference to your warning numbered 435 and dated 21 / 6 / 54, please agree to postpone the payment of the amount mentioned in the warning until the date of 1 / 8 / 1954 . Please accept the assurances of my highest respect Sassoon Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Acting President of the Community
Number 14971 Date 27 / 11 / 1373 AH 27 / 7 / 1954 AD Iraqi Government Ministry of Finance Directorate General of Revenues "Section" Taxes Presidency of the Jewish Community Number ⟦illegible⟧ Date ⟦illegible⟧ 2 Subject: - Postponement of the execution of a seizure order Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Taht al-Takiya With reference to your petition dated 15 / 7 / 1954 We agree to postpone the payment of the amount of 260/417 Dinars realized on <del>properties</del> properties of your community located in Al-Qishla neighborhood until 1 / 8 / 1954 Hoping for its settlement on the mentioned date, otherwise the seizure order will be executed against you. Director General of Revenues A copy of it to Tax Distinguished Officer - with attachments, requesting they be handed over to the seizure officer To follow up with them on the specified date and execute the seizure order in case of non-payment of the debt ⟦illegible⟧ Y / 24
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number 3531 President 5452 Secretary Number: T/541 Date: Subject: Objection to property tax. ⟦illegible⟧ His Excellency the Director General of Revenues, Respected After greetings The ruin numbered 137/59 has been vacant for nearly five years, therefore please order an inspection and exempt it from the property tax. With much respect to your Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting President of the Community // ⟦Khadhuri⟧
Excellency That ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦line⟧ and it is ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Whatever qualities he wishes, and upon it the free people are satisfied ⟦illegible⟧ was revealed from Hezbollah This and what ⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community Basra Number: 252 Date: 25 / 7 / 1952 Presidency of the Jewish Community in Basra Incoming Number ⟦...⟧ Date 28 / 7 / 1952 Subject - Lifting the hand from the community's funds To His Excellency the Head of the Community and President of the Lay Council in Baghdad, the Respected After greetings Your letter numbered 2482 on 5 / 7 / 952 and our letter numbered 228 dated 14 / 5 / 952 and our letter numbered 249 dated 20 / 6 / 952: Please note what was stated in them. Then we sent a letter with a number of attachments proving our claim and our observations we sent it on 20 / 7 / 952 number 252 to the lawyer and a copy to your Excellency, and now we present a copy of the letter of the members of the Lay Council of the religion dated 18 / 7 / 952 and their instruction to us to travel to contact your presidency to lift the hand and the manner that prevented the community from delay as you audit it, and since we cannot attend in sufficient time due to our private business, and since your presidency's promise to us upon the power of attorney and upon our travel to Basra you promised us well as Subhi Aboudi contacted your administration and you informed him for us, so God willing, success is near, and I hope to carry out the actual work for the follow-up and that your presidency supports us to lift the hand according to the laws and regulations, and this is what we request and we are very proud to contact the special official authorities by stating the damages that have afflicted our community and the reasons that we have explained in detail to the lawyer and to your Excellency, and we are waiting, and please accept the highest respect Sincere Head of the Community and President of the Council Lay Second For the personal and to be notified immediately And also for ⟦...⟧ ⟦signature⟧ 28 / 7 / 52
The Israeli Lay Council In Basra Date: 18 / 7 / 1952 Subject - Lifting the hand over the community's funds His Excellency the President of the Israeli Community in Basra And the President of the Lay Council, the respected Mr. Yaqub Manshi Khamao Greetings. Based on the decision of the Israeli General Council dated 11 / 5 / 1952 regarding our election as members of the Lay Council, which was communicated to your Excellency by your Excellency's letter No. 238 dated 12 / 5 / 1952, and in view of our agreement and decision with you to seize the community's funds by the General Secretariat under the pretext of freezing the previous Lay Council, imposing their authority and considering the Secretariat of the Council dissolved etc... and since this claim of freezing is contrary to the laws and regulations and opposes the texts of the Law of the Community No. 77 of 1931 and its Regulation No. 26 / 1931 and even legally, especially since the funds of the community were not the property of individuals to be frozen upon the loss of their citizenship, and as we have authorized you to travel to Baghdad, appoint lawyers, contact the competent official authorities and the leadership of the community in Baghdad and legal channels to remove this injustice that has affected the community materially, morally, and ethically, and it is not permissible to place the community's funds to be managed by guardianship while the Lay Council is alive and well, and the alleged reason has vanished, and the official communal formations exist, and the Council has been legally elected. Please travel to Baghdad accompanied by us due to the prior determination to lift the hand and release the actions and special authorities so that the Council may exercise its constitutional rights legally under your presidency. Please accept our respect. Members of the Lay Council Member Harun Yamin Harun | Member Sion Harun Kharmoush | Member Manshi Ezra Khamao | Member Salim Ilya Abdo | Member Gurji Shakuri Nathan | Member Ezra Sion Ibrahim
PRESIDENT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BASRAH ( IRAQ ) Telephone No. 05-395 No : Date : Presidency of the Jewish Community Basrah Telephone Number: 5/395 Number: 252 Date: 20 / 7 / 1952 Presidency of the Jewish Community Basrah P.O. Box 1892 Date 22 / 7 / 1954 Sheikh His Excellency the respected Mr. Salman Daoud Greetings, We have previously signed petitions when we were in Baghdad on 5/6/1952 and registered the power of attorney in the name of your Excellency on 8/6/1952 and handed over the papers and our notes to you as you ordered during your presidency, and until now we have not received information on where the case has reached. Then we present to your Excellency a sample of the correspondence that took place between this presidency, the Liwa Governorate, the Police Directorate, the venerable Ministry of Justice, and the decisions of the Legal Bureau to identify the members who meet the legal conditions and are not disqualified. His Eminence the Governor knows that the General Council is the one that elects the presidents and the council according to Article (11) of the Community Law No. 77 / 1931. For this reason, he investigated how it exists and requested the filling of vacancies, and with this the requirement was completed. The General Council is complete and it is the same current General Council in which ten vacancies occurred due to disqualification and we filled them. As the Ministers have recently decided in detail the authority of the President on 20/11/1950. Then, if you examine the Bureau's decision dated 15/12/1950, it eased the matter by accepting the member based on good reading in Basrah due to the lack of scholars etc. ⟦line⟧ and the council was elected bodily as it appears to your Excellency from the dates. Until the freeze, we are acting according to the authority legally granted to us, calling the homogeneous body and there are no vacancies. The elections are temporary from us on behalf of the council bodily when its meeting is impossible according to paragraph (b) of Article Five as we explained in our letter to the Governorate numbered 200 and dated 20/3/1952. Since the issuance of the Community Law No. 77 / 1931 and its regulation No. 36 / 1931, i.e., 22 years ago, it did not mention the number of souls who have the right to vote and the number of members, i.e., unlike the Iraqi Parliament. Furthermore, there were no Jews ⟦...⟧ then and those present now. Moreover, no supplement to the census regulation was issued to be added to the body of its details for the members of the General Council or the bodily council as in Baghdad; rather, the law verbally specified only a number for the members of the presidents in Baghdad and Basrah and limited them only. Even in the capital and Diyala, the number of Jews did not exceed 200 and a supplement was issued to appoint a president and two councils for them with a limited number of members there. These points are for information, as we want the endowments, properties, and funds of the community not to be transferred to a person, but they belong to the community regardless of its number, and the condition of the endower is for the beneficiaries. Therefore, in this case, it is not permissible to manage the community's funds by guardianship while the council is bodily alive and well and the official community structures exist. Furthermore, our letter to the governors requesting the tax dated 12/5/1951 and numbered 8288 recognizes the personality of the wise president, as does our letter to the Presidency of Execution and the copy of the Community Presidency regarding the tax seizure dated 8/3/1952 and number 5687, an implicit recognition of the existence of a presidency for the community, and our letter to the Secretary General of the Basrah Execution Presidency dated 24/9/1951 and number 5687. Please accept our highest respect. ⟦Yaqub⟧ President of the Jewish Community in Basrah A copy to: - Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad - to assist us in lifting the hand Number of attachments 29 Incoming Number ⟦...⟧ Date ⟦...⟧ 24 / 7 / 52
Number: 249 Date: 20 / 6 / 1954 Presidency of the Jewish Community Presidency of the Jewish Community in Basra Number ⟦illegible⟧ Date 21 / 6 / 1954 Subject: - Regarding the lifting of the freeze To: His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, the Respected After greetings On 1 / 6 / 1954, we signed the approval to appeal the freeze decision for my mother Kifah and we registered the general power of attorney on 18 / 6 / 1954 for Mr. Sassoon Bey and we sent it to you upon our travel regarding the freeze for follow-up and the individuals to finalize the case, and so far we have not received an answer. I request a follow-up by phone or assigning someone to follow up to get the materials that the case has reached and inform us. Please accept highest respect and stay well ⟦illegible⟧ President of the Community The Clerk For registration and replying to the letter and informing him ⟦illegible⟧ 22 / 6 / 54