Voices from the Archive

IJA 2727

Citizenship Correspondence between Iraqi Government and Jewish Community; Synagogue Financial Information

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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.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 2727
Item Number
11978
Date
Approx. January 1, 1951 to December 31, 1960
Languages
Arabic
Keywords
Annotation, Architectural Plans, Baghdadi Jewish Community, Burial, Burial Society, Butcher, Charity, Correspondence, Czechoslovakia, Debts, Director of Import, Doctors, Endowment, Ezra Menahem Daniel, Ezra Synagogue, Financial, Frank Iny School, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Furniture, Hakham Sassoon Khedouri, Handwritten, Ḥevrah Ḳadishah, Identification Card, Immovable Properties, Inventory, Iranian Bank, Jewish Hospitals, Jewish Hospitals Committee, Kosher, Lawrence Khedouri Primary School, Lawsuit, Marriage, Marriage Certificates, Meir Elias Hospital, Menorah, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Municipality of Accounts, Nahum, Naḥum, Nurses, Ottoman Bank, Paris, Patients, Pharmacy, Property Tax, Receipts, Reemah Kadoorie Eye Hospital, Reem Khadory Clinic, Rent, Stamps

AI English Translation, Pages 526-550

Archival unit 526

Presidency
of the Jewish Community
- Baghdad -
Number / ⟦illegible⟧
Date / 26 / 10 / 1960
To /
Property Tax Directorate (Rusafa) - Respectfully
Subject / Objection to Property Tax Assessment
Greetings.
Reference to Property Tax Ticket No. 11 Vol. ⟦illegible⟧ notified to us on 11 / 10 / 1960
We inform you that the rent for the shop numbered 11 D / 152 Faraj Allah is 18/- Dinars annually
and not 24/- Dinars as stated in the referred ticket, therefore we request reducing the assessment
to 18/- Dinars.
Please be informed that this shop numbered 11 D / 152 Faraj Allah is leased jointly
with the shop numbered 11 B / 152 - Faraj Allah under one contract attached herewith.
With respect to your Excellency.
The Rabbi
Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to :-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.
⟦Issued⟧

Archival unit 527

⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
With reference to the property tax ticket number ⟦...⟧
Notified to us on ⟦...⟧ / 10 / 1951
We inform you that the rent for the building numbered 11 D / 152
Faraj Allah is 120/- Dinars annually and not 420/-
Dinars as stated in the aforementioned ticket, therefore we request a reduction
of the assessment value to 180/- ⟦...⟧
Please be informed that the property tax numbered 11 D / 152 Faraj
Allah is at a reduced rate for the building numbered 11 D / 152
Faraj Allah, and we inform you that we are attaching it herewith.
With respect,
⟦...⟧ Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting Head of the Community
A copy of it to:-
To the Community Property Officer - for inspection

Archival unit 528

Presidency
The Mosaic Community
- Baghdad -
Number /
Date / 26 / 10 / 1960
To /
Property Tax Directorate (Rusafa) Respectfully
Subject / 56 C / 242 / Kawlat
Greetings .
We inform you that the property numbered 56 C / 242 Kawlat has been vacated and demolished as of
the date 1 / 9 / 1960, so please mark that with you .
With our highest respect to your Excellency .
The Rabbi
Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
⟦signature⟧
A copy of it to :-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up

Archival unit 529

Presidency of
The Mosaic Community
– Baghdad –
Number / ⟦...⟧
Date / 26 / 10 / 1960
To /
Directorate of Real Estate Tax (Rusafa) Respectfully
Subject / 56 C / 242 / Kollat
Greetings.
We inform you that the property numbered 56 C / 242 Kollat has been vacated and demolished as of
the date 1 / 9 / 1960, so please mark that with you.
With our highest respect to your Excellency.
The Rabbi
Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
⟦Adel⟧
A copy of it to –
The Community Property Officer – for follow-up

Archival unit 530

Number ⟦illegible⟧
10/21/1960 ⟦illegible⟧
Income Tax Directorate (Rusafa)
Subject: 52 J/ A Kawarith
Greetings
We inform you that the taxpayer numbered 52 J/ A Kawarith
has been closed ⟦by deletion⟧ and demolition as of
9/1/1960, so please ⟦deduct it⟧ from your records
With highest respect
The Servant
Yaqub Qasira
Head of the Jewish Community
A copy to:
The Community Property Officer - for implementation

Archival unit 531

Presidency of
The Mosaic Community
– Baghdad –
Number /
Date / 26 / 10 / 1960
To /
The Respected Property Tax Directorate (Rusafa)
Subject / Objection to property tax assessment
Greetings.
With reference to the property tax ticket number 11 volume 10 notified to us on 11 / 10 / 1960
We inform you that the rent for the shop numbered 11 B / 152 located in Faraj Allah neighborhood is 18/- Dinars
annually and not 24/- Dinars as stated in the aforementioned ticket, therefore we request reducing the
assessment to 18/- Dinars. Note that this shop numbered 11 B / 152 / Faraj
Allah is leased jointly with the shop numbered 11 D / 152 – Faraj Allah under one contract
which we attach herewith.
With highest respect to your Excellency.
The Rabbi
Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
A copy of it to –
The Community Property Officer – for follow-up.

Archival unit 532

Presidency
of the Jewish Community
- Baghdad -
Number /
Date / 26 / 10 / 1960
To /
Respectable Real Estate Tax Directorate (Rusafa)
Subject / Objection to property tax assessment
Greetings,
Reference to the property tax ticket No. 11 Vol. 10 notified to us on 11 / 10 / 1960
We inform you that the rent for the shop numbered 11 B / 152 located in Faraj Allah neighborhood is 18/- Dinars
annually and not 24/- Dinars as stated in the referred ticket, therefore we request reducing the
assessment to 18/- Dinars. Note that this shop numbered 11 B / 152 / Faraj
Allah is leased jointly with the shop numbered 11 D / 152 - Faraj Allah under one contract
which we attach herewith.
With highest respect to your Excellency.
The Rabbi
Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
A copy to :-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.

Archival unit 533

⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ in fact ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ based on the property tax assessment
Greetings
Reference to the property tax ticket number 11 volume
7 notified to us on 11 / 1 / 1930 -
We inform you that the rental value of the shop numbered 11 B / 152
located in Faraj Allah neighborhood is 18/- Dinars and not
24/- Dinars as stated in the aforementioned ticket
Therefore, I request to reduce the assessment value to 18/- Dinars -
Note that this shop numbered 11 B / 152 Faraj
Allah is leased jointly with the shop numbered 11 D / 152
Faraj Allah in one contract attached herewith.
With highest respect to your Excellency
The Petitioner
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Jewish Community
Copy to:
To the Property and Community Officer - for inspection

Archival unit 534

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 / 5453
Number T / — / 60
Date 3 / 11 / 1960
⟦Large brown stain at top center⟧
Subject:
Honorable Director of Property Tax (Rusafa)
Greetings,
Please provide us with a letter to the Director of the Baghdad Electricity Service confirming that there is no debt on the properties with door numbers
78, 78A, 78B, 78C, and 78D / 113 Taht al-Takiya so that we can reconnect the electrical current
as a modern building has been constructed on the aforementioned properties.
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
⟦Date⟧
Attached are copies of our letters numbered 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 / 59
dated 21 / 10 / 1959.

Archival unit 535

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531
5452
Number T / 60 /
Date 13 / 11 / 1960
⟦illegible stamp⟧
⟦Copy to Incoming⟧
Subject: Objection to property tax.
To the Honorable Director of Property Tax (Rusafa)
After greetings,
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket Vol. 1 No. 26 notified to us on 31 / 10 / 1960,
We inform you that the rental value of the property (shops) numbered ( ⟦578 and 117⟧ ) is ( 400 - - ) annually and not
( ⟦600⟧ ) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent and an upper house at a rate of - / 40 Dinars for each shop and - / 150 Dinars for the upper house, so the total contract
for the five shops and the upper house is - / 350 Dinars.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
⟦Contracts⟧
A copy to:-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.

Archival unit 536

60 / ⟦illegible⟧ / ⟦illegible⟧
11/13/1960
Department Copy
Objection to property tax.
To the Honorable Director of Property Tax (Rusafa)
Greetings,
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket, Volume 1, No. 26, notified to us on 10/31/1960,
We inform you that the rental value of the property (⟦the shop⟧) numbered (⟦578⟧ ⟦117⟧ ⟦Qabr Ali⟧) is (400) annually and not
(600) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent to each other and an upper house at a rate of -/40 Dinars for each shop and -/150 Dinars for the upper house, so the total
contract for the five shops and the upper house is -/350 Dinars.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting Head of the Community
Copy to:-
Community Property Officer - for follow-up
⟦Telephone⟧

Archival unit 537

Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Number T/: 60
Date: 1960/11/13
Telephone Number: 83531 / 5452
Subject: Objection to property tax.
Honorable Director of Property Tax (Rusafa)
Greetings,
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket Vol. 1 No. 26 notified to us on 1960/10/31
We inform you that the rental value of the property (vacant plots) numbered (11/278) is (400 -) annually and not
( ⟦illegible⟧ ) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent to each other and an upper house at a rate of 400/- Dinars for each shop and 1500/- Dinars for the upper house, so the total
contract for the five shops and the upper house is 3500/- Dinars.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to:-
Community Property Officer - for follow-up
⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 538

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 / 5452 }
Number T / 60 /
Date 13 / 11 / 1960
⟦Incoming Registration⟧
Subject: Objection to property tax.
To the Honorable Director of Property Tax (Al-Rusafa)
Greetings,
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket Vol. 1 No. 26 notified to us on 31 / 10 / 1960
We inform you that the rental value of the property ( ⟦The Gate⟧ ) numbered ( ⟦78 and 112⟧ ) is ( ⟦400⟧ ) annually and not
( ⟦600⟧ ) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent and an upper house at a rate of -/40 Dinars for each shop and -/150 Dinars for the upper house, so the total contract
for the five shops and the upper house is -/350 Dinars.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦Sassoon⟧
A copy to:-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.

Archival unit 539

Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531
5453
Number T /: 60 /
Date: 13 / 11 / 1960
⟦Presidency⟧ of the Community
Subject: Objection to property tax.
Honorable Director of Property Tax (Al-Rusafa)
Greetings,
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket Vol. 1 No. 26 notified to us on 31 / 10 / 1960
We inform you that the rental value of the property (the house) numbered ( ⟦78 and 114⟧ ) is ( ⟦150⟧ ) annually and not
( ⟦200⟧ ) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent and an upper house at a rate of -/40 Dinars for each shop and -/150 Dinars for the upper house, so the total contract
for the five shops and the upper house is -/350 Dinars.
Please accept our highest respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Assistant
A copy to: -
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.

Archival unit 540

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number } 83531
5452
Number T / 60 /
Date 11/13/1960
Subject: Objection to Property Tax.
Department Copy
His Excellency the Director of Property Tax (Rusafa) Respected
After greetings
With reference to the property tax assessment ticket Vol. 1 No. 26 notified to us on 10/31/1960
We inform you that the rental value of the property (the shop) numbered (78 / ⟦sub⟧ 117) is (40 / -) annually and not
(60 / -) Dinars annually as stated in the ticket referred to above.
We attach herewith a copy of the lease contract for the aforementioned property, noting that the property is leased collectively with five shops
adjacent and the upper house at a rate of 40 / - Dinars for each shop and 150 / - Dinars for the upper house, so the total return
for the five shops and the upper house is 350 / - Dinars
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Sassoon
A copy of it to: -
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up.

Archival unit 541

Presidency of ⟦the Jewish Community⟧
Al-Musawiya
In Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 / 5452 }
Number T / <del>⟦...⟧</del> / 60
Date 12 / 11 / 1960
Subject: Property Occupancy.
To the Honorable Director of Property Tax (Al-Rusafa)
Greetings,
Further to our letter No. T / 191 / 59 dated 21 / 10 / 1959
We inform you that the building numbered 78 / 113 Qanbar Ali (containing five shops numbered 78 and 78 A
and 78 B and 78 D and 78 E / 113 located in the Qanbar Ali neighborhood) and an upper house No. 78 C / 113 Qanbar Ali
has been leased as of 1 / 10 / 960 for an annual rent of -/350 Dinars for all the premises, which are five
shops and an upper house. Please mark this in your records.
On this occasion, we would like you to note that the mentioned property is entitled to legal exemption for a period of one year in view of its new
construction, in accordance with your approval 4517 dated 28 / 11 / 959 marked on the building permit.
With our highest respect to your Excellency,
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Copy to:-
Community Property Officer - for follow-up.
⟦Adel⟧
60

Archival unit 542

⟦Respectable (Al-Rusafa)⟧
Mr. Director of ⟦...⟧ ⟦in Baghdad⟧
Subject: ⟦...⟧
Greetings
Further to our letter numbered ⟦T/181/59⟧ and dated ⟦11/29/59⟧
We hand over to you herewith the building numbered ⟦112/78⟧ containing five shops
The shops ⟦(78, 78a, 78b, 78c, and 78d)⟧ ⟦112⟧
And an upper house number ⟦78/112⟧ located in the Qanbar Ali neighborhood
It has been implemented as of 1/1/960 with an annual rent of
⟦- - 200 Dinars⟧ for all the premises, Jewish community and orphanage
We also request that you mark this in your records.
On this occasion, we would like to note to you that the mentioned shops
The agents occupying them are still continuing to occupy the building
In transit, and construction according to your approval 4517 and date ⟦11/28/59⟧
Marked on the building permit ⟦...⟧
With highest respect
⟦...⟧
Head of the General Authority
A copy of it to:-
To the Commander of ⟦...⟧ the Secretariat for the People
⟦252⟧

Archival unit 543

Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Finance
General Directorate of Revenues
Number:
Date: 8 / 8 / 1960
Taxes:
Incoming Stamp
218
To: Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Subject/ Jewish Charitable Endowments
With reference to your letter numbered T/ 291 / 60 and dated 28 / 5 / 1960.
Real estate properties owned by the community used for charitable purposes such as schools -
hospitals, orphanages, and so on are exempt from tax according to the provisions
of the fifth paragraph of Article Three of the Property Tax Law No. (162) for the year
1959. As for other properties intended for investment and not for public benefit,
there is no legal scope for their exemption. For your information, please.
Minister of Finance
Abdul Razzaq Al-Shabibi
Copy to:-
Patriarch of Babylon over the Chaldeans - Trustee of the Chaldean Community Endowments
With reference to the petition dated 3 / 7 / 60
For information and for the same purpose, please.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
152
8 / 8 / 61
Kamil / 7

Archival unit 544

⟦Presidency of the Mosaic Community⟧
⟦Baghdad⟧
Telephone Number { 83531 / 5452
Number T / — / 60
Date 15 / 12 / 1960
Subject: Objection to property tax.
219
His Excellency the Director of Property Tax (Al-Rusafa) Respected
Greetings
With reference to the property tax payment notice No. 7410 dated 4 / 12 / 1960, notified to us on 6 / 12 / 60
We inform you that the house 23 / 114 located in Taht al-Takiya neighborhood is leased for an amount of 4/800 Dinars per month, i.e., an annual rent of
57/600 Dinars (fifty-seven Dinars and six hundred Fils) and not one hundred Dinars annually as stated in the aforementioned notice.
Therefore, we kindly request you to reduce the assessment to the level of the actual rental value, and we attach herewith a copy of the receipt for
the monthly rental amount.
With respect to your Excellency
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
A copy to:-
The Community Property Officer - for follow-up
⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 545

Sovereignty of ⟦illegible⟧ Al-Rusafa, the respected
Subject: Objection to tax assessment
Greetings
With reference to ⟦illegible⟧ payment of property tax No. 7210 dated
4 / 1 / 1960, the amount on 2 / 12 / 60
We inform you that the house 22 / 11 located in Mecca Al-Kulliya neighborhood
is leased for an amount of 1800 Dinars annually starting from May
57 / 200 Dinars (Fifty-seven Dinars and two hundred Fils)
and not one hundred and sixty-eight Dinars as in the mentioned figures
Therefore, we kindly ask you to adjust the assessment to its level before
the real figures. We attach herewith a copy of the original receipt
the mentioned figures, with high respect
1 / 5 / 60
Salman Shua
The Mosaic Community
A copy of it:
To the Al-Rusafa Funds Officer for inspection

Archival unit 546

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Number T / 27 / 64
Date 18 / 1 / 1961
Telephone Number { 83531 President
5452 Secretary
Subject:
220
His Excellency the Director of Real Estate Tax Baghdad, Respected
After greetings
The property number doors 148 / 113 Qanbar Ali is demolished, therefore please exempt it
from the property tax.
With our highest respect to your Excellency
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 547

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 President
5452 Secretary
Number T/: 271 / 61
Date: 18 / 1 / 1961
Subject:
221
Honorable Director of Property Tax Baghdad
Greetings,
The property number doors 150 / 113 Qanbar Ali is demolished, therefore please exempt it
from the property tax.
With our highest respect to your Excellency
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦Sassoon⟧

Archival unit 548

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 83531 President
5452 Secretary
Number T/: 272 / 62
Subject: 222
Date: 18 / 1 / 1961
The Honorable Director of Property Tax Baghdad
Greetings,
The property numbered doors 469 / 94 Qishla is demolished, therefore we request your order to exempt it
from the property tax.
With highest respect to your Excellency,
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
President of the Mosaic Community
⟦Real Estate⟧
⟦Real Estate⟧

Archival unit 549

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
83531 President
Telephone Number }
5452 Secretary
Number T /: 272 / 61
Subject:
Date: 24 / 1 / 1961
222
Honorable Director of Property Tax Rusafa
After greetings
I request the refund of an amount of seven Dinars paid under the two receipts
numbered 93/54364 and 33/54406 and dated 10/21/59 and 11/25/59
for the tax difference on property door number 40 D / 233 Senak.
With highest respect to your Excellency
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦Valid⟧

Archival unit 550

To the Honorable Sovereignty of ⟦illegible⟧ Al-Rusafa Baghdad
After greetings
I request the refund of ⟦7/000⟧ seven dinars paid under receipt No. 54264 on ⟦11/17/959⟧ dinars and under receipt
No. 54406 on ⟦12/20/959⟧ dinars ⟦...⟧ to be insurance dinars on estimate No. ⟦400/22⟧ the department Al-Sinak
Street and it was estimated at 20 dinars and reduced to ⟦10/000⟧ dinars with a tax fee of ⟦1/000⟧ dinar and the rest is ⟦9/000⟧ dinars I request
its refund and to you much thanks and may you remain
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧