Correspondence, Baghdadi Jewish Community Organizations; Booklets in Arabic and Judeo-Arabic of the Ḥevrah Ḳadishah
View interactive document pageThese are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish community. Included are correspondence from the Burial Society (Ḥevrah Ḳadishah), the Lay Council, the President of the Jewish Community, the Spiritual Council, and the Chief Rabbi. There are letters about the Jewish Hospitals, the rules of the Burial Society, and accounting rules of the Jewish community. There are also four booklets: 2 in Judeo-Arabic printed by Elias Shoḥeṭ for the Burial Society, printed in 5690 (1929 or 1930); 2 are in Arabic printed in 5709 (1948 or 1979) and 5708 (1947 or 1948). This item also includes documents concerning the foundation of the organization, a newspaper article about a dispute within the Baghdadi Jewish community, and the minutes from several meetings.
The letter is from what I received today and what is known in it As in the letter of brother Ezra Salman Cohen, there is nothing known regarding Ezra Nahum, and if the aforementioned letter is today with you, it will be soon, God willing To you Brother Yusuf Nissim Known ⟦thumbprint⟧ To you To you Ezra Salman Cohen Fuad Salman Known ⟦faint text: In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
16
Number: 269
Subject:
Date: 20 / 6 / 1947
His Eminence the President of the Hebra Qadisha Society, Respectfully
After greetings,
Attached herewith is a copy of the decision of the Lay Council regarding the work of your society,
requesting you to kindly look into it and take the necessary measures to put it into effect,
and to inform us of the result as soon as possible.
⟦signature⟧
President of the Community
Copy to
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council for information
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
No. 41
Date 20 / 6 / 1947
File Number
HEBRA KADISHA SOCIETY HEBRA KADISHA HEBRA KADISHA SOCIETY Baghdad Baghdad Baghdad No. 201 Date: 24 / 7 / 1947 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, President of the respected Israelite Community. Baghdad. With greetings and respect. As a result of the bad conduct attributed to Abdullah Yehuda and Khedhouri Shaul, workers of this society, the necessary measures were taken against them by Your Eminence, and as a result, undertakings were taken from them to ensure the progress of this society's work, and they were permitted to resume their work as before. However, the aforementioned have committed acts that make the society liable towards the government on one hand, and violate its regulations and cause financial harm. Since the undertakings were signed between Your Eminence and them, and Your Eminence took it upon yourself to assist the society in improving general conditions, please, due to the submission of investigation papers organized by the director of its administration based on the complaints received, the society requests Your Eminence to order the dismissal of these workers so that it can manage its affairs according to the regulations while ensuring the comfort of the members of the community. With much thanks and respect to Your Eminence. ⟦Ezra Sassoon⟧ President of the Hebra Kadisha Society Presidency of the Israelite Community Reference No. 479 Date 25 / 7 / 1947 To be filed Sadiq ⟦...⟧
Iraqi Government Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs Affairs Secretariat Number 9627 Date 31 / 7 / 1947 8 / 2 Subject Request for the Bylaws .- To the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad .- Please provide this Ministry with three copies of the Bylaws for the (Hevra Kadisha) association in its final form as soon as possible. Minister of Social Affairs H 2 Copy to the Distinction of Social Affairs. Fawzi Presidency of the Jewish Community Incoming Number 187 Date 7 / 8 / 947
126 8/47/⟦...⟧ Request for the Bylaws The Honorable Ministry of Social Affairs Baghdad ⟦Kingdom of Iraq⟧ ⟦Ministry of Social Affairs⟧ ⟦Baghdad⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Archives Greetings, Reference your letter numbered 9637 and dated 8/2/1947. We enclose herewith three copies of the bylaws of the Hevra Kadisha Society in its final form as per your request. Respectfully. To be filed Hevra Kadisha ⟦signature⟧ Head of the Community
277 11 / 8 / 947 For filing Miscellaneous ⟦illegible⟧ The honorable Mr. Naeem Zalouf, respected The honorable Mr. Yusuf Sabir, respected After greetings and respect The Lay Council will hold a meeting at six-thirty on Thursday evening 14 / 8 / 947 to study the subject of burial and its appearance under the supervision of a charitable society for management, so please be kind enough to attend this meeting for the purpose of benefiting from your experience Please accept our thanks and respect On behalf of Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ Mr. President Please be kind enough to state your opinion on the attached request ⟦illegible⟧
269 20/6/247 His Excellency the President of the Hebra Qadisha Association, Respected After greetings Attached herewith is a copy of the Lay Council's decision regarding the activities of your association Hoping for the favor of looking into it and taking the necessary measures to put it into effect and informing us of the result as soon as possible. ⟦Sasson⟧ Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ 6/18 Copy to His Excellency the President of the Lay Council for information Minutes of Hebra Qadisha
Hebra Kadisha Society | חברה-קדישא | HEBRA KADISHA SOCIETY Baghdad | בגדאד | Baghdad Presidency of the Israelite Community Baghdad Special No. 291 Date 1 / 12 / 1947 No. Date: 1 / 12 / 1947 To the attention of the President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad His Eminence Rabbi Sasson Khedouri, the respected. The Matter: It is not hidden from your Eminence the importance of the issue of securing the means of transportation for this society. It has become clear to us that it is not possible to suffice with one car because that is not enough to secure the purpose. Therefore, and in order to secure the progress of the work of this society in a regular manner, this society has decided to purchase a Pick-up type vehicle. Please order the mediation with the specialized authorities to obtain a permit authorizing this society to purchase a vehicle of the aforementioned type. With much respect to your Eminence. ⟦Salman Abboudi⟧ President of the Hebra Kadisha Society Rabbi Salman Hoki Abboudi. ⟦illegible⟧
Submitted on 6/26/948 542 12/26/1947 License to purchase a transport vehicle His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Supply After greetings The Hebra Kadisha Society, which is concerned with the washing and transport of deceased Israelites to their final resting place, has requested us to mediate with Your Excellency to grant them the necessary license to purchase a Pick-up truck (Chevrolet brand) which the society needs to carry out its purposes. It is not hidden from Your Excellency the importance of facilitating transportation for the mentioned charitable society so that it may be able to perform its humanitarian duty. Awaiting Your Excellency's approval to grant this request, please accept our utmost gratitude and respect. ⟦Sasson⟧ President of the Community Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad A
Ministry of Supply Department of Permits and Cards "Import" Section - Number / 748 Date / 14 / 1 / 48 Presidency of the Jewish Community - Baghdad - Subject: Request to purchase a transport vehicle Reference to your petition numbered 542 and dated 12/26/1947. Records Due to the unavailability of vehicles of the type requested in your petition, we regret to inform you that we cannot fulfill your request. On behalf of the Minister of Supply Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Special No. ⟦221⟧ Date 16 / 1 / 1948 Valid 48 / 1 / 7 To be filed Sadiq ⟦illegible⟧
Hebra Kadisha Society חברה-קדיشا HEBRA KADISHA SOCIETY Baghdad בגדאד Baghdad Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Private No. 444 Date: 8 / 2 / 1948 No. Number: 207 Date: Baghdad on 2 / 2 / 1948 His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, Respected Greetings and respect This society has received your letter dated 19 / 12 / 947 containing the request to contact the Community Property Committee. It is not hidden from your presence that this society is officially established according to a regulation certified by the government and subject to inspection by the Ministry of Interior. Since the society serves a vital project for our community, it publishes its accounts every year to the public and provides copies of it to the necessary authorities and your esteemed council, just as your high council had conducted an inspection of its accounts and reviewed its assets of movable and immovable property by sending inspectors and accountants for the mentioned purpose. Since what your respected council has performed in terms of inspections and accounting audits and reviewing the society's assets is no less than the authority stated in Article 21 of the Jewish Community Regulation No. 36 of the year 1931, please take note of it. Please accept our abundant respect. Salman Hooki Aboudi President of the Hebra Kadisha Society Rabbi Salman Hooki A copy of it to: His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, Respected, for information " " " His Eminence the President of the Spiritual Council, Respected, for information " " " His Excellency the President of the Jewish Property Committee, Respected, for information HEBRA KADISHA BAGHDAD חברה קדישא בגדאד Hebra Kadisha Society Baghdad For filing ⟦sides⟧
Department Copy 742 22 / 8 / 1948 His Eminence, President of the Hebra Kadisha Society, Respected After greetings, It has appeared as a result of the inspection that a part of the lands of the old Jewish cemetery needs to be filled with soil due to its low level, and the costs of that have been estimated at approximately -/500 Dinars. Both the Lay Council and the Jewish Cemeteries Society will pay one-third of these costs. In view of the relevance of this matter to your society, we hope you will contribute by paying the final third. We hope to receive your reply urgently. Best regards; ⟦illegible⟧ 8 / 22 On behalf of Head of the Community A. A.
Hebra Kadisha Society HEBRA KADISHA HEBRA KADISHA SOCIETY Baghdad Baghdad Baghdad Presidency of the Jewish Community Special No. 508 Date 27 / 8 / 948 No. Number: 215 Date: 8/27/948 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Honorable President of the Jewish Community After greetings, With reference to your letter No. 742 dated 8/22/948, Our society has decided to contribute by paying a final amount for the burial of the cemetery ground, totaling one hundred fifty Dinars, in accordance with the check No. (P/144260) dated 8/27/948 from us drawn on the Eastern Bank to your Eminence's order, which is attached herewith. Requesting not to charge us in the future with such expenses for several reasons, the most important being the financial distress overwhelming our society's fund, which has begun to increase day by day. We have only paid this amount in appreciation of your Eminence's personal request. Please accept our deepest respect for your Eminence. Salman Hakki Abouda President of the Hebra Kadisha Society - Baghdad THE SPIRITUAL COUNCIL HIBRA QADDISHA Hebra Kadisha The Spiritual Council Baghdad BAGHDAD
Department Copy 748 30 / 8 / 1948 His Eminence, President of the Hebra Kadisha Association, Respectfully Greetings, With reference to your letter numbered 315 and dated 27 / 8 / 1948. I have received, with much thanks, the check numbered 144260 and dated 27 / 8 / 1948 drawn on the Eastern Bank for the amount of -/1500 Dinars, which represents the portion your respected association decided to contribute for the burial of the old cemetery land. On this occasion, I can only offer my profound thanks and gratitude to your association, wishing it every success and prosperity in its humanitarian work. Please accept the assurance of my highest respect. Sincerely, On behalf of ⟦signature⟧ Head of the Community ⟦signature⟧ 8/⟦...⟧ For filing Hebra Kadisha 12
Presidency of the Jewish Community No. 148 Date 20 / ⟦6⟧ / 947 Baghdad on June 20, 947 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri, President of the Jewish Community, Respected After greetings The lands of the Jewish Cemetery adjacent to the public road are no longer suitable for use due to their low level. Therefore, we hope for attention to the issue and the issuance of an order to fill them in Please accept our highest respect ⟦Yitzhak Sassoon⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦Seen⟧ ⟦signature⟧ To be referred to His Excellency the President of the Lay Council to consider the contents of this letter. ⟦signature⟧ President of the Community Baghdad on 21 / 6 / 947
Baghdad on June 30, 947 His Excellency the President of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community, Respected After greetings. The lands of the Jewish cemetery adjacent to the public avenue are no longer suitable for use due to the low level of its ground. Therefore, we hope for attention to the issue and the issuance of an order to fill it. Please accept the assurances of my highest respect Director of ⟦illegible⟧ Cemetery Register Number ⟦illegible⟧ 7 / 7 Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad Number 44 Date 2 / 7 / 947 ⟦illegible⟧
Baghdad 24 December 947 His Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri, President of the Jewish Community Respected Sir After greetings Based on your request, we submit herewith the information requested regarding the Jewish cemetery in Baghdad. Please accept our highest respect Sincerely ⟦מנשה חוקי⟧ Munir Huqi Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Private Number 294 Date 12 / 12 / 1947 11 For filing Green ink
Statement of average costs for building various types of graves according to the owners' wishes 1. The large model made of reinforced cement with iron and gravel. It consumes 15 bags of cement, in addition to other construction materials such as a foundation of 140 bricks and tile. 2. The small model made of reinforced cement. It consumes of construction materials half of what the first one consumes. 3. The model known as "Abu Al-Dakka". Built with gypsum and brick and consumes 250 bricks and four weights of gypsum. Then plastered with cement and gravel. 4. The model known as "Bila Dakka". Built like its predecessor and consumes 150 / 120 bricks and two weights of gypsum. Then plastered with cement and gravel. 5. The ordinary for the poor. It consumes 100 bricks and two weights of gypsum without cement. 6. The last model is carried out entirely for the poor and the graves are free of charge. Dinar 20 14 6 3 1 Important note: The prices listed in this list are subject to increase and decrease according to the market prices at which construction materials are sold.
( 2 ) 1- Election of His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hoki Abboudi as President of the Hevra Kadisha Society. 2- Election of Messrs. Sasson Shaul Nawi, Hazqiel Salman Meir, and Youssef Hazqiel Isaac as members of the aforementioned committee (candidates from the <del>Spiritual</del> Lay Council). 3- Election of Messrs. Salman Daoud Samarli, Ezra Salman Nissan, and Shaul Ibrahim Haywan as members of the aforementioned committee (candidates from the Spiritual Council). On August 21, 1946, the Community Presidency sent a letter to the Ministry of the Interior, No. 8684, to inform the Ministry of the election results and that the Hevra Kadisha Society will act in place of the committee provided for in Article (26b) of the Community Bylaws. On 10/11/1946, the Ministry of the Interior sent a letter to the Community Presidency, No. 16232, suggesting the dissolution of the Society and replacing it with the committee mentioned in Article 26 of the Community Bylaws. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed this in its second letter dated 4/2/1947, No. 1733 regarding this matter. On 14/5/1947, the Community Presidency sent a letter to the Ministry of the Interior, No. 1196, in which it proposed maintaining the entity of the Hevra Kadisha Society ⟦to the Ministry of the Interior⟧ in its original status. Following this letter, the Hevra Kadisha Society sent a letter to the Ministry of the Interior, No. 298 dated 18/5/1947, requesting that the previously proposed amendments regarding Articles 2 and 9 of the Society's bylaws be considered canceled. The Ministry of the Interior supported this in its reply No. 7015, dated 19/5/1947, addressed to the Hevra Kadisha Society, with a copy sent to the Community Presidency. Please accept our highest respect. ⟦illegible⟧ Secretary Sh / Baghdad / 17 / 2 / 949