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IJA 3105
Correspondence, Baghdadi Jewish Community Organizations; Booklets in Arabic and Judeo-Arabic of the Ḥevrah Ḳadishah
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These 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.
AI English Translation, Pages 1-25
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E. E. DANGOOR · BAGHDAD SOENNECKEN BONNA ES · Folio Made in Germany
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Baghdad | 18/8/89 To the Chevra Kadisha and Gemilut Hasadim of our community Baghdad Baghdad The decision of the Spiritual Council has already been made known to you . . . in the name of the building committee of "Chevra Kadisha" and Gemilut Hasadim to act and do for the benefit of the aforementioned institution, and so we hereby send you a list of contributions received from the honorable people for the aforementioned building totaling one hundred and forty-eight dinars. And please accept our feelings of gratitude and our blessing. With great respect ⟦illegible signature⟧ The Spiritual Council THE SPIRITUAL COUNCIL HIBRA ⟦KADISHA⟧ The Spiritual Council The Spiritual Council Baghdad Baghdad
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22 January [19]28 To the attention of His Excellency the respected Minister of Interior. Greetings and respect: I submit herewith a copy of the internal bylaws along with the statement of the "Hevra Kadisha" association which was formed by trustworthy individuals for the purpose of managing the affairs of shrouding and burial for the members of our community, and since we see no objection to its establishment to ensure discipline and improve the project, please order the granting of legal permission and inform us of the result. For this, we offer you our utmost thanks. Acting Chief Rabbi Baghdad.
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3 Statement (Hevra Kadisha) Address of the Association: Hakham Salman Hoki Abboudi. Salman Hesqel Meir. Names of the founding applicants: Shaul Abdullah Nawi. Ezra Salman Nissan. Shaul Abraham Aiwan. Yusuf Hesqel Ishaq. Daoud Hesqel ⟦illegible⟧
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5 Transaction December 16, 1928 His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Interior Subject: Postponement of the license for the (Hevra Kadisha) association After greetings, following up on our letter dated November 22, 1928 regarding the request for a license for the "Hevra Kadisha" association. In view of the sudden changes in the administration of the Jewish community as a result of the end of the term of the Communal Lay Council, and since the elections for the new council are nearing completion, we have found it most appropriate to present this project to the new council upon its convening before obtaining the license. Therefore, we hope that you will postpone considering the granting of the aforementioned license until further notice. With much gratitude and respect to Your Excellency, ⟦signature⟧ Acting Chief Rabbi
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6 219 / H ⟦Baghdad on⟧ 12 February 929 ⟦Number⟧ 23 K 2 929 His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hooki Chairman of the Hebra Qaddisha Committee, Respected Subject: Dissolution of the committee and submission of its accounts For administrative reasons, we notify you hereby that we do not see a necessity for the continuation of your committee at the present time; therefore, it has become dissolved from the above date, which necessitates that you submit as soon as possible a detailed account to this office regarding what you have of funds, furniture, and other matters pertaining to the dissolved committee. Acting Hakham Bashi ⟦Acting Hakham Bashi⟧ Acting Hakham Bashi
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The Hakham Bashi of the Israelite Community in Baghdad Number: 9/452 Date: 13 February 929 Telephone Number: 200 Central Very Urgent His Excellency the President of the Respected Lay Council Subject: Regarding the Hebra Qaddisha Society On November 22, 928, I had requested from the Ministry of Interior a permit to form a society under the name "Hebra Qaddisha". And on January 16, 1928, I followed up my request with a plea to suspend the issuance of the permit until the matter was presented to the respected Lay Council, which was dissolved at that time. Since we have understood that the Ministry of Interior has recently granted the aforementioned permit, I saw it necessary to present the matter to your respected council for consideration with utmost speed based on the authority of Article 43 of the Hakhamkhana Regulations ⟦...⟧ Acting Hakham Bashi
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10 February 929 Administration of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community Baghdad Number: 51/H.B/29 Date: 14 February 929 8 Secret His Excellency the Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad, the Respected Subject: Withdrawal of the Hevra Kadisha license Reference to your Excellency's letter No. 352/H dated the 13th of this month Our council, upon putting the issue of the Hevra Kadisha up for discussion in yesterday's session, found that the formation of such committees is a matter for the Lay Council to consider based on the wording of Article 43 of the Rabbinate Regulations Therefore, it has become necessary to notify the Ministry of Interior of this to withdraw the license, especially since such sectarian formations that do not derive their spirit from the official community administration cause an obstruction in the conduct of affairs Vice President of the Lay Council
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The Chief Rabbi of the Israelite Community in Baghdad Number: 256 / E Date: 15 February 929 Telephone Number: 200 Central 9 His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Interior Subject: Regarding the license of Hebra Qaddisha After greetings, on November 22, 928, we requested from your esteemed ministry to grant a license to form a committee under the title mentioned above, and that was during the vacancy of the esteemed Lay Council. On 16/12/1928, I followed up my previous request with a request to postpone granting the required license, given that the Lay Council was about to convene, and it is a legal necessity to seek its opinion on such a communal matter. Based on what has reached us that your esteemed ministry has granted the required license before the Council could deliberate on this matter and before we could provide you with the result of its view, the Lay Council met on Tuesday, February 13, 929, and decided that we represent to your Excellency that - Article 43 of the Rabbinate Regulations stated that among the functions of the respected Lay Council is to oversee all affairs of the communal committees in terms of their formation, dissolution, auditing their accounts, and so forth. And since the affairs of shrouding and burial have been proceeding well since ancient times, the Council saw that the Hebra Qaddisha committee is not necessary, nor is it among the committees that can benefit the community at such a time; rather, on the contrary, it creates problems and unrest that the Council does not see as beneficial or of public utility in its existence. The least that the formation of this committee does is increase the spirit of partisanship within the community. Therefore, the High Lay Council requests that you kindly cancel the license of the mentioned committee. To your Excellency much respect. Acting Chief Rabbi ⟦stamp/signature⟧
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The Iraqi Government Ministry of the Interior Urgent MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR 'IRAQ. BAGHDAD. Baghdad on February 23, 1929 Number 25 / 29 To the Acting Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Baghdad. With reference to your letter number 356 dated February 15, 1929. The Ministry previously authorized the establishment of this association based on your request submitted to us on November 22, 1928, and based on the fact that it found no objection to its establishment and its activities were not previously entrusted to the Spiritual or Physical Council, and it is a beneficial institution according to what appeared to us at the time. Since the granting of the license until now, there have been no violations or other matters that necessitate its cancellation, and what you mentioned recently in your request, we do not see it as sufficient to rely upon for canceling that license. However, if anything appears from the aforementioned association in the future that contradicts the Rabbinic regulations, you may submit such a request for our consideration. Acting Minister of the Interior ⟦signature⟧
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The Hakham Bashi of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Number: 5/80 P Date: 7 March 929 11 Telephone Number: 200 Central To the Honorable Vice President of the Lay Council Subject: Regarding the license of the Hevra Kadisha Committee Reference to your letter No. 51/JS/929 dated February 14, 929, we list below a true copy of the letter received by this department from the Ministry of Interior in response to our letter to the aforementioned ministry based on the council's decision, the content of which was included in your above-mentioned letter. ⟦illegible⟧ Acting Hakham Bashi ⟦line⟧ Ministry of Interior Urgent 25 Baghdad on: February 23, 1929 Number: 2905 To the Acting Hakham Bashi of the Jewish Community in Baghdad. With reference to your letter No. 356 dated February 15, 1929 The ministry previously authorized the establishment of this association based on your request submitted to us on November 22, 1928, and based on the fact that it found no objection to its establishment and its activities were not previously entrusted to the Spiritual or Lay Council, and it is a beneficial institution as appeared to us at the time, and since the granting of the license until now, no violations or other matters have occurred that necessitate its cancellation, and what you recently stated in your request we do not see as sufficient grounds for cancelling that license. However, if anything appears from the mentioned association in the future that contradicts the Rabbinic Regulation, you may submit such a request for consideration. True Copy Signature Acting Minister of Interior
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Iraq March 24, 938 Number: 2710 12 They quarrel over burying the dead We know that trading is done with the living, but we did not know that trading would be with the dead as well. For we have learned that among the Jewish community in Baghdad there is a great dispute over burying the dead, and the community has split due to this dispute into two groups: one group supports the "Hevra Kadisha" society and another group supports the Rabbinate. The origin of the dispute is that the aforementioned society had obtained a permit from the Ministry of Interior to bury the dead and has been performing this task for some time, but the Rabbinate opposed it, claiming that the right to bury the dead is reserved for it based on the Rabbinate's regulations. Therefore, the dispute between the two parties intensified, and each of them approached the Police Directorate seeking its help against the other party. However, the Police Directorate did not interfere in the matter and declared to both parties that they are able to claim their legal rights before the competent authorities. And we draw attention that the Police Directorate is ready to bring anyone who disturbs public security to the courts. Hevra Kadisha ⟦illegible⟧
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Ministry of Education Basra District Education Directorate / Financial Department Number: ⟦illegible⟧ Date: 7 November 963 // Document 506: Al-Mina School Subject: Payment of lecture fees for teachers and trainers Basra District Education Directorate: Accounts We attach herewith lists in the amount of 31 Dinars and 763 Fils (Thirty-one Dinars and seven hundred sixty-three Fils) as lecture fees for teachers and trainers in this school for the month of November 963, requesting their audit and payment, along with the cost-of-living and professional allowances due, and informing us of the number and date of the payment voucher. With appreciation. Principal of Al-Mina School ⟦line⟧ Number: 56 Date: 21 November 963 Attachments: List Basra District Education Directorate / Accounts Document 506 We attach herewith lists in the amount of 51 Dinars and 756 Fils (Fifty-one Dinars and seven hundred fifty-six Fils) as lecture fees for teachers and trainers in this school for the month of November 963, requesting their audit and payment, along with the cost-of-living and professional allowances due, and informing us of the number and date of the payment voucher. With appreciation. Note: The attached lists are for the permanent staff teachers and employees in the aforementioned school. As for the external lecturers, independent lists have been organized for them and sent to you in our letter No. 55 dated 17 November 963, requesting their audit and payment, and informing us of the number and date of the payment voucher, with appreciation. Principal of Al-Mina School ⟦illegible signature⟧
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12 Administration of the Lay Council Jewish Lay Council of the Israelite Community Baghdad. Baghdad Telephone: 200 Central Telephone : 200 Central. No.: 114/JS/1929 No.: Date: 8 April 929 Date: Subject: Request for a detailed account from the Hebra Qaddisha Committee ⟦line⟧ His Eminence the Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad Our council decided in its session held yesterday that you should request from the Hebra Qaddisha Committee to submit a detailed account of all the committee's revenues and expenses since its formation to date, ⟦signature⟧ Vice President of the Lay Council Office of the Chief Rabbi - Baghdad Number 10 Date 8 April 929 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI BAGHDAD
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Number: 426 / H Date: April 9, [19]29 The Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number: 200 Central To Head of the Hevra Kadisha Committee Subject: Request for a detailed account from the committee Based on the request of the Secular Council No. 114 / JS / 929 dated April 9, 929 We notify you of the necessity of submitting a detailed account of all your committee's revenues and expenses since its formation until this date as soon as possible. Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad Hevra Kadisha ⟦illegible⟧ N. M
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15 Prime Minister's Office Baghdad Date 30 / 12 / 1929 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ His Excellency Sassoon Effendi Khedhouri Acting Chief Rabbi, Respected Greetings and salutations. Furthermore, the bearer of this letter of mine had a husband who held the position of shrouding, from which he was removed in recent days, and she has raised her matter and plea to His Excellency the Prime Minister, appealing to him to return her husband to his work, which is the sole source of income for his children and family. His Excellency has ordered me to request you to look into the mentioned matter regarding his profession, out of compassion for his miserable condition. With greatest respect to your Excellency; Jamil Muhammad Aide-de-camp to the Prime Minister Office of the Chief Rabbi - Baghdad Number 170 Date 31 / 12 / 1929 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI BAGHDAD
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To His Excellency the Respected Prime Minister May we never be without his help for the afflicted and the destined 16 Number ⟦...⟧ Date: April 9, ⟦19⟧ Your Excellency: I am the head of a family consisting of my husband, three sons, and three daughters. My husband inherited a profession from his fathers and grandfathers, and although it is one of the most miserable professions, we were content with it: the profession of shrouding the dead and preparing them. He used to perform the duties of this profession with sincerity and contentment. However, unfortunately, people appeared who envied him for this illusory blessing and formed an unprecedented group. Then they soon obtained a license from the Ministry of Interior for a society known as the Hebra Kadisha Society for shrouding and preparing the dead, without obtaining the approval of the Sectarian Communal Council. Their action, which conceals personal interests, was condemned by the thinkers of the sect, the Communal Council, and every person of zeal and compassion for the poor. For about two and a half years, my husband has remained empty-handed; he and his family are starving through no fault of our own. I wish to present to my lord, Your Excellency, that Israeli law does not allow such a group of people to rob us of our daily sustenance and close the door of my husband's livelihood, as he inherited this profession from his fathers and grandfathers, and he has acquired the right of ownership in it, known in Israeli law ⟦as (Hazaka)⟧. Believe me, my lord Your Excellency, that our condition has become deplorable; we spend most nights without dinner, and were it not for pride and modesty, we would have been forced to stretch out our hands for begging. Therefore, I beg you to be so kind as to look upon us with an eye of compassion, stop the hands of those trespassing on my husband's profession, and allow him to practice his old profession. This can be verified through His Eminence the Hacham Bashi of Baghdad. I pray for Your Excellency's long life and success ⟦...⟧ Your obedient servant Karjiya daughter of Sitti Bani IRAQ REVENUE Financial ⟦...⟧
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17 Private ⟦line⟧ 8 January 930 My dear Jamil Bey Rouhi Aide-de-camp to His Excellency the Prime Minister, the Respected After greetings. The husband of the bearer of your letter dated 29 / 12 / 30 is right, he and his family, in their complaint. And I share His Excellency the Prime Minister's sympathy for the demands of this poor family. However, I wish to submit that a society known as the (Hevra Kadisha) Society was formed some time ago for the shrouding of the Israeli dead and has interfered with the petitioner, preventing him from earning a living, claiming a permit it obtained from the esteemed Ministry of Interior. The Israeli Lay Council was among the first of those wishing to keep the situation as it was and not to interfere with the livelihood of this family. However, the activities of this society and its aforementioned prevention of work has made assisting the person in question impossible. May you remain in complete respect, ⟦signature⟧ Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad ⟦illegible stamp⟧
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Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Please refer to General Number Legal Drafting Department: General Number: 920 / 42 / 4 Special Number: Telegraphic Address: Justice: Date: 3 / 2 / 1930 Subject Summary: Acting Chief Rabbi We send you herewith a copy of a petition from Karjiya Manshi Mani and request an explanation of the situation as soon as possible. ⟦signature⟧ Minister of Justice Office of the Chief Rabbi - Baghdad Number 144 Date 7 / 2 / 1930 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI BAGHDAD
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R 7 Copy of it ⟦line⟧ No. 62 on 11 April 948 To the Deputy Governor of Basra Regarding the Jewish detainees in Basra On 27 / 1 / 948, ⟦...⟧ N. were arrested. We examined the report And after searching their house, we found illegal items with them and it was decided to detain them for trial according to the procedures, and accordingly we sent them to the Central Prison in Basra pending their trial according to legal procedures, and it was decided to withdraw their bail (twenty dinars) in the event that their guilt is proven, and this amount is deposited in the account of the Directorate of General Police in Baghdad according to the orders communicated to us. Accordingly, it was decided on 17 April to send Salim Hayyim Nathan to the detention center, and as the situation required, he was not released but rather sent to the Central Prison in Basra. This is what was necessary to state with highest respect and appreciation to your esteemed Excellency. On 17 April 948 ⟦signature⟧ Director of Basra Province Police ⟦illegible stamp⟧
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19 4/1042 February 11, 1930 Regarding the petition of Karjama Munshi Mani ⟦line⟧ His Excellency the Respected Minister of Justice Reference to your letter numbered A/930/26 and dated 2/2/1930 The owner of the petition submitted to your Excellency is right, she and her family, in the complaint and worthy of sympathy And to clarify the case of Khadhouri Eliya Kohel, the husband of the petitioner, I state that a society known as the (Hevra Kadisha) Society was formed some time ago for shrouding the Israeli dead and it has restricted the petitioner, preventing him from his only livelihood, protesting with a permit it obtained from the esteemed Ministry of Interior The Israeli Lay Council was among those wishing to keep the situation as it was and not to interfere with cutting off the livelihood of this family. However, the formation of this society and its aforementioned prevention of work has left this family in a state of severe hardship This is what we saw fit to state as an explanation of the situation. ⟦illegible stamp⟧ Sassoon Khadhouri Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad N M
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20 Iraqi Government Ministry of Justice Drafting Section General Number 4/224 Special Number Telegraphic Address: Adliya Date: 13 February 1930. Please refer to The General Number Summary of the Subject: Petition of Karjiya Menashi Muna. To " Hahambashi of Baghdad. Reference to your letter numbered 1042/H and dated 11 February 1930. Upon examining the petition of the applicant Karjiya Menashi Muna and reviewing your aforementioned letter, it has become clear to us that the applicant's case is a matter for the communal authorities to resolve, and therefore we saw no reason to interfere in it. We have referred to you the petition sent herewith, hoping that you will take the necessary steps to resolve this case according to the regulations and communal rulings and inform us of the result; Minister of Justice Office of the Hahambashi - Baghdad Number 202 Date 15 / 2 / 30 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI BAGHDAD
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Baghdad on December 24 Ministry of Justice - Baghdad: Petition Number: <del>H 474</del> Date of Receipt: 28 / 12 / 932 His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Justice May we never lack him as a helper for the afflicted and the fated Your Excellency: I am the head of a family consisting of a husband, three sons, and three daughters. This husband of mine inherited a profession from his fathers and grandfathers - and even if it were of the most precious professions - he was performing it, which is the shrouding and preparation of the Israeli dead. He used to perform the duties of this profession with sincerity and contentment. However, unfortunately, people appeared who envied him for this illusory blessing and attacked a group for his integrity, then they soon obtained a permit from the Ministry of Interior for an association known as the Charitable Association for Shrouding and Preparing the Dead, without obtaining the approval of the Sectarian Lay Council. Their action, behind which personal interests are hidden, was condemned by the thinkers of the sect's members, the Lay Council, and everyone with zeal and sympathy for the poor. For about two and a half years, my husband has remained empty-handed, starving along with his family, not for any sin we committed. I hope to present to my master, His Excellency, that Israeli law does not permit such a group of people to rob us of our daily bread and close the door of my husband's livelihood, especially since he inherited this profession from his fathers and grandfathers and has acquired the right of ⟦shrouding⟧ known in Israeli law as [Hazaka]. Trust, my lord, Your Excellency, that our situation has become deplorable; we spend most nights without dinner, and were it not for pride and shame, we would have been forced to stretch out our hands to beg. Therefore, I beg you to be so kind as to look upon us with kindness and stop the hands of the transgressors from my husband's profession and allow him to practice his old profession. I pray for Your Excellency's long life and success, my lord; Your obedient servant Karjiya Nashi Matti IRAQ REVENUE Finance 8 Fils His Excellency the Minister You order its referral to the Presidency of the Judiciary to state the Council's opinion in this regard. 27 / 12 / 32 Recorded 28 / 12 Legal Codification Department: Ministry of Justice: Date: 28 / 12 / 1932 Number: 67
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22 1049 / 2 17 February year 930 Regarding the case of Khedhouri Al-Kolel Honorable Vice President of the Spiritual Council I have been instructed by His Eminence the Acting Hakham Bashi to refer to you the ⟦referenced⟧ letter received from the Ministry of Justice Numbered 26 / 30 / A and dated 13 February year 930 regarding the case of Khedhouri Al-Kolel along with the file pertaining to this case, requesting its review - As quickly as possible and informing us of the result while returning the file. ⟦illegible⟧ Secretary of the Hakham Bashi Secret Attachment: Hebra Qaddisha file number (39) containing 23 papers N. M