Voices from the Archive

IJA 99

Correspondence Between Jewish Community Committees, Iraqi Government, Baghdadi Schools

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Description

These are archival materials from the Baghdadi Jewish community. Contents and topics include: correspondence between the different community committees, the Iraqi government, schools in Baghdad, and the diaspora community – primarily the Jewish community in Shanghai, China. The Chief Rabbi receives a letter from the head of the American School for Boys in Baghdad rejecting a request for admitting a student on scholarship. There are letters about life insurance and insurance for the community as a whole. Other items include correspondence regarding travel to Iran; a chart with the names of Jewish schools and hospitals and their dates of establishment; a handwritten note requesting proof of service certification from the head of the Reemah Kadoorie Eye Hospital because of the financial hardship of the requester; and a letter from the President of the Jewish community in Baghdad congratulating a member of the Shanghai-Baghdadi diaspora community on receiving the “Order of the Brilliant Jade” award from the Chinese government.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 99
Item Number
11338
Date
Approx. January 1, 1921 to December 31, 1930
Languages
Multiple Languages
Keywords
Head of the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) – Iraq, Jewish Purity Laws, Al-Istiqal, Employment, Travel, Passport, Head of Baghdad Health District, Hakham Sassoon Khedouri, Annotation, Iran, Jewish Lay Council, Chief Rabbi, Judeo-Arabic, American School for Boys in Baghdad, Administrative Offices of Public Railways, Palestinian, Ministry of Finance – Collector of Customs and Excise, Basrah, Meir Elias Hospital, Benjamin Moshi, Primary School, Rustam, Menahem S. Daniel, Literary and Sports Society-Shamash School, Iraqi Army, Jewish Schools Committee, Office of Education, Ink Stamp, Baghdadi Jewish Community, Railways, Ezra M. Daniel, Reemah Kadoorie Eye Hospital, Chart, Jerusalem, File Folder, Signature, Receipts, Ministry of the Interior, Directorate of Agriculture-Office of the Director of Research-Central Experimental Research Farm, Jewish Religious Court, Britain, Photograph, Gan Hailadim School, Financial, Legal, Correspondence, School Material, Administrators of Ezra’s Tomb, Jewish Communal Association of Shanghai, Nazareth, Business Card, Shamash Secondary School, Invoice, Ministry of Justice, Personal Letterhead, President of the Jewish Community, Royal Air Force, Typed, Ministry of Education, Secondary School, Iraq Railways: Chief Accountants Office, Labor, Office of Posts and Telegraphs, Contracts, Form, Insurance, Telegram, Revenue Stamp, Jewish Ladies Committee, Judicial, Letterhead, Thumbprint, Iraqi Government, Handwritten, Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews, Teachers, Post Office-Baghdad, Office of Customs and Excise, Wataniyah School, Stamps, Baghdad, Jewish Hospitals Committee, Marriage

AI en Translation, Pages 226-250

Page 226

Ministry of Justice
The Bureau
Number A / 122 / 24
Date 17 Safar 1353
31 May 1934
His Eminence the Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
His Excellency the Minister of Justice has instructed me to inform you to kindly
attend this Ministry at ten o'clock in the morning
on next Saturday, corresponding to 2 June 1934, to meet
His Excellency.
⟦illegible⟧
Secretary of the Ministry of Justice
Presidency of the Jewish Community: Baghdad
Private Number: 2247
Date: 2 / 6 / 1934
To be registered and filed
⟦98⟧

Page 227

To His Eminence, the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, the Respected
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Special Number 176
Date 2 / 4 / 944
To be kept for necessary action
⟦signature⟧
2 / 4
Presented to your presence
That our neighborhood area below the college is a transit center for Abu Saifin Alley, Bani Said, Al-Shorja ⟦and Fawq Ali⟧ and there is no
police station branch for protection during the investigations that usually take place and occur among passersby constantly ⟦and the frequency⟧ of thefts
in these paths, and theft and harassment of children and women, and your honor knows when we want to give news to the police ⟦in Ali⟧
or a point in front of the Bab al-Muazzam road in a state of urgency, the police do not arrive until after, so the neighborhood
remains in this mentioned state, it is not possible for us to lose our residence and now our wish is requested to provide a police branch from
⟦the police as you present⟧ this matter to the presence of the just government and to your presence regarding these transgressions and the protection of the neighborhood and the borders
by appointing civilian police ⟦in abundance⟧ in a branch, and we thank your justice and the matter is yours
944
IRAQ
10 FILS
10 Fils
⟦signature over stamp⟧
Liahu son of Yaqub
Ibrahim Ali
Naji Salman
⟦illegible signature⟧
M. J. Saifi
Abbas Mohammadi
⟦illegible signature⟧
⟦illegible signature⟧
⟦illegible signature⟧
⟦illegible signature⟧
⟦illegible signature⟧
⟦illegible signature⟧
Saleh Ibrahim
Almas
Ezra

Page 228

3 June 934
The Honorable Israel Effendi
Agent of the respected Abdul Jabbar Bey Al-Khudairi
After greetings and respect
I hope to offer to your presence my great thanks and gratitude for your great
kindness and generosity, wishing you continued success
Please accept my wishes and blessings
Sincerely
Sassoon
Head of the Community
98

Page 229

2755
20 Safar 353 and 3 June 934
The Honorable Mr. Tawfiq al-Mukhtar
Respected Director of Al-Kifl Sub-district
After greetings and respect
The extraordinary effort you expended on maintaining security and the comfort of visitors during the past
Israeli Feast of Weeks was a subject of great admiration and fragrant praise.
Allow us to offer our deep thanks and gratitude for your chivalry and magnanimity. May God grant you success
in what is for the good and the public interest.
Please accept my respects and blessings ⟦...⟧
Sincerely,
Sassoon
Head of the Community

Page 230

Baghdad, May 31, 1934
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the respected President of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect: -
I would like to mention, on the occasion of the Feast of Visitation which occurred a few
days ago, my deep thanks and great praise for the efforts of Mr. Tawfiq al-Mukhtar, Director of Al-Kifl District, during
the days of the Feast of Visitation, and his maintenance of security and the comfort of the visitors, which made everyone speak in praise of the excellence
of his performance of his duty towards the visitors.
Trustee of the Al-Kifl Endowments
Reuben Yehuda Ezra Menashi
⟦R Menashi⟧

Page 231

Baghdad on May 31, 1934
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the respected President of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect: -
I would like to mention, on the occasion of the Feast of Visitation which occurred a few
days ago, my deep thanks and great praise for the efforts of the Commissioner of Al-Kifl District during the days of the Feast of Visitation
and his preservation of security and the comfort of the visitors, which made everyone speak with praise for his good performance of his duty towards
the visitors.
Trustee of the Al-Kifl Endowments
Reuben Yehuda Ezra Menashe
⟦signature⟧
⟦illegible⟧

Page 232

2756
20 Safar 353 and 3 June 934
To the Honorable Police Commissioner of Al-Kifl District
After greetings and respect
Your great interest in maintaining security and the comfort of visitors during the past
Israeli Feast of Weeks was a subject of admiration and appreciation by all, so I hope to offer to you
my sincere thanks and fragrant praise for your efforts, and may you remain successful.
⟦squiggle⟧
Sincerely
On behalf of
Head of the Community

Page 233

Copy of the agreed terms between the husband Haron Effendi Ezra Shabi and his wife Khatoune daughter of Saleh
Sofair dated June 3, 1934, in the presence of His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, President of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
1- The husband must rent a house for residence in Baghdad and live with his wife, provided that the rent of the house existing
in the name of his wife and located in Sulaikh belongs to him, as he is fulfilling her obligations.
2- The husband pays his wife monthly the sum of two dinars and a quarter 2.250 for her clothing only,
excluding the children's clothing, which the husband is responsible for.
3- The husband is responsible for paying the maid's monthly salary, provided it does not exceed fifteen rupees, and these
terms shall be in effect at all times while the husband is in his position.
4- The wife must never employ the former maid named Rachel.
5- The wife has committed to the "campaign" on the condition that no amount is given to the landlord or the maid
without her husband's knowledge. This agreement was drafted on June 3, 1934, in the presence of His Eminence
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, and Murad Effendi Shalom Hai, and was exchanged
between the spouses with a copy kept at the administration of the Jewish Community in Baghdad.
The Husband
Haron Ezra Shabi
⟦Haron Ezra⟧
⟦Shabi⟧
The Wife
Khatoune daughter of Saleh Sofair
Katoune Haron
Shabi

Page 234

The Respected
Sir, His Eminence, the Head of the Israelite Community, Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
After greetings and respect
The status of the letter concerns our servant whose daughter is ⟦engaged⟧ and in need, so if
possible, please send her to the people designated to pay the medical benefits for the daughters of the ⟦holy ones⟧
and we would be grateful to you
We hope for assistance in the repair, and I went to greet Rabbi David, and she is here
to meet your presence, and please accept the highest respect, and may you remain protected, sir
Baghdad 8 / 7 / 924
Sincerely
⟦Habib⟧ ⟦Eliyahu⟧ Haron
Shalom
⟦Haifa⟧
88

Page 235

Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number ⟦280⟧
Date July 6, 934
Their Eminences the President and Members of the Spiritual Council, Respected
Their Excellencies the President and Members of the Lay Council, Respected
After greetings and respect
I request your kind presence at the Community Administration at six o'clock
on the afternoon of Monday, July 9, 934, to deliberate on some matters
May you remain in respect
<del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧

Page 236

Ministry of Defense
Number 595
Date 6/14
Royal Air Force Directorate
From the Royal Air Force
To His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Effendi Khedhouri, Respectfully
His Excellency the Minister of Defense has ordered that we permit you to fly
in the Royal Air Force aircraft with your daughter and your son-in-law. Please
go to the Royal Air Force airport in Hinaidi on Monday morning <del>Sunday</del>
on 6/18/1934 at six o'clock and contact the Commander of the Combat
Squadron to make arrangements with him directly regarding your flight.
⟦signature⟧
Al-Zaim (Brigadier General)
Director of the Royal Air Force
Copy to:
Commander of the Combat Squadron.
N.A. / 14 / 6 / 34

Page 237

2792
July 1, 1934
The Honorable Professor Mr. D. Sassoon
Respected Director of the Alliance Schools
The Honorable Professor Ezra Effendi Haddad
Respected Director of the National School
After greetings and respect
In fulfillment of the duty toward the noble and lamented departed Shaul Effendi Hakham Heskel
A memorial service will be held for the deceased at six o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday (July 4, 1934) at
the Albert Sassoon School. I hope you will prepare a memorial speech to kindly deliver at this ceremony.
With continued respect;
Sassoon
Head of the Community

Page 238

2786
3 July 934
Honorable and distinguished members of the Al-Rashid Club,
After greetings and respect,
I have the honor to invite you to attend the memorial service that will be held at six o'clock
on the evening of Wednesday (4 July 1934) at the Alliance School (Albert Sassoon) in fulfillment
of the duty toward the noble departed, the man of white hands, the late lamented Shaul
Effendi Hakham Heskel.
With continued respect,
⟦Adel⟧
Head of the Community

Page 239

2796
3 July 934
Honorable and distinguished members of the Al-Rafidain Club,
After greetings and respect,
I have the honor to invite you to attend the memorial service that will be held at six o'clock
on the evening of Wednesday (July 4, 1934) at the Alliance School (Albert Sassoon) in fulfillment
of the duty toward the noble departed, the man of white hands, the late and lamented Shaul Anf
Hakham Heskel
May you remain in respect
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community

Page 240

2788
3 July 934
Honorable and distinguished members of the Laura Kadoorie Club,
After greetings and respect,
I have the honor to invite you to attend the memorial service that will be held at six o'clock
on the evening of Wednesday (July 4, 1934) at the Alliance School (Albert Sassoon) in fulfillment
of the duty toward the noble departed, the generous benefactor, the late lamented Shaul Effendi
Hakham Heskel
With continued respect,
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community

Page 241

2797
3 July 934
Honorable and distinguished members of the Al-Zawra Club,
After greetings and respect,
I have the honor to invite you to attend the memorial service that will be held at six o'clock
on the evening of Wednesday (4 July 1934) at the Alliance School (Albert Sassoon) in fulfillment
of the duty toward the noble departed, the man of white hands, the late lamented Shaul Effendi
Hakham Heskel
⟦line⟧ and remain with respect
Adel
Head of the Community

Page 242

2754
22 Safar 353 and 5 June 934
His Excellency the Respectable Minister of Justice
I request Your Excellency to kindly sign the attached certificate regarding the status of the Jewish
Community in Iraq;
For your information
⟦signature⟧
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
⟦red mark⟧

Page 243

Please refer to
General Number
Iraqi Government
Ministry of Justice
Section ⟦line⟧
General Number A / 27 / 11
Special Number ⟦line⟧
Telegraphic Address: Adliya
Date 2 / Safar 1353
10 / June 1934
Subject Summary:
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
With reference to your letter numbered 2759 and dated 5/June 1934.
We return to you, attached to this letter of ours, the certificate sent within your aforementioned
letter, signed as per your request.
Y H
⟦signature⟧
Minister of Justice
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number 2262
Date 10 / 6 / 934
A H A

Page 244

I am honored to invite you to attend the memorial service that will be held at
six o'clock on the evening of Wednesday (4 July 1934) at
the Alliance School (Albert Sassoon) in fulfillment of the duty toward the late
generous man, the one of benevolent deeds, the late and lamented
Shaul Effendi Hakham Hezkiel, and may you remain in respect.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad

Page 245

1/1
⟦...⟧ 94
To ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
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Page 247

Baghdad on October 20, 1934
To the Honorable Chairman of the Schools Committee in Baghdad, respected
After greetings and respect
I submit this request to you, hoping for your kindness to look upon my situation with compassion
It is known that I was at the French Alliance School as a teacher of Arabic and French for a period of
fifteen years, and in the year 1918 I left teaching and worked in trade in Baghdad until the year 1924
After that I traveled to Iran, and in the year 1928 I returned to Baghdad and remained without work, then I worked
at the Alliance School for a period of one year in 1930 as a teacher of Arabic and French
For two years I have been without work and in a very bad condition, and I ask for your kindness to appoint me as a
teacher in one of your schools because I am in dire need of work as I support a large family
And I am ready to serve in your school with all sincerity and honesty as I was at the Alliance School
Since I was the reference for everything in the year 1918, and when I was at the Alliance School
I had no legal precedents, as witnessed by the Directorate of Education in Baghdad and the General Directorate
of Education in Baghdad, and I am ready to present to you a certificate of good conduct and academic certificates
And I ask this of you because I am in need of financial assistance because I am in a very bad state
And I hope that you accept this request of mine and appoint me in one of your schools because I am ready to serve
with all sincerity and honesty as I was at the Alliance School
With highest respect
Sincerely
Yousef Yaqoub
House Number ⟦...⟧
Baghdad

Page 248

⟦1924⟧
Baghdad 2 September
To the Honorable Treasurer of the Jewish Community Committee in Baghdad
Honorable Sir, peace, blessing, and all good forever, Amen
After inquiring about your honor's peace and well-being, I am hereby
submitting before your honor this request of mine, submitted through
the Charity Committee in the name of the petitioner, who is crushed by poverty and lack,
who has been fighting the struggle for existence for several years and whose hand
cannot reach to obtain his livelihood and the livelihood of his poor and needy household members.
Therefore, I request from your honor to extend urgent help to me
so that I may be able to obtain the minimal necessities of life,
for the situation is very difficult and I have no other source of income,
and I am certain that your honor will understand my difficult situation and will help
me in whatever way possible for the sake of God and for the sake of charity.
And with this I conclude my words with thanks and blessing,
Your faithful servant,
Moshe ⟦...⟧
⟦signature⟧

Baghdad ⟦...⟧
To the Community Committee ⟦...⟧
I, the undersigned ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ I worked at the hospital ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ Rama Kadoorie ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ from the year ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ until the year ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ and because of my economic situation ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ I request ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ a certificate ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ regarding my service ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ at the hospital ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ aforementioned ⟦...⟧
With great respect
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧

Page 249

19 August 934
The Honorable and Distinguished Munshi Effendi Saleh, Respectfully
After greetings,
I have been approached regarding finding a teaching position for Miss Mary Rubin, who is a graduate of
the Laura Kadoorie School and possesses the necessary qualifications for the job. I would be most grateful if you would kindly
inform me whether there is an opening to accept her at the Hadiya Munshi Saleh School for Girls.
With continued respect,
Sincerely,
Sassoon
Head of the Community
⟦signature⟧

Page 250

To the Committee of the Yeshiva and the Jewish Hospital in Baghdad
I, the undersigned, have been serving in your hospital for eight years as a servant and cleaner, and my salary
is a total of six dinars per month, and this amount is not sufficient for my livelihood and the livelihood of my household, therefore I request
a wise committee in its eyes of grace
Your faithful servant
Salman Aboud
Baghdad 4 August 946
Salman Aboud
Servant
ACTING CHIEF RABBI BAGHDAD
Acting
Hakham Bashi in Baghdad
Bashuri
Haroun Daniel
Keep in the evidence file
The Community
⟦signature⟧

362 B 21 ⟦A⟧
The Honorable Chairman of the Schools Committee
Through the Honorable Chairman of the Jewish Community Committee
Greetings and respect, thereafter,
I, the submitter of this application, named ⟦Naji⟧ ⟦Khedhouri⟧ ⟦Shamoon⟧, one of the graduates of
the Alliance School for the year 1947, request the favor of accepting me as a teacher in one of the Jewish community schools, noting that I
was a student in the final grade at the Shamash School for the current academic year, but I was not successful in
the final examinations.
Yours sincerely,
Signature
Naji Khedhouri Shamoon
⟦signature⟧
M