AI English Translation, Pages 151-175
Mutasarrifate of Baghdad Province
Bureau of Correspondence
Number 2544
Date 5 / 11 / 1352 AH
21 / February / 934
To: The Honorable Judge of Baghdad
" The Honorable Ja'fari Judge "
" His Beatitude the Patriarchal Vicar of the Chaldean Community "
" The Head of the Mosaic Community "
The Honorable Spiritual Head of the Armenian Catholic Community
" " " Orthodox "
" " " Syriac ⟦line⟧ "
In accordance with the provisions of Article (52) of the Provincial Administration Law of the year 927, please
attend the office of this Mutasarrifate at (11) o'clock before noon
on Wednesday, corresponding to 21 / 2 / 934, to count the number of votes obtained by
the candidates for membership of the Provincial Administrative Council.
⟦signature⟧
Mutasarrif of Baghdad Province
Copy to: - Director of Land Registry of Baghdad Province:
" " Provincial Accountant: Please attend on the mentioned day.
" " Director of Provincial Correspondence:
To be registered and filed
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Private Number 1225
Date 22 / 2 / 934
Baghdad 10 Av 5694
To the honor of my dear friend, may God protect and sustain him,
After inquiring of the peace of your honor and all those accompanying him in goodness. I am hereby informing your honor that I received his letter
from the day 22 Tammuz past and all that is written in it I understood. And regarding the matter of the house I am informing your honor that
the matter was finished in peace and all the things were arranged according to the will of your honor and there is no need to worry at all. And I am sending
to your honor the necessary deeds and much peace.
His friend who esteems him
Ezra Menachem
Sofer
88
Number ⟦...⟧
Directorate of Monitoring, Telegraph, and Telephone
Baghdad
Archive
Sir, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the Respected
After much greeting and abundant respect -
I have recently reviewed what was stated in the expenditure section of the last previous council account - the amounts allocated
for the communal schools, especially the Israeli Alliance and Shamash schools. It goes without saying that regarding the abundance of these expenditures
on these two schools, I personally believe that the actual benefit derived from them does not justify spending such
amounts from the community's meager fund. Perhaps Your Eminence has recently noticed the extent of the rush with which
the members of the community scramble to enroll their children in government schools, and the painful suffering and great difficulties they face
for that purpose, and the many pleas and supplications aimed at registering a student in one of these schools despite
the existence of these two aforementioned communal schools - there must be, therefore, in this situation,
an important reason that justifies this inclination of the community's students' guardians to enroll their children in government schools despite the difficulties
they encounter, which sometimes lead to failure and disappointment, and the lack of inclination to enroll their children in communal schools
which are funded directly from their own pockets.
The reason is clear, Your Eminence, which is that these two aforementioned schools - despite
the many expenditures they require, and perhaps being at the forefront of ⟦...⟧ schools in Baghdad - have not equipped their students with the necessary culture and means
for success in the future - for a student graduating from one of these two schools after studying for a period exceeding
five years or more and obtaining the school certificate finds no path before him leading to the desired hope
of the happy life he dreams of, as the certificates of these two schools are not recognized in the departments of the Arab
authority. Furthermore, the stagnation of their administration and the failure to reconcile current requirements and interests has led to placing
these two schools in isolation from the rest of the government and private schools, such that they no longer possess even a nominal honorary right.
This is what has led, Your Eminence, to the students' anxiety about entering these two communal
schools and their persistence in entering government schools, from whose certificates they hope for a broad
hope and a guarantee of success in the struggle of their lives.
Therefore, based on and in view of the above, and in view of the troubles the members of the community suffer in enrolling their children
in government schools - if Your Eminence allows me - to study the issue of merging these two schools
and making them one school comparable to the Central Secondary School, for example, and allocating the expenditures designated for the two schools
to this school, while unifying the curricula with the government schools' curriculum and pressing the government to recognize
its certificate. Then, I am fully confident that the students' guardians will rush to enroll their children
in this communal school and will truly appreciate this effort of yours - and if an active administration is established for this
school, we thank you as it will have a great name and status as the premier school in
the mountain of ⟦...⟧ school
98
In my view, the obstacle that perhaps stood in the way of implementing this idea, namely the unification of these two schools,
is the lack of approval from this administration for the purpose for which this school was founded during this time,
which is to keep the situation as it is and not to lead the two schools toward progress and advancement as required by the circumstances.
If we compare the private Alliance school and compare the state of its administration with the idea for which
this school was founded, we see that the idea for which it was founded has faded and vanished over the days,
and that the reputation this school once held is no longer as it was during the time when the Alliance school
existed for a long period. Nevertheless, we mention and point out that after the great name it
held in the early days in terms of progress and literature, and the described state it has reached today,
I still remember when this Alliance school opened in the year 1924-25 and the great
renaissance in its system and its progress compared to the Protestant school. I also forgot to mention that the idea
of this school and its missionary purpose were visible to the eye through the chants and hymns that were
recited to the male and female students every morning and evening, and the doctrines and beliefs that were
instilled in the students through sermons and speeches - in that if we reflect on the situation of this school, its course,
and its goal at the present time, we see that all of this is very far from the goal for which efforts were exerted.
The meetings and ceremonies held by this school from time to time, the prominent certificates
granted to it, and the moral encouragement it receives from the honorable authorities in the government,
all require us to pay full attention to the state of our sectarian schools, which no one mentions
nor remembers except during subscriptions and donations -
This is what prompted me tonight to share with you your great interest in raising the mention of the welfare of the sect
in general, and specifically with a determination that knows no boredom and humbles everyone. I hope, and am even confident, that your efforts
will take this observation into account: the observation of caring for sectarian schools and making them
suitable for the current situation and need. I take this opportunity to express my supreme appreciation for your efforts
in advancing our dear sect - Please accept my highest respects.
Sincerely,
⟦illegible⟧
Note: I once learned, when Mr. Siby was inspecting the Alliance schools in Baghdad,
of a detailed report I noted regarding the reason for the decline of the Alliance school in Baghdad, which was sent
at the time through the school director, and I do not know if ⟦illegible⟧ or not.
To His Eminence, the Head of the Jewish Community, the Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khadouri,
After offering due respect, the bearer of this our petition, Farah daughter of Jacob, has a lawsuit
in the Jewish Religious Court against her husband, Aaron son of Israel. In view of her need
in the situation in which she finds herself, I hope that an order will be given to return her belongings located
with the husband or in another house, and that is regarding the residence with the husband's family due to their lack of compatibility.
This is for your respect, sir.
Sincerely,
⟦signature⟧
24 Adar II 5708
6 April 1948
81
Baghdad on ⟦6⟧ ⟦November⟧ ⟦1924⟧
Memorandum
Khedouri Aboudi Zilkha (Banker)
Baghdad and Beirut
Telegraphically: - Zilkha - Baghdad
Telephone Number: - Baghdad 134
To His Eminence the Rabbi: Khedouri Sassoon Rabbi
The Respected Jewish Community: Baghdad
After greetings and respect - I state that I was honored by your letter dated ⟦8/10/24⟧ but
I am very sorry for my inability to attend at the time you appointed for your Excellency due to
some necessary business, so please accept my apologies.
Your sincere,
⟦signature⟧
⟦4/11/24⟧
98
⟦illegible⟧
16 Shawwal 1352 and 31 January 1934
His Excellency the Director of Health of the Capital, respected
After greetings,
Since the person named Ezra Daoud ⟦Beniri⟧ holds the religious certificate for practicing circumcision,
We request your Excellency to kindly grant him the necessary license for that;
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
58
2582
23 Shawwal 1352 and 7 February 934
Encroachment on the Shrine of our Master Al-Kifl
His Excellency the Respected Minister of Interior
After greetings and respect
With reference to our oral conversation last Sunday, February 4, 934
It appears from the review of the custodian of the shrine of our Master Al-Kifl that the encroachment under
discussion has not ended yet, and therefore I request Your Excellency to kindly take the necessary measures to stop it
⟦Encl.⟧
Sincerely
Head of the Community
98
Baghdad, February 8, 1943
To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Greetings and respect: Regarding the matter reported to me by the Head of Sports concerning the inspection
of the slaughterhouse building, I have carried out the required task and observed that rainwater has surrounded the slaughterhouse and is leaking
into it due to the presence of unstable ground around it, which had been filled with garbage waste.
As for the required renovations, they amount to approximately 250.000 Dinars, and this amount cannot be spent from
the community fund.
Therefore, I suggest, if you see fit, to send a letter to the Mayoralty of the Capital explaining the matter,
as it may be possible for the Mayoralty to fill the land surrounding it.
In case of refusal by the Mayoralty, it will be necessary to empty the blood basins and pave only the surrounding area,
which would require only approximately 15.000 Dinars. If the Mayoralty does not act, it is possible to temporarily
construct drainage channels to transport the blood and surround the sidewalk around the slaughterhouse with sheet metal
to a certain depth and iron stakes to a slight height above the ground to eliminate the danger that could occur
during continued work, as otherwise the community fund would incur exorbitant costs.
We have hastened to inform you for your review and to clarify the situation.
⟦signature⟧
98
21/10/22
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ School Baghdad
HADASSAH SCHOOL - BAGHDAD
His Excellency, the Honorable President of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect
We informed you in our letter dated 20/10/22 that we accept five students free of charge in the third grade only
So if you wish to send us these five students from the community schools, and remain with respect
⟦signature⟧
The Director
Note - we request a reply
88
Baghdad
22 / 11 / 694
To the Director General of the Capital Health Department at Rima Khedouri Hospital /
I present in this ⟦my plea⟧ that I was a night officer at Dar Al-Shifa Hospital belonging to the Mosaic community, and since I am now in a state of extreme poverty
and in dire need of assistance from your institution, I therefore request your kind approval to grant me a certification that I was an officer at Dar Al-Shifa Hospital
and that I was performing the service to the fullest extent, as witnessed by the hospital doctor at that time, Dr. Daoud Gabbay, and I am now in a deplorable state of poverty
So I ask you to kindly agree to give me a certification that I was an officer at Dar Al-Shifa Hospital so that I can present it to a charitable department to help me
And to you belongs the command and appreciation
The Petitioner
⟦Helou⟧
To be filed
89
6 March 934
⟦21 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1352 and 6 March 934⟧
My dear Mr. Baqir
I would be very grateful to your Excellency if you would kindly set an appointment for me and Yehuda Effendi
Zalouf, President of the Lay Council, to have the honor of appearing before His Majesty the
Great King to present the gift of the Jewish community to His Majesty on the occasion of his auspicious marriage, and that
before His Majesty travels to the southern provinces.
I hope to receive the answer with the bearer of this letter.
Thank you, and may you remain in complete respect
Head of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
88
21 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1352 and 6 March 1934
His Excellency the Mayor of the Capital, the Respected
⟦His Excellency the Mayor of the Capital, the Respected⟧
After greetings and respect
It is not hidden from Your Excellency that the road numbered 138 branching from the Shorja
Market, in the middle of which is the Meir Sassoon Jewish School for Boys, is unpaved, and the abundance
of mud on this road harms the students of this school and the female students of the Laura Kadoorie School for
Girls and the rest of the nearby schools when they pass through it.
Also, the road numbered 118 branching from Al-Rashid Street, in the middle of which is the administration of the Jewish
Community, is likewise unpaved, and its mud and darkness hinder the meetings of the Jewish councils
which are held in this administration, and it is also a main passage for visitors and for the girls who pass
through it to (the Alliance), which is a Jewish school for teaching sewing for girls located on the same road.
Therefore, we hope Your Excellency will be kind enough to give the necessary orders to pave the first road and to pave
and light the second road.
To Your Excellency, thanks and respect
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
98
2622
22 Dhu al-Qi'dah 352 and 7 March 934
His Excellency the Director of Health of the Capital, Respected
After greetings
Since the named Yusuf Hakham Eliyahu Barzani holds the religious certificate
to practice circumcision, we request your Excellency to kindly grant him the necessary license for that;
⟦for⟧
Sassoon
Head of the Community
95
262
14 March 1934
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
After greetings,
I hope to inform Your Excellency that we have agreed with the goldsmith Munshi Effendi
Halawi on the amount of twenty dinars to be received as his fee for making the golden box that will be presented
by the community as a gift to His Majesty the King,
⟦Azzoun⟧
Head of the Community ⟦line⟧
88
⟦illegible⟧
⟦2620⟧
20 March 934
To the Honorable General Representative of the National Products Association
After greetings
Reference to your letter dated 12 March 1934
I regret that health obstacles prevent me from participating in this blessed ceremony in person
And I have assigned Shalom Effendi Darwish, Secretary of the Community Administration, to deliver a speech at the celebration
I wish you permanent success ;
On behalf of
Head of the Community
98
⟦illegible⟧
General Headquarters
Association for the Encouragement of National Products
Baghdad
On March 20, 1934
To --:
Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khadduri
After greetings
Our association (Association for the Encouragement of National Products) has decided to hold a grand ceremony
to express the feelings of the Iraqi nation on the birthday of His Majesty the King of the country, the Great King (Ghazi)
falling on March 21, 1934, where speeches and poems will be delivered by distinguished
professors. Therefore, we invite you to participate in this blessed ceremony by delivering a (speech)
provided it is brief in consideration of time. The association has also decided to print a summary of the speeches
and poems at its own expense in a special booklet along with photographs of the speakers and distribute them for free ⟦line⟧
If you agree, please inform us to include you in the ceremony program. Please accept our highest respect.
Regarding the ceremony program
Acting Secretary
For the Association for the Encouragement of National Products
Association for the Encouragement of National Products
Baghdad
General Headquarters
18 March 934
⟦National Cinema⟧
⟦Baghdad⟧
His Excellency Arshad Bey al-Umari
Respected Director of General Irrigation
After greetings and respect
I hope to remind Your Excellency of what you promised me regarding the employment of the bearer of this letter, Ishaq
Effendi Samouha, and I would be extremely grateful if you would kindly employ the aforementioned person as soon as possible
And to Your Excellency thanks in advance
Sincerely
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
98
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number 2645
Date 25 March 934
The Honorable Director of the ⟦National Cinema⟧
⟦Investment Company⟧
⟦Karrada Al-Sharqiya⟧
I request that you kindly attend the Jewish Community administration at
four o'clock in the afternoon to discuss some matters
With much respect to you
Sassoon
Head of the Community
81
25 March 934
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Number: 2697
Date: 9 April 34
Honorable Gentlemen
Khedhouri Effendi Murad Shukur
Gurji " Levi
Moshe " Isha
Isaac " Qaz'in
Khabbawi " Munshi Sawdayee Central Cinema
Selim Effendi Shohet National Cinema
Moshe " Yaqub Hajji Royal Cinema
I request your kind presence at the administration of the Jewish Community at four o'clock
in the afternoon tomorrow (10 / 4 / 934) to discuss some important matters
⟦illegible⟧
President of the Community
98
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number 2696
Date 9 April 934
His Eminence the Rabbi (Members of the respected Spiritual Council)
After greetings and respect
I request your presence along with the members of the Spiritual Council at the administration
of the community at four o'clock in the afternoon tomorrow (10 / 4 / 934) for deliberation
on some matters
And remain with respect
⟦Sassoon⟧
President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
The Literary and Sports Committee
Literary & sports society
Shamash School
SHAMASH SCHOOL
Baghdad
Baghdad
March 18, 1934
To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community, respected
After greetings: -
The Literary and Sports Committee in this school is honored to invite you
to the lecture that will be delivered by Professor Ezra Haddad
titled "Factors of the Modern Renaissance in the Arab East"
on Monday, the 19th of this month, at six-thirty in the evening.
Please accept, sir, the assurances of our highest respect.
⟦signature⟧
Committee Secretary
DRAMATIC & DEBATING SOCIETY
Committee of
Acting and Lectures
Shamash School
Baghdad 1933
BAGHDAD
Note: -
The lecture is in the Arabic language
⟦portrait of a young man⟧
You are requested to attend the memorial service for the late young man, Nassim
Effendi Ishaq Al-Ani, which will be held in the synagogue of the Shamash School
on Sunday evening, March 18, 1934, at five
thirty in the evening.
The Memorial Committee
98
Amanat al-Asima (Mayoralty of the Capital)
Number ⟦22⟧
Baghdad - Date 20 Dhu al-Hijjah 1352
5 April 1934
Administrative Order
Due to the death of the Mukhtar of Taht al-Takiya neighborhood, Eliyahu Salman, the Mukhtar of Qanbar
Ali neighborhood, Heskel Aslan, shall perform the duties of the Mukhtar of the aforementioned neighborhood as an acting official until
a new Mukhtar is elected.
⟦signature⟧
Mayor of the Capital
Copy to:-
Governorate of Baghdad Province
His Eminence the Judge of Baghdad " "
Head of the Israelite Community " "
Baghdad Police Directorate " "
Baghdad Area Land Registry Directorate " "
The Administrative Director to hand over the seal of the Mukhtar of Taht al-Takiya neighborhood to " "
Heskel Aslan and to take measures for the election of a new Mukhtar
for the aforementioned neighborhood.
⟦illegible⟧
12/4/1934
F. T.
98
HESKEL M. GABBAY.
COMMISSION - REPRESENTATION
CONSIGNATION
CODES : BENTLEY'S & PRIVATE
TEL. ADDRESS: HESKEL GABBAY
Heskel Murad Gabbay
Telegram - Heskel Gabbay
Baghdad on April 12, 944
BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧
To the presence of the honorable and distinguished President of the Jewish Community, the respected Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the respected
After kissing your noble hands, we have a Torah scroll in the Qaram prayer [hall] belonging to our late brother Isaac Hayyim, with Rimonim, a pointer,
and a cover. It is written in the scroll as a condition that if the Shammas of Qaram is disobedient, our brother does not accept [it]. We do not know how to handle the situation.
Every Shammas proceeds according to your perfection. The request from your tongue is to see how this matter is, that the Shammas is being disobedient regarding our property.
We request you to order the Shammas to hand over the scroll to us without delay. With thanks to you, and may you remain [well].
Heskel Murad
Gabbay
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Private Number 1269
Date 14 / 4 / 944