Correspondence Between Jewish Community Committees, Iraqi Government, Baghdadi Schools
View interactive document pageThese 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.
Number A 7796 Date 25 May 922 A. Basyoun His Majesty the King has commanded me to inform you that His Majesty has no objection to your procedures according to the plans you presented to him Advisor to the Ministry of Interior Colonel Cornwallis
24 / 8 / 15 To the Head of the Jewish Community, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, the Most Magnificent. After greetings and respect, Sir, I ask your Eminence to look kindly upon the bearer of this paper, my brother, and help him to become a servant in the hospital. With many thanks to you, my esteemed sir. Murad Salim Telephone Operator, Ministry of the Interior ⟦signature⟧
H. D. Shohet 33/8 Rawak Street, BAGHDAD. CODES: A.B.C. 5TH EDITION. TELEGRAMS: BRITISH. Baghdad, ⟦line⟧ 193 Dear Salim Effendi, I would be extremely grateful if you would kindly give your kindness and guidance to the young man ⟦bearer⟧ of this paper, an employee at the English school. Mr. Boytehood, and the latter has requested that my children continue to reduce his salary as you remember, and if I could write him one word. I am studying the subject of a relationship of friendship, social interaction, and kinship with Mr. Rose and others at the British Embassy in Baghdad. The bearer needs Mr. Rose's assistance as you will understand from the bearer. I thank you in advance. Sincerely, H. D. Shohet
Application form for entry to the Higher School for Health Officials in Baghdad. Name: Address: Age: Education (State the names of the schools you studied in and obtained the intermediate certificate from, and attach to this application copies of the certificates granted to you by them): If you have been employed after leaving school, state the names of those who employed you, the position you held, your salary, and the date of your commencement and separation from all the positions you have held since leaving school. Students must complete the following declaration - I ⟦line⟧ from ⟦line⟧ hereby declare that if I am accepted as a student in the Higher School for Health Officials, I will observe and obey all the school's rules and regulations and serve the Iraqi government upon the conclusion of my training period as a health official if requested to do so for a period of three years. ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ Notes - The following certificates are to be attached to this application - 1- Iraqi Nationality Certificate B- Certificate of Good Conduct certified by the Police Department All students are medically examined by the Medical Examination Committee at the Royal Hospital in Baghdad, and they must also present a certificate of vaccination against smallpox and be between 18 and 25 years of age when entering the school.
The Rabbinical Court of the Holy Community Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ Date: 21 Adar Year: 5694 Before us, the undersigned witnesses Abraham son of Eliyahu ⟦...⟧ came before us ⟦...⟧ In the manner of ⟦...⟧ Hakham Menashe ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ And including this ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Cherub ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Responsibility ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Which ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Before us, the undersigned witnesses Ezra Sasson ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 31 August 934 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ My dear Muhammad Salim Bey al-Radi Greatest greetings I visited your prosperous home this morning, but I was unable to meet Your Excellency, unfortunately. With firm hope that Your Excellency will provide the possible assistance to conclude the issue of the Citron (Etrog) This issue concerns the community greatly, so I hope not to be in an embarrassing position towards it I offer Your Excellency my utmost respect and honor, praying for your continued success, Sincerely Sassoon Head of the Jewish Community ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 369 B 16 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ 22 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 125 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 1930 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 1935 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ to the master ⟦...⟧ Received the payment ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 17 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ 17 ⟦...⟧
18 Adar To the high honor of the judges of the holy community in the city of Hakham Sasson Tsedaka, may his soul rest in Eden, may the Lord be upon them, may they live May they live, Amen, Netzach, Selah From before the undersigned, who takes refuge in God Almighty, from this one, from whom these humble words come forward to raise the request, may He protect you The Creator of life, may He increase their honor, that in the preference of our grace and your kindness known in every city and among every Jew in the world You possess the fitness and merit for this one, for your servant is poor and lowly and imprisoned in the hand of poverty I have elders and among the elders those who are supported only in the lands, and the time for his redemption has arrived, your servants and mercies shall hasten In the redemption of all the poor and the needy, may they wrap your servant in mercy and grace and assist in his release And their merit is humble before God and men, and peace Your obedient servant And the needy ⟦illegible⟧ These humble words come forward to you, delegates Deserving ones, let them write as a delegate of the community To a delegate in each and every community Let them write, and their merit is humble before God
I, Haroun bin Munshi Shammash Salat Sheikh Ishaq, acknowledge and confess that I am indebted to Habib Salawi for the sum of forty-two ⟦rupees⟧ and a half, which is three dinars and one hundred and eighty-eight fils 1/18/1948. I have agreed with my creditor to settle this debt and pay it to him at one rupee per week, and accordingly I have given him this paper to be in his possession April 15, 1948 Regarding the acknowledgment Haroun Munshi
The Lawyer Salman Shina Baghdad ⟦line⟧ On: 22 / 10 Year: 193 My dear father, servant of the Messenger. Look into the interest of Salman, the son of Naqiya Oran, and mediate for his acceptance into the orphanage school and my hand Naji Salman So I hope you will write a note for him to the director and the supervisor Sincerely ⟦signature⟧ Year
Menashi and Sion Abraham Gourgey — Baghdad MENASHI & SION ABRAHAM GOURGEY BAGHDAD Baghdad on September 20, 1934 Baghdad To the Honorable Assistant Director of the Jewish Community Administration After greetings and salutations - I request that you provide me with an official letter addressed to the Directorate of Travel and Nationality in Baghdad for the purpose of obtaining Iraqi citizenship. Since I was born in Baghdad to an Iraqi father and mother and have resided in Baghdad from my birth until now, and I have never previously obtained any foreign nationality at all. Therefore, I hope you will grant my request with great thanks, appreciation, and respect. Please accept my highest respects The Petitioner Menashi Sion Gourgey
Dr. Yaqoub Gabbay Physician and Surgeon Treats internal diseases and children Baghdad. Phone No. 728 Baghdad. Phone No. 728 To the President of the Israelite Community /R Since the bearer of this paper is very poor and cannot afford even simple medicine, I therefore hope that you will issue your orders to those concerned to provide this prescription to its bearer. Sincerely ⟦signature⟧ Dr. Gabbay
Baghdad 4 April 1934 To the presence of Mr. Sassoon H. Heskel & Co. ⟦illegible⟧ After continuous peace and greetings, we inform you that Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ who was previously employed with you has arrived to us and stated that he has a remaining salary with you for the past month of March and an amount of ⟦illegible⟧ for travel expenses from Baghdad to ⟦illegible⟧ which he had paid out of his own pocket at the time ⟦illegible⟧ So we ask you to please clarify whether he has a right to that or not, so that we may be able to answer him as required ⟦illegible⟧ And please accept the assurance of our highest respect Your sincere ⟦illegible signature⟧ ⟦line⟧
Ahmad El-Wadi and Moussa El-Jewad - Baghdad AHMAD EL-WADI & MOUSSA EL-JEWAD BAGHDAD In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Baghdad on 10 ⟦11⟧ October 924 To His Excellency the respected Head of the Israelite Community Greetings and respect After offering you my greetings, regarding the fact that we have a very dear friend who has three children We hope from your noble kindness that you order their admission into the Rachel Shahmoon School Known by the name Al-Ta'awun (The Cooperation) for free; we ask you not to delay them because their father is Among our dearest friends, and you would make us grateful for your favor toward these children, and may you remain in goodness and joy Before this, we sent you a letter and you did what was necessary, and this is the second letter May it not be a burden to you, as this is our final request from you Sincerely Ahmad El-Wadi <del>Abdul Jawad</del> Filed
To the most glorious Excellency, the respected Head of the Israelite Community Greetings and respect Presented to your Excellency, prior to this, our friend Musa al-Jarad wrote to you in a letter on two occasions ⟦to them⟧ and after that I write to your Excellency an answer from your presence that our neighbor is a woman and she is our neighbor and she has a daughter who wishes that your Excellency would provide her with assistance so that she may enter the Laura Kadoorie School for writing So I beseech your Excellency to order the admission of this girl into the aforementioned school And for this deed we thank you very much, and may you remain in all goodness and joy 7 October the year 924 Sincerely yours Ahmed al-Wadi <del>Abdul Qadir</del> To be filed
GAN HAILADIM SCHOOL Gan Hailadim School "Menahem Saleh Daniel" "Menahem Saleh Daniel" 44/115 Takia Street 44/115 Taht al-Takia ⟦line⟧ Baghdad on: 26 Oct Baghdad, the: 1924 To His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community. Greetings and respect. Regrettably, I cannot accept your request due to the lack of space and because the number of female students in the school classes has been full for a month. I ask for your excuse, and please accept my highest respect. Sincerely, Marie Qanawati School Principal ⟦line⟧
Baghdad on 24 / 5 / 43 Number 2356 You mentioned that the office that reached us from you to them in the office that reached us from you on the mentioned date which you mentioned that they had left Baghdad To the Honorable Hakham Bashi And after performing times from your presence from Baghdad was ⟦...⟧ no performance times from Hakham Bashi Baghdad at this time of necessity in the letter from the Hakham Bashi in Baghdad with the acquittal of the Agha from Baghdad Your sincere Daoud Nahum Ephraim Baghdad Number 2356 on date 24/5/43 ⟦illegible⟧
To the Community Committee in Baghdad Number ⟦...⟧ 23 / 10 / 32 Baghdad To the Community Committee in Baghdad Subject: ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ To the Community Committee I, the undersigned ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ the hospital ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Rima Kadoorie ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦illegible⟧ Tannour ⟦illegible⟧ Adjacent to ⟦illegible⟧ 10 OCT. 1934 The honorable Mr. Yaqub Hadhuri Respected After greetings and longings, the bearer of this letter, we hope that you accept her daughter in the school for free, as they are poor Sincerely
2020 30 November 934 His Excellency Taha Pasha al-Hashimi Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army, Respectfully After greetings and respect The soldier Isaac Abraham Houri has submitted to me the petition which I present to Your Excellency enclosed And it is my great hope that Your Excellency will look upon his request with an eye of kindness And to Your Excellency, respect ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦On behalf of⟧ Head of the Community
24 / 12 / 9 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the respected: With reference to your letter numbered 2020 and dated 20 November 924 I regret to inform Your Eminence that army regulations do not allow for the transfer of soldiers and craftsmen from one unit to another unit. With all due respect to Your Eminence Ahmed ⟦illegible⟧ Chief of Staff of the Army To be kept with the papers For God 24 / 12 / 9
Shamash Secondary School Baghdad His Excellency The Respected President of the Jewish Community Greetings and Respect Mr. Radwan has requested us to invite your Excellency to the memorial service that our school will hold for the late student Daoud Radwan, on Sunday at ⟦12.15⟧ PM, and we hope for your presence May you remain supported ⟦K. Meyer⟧ Assistant School Principal October 19, 1934 Form No. 6 - 2000 - 10 - 1933
⟦illegible⟧ Baghdad September 20, 1944 My Lord Rabbi, Greetings and respect. After his case was not accepted due to Suleiman Shawkat not sitting on the admissions committee, I hope for a detailed explanation of your position. Do you have another way, please? Complete kindness, and my hope is firm that you will spare no effort for the success of this case. I hope you accept my greetings and highest respects. Sincerely, ⟦signature⟧
Dear Honorable His Eminence the Rabbi After offering my respects, the bearer is the person whom I spoke to you about regarding his employment in the position of an attendant or a messenger or the like in the administration of the community or the hospital, and I hope that you will include him in your kindness, and I thank you in advance. Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ 8 / 10 / 44
WATANIYAH SCHOOL ⟦line⟧ Baghdad, October 16, 1934 His Eminence, the Respected Head of the Jewish Community After greetings. With reference to your Eminence's letter regarding the student Maurice Yaqub Hayyim. I submit to your Eminence that the class which the aforementioned student should enter is overcrowded to a degree that it cannot accommodate any other student. The Inspector of Education reprimanded us this week regarding this overcrowding. We wish if you had sent us a student in the second or third grade, as we would have accepted him with all gratitude out of respect for you. It is hoped that your Eminence appreciates the situation as it is and excuses us, for an excuse is accepted by honorable people. Please accept the highest respect. Sir, Sincerely, ⟦signature⟧ School Principal