Voices from the Archive

IJA 2747

Correspondence between Iraqi Government and Jewish Community – Citizenship Issues; Financial Matters; New Community Leaders

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Description

These are archival materials from the Baghdadi Jewish community containing correspondence from the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews and the President of the Jewish Community. It includes: letters to and from the Minister of Justice concerning the death of Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri; requests for assistance from community members; elections for the Jewish community council; donation of Torahs to the Ministry of Justice’s library upon request; letters to and from the General Organization for Housing regarding the Jewish cemetery; correspondence with the Secretary of Frozen Funds regarding: the sale of frozen shares in the Times publishing company; shareholders with revoked nationality; company liquidation; and debt repayment; correspondence with the Revolutionary Command Council including letters to Saddam Hussein, then Deputy of the Revolutionary Command Council, regarding complaints about the seizure of property revenues and confiscation of a bank account belonging to Iraqi Jews; correspondence with the Director of Public Security regarding new citizenship laws; correspondence with the president of the Alliance of Non-Zionist Jews in Canada regarding his visit to Iraq; and correspondence to the United Nations, expressing the Iraqi Jewish community’s loyalty to Iraq. There is also a request to the Ministry of Information for Assyrian, Sabean, Yazidi, and Jewish holidays to be included in the annual calendar; a letter from the General Broadcasting and Television Office regarding the film, Man of Peace; a letter regarding the gift of Torah scrolls to the Jewish communities in England and Sweden; a letter to Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr (President of Iraq), complaining of the continuation of discrimination against Jews in spite of the decree to treat Iraqi Jews equally as Iraqi citizens; letters to the Ministry of the Interior regarding the freezing of bank accounts; permission to sell properties; the confiscation of a synagogue in Basrah; maintaining and revocation of Iraqi nationality; and a list of community members eligible to serve on the administrative council. There are also copies of the Iraqi Gazette from 1958, 1961 and 1973.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 2747
Item Number
5531
Date
Approx. January 1, 1951 to December 31, 1960
Languages
Arabic
Keywords
Shareholders, Sabean, Rouben Naji Elias, Travel, Employment, London, Legal Codification Bureau, Newspaper, Hakham Sassoon Khedouri, Annotation, Accounting, Iraqi Embassy, Denmark, Teacher, Synagogue, Basrah, Easter, Revolutionary Command Council, United Nations, English, Envelope, Sukkot, Real Estate, Saddam Hussein, Office of Public Security – Frozen Assets, Ink Stamp, Yazidi, Ezra Manheim Daniel, Baghdadi Jewish Community, Frank Iny School, Lawyer, Chart, Cemetery, File Folder, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Information, Toronto, Yom Kipur, Public Security, Abrogation of Citizenship, Property, Syria, Citizenship Laws, Canada, Financial, Postage Stamp, Legal, Correspondence, Office of the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews of Great Britain, Waqf, Special Endowment Committee, Shamash Secondary School, Iraqi Gazette, Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, President of the Mosaic Community, Sweden, Crown Crest, Rosh ha-Shanah, Eagle Crest, Sun Crest, Marriage, Israel, Ministry of Justice, President of the Jewish Community, Meir Tawieg Synagogue, Torah, Typed, Ministry of Education, Labor, Alliance of Non-Zionist, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Assyrian, Revenue Stamp, Letterhead, Al-Waqā’i‘ Al-‘Irāqiyah, Iraqi Government, Handwritten, Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews, Receipt, Jewish Cemetery, Zionism, Mohammed Saed al-Sahaf, Jewish Holidays, Endowment

AI en Translation, Pages 26-50

Page 26

117
10/4 Elections
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Justice
Legal Drafting Bureau
File Number: A / 1 / 1 / 7
Date: 7 / 10 / 1978
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
Number ⟦1212⟧
Date ⟦12 / 10 / 1978⟧
Presidency of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
With reference to the letter from the Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad
Numbered 622 / 1978 on 29 / 8 / 1978.
Mr. Edwar Salem Siddiq, the alternate member of the Administrative Committee
for Iraqi Jews, is appointed as an original member of the aforementioned committee instead of the deceased member
Mr. Heskel Shalom Al-Yousifi.
⟦illegible⟧
Dr. Munther Ibrahim
Minister of Justice
A copy to /-
Ministry of Interior - Associations - for information with appreciation
Presidency of the Mosaic Community Baghdad - your letter referred to above
Muwaffaq 9/30

Page 27

117
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Justice
Legal Drafting Bureau
File Number: A / 1 / 1 / 7
Date: / 10 / 1978
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
Number 1212
Date 12 / 10 / 1978
Presidency of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
With reference to the letter from the Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad
Numbered 622 / 1978 on 29 / 8 / 1978.
Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq, the alternate member of the Administrative Committee
for Iraqi Jews, is appointed as a primary member of the aforementioned committee in place of the deceased member
Mr. Heskel Shalom Al-Safi.
⟦signature⟧
Dr. Munther Ibrahim
Minister of Justice
Copy to /
Ministry of Interior - Associations - for information with appreciation
Presidency of the Mosaic Community - Baghdad - your letter referred to above
Muwaffaq 30 / 9

Page 28

Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number L/: 644 / 71
Date: 25 / 2 / 1971
Subject / Information
116
Respected Ministry of Interior
Associations
After greetings
Please kindly provide us with the address of the President of the Arts and Culture Association. As the association is renting
the building numbered 12 42 / 1 / 6 located in the Al-Orfali neighborhood, Bataween. A long period has passed
exceeding two years without renewing the lease agreement. The closure of the building has caused damage to it
and to the neighboring properties, especially (Masouda Shemtob Synagogue).
Therefore, we request you to provide us with the clear address of the President of the Association or whoever replaced him so that we can
contact him or take the necessary measures according to the observed laws.
With many thanks in advance.
Roubin Naji Elias
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
⟦illegible⟧

Page 29

Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number L /: 644 / 71
Date: 25 / 2 / 1971
Subject / Information
Respected Ministry of Interior
Associations
After greetings
Please be so kind as to provide us with the address of the President of the Arts and Culture Association. As the association is renting
the building numbered 12 A / 1 / 6 located in the Orfali neighborhood, Bataween. A long period has passed
exceeding two years without renewing the lease contract. The closure of the building has caused damage to it
and to the neighboring properties, especially (Mas'uda Shemtob Synagogue).
Therefore, we request you to provide us with the clear address of the President of the Association or whoever replaced him so that we can
follow up or take what is necessary according to the observed laws.
With many thanks in advance.
⟦illegible signature⟧
Rouben Naji Elias
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews

Page 30

The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number L / 644 / 71
Date 25 / 2 / 1971
Subject /: Information
Respectable Ministry of Interior
Associations
After greetings
Please be so kind as to provide us with the address of the head of the Arts and Culture Association. As the association is renting
the building numbered 12 ⟦a⟧ / 1 / 6 located in the Al-Orfali neighborhood, Bataween. A long period has passed
exceeding two years without renewing the lease contract. The closure of the building has caused damage to it
and to the neighboring properties, especially (Masouda Shemtob Synagogue).
Therefore, we request you to provide us with the clear address of the head of the association or whoever replaced him so that we can
follow up or take the necessary measures according to the observed laws.
With many thanks in advance.
⟦illegible scribble⟧
Roubin Naji Elias
Head of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews

Page 31

Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number L/: 644 / 79
Date: 25 / 2 / 1979
Subject/: Information
Respectable Ministry of Interior
Associations
After greetings
Please kindly provide us with the address of the President of the Arts and Culture Association. As the association is renting
the building numbered 12 A 4 / 1 / 6 located in the Al-Orfali neighborhood, Bataween. A long period has passed
exceeding two years without renewing the lease agreement. The closure of the building has caused damage to it
and to the neighboring properties, especially (Mas'uda Shemtob Synagogue).
Therefore, we request you to provide us with the clear address of the President of the Association or whoever replaced him so that we can
follow up or take what is necessary according to the observed laws.
With our great thanks in advance.
⟦signature⟧
Roubin Naji Elias
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews

Page 32

Lawyer
Mahmoud Abdullah Al-Ali
Baghdad - Al-Nahr Street
Norael Building
Opposite Al-Daftardar Building
Number /:
Date /:
Subject /
Ministry of Interior - Associations
Subject / Information
Please kindly provide us with the address and the head of the
Arts and Culture ⟦of the association⟧ ⟦the association⟧ Women's Cultural
Numbered ⟦7/7/14⟧ and the presidency of ⟦its form⟧ Laura ⟦Qali⟧ Shaul ⟦and it is⟧
This body has arrived to supervise the import and supply of a permit
to rent ⟦the shop⟧ belonging to it and the closure of the building due to
damages to it and the neighboring properties ⟦especially⟧ and the developments
Therefore, we request you to provide us with the clear address of the head of
the association or the owner of its shop so that we can follow up
or take what is necessary according to the observed laws
Thanking you in advance
On behalf of the community
⟦Signature⟧
1970/7/2
⟦illegible⟧
Ministry of Interior - General Administration
⟦illegible⟧
Number ⟦1451⟧
Date ⟦illegible⟧

Page 33

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Justice
Legal Codification Bureau
Secret
File Number :: ⟦7 / 1 / 19⟧
Date :: ⟦19 / 11 / 1978⟧
115
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
Number 1251
Date 22 / 11 / 1978
Ministry of Interior - General Administration - Intelligence
Political Settlement - Political Division
Subject/ Sale of frozen shares in the Times Printing,
Publishing and Contribution Company
Your letter number Q.S. / 10430 dated 17 / 10 / 1978
We request the attendance of your representative at the Bureau on Sunday morning,
19 / 11 / 1978, to clarify your viewpoint regarding the content of your letter referred
to above, with appreciation.
Fakhri Medhat Hussein
Head of the Legal Codification Bureau
A copy to /
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - We request the attendance of your representative at the same time and for the same
purpose mentioned above, and we attach a copy
of the letter referred to above, with appreciation.
General Secretariat for Frozen Assets - We request the attendance of your representative at the same time and for the same purpose
mentioned above, and we attach a copy of the letter
referred to above, with appreciation.
Dr. Ghazi Abdul Hadi - with all the priorities.
Suhaila / 2 / 11

Page 34

Ministry of Interior
General Administration
Secret and Political Intelligence
Section / Political
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
⟦Emblem⟧
Original
Distribute
⟦A. Jaliyah⟧
Incoming Stamp
8620
17 / 10 / 1978
Number / Q.S /: 1042
Date: / 10 / 1978
To /-
Ministry of Justice / Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
Subject: - Sale of frozen shares in the Times Company
for Printing and Publishing Joint Stock Company
⟦line⟧
The General Secretariat for Frozen Assets indicated in its letter 22646 on 26 / 9 / 1978
that it holds, on behalf of persons whose Iraqi citizenship has been revoked, shares in the company
above, and in recent years the company began to realize continuous losses such that they exceeded
its capital. Upon studying the subject, it was noted that in the event of a trend
towards liquidating the company, its assets will not be sufficient to pay the debts it owes
in addition to the expenses and fees spent on liquidation works, and due to the desire
of some shareholders to purchase the frozen shares to preserve their rights.
Please review and inform us of your opinion on the subject.. with appreciation..
⟦Signature⟧
Minister of Interior
17
Ministry of Justice
Bureau of Legal Codification
9082
29 / 10 / 1978
Disbursement / 7 / 1 / 121
Received on 26 / 10 / 978

Page 35

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Justice
Bureau of Legal Codification
File Number :: 7/1/19 A
Date :: 20 / 11 / 1978
⟦illegible⟧
Ministry of Interior - General Administration - Intelligence
Secret and Political - Political Division
Your letter 11589 on 14/11/1978 and following up on our letter
7/1/19 A on 4/11/1978.
The Legal Secretary of the General Secretariat for Frozen Assets, Mr.
Ahmed Shaker Khalil, attended and explained the Secretariat's viewpoint on the subject and emphasized the lack
of connection of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews to the subject clarified
in your letter 1043 on 17/10/1978 regarding the sale of frozen shares
in the Times Printing and Publishing Joint Stock Company, requesting
to inform us of your opinion on considering the matter closed, with appreciation.
Fakhri Medhat Hussein
Head of the Bureau of Legal Codification
Archive
⟦signature⟧
A copy to /
General Secretariat for Frozen Assets - Your letter 25818 on 14/11/1978
with appreciation.
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - with reference to our letter A 7/1/19
on 4/11/1978, for your information
with appreciation.
Dr. Ghazi Abdul Hadi Mohammed - Legal Codifier - with all
preliminaries, please.
⟦Suhaila / 11/20⟧

Page 37

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83539
Number T / 631 / 78
Date 12 / 10 / 1978
114
Subject / Member of the Administrative Committee
Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq, Respected
After greetings
Attached is the Ministerial Order No. 2/1/116 dated 7 / 10 / 1978 appointing you as an original member of the Administrative
Committee for Iraqi Jews.
With highest appreciation.
Naji Chitayat
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
A copy to:
Ministry of Justice - Presidency of the Legal Codification Bureau - for your kind information.
Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 39

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T /: 627 / 78
Date: 27 / 1 / 1978
Subject /:
112
Ministers
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
With reference to your letter numbered A / 1 / 7/119 dated 21 / 10 / 1976, and pursuant to our letter numbered
T / 175 / 76 dated 14 / 11 / 1976, the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews has continued to perform the tasks
assigned to it. We request your order to confirm its continuation or to hold new elections.
Please be informed that the chairman and members of the committee are still willing to continue the committee's work.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachik
Presidency of the Mosaic Community
A copy to:
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 42

Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T/: 622 / 78
Date: 26 / 8 / 1978
⟦112⟧
Subject /: ⟦line⟧
Mr. President of the Legal Codification Bureau, Respected
After greetings
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978
And since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership according to our letter numbered T / 610 / 78 and dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
We request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi
Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
⟦signature⟧
Naji Chechak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Jewish Community
A copy to: -
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 43

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T/: 632 / 78
Date: 26 / 8 / 1978
Subject /:
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978.
Since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the reserve
membership according to our letter numbered T / 610 / 78 and dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
We request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi
Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
⟦illegible signature stamp⟧
A copy to: -
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 44

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
83531
Number T/: 622 / 78
Date: 29 / 8 / 1978
Subject /:
112
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978.
Since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership according to our letter No. T / 610 / 78 dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
Therefore, we request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
A copy to:
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 45

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T /: 622 / 78
Date: 21 / 8 / 1978
Subject /: ⟦line⟧
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978
And since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership according to our letter number T / 610 / 78 dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edwar
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
Therefore, we request your order to appoint Mr. Edwar Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi
Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
A copy to: -
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 46

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T/: 622 / 78
Date: 1978/8/21
Subject /:
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 1978/7/20.
And since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership as per our letter No. T / 610 / 78 dated 1978/8/17, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
Therefore, we request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
Acting Presidency of the Mosaic Community
A copy to:
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 47

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T/: 622 / 78
Date: 29 / 8 / 1978
Subject /
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978.
Since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership as per our letter No. T / 610 / 78 dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
We request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi
Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
Copy to: -
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 48

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
In Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Subject / ⟦line⟧
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
The member of the Administrative Committee, Mr. Heskel Shalom Safi, passed away on 20 / 7 / 1978.
Since the first reserve member, Mr. Naji Nassim Cohen, has submitted his resignation from the
reserve membership as per our letter No. T / 610 / 78 dated 17 / 8 / 1978, Mr. Edward
Salem Siddiq has become the first reserve member.
We request your order to appoint Mr. Edward Salem Siddiq as an original member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi
Jews.
Please accept our highest respect.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
⟦Presidency of the Mosaic Community⟧
⟦In Baghdad⟧
A copy to: -
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.

Page 49

Presidency of the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number T/: 610 / 78
Date: 17 / 8 / 1978
119
Subject /: ⟦line⟧
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
Based on the Ministry of Justice order No. 9 / 1 / 7 dated 12 / 6 / 1974 and the study of the Ministry's
delegate attached to the order referred to above.
Enclosed is the petition of the applicant, an alternate member of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews, regarding his resignation
from the alternate membership of the mentioned committee. Please kindly review and issue instructions.
With much gratitude and respect to your Excellency.
Naji Chachak
On behalf of the Presidency of the Mosaic Community
⟦illegible signature⟧
A copy to:-
The Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews - for your kind information.
Attachments: Petition.

Page 50

Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
in Baghdad
Telephone 83531
Number L /: 956 / 78
Date: 1 / 8 / 1978
110 -
Subject / Position of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
The Honorable President of the Legal Codification Bureau
Greetings,
With reference to your letter No. L 57/86 dated 29/7/1978, we have not received your letter No. L 57/76 dated 15/7/1978. We have assigned the Secretary of the Mosaic Community, Mr. Naji Chachik, to consult on the matter.
Please accept our highest respect.
President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews
⟦President of the Administrative Committee for Iraqi Jews⟧
A copy to: -
Ministry of Interior - For your kind information.
General Secretariat for Frozen Assets - For your kind information.