School Documents and Test Administration Instructions, Student Rosters, Teacher Issues, Baghdadi Jewish Schools
View interactive document pageThese are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish community. The item includes fundraising letters for the establishment of the Jewish Lay Council’s School Relief Committee, invoices for construction materials for repairs and utilities; budget estimates, guides for school administrators, test administration instructions, student rosters, and documents pertaining to teachers and employment issues. Correspondence is in Arabic, English, and French, and comes from Switzerland, Bombay, England, and Shanghai. There is one birth certificate from 1946.
Thursday 8 August 1958 Mr. Vice President, Respectfully With respect - according to the organization's list in the School Aid Committee dated yesterday 7/8/1957, the remainder in the committee in Dirhams for ⟦line⟧ this and the fees, and submitted with respect, Sir 2/12 The Accountant ⟦illegible⟧ School Aid
224 / JS / 929 18 June 929 Regarding the Council's claim against the School Relief Committee ⟦illegible⟧ The Honorable and Distinguished Doctor Joseph Rosenfeld Former Secretary of the School Relief Committee, Respected Sir After greetings - Our council decided in its session held on June 16, 929 to inquire from you, in your capacity as former secretary of the School Relief Committee, about the matter of the Council's claim against the aforementioned committee amounting to five thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven rupees and four annas (5997/4 R) We would be most grateful if you could provide us with any possible information regarding this matter And thank you in advance; ⟦signature⟧ Vice President of the Lay Council School Relief N. M.
Doctor Jos. Rosenfeld Physician - Surgeon BAGHDAD (IRAQ) Baghdad, the ⟦1929⟧ June 25, 1929 Baghdad on June 25, 1929 192 His Excellency the Accountant Baghdad Honorable Vice President of the Lay Council Greetings and respect, With reference to your letter numbered 224 / B / 929 dated June 18, 929 I submit: Before starting the construction of the Foreil School, the School Relief Committee had prepared an estimate of the expected expenses and their disbursement to complete this project. It appeared to it then that the money it had collected, with the addition of nine thousand rupees left by the late Tobiq Effendi, would cover the renovation costs. Accordingly, negotiations took place between the Council, the heirs of the late Tobiq Effendi, the Alliance Society in Paris, and our committee. It was decided that a piece of marble bearing the name of Tobiq Effendi would be placed in one of the building's locations, after the nine thousand rupees were paid to our committee. Since the belief prevailed that the mentioned nine thousand rupees would be paid for this project as soon as possible, and the esteemed Council wished, to facilitate the matter, to advance our committee an amount of two thousand rupees on account of this estate to proceed with the renovation. Then I left the country for Europe for a few months and returned carrying with me about three thousand rupees in donations which ⟦I had⟧ obtained in Paris in the name of our committee from some distinguished individuals. Upon my arrival here, I learned that the esteemed Lay Council had advanced our committee another amount in addition to what was previously mentioned, so that the total of what it provided to our committee reached approximately six thousand. I do not know on what basis the Council paid the advances, except that I found the building finished and that the committee owed a debt amounting to one hundred and some rupees claimed by the carpenter Shalwa - and the Lay Council was at that time in a disorganized state, in addition to the fact that two members of our committee had submitted their resignations. Therefore, we found no choice but to submit our resignation in turn to the Council along with the rest of the members, submitting to it the papers and all the account books belonging to our committee. As for the carpenter's request, it was paid from our own pockets, meaning from Hazouri Effendi, Saleh Effendi Faraj Hayim, and me. ⟦illegible stamp⟧
252 / JS / 29 30 June 1929 4 July Withdrawal of the balance of the School Relief Committee accounts ⟦illegible⟧ To Eastern Bank Upon reviewing the accounts of the School Relief Committee (of the Israelite Lay Council) which was dissolved some time ago, it appeared to us that the aforementioned committee has a remaining balance with you of three rupees and twelve annas 3/12 So we request that it be provided to us School Relief ⟦signature⟧ Vice President of the Lay Council M. A.
And the advances provided by the association were not, as I believe, except on account of the <del>liquidation</del> of the Rubin inheritance, which was hoped to be collected from the estate of the late Tuwayq Effendi, which has not yet been realized, or considering them as a loan assisting the project. And if the esteemed council would kindly review the accounts and visit the school building, it would be able to ⟦comprehend⟧ our committee's project which we are addressing. Please accept the assurances of my highest respect. Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦signature⟧ Administration of the Communal Council - Baghdad: Number: 949/2/110 Date: 6/27/949 File Number: ⟦illegible - faint blue text mirroring reverse side or carbon copy⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
I- F. No. 157. The Eastern Bank, Limited. (INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND,) Baghdad,: 3/1/19.8 To: Jewish Lay Council School Relief Committee Dear Sir, I beg to inform you that your Current Account has this day been balanced, and that the sum of Rs.: Rs. 3/12 say (Rs.: Three and twelve which includes: <del>Credit</del> Debit interest to date, Rs. ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ) has been carried to your: ⟦illegible⟧ in a new account. I shall be obliged if you will certify to the correctness of the same on the annexed form, and return to us immediately. I am, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, ⟦illegible signature⟧ Manager. School Relief
and improvement of the teaching staff etc. Art VIII. The School Relief Committee jointly with the School Inspection Committee in a joint session and under the Presidency of one of their members elected during the session will decide and determine the different amounts that must be allocated to ensure the needs of the schools. The decisions in this meeting of the 2 committees will only be valid if the members present form 2/3 of the members of the 2 committees. In the event that the quorum is not obtained, a second meeting of the 2 committees will take place within eight days at the latest and the decisions will be taken by the majority of the members present regardless of their number. the amount to | allocate to | schools in | a meeting | where the | Inspection | Committee | would attend | and decide | by majority | of votes | IX Duties of the members of the Board. The President convenes the members of the Committee to the sessions, signs the correspondence with the secretary and operates with the Pres. of one of the cashier all for the withdrawal of collected funds The Vice-President secretary, presides over the sessions in case of absence of the president, signs the correspondence with the latter and the receipts with the cashier. He keeps the register of minutes. The cashier collects the funds and deposits them at the Bank signs the receipts with the secretary and keeps the register of subscriptions. from the Bank | that he prepares | X All modifications to these statutes must be decided by a majority of votes in a meeting gathering the members of the Communal Council, those of the Inspection Committee and those of the School Relief Committee. The presence of 2/3 of the members of the said 3 committees is necessary for the decisions to be valid.
Baghdad, ⟦line⟧ 19 ⟦line⟧ To the Manager, The Eastern Bank, Limited. (INCORPORATED IN ENGLAND.) BAGHDAD. Dear Sir, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter We dated ⟦line⟧ informing me that the balance us of my account on ⟦line⟧ showed a sum our due to ⟦line⟧ of Rs. ⟦line⟧ say *(Rupees ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ) which is correct. Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, *The amount to be stated in writing.
Statutes of the Relief Committee for the Israelite Schools of Baghdad. art. I A Committee is formed in Baghdad called: Relief Committee for the Israelite schools - II. This Committee is formed of 5 members designated by the Communal Council. The 5 members choose ⟦among themselves⟧ by secret vote: 1 President 1 vice-President secretary and a treasurer III The duration of the mission of this Committee is one year and at each Rosh Hashanah holiday the Communal Council designates the new members Outgoing members may be designated again. In the course of the year if one or more members are absent for more than 3 months or resign the Communal Council must provide immediately for their replacement. IV. The purpose of the Relief Committee is to work, under the cover of the Communal Council to find funds in favor of the Israelite schools of Baghdad to this effect the said Committee will employ any means it deems appropriate Appeal - subscriptions, theatrical performance, cinema etc and for this the Communal Council must consent to it. V The money collected will be placed in a Bank in the names of the President of the Consistory and that of the President of the Relief Committee for the schools - The treasurer of the Committee must deposit in the Bank as it is stipulated above, the money as it is collected and must not keep in his hands more than 500 Rupees. VI The Committee must not make expenditures, from the money collected for its general expenses before having the consent of the Consistory VII The money collected will be allocated to the Israelite schools of Baghdad to settle any deficit and also in case of need to bring about the improvements deemed necessary, such as construction, repair of school buildings, expansions
Minutes above, so that we may immediately set to work. Please accept our devoted sentiments The President. The Secretary ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Attached Copy of the statutes and a sample of the seal.
⟦Election of the board⟧ For President : Mr ⟦Myers⟧ Myers . 4 votes Chanker 1 - Vice President : Dr ⟦Rosenfeld⟧ 4 votes Mr Menashe Saleh Reuben 1 Secretary : Dr ⟦Rosenfeld⟧ . 4 votes Chanker 1 vote Treasurer Chanker 4 votes Saleh F. ⟦Han⟧ 1 "
Jewish Communal Council School Relief Committee Baghdad, September 30, 1925 Mr. President of the Jewish Consistory In Town Mr. President, We have the honor to inform you that the School Relief Committee held its first meeting today and we ask you to take note of the following Extract from the Minutes: "The 5 members designated by the Communal Council forming "the relief committee were present. A reading was given "of the committee's statutes which after some corrections were "unanimously adopted with mention to send a copy "to the Communal Council for its approval. The election "of the Board gave the following result: "President Mr. Myers Vice-President-Secretary Dr. Rosenfeld "Cashier Mr. H. Chouker. It was decided that after the "favorable response from the Consistory regarding the statutes, "letters of appeal will be launched in town and abroad, "commissions in addition to those appointed by the Consistory "will be appointed to collect subscriptions after "which the receipts will be presented to the subscribers. "It was decided to hire a collection boy who "will be at the disposal of the Office. To ask the "Communal Council for its opinion on the model of the seal "that the Committee will use." Would you please, Mr. President, give us your approval as quickly as possible on the decisions recorded in the
The Community Council in Basra Committee for the Relief of the Poor Science is the foundation of civilization There is no life without science "Whoever opens a school closes a prison" The historian Victor Hugo Honorable Sir, Greetings and respect, Furthermore, we all need to state the benefits of science and enumerate the importance of schools, as this has become one of the matters on which no two people disagree. ⟦illegible⟧ Rather, our purpose with this appeal is to remind the thinkers of our community that education has become today in our schools ⟦illegible⟧ not meeting the needs of the rising generation in our present era. Many have felt this deficiency to the point that a not insignificant number of parents have been forced to send their children abroad to complete their education, with all the exorbitant expenses that entails. While we see advanced nations and rising communities striving with continuous haste for the sake of the progress of their schools and preparing their status, working tirelessly to produce men equipped with true knowledge, we see our schools standing in their place, not taking the <del>steps</del> necessary steps forward for them. Despite the efforts made by our Community Council, the reforms that our active men considered implementing are still within the circle of thought; circumstances have not yet helped to bring them into the realm of action. If we look a little deeper, it becomes clear to us that the only obstacle, the only stumbling block hindering the progress of our schools, is the lack of finances and the necessary mechanism for schools, as essential as food is for the body.
Dear Honorable Sir, Greetings and respect, You are aware in our schools today <del>with sufficient knowledge</del> it is no longer hidden regarding the needs of the community, which are among the necessities of the present circumstances. Everyone has complained for a long time about this deficiency and hardship, as they have been forced to send their children abroad for their education, despite the exorbitant expenses <del>that are not sufficient</del>, so some of them are forced to [realize] that our schools are not advanced to the necessary degree and do not equip students with sufficient knowledge for success in present life. Our Lay Council has paid attention to this matter and exerted what is in its power of money and reform. Efforts have been spent not a few since a few years ago to achieve almost entirely the same purpose, and plans and curricula were laid out to be implemented, but it has not been possible until now to achieve anything due to the intensity of the desired reforms, the weakness of the schools' finances, and the inability of the Lay Council to meet all its needs. Therefore, in view of the importance of the matter and its vital benefits for the community and the individuals of the community, the Lay Council has seen fit to invite everyone to support it, each according to what his hand can reach in terms of material assistance, and it decided to open a general annual subscription <del>general</del> in which all the community participates, provided that an account independent of the Council's general budget be formed from that revenue, and the revenue shall be spent on <del>improving</del> the schools only. It was also decided that whatever the revenue reaches, it shall not be a reason to reduce any of the <del>allocations</del> annual Council allocations for the schools. Accordingly, <del>a committee was formed</del> a committee was formed to undertake this charitable work, which we do not doubt will meet with approval <del>by everyone</del> from you, and we have a firm hope that you will extend a helping hand to assist this vital project with support and generosity, and to you thanks and praise, and may you remain respected. Abundant And by this, the schools will be secured the floating amounts for which there is no hope for their advancement without them. Students According to the appointment by the Lay Council for the committee composed of five members, who are: President: Mr. ⟦Meir⟧ Mariz, Director of the Eastern Trading and Stationery Company Ltd. Vice President and Secretary: Dr. ⟦Ezra⟧ Haddad, member of the Central Body of the Koryani Kra Association ⟦places⟧ in Paris. Treasurer: ⟦Nouri⟧ Effendi ⟦Shuker⟧ Member: Saleh Effendi Faraj Hayyim Member: Menashi Eliyahu Dawla (And this committee will request ⟦subscription⟧ assistance from some zealous persons) That the number of students <del>is increasing</del> increases year by year to a great extent, to the degree that very many <del>very</del> of the community's children ⟦find⟧ cannot enter due to the lack of <del>assistance</del> assistance from the schools' budget.
The new project, and it has been decided to open a general annual subscription in which all members of the community, men and women, participate, provided that the revenue from this forms an independent account from the general council budget, and that the revenue mentioned be spent on schools only. It was also decided that no matter how much the revenue reaches, it shall not be a reason to reduce any of the council's annual allocations for schools. Accordingly, the Physical Council appointed our committee consisting of five members, who are: President: Mr. Marie, Manager of the East African Trading Company Limited Vice President: Dr. Joseph Rosenfeld, member of the Central Body of the Alliance Israélite Universelle in Paris Treasurer: Khedouri Effendi Shukur, Money Changer Member: Saleh Effendi Faraj Hayim, Chief Clerk at the office of Sofair Effendi Abboudi Member: Menashi Effendi Eliyahu Rubin, employee at the Imperial Bank School Relief Committee The Physical Council has requested, in addition to these individuals who form the School Relief Committee, some ladies known for their zeal, along with the honorable Isaac Effendi Tweg and Ezra Effendi Hitayat and others, to assist the committee in collecting donations. There is no doubt that the members of the community appreciate this work as it deserves, especially since it is a vital matter upon which the progress and operation of the schools depend, in addition to establishing a school according to the requirements of the situation. We have firm hope that our brothers will extend their hands with generosity and liberality, each according to his capacity, and thereby perform a deed that will bring great benefit to the schools, for we have no life or progress except through their life and progress. To you, Sir, with highest respect President | Secretary ⟦...⟧ | Dr. J. Rosenfeld
This virtuous In His Name Those who form the School Aid Committee, some <del>gentlemen</del> esteemed money changers with their zeal, such as the virtuous Isaac Antoun and Ezra Effendi Habib ⟦...⟧ and others, in order to assist the committee in collecting donations This, and there is no doubt or uncertainty, that the members of the community appreciate this work as it deserves, because it is a vital matter upon which ⟦...⟧ depends the schools, the restoration and repair of their buildings, and the undertaking of modern constructions according to the requirements of the situation, because we have firm hope that our brothers ⟦will extend⟧ their hands with generosity and liberality, each according to his capacity, and thereby perform a deed <del>that will bring great benefit to ⟦...⟧ and to the schools which are</del> <del>which under their shadow have advanced from the ⟦...⟧ times</del> life for us and for the progress of future generations, and to you much great thanks and respect The President M. Mayer The Secretary ⟦Musa J ...⟧
11 The Israeli Lay Council Baghdad Science is the foundation of civilization There is no life without science "He who opens a school closes a prison" (Lord Macaulay) Honorable Sir, Greetings and respect, Furthermore, we do not need to explain the benefits of science or count the importance of schools, as this has become one of the matters on which no two opinions differ. However, our purpose with this appeal is to remind the thinkers of our community that education in our schools today is no longer sufficient for the needs of the rising generation in our present era. Many have felt this deficiency, to the point that a significant number of parents have been forced to send their children abroad to complete their education, despite the exorbitant expenses involved. While we see advanced nations and rising communities striving tirelessly and continuously for the advancement of their schools and the elevation of their status to be the best laboratory for producing men equipped with true knowledge, we see our schools moving forward only at a snail's pace. Despite the efforts made by our communal council, the reforms that our active men are considering have remained within the circle of thought; circumstances have not yet helped to bring them into the realm of action for us. If we look a little closer, it becomes clear to us that the only stumbling block hindering the progress of our schools is the lack of finances. Finance is as necessary for schools as food is for the body. Moreover, we see that the demand for schools is great at the beginning of every academic year, but how can schools accept new students when they are burdened with the weight of their old students due to their limited finances? Therefore, expanding the schools' finances is very necessary. Accordingly, the Lay Council has decided to raise this appeal to the noble masters of the community, who have often shown zeal and passion for science, to extend a helping hand in this assistance
Copy Baghdad the 9/7 Mr. President We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 6th instant - We are ⟦our committee is⟧ in agreement, on the corrections made to the statutes by the Communal Council to articles 4 and 8 only, and pray you at art. 8 it desires that the number of members of each committee be increased to 3 respectively of the Inspection committee and the relief committee. - As for the letters of appeal, the form and the content in which they will be drafted do not require the signature of the Communal Council since the appeal comes from the relief committee <del>under the auspices</del> <del>in the name of the Consistory</del> and this already shows the devotion of our ⟦Enclosed⟧ we are sending you copy a specimen of the appeal which will be, ⟦upon return⟧ distributed internally and externally. - Please accept Mr. President our devoted sentiments. ⟦initials⟧ To the President of the Communal Council
28th October 5. - 2 - probable that we have overlooked some people who are interested in Baghdad Affairs, and if it would not be troubling your Secretary too much might we ask that letters as per copy be sent to these people known to you. An appeal to the public has never had to be made before. The matter is so urgent that it forces us to take the liberty of asking you to help us to this extent. Thanking you in anticipation. We are, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, PRESIDENT. SECRETARY.
October 28th 5. The President, The Anglo-Jewish Association, L o n d o n. Dear Sir, We are certain that you and all the members of the Council of the Anglo-Jewish Association, London have at heart the welfare of our Jewish Schools and institutions in Baghdad. Your visit to this city early in the year we think was sufficient to illustrate to you the urgent needs of the schools. It is with great pleasure we have to let you know that a Committee has been formed to help the Lay Council in finding funds. Letters of appeal have been sent to our compatriots in all foreign countries and in Mesopotamia. Copy of the letter of appeal is attached for your information. Although we entertain great hopes of being able to collect money of which the schools are in urgent need, we ask you and your Council, through your influence and means at your disposal, to use every endeavour to bring prominently before our Baghdadian coreligionists living in London, Manchester, Liverpool, etc. etc. the critical situation in which the schools are situated. We think that by this means apart from the letters which have been sent to them direct, generous gifts will be forthcoming. We attach here to a list of people to whom letters have been sent. It is quite
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL Schools relief Committee BAGHDAD (Iraq) Jewish Lay Council Schools Relief Committee Baghdad (Iraq) Baghdad,: 192 President. : MR? MICHAEL MYERS; Director of the company East African. Vice President & secretary : DR. ROSENFELD .member of the committee Central of the Alliance Israelite of PARIS Cashier : MR. K. CHOUKER. Banker ( Mr, Saleh Faraj Haim . chief secretary of the ( ) ( banking house Sion Aboudi. Member ) ( Mr, Menachi Elyahoo Rouben : head of portfolios ( at the Imp. Bank of Persia. Letters of appeal are sent to our coreligionists in Baghdad and abroad, and it is our duty to address your generosity ⟦...⟧ for you the Jewish charitable works of Baghdad interest you. The money that will be collected will be exclusively allocated to our 8 schools to pay off their budget deficits, repair the buildings, School-related, improve the teaching staff and even build school premises if the generosity of our coreligionists allows us thanks to their effective help on which we firmly count. By raising up our schools, we raise up our entire community. Please accept dear sir with thanks in advance the expression of our devoted sentiments The President. The Secretary.
⟦JE⟧WISH LAY COUNCIL Schools relief Committee BAGHDAD (Iraq) The Israelite Lay Council Schools Relief Committee Baghdad (Iraq) Baghdad,: 192 Dear Sir, We have the honor to inform you that education in the Israelite schools of our city is at a level which is far from meeting the needs of current life. Our Communal Council for several years has made very great efforts to provide for the needs of the schools by granting them large annual subsidies and significant extraordinary allocations. But the number of students increases from year to year, the improvement of the teaching staff is greatly felt, and the school budgets show a deficit that increases every year. The fathers of the students, seeing that the education in the schools is insufficient, send their sons to schools in Beirut or in Europe. These are those who have funds, while the middle class and the poor find themselves deprived of higher instruction. The situation has become critical: in these current times fathers cannot pay the same tuition rates as in the past, the revenues from the Waqf properties have decreased significantly because of the drop in rent. The Revka Nouriel school is in danger of falling into ruin and the management finds itself obliged to close it, which means that nearly 500 students will have to roam the streets. The Communal Council, whose budget cannot remedy this situation, has judged it necessary to appeal to all our coreligionists of Baghdad to ask for financial aid in the form of an annual subscription; to this effect it has appointed our Committee, called the School Relief Committee, which is composed of 5 members.
School Assistance Committee of the Israelite Community ⟦illegible⟧ started the work by having the appeal letters printed and distributed internally and externally - In a few days we will have the subscribers and will collect the donations. Attached is a list of expenses incurred by our committee according to original receipts amounting to Rs 82/4. which we ask you to settle. Please accept The President The Secretary M. ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible mirrored text from reverse side⟧
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL Schools Relief Committee BAGHDAD (Iraq) Jewish Lay Council Schools Relief Committee Baghdad (Iraq) ⟦JEWISH LAY COUNCIL⟧ ⟦BAGHDAD⟧ Baghdad, Oct. 29, 192 55. Sir, Menachi Elyahoo Rouben. In Town. Dear Sir, Our Committee learned with regret in its meeting yesterday, the misfortune that has just struck you, in the double death of Mr. your father and your brother. We send you our deepest and most cordial condolences and ask you to believe in our best regards. The President. The Secretary.
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL Schools relief Committee BAGHDAD (Iraq) The Jewish Lay Council Schools Relief Committee Baghdad (Iraq) Baghdad, 30/X 192⟦8⟧ To the Honorable President of the Lay Council After greetings, in response to your letter No. 184 dated the 23rd of this month we wish to inform you that our body has unanimously agreed to the amendment that you proposed regarding Article 8 of our bylaws, in view of the validity of your point of view in this regard. Therefore, please return the bylaws to us corrected according to what you mentioned in your letter of the 26th of this month, No. 182, and we are pleased to inform you that we have already begun by printing the bylaws and distributing them internally and externally, and we will open the subscription in the near future and begin collecting donations. Enclosed you will find a list of the expense account spent by our committee until this date, so please kindly settle it. With our best regards, and may you remain well. The Secretary And we are now in the process of printing the bylaws Mr. President of the Jewish Consistory In town In response to your letter of the 23rd current No 184 we have the honor to inform you that our Committee agrees on the rectification of article 8 of our statutes, and this for the reason that you give we ask you to return to us the corrected statutes as you mentioned in your letter of the 26th current No 182 we inform you with pleasure that we have already ⟦illegible⟧