AI en Translation, Pages 126-150
Page 126
October 31, 946
His Excellency Mr. Daoud Al-Qasir, the respected
Dean of the College of Engineering in Baghdad
My dear Daoud Bey
Further to my previous letter dated August 27, 946 regarding providing possible
assistance for the admission of the student Eliyahu Munshi Cohen, one of the graduates of the preparatory studies
for this year in your college
I hope to repeat in this letter my request for his assistance, and to your Excellency much
thanks and respect.
Sincerely
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
10/31
To be kept with the personal file
Page 127
11/1946/
His Eminence Rabbi Yaqub Musfi, the respected
After many greetings
I enclose herewith the letter of Mr. Zion Ibrahim Karchi addressed to
the secretary of the community administration, Mr. Selim Khabbaza, regarding the admission of a student
to the school, hoping that you will grant the request, and with thanks to you.
Student
Two students
Sincerely
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
⟦Number ...⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 129
Stewart Brown
Head of Public Relations at the British Embassy
Baghdad
Extends his kind greetings
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ in the year 1957
The British Embassy
Baghdad
⟦...⟧
Page 130
Stewart Brown
Head of Public Relations at the British Embassy
Baghdad
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
James S. Moose jr.
Chargé d'Affaires ad interim
of the United States of America
James S. Moose, Chargé d'Affaires
of the United States of America ⟦...⟧
Mr. Edwin Drower
Advisor to the Ministry of Justice
Thanks you for your congratulations and wishes you prosperity and
happiness in the year 1946
Yu Houo Joci
Chargé d'Affaires
Yu Houo Joci
Chargé d'Affaires a. i.
Chinese Legation, Baghdad
Grigori Zaitsev
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics
Thanks you for your kind congratulations
Colonel Robert W. Mace, Head of the
Public Relations Department, thanks you sincerely for your kind congratulations on
Christmas and the New Year and wishes you his best wishes.
Baghdad, December 31, 1945
Mr. John Claroy Seeley thanks
His Eminence Mr. Sassoon Khedouri
Head of the Jewish Community for
his congratulations on the occasion of the birthday
of our Lord Christ, peace be upon him
wishing him happiness and prosperity
Mr. Hugh Stonehewer-Bird thanks you very much for the
kind congratulations you sent to him on the occasion of the happy holiday and in turn
wishes you all happiness and prosperity in the New Year.
British Embassy
Baghdad
Page 131
Grigory Zaitsev
Plenipotentiary Representative
of the Ambassador of the Socialist Soviet Union
Russian
Page 132
Name: Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri (Heskel Ezra)
Current Position: President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad - Iraq
Birth: 1886
Place of Birth: Baghdad - Iraq
Education: The Jewish Religious School in Baghdad
Married: Yes - married Miss Lulu Shaul Tweg in 1905
His children
Shaul Naji
Dr. Mushir Hayyim
Salman Saleh
Victoria
Marcelle
Start of his work ⟦line⟧ Member of the Jewish Religious Court 1919
Then President of the Jewish Religious Court 1927
Then Hakham Bashi 1928
Then President of the Jewish Community 1933
And he is still in his position
Kept in correspondence
⟦illegible⟧
Page 133
Ministry of Social Affairs
Baghdad on
The Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
After offering my due respect to your Eminence
Your friend, I request your Eminence to mediate with the administration of
Ezra Menahem or the Alliance schools to accept the daughters of Yusuf Musa (Clementine and Rachel)
free of charge, and I would be grateful if you could find a way to do so. I take this opportunity
to offer my sincere respect to your Eminence
Sincerely
⟦illegible⟧
Dr. Yusuf Al-Jawahiri
Baghdad on 22 / 11 / 947
Page 134
His Eminence Al-Hujjah Agha Hussein Al-Isfahani
Najaf Al-Ashraf
A delegation headed by His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, President of the Jewish Community, left Baghdad
at six o'clock this morning heading to Najaf Al-Ashraf to offer the community's condolences
on the occasion of the passing of the late Ayatollah Sheikh Abi Al-Hassan Al-Musawi.
⟦For the occasion⟧
First Secretary
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Fuad Sion Shamash
First Secretary of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Page 136
Copy for the Department
9112
11/17/946
The Honorable President of the Israelite Community
Mr. Salman Ibrahim Haroun, Respectfully, Khanaqin
After greetings and respect,
I present to you the two zealous gentlemen, Shaul Nathan and Yusuf Hesqel Mukhtar, who have headed
to your side, accompanied by the above-mentioned, to perform a sacred duty, which is an attempt to resolve a marital problem that occurred between
Mr. Haroun Shaul in your area and its religious implementation.
I hope you will kindly provide all possible assistance to help the two brothers in performing their
sacred mission; may God increase the number of righteous people like them.
Please accept my respect, with my wishes for your success and prosperity.
Sincerely,
Sassoon
President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
11/17
Page 137
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE NO. 531
The Lay Council of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 531
Number: 2626
Date: 19 / 11 / 946
His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, Respected
Subject Summary: After greetings and respect
I have the honor to inform you of Resolution No. 3 taken at the meeting of the Lay Council on November 18,
1946, for your kind information.
(( 3 - The Council deliberated on the matter of the community's car, which has become unfit for use, and decided the following:-
First - To sell the car, provided that the Council's approval is obtained for the sale price.
Second - To grant His Excellency the President of the Community a fixed transportation allowance of thirty-five Dinars per month,
starting from 20 / 11 / 946.
Third - The arrangements shall be reconsidered upon the purchase of a new car for the community.
Please accept our respect
⟦illegible⟧
The President
Copy to
The Accountant to act accordingly.
To be kept in the file
Special
⟦illegible⟧
Page 138
Department Copy
21/116/946
To the Honorable Director of the German School
After greetings and respect,
I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide possible assistance regarding
the exemption of Louise Isaac ⟦Hayyim⟧, a student at the Laura Kadoorie Kindergarten and daughter of Mr. Isaac Munir, an employee
at the Israelite Religious Court.
With thanks in advance, please accept my respect.
Sincerely,
Sassoon
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
11/21
In the personal file
Page 139
⟦Department Copy⟧
21 / 11 / 946
The Honorable Mr. Habib Ajam, Respectfully
Baqubah
After greetings and respect,
The great hospitality with which you received their Eminences
the Rabbis has met with our gratitude and appreciation, so please accept our sincere
wishes for your prosperity and the happiness of the noble Israelite community in Baqubah.
My thanks to you and to all our honorable sons in Baqubah, with respect.
Sincerely,
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
⟦signature⟧
11/21
Page 140
Department Copy
3 / 12 / 946
His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Ali Asaad
Director of Railway Police.
After greetings and respect
I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide possible assistance to the bearer of this letter
Ibrahim Ishaq, the employee in your respected department.
With my thanks in advance, please accept my respect
⟦illegible⟧
3 / 12
Sassoon
Head of the Community
Secret File
Page 141
The Delegation of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
to Najaf al-Ashraf
On Wednesday, 11/13/1946, a delegation headed by His Eminence Rabbi
Sassoon Khedouri, President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, traveled to Najaf al-Ashraf, consisting of His Eminence Rabbi Raphael Isaac Hayyim,
President of the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hogi Aboudi, President of the Israelite
Religious Court in Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi David Musfi, member of the Israelite Spiritual Council in
Baghdad, Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, President of the Israelite Lay Council in Baghdad, and Mr. Selim
Khabbaza, Secretary of the Administration of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, to offer the condolences of the Israelite community to
Their Eminences the scholars of Najaf and the family of the dear deceased, Ayatollah Sheikh Abi al-Hasan al-Musawi,
may God bless his soul. The delegation attended the funeral councils there, where His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon
Khedouri recited a religious prayer for the soul of the deceased.
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Number 9107
Date 11/14/1946
To the Editor of the esteemed newspaper
After greetings,
We kindly request the publication of the above news in the local section of the first issue of your newspaper.
With thanks.
Secretary
Page 142
The Delegation of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
to Najaf al-Ashraf
⟦line⟧
On Wednesday, 11/13/1946, a delegation traveled to Najaf al-Ashraf headed by His Excellency Rabbi
Sassoon Khedhouri, President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, composed of His Eminence Rabbi Raphael Isaac Hayyim,
President of the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hoqi Abboudi, President of the
Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi Daoud Musfi, member of the Israelite Spiritual Council
in Baghdad, Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, President of the Israelite Lay Council in Baghdad, and Mr. Salim
Amara, Secretary of the Administration of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, to offer the condolences of the Israelite community to
Their Eminences the scholars of Najaf and the family of the dear departed, Ayatollah Sheikh Abi al-Hassan al-Musawi,
may God rest his soul. The delegation attended the funeral councils there, where His Excellency Rabbi Sassoon
Khedhouri recited a religious prayer for the soul of the deceased.
⟦line⟧
Presidency of the Israelite Community:
In Baghdad:
Number: 2107
Date: 11/14/1946
To the owner of the distinguished newspaper
In protected Baghdad
We kindly ask you to publish the above news in the local section of the first issue of your newspaper
And we thank you ⟦line⟧
⟦signature⟧
The Secretary
Page 143
O distinguished gentlemen,
In the name of this humble delegation representing the Council of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad, I extend to you my sincere thanks for your celebration of us and your reception
of us with such brotherly emotions emanating from your reassured souls,
issuing from your noble hearts.
This delegation, which is honored today to visit this noble and sacred land,
has come to carry to the sons of Najaf al-Ashraf in particular, and our Muslim brothers in general, feelings of
deep sadness and comprehensive sorrow shared by your cousins and loyal
fellow citizens, the members of the Israelite community, for the painful calamity and the heavy loss that
befell the noble Islamic nation with the death of its greatest Imam, its greatest Mujtahid,
and its unique scholar, the Sign of God, and the Proof of Islam, the late figure of religion and the world, Imam
Abu al-Hassan al-Musawi, may God sanctify his secret, whom the Almighty chose
to be by His highest side, leaving in hearts a painful memory and a grueling anguish. Thus,
the Muslims wept for him as a righteous Imam and a venerable scholar, just as all Iraqis wept for him as a reforming
leader and a pious, God-fearing guide who sought goodness and reform for everyone in the ⟦category⟧
⟦sky⟧ of this dear country and blessed homeland.
Your affliction by the death of the Imam, O exemplary gentlemen, is but our affliction, and your loss
by his passing is our loss. For we have long heard mention of the venerable Imam Abu al-Hassan, may God bless
his soul, and his glorious virtues and abundant knowledge have long reached our ears,
The deceased in ⟦illegible⟧
Page 144
Shamash Secondary School
BAGHDAD
Tel. No. 6028
Shamash Secondary School
Baghdad
Telephone 6028
Najaf al-Ashraf:
Al-Rabita Association
Professor Al-Yaqoubi
Tomorrow, Wednesday morning, the head of the Jewish community will head
with their senior clergy to offer condolences and visit their
Eminences the scholars, please honor them with your attention
Ali al-Sadr
and his asceticism and piety, his vast merit, his kindness to men of science, and his benevolence to those in need
and want. In a more specific way, we knew your nobility, the valuable guidance and eternal sermons
that emanated from his tranquil soul and his noble heart overflowing with love for all humanity. For
he, may God sanctify his secret, used to urge the sons of Iraq in general toward harmony, mutual love, sincere brotherhood,
honest neighborliness, and the fulfillment of obligations. ⟦And such⟧ golden advice that was disseminated by
the great Imam, may God bless his soul, was derived from the inspiration of the true Islamic religion
and the tolerant Sharia of Islam, which spread the banner of justice and raised the true word of God in
the east and west of the earth.
It is no wonder then, O Sadiq of the Imam, if our loss in the passing of your great Imam
is a great one that is not easy to compensate. And it is no surprise if we share with you the grief and pain
on behalf of our brothers, the Jews of Iraq. For we are in most need of reformers like him to declare the principles
of the upright religion, to raise the word of God, and to breathe the spirit of harmony and solidarity among the various elements
of the noble Iraqi nation, so that we may all march in one rank, supporting one another like a solid
structure toward the prosperous future that awaits this dear homeland, by the will of God Almighty
and the blessing of ⟦his greatness⟧ the righteous.
So, condolences to the sons of the noble nation on the passing of Imam Abu al-Hasan, may God sanctify his secret. And condolences
to the land of Najaf al-Ashraf, whose soil embraced that pure body just as it embraced before him
the grandson of the Messenger and the family of the Chosen One, peace be upon them all.
In conclusion, please accept these sincere sentiments emanating from our faithful hearts,
and may God Almighty take care of you and us with His watchful eye. He is the All-Hearing, the Responder.
Page 145
Ayatollah Al-Allamah Muhammad Husayn Kashif al-Ghita
Najaf al-Ashraf
I offer to your Eminence signs of gratitude for your noble sentiments toward our delegation, and I am certain
that the seed will produce a good plant. I hope to convey my profound thanks to our brothers, the sons of Najaf
al-Ashraf and their Eminences the scholars, for their celebration of us. Please accept my kind regards.
Rabbi Sassoon Khiduri
Head of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
11/14
Rabbi Sassoon Khiduri
Head of the Israelite Community
⟦illegible⟧
Page 146
His Excellency Al-Hajj Abdul Razzaq Shamsa, the respected
Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf
Your meeting with our delegation along with your brothers, the sons of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, and your kind hospitality towards us have left a deep impact
on ourselves. Please accept my sincere thanks along with my heartfelt greetings to your noble person, wishing you success and prosperity.
Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
Head of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
⟦signature⟧
11/14
Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Page 147
Mr. Khedouri Rezen
⟦Hilla⟧
I offer to your presence and the presence of your local brothers many thanks for your celebration of our delegation
and your visit to us during our passage through your city, wishing you success
⟦illegible⟧
12
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Page 148
His Excellency the Police Director, Mr. Muhammad Nur Haddad
Karbala
I thank you for taking the trouble to accompany our delegation during its movement in Najaf al-Ashraf. May God increase the likes of you
and the loyal ones
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Head of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
11/14
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Page 149
His Eminence Hajj Agha Hussein al-Isfahani
Najaf al-Ashraf
I offer your Eminence my deepest thanks for the hospitality our delegation received from the eminent scholars
and our brothers, the people of Najaf al-Ashraf, when we visited your holy city to offer condolences for our shared loss.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Head of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
⟦signature⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 150
His Eminence Sayyid Mirza al-Qazwini, the respected
Hilla
I extend to your Eminence my deepest thanks for the hospitality and care you have shown us, and your generosity
and the trouble you took to travel when you accompanied our delegation to Najaf al-Ashraf has left a deep impression on us that we cannot
forget. May God increase people like you and bless your long life.
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Head of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
4/11
Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad