Page 151
His Excellency Mr. Abdullah Al-Hajj Amin, Mayor Mahmoudiyah I thank you for receiving our delegation, wishing you success Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri President of the Jewish Community Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
IJA 3077
President of the Baghdadi Jewish Community, Personal and Communal Documents
View interactive document pageDescription
These documents contain correspondence, mostly on a personal level, of the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad. Included are requests for a telephone to be installed in a school, teacher labor issues, student transfers, receipts and invoices, thank you notes and condolences to members of the Jewish Diaspora in Europe, America, and the Middle East. The documents include an excerpt from the 1945 edition of the Biographical Encyclopedia of the World, featuring the president of the Jewish community of Baghdad, Sassoon Khedouri; a license to import one Chevrolet car from the U.S.; a wedding invitation; and several business cards of foreign dignitaries.
AI en Translation, Pages 151-175
Page 152
Teacher Moshi Hoki Abboudi Al-Hillah I thank you for your interest in our flowers, wishing you success ⟦signature⟧ 12/17 Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community Baghdad
Page 153
Mr. Reuven Yehuda Al-Karkh I thank you for your hospitality to our delegation, wishing you success ⟦illegible⟧ 11/12 Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri President of the Jewish Community Baghdad
Page 154
Mr. Muhyi al-Din al-Haj Dhib Respected I thank you for your interest in our delegation, wishing you success Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community Baghdad ⟦signature⟧ 11/10
Page 155
His Excellency Al-Hajj Muhsin Shallash Najaf Al-Ashraf With great thanks I extend to Your Excellency for your generosity and hospitality to our delegation and your noble sentiments, wishing Your Excellency success and prosperity. Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community Baghdad Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧ 12 / 12
Page 156
271 Telegram 9 Incoming Internal Telegram Number ⟦line⟧ Type of Telegram ⟦line⟧ Registration Time ⟦illegible⟧ 16. 10. 51 ⟦illegible⟧ Arrived at Hour ⟦line⟧ Minute ⟦line⟧ From ⟦line⟧ Received by ⟦line⟧ Word Count 27 | Administrative Instructions | Date 16 | Issuing Office ⟦illegible⟧ To the Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri President of The Israeli Community Baghdad We share with you the feelings and deep sorrow for the deceased ⟦...⟧ Habib Ephraim, confident ⟦...⟧ Hussein Fouad al-Kubaisi
Page 157
Barq 9 Incoming Internal Telegram The Telegram 17 NOV 46 TELS. BAGHDAD Number: Type of Telegram: Time of Registration: 10/10 Arrived at Hour: 10 Minute: 25 From: Hillah 12 Received by: ⟦signature⟧ Word Count: 49 Administration Instructions: Date: 17 Issuing Office: Hillah Office Stamp: To Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri, Head of the Jewish Community Your kind telegram had a deep impact on me, and indeed on the souls of the entire Jafari community Your lines are as lines of light on the pages of hearts, and our greeting on the occasion of the Arbaeen is but a fulfillment of part of the duty placed upon us; we thank you, wishing you long life and happiness Mabrouk Al-Qazwini
Page 158
222 Number: 9 Incoming Internal Telegram: Number: 4 Telegram Type: Registration Time: 14:10 BAGHDAD 19 NOV 46 TEL.S. Arrived at hour: 12:15 Minute: From: ⟦Mahmoud⟧ Received by: Word count: 27 Administrative Instructions: Date: 18 Issuing Office: ⟦Kahouriya⟧ To Baghdad, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community I received your telegram, I thank you for what you have done And also my greetings to all members of the delegation, wishing everyone success Abdullah Al-Haj Amin Mayor
Page 159
Incoming Internal Telegram Number 2 BAGHDAD 17 NOV 46 Number: 2 Telegram Type: Time of registration: ⟦illegible⟧ Arrived at hour: ⟦illegible⟧ Minute: 12 From: ⟦Najaf⟧ Received by: ⟦illegible⟧ Word count: 29 For administration instructions: Date: 17 / 11 / 46 Issuing office: ⟦Najaf⟧ In: Baghdad His Excellency the Head of the Israelite Community Sassoon, the Respected We are pleased to offer praise and our noble sentiments for your arrival Thanking the Almighty God for your success Kashif al-Ghita
Page 160
50 / 1 / 96 The holder of this license ⟦...⟧ Identity of the shop owner or their trade ⟦...⟧ Sassoon Khedhouri Shop number / 2921 / 7 Foreigners' serial number ⟦...⟧ Registration number and its code ⟦...⟧ 1889 The holder of this license is required ⟦...⟧ To place it inside a frame and hang it in the middle of ⟦...⟧ Transport ⟦...⟧ the shop which ⟦...⟧ Signature of the Registration Officer ⟦illegible⟧
Page 161
Evidences In the handwriting of With benevolence The fee was paid ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ / ⟦illegible⟧ IRAQ POSTAGE & REVENUE 5 FILS 5 Fils Iraq ⟦illegible stamp⟧ 9 10 A 54
Page 162
21 / 11 / 946 The Honorable Mr. Yaqub Nasim, respected After greetings, I would be most grateful if you would kindly accept the student Eliyahu Ibrahim into your school, wishing you health and gratitude. Sincerely, ⟦signature⟧ On behalf of the Head of the Community ⟦and the Sunni Administration⟧
Page 163
Department Copy 21 / 11 / 946 The Honorable Mr. Habib ⟦...⟧ President of the Israeli Spiritual Council Mosul After greetings and respect The great hospitality with which you received their Eminences the Rabbis has increased our gratitude and appreciation, so please accept our sincere wishes for your person and for the gentlemen of the honorable Israeli community in Mosul My thanks to you and to all our honorable sons in Mosul with respect Sincerely On behalf of Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ 11/21
Page 165
Baghdad September 30, 1946 His Eminence the President of the Israelite Community, Respected His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, Respected After greetings and respect I have decided to start a new job to make a living in this life, which compels me not to continue performing my duties in the leadership of the Community and the Council. As I submit this resignation, I feel sorrow at leaving the department where I remained diligent for eleven years, working for it with all dedication and sincerity. I find myself overwhelmed by the feeling that eases for me the bitterness of this parting, equipped with the memory of that comprehensive kindness that I always enjoyed from Your Eminence, Your Excellency, and all the members of the Council. In truth, I find myself unable to express the feelings of thanks and gratitude I have for His Eminence the Rabbi, who was to me throughout all these years like a kind and generous father, constantly affectionate toward me, encouraging and guiding me. If I am left with anything, I will remain proud of that precious trust which he bestowed upon me. So I repeat my thanks and gratitude to you all, hoping that you accept this resignation effective October 30, 1946 Sincerely ⟦signature⟧ Eliyahu Menashi
Page 167
Department Copy 9120 11/25/1946 Honorable Mr. Eliyahu Munshi, the respected My son, I have read, with sorrow filling my soul, your letter of resignation from your position in the community administration, for you were the model of an active, loyal employee, keen on performing his duties throughout the duration of your work in the community administration, which amounted to about twelve years. It is very difficult for me to part with you and lose your services, and I am certain that your high morals will guarantee you every success and prosperity in your new job. ⟦illegible⟧ Sincerely, Sassoon Head of the Community To be recorded ⟦in his file⟧ Miscellaneous ⟦illegible⟧
Page 168
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL BAGHDAD TELEPHONE NO. 531 The Lay Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone No. 531 ⟦illegible⟧ Number: 4229 Date: 19 / 11 / 946 Subject Summary: Respected Mr. Eliyahu Khedhouri The Council has considered your letter of resignation from your position in the community leadership dated September 30, 946, in its session held on November 11, 946, and has decided, in view of your determination to engage in new endeavors, to accept your resignation effective from the end of November 946. While the Council regrets depriving the community administration of your services, we wish you every success and prosperity in your new work. Copy to His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community - for kind information The Accountant to act accordingly Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ President To be filed Files 21 / 11
Page 169
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL BAGHDAD TELEPHONE NO. 531 The Lay Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone No. 531 Number: 2625 Date: 19 / 11 / 946 Subject Summary: Respected Mr. Shaya Zion Shwat Greetings, The Lay Council decided in its session held on November 11, 1946, to appoint you as a clerk for the administration of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, provided that you perform clerical and accounting duties for the community administration, effective from the first of October 1946, at a monthly salary of fifteen dinars, excluding cost of living allowances at the standard rate, provided that you remain under probation for a period of six months. Copy to His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad for kind information. The Accountant to act accordingly. ⟦illegible signature⟧ The President For filing 11/21
Page 170
9177 25 / 12 / 946 The Honorable Mr. Suad Salim, respected College of Law - Evening Department After greetings, We have received with thanks a copy of (( My Second Collection )) authored by you, and we were pleased by your artistic and literary effort, wishing you success and prosperity. Furthermore, we request that you send someone you trust to receive the sum of one Dinar as a simple encouragement for your efforts. With respect, ⟦illegible⟧ Head of the Community
Page 171
Dear Honorable Sir, I have the honor of presenting - my second collection - hoping for its acceptance and the transfer of the assistance it deserves for my artistic and literary effort as a matter of encouragement titled [ Faculty of Law - Evening - Suad Jaber Salim ] In conclusion, please accept my profuse thanks in advance, and may you remain Respectfully
Page 172
The Delegation of the Israelite Community in Baghdad to Najaf al-Ashraf On Wednesday, 13/11/946, a delegation headed by His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, consisting of His Eminence Rabbi Raphael Isaac Hayyim, President of the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad, and His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hoki Aboudi, President of the Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad, and His Eminence Rabbi Daoud Sofi, member of the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad, and Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, President of the Israelite Lay Council in Baghdad, and Mr. Salim Khabbaza, Secretary of the Administration of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, traveled to Najaf al-Ashraf 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: Baghdad Number: 9107 Date: 14/11/946 1 Al-Sa'a 2 Al-Bilad 3 Al-Sijill 4 Al-Alam al-Arabi 5 Al-Yawm 6 Al-Akhbar 7 Al-Zaman 8 Al-Sha'ab 9 Al-Hawadith 10 Al-Iraq 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 Al-Akhbar ⟦...⟧
Page 173
Karbala Date 21 / 11 / 1946 His Eminence the Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad The Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri After offering my abundant respects. I thank you and I thank the entire Jewish community for your telegram expressing your satisfaction with me and your appreciation for my work, so I cannot but offer to your Eminence in particular and the Jewish community in general my sincere thanks and my appropriate respects to your position, and may you all remain in wellness and joy. ⟦signature⟧ Sincerely, Director of Police of Karbala Province Nouri Amin
Page 174
Department Copy 9122 26 / 11 / 946 The Honorable Ministry of Supply Baghdad Greetings, We kindly request that you grant us the necessary permit to purchase tires and tubes for the bicycle belonging to the Presidency of the Community, according to the numbered permit and dated, as the old tires and tubes have become unfit for use. Given our urgent need for them, we hope your honorable ministry will consider this request as a matter of urgency. ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦V/26⟧ On behalf of the Head of the Community Action Taken
Page 175
8152 10 / 12 / 1946 Copy for the Department To the Honorable Principal of the Private Intermediate School for Girls After greetings and respect I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide special assistance regarding the collection of the same reduced school fees that the student Latifa Sayyoun was paying last year. Note that she is registered in the third ⟦Intermediate⟧ grade of your school. With my thanks in advance, please accept my respect Sincerely Sassoon Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ Attachments (Two Dinars) For description Quick News