AI English Translation, Pages 501-525
The Spiritual Committee of the Holy Community
Baghdad, may God protect it
The Israeli Spiritual Council
in Baghdad
Presidency of the Israeli Community
Baghdad
Outgoing Number 42
Date 2 / 12 / 1925
Number: 1594
Date: 2 / 12 / 1925
I designate Hakham Sassoon Khedouri for the seeker
Our Rabbi, the pious, the famous, Isaiah Dayan
Kosher and chosen
To our beloved, admired, our honor, foundation of the seat of the Rabbinical Court ⟦in⟧ Baghdad ⟦may God protect it⟧
And after inquiring of your good welfare from Heaven, may He be blessed, and so may it be His will, Amen
Regarding letter (15) from Tammuz past, informing our committee and likewise our custom
that we are accustomed to these charities of ours that they shall be . . . :
Machatzit Hashekel | half a shekel
" " | Redemption of the soul always
" " | The Lord and they fled etc. as mentioned above
In this is a hidden hand and grace for our work in Baghdad among the other places etc.
The young Sassoon
Khedouri Hazan
May his end be good
8524
Election of the members of the Jewish Religious Court
6 December 945
Ministry of Justice for the Council
Baghdad
Further to our letter No. 4458 dated 15 / 10 / 945
Based on the requirements of necessity, the members of the Jewish Spiritual Council met
in Baghdad to re-elect the members of the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad
in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 15 of the Jewish Community Law No. 77
for the year 1931, and the result of the election was as follows:-
President - His Eminence Rabbi Salman Hoki Aboudi
Member - " " Sassoon Ezra Ishaq
Member - " " Yusuf Eliyahu Rumeih
Please note this with you, and please accept the highest respect
On behalf of
Head of the Community
His Eminence the Rabbi
⟦line⟧
For signature please
⟦illegible⟧
12/7
S Kh / AM
Iraqi Government
Ministry of Justice
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number ⟦line⟧ 82
Date ⟦line⟧ 26 / 12 / 1945
Legal Codification Bureau Division:
General Number: A / 1 / 1 / 7
Telegraphic Address: Adliya
Date: December 1945
Subject Summary: Members of the Religious Court
To the Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
In response to your letter numbered 8524 and dated 6 / 12 / 1945 .
The result of the election has been noted.
Minister of Justice
Your Excellency the Deputy
For your information please
⟦signature⟧
26 / 12
Please refer to the General Number
Telegraphic Address "Mukammal"
TELEGRAMS :
"MUKAMMAL"
TELEPHONE No. <del>729X</del> 6970
(3 LINES)
Telephone <del>729</del> Baghdad
6970
Mukamal Brothers - Baghdad
MUKAMAL BROTHERS
P.O. Box No. 14 .P.O.B. No. 14
CODES :
SCHOFIELDS 3 LETTERS
ORIENTAL 3 LETTERS
BENTLEY'S
ACME
Presidency of the Jewish Community
No. ⟦illegible⟧
Date 10 / 1 / 1946
No. ⟦line⟧
Baghdad on 10 January 1946 Baghdad
(Iraq)
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, the Respected
President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Subject - Proposal
After greetings /
Furthermore, it is noted that the agendas presented to the General Council do not include
subjects except those that Your Eminence deems fit to present to the Council for discussion and decision. However, it may happen
sometimes that urgent matters arise after a call for a Council meeting has been issued, or some
members may wish to present proposals calling on the Council to consider amending certain matters or other issues overlooked by
the agenda. Therefore, I hope to suggest adding the following two paragraphs to all session agendas:
1 - Consideration of urgent issues that arise after the issuance of the invitation
2 - Consideration of members' proposals regarding the amendment of certain matters or consideration of
other issues that they deem necessary to present to the Council for consideration and decision
This is what I see as necessary for the public interest. However, if this proposal of mine does not meet with your acceptance,
I request that it be presented in that case to the esteemed Council at the next session to consider it and approve it if found
correct. Please accept my highest respect.
Sincere
Isaac Sassoon Mukamal
⟦signature⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
8577
4 January 946
Honorable Gentlemen
Daoud Twig
Shimon Sofer
Nadim Sofer
After greetings and respect.
The esteemed General Council had delegated you to form a committee to audit
the accounts of the Lay Council for the year 44/945 in its extraordinary meeting
held on July 1, 945
I ask you to kindly submit the aforementioned accounts to present the report which
your respected committee will submit to the esteemed General Council, and I thank you.
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
Copy to - His Excellency the respected President of the Lay Council - for information
His Eminence the Rabbi
For signature please
⟦signature⟧
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad:
Number: 54
Date: 21/2/46
File Number:
Baghdad on March 19, 1946
His Eminence, the respected Head of the Jewish Community.
Baghdad
After greetings,
With reference to your letter No. 8577 dated 4/1/1946,
I thank the esteemed General Council for the trust they have placed in me by electing me
as a member of the Audit Committee for the accounts of the Lay Council. Due to my limited time, I hope
for an excuse for my inability to fulfill the esteemed Council's wish.
With highest respect to your Eminence.
Sincerely,
Naim Ezra Sofer
Copy to
The respected President of the Lay Council.
Baghdad, June 17, 1945
⟦illegible⟧
To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Greetings and respect,
As I intend to travel outside of Iraq, I request your Excellency to accept my resignation
from the membership of the esteemed National Council.
I wish your Excellency and all those in charge of the community's interests and those devoted to it
success in elevating the status of this community.
Please accept my highest respect.
Sincerely,
⟦Reuben Edward⟧
Elections
8585
14 January 946
18
To the honorable and virtuous notable Mr. Rubin Daoud, respected
Care of Mr. Hassan al-Hoss
P.O. Box No. 185
Beirut
After greetings and respect.
With reference to your resignation dated June 17, 945
It is with great regret that I inform you that the esteemed General Council was forced to
accept your aforementioned resignation at its extraordinary meeting held
on January 6, 946, in view of your intention to travel outside Iraq.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the work you have done and for
the sacrifices you have made for the sake of your community throughout your membership in the
esteemed General Council, and I wish you success and prosperity.
Please accept my highest respects.
⟦signature⟧
1/14
On behalf of
Head of the Community
8566
31 December 945
The Honorable Mr. Gurji Yaqub Masloub, Respectfully
Member of the Esteemed Lay Council
After greetings and respect,
Further to our letter No. 8541 dated 14 December 945,
In view of the lack of a quorum at the meeting to which I invited the
Esteemed General Council to hold on the evening of Sunday, 30 December 945,
I have invited the aforementioned Council to hold a second meeting at the headquarters of the Community Presidency at
five o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday, 6 January 1946,
and in accordance with the invitation letter attached herewith.
Based on what was stated in Article 16 of the Community Regulation No. 36 of the year
1931, I hope for your attendance at the time appointed for the meeting.
Please accept my respects.
On behalf of
Head of the Community
Attachments - General Council invitation letter
Car to his uncle
⟦illegible⟧
The Israeli Lay Council
Baghdad
Number 2469
Date 18 February 945
To the Honorable Member of the Lay Council
Respected
After greetings and respect
In the council meeting held on 15 / 2 / 945, it was decided to hold
one meeting once every week, at six o'clock on Thursday evening
of every week.
As for the meeting place, it will be once in the community administration and once in the building of the
National Preparatory School in Al-Sinak alternately. The meetings that are held
in the preparatory school will be dedicated to exchanging views only without making written decisions
as these decisions will be left to the meetings that will be held in the community administration
where the secretary will attend to record the proceedings, and thus there is no longer a need -
to send an invitation to the members to attend these meetings because it is expected that they attend on
their own at the appointed time.
The next meeting will be at six o'clock on Thursday evening 22 / 2 / 945
in the building of the National Preparatory School.
Please accept our respect;
⟦signature⟧
⟦On behalf of⟧
The President
The Israeli Lay Council
Baghdad
Number 2469
Date February 18, 1945
The Honorable Member of the Lay Council
Respected
After greetings and respect
In the council meeting held on 15 / 2 / 1945, it was decided to hold
one meeting once every week, at six o'clock on Thursday evening
of every week.
As for the meeting place, it will be once in the community administration and once in the building of the
National Preparatory School in Al-Sinak alternately. The meetings that are held
in the Preparatory School will be dedicated to exchanging views only without making written decisions
as these decisions will be left to the meetings that will be held in the community administration
where the secretary will attend to record the proceedings, and thus there is no longer a need
to send an invitation to the members to attend these meetings because it is expected that they will attend on
their own at the appointed time.
The next meeting will be at six o'clock on Thursday evening 22 / 2 / 1945
in the building of the National Preparatory School.
Please accept my respect
⟦Ibrahim⟧ ⟦...⟧
The President
To the Honorable Chairman of the Local Council
For health reasons, I submit my resignation from membership in
the esteemed Local Council, and to your Excellency much respect
Ibrahim Sabih Moallem Nassim
⟦signature⟧
1945
Baghdad 8 June
Elections
⟦line⟧
He is not honored
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
⟦signature⟧
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
January 16, 1946
To the Honorable and Distinguished Member of the General Council
After greetings and respect,
Mr. Yusuf Salih Al-Kabir, the lawyer, submitted to the office of this presidency a report dated December 1, 1944,
containing several proposals regarding the reforms he deems appropriate to introduce to the administration of this community and the institutions
affiliated with it. This report was printed at the time and distributed to the members of the General Council. The esteemed General Council discussed
this report in its meeting held on July 8, 1945, and decided after deliberation to approve a proposal submitted by
Mr. Ibrahim Salih Al-Kabir to the office of this presidency, which includes the creation of a special committee by the community presidency
to look into the reforms that the community needs now and in the future, and to invite members of the General Council who wish to do so
to submit their proposals regarding the reforms they believe can be implemented to the aforementioned committee for the purpose of studying them and submitting
its proposals regarding them to the esteemed General Council.
Therefore, I request you to submit your proposals to the office of this presidency regarding the reforms that you see can be
implemented now or in the future, whether regarding the administration of the community itself or its affiliated institutions, for the purpose of submitting them
to the committee referred to above, which will be formed for this purpose, provided that your proposals reach us within thirty days
from the date of this letter.
Please accept my respect.
⟦signature⟧
President of the Community
8589
18 January 946
The Honorable and Distinguished Notable Mr. Ibrahim Hayim Moallem Nessim, Respectfully
After greetings and respect,
The esteemed General Council considered your resignation dated June 8,
945, in its extraordinary meeting held on January 6, 1946,
and decided unanimously that the Council is in the direst need to retain a virtuous personality
such as your noble self, which is renowned for its extensive knowledge in the affairs of the community
and its long-standing sacrifices for the sake of the community's welfare and happiness. For this reason, the
Council declined to accept your resignation from the membership of the General Council, and it is certain
that you will not hesitate to withdraw your resignation out of concern for the interests of the members of
your community and the good of all.
Please accept the highest expressions of respect.
⟦illegible signature⟧
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
H
Honorable President of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect
Reference to your letter No. 8349 dated August 5, 945
We have met with His Excellency Mr. Ezra Menachem Daniel and informed him of the feelings
of the esteemed General Council, which finds it difficult to accept the resignation of a respected figure
such as His Excellency, and we regret to say that we did not succeed in persuading him to withdraw the resignation
Please accept our highest respect
Baghdad, November 4, 945
⟦illegible⟧
Khedouri
Rouben
859
18 January 946
His Excellency the Virtuous Senator Mr. Ezra Menahem Daniel, Respectfully
After greetings and respect,
The esteemed General Council deliberated in its extraordinary meeting
held on 7 January 946 regarding your resignation from the membership of the
aforementioned Council dated 25 November 944, and reviewed the letter from Messrs. Eliyahu
Hayyim Tawfiq and Khedhouri Munir Lawi dated 4 October 945 regarding
the result of their meeting with Your Excellency on the subject, and decided unanimously that the Council cannot
lose your membership given that it is in dire need of a precious personality such as your
noble self, which is renowned for its long-standing sacrifices for the sake of the community and its happiness.
The Council requests Your Excellency to withdraw the resignation, and in view of what it knows of your
noble character, it is certain that you will not hesitate to add this new
generosity to the series of your famous favors and sacrifices for the sake of the public interest.
Please accept the highest respect.
Sassoon
Head of the Community
⟦Received⟧
27/1
1 - Community Schools - The community wishes to have schools like this. However, the community is not
today in a state that enables it to undertake a great project like this, which requires exorbitant expenses and has
characteristics that do not suit our environment. I suggest that we take on the project gradually, by
starting with the appointment of a Rabbi who studied at the Rabbinical School and is of good reputation, and we select
eight or ten students who have the desire and competence to learn to study under him. Assisting the
Rabbi will be two teachers, one who graduated from at least a secondary school, and the other who has knowledge of the history
of Israel and Hebrew literature, and they can be obtained from among the members of the community.
Teaching is divided into three areas: A - Talmud lessons in a modern way as in the Rabbinical School,
B - History and geography lessons of the country, C - Hebrew history and literature lessons.
This project will be elementary, and perhaps it will be possible for the community to expand it.
Wedding Engagement Ceremonies - The religious ceremonies and the grandeur displayed to the eyes of
non-Jews must be conducted with dignity. Some have become accustomed to inviting a group of non-Jews to
ceremonies in the Meir Tweig Synagogue. However, you see, unfortunately, as if we invited these people to see
the weaknesses in the community. The invitees may be of high status and find no one to seat them,
so they take a place in the back rows. Children are the ones in the front rows. Noise
fills the place. The invitees walk slowly in the ⟦Al-Dabbashiya⟧ hall, not in a ceremonial event like this.
Is it not possible to employ someone to issue the necessary instructions for this matter, such as maintaining
silence, orderly seating, forming a group of children in special dress, and the Rabbis wearing
official robes, especially if they are Rabbis, and seating women without mixing with the group of
men, etc., etc. If spending is allocated for this matter, a portion of the ceremony fee can be dedicated
to this purpose.
The Issue of Burial - It is not possible today to innovate this issue under the direct authority of the community.
However, what cannot be fully achieved should not be entirely abandoned. It is possible to appoint a committee by the Lay Council to
supervise the gravedigger. It alerts him to one thing and recommends another. It looks into burial costs, and the cleanliness
of the reformer's uniform, whether he requests grave clothes in grandeur or simplicity, and the keeping of a regular register
of the names of the deceased, and the allocation of the burial place for each according to his status, and other matters known to the Rabbis.
Teaching the Holy Bible -
4 - Teaching the Holy Bible to the children of the community is one of the essential matters. If our schools are deficient in
teaching the Holy Bible sufficiently, it is possible to compensate for that by opening evening classes. I am certain that
students will flock to these classes in a brilliant manner. I suggest that the esteemed Lay Council allocate
for this matter at least three nights a week ⟦for beginners⟧ ⟦advanced⟧ in the classes ⟦the place where they study⟧
⟦in it⟧ ⟦etc.⟧ ⟦of⟧ ⟦the matters⟧ ⟦that⟧ ⟦pertain to⟧ ⟦this⟧ ⟦subject⟧ ⟦completely⟧
- The Third District -
Name | Number of Votes
Anwar Zelka, Lawyer | 207
Albert Haqqi Shasha | 206
Albert Haqqi Ani | 206
Saleh Shlomo Abdullah | 205
Anwar Shaul, Lawyer | 204
Name | Number of Votes
Reuben Ezra Daoud | 201
[ And one last name received one vote ]
Based on the decision of the Supervisory Committee for the Israeli Elections in Baghdad, the committee attended under the chairmanship of Mr. President Abdul Qadir Jamil, the legal recorder at the Ministry of Justice, and the membership of Rabbi Salman
Hoki Abboudi and Salman Shina, Lawyer, and members ⟦Ezra⟧ Murad Shaker and Ibrahim Khazam, with a group of the district's notables and the mukhtars of its neighborhoods, at four o'clock in the afternoon on (Sunday) corresponding to
(29) September 1944 in (Torah ⟦Ezra⟧). The box prepared for the election was brought, and after it was seen by those present, it was locked and tied securely according to the rules, and the election began until six o'clock
in the afternoon, when the end of the election was announced. The box was opened, and the ballot papers were taken out from inside, numbering (208) papers. Then the names written in them were read publicly and classified according to the rules.
As a result of the classification, the persons whose names are written above obtained the votes mentioned next to their names. In view of that, the majority was won by each of:
- [ Anwar Zelka, Lawyer - Albert Haqqi Shasha - Albert Haqqi Ani - Saleh Shlomo Abdullah - Anwar Shaul, Lawyer - Reuben Ezra Daoud ] -
Therefore, they have become members according to the rules, and for that purpose, this minutes was organized in three copies and signed by us, written in Baghdad on the ⟦second⟧ day of the month of September 1944.
President
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Judge of ⟦Sharia⟧
Director
President
Ezra Menahem Daniel
12/1 Al-Mustansir Street
Telephone Number { 3044
6367
Baghdad on: 27 / 1 / 1946
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Incoming Number 129
Date 24 / 1 / 1946
755
200
205
505
200
To His Excellency the President of the Respected Israelite Community
Baghdad
After greetings and respect;
I received your letter No. 8590 dated January 18, 1946
And I thank you as I thank the esteemed General Council for your good opinion of me, however I have previously
explained to the respected gentlemen Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq and Khedhouri Lawee my excuse
for accepting the membership.
While repeating my regret for not answering your wish, I wish you and the respected Council
all the best and success in your endeavors to serve the community.
In conclusion, please accept my highest respect;
Sincerely,
Ezra Menahem
27 / 1
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
8584
Elections for the Israeli General Council
January 14, 1946
The Honorable Ministry of Justice.
Reference to your letter numbered 7/1/19/9 and dated November 5, 1944
Mr. Reuben Daoud, member of the General Council, submitted his resignation from the
aforementioned council on June 17, 1945. In view of the General Council's decision taken
at its extraordinary meeting held on 1/6/1946 to accept the resignation, it has
become necessary to notify the member whose name is the first of the names with surplus votes in the
relevant division to take the place of the resigned member, as stated in Article Fifteen
of the Israeli Community Regulation No. 36 of 1931. However, upon auditing the minutes
pertaining to the third district, which is the one relevant to the resigned member and reported to us by the letter
of the Israeli Election Supervision Body numbered 7/1/19/9 and dated
November 4, 1944, it appeared that the surplus candidates were several persons
who obtained one vote, and those names were not specified in the aforementioned minutes. Therefore, please
provide us with a list showing these names so that we can appoint the member who will fill
the vacant membership to notify him accordingly.
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
⟦illegible signature⟧
1/14
Iraqi Government
Ministry of Justice
Bureau of Legal Codification
Number ⟦A⟧ / 1 / 1 / 7
Date January / 1946 AD
120
21 / 7 / 1946
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
In response to your letter No. 8584 dated 18 / 1 / 1946
Below is a list of the names of the persons whose votes followed the votes
of the resigned member.
Number of Votes
7 - Lawyer Saleh Naji
2 - Lawyer Salim Saltoon
2 - Lawyer Sassoon Bir Srousha
1 - Ishaq Moshi Shamardi
1 - Salem Saleh
1 - Robin Battat
And there are other persons who obtained one vote.
Minister of Justice
His Eminence the Rabbi
Please be informed
⟦Hilla⟧
1/21
The Press ⟦looked⟧
⟦Arwi⟧
7 February 946
The Honorable Ministry of Justice
Baghdad
Reference to your letter numbered A/1/19/7 and dated 20/1/946
In view of the fact that each of the gentlemen, Saleh Naji the lawyer, Salim Saltoon
the lawyer, and Sassoon Basri ⟦...⟧ in the lawyer, received equal votes, we decided to elect
one of the three mentioned persons by way of a ballot to choose who will replace
the resigned member of the General Council, Mr. Reuben Daoud, given that
Article Fifteen of the Israeli Community Regulation No. 36 of 1931 is silent
regarding the method of selection in the event that there is more than one person holding
equal votes. The lot was drawn between the three persons mentioned above in the presence of
the Lay Council, and the lawyer Salim Saltoon won. Accordingly, we have invited him
to occupy the vacant membership. Please note this in your records.
⟦signature⟧
2/7
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
Mr. President
From auditing the minutes of the specialized district, I found that the election commission neglected
the surplus names and did not mention them in the body of the minutes because they only obtained one vote.
Therefore, the list in which the names mentioned in this book appear cannot be relied
upon for two reasons:
First: Because it contradicts what was stated in the election minutes, which stipulate that all the names that were neglected
were ⟦because⟧ they had obtained one vote, and none among them obtained two votes.
Second: Because the election minutes are the solid lists signed by all members of the first commission,
and the aforementioned commission did not organize lists documented with their signatures so that they could be relied upon.
Article (15) states that when a membership in a general council becomes vacant for any reason,
the person who follows them in terms of the first surplus names ⟦his votes⟧ in the specialized division shall replace them.
The use of the word (his votes) in the plural is evidence that the person must possess more than one vote, and for this
reason, the first commission neglected to write the names that obtained one vote.
In any case, as long as the election minutes are devoid of mentioning any name, then the refusal to
neglect and not consider that names appearing in other lists, regardless of the number of votes recorded next to them.
I believe that the leadership of the community can respond to the Ministry on the basis of what I mentioned and request a new
election for the region, and with all that, the matter is up to your Excellency.
Daoud ⟦...⟧
1/25/46
7 February 946
The Honorable Mr. Salim Salhoun, the respected lawyer
After greetings and respect,
I have the honor to inform you that you have filled the membership of the esteemed General Council
vacated as a result of the resignation of Mr. Reuben Daoud, in accordance with Article Fifteen
of the Jewish Community Bylaws No. 36 / for the year 931.
I hope to take this opportunity to offer my greetings to you for luck and success.
Please accept my greetings.
Sincerely,
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
C/V