AI en Translation, Pages 26-50
Page 27
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Date: May 27, 1946
The Distinguished ⟦line⟧ Newspaper
Please publish the ⟦telegram⟧ below in the first issue of your distinguished newspaper. Respectfully,
Secretary
His Hashemite Majesty King Abdullah the Great
Amman
We raise to the threshold of our master, His Majesty the Great King, our sincerest sentiments of loyalty, accompanied by the best
congratulations and wishes on the occasion of his auspicious coronation anniversary, praying to the Creator to preserve our Lord the King,
clothed in glory and sovereignty, and to always grant him success in what is good for the noble Jordanian nation and the Arabs.
Rabbi Sassoon Khidhouri
President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
1 Al-Ahali
2 Al-Sha'ab
3 The Iraq Times
4 Al-Nida
5 Al-Bilad
6 Al-Ra'i al-Amm
7 Al-Barid
8 Al-Raqib
9 Al-Yaqdha
10 ⟦League⟧
11 Al-Hawadith
12 The Arab World
13 Al-Iraq
14 Akhbar
15 Al-Zaman
16 Al-Watan
17 ⟦illegible⟧
18 ⟦illegible⟧
19 ⟦illegible⟧
Page 29
Copy of a telegram
His Excellency Mr. Sasson Sion Abed, the Respected
Head of the Jewish Community
In Basra
We congratulate you from the heart on the occasion of the issuance of the (Obeyed) Royal Decree appointing you
to the presidency, wishing you success in serving the public interest.
⟦Preserve⟧
6/13
For preservation 6/14
Copy
Rabbi Sasson Khidhouri
Page 30
His Excellency Dr. Sanderson Pasha, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the respected
After greetings and respect
In the name of humanity, chivalry, and honor, I place before you my tragedy, I, the girl named Juliet Yusuf
Sofair, who was engaged to my cousin, a member of your respected college named Ibrahim Ezra Sofair, about
five years ago. I remained waiting for him all that time, pinning my hopes on him, sacrificing everything precious
for the sake of building his future. And now, in a fraudulent manner, he proceeds to become engaged to someone else, seeking to obtain a larger
sum from the second fiancée.
Ibrahim Sofair is in the final year of your respected college, which is the pride of Iraq's colleges,
from which men of merit, chivalry, and ethics have graduated. Only a few days will pass until the aforementioned person graduates
holding a Doctor's degree, so the honor and health of people will be placed in his hands.
Your Excellency Dr., the handing over of such immense responsibilities to such a person requires
reflection. He has permitted himself to betray the person closest to him and to stab the heart of an orphan girl who was loyal to him, so he betrayed her,
and she treated him well, so he mistreated her, rewarding her kindness with denial and crime. He destroyed me, trampled on my dignity, and tore my hopes apart.
This is crime itself; this is murder itself.
And even if this killer escapes the hand of justice and the law, he will not escape the contempt of society
and its disdain.
Your Excellency Dr., I have come with this, resorting to your living conscience and high sentiment. Be for me,
the orphan girl, a generous, jealous, and just father, and inflict upon him strict punishment to be a lesson to anyone whose soul suggests to him
recklessness with people and trading in their honors and souls.
Juliet Yusuf Sofair
⟦Juliet Yusuf Sofair⟧
19 / 5 / 46
A copy thereof to:
The Prime Minister
The Minister of Social Affairs
Dr. Hashim Al-Witri
Dr. Jalal Azzawi
Dr. Beech
Dr. Mills
Dr. Norman
The Head of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Page 31
8845
3 June 946
Exalted Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Baghdad
With reference to your letter No. D / 840 / 840 / 600 / 6 / 518 dated
26 May 946
The testimony I gave before the British-American
Inquiry Committee on the Palestine issue consisted of improvised responses to the questions
directed at me by the aforementioned committee. Since it was not recorded, I am sending to
your exalted Ministry the content of those questions and my answers to them as I remember them, and I believe
that they are as close as possible to the truth.
Please accept the highest expressions of respect.
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Head of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
7/7
⟦Baghdad⟧
Page 36
1 - What is the status of Jews in Iraq
Laws and regulations do not distinguish among all Iraqis, but since the rise of the Nazi movement in
Germany, we have begun to feel that the application of those laws was not always in this same spirit. We believe the reason
for that is the Nazi propaganda in Iraq, and we believe that Nazi propaganda is the cause of the difficult days
and troubles we have faced. As for the present time, the community is relatively comfortable.
2 - Are Jews equal in paying taxes with other Iraqis
Yes.
3 - Are the doors of schools, colleges, and jobs open to Jews like others
Yes. But the government has a general policy that includes all minorities, which is the policy of a quota for each community.
4 - Are there restrictions on Jewish trade or on buying land
No
5 - Do you practice worship rituals freely
Yes, with all freedom
6 - Are there restrictions on Jews traveling abroad
Yes, there are special restrictions on Jews; those whose travel abroad requires, for example, passing
through Palestine, are asked to pay insurance deposits of five thousand dinars even if the travel is for health reasons
and the traveler is poor. Passport processing for Jews is complicated in general.
7 - Are you allowed to teach the Hebrew language in your schools
We are allowed to teach religion only in the Hebrew language in the Holy Bible and prayer books
- 8
⟦line⟧
8 - Are the Jews of Iraq wealthier than others
There are a number of rich people and many poor people. There is no reason to believe that Jews are generally wealthier
than others
9 - Has the Zionist movement affected the status of Jews in Iraq
Yes, without a doubt
10 - How
Nazi propaganda took this movement as a means for incitement against us and sowing discord between us and our Iraqi brothers
11 - Are there any among the Jews who embrace Zionism - I do not know
12 - Are there any among the Jews who want to travel to Palestine -
It is possible that there are a small number who want to travel for trade or for health or religious reasons
Page 37
Bekhor Israel
885
June 16, 946
Directorate of General Local Products
Please be so kind as to provide the following named persons employed in the Presidency of
the Israelite Community and the Spiritual Council with national summer fabrics, and
many thanks in advance.
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
16 / 6
Shlomo Youssef
Salman Shaul
Shaul Yaqoub
Ibrahim Youssef
Nissim Hesqail K
Kohl Muhammad
Isaac Mushir
Gurji Sasson
Salman Mordechai
Raphael Hakali
Youssef Khleif
Page 38
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number:
Subject:
Date: 16 June 946
Directorate of General Local Products
Please be so kind as to provide the persons whose names follow, employed at the
Presidency of the Israelite Community and the Spiritual Council, with national summer fabrics, and
our many thanks in advance.
President of the Community
Shlomo Yusuf
Salman Shaul
Shaul Yaqub
Ibrahim Yusuf
Nassim Hasqil K
Kul Muhammad
Isaac ⟦Muthir⟧
Kurji Sassoon
Salman Mordechai
Raphael ⟦Khakali⟧
Yusuf Khalif
Bechor Israel
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 39
June 17, 946
His Excellency Salim Bey Tarzi, the respected
General Inspector of Posts and Telegraphs.
Greetings and respect,
I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide possible assistance to Lieutenant Ahmed
Mazloum in the matter of installing the telephone
provided that I have not troubled you with this request of mine. Please, Your Excellency, accept my utmost
thanks and great respect.
Sincerely,
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
⟦Sarfati⟧
Page 41
Mesopotamia Guide
Year 1946
Political Economic Commercial Scientific Administrative
Issued in Arabic, English, and Hindi languages
Responsible Owner: Lawyer Khalil Aziz Al-Husseini
Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager: Hashim Al-Khayyat
Issue
Date ⟦10/10/1946⟧
Main Office Baghdad (Iraq)
Al-Mutanabbi Street near the Civil Courts building
To the Honorable ⟦His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri⟧
Greetings and respect,
The editorial board of the 1946 Mesopotamia Guide is pleased to request your kindness in answering the points listed below for publication in the section
dedicated to biographies of notable figures. Please return the slip to us as soon as possible, along with a copy of your photograph. With high esteem.
With a historical overview of the community and about
its various religious formations
Mesopotamia Guide
Editor-in-Chief
1 - Name, address, and surname:
2 - Studies and courses of all
types, if any:
3 - Positions you have held, whether governmental or private:
4 - Decorations and official ranks granted to you by
the Iraqi government and other governments:
5 - Languages you have mastered:
6 - Foreign countries you have visited
mentioning the occasions:
Note
Answers should be in both Arabic and English if possible.
Page 42
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: ⟦806⟧
Subject:
Date: 7 / 1 / 1945
His Excellency the General Director of Local Products
The Respected
After greetings and respect
Your respected directorate previously decided to provide teachers of private
schools with blankets and cotton fabrics. Since we are certain
that your Excellency is doing everything in your power to help those with limited income
during this crisis, we have come to request that you include the teachers of the Midrash
Religious School with the same kindness; for this school, because it is one of the
religious schools, is not registered in the Ministry of Education's records, however, its teachers are all
engaged in teaching for many years and they deserve the utmost kindness
and assistance due to the smallness of their salaries. Enclosed you will find a list of the teachers' names.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the expression of my highest respect;
Sassoon
President of the Community
Page 43
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To the honorable ⟦...⟧
The wise ⟦...⟧
Sassoon ⟦...⟧
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Page 46
His Excellency Mr. Tawfiq al-Suwaidi - Liberal Party
His Excellency Mr. Arshad al-Umari
His Excellency Mr. Hamdi al-Pachachi
His Excellency Mr. Hikmat Sulayman
His Excellency Mr. Nuri al-Said
His Excellency Mr. Ismail Namiq
His Excellency Mr. Jalal Baban
His Excellency Mr. Abdul Mahdi
His Excellency Mr. Mustafa al-Umari
His Sovereignty Mr. Muhammad al-Sadr
His Sovereignty Mr. Muhsin Abu Tabikh
His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Subhi al-Daftari
His Excellency Mr. Sami Shawkat
His Excellency Mr. Abdul Aziz al-Qassab
His Excellency Mr. Kamil al-Chadirchi - National Democratic Party
His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Ridha al-Shabibi
His Excellency Mr. Muzahim al-Amin al-Pachachi
His Excellency Mr. Majid Mustafa
His Excellency Mr. Nazif al-Shawi
His Excellency Mr. Hamid al-Naqib
His Excellency Mr. Dakhel al-Shaalan
His Excellency Mr. Abdul Aziz al-Saadoun - Iraqi Forces Party
His Excellency Mr. Fareeq al-Muzhir al-Firaun
His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Mahdi Kubba - Independence Party
His Excellency Mr. Ma'ruf Jiaook
His Excellency Mr. Yusuf al-Kabir
The Honorable Father Anastas Marie al-Karmali
His Eminence Mr. Habib al-Ubaydi
His Eminence Mr. Hamdi al-Adhami
His Sovereignty Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri
His Excellency Mr. Taha al-Rawi
His Sovereignty Patriarch Emmanuel
His Eminence Sheikh Qassim al-Qaisi - Islamic Guidance Association
His Eminence Al-Hujjah Sheikh Muhammad al-Husayn Al Kashif al-Ghita
His Eminence Mr. Hibatuddin al-Shahristani
His Excellency Mr. Bahauddin Nuri
His Excellency Mr. Hassan Ridha - Young Men's Muslim Association
His Excellency Hussein Fawzi
The Honorable Mr. Aziz Sharif - People's Party
The Honorable Mr. Abd al-Fattah Ibrahim - National Union Party
His Excellency Sheikh Mahmoud
Presidency of the Journalists Association
Presidency of the Bar Association
Presidency of the Chamber of Commerce
Page 47
⟦822⟧
18 February 946
General Directorate of Local Products
Baghdad
After greetings
You will find below the list of employees of the Presidency of the Community and the Israeli Religious Courts
To kindly order the supply of available woolen fabrics and lining for them
And thank you very much.
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
Religious Courts Employees | Presidency of the Community Employees
Nassim Rabi | Shlomo Youssef
Heskel Qattan | Salman Shaul
Salman Murad | Shaul Yaqoub
Kurji Sasson | Ibrahim Youssef
Youssef Khleif | Nassim Heskel
Raphael Hankali | Gul Muhammad
Isaac Meir |
Bekhor Youssef |
⟦Attachments⟧
Page 48
3/7/1946
8692
⟦590⟧
To -
General Directorate of Imported Goods
Baghdad
After greetings;
A number of Israeli retail sellers have visited this Presidency
stating that your respected directorate had previously set the 17th of this month
to begin distributing cotton textiles for the Rusafa section according to what was stated in
your advertisement No. 13 published in local newspapers. In view of the coincidence of
the holiday of (( Purim )) for Israelis on Sunday and Monday, the
17th and 18th thereof, these sellers have requested mediation with your
respected directorate to allow them to close their shops on these two days as they
are accustomed to closing on this holiday, provided that they begin distribution on the morning of
Tuesday.
Please kindly grant their request and accept my thanks in advance.
⟦...⟧
3/6
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
Page 49
IRAQ RED CRESCENT SOCIETY
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
BAGHDAD
Telephone : 3847
IRAQI RED CRESCENT SOCIETY
GENERAL CENTER
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE: 3847
No. ⟦line⟧ Number: 595
Date ⟦line⟧ Date: 20 / 7 / 946
To the Presidency of the Respectable Israelite Community
Subject - Death of Iraqis in Java
We send you herewith a copy of the letter dated 26 / 6 / 946
received by us from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva regarding the death of three
members of your community among the Iraqis who were in the detention camps in Java, and we
have deemed it appropriate to clarify the matter to you in view of our inability to identify the relatives of the deceased
in Iraq to inform them of the matter.
Please accept the assurance of our highest respect.
⟦signature⟧
Secretary General
Presidency of the Israelite Community
Number ⟦illegible⟧
Date ⟦illegible⟧
Page 50
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS
Nat. gr. Gen. GENEVA 26.6.946
Del. ICRC Tokyo-hw
Red Crescent of Iraq
B A G H D A D
Gentlemen,
We have the ⟦honor⟧ to communicate to you below
the content of a telegram dated 12.2.45, coming from Tokyo
and concerning Iraqi citizens deceased in a Camp in Java:
"iraqian ships first engineer ellis de died 1.7.44 of
"heart atrophy - iraquian sassoon e died 12.12.44 of
"heart atrophy - iraquian merchant sassoon salomon died
"12.4.45. of cerebral haemorrhage - all buried.
We ask you to excuse the delay of this communica-
tion and present to you, Gentlemen, the assurance of our very
distinguished consideration.