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⟦illegible⟧ Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
IJA 3108
Correspondence to and from Rabbi Sasson Khedouri
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This archival material includes most correspondence with Rabbi Sasson Khedouri. Topics include: correspondence from Midrash Talmud Torah regarding educational and financial matters; election of members to a Management Committee for the Baghdad Brigade; letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Rabbi Khedouri’s testimony before a British-American Commission of Inquiry on the state of Israel; document of questions and Rabbi Khedouri’s answers on the following issues: Jewish status in Iraq, the state of Israel, equality of Jews on paying taxes, education, obtaining jobs, business, religion freedom, travelling, teaching Hebrew, and the number of Jews in Iraq; a form to collect factual information on the Jewish community to be published in the al-Rafidain Directory; a letter from Iraq Red Crescent Society to the head of Jewish community regarding the death of three Iraqis in Java, Indonesia prisons; a letter from a researcher; an invitation for a theater play from the Children's Protection Society; Shamash Company asking for help to distribute fabric to the poor; letter of complaint from a Muslim because some Jews entered the al-Kazmia holy place; a complaint regarding the Jewish community's girls behavior; letter asking for help on a forgery matter; letter asking for help from a Russian Jew who moved to Baghdad; letter asking for help to get papers from the Ministry of Supply to print the Jewish annual calendar for 5708; letter from the al-Jafería Schools Association asking for book donations to build a library; letters to the head of the Jewish community regarding obituaries for martyrs; letter to write an introduction for a book about Iraqi Crown Prince Abdullah; letters from the President of the Jewish Community asking for help on some matters.
AI English Translation, Pages 51-75
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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
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18 February 946 General Directorate of Local Products Baghdad Greetings, You will find below the list of employees of the Presidency of the Community and the Israeli Religious Courts to kindly order providing them with the available woolen fabrics and lining. With much gratitude. ⟦signature⟧ Head of the Community Presidency of the Community Employees | Religious Courts Employees Shlomo Yusuf | Nassim Rabia Salman Shaul | Hesqel Qattan Shaul Yaqub | Salman Murad Ibrahim Yusuf | Gurji Sasson Nassim Hesqel | Yusuf Khleif Gul Muhammad | Raphael Hankali | Ishaq Meir | Bikhor Yusuf ⟦illegible⟧
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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
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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⟧
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INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS Nat. gr. Gen. Del. ICRC Tokyo-hw GENEVA 26.6.946 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 2.12.45, coming from Tokyo and concerning Iraqi citizens who died in a Camp in Java: "iraquian 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.
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The telegram received from Tokyo to the Red Cross Society in Geneva with its translation in Arabic regarding the death of Iraqis in one of the camps in Java " Iraquian 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 . The first Iraqi marine engineer Ellis D. died on 7/1/1944 from heart atrophy The Iraqi Sassoon A. died on 12/12/1944 from heart atrophy The Iraqi merchant Sassoon Solomon died on 4/12/1945 from cerebral hemorrhage . All were buried For filing Miscellaneous
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The telegram received from Tokyo to the Red Cross Society in Geneva with its translation in Arabic regarding the death of Iraqis in one of the camps in Java " Iraquian ships first engineer ellis ⟦ab⟧ 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 . The first Iraqi marine engineer Ellis ⟦Ab⟧ died on 1 / 7 / 944 from heart atrophy The Iraqi Sassoon E. died on 12 / 12 / 944 from heart atrophy The Iraqi merchant Sassoon Solomon died on 12 / 4 / 945 from cerebral hemorrhage. All were buried 1908
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8958 August 12, 946 Excellency, President of the Water Supply Committee for the City of Baghdad, Respected After greetings, We kindly request you to order the installation of water pipes and the delivery of running water to the building of the Israelite Religious Court in Baghdad, located in the Al-Tawrat neighborhood, No. 63 / 137, with the request to consider this application of ours as urgent, and we offer you much thanks in advance. Head of the Community ⟦executor⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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The Religious Court of the Holy Community Baghdad, may God protect it The Jewish Religious Court - Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ Number :: 968 Date :: 12 / 8 / 1966 File Number: Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Number 404 Date 12 / 8 / 1966 His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, the respected President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad We request your eminence to kindly submit a request to the Water Supply Committee in Baghdad to install a pipe and provide running water to the building of the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad The President ⟦illegible signature⟧ Menachem Shmuel Address Torah Quarter 67 / 127 In front of the Alliance Israelite Girls' School
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8959 12 August 946 To the Respectable Director General of Telegraphs and Posts After greetings, The building of the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad, which also includes the headquarters of the Presidency of the Jewish Spiritual Council and the Jewish Sharia Court of Cassation located in Zilka Synagogue No. 63/13, Al-Tawrat neighborhood, is devoid of a telephone set, and it is now in dire need of a telephone set. We request your kindness to approve the installation of a telephone set in the aforementioned court building as quickly as possible. Please accept, your Excellency, our further thanks in advance. Head of the Community Miscellaneous
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The Religious Court of the Holy Community in Baghdad, may God protect it The Jewish Religious Court - Baghdad JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT BAGHDAD ⟦line⟧ Number: 950 Date: 1 / 8 / 946 File Number: — His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, the Respected President of the Jewish Community - Baghdad The building of the Jewish Religious Court in Baghdad, which also includes the office of the Chief Rabbi and the chamber of the Jewish Spiritual Court of Appeals, is devoid of a telephone set, despite the fact that the necessity of having a telephone is a self-evident matter. Therefore, please be so kind as to contact the competent departments to install a telephone set in our court as quickly as possible. The President ⟦signature⟧ Menachem Saleh Presidency of the Jewish Community Incoming Number 402 Date 12 / 8 / 946
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⟦8929⟧ 15 August 946 Tabu Directorate of Baghdad Province After greetings Please provide us with a copy of the map for the two land plots whose location is shown on the attached map, located in the Al-Koolat neighborhood, sequence numbers 7/27 and 230. With much thanks in advance. Head of the Community ⟦signature⟧ 8/15 Head of the Community Miscellaneous
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8975 19 August 1946 Excellency the Director General of Imported Funds After greetings and respect I attach herewith the original petition submitted by Mazli Ibrahim regarding a request to supply her with the paper necessary to print a religious book "Menuhat Hanefesh" with my hope to grant the request given that the copies of this religious book are out of stock in the market and it is needed knowing that this religious book will be distributed for free. ⟦illegible⟧ Head of the Community ⟦Achievements⟧
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8999 September 1, 946 Excellency, Director General of Imported Goods, the Respected After greetings We kindly ask you to supply us with three reams of cut paper or its equivalent of half-cut paper available at the shop of Messrs. Hasso Brothers in Baghdad, and that is for the purpose of printing various forms for the presidency of the community in Baghdad. We give you much thanks in advance. ⟦illegible⟧ 9/2 Head of the Community Miscellaneous
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Thursday 12 September 1946 His Eminence, President of the Israelite Spiritual Council, Respected Greetings and respect Due to the abundance of my private business, I submit to your Eminence my resignation from the position of the Sheikh Isaac Synagogue and I hope that you appoint a member in my place so that I can hand over the account and the furniture to him, and I thank you in advance Aboud Shua Ibrahim A copy of it to His Excellency the Head of the Community " " to the President of the Association ⟦illegible⟧ 13 September 707 ⟦illegible⟧ Miscellaneous
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Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ Baghdad - Karrada Al-Sharqiya His Eminence and Excellency, Head of the Jewish Community, Mr. Sassoon Khadduri, Respected Loyalty and respect, and thereafter: I have been passionate about historical research in Iraq, its sects, its peoples, and all information about it since ancient times. I have prepared a printed book titled "History of Iraqi Ministries" and "Iraq Past and Present" and still ⟦illegible⟧ I am not, but rather I record the events of each council from the history of the ministries. I began with the report submitted by the committee formed by the Council of Ministers in June 1941 to investigate the unfortunate events that led to the assault on Jews and Muslims at the beginning of the mentioned month - and I found that the committee considered the total number of those martyred in the mentioned events to be (110) persons - between Jew, Muslim, and one Christian - so I wished to know the real number extracted from the records at the community leadership to compare it with what was stated in the report under discussion, so I consulted my old friend ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ to fulfill this wish, and he advised me to write to Your Eminence as you are most capable in your capacity regarding historical information and assisting researchers in public affairs. So I hope you will be kind enough to provide me with information if I could access - if possible - the number of Jews only who were killed in the ill-fated events and their names. Please accept my loyalty and respect. Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ Baghdad 8/9/1946
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Q - What are the conditions of the Jews in Iraq? A - According to the constitution, everyone has equal rights, but the practical reality is otherwise. Q - Why, for example? A - Since the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, their supporters and agents in Iraq began launching a violent attack on the Jews, and this provocation, which continued through many periods and lulls, reached its peak in the events of 1941, where 150 Jews were killed and the houses of many of them were also looted. Furfurman Q - And how is the situation today? A - Relatively good. Q - Are there restrictions preventing Jews from owning land? A - No. Q - Are there restrictions of any kind on Jewish schools? A - Yes - government assistance to them is very small - this is in addition to following quota and allocation systems in admitting Jewish students to higher schools. Q - What is the status of Jews in government schools? A - Our observations indicate the same policy in limiting admission. Q - Which language do you learn? A - Arabic - in the new schools, English and French are known. Q - What do you teach in your schools? A - In view of government instructions, we are obliged to teach all lessons in the Arabic language. Q - Are you allowed to study the Talmud? A - Yes, but without translating it so that the students do not understand the content of what they read. Q - Editorial Board: Are there specific complaints? A - Yes, there is one complaint, which is that the government does not allow Jews to travel abroad unless the Jew pays cash insurance in the amount of ⟦...⟧ 5000 dinars - we also demand these insurances even from the sick and the poor who travel to the Land of Israel for treatment. Q - What is your opinion on the Land of Israel? A - As a religious man, I do not engage in politics. Q - Do you support the position of your movement and your resistance to Zionism? A - As a religious man, I cannot give an idea about this question. Q - But your official religious men in all parts of the world have taken
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1 - What is the status of the Jews in Iraq Laws and regulations do not distinguish between all Iraqis, but since the rise of the Nazi movement in Germany, we have begun to feel that the application of those laws has not always been in this same spirit. We believe that the reason for this is 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 percentage for each community. 4 - Are there restrictions on Jewish trade or on buying land No 5 - Do you practice your religious rites freely Yes, with complete 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 a deposit of five thousand dinars, even if the travel is for health reasons and the traveler is poor. Passport processing for a Jew is complicated in general. 7 - Is it permissible for you 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 ⟦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 to incite against us and sow 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 is a small number who want to travel for trade or for health or religious reasons ⟦illegible⟧
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solutions to this problem I said that I do not work in politics, and it seems to me that I have elaborated in giving my opinions and I am not ready to go Chairman of the Committee: We thank you very much A member of the Committee: It appears that you, Father, have many expenses, but your salaries are limited, so how do you manage your living? - and he prevents him from continuing about the schools problem ⟦illegible⟧
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9086 21/10/946 ⟦Copy to the Department⟧ His Excellency the General Manager of Imported Goods After greetings and respect. We request your Excellency to kindly provide the head of the Jewish community and the members of the Jewish Spiritual Council with the ⟦necessary⟧ winter suits that your respected directorate is distributing to the spiritual leaders whose names and signatures appear below. Please accept, your Excellency, the expressions of our highest gratitude and respect. Position | Name | Signature Head of the Community | Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri | Sassoon President of the Jewish Religious Court of Cassation | Rabbi Raphael Isaac Hayyim | Member of the Court of Cassation | Rabbi Shua Moshe Heskel | Member of the Court of Cassation | Rabbi Elia Yehoshua | Member of the Court of Cassation | Rabbi Daoud Ezra Musfi | Member of the Court of Cassation | Rabbi Daoud Shaoul Shamash | President of the Religious Court | Rabbi Salman Hoki | Member of the Religious Court | Rabbi Sassoon Ezra Ishaq | Member of the Religious Court | Rabbi Yusuf Eliya Rabia | Additional Member | Rabbi Moshe Ibrahim | Secretary of the Community Administration and the Court of Cassation | ⟦Mr. Salim Ward Ibada⟧ | Salim ⟦illegible⟧ | ⟦Salim Rabia⟧ | Sassoon Head of the Community
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Provision Article / 26 / Dhi 66 Iraqi Government Department: Baghdad Customs and Excise Section: For Estimation Number: 17379 / TN Date: 2 / 10 / 1946 Subject: Declaration Number 1332 / Basra dated 6 / 7 / 1946 Audit Assistant In the Directorate of General Customs and Excise With reference to your letter number 8357 dated 14 / 9 / 1946. We confirm the validity of your objection and we will return the excess duty collected amounting to 101 fils to the importer upon receiving a formal request from him according to the procedures. Director of Baghdad Customs and Excise ⟦signature⟧ A copy of it for information to - His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri. Presidency of the Israelite Community Number 917 Date 4 / 10 / 1946 ⟦illegible⟧
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The Spiritual Committee of the Holy Community of Baghdad, may God protect it The Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad Number: 1745 Date: 21/11/946 ⟦illegible⟧ Presidency of the Israelite Community 419 22/10/946 Information for the honor of ⟦illegible⟧ Menachem ⟦illegible⟧ Menachem ⟦illegible⟧ Nissim ⟦illegible⟧ Mansour After ⟦illegible⟧ we live Demands of the ⟦illegible⟧ / ⟦illegible⟧ / the ⟦illegible⟧ 21/11/946 Entered ⟦illegible⟧ the ⟦illegible⟧ in the register of ⟦illegible⟧ Dirhams ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Until ⟦illegible⟧ (250) and likewise ⟦illegible⟧ year (14) lives after 250 And so ⟦illegible⟧ Mansour ⟦illegible⟧ Dirhams on 21/11/946 Entered in the register of year (12) Mansour (14) on the date 25/10/946 Its factors 25/10/946 the register of year (12) Mansour (14) on the date And so Mansour in ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Mansour 21/11/946 ⟦line⟧ Which is supposed to be ⟦illegible⟧ Mansour Explanation of damage With all and preserve the priorities ⟦illegible⟧ 22/10 Mansour ⟦illegible⟧ register ⟦illegible⟧ Mansour ⟦signature⟧
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1. Mr. Joseph Smouha, P.O.Box No. 1692, ALEXANDRIA. Egypt. + 2 Ezra Manasseh, Esq. D'ahniedah Street, SINGAPORE. 3 R.M. Meyer, Esq., C/o Meyer Brothers, SINGAPORE. 4 D.E.J. Abraham, Esq., Peking Street, SHANGHAI. China. 5 N.E.B. Ezra, Esq., 6, Pacific Gardens, SHANGHAI. China. 6 J.S. Haskell, Esq. C/o Eastern Bank, Ltd., 2/3 Crosley Square, LONDON, E.C.3. 7. Mr. Ezra Sassoon Ezra Sassoon, C/o Messrs. E.S. Sayak, Ltd., 52, Granly Row, MANCHESTER. Sayak + 8 £ 25 Mr. David E. Somech, Rooms Nos. 31/32, Finsbury Court, Finsbury Pavement, LONDON, E.C.2. Roms £ 20 9 Mr. Benjamin Shamash, 24 Avenue de Fliry Cimiez, NICE, France. + 10. Monsieur Moshy Sehayek, 37, Rue Laperouse, 37, PARIS. France. + 11 Mr. Joseph Sehayek, C/o Monsieur Moshy Sehayek, 37, Rue Laperouse, 37. +
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- 2 -
12 Isaac Bros Sons & Co.
84, Major Street,
MANCHESTER. +
13 SAMUEL J. SHASHOUA,
14, Rue Champollion,
ALEXANDRIA
Egypt. +
14 S. Gourji,
56, Rue de Courcelles,
PARIS,
France.
15 Mrs. Flora Sulman Sassoon,
C/o Messrs. David Sassoon & Co. Ltd.,
LONDON. <del>32 Brutus street</del>
Mr David Sassoon
32 Brutus street
London W 1
David Sassoon Esq.
32 Brutus street
Berkly Square
London
W.1
England
£ 20 16 Messrs. J.M. Shasha & Co.
{ Bridgewater House,
58, Whitworth St.
MANCHESTER, 1,
England.
17 Monsieur S.E. Shahmoon,
50, Rue Bassano,
PARIS.
France.
18 Sir David Ezra,
3, Kyd Street,
CALCUTTA,
India.
19 D.E. Horesh, Esq., X
44/46 Leadenhall, St.,
LONDON, E.C.3.
England.
20 Messrs. Sassoon J. David & Co. Ltd.,
143, Esplanade Road,
Fort,
BOMBAY.
21 Mr. Ezra A. Sopher,
71, Canning Street,
CALCUTTA. X