Voices from the Archive

IJA 3697

Correspondence regarding Jews being Harassed by Iraqi Government; Studying Abroad in London; Requests for Finical Assistance; Income Tax Reports

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Description

This item includes documents detailing internal administrative matters of the Baghdadi Jewish community such as employment actions, resignations, letters of recommendation, property management, and decisions of the organization. There are also requests for financial assistance and other personal matters, letters from members of the Baghdadi Jewish community to the Jewish Lay Council about increasingly harsh treatment by the government, and reports of individuals being arbitrarily arrested and imprisoned. Other documents include correspondence to the British government to organize a Passover Seder for Jewish soldiers, scholarships to study in British schools, Baghdadi Jews abrogating their citizenship and emigrating abroad, the collection of donations for Palestinian refugees and wounded soldiers, lists of members of the Baghdadi Jewish community in detention facilities, and financial documents such as income tax reports and receipts.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 3697
Item Number
12941
Date
Approx. January 1, 1911 to December 31, 1920
Languages
Multiple Languages
Keywords
Office of Income Tax, Financial, Telegram, Condolence Letters, Menahem S. Daniel's School, Employment, Public Transportation, Jewish Religious Court, Alliance Israélite Universelle, Rahel Shamoon School, Birth Certificates, Ministry of Justice, Newspaper, Synagogue, Stamps, Al-Rashid Club, London, Charity, Thumbprint, Anti-Semitism, Attorney, Contract, Typed, Marriage Certificates, Commentary on Talmud, Endowment, Commentary on Torah, Baghdadi Jewish Community, Clippings, Ministry of the Interior, Crown Crest, Ottoman Bank, British Consulate, Office of Citizenship - Abrogation Branch, Dowry, Receipts, Synagogues Commission, Al-Rāfadīn Club, Income Tax, Death Certificates, Jewish Lay Council, Palestine, Abrogation of Citizenship, Chief Rabbi, President of the Jewish Community, French, Engagement Certificate, Certificate of Good Conduct, American Embassy, Zionism, Jewish Hospitals Committee, British Occupation, Correspondence, Personal Letterhead, Annotation, Middle East Politics, Handwritten, Crimes, Hospital, Jewish Schools Committee, Anti-Jewish, Printed Text, Ezra Menahem Daniel Sports-Ground Committee

AI en Translation, Pages 1-25

Page 2

Member of the ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ Taher
⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧
Member of the ⟦...⟧ Council
⟦...⟧
Member of the ⟦...⟧ Council
⟦...⟧

Page 3

The Chief Rabbi
of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
The Chief Rabbinate
Baghdad
The Hakham Bashi
Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad
Baghdad, 18 April 1922 Baghdad
No.
To the Honorable Anwar Effendi Shaul.
After greetings. You have previously caused disturbances in the current elections, as well as you and some teachers
from the community, and you have participated in them for a long time by leaving your post, and you caused the abandonment of your duties
which is something you are not authorized to do, as you know well that anyone employed in the affairs of
the community is not entitled to engage in political matters; therefore, we have dispensed with your services as of this date. Sincerely.
Acting Hakham Bashi
A copy of it to the Ministry of Interior for information.
And a copy of it to the President of the Lay Council.
⟦12⟧

Page 4

B"H
The Chief Rabbinate
Baghdad
The Chief Rabbi
of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
The Chief Rabbi
of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
No.:
Baghdad,: 19 April 1938
To the Honorable School Director
After greetings
Some teachers have previously caused disturbances in the current elections, and it has been found that they
left their duties and urged students to engage in those elections. Since such an act is contrary to the principles
followed in schools and the necessity of preventing these individuals from engaging in political matters, they must be warned
to refrain from such actions and to take the necessary disciplinary measures.
Sincerely,
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Chief Rabbi
Copy to:
The Honorable Ministry of Education
President of the Lay Council
The Israelite Alliance School in Baghdad
"Rachel Shahmoon"
To the National School "
Al-Karam School "
"Midrash Talmud Torah"
"Rima Noorael"

Page 5

Administration of the Lay Council
of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Date: April 11, 1928
Number: 457
Subject: Regarding the publications of the Acting Chief Rabbi
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Effendi
Respected President of the Spiritual Court
After greetings,
You have recently issued publications signed by you as the Acting Chief Rabbi, including a letter to
Mr. Anwar Effendi Shaul, Director of Correspondence for the Lay Council, and another to the school directors, both of which
revolve around the communal elections.
We are not here to discuss the contents of these publications regarding the issuance of orders that can only be issued
by the Lay Council; rather, we wish to be informed whether the High Authority has approved your appointment
as Acting Chief Rabbi, as our council has not received any notification to this effect. Please inform us with
speed regarding this matter so that we may respond within the scope of the Rabbinate regulations to the two letters
point by point.
Sincerely,
President of the Lay Council
⟦signature⟧
For information:
A copy to His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Interior
And another to " " Education "
⟦illegible⟧

Page 6

The Israelite Lay Council
Editorial Department
Baghdad: April 20, 1928
Number
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Effendi
The Honorable President of the Spiritual Court
Subject: Regarding the alleged disturbances of Anwar Shaul
After greetings, in response to your letter dated April 18 current:
First: I have preferred to address my speech to you in your capacity as President of the Spiritual Court, not as Acting Chief Rabbi of
Baghdad, as the latter title, as far as I know, you have not legally acquired until this day.
Second: I am very surprised by your statement that I have previously caused disturbances in the current elections for a long time.
What has been proven against me? What dagger did I draw and what pistol did I brandish in the election arena? Or what pressure did I exert on
the freedom of the Mosaic voters, alone or otherwise, for you to attribute the crime of disturbance to me or denounce that speech
which I delivered in the Great Synagogue two weeks ago to three thousand members of the community, person
by person according to the register and sect? That was a speech in which I clarified the rights of voters and the development of electoral life and other
historical and social matters which the public met with loud applause and for which you thanked me
in the sight and hearing of the people - I do not think that my appeal in the election arena to the people to respect
order and to vote in peace and tranquility is considered by you as a disturbance, while the member of the inspection committee and everyone who attended
the election thanked my efforts in that.
Third: I have never failed to perform the duties of my office, and I did not throw myself into the thick of the election except at your request
of me to do so; the Honorable President of the Lay Council bears witness to this. Furthermore, you did not warn me
to cease electoral activities, which are among the duties of everyone in whose veins flows the blood of Israelite magnanimity.
Fourth: There is no internal regulation that dictates the non-interference of community employees in political affairs, let alone that
the service under discussion is nothing but electoral rights and duties necessitated by the enlightenment of the public mind in service
of the national interest.
Fifth: It is very strange for you to say that you have dispensed with my services, even though I do not find myself in your service, but rather I am
affiliated directly with the administration of the Honorable Lay Council.
Sixth: If it is true that Your Eminence has mediated in the capacity of the Chief Rabbinate of Baghdad to issue such an order, then I
draw your attention to Article Eight of the Rabbinate Regulations, which states that if the Haham Bashi is informed that
one of the community's employees has mismanaged his office - although the measures here are of the utmost nobility and honor - then his testimony
is to bring the matter of that employee to the head of the department to which he belongs to investigate his fate.
Accordingly, and based on what we have mentioned, everything you have attributed to me was neither close to the truth nor sound in judgment.
May you remain in respect;
For information: A copy to His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Interior
⟦...⟧ President of the Honorable Lay Council

8621 for the year ⟦51⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
753 : Baghdad
Jewish Community Council
Baghdad
To the Honorable Committee for the Administration of Abandoned and Frozen Property
Through the Presidency of the Rabbinate in Baghdad
And through the Governorate in Baghdad
Greetings and respect,
We, the undersigned, heirs of the late Sassoon Shmuel Shmuel, who passed away in Baghdad on November 15, 1951,
Request your kind approval to grant us our inheritance shares from the funds belonging to our aforementioned legator, which are frozen in the banks,
According to the Sharia distribution of estate No. 17 dated 12/20/1951.
We have prepared the aforementioned distribution, and the Liquidation Committee for Jewish Community Property has received its share of the said funds.
Our shares as the remaining heirs remain, and since we are in dire need of these funds for living expenses and clothing,
And to settle the debts of the deceased owed by him, we therefore request your kind approval to disburse our shares of the aforementioned funds
Deposited in the banks urgently due to our extreme need for them. With thanks and appreciation.
Signature
Heirs of the late Sassoon Shmuel Shmuel
⟦signature⟧
Baghdad on
Attachments:
1- A certified copy of the Sharia distribution of estate
2- Death certificate

Page 7

Administration of the ⟦Lay⟧ Council
of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Date: April 26, 11928⟧
Number: 466
Subject: No official authority for the Acting Hakham Bashi unless the High Authority
ratifies his appointment.
His Eminence Hakham Sassoon Khedhouri Effendi
Respected President of the Israelite Spiritual Court
After greetings, further to our letter dated April 20, 1928, numbered 457
I deeply regret your failure to provide the requested response with the necessary speed, and I draw your Eminence's attention
to the fact that the actions you have performed based on the title of Chief Rabbi were not within the legal authority
authorized to you under Article 15 of the Rabbinate Regulations, and thus, in reality, they have become futile and have no effect.
granted to you
And given that your election to the acting position of the Rabbinate was not accompanied by High Ratification in accordance with the wording of the aforementioned Article 15,
it does not allow you any room to seize the mentioned title from the status of the election approved by the Mixed Council.
Accordingly, you do not acquire this authority unless the High Order (Buyuruldi Aali) is issued, i.e., the order of
His Excellency the Prime Minister. It is no wonder if the actions you previously performed under the signature of the Acting Hakham Bashi
are considered a clear violation of the spirit of the law by Latin rule, as it is not possible for you to combine in your person
at the same time two contradictory legal titles: the first being the Presidency of the Spiritual Court and the second being the Chief Rabbinate.
It is worth mentioning here that the responsibility that may arise from the two aforementioned missions, its consequences fall upon you
by rule of law.
Sincerely;
President of the Lay Council
⟦signature⟧
A copy of it to His Excellency the Honored Minister of Justice
" " " " Interior. Reference to his awareness of the progress of the case
" " " " Education. " " " " " "
Sh. D

Page 8

Baghdad, April 26, 1928.
To the Honorable Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad.
Greetings.
We have received your letter No. 514 dated April 19, 1928, and we have indeed
presented it to our school teachers for their review, although we have not previously
been accustomed to receiving instructions regarding our school affairs from the office
of the Hakhamkhana. We know that our sole authority is the Lay Council, as stated
in Article (43) of the Hakhamkhana Regulations. Our school teachers have protested
against this letter—
First—Because disturbances in parliamentary elections are crimes punishable by law,
and since careful investigations have not proven that any of our school teachers
engaged in any disturbance against any party, we see no place for mentioning
this word in your letter.
Second—If we assume that some teachers participated in the elections, this is an
explicit right granted to them by all laws, in addition to being a duty for them as
the elite of the nation's enlightened—and no one has the right to prevent them from
performing this sacred national duty.
Third—Urging students by teachers to perform any work other than school work is
administratively prohibited; therefore, we are certain that nothing of the sort occurred.
We were very surprised by your recommendation to us regarding discipline, because
order and regularity are proceeding in the best possible manner in our schools,
and no act contrary to the educational spirit or school discipline has occurred. Based
on the above, and to preserve the reputation of our schools and the dignity of their
teachers, we add our voice to their protest. Please accept our highest respect!
⟦signature⟧ | ⟦signature⟧ | ⟦signature⟧
Director of Alliance Schools | Director of Rachel Shahmoon School | Director of the National School
⟦signature⟧ | ⟦signature⟧
Director of the Midrash School | Director of Al-Karam School
For information—
Copy to = His Excellency the Minister of Education.
" " = His Excellency the President of the Lay Council.

Page 9

RAHEL SHAHMOON SCHOOL
Rahel Shahmoon School
No. 40
Baghdad, September 21, 1928
Baghdad 192
His Excellency, the Honorable President of the Lay Council
After greetings and respect,
I submit to your Excellency a copy of the protest received from the teachers of our school regarding the circular
received from the Political Governor's Agency, No. 514, dated April 19, 1928. Respectfully yours,
⟦illegible signature⟧
Principal of Rahel Shahmoon School
The Hakham Bashi

8621 in April 26 to ⟦August⟧
Honorable Mr. President of the Israelite Community
Greetings and respect, and thereafter
With reference to your letter 8621 in April 21 regarding an endowment house for the service of the community
Please note that this house became for a specific purpose and it was all for the purpose of paying off the debts of this institution
charitable, and its income was for the settlement of these mentioned debts, and now the debts have been paid and the house has become free and clear
And now in good condition (63), the mentioned house is under the management of the community and its responsibility in its disposal
according to this decision, and the payment of the debts on it has been completed by the community
The esteemed Mr. Abdul Aziz, his brothers, and his children, this mentioned house is still under lease - as
you mentioned, and the lease period has ended for one of the tenants, and we suggested that the lease
and management be in the hands of the community, and we do not object to that, but rather it is our duty to be one hand
Since the mentioned house is still in our custody in terms of paying fees, taxes, and restoration for that - we ask you
to agree to hand it over officially according to the procedures and by a decision from the esteemed body of
handing over the mentioned house to our custody in the year 1949, and that from now on - we are
one hand with the esteemed community, and we hope for approval to hand it over to our hand in this case - therefore
We ask your esteemed council to decide that, and we are ready to undertake the management of its affairs as it was
in the past, and the house, lands, and trees, as you know, are of great importance to our institution
charitable - and from this and the mentioned trees in our orchard and according to what was decided in the past, and the house and the land
it is the property of the community, and since we are members of the community, we hope for approval to hand over the house and the land
And God is the granter of success
⟦signature⟧ ⟦signature⟧ ⟦signature⟧
On behalf of the Administrative Body President of the Israelite Community President of the Administrative Body
⟦signature⟧ ⟦signature⟧
Secretary of the Administrative Body President of the Administrative Body
Our mentioned orchard is located in the area of ⟦...⟧ - this is a village
And this is our orchard and its area is about eight dunams

Page 10

To the Honorable Director of Rachel Shahmoon School
After greetings:
We have received the notification from the Hakham Bashi Agency, therefore we present the following:
First. There is no law that mandates depriving private school teachers of their civil rights, namely elections.
Second. The teachers did not approach any of the students regarding anything about the elections, neither inside the school nor outside it.
Third. We strongly protest the report containing the accusation of rioting ⟦attributed⟧ to some
teachers, which we consider as attributing a crime to them, which tarnishes their reputation and harms the reputation of
our beloved school.
On April 26, 1948
Signed by all teachers
This copy is identical to its original
Rachel Shahmoon School
Baghdad
RACHEL SHAHMOON SCHOOL
BAGHDAD
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
Director of Rachel Shahmoon School

Page 11

Administration of the Lay Council
of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number:
Date: June 1928
Subject: Regarding the issuance of a Royal Decree appointing an Acting Chief Rabbi
His Excellency the Honorable Prime Minister
Greetings and respect,
On February 6, 1928, the Spiritual and Lay Councils met and decided
to elect Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Effendi as Acting Chief to manage the affairs of the Mosaic community temporarily
until a person is elected to the Chief Rabbinate permanently in accordance with Article 2 of the Rabbinate Regulations.
Since Rabbi Sassoon's acting appointment has not yet been coupled with High Ratification within
the meaning of (Article 15) of the aforementioned regulations, I wished to present to Your Excellency, before considering
the matter of ratification, a fundamental point whose oversight leads to confusion, which is that Rabbi
Ezra Dangoor, whose appointment as Acting Chief of the Rabbinate was joined by the issued Royal Decree, ⟦was⟧
there had occurred at the time an anomaly in the issuance of the Royal Decree for his appointment as Acting Chief of the said Rabbinate.
The provisions of Article 15 of the Rabbinate Regulations are explicit and require no hesitation
regarding the form of ratifying the election of the Acting Chief of the Rabbinate temporarily, that ratification
which is completed - as we understand from the last paragraph of this article - by the Prime Minister issuing (the High
Buyuruldi), meaning the Prime Minister's will in appointing the aforementioned Acting Chief.
As for the procedures for electing His Eminence the Chief Rabbi permanently and the manner of issuing the Royal Decree
for his appointment and his taking of the oath, all of this is stipulated in Articles 2, 3, and 4 of
the aforementioned Rabbinate Regulations. Therefore, it has become necessary to differentiate between the appointment of an Acting
Chief (which is completed, as we have shown, by the order of His Excellency the Prime Minister only) and the appointment of the Chief Rabbi
permanently (the matter which requires the issuance of a Royal Decree in accordance with what was stated in the three aforementioned
articles).
Accordingly, and to prevent any oversight that might occur in coupling the appointment of the Acting Chief with a Royal Decree,
as happened in the appointment of the previous Acting Chief, Rabbi Ezra Dangoor, contrary to what was stated in the
aforementioned articles, and to prevent any unnecessary burden in this regard contrary to what the law requires, I have submitted
this petition of mine, drawing your High Office's attention to the fundamental points presented therein.
With highest esteem and respect to Your Excellency,
President of the Lay Council
A copy thereof to His Excellency the Honorable Minister of Justice
Rabbis
⟦illegible⟧

Page 12

Editing
7/1/19
June 6, 1928
To:
The Honorable Sassoon Effendi Khedhouri, Acting Chief Rabbi in
Baghdad
Furthermore, we send you herewith a certified copy of the Royal Decree No. 90 dated
May 28, 1928, and the 19th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1346, stating your appointment as Acting Chief
Rabbi. Please inform me of its receipt by you. Respectfully yours.
⟦illegible⟧
On behalf of the Minister of Justice
A copy of it
To the Presidency of the Lay Council in Baghdad
With a certified copy of the Royal Decree for information
Hakham Bashi
Archive
28/6/8
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧

No: 8631 ⟦illegible⟧
Baghdad
On: ⟦illegible⟧
Written on 12 Dhu al-Qi'dah
1360 AH
Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad: Greetings and Respect
Subject: Renting a residential house for the Mosaic Community
During the meeting of the Committee
On today's date, the esteemed Committee met under the chairmanship of Rabbi 8631 on the night of 2 Dhu al-Qi'dah
to discuss the subject of renting a residential house for the Mosaic Community in Baghdad. The meeting was attended by the
members of the esteemed Committee, who are: Sassoon Khedhouri, Salim Shaul, Salim Samuel, Shafiq Adas,
Yosef Zilkha, Ibrahim Hayyim, Shaul Hayyim, Shaul Shmuel, Salim Shaul, Salim Samuel, Shafiq Adas,
The esteemed Committee studied the subject of renting a residential house for the Mosaic Community in Baghdad (51 Rashid Street) and the
Committee approved the rental of the mentioned house for a monthly salary of fifteen Iraqi Dinars. The Committee reviewed
in its meeting all the conditions and obligations resulting from renting the mentioned house by the Mosaic Community
in Baghdad. The esteemed Committee decided to rent the mentioned house starting from 12 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1360 AH for a period of one
year, renewable with the consent of both parties. It was agreed that the rent payment would be monthly at the end of each month.
Mr. Salim Shaul was assigned to follow up on the procedures for signing the lease contract with the owner of the mentioned house and registering it with
the relevant official departments. The Committee also decided to allocate an amount of 12 Iraqi Dinars per month for water, electricity,
and other services related to the mentioned house. Mr. Salim Samuel was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of these amounts
and record them in the accounting records of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Shafiq Adas
to follow up on the necessary maintenance and restoration work for the mentioned house, and an amount of 20 Iraqi Dinars was allocated
for this purpose. Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of this amount and record it in the accounting records
of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Shaul Hayyim to follow up on furnishing the mentioned house, and
an amount of 50 Iraqi Dinars was allocated for this purpose. Mr. Shaul Shmuel was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of this amount
and record it in the accounting records of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Salim Shaul to follow up on
insuring the mentioned house against fire, theft, and other risks, and an amount of 10 Iraqi Dinars was allocated
for this purpose. Mr. Salim Samuel was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of this amount and record it in the accounting records
of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Shafiq Adas to follow up on appointing a guard for the mentioned house
with a monthly salary of 5 Iraqi Dinars. Mr. Ibrahim Hayyim was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of this amount
and record it in the accounting records of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Shaul Hayyim to follow up on
providing all other necessary requirements for the mentioned house, and an amount of 10 Iraqi Dinars was allocated
for this purpose. Mr. Shaul Shmuel was assigned to follow up on the disbursement of this amount and record it in the accounting records
of the esteemed Committee. The Committee also decided to assign Mr. Salim Shaul to follow up on all other matters
related to the mentioned house and to submit periodic reports about it to the esteemed Committee in its upcoming meetings.
This minutes was signed by the members of the esteemed Committee present at the meeting.
And God is the Granter of success.
Chairman of the esteemed Committee, Sassoon Khedhouri
⟦signature⟧
A copy to the Secretariat of the esteemed Committee
A copy to the Accounts
Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad

Page 13

Number ⟦...⟧
Our Royal Decree has been issued
Based on what was presented by the Prime Minister
To appoint Sassoon Effendi Khedhouri as Acting Chief Rabbi.
The Prime Minister shall execute this decree.
Written in Baghdad on the twenty-eighth day of the month of May
In the year 1928 and the ninth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1346.
⟦Faisal⟧
Abdul Muhsin al-Saadoun
Prime Minister.
True copy 6/6/1928.
Kingdom of Iraq
The Diwan
Ministry of Interior
M. F.

Page 14

Administration of the Lay Council
of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Number: 501
Date: 18 July 928
His Eminence the Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad, Respected
Subject: Regarding the assistance of Naeema daughter of Shalom Cohen
After greetings:
Reference to your letter No. 44/H dated 17 July 1928, there is
no possibility to assist Naeema daughter of Shalom Cohen as the community fund is unable to provide
such assistance. If it is necessary to assist the aforementioned, your Eminence may
collect a special donation, otherwise not.
Therefore, we return herewith the petition regarding the mentioned request, drawing your attention not to refer
such petitions without merit.
Sincerely,
President of the Lay Council
⟦signature⟧

Page 15

The Hakham Bashi
Number: 9/409
For the Israelite Community: Baghdad
Date: 17 January 929
Telephone Number: 200 Central
His Excellency the Respected President of the Lay Council
Subject: Request for approval of our withdrawals amounting to fifty-seven
thousand two hundred and forty-eight rupees and twelve annas
Based on the authority vested in me under Article 7 of the Hakhamkhana Regulations
I refer to your respected council the detailed schedules of what had to be withdrawn by us during the vacancy
of your council, hoping for their approval as soon as possible and the return of the case files referred
to this department
With utmost respect
Acting Hakham Bashi
Hakham Bashi
The Hakham Bashi
To be returned to the Vice President of the Community
for auditing against the original lists ⟦under⟧ the amount of eighty-nine thousand
based on the council's decision taken on 10/1/929
⟦illegible⟧

Number: 105
Date: 18 November
Presidency of the Mosaic Community in Baghdad
The Honorable Lay Council
Baghdad
Regarding what you inquired about concerning the endowment house endowed
by the late Hasina daughter of Sassoon Rawiya: and its subject
Subject: Residential house
In view of the passage of 8621 days, 71 Octobers, and 31 days regarding the mentioned house
And for the remaining of what is due as in the attached files about it, the mentioned house is in a condition that requires maintaining its interest and the public
That the tenant, despite her desire to remain in it, however she deserves from non-existence was not suitable. Accordingly, as it had been decided
that the house's condition has devolved according to the procedures.
And for the public interest and based on the proposal of the specialized committee in this honorable regard, it has been decided to demolish it to be as previously decided
With our appreciation for your efforts in this regard, with highest respect
Signature
President of the Mosaic Lay Council
⟦signature⟧

Page 17

Total amount withdrawn by the Hakham Bashi in Dirhams during the vacancy of the Council
Fixed Salaries
Total salaries for October and November 948 (Administrative Order No. 1) 22252
Salaries for December 948 (Administrative Order No. 7) 16448 48800
Additions decided in principle and requiring Council approval
Housing allowances for vacant residences (70 Rupees monthly) starting from July 1, 948 to the end of December 948 (Administrative Order No. 1 and 7) 420
Additions for Shalom Qassab from September 1, 948 (see attached papers and Administrative Order No. B 102) 120
Miscellaneous Withdrawals
Tax for Khan Al-Ta'awun from October to the end of February 949 (Administrative Order No. 51) 185
Tax for Khan Al-Tawjih 125
Rent for the National School for one year starting from the first of October.. (Administrative Order No. 2) 2200
Funeral affairs expenses (Order No. 2) 86
Funeral affairs expenses (Order No. 4) 26
Administrative expenses for the Ottoman Cemetery (Order No. 9) 160
Cheese ranks salary for five months starting from February 7, 949 (Order No. 21) 75 2857
Administrative and incidental expenses
Telephone fee for an internal extension for six months starting from 15/1/949 (Administrative Order No. 16) 355
Plate No. (1) (Administrative Order No. 51) 150
Plate No. (2) (Administrative Order No. 6) 200
Plate No. (3) (Administrative Order No. 12) 100
Plate No. (7) (Administrative Order No. 20) 100
46/6 spent from it according to Plate No. (4) and the rest in the department's safe (Administrative Order No. 22) 120
Stationery and repair of Arabic and English typewriters, see attached lists 545
Electricity from 7/7/948 to 2/2/949 498
Bicycle for the department's bailiffs (Administrative Order No. 17) 60
Uniforms for the department's bailiffs (Ameen No. 15 and 17) 90
Value of stamps for 2 pocket notebooks 128
Renovation of Khan Al-Ta'awun, see list 7/7/949 submitted by Sahyun Ajam (Administrative Order No. 24) 997 1390
Advances
Advances for Stephen Bar Elias upon her request (in the administrative number) 3000
Advances for Rabbi Bushua Moshe upon his requests - see the case (Order No. 6) 300
Advances for Rabbi Moshe Mordechai (Administrative Order No. 8) 100
Advances for Rabbi Yaqub Wasfi 100
Advances for Yusuf Qadi Luay on his salary (Administrative Order No. 29) 160 3660
Only fifty-seven thousand two hundred and forty-eight Rupees and twelve Annas 57248
To the Secretary
Referred to the Deputy Council for auditing, then to the Local Council
22-10-949
⟦illegible⟧
Vice President
⟦illegible stamp text in blue ink⟧

Page 19

Administration of the Lay Council
of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number: 29/MB/929
Date: 30 January / 929
Telephone Number: 200 Central
His Eminence the Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad, the Respected
Subject: Approval of your withdrawals during the Council's vacancy
Reference to your letter No. 309/H dated 17 / 1 / 929
After careful examination of the detailed list attached to your aforementioned letter
and reviewing the text of Article 7 of the Rabbinate Regulations, the Council decided in its session held
⟦the...⟧ on 29 / 1 / 929 to approve your withdrawals during the Council's vacancy from -
7 / 12 / 1928 to 17 / 1 / 929 amounting to fifty-seven thousand two hundred and forty-eight
rupees and twelve annas 57248/12. This is with the hope that your Eminence will be in
the future more economical in spending in such cases,
⟦signature⟧
Vice President of the Lay Council
Files returned to the Chief Rabbinate Administration
2 / 2 / 929
⟦signature⟧

Page 20

M D M / B H / H M : ⟦number⟧
262 / 1 / April / 56 : Date
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
The Lay Council / Endowment Committee
Baghdad
Number 206 : Date
Subject / Renting the Endowment house in Karrada
To the Honorable Chairman of the Endowment Committee
262 / 1 / 71 on date 206 with thanks and appreciation
On the occasion you mentioned regarding the rental of the house belonging to the endowment in Karrada Al-Sharqiya in the name of
Mr. Salman Ibrahim according to the lease contract concluded between us and you dated the 25th of it, with an annual installment amounting to
fifty dinars as a guarantee and warranty by the Presidency of the Jewish Community on 26 / 1 / 262 on date ⟦illegible⟧
Accordingly, we kindly request you to issue your order to pay the rent installment 262 / 1 / 71 amounting to 862 / 7 / 7
according to the check numbered 83670 on 71 / 8 / 262 attached herewith in the name of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
This is with highest appreciation and respect
⟦signature⟧
President of the Jewish Lay Council in Baghdad
A copy of it to the Endowment Committee for information and action
5 / 10 / 56

Page 21

Administration of the Lay Council
of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number: 15 / JS / 929
Date: 21 January 29
Telephone Number: 200 Central
His Eminence the Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad, the Respected
Subject: Acceptance of the proposal to replace the Community House
Reference to your Eminence's letter No. 308 / H dated 17 / 1 / 929
Our council approved in its session held on 20 / 1 / 929 to adopt
your proposal to replace the Israelite Community House, provided that the rent
of the new house does not exceed one thousand eight hundred rupees annually (1800)
Therefore, your Eminence may search for a house that meets the requirements to be a headquarters
for the community administration and lease the current house to those interested as soon as possible.
⟦illegible⟧
Vice President of the Lay Council

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The Hakham Bashi
of the Israelite Community: Baghdad -
Number: ⟦212⟧ / H
Date: 21 January 29
⟦22⟧
Telephone Number: 200 Central
His Excellency the President of the Honorable Lay Council
Subject: Allocation of (1900) Rupees for the rent of a new house
Reference to your letter No. 5 / 1 / JS / 929 dated today
We have been able to find a house very suitable for the requirements, which is the house of Shaul Hakham
Heskel No. 16 / 118
However, we were not able to rent it for less than one thousand nine hundred rupees annually
Therefore, we request the approval of the honorable Council for that;
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi
To the Secretary
Place this letter on the agenda of the next Council meeting
22 / 1 / 29

Its number: 51 / Balance / 362
Its date: 27 Rabi' al-Thani year 1367
Presidency of the General Spiritual Rabbi
of the Mosaic Community in Iraq
Baghdad
In our file numbered: 506
And its subject: International travel for Hajj by cars
Its destination: Committee of Education, Administration, and Finance
Your letter numbered and dated 27/806 in 71 / 1 / 362 was received
from it 17 Rabi' 2 67 / 1 / 26 in letter ⟦illegible⟧ including the dispatch of a package to be delivered along with the remain-
der of the tables mentioned above attached herewith, not as the Committee of Education, Administration, and Finance and according to the notice
(81 m) to adopt my reconstruction eight times the prices of all its previous grades
based on which the certificate quoted above from the Hajj personnel by cars mentioned above
This is a copy to be deposited in a letter and its certification by the Education, Administration, and Finance Committee of Education and Administration
President of the General Spiritual Rabbi in Baghdad

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Administration of the Lay Council
of the Israelite Community
Baghdad
Number: ⟦280/J/929⟧
Date: 28 January 929
Telephone Number: 200 Central
His Eminence the Acting Hakham Bashi, Respected
Subject: Approval of an increase of one hundred rupees to the allocations
of the new house
Reference to your letter numbered 314/H dated 21 / 22 Jan 929
requesting an increase of one hundred rupees to the allocations of the new house
And based on the fact that your Eminence has previously leased the house, the Council
decided in its session held on 27 / 1 / 929 to approve this
increase,
⟦signature⟧
Vice President of the Lay Council
⟦illegible⟧

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Presidency of the Property Assessment Committee
Northern Baghdad
Date 13 / 4 / 1929
Number ⟦400⟧
To -
Director of the Jewish Lay Council
When this committee carried out the general assessments, it appeared that the house numbered 16 / 118
located in the Qanbar Ali neighborhood is under the occupation of your administration, so please inform us of its annual
rental value?
Chairman of the Property Assessment Committee
Northern Baghdad
15 / 4 / 929
14 April 929
File Number 1
Director of Editing
⟦The file of⟧ the mentioned property
to give us the answer so that
we may respond to it
15 / 4 / 929
This is the house that we are using as
the community administration at the present time
16 / 4 / 929

25 / 10 / 1948
Number: 862 / Personnel
The Lay Council of the Jewish
Community in Baghdad
Baghdad
Subject: Transfer of Services
To the Chairman of the School Management Committee: Al-Wataniya for Boys
Al-Wataniya for Boys
The Council decided in its session held on 16 / 10 / 48
To transfer the services of Mr. Selim Khedhouri from Al-Wataniya School for Boys
To the Alliance School as of the date he commences work there
Provided that he receives his salary from the aforementioned Alliance School
In accordance with Order No. 861 / Personnel dated 21 / 10 / 48
Therefore, it was necessary
⟦illegible⟧
President of the Lay Council of the Community
⟦illegible⟧

Page 25

121
Number 28/128 S on 29/4
16 April 929
Annual rent for house number 16/118
To
Chairman of the North Baghdad Property Assessment Committee
Reference to your letter ⟦numbered 40⟧ dated 13 / 4 / 929
The annual rent for the house numbered 16 / 118 which our administration currently occupies
is one thousand nine hundred rupees (1900) per year ⟦...⟧
The Spiritual Council
⟦signature⟧
Vice President of the Spiritual Council