AI en Translation, Pages 101-125
Page 101
Sabour Sh. Beji
Baghdad on ⟦5 / 4 / 47⟧
Subject: Formation of a committee to audit the origin of debts
on the schools
The Honorable Presidency of the Lay Council
Baghdad
Greetings and respect,
With reference to your letter No. 2976 dated 1/ 4 / 947
My time at present is very tight, therefore
I am very sorry to inform you that I cannot participate in the subject mentioned
in your letter, and I hope you accept my apology. With many thanks and gratitude.
Sincerely,
⟦signature⟧
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
2817
Date 7 / 4 / 47
File Number
Approved. Please attach this letter
with the letter No. 2976 referred to
above and return it to me.
⟦signature⟧
8 / 4 / 947
Page 102
Issues referred to the Lay Council by the General Council
Session Date | Subject
4/22/945 | 1 - Instructing the Lay Council to appoint a permanent auditor to supervise the accounts of the community's institutions
| 2 - Referring the issue of establishing an association to help poor girls with marriage to the Lay Council for study and to submit its findings to the General Council
5/6/945 | 3 - Referring the issue of merging the Hebra Qadisha Association with the Jewish Cemeteries Association, unifying the efforts of both associations, and organizing burial matters to the Lay Council to study the subject and inform the General Council of the result
| 4 - Recommending the Lay Council to form a special committee to monitor the synagogues and their contents and to hold those responsible for them accountable
| 5 - Referring the issue of preaching and guidance in synagogues and other communal institutions to the Lay Council to carry out two operations:
| First - Urging schools to deliver lectures and moral and social guidance in schools and other gatherings
| Second - Urging the Spiritual Council to deliver a series of lectures or religious sermons aimed at educating the public
| 6 - Recommending the formation of a committee to monitor the community's real estate, its renovation, and its utilization
7/1/945 | 7 - Referring the report of the committee delegated to study the reforms needed by the hospitals to the Lay Council for study, to conduct a full investigation into the items contained therein, and to submit a report to the General Council at the earliest opportunity
7/8/945 | 8 - Referring the report of the committee delegated to study the reforms needed by the schools to the Lay Council for study and to provide an opinion, then returning it to the General Council to be read along with the opinion
| 9 - Referring the report of the committee delegated to study the principles of bookkeeping for the community's institutions to the Lay Council, implementing what it deems appropriate, and submitting a report regarding it to the General Council
| 10 - Mr. Ibrahim Al-Kabir's proposal regarding Yusuf Al-Kabir's report:
| 1 - Creating a special committee by the community leadership to look into the reforms needed by the community now and in the future
| 2 - Creating a special secretariat for the aforementioned committee to assist the committee in carrying out its work
| 3 - Inviting members of the General Council who wish to do so to submit their proposals regarding reforms they believe can be implemented to the committee's secretariat
| 4 - The committee's proposals regarding reforms that can be implemented shall be submitted individually whenever the committee sees a possibility for that
For filing
General
Page 103
The Lay Council
11
⟦illegible⟧
25 / 8 / 1947
23 / 8 / 947
Honorable and Respected Gentlemen
Daoud Shaoul Twayq
Daoud Yousif Hayim Saleh
Shimon Meron Sofer
After greetings and respect
I am pleased to inform you that the esteemed General Assembly has
elected you as a committee to audit the accounts of the Lay Council for the fiscal year
ending on March 31, 1947, in its extraordinary meeting held on
August 11, 1947.
I kindly ask you to audit the aforementioned accounts to submit the
necessary report regarding them at your earliest convenience to the esteemed General Council. Please accept
respect.
Head of the Community
Copy to - His Excellency the President of the Lay Council
The Accountant for information
Page 104
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
IN BAGHDAD
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE No. 5452
TELEPHONE No. 5452
⟦Department Copy⟧
Number ::
Date :: 8 / 2 / 950
Subject Summary ::
To the Vice President
Based on the Council's request, I have tried to study the plans followed by the Lay Council in determining
pension salaries for rabbis and community employees, but I have not found a decided plan in this regard.
1 - I noticed that in the year 1929, the Lay Council formed a committee to establish a special system
for the retirement of community employees; a draft of this system was prepared, but it was not decided upon at the time.
2 - The Schools Committee has followed a plan of granting a gratuity to employees whose services have ended
equivalent to half a month's (nominal) salary for each year of service, provided that this gratuity does not exceed
one hundred dinars as a maximum limit.
3 - I record below the names of employees for whom pension salaries have been allocated for them or their families, with the
last nominal salary and previous service for each of them, and the date the pension salary was granted:-
Name of Retired Employee | Last Position | Last Nominal Salary (Dinar / Fils) | Service Period (Year) | Decided Pension Salary (Dinar / Fils) | Date of Pension Allocation
1 Yusuf Levy | Clerk of the Community Presidency | 22 / 000 | 24 | 10 / 000
1 / 250 | 1/11/945
2 Rabbi Raphael Hakim | President of the Spiritual Council | 26 / 440 | 45 | 15 / 000
1 / 250 | 1/4/947
3 Rabbi Sassoon Ibrahim | Member of the Spiritual Council | 24 / 440 | 22 | 10 / 000
1 / 250 | 1/4/948
4 Isaac Meir Hayim Salem | Clerk and Servant of the Spiritual Council | 4 / 000 | 24 | 2 / 000
1 / 250 | 8/2/948
5 Ezra Mordechai | Shochet | 7 / 000 | 25 | 1 / 750
1 / 250 | 1/4/948
Please accept my respects
⟦signature⟧
Secretary
Page 105
T / 50 / 1508
10 / 8 / 1950
( 2 )
Department Copy
⟦illegible logo⟧
The Honorable Mr. Hayyim Eliyahu Tawfiq, Respectfully
After greetings
On the occasion of the first session of the Israeli Mosaic Council in Baghdad after the death of
your late father of blessed memory, the Council decided in its session held on July 30, 1950, to record
its deep regret for the heavy loss suffered by the community with the loss of one of the members of this Council
who worked for what your late father possessed of commendable qualities and certain keenness for the interests of
the community, and for the great services he provided during the difficult circumstances the community went through while
he held the presidency of the Lay Council for nearly thirteen years.
The Council shares with your honorable family the deep sorrow for the death of the deceased and offers condolences to your
honorable person, asking the Almighty to grant the deceased a place in His spacious paradise, to reward you abundantly, and to protect you
with His watchful eye along with the rest of your family members, so that you may be the best successor to the best predecessor.
Please accept the highest respect;
Acting Head of the Community
President of the Lay Council
For filing
The Mosaic Council
⟦illegible blue stamp⟧
88/1
Page 106
Baghdad on 8 / 2 / 951
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
Baghdad
After greetings and respect,
We would like to inform you that I have previously sent you a letter dated 19 / 1 / 51
on the occasion of the travel of the member Rabbi Daoud Shaul, where I pointed out to you that I had been appointed as a "member"
in the Israeli Spiritual Council according to your letter numbered T / 1492 / 50 and dated 1 / 8 / 1950
and not receiving any salary on this occasion, while your council has decided to grant a salary to
one of the members only without looking into my case and without sending me a reply to the letter referred to
above.
And on the occasion of the travel of the member Rabbi Yaqub Ishaq, I would like to request from your presence to look
into the matter of assigning me a salary and applying the status of member without discrimination, and my hope is firm that
my request will be met, and to you more thanks and respect.
Rabbi Eliyahu Ibrahim
⟦Yitzhak⟧ ⟦Sasson⟧
Menachem
Or
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
5 / 225 / 51
11 / 2 / 1951
File number ⟦line⟧
Archive
Page 107
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, the Respected
After offering the duties of respect
It is known to your Excellency that I have been elected as a member of the Spiritual Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
For the current term, the 1950 - 1954 term, and the followed procedures dictate that a salary be allocated
To the elected member of the aforementioned council; however, circumstances required that the salary allocation be postponed until
One of the previous members who were receiving a salary for council membership travels
According to the verbal agreement that took place between the newly elected members and the President of
The aforementioned Spiritual Council, and vacancies have occurred due to the travel of Rabbi Daoud Shaul
And Rabbi Yaqoub Ezra Musaffi. I request your Excellency to look into this matter and assign me
The salary I deserve for membership in the referred council, noting that I have not received since my election
As a member of the Spiritual Council, which was on 2/7/1950, until now any salary or allowances
From the community fund in exchange for my membership in the Spiritual Council
Furthermore, as your esteemed council has assigned a salary to one of the newly elected members, whereas in my case
This has not been looked into until now, knowing that I work as a member of the Community Court in addition to my work
As a member of the Spiritual Council, and this makes the right of priority in assigning the allocated salary
To the membership of the Spiritual Council as is the custom until now
I request your Excellency to look into this matter and act accordingly. To your Excellency much
Thanks and respect
Sincerely
Rabbi Saleh Yusuf Hayyim
Member of the Jewish Community Court in Baghdad
⟦signature⟧
21 / 2 / 1951
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad:
Number: 5 / 222 / 9
Date: 11 / 2 / 1951
File Number:
2
Correct
⟦illegible⟧
Page 108
To
The Presidency of the Israeli Lay Council in Baghdad
Extremely Urgent
Greetings,
Since a portion of the Jews of Baghdad did not renounce their Iraqi citizenship and chose to remain, and since those in charge of religious
matters (including Kiddushin, divorce, circumcision, Shechita, and collection of marriage fees ⟦...⟧ etc.) have all renounced their Iraqi
citizenship and the time for their departure from Iraq has arrived, matters which will inevitably lead to the neglect of the religious affairs mentioned above.
I have met with His Eminence the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Salman Hogi, and discussed the matter with him. He stated that no one among
the officials has approached him regarding these issues. (Even though I believe it is the duty of the Chief Rabbi and his colleagues to immediately initiate
the training of a sufficient number of persons to prepare them to carry out these religious matters mentioned above.)
Since these religious matters are very necessary (noting that the lack of a sufficient number of slaughterers will inevitably lead
to the cessation of Gabelle fee collection), I suggest and see it as appropriate and necessary that this issue receives your immediate attention,
by holding a joint session between your esteemed council and the rabbis to discuss these urgent matters.
With great respect to your Excellency,
⟦illegible signature⟧
Presented to the ⟦...⟧ body
⟦illegible stamp⟧
File
Page 109
4
Baghdad on 7 / 2 / 1951
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
Presented to your Excellency
I, the respected Ibrahim Hayyim son of Hakham Muqbil Ezra, head of the Beth
Din previously. I used to receive from the community a retirement wage in the amount of
2.500 per month. And now my name has appeared on the travel lists
and I am required to pay house rent in the amount of 10 Dinars. This, and I beg of
your Excellency for assistance as much as possible
I beg
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
11 / 2 / 1951
Council Administration ⟦...⟧
2 / 259 / 51
27 / 2 / 1951
⟦...⟧ the Council
1951/2/8
Page 110
To the Honorable President of the Lay Council
Based on the ⟦travel⟧ of the family of the late Deacon Zubaida, we must ⟦inform you⟧
of the necessity to cut the pension salary starting from 2/1/1951, noting that the rest of the members
will be leaving soon, and thank you.
Accountant
⟦illegible⟧
Naeem Zubaida
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number 664/57 M
Date 2/11/1951
Referred to the accountant to cut the salary starting from 2/1/1951
Vice President
2/11/51
⟦illegible⟧
Page 111
To the President of the Lay Council
Greetings,
I am Mr. Yusuf Hayyim Musaffi, a driver at the slaughterhouse. Due to my travel outside
the country, I request that you be informed of this so that you may take the necessary measures.
With much gratitude and respect,
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number H / ⟦298⟧ / 51
Date 27 / 2 / 1951
File Number
Yusuf Hayyim Musaffi
Yusuf Hayyim
Musaffi
The salary of the aforementioned is 2/250 Dinars monthly ⟦and⟧ 3 Dinars, total 5/250 annual allowance
To be presented to the Lay Council at its next meeting
He has received his salary for the month of February 1951
Accountant
27 / 2 / 51
To be presented to the Lay Council
Vice President of the Community
27 / 2 / 1951
Instruct the accounts to cut
his salary starting from 1 / 3 / 1951
27 / 2 / 51
6
Page 112
Date 4 / 2 / 1951
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
Baghdad
We inform you that Yusuf Hayim son of Hakham Yaqub Husni
has ceased attendance at the slaughterhouse as of 1 / 2 / 51
due to his travel outside Iraq.
With our utmost respect to your Excellency.
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Slaughterhouse
3
25 /
Incoming
Dear Vice President
The ⟦allocated⟧ salary to him is 12.250 Dinars
of which 7.000 Dinars are wages and 5.250 Dinars are cost of living allowance
Administration of the Lay Council:
Number: 51 / 257 / 2
Date: 5 / 2 / 1951
File Number:
Accountant
5 / 2 / 51
Payment of salary is to be suspended according to what is stated above by decision No. 51 / 249 / 2
Issued on 5 / 2 / 51 until a statement of ⟦his salary status⟧
effective from 1 / 2 / 1951
Vice President
5 / 2 / 51
V
Page 114
Administration of the Lay Council for Jews in Baghdad
Number G / 289 / 51
Date 15 / 2 / 1951
File Number ⟦line⟧
Baghdad on 12 / 2 / 1951
8
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected
What is presented to your Excellency
I request your kind approval to grant me an ordinary leave for a period of
two months starting from 15 / 2 / 1951 P.M. to 14 / 4 / 1951
A.M. and to consider me resigned as of the date of the end of my
leave period, as per your orders.
Please accept my highest thanks and respect
Your loyal servant
Naji Obeido
⟦signature⟧
12 / 2 / 1951
(On my behalf)
Dear Accountant
Please inform me of the amount of his monthly salary
⟦signature⟧
14/2/1951
The monthly salary of the aforementioned is eight dinars only and nothing else
Accountant
14 / 2 / 1951
His resignation is accepted as of 16 / 4 / 1951 P.M.
after he enjoys the leave granted to him ⟦amounting to two months⟧ and due to the urgent
need, the salary for the leave granted to him shall be paid in advance.
⟦signature⟧
15/2/1951
Four and a half dinars only were paid to him
⟦signature⟧
15 / 2 / 1951
Page 115
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number C / 640 / 51
Date 22 - 2 - 51
File Number
Baghdad 16 / 2 / 1951
9
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, Respected
Greetings and respect
I am Fouad Eliyahu Jwayla (Clerk of Papers) in the Presidency of the Community, in view of my upcoming travel outside Iraq
I request the acceptance of my resignation as of the end of February 1951, with the order to pay my salary until that date.
I would also like to remind you that the typist, Mr. Ibrahim Latif Lawi, is familiar with all
my work and is fully prepared to take it over, noting that my monthly salary is 13.250 Dinars with high cost of living
allowances, and the salary of the aforementioned person is the same as my salary.
With highest thanks and respect to your Excellency;
Sincerely,
Fouad Eliyahu Jwayla
⟦illegible⟧
Honorable Vice President
The monthly salary of the aforementioned person is 8.000 Dinars nominal
and 5.250 Dinars high cost of living allowance, totaling
13.250 Dinars
⟦illegible⟧
To S
16/2/1951
The salary is to be paid until the end of the month and the Council's
decision in this regard shall be taken into account
⟦illegible⟧
16/2/1951
Paid on 19 / 2 / 51
⟦illegible⟧
Page 116
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
G / 643 / 51
Date 11 / 2 / 51
File Number ⟦line⟧
Baghdad
11/2/51
11
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, Respected
After greetings and respect
I, Sabiha Yusuf, a teacher at ⟦Hayim Shani Saleh⟧ School for Girls, submit
this resignation from my position on the occasion of my travel outside Iraq. I request you kindly
accept it, and to your kindness much thanks and respect.
Sabiha Yusuf
11/2/51
Please refer to His Excellency the Vice President
With the request to approve the payment of the salary for the month of February 1951
In the amount of 8/500 eight, noting that she is on a school holiday
ending on 14/2/1951
⟦signature⟧
2/11
The salary for the month of February 1951 shall be paid
And the Council's approval of the acceptance of the
resignation and the payment of the salary shall be taken into consideration
⟦signature⟧
11/2/1951
Payment of the amount
Accountant
12/2/951
Page 117
Ezra Menahem Daniel
12/2 Al-Mustansir Street
Telephone Number { 3044
9367
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number 50/602
Date 12/12/50
File Number
12
Baghdad on December 10, 1950
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, Respected
Greetings and respect
Priorities
We refer you to your letter No. 167 dated 7/26/1948 addressed to the Presidency of the Committee
of Israelite Schools - a copy of which was sent to us - which includes a copy of the resolution taken at your twenty-third session
held on July 21, 1948, regarding the "Ezra Menahem Daniel Playground"
It is understood from the aforementioned resolution that your council's opinion at the time settled on the necessity of bringing in a specialist
in physical education to manage the aforementioned playground, and you also explained how to secure its expenses in order to ensure the intended goal
of establishing this playground. We hope to be informed of what has been done regarding the appointment of that specialist, especially since the playground building
has been completed, except for some fixed wooden furniture that is being worked on to be completed as soon as possible.
Furthermore, the fourth condition of the endowment deed stipulated the following: "- The trustee must entrust the matter
of running the management of the playground or any other institution established on the endowed plots to a committee under his supervision."
We hope that your council will choose the committee it designates and enact its regulations in implementation of the endower's condition.
Please accept our respect
⟦illegible⟧
The Endower
Ezra Menahem Daniel
Ezra Menahem
Daniel
⟦illegible⟧
Page 118
Jewish Schools Committee
BAGHDAD
Jewish Schools Committee
in Baghdad
Number: M / 13 / 575
Date: 13 / 12 / 1950
Administration of the Lay Council in Baghdad
Number 8 / 613 / 50
Date 29 / 12 / 50
File Number
⟦red mark⟧
Honorable President of the Lay Council
Greetings,
Your letter numbered T / 1654 / 50 dated 13 / 12 / 1950
This committee discussed in its session held on 14 / 12 / 1950 your letter
referred to above and decided to provide the following observation:-
1 - This committee has been in constant contact with the relevant authorities abroad regarding the recruitment of
a specialist in physical education since 1948 until the present time, and it had the honor of informing
His Excellency Senator Ezra Menachem Daniel of all the correspondence that took place in this regard firsthand, and
it used to receive his guidance and consult with him from time to time throughout the mentioned period, but it has not been
possible to find the required person until now. Therefore, in this situation, we have no choice but to employ
one of the physical education teachers in our schools for this position, and we have nominated for this the most capable physical education teacher in
our schools, who has previously attended several sports courses in Iraq and practiced teaching sports for a period of six
years in our schools.
2 - We have estimated the expenses of the stadium on this basis at seven hundred and fifty Dinars for this year,
and it is estimated that what we will receive from subscription revenues in some games will be two hundred Dinars annually, so there remains
five hundred and fifty Dinars. Our schools cannot contribute more than three hundred Dinars of it, and that is
on the basis of the estimated budgets that we submitted to your esteemed council. Therefore, if these
budgets are approved by your council, we will need at least another two hundred and
fifty Dinars to manage the stadium's affairs for this year.
However, if it is possible to find a specialist in physical education from abroad, the
stadium expenses will rise from 750 Dinars annually to 2000 Dinars annually, which prompted us to draw
your attention to that for the purpose of taking the necessary measures to secure these expenses.
- To be continued -
Page 120
Baghdad 4 / 5 / 51
16
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number 5 / 295 / 51
Date 8 / 5 / 1951
File Number
His Excellency the President of the Jewish Lay Council, Respected
After greetings
Your esteemed council had assigned us, after the death of our late father Rabbi Raphael Sehayek, a pension
amounting to 15/- Dinars and a quarter as cost of living allowance. After the death of our mother on 4 / 1 / 51
your esteemed council decided to reduce the pension to 11.250/- including the cost of living allowance. But we
accordingly at the end of March 51 with ⟦...⟧ receiving this pension, so we waited until the end of April
and we did not receive it either. Since we have no source of livelihood except this salary, especially since the law
of freezing assets has greatly affected our brother so that he is no longer able to help us, we request you to kindly
look into our matter and help us to enable us to manage our livelihood and housing.
Please accept our highest respect
Subhi
Subhi Rabbi Raphael
Salima Rabbi Raphael
Salima Rabbi Raphael
To be filed (The interest of the two petitioners is to help them with the share of ⟦...⟧ by paying
29 / 5 / 51
⟦illegible⟧
Page 122
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE NO. 531
The Lay Council of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 531
Number ::
Date ::
Subject Summary ::
Baghdad 28th March 1944
Officer Commanding,
Paiforce,
Baghdad.
Sir.
The Jewish Community of Baghdad has had the honour during the last three
years to arrange a Communal Seder on the night of Passover to all British
Soldiers of Jewish Persuasion. This year we have been approached by Lt. C.
Kulinisky 18 Pal. Field, Survey Maps Depot, reporting that it has been decided
to hold this gathering at the Garrison Cinema on the night of Friday April 7th.
We therefore enclose herewith a cheque on the Ottoman Bank Baghdad in your
order for the sum of £100/. (onehundred) for favour of delivery to the person
responsible for this gathering as a contribution from our Community towards
the celebration of the Feast.
We would be much obliged if you would kindly arrange to send us a formal
receipt.
With our respects and best regards.
⟦E. S. Tawfik⟧
President.
Page 123
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
PERSIA IRAQ COMMAND.
1178/1/AG4(a).
⟦6⟧ April, 1944.
⟦British Royal Coat of Arms⟧
The President,
The Jewish Lay Council,
Baghdad.
⟦line⟧
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of 28th March enclosing
a cheque for £100 towards a Communal Seder on the night of
Passover for British Soldiers of Jewish Persuasion.
Will you please convey to all your members my sincere
thanks for this very generous gift.
⟦Yours very truly⟧
⟦...⟧ Graham ⟦Brigadier⟧
⟦...⟧ Lieut.General.
G.O.C. -in- C.
Page 124
Subject:- PASSOVER FESTIVAL.
18.Pal.Fd.Survey Map Depot,R.E.
PAIFORCE.
⟦line⟧
14 April '44
To:-
Jewish Lay Council,
BAGHDAD.
⟦line⟧
1. Receipt of I.D. 100 (one-hundred) is hereby
acknowledged with thanks.
2. I am asked by those soldiers who had the
pleasure of attending the Passover Festival to express
their thanks for your generous help which is greatly
appreciated.
⟦illegible⟧ (C.KULINSKI) Lt.,R.E.
O.C. 18.Pal.Fd.Survey Map Depot,R.E.
CK/HLM
⟦illegible⟧
Page 125
Khedhouri and Ezra Meir Lawee Company Limited
CHEVROLET
Invoice No.: C 45 / 819
Baghdad on: 18 / 9 / 1945
To: His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, Respectfully - Baghdad
Number | Description | Dinar | Fils
| The amount of our invoice previously sent to you under No. C 45 / 701 dated 13 / 8 / 1945 | 49 | 486
| Deducting the amount paid in cash as settlement for our invoice No. C 45 / 460 dated 28 / 5 / 1945 | 38 | 346
| (The amount of eleven dinars and one hundred and forty fils) | 11 | 140
On behalf of Khedhouri and Ezra Meir Lawee Company Limited
⟦signature⟧