AI en Translation, Pages 251-275
Page 253
for Baghdad in the Iraqi Chamber of Deputies for the first
time / then his election was renewed until the end of the First World
War and the separation of Iraq from Turkey.
During his parliamentary term, he demonstrated great
parliamentary activity and served as a member of
various special committees in the Council and as Chairman
of the General Budget Committee. He was dispatched to
London and Paris on special missions. In
the year 1912, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry
of Commerce and Agriculture (Public Works) during the era of
its late minister, Suleiman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World
War, the late Sassoon Heskel returned
to Baghdad in 1920. In the same
year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed
under the leadership of the late Mr. Abd al-Rahman
al-Naqib, and Sassoon Heskel assumed the Ministry of
Finance in it.
In 1921, the deceased was one of
the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo
Conference, accompanied by the late Ja'far al-Askari,
the Minister of Defense at the time. In that
historic conference, it was decided to lay the foundations
of the young Kingdom of Iraq.
When the late Faisal I was pledged allegiance
as King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed
under the leadership of al-Naqib, the late
Sassoon Heskel continued to retain
his position - the Ministry of Finance (September 1921)
Page 254
⟦And he held⟧ the same position in the ⟦Ministry of Finance⟧
the third (August 1921 - November 1922)
⟦then the ministry⟧, the first Al-Saadoun ⟦ministry⟧
(November 1922 - November 1923)
then the first Yassin al-Hashimi ministry (August
1924 - June 1925)
Accordingly, the late Sassoon
⟦Eskell⟧ was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance
in the nascent Iraqi state, and he held it
for more than five consecutive years, considering
the period of the first foundational ministry (1921 -
1922). Those years were a
decisive stage in establishing the financial formations
and setting the state budget and its financial laws
on firm and solid foundations. The deceased was,
alongside his extensive financial expertise, endowed
with a keenness for the state's interest ⟦and precision⟧ in implementing
laws and in adhering to budget figures.
He was stingy in adding credits except
for extreme necessity, and by that he ⟦enacted⟧ solid
systems in consolidating the state's financial rules.
Among the achievements that observers mention
with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated
with the late Abd al-Muhsin al-Saadoun,
the Prime Minister, in oil negotiations with
the Turkish Petroleum Company, which was later known
as the Iraq Petroleum Company, he insisted on the necessity
of paying the Iraqi government's share in gold
currency. His insistence back then
on his point of view seemed strange, because the pound
Page 255
4
Sterling was based on the
gold standard. But this text has benefited Iraq
with a great benefit following the exit of
the pound from the gold standard, ensuring for Iraq
the acquisition of millions of additional dinars.
The late Sassoon ⟦Heskel⟧ was elected
as a deputy for Baghdad in the year 1925 in the
first Chamber of Deputies, and then he was re-elected in
successive councils until his death. He held
the chairmanship of the Finance Committee in the Council, so
it was inevitable that he became like a father
to the Chamber of Deputies in view of his parliamentary experience
and proficiency: he was referred to in matters
related to parliamentary traditions and his opinion
was taken in every dispute that occurred regarding the application
of the internal regulations.
The late Sassoon Heskel was
a far-sighted politician with extensive knowledge
and status inside Iraq and abroad.
In addition to receiving higher education
in Europe, he visited most European countries
and their capitals, and spent various periods in them and became acquainted
with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers
there, and he has a character that has ⟦among⟧ many friends.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern
and Western languages in reading and writing, including, besides
Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew,
French, English, and German, and he was familiar
with Greek and Latin. His private library
was one of the greatest personal libraries
Page 256
It includes the most precious books for researchers, Eastern authors
and Westerners, on valuable and rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His Majesty
the late King Faisal I bestowed upon him
the Order of the Rafidain, Civil Type, of the
Second Class. Before this, he had been bestowed
by the Ottoman Empire with the Ottoman Order,
and the State of the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of
Khorshid, just as His Majesty
the ⟦Emperor⟧ decorated him with the Order of ⟦...⟧ in ⟦...⟧
with the rank of Knight, and his name became crowned
with "Sir".
In the summer of 1922, the son of the deceased
traveled to Paris for medical treatment,
and died of the ⟦malignant⟧ illness in ⟦Paris⟧.
He was buried in the ⟦Père Lachaise⟧ cemetery.
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ on September 7, 1922
Page 257
The Life of the Late Sir Sassoon Eskell
Sassoon Eskell was born in Baghdad on March 17, 1860. He belonged to the Shlomo
David family, known among Jewish families in Iraq for trade, wealth, and prestige. His late father,
the late Rabbi Eskell, was counted among the great spiritual Jewish scholars in Baghdad.
After Sassoon Eskell received his primary education at the Alliance Israélite school
in Baghdad, he traveled in early 1877 to Istanbul at the age of seventeen. His journey
was in the company of the late Menahem Salih Daniel, who was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the first Ottoman
Chamber of Deputies, which was elected during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In Istanbul, Sassoon Eskell continued his studies and moved from there to schools in London and Vienna,
where he received his financial education. In late 1881, he returned to Baghdad and was appointed as a translator for the province, remaining
in this position until 1904, when he was entrusted with the Directorate of River Administration, which at that time was affiliated
with the Sanniyya Administration.
In 1908, following the declaration of the Ottoman Constitution, the subject was elected as a deputy for Baghdad
in the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1908, and his election was renewed until the end of the First World
War and the separation of Iraq from Turkey in 1918.
During his tenure as a deputy, he demonstrated great parliamentary activity and served as a member of various special committees
in the Chamber and as chairman of the General Budget Committee. He was sent to London and Paris on special missions. In
1913, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture (Public Works) during the term of its minister, the late Sulayman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World War, the late Sassoon Eskell returned to Baghdad in
1920. In the same year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed under the leadership of the late Sayyid Abd al-Rahman al-Naqib,
and Sassoon Eskell assumed the Ministry of Finance in it.
In March 1921, the deceased was one of the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo Conference, headed by
the late Ja'far al-Askari, the Minister of Defense at the time. At that historic conference, it was decided to lay the foundations of the United Kingdom
of Iraq.
When His Late Majesty Faisal I was crowned King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed under the leadership of
al-Naqib, the late Sassoon Eskell continued to hold the position of the Ministry of Finance (September 1921) and held
the same position in the third Naqib ministry (August 1922 - November 1922), then the first al-Sa'dun ministry
(November 1922 - November 1923), then the first Yasin al-Hashimi ministry (August 1924 - June
1925).
Accordingly, the late Sassoon Eskell was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance in the nascent state of Iraq,
and he held it for about five consecutive years, with the exception of the period of the first military ministry (1923 - 1924).
Those years were a decisive stage in establishing financial structures and setting the state budget and its financial laws.
- To be continued -
14
Page 258
- 2 -
on a firm and solid foundation. In addition to his extensive financial experience, the deceased was extremely keen on the interest of
the state, firm in implementing the provisions of the law and in observing budget figures. He did not tolerate adding credits
except for extreme necessity, and by doing so, he established the best precedent in consolidating the state's financial rules.
Among the achievements for which Iraq remembers him with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated in the year
1925 with the late Abdul Muhsin al-Saadoun, the Prime Minister, in oil negotiations with the Turkish Petroleum Company
which was later known as the Iraq Petroleum Company, he insisted on the necessity of paying the Iraqi government's share in gold currency.
His insistence at that time seemed to be based on a strange view, because the Pound Sterling was based on the gold
standard, but this action benefited Iraq greatly later on after the Pound left the gold
standard, thus ensuring that Iraq obtained millions of additional Dinars.
The late Sassoon Heskel was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in 1925 in the first Chamber of Deputies
and was subsequently re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held the chairmanship of the Financial Committee
in the Council, and before long he became like a father to the Chamber of Deputies in view of his parliamentary experience and advanced age.
He was referred to in matters related to parliamentary traditions, and his opinion was taken in every dispute that occurred regarding
the application of the internal regulations.
The late Sassoon Heskel was a far-sighted politician, widely informed, and of great standing
inside and outside Iraq. In addition to receiving financial sciences in Europe, he visited most European countries
and their capitals, spent various periods in them, and became acquainted with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers, so he had
many friends among them.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern and Western languages in reading and writing, including, besides Arabic,
Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, French, English, and German, and had knowledge of Greek and Latin. His
private library was one of the greatest personal libraries, containing the most precious books by major Eastern and Western authors on
valuable and rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His Majesty the late King Faisal I bestowed upon him the Order of
the Rafidain, Civil Type, Second Class. Before this, the Ottoman Empire had bestowed upon him
the Nishan al-Imtiyaz, and His Majesty the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of Shir u Khurshid, and His Majesty the King of England decorated him with the
KBE with the rank of Knight, and he came to hold the title "Sir".
In the summer of 1932, the deceased traveled to Paris for medical treatment, and there he passed away on
August 31, 1932, and was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the French capital. A memorial service was held for him in Baghdad on
September 7, 1932.
⟦line⟧
14
Page 259
The Life of the Late Mr. Sassoon Heskel
Sassoon Heskel was born in Baghdad on March 17, 1860. He belonged to the Shlomo
David family, known among Jewish families in Iraq for trade, wealth, and prestige. His father, of blessed memory,
the late Rabbi Heskel, was counted among the senior spiritual scholars of the Jews in Baghdad.
After Sassoon Heskel received his primary education at the Alliance Israélite school
in Baghdad, he traveled in early 1877 to Istanbul at the age of seventeen. His journey
was in the company of the late Menahem Salih Daniel, who was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the first Ottoman
Chamber of Deputies, which was elected during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In Istanbul, Sassoon Heskel continued his studies and moved from there to the schools of London and Vienna
where he received his higher education. In late 1881, he returned to Baghdad and was appointed as a translator for the province, remaining
in this position until 1904, when he was assigned the directorship of the River Administration, which at that time was affiliated
with the Sanniyya Administration.
In 1908, following the announcement of the Ottoman Constitution, the subject was elected as a deputy for Baghdad
in the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1908, and his election was renewed until the end of the First World War
and the separation of Iraq from Turkey in 1918.
During his tenure as a deputy, he demonstrated great parliamentary activity and served as a member of various special committees
in the Chamber and as chairman of the General Budget Committee. He was sent to London and Paris on special missions. In
1913, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Agriculture (Public Works) during the term of its late minister, Sulayman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World War, the late Sassoon Heskel returned to Baghdad in
1920. In the same year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed under the chairmanship of the late Mr. Abd al-Rahman al-Naqib,
and Sassoon Heskel assumed the Ministry of Finance in it.
In March 1921, the deceased was one of the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo Conference headed by
the late Ja'far al-Askari, the Minister of Defense at the time. In that historic conference, it was decided to lay the foundations of the future
Kingdom of Iraq.
When His Majesty the late Faisal I was crowned King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed under the chairmanship of
al-Naqib, the late Sassoon Heskel continued to hold the position of the Ministry of Finance (September 1921) and held
the same position in the third Naqib ministry (August 1922 - November 1922), then the first al-Sa'dun ministry
(November 1922 - November 1923), then the first Yasin al-Hashimi ministry (August 1924 - June
1925).
Thus, the late Sassoon Heskel was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance in the emerging State of Iraq,
holding it for about five consecutive years, with the exception of the period of the first military ministry (1923 - 1924).
Those years were a decisive stage in establishing the financial structures and setting the state budget and its financial laws.
- To be continued -
12
Page 260
- 2 -
on a firm and solid basis. In addition to his extensive financial experience, the deceased was extremely keen on the interest of
the state, firm in implementing the provisions of the law and in observing budget figures. He did not tolerate adding credits
except for extreme necessity, and thus he established the best precedent in consolidating the state's financial rules.
Among the achievements for which Iraq remembers him with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated in the year
1925 with the late Abdul Muhsin al-Saadoun, the Prime Minister, in oil negotiations with the Turkish Petroleum Company
which was later known as the Iraq Petroleum Company, he insisted on the necessity of paying the Iraqi government's share in gold currency.
His insistence at that time seemed strange to those who were ignorant of his point of view, because the pound sterling was based on the gold
standard, but this action benefited Iraq greatly afterwards following the pound's departure from the gold
standard, ensuring that Iraq obtained millions of additional dinars.
The late Sassoon Heskel was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in 1925 in the first Chamber of Deputies
and was subsequently re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held the chairmanship of the Financial Committee
in the council, and after a while he became like a father to the Chamber of Deputies in view of his parliamentary experience and advanced age.
He was referred to in matters related to parliamentary traditions, and his opinion was taken in every dispute that arose regarding
the application of the internal regulations.
The late Sassoon Heskel was a far-sighted politician, widely informed, and of great standing
inside and outside Iraq. In addition to receiving financial sciences in Europe, he visited most European countries
and their capitals, spent various periods in them, and became acquainted with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers, so he had
many friends among them.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern and Western languages in reading and writing, including, besides Arabic,
Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, French, English, and German, and had knowledge of Greek and Latin. His
private library was one of the greatest personal libraries, containing the most precious books by major Eastern and Western authors on
valuable and rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His Majesty the late King Faisal I bestowed upon him the Order of
the Rafidain, civil type, second class. Before this, the Ottoman Empire had bestowed upon him
the Al-Mutamayiz medal, and His Majesty the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of the Lion and the Sun, and His Majesty the King of England decorated him with the
KBE with the rank of Knight, and he came to hold the title of "Sir".
In the summer of 1932, the deceased traveled to Paris for medical treatment, and there he passed away on
August 31, 1932, and was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the French capital. A memorial service was held for him in Baghdad on
September 7, 1932.
⟦line⟧
A 1
Page 261
The Life of the Late Mr. Sassoon Heskel
Sassoon Heskel was born in Baghdad on March 17, 1860. He belonged to the Shlomo
David family, known among Jewish families in Iraq for commerce, wealth, and prestige. His father of good memory,
the late Rabbi Heskel, was counted among the senior spiritual Jewish scholars in Baghdad.
After Sassoon Heskel received his primary education at the Alliance Israélite school
in Baghdad, he traveled in early 1877 to Istanbul at the age of seventeen. His journey
was in the company of the late Menahem Salih Daniel, who was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the first Ottoman
Chamber of Deputies, which was elected during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In Istanbul, Sassoon Heskel continued his studies and moved from there to schools in London and Vienna
where he received his higher education. In late 1881, he returned to Baghdad and was appointed as a translator for the province, remaining
in this position until 1904, when he was entrusted with the Directorate of River Administration, which at that time was affiliated
with the Sanniyya Administration.
In 1908, following the announcement of the Ottoman Constitution, the subject was elected as a deputy for Baghdad
in the Ottoman Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1908, and his election was renewed until the end of the First World
War and the separation of Iraq from Turkey in 1918.
During his tenure as a deputy, he demonstrated great parliamentary activity and served as a member of various special committees
in the Chamber and as chairman of the General Budget Committee. He was sent to London and Paris on special missions. In
1913, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture (Public Works) during the tenure of its late minister, Sulayman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World War, the late Sassoon Heskel returned to Baghdad in
1920. In the same year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed under the chairmanship of the late Mr. Abd al-Rahman al-Naqib,
and Sassoon Heskel assumed the Ministry of Finance in it.
In March 1921, the deceased was one of the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo Conference, headed by
the late Ja'far al-Askari, the Minister of Defense at the time. In that historic conference, the foundations of the future Kingdom of Iraq
were decided.
When His Late Majesty Faisal I was crowned King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed under the chairmanship of
al-Naqib, the late Sassoon Heskel continued to hold the position of the Ministry of Finance (September 1921) and held
the same position in the third Naqib ministry (August 1922 - November 1922), then the first al-Saadoun ministry
(November 1922 - November 1923), then the first Yassin al-Hashimi ministry (August 1924 - June
1925).
Accordingly, the late Sassoon Heskel was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance in the emerging State of Iraq,
and he held it for about five consecutive years, with the exception of the period of the first military ministry (1923 - 1924).
Those years were a decisive stage in establishing the financial structures and setting the state budget and its financial laws.
- To be continued -
Page 262
— 2 —
on a solid and firm basis. In addition to his extensive financial experience, the deceased was very keen on the interest of
the state, firm in implementing the provisions of the law and in observing budget figures. He did not tolerate adding credits
except for extreme necessity, and thus he established the best tradition in consolidating the state's financial rules.
Among the achievements for which Iraq remembers him with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated in the year
1925 with the late Abdul Muhsin al-Saadoun, the Prime Minister, in oil negotiations with the Turkish Petroleum Company
which was later known as the Iraq Petroleum Company, he insisted on the necessity of paying the Iraqi government's share in gold currency.
His insistence at that time seemed to be based on a strange point of view, because the Pound Sterling was backed by the gold
standard, but this action benefited Iraq greatly later on after the Pound left the gold
standard, ensuring that Iraq obtained millions of additional dinars.
The late Sassoon Heskel was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in 1925 in the first Chamber of Deputies
and was subsequently re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held the chairmanship of the Financial Committee
in the council, and before long he became like a father to the Chamber of Deputies in view of his parliamentary experience and advanced age.
He was referred to in matters related to parliamentary traditions, and his opinion was taken in every dispute that arose regarding
the application of the internal regulations.
The late Sassoon Heskel was a far-sighted politician, widely informed, and of great standing
inside and outside Iraq. In addition to receiving financial sciences in Europe, he visited most European countries
and their capitals, spent various periods in them, and became acquainted with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers, so he had
many friends among them.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern and Western languages in reading and writing, including, besides Arabic,
Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, French, English, and German, and had knowledge of Greek and Latin. His
private library was one of the greatest personal libraries, containing the most precious books by major Eastern and Western authors on
valuable and rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His Majesty the late King Faisal I bestowed upon him the Order of
the Rafidain, Civil Type, Second Class. Before this, the Ottoman Empire had bestowed upon him
the Distinguished Medal, and His Majesty the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of the Lion and the Sun, and His Majesty the King of England awarded him the
KBE with the rank of Knight, and he came to hold the title "Sir".
In the summer of 1932, the deceased traveled to Paris for treatment, and passed away there on
August 31, 1932, and was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the French capital. A memorial service was held for him in Baghdad on
September 7, 1932.
⟦line⟧
14
Page 263
The Life of the Late Mr. Sassoon Heskel
Sassoon Heskel was born in Baghdad on March 17, 1860. He belongs to the Shlomo
David family, known among Jewish families in Iraq for trade, wealth, and prestige. His father, of good memory,
the late Rabbi Heskel, was counted among the senior spiritual Jewish scholars in Baghdad.
After Sassoon Heskel received his primary education at the Alliance Israélite school in Baghdad,
he traveled in early 1877 to Istanbul at the age of seventeen. His journey was in the company of
the late Menahem Salih Daniel, who was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the first Ottoman Chamber of Deputies, which
was elected during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In Istanbul, Sassoon Heskel continued his studies and moved from there to the schools of London ⟦and Vienna⟧ where he received
his financial education. In late 1881, he returned to Baghdad and was appointed as a translator for the province and remained in this position
until 1904, when he was entrusted with the management of the River Navigation Administration, which at that time was affiliated with the Sanniyya Administration.
In 1908, following the declaration of the Ottoman Constitution, the subject was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the
Ottoman Chamber of Deputies for the first time in 1908, then his election was renewed until the end of the First World War and the separation
of Iraq from Turkey in 1918.
During his tenure as a deputy, he demonstrated great parliamentary activity and served as a member of various special committees in the Chamber,
and chaired the General Budget Committee. He was sent to London and Paris on special missions, and in 1913 he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry
of Trade and Agriculture (Public Works) during the tenure of its minister, the late Suleiman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World War, the late Sassoon Heskel returned to Baghdad in 1920.
In the same year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed under the chairmanship of the late Mr. Abd al-Rahman al-Naqib, and Sassoon
Heskel assumed the Ministry of Finance in it.
In March 1921, the deceased was one of the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo Conference, accompanied by the late
Ja'far al-Askari, the Minister of Defense at the time. In that historic conference, it was decided to lay the foundations of the future ⟦Kingdom⟧ of Iraq.
When His Late Majesty Faisal I was crowned King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed under the chairmanship of al-Naqib,
the late Sassoon Heskel continued to hold the position of the Ministry of Finance (September 1921) and held the same position
in the third Naqib ministry (August 1922 - November 1922), then the first al-Sa'dun ministry (November 1922 -
November 1923), then the first Yassin al-Hashimi ministry (August 1924 - June 1925).
Accordingly, the late Sassoon Heskel was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance in the emerging state of Iraq, and he
held it for about five consecutive years, with the exception of the period of the first military ministry (1923 - 1924).
Those years were a decisive stage in establishing financial structures and setting the state budget and its financial laws on a
firm and solid basis. Beside his extensive financial expertise, the deceased was very keen on the interest of the state, firm
in implementing the provisions of the law and in observing budget figures. He did not tolerate adding credits except for extreme necessity,
and thus he established the best precedent in consolidating the state's financial foundations.
Among the achievements for which Iraq remembers him with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated in 1925 with
- To be continued -
⟦For preservation⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 264
- 2 -
The late Abd al-Muhsin al-Saadoun, the Prime Minister, in the oil negotiations with the Turkish Petroleum Company, which was known
later as the Iraq Petroleum Company, insisted on the necessity of paying the Iraqi government's share in gold currency. And his
insistence at that time began based on a strange point of view. Because the Pound Sterling was based on the gold standard, but
this action benefited Iraq greatly afterwards following the Pound's departure from the gold standard. Thus, it guaranteed
for Iraq the acquisition of millions of additional Dinars.
The late Sassoon Heskel was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in the year 1925 in the first Chamber of Deputies, and
then he was re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held the chairmanship of the Finance Committee in the Council, and it was not long
before he became like a father ⟦to the Council⟧ of Deputies in view of his parliamentary experience and advanced age. People would refer
to him in matters related to parliamentary traditions, and his opinion was taken in every dispute that occurred regarding the application of the internal regulations.
The late Sassoon Heskel was a far-sighted politician, widely informed, and of great standing inside
Iraq and abroad. In addition to receiving financial sciences in Europe, he visited European countries and their capitals and spent
various periods in them, becoming acquainted with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers, so he had many friends among them.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern and Western languages in reading and writing, including, alongside Arabic: Turkish,
Persian, Hebrew, French, English, and German, and he had knowledge of Greek and Latin. His private library was
one of the greatest personal libraries, containing the most precious books by major Eastern and Western authors on valuable and
rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His late Majesty King Faisal I bestowed upon him the Order of the Rafidain,
Civil Type, Second Class. Before this, the Ottoman Empire had bestowed upon him the Nishan al-Imtiyaz, and
His Majesty the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of Shir-u-Khurshid, and His Majesty the King of England decorated him with the KBE with the rank of Knight,
and he came to hold the title of "Sir".
In the summer of 1932, the deceased traveled to Paris for medical treatment. There, death overtook him on August 31, 1932,
and he was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the French capital. A memorial service was held for him in Baghdad on September 7, 1932.
⟦line⟧
14
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Pursuant to the decision of the Baghdad Court of First Instance No. 381 dated November 21, 1944, it was decided to seize
the assets belonging to the individual named ⟦Ezra⟧ son of Levi ⟦Eliyahu⟧ residing in London, which are held by the Directorate of Frozen Assets under Decision No. 17 dated November 23, 1944
based on the request of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad in its capacity as the guardian of the property of minors, orphans, and the poor among the members of the community.
The aforementioned individual passed away in London on November 11, 1944, leaving legal heirs who are his wife ⟦Sarah⟧ daughter of ⟦Isaac⟧
and his minor children, Levi, Salim, and Naima, according to the guardianship certificate No. 7781 dated November 21, 1944.
The Presidency of the Community, in its capacity as the aforementioned guardian, has commenced the management of his movable and immovable property in Baghdad, the value of which is approximately ten thousand dinars.
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Accordingly, the Spiritual Council decided in its session held on November 25, 1944, to elect a committee to manage the assets of
the aforementioned deceased, consisting of Messrs. ⟦Ibrahim⟧ son of Joseph ⟦Shaul⟧ and ⟦Salman⟧ son of ⟦Isaac⟧ residing in Baghdad.
The aforementioned committee commenced its duties on November 26, 1944, and decided the following:
1- Inventorying all movable and immovable assets belonging to the aforementioned deceased in Baghdad.
2- Receiving all amounts deposited in banks and companies in the name of the aforementioned deceased.
3- Paying all debts and financial obligations owed by the aforementioned deceased.
4- Distributing the remaining amounts to the legal heirs, each according to their legal share.
Based on the above, the following assets have been inventoried:
1- An amount of 6121 dinars deposited in the Ottoman Bank in Baghdad in the name of the aforementioned deceased.
2- An amount of 1500 dinars deposited in the company of ⟦Lawrence⟧ and ⟦Partners⟧ in Baghdad in the name of the aforementioned deceased.
3- A residential house located in the ⟦Torah⟧ neighborhood in Baghdad, valued at approximately 2000 dinars.
4- A share in a property located in the ⟦Al-Sinak⟧ neighborhood in Baghdad, valued at approximately 500 dinars.
The aforementioned amounts have been distributed to the legal heirs after deducting expenses and legal fees.
Accordingly, the following amounts have been disbursed:
1- An amount of 1250 dinars to the wife of the deceased, ⟦Sarah⟧ daughter of ⟦Isaac⟧, as her legal share.
2- An amount of 1623 dinars to each of his minor children (Levi, Salim, and Naima) as their legal share.
3- An amount of 500 dinars for funeral and mourning expenses and legal fees.
The amounts belonging to the aforementioned minors have been deposited in the treasury of the Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad in its capacity as their guardian
under receipt vouchers numbered (2231 - 2232 - 2233) dated November 30, 1944.
This is what was necessary to state, and the matter is for your consideration.
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
⟦Signature⟧
Page 265
The life of the late Mr. Sassoon Heskel.
Sassoon Heskel was born in Baghdad on March 17, 1860, and he belongs to
the Shlomo David family, known among Jewish families in Iraq for trade, wealth,
and prestige. His father, of good memory, the late Rabbi Heskel, was counted among
the senior spiritual Jewish scholars in Baghdad.
After Sassoon Heskel received his primary education at the Alliance Israélite school
in Baghdad, he traveled in early 1877 to Istanbul when he was seventeen years
old. His travel was in the company of the late Menahem Salih Daniel, who was elected
as a deputy for Baghdad in the first Ottoman Chamber of Deputies, which was elected during the era
of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
In Istanbul, Sassoon Heskel continued his studies and moved from there to schools in London
and Vienna, where he received his financial education. In late 1881, he returned to
Baghdad and was appointed as a translator for the province, remaining in this position until 1904, when
he was entrusted with the Directorate of River Administration, which at that time belonged to the Saniyya Administration.
In 1908, following the announcement of the Ottoman Constitution, the subject was elected as a deputy for
Baghdad in the Ottoman Parliament for the first time in 1908, and his election was renewed
until the end of the First World War and the separation of Iraq from Turkey in 1918.
During his parliamentary term, he demonstrated great activity and served as a member of various special committees
in the Council and as Chairman of the General Budget Committee. He was sent to London and Paris
on special missions. In 1913, he was appointed as an advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Agriculture (Public Works)
during the term of its minister, the late Sulayman al-Bustani.
Following the end of the First World War, the late Sassoon Heskel returned to Baghdad
in 1920. In the same year, the provisional Iraqi government was formed under the chairmanship of the late
Sayyid Abd al-Rahman al-Naqib, and Sassoon Heskel assumed the Ministry of Finance in it.
In March 1921, the deceased was one of the members of the Iraqi delegation to the Cairo Conference
accompanied by the late Ja'far al-Askari, the Minister of Defense at the time. In that historic conference,
it was decided to lay the foundations of the future Kingdom of Iraq.
When His late Majesty Faisal I was crowned King of Iraq and the new ministry was formed
under the chairmanship of al-Naqib, the late Sassoon Heskel continued to hold the position of the Ministry of Finance
(September 1, 1921) and held the same position in the third Naqib ministry (August 1922 -
November 1922), then the first al-Sa'dun ministry (November 1922 - November
1923), then the first Yasin al-Hashimi ministry (August 1924 - June 1925).
Accordingly, the late Sassoon Heskel was the first to hold the Ministry of Finance in the emerging State of Iraq,
and he held it for about five consecutive years, with the exception of the period of the first military ministry
(1923 - 1924). Those years were a decisive stage in establishing the formations
- To be continued)
for the era
scattered
Page 266
- 2 -
finance and establishing the state budget and its financial laws on a firm and solid basis. The deceased was, in
addition to his extensive financial expertise, very keen on the interest of the state, firm in implementing the provisions of
the law and in observing the budget figures. He did not tolerate adding credits except for extreme necessity,
and thus he established the best tradition in consolidating the state's financial rules.
Among the achievements for which Iraq remembers him with appreciation and admiration is that when he participated
in 1925 with the late Abdul Muhsin al-Saadoun, the Prime Minister, in oil negotiations with the
Turkish Petroleum Company, which was later known as the Iraq Petroleum Company, he insisted on the necessity of paying the Iraqi
government's share in gold currency. His insistence on his point of view seemed strange at that time -
because the Pound Sterling was based on the gold standard, but this text benefited Iraq
greatly afterwards following the Pound's departure from the gold standard, thus ensuring that Iraq obtained
millions of additional dinars.
The late Sassoon Heskel was elected as a deputy for Baghdad in 1925 in the first Chamber of Deputies,
and then he was re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held in the council
the chairmanship of the financial, economic, and legal committees, and he was an authority to be referred to in matters related to every
dispute that occurred regarding the application of the council's internal regulations, given his extensive experience in parliamentary matters.
The late Sassoon Heskel was a far-sighted politician, widely informed, and of great standing
inside and outside Iraq. In addition to receiving higher education in Europe, he visited most European
countries and their capitals, spent various periods in them, and became acquainted with most of Europe's politicians and decision-makers
there, so he had many friends among them.
He was proficient in a number of Eastern and Western languages in reading and writing, including; besides Arabic;
Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, French, English, and German, and he was familiar with Greek and Latin.
His private library was one of the greatest personal libraries, containing the most precious books by major Eastern
and Western authors on valuable and rare subjects.
In appreciation of his great services, His Majesty the late King Faisal I bestowed upon him the Order of the Rafidain
of the civil type, second class. Before this, the Ottoman Empire had bestowed upon him
the Distinguished Medal. His Majesty the Shah of Iran bestowed upon him the Order of the Lion and the Sun, and His Majesty the King of
England decorated him with the KBE medal with the rank of Knight, and he came to hold the title "Sir".
In the summer of 1932, the deceased traveled to Paris for medical treatment, and there he passed away on
August 31, 1932, and was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in the French capital. His memorial service was held in Baghdad
on September 7, 1932.
Report on the status of the community's accounts
Fund accounts No. 281 fils, 414 Dinars and 71 Rupees, excluding one Rupee from the accounts of the year
1947 remaining in the banks and recorded in the 1948 accounts as trusts in the 1948 accounts and their entry
in the 1949 accounts, but the accounts did not appear in the 1949 records. Therefore
what appeared in the 1949 budget with the Rupees of the Community Council
In the 1948 budget, the remainder was 17 fils 80 Rupees, of which 17 Rupees remained from the 1947 accounts deducted
from the 1948 accounts, and an amount of 63 Rupees and 17 fils and 7781 fils remained in the banks what appeared
in the 1948 accounts in Dinars and one hundred Rupees that were placed in the 1949 accounts. And recorded
in the 1949 accounts in the amount of 414 Dinars and 17 Rupees appeared in the 1949 budget with the Rupees of the Community Council
1949 accounts
From the 1948 accounts and the rest of the balance in Dinars has been recorded in the 1949 budget in Dinars in the amount of
414 Dinars and 881 fils and from it extracted. In the 1949 accounts and in the records of the month of April
year 1949 recorded the balance of the previous year Rupee in the total in the budget statements Rupee what appeared
in the 1948 accounts as trusts in the 1949 accounts on May 14, 1949 recorded an amount of 801 Rupees
in the 1949 accounts in the amount of 801 Rupees and appeared in the 1949 accounts in the amount of 801 Rupees Rupee
in the 1949 accounts in the amount of 801 Rupees and a remainder of 17 Rupees and appeared in the 1949 accounts Rupee what appeared
8131 fils recorded in the 1949 accounts in Dinars and the rest of what was recorded in the accounts Rupees in the budget Rupee
in the 1948 accounts Rupee appeared in the budget Rupee did not appear in the statements under the title: Rupees Trusts
in the 1948 accounts and extracted. Since what was recorded in the 1949 accounts from the 1948 accounts what appeared
(in the budget) recorded in the budget in the accounts Rupee 6131 fils Rupee. In the 1949 records Rupee
in the 1949 accounts and the 1948 accounts Rupee
What appeared in the 1949 budget and the 1948 accounts Rupee and 17 Rupees in the budget Rupee what appeared Rupee and remainder
in the 1949 accounts recorded in the 1949 accounts in the 1949 accounts appeared in the 1949 accounts Rupee. 731 fils
in the 1949 budget in the 1949 budget appeared in the 1949 accounts Rupee in the accounts
year 1949 appeared in the 1949 budget appeared in the 1949 accounts on May 14, 1949 fils 801 Rupees
in the 1949 accounts and the 1948 accounts Rupee. In the 1949 accounts and in the 1948 accounts Rupee and the rest of what appeared
in the 1949 budget appeared in the 1949 accounts Rupee and remainder
recorded in the 1949 accounts appeared in the 1949 accounts Rupee in the budget Rupee in the 1949 accounts Rupee did not
in the 1949 accounts in the 1949 accounts Rupee and 17 Rupees in the 1949 budget and the 1949 accounts appeared in the accounts of the year
⟦line⟧ 6321 Rupees (in the budget appeared in the budget Rupee in the 1949 accounts in the 1949 accounts (6321 Rupees)
in the 1949 accounts (6321 Rupees in the budget) and remainder 17 Rupees in the 1949 accounts (6321 Rupees in the budget
0 (5621 Rupees in the budget ⟦line⟧ 6321 Rupees) and remainder 17 Rupees in the 1949 accounts in the budget (6321 Rupees in the budget)
in the 1949 accounts Rupee in the budget in the budget Rupee in the 1949 accounts and the 1949 accounts appeared in the budget Rupee and remainder
in the 1949 accounts in the budget Rupee appeared in the budget Rupee in the budget Rupee in the 1949 accounts appeared in the budget
in the 1949 accounts and the 1949 accounts recorded in the 1949 accounts appeared in the budget (6321 Rupees in the budget) and remainder 17
(Rupee)
⟦illegible⟧
Page 267
The Israelite Community
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
Sender: Salam Yusuf Hayya
Secretariat of the Capital
Date:
To the Honorable Professor, Secretary of the Council
of the Community ⟦Members⟧
Presented by the father of your little one who is in dire
need of assistance and has a diligent and intelligent son
who has completed the Shamash School and actually achieved, due to his success,
excellent grades in the examination - the Baccalaureate -
and due to his inability to pay the school fees
because of his financial weakness, I therefore request your Eminence to kindly
order assistance for him in the amount of (20) Dinars for the price of books so he may learn
This, and were it not for my knowledge that you love helping such
young ones, I would not have made this request of you
The hope is great and I am full of hope and confidence in your assistance for this
young son. Please accept my highest respect and gratitude
Sincerely
Salam Yusuf Hayya
12/9
⟦line⟧ 7 ⟦line⟧
Based on the above, we request that you provide us with a statement of the amounts you have paid to date for our account
and the related vouchers so that we can examine them and reconcile them with our accounts to date for the purpose of settling
our mutual accounts. We also request to be provided with a detailed statement of the amounts you have received for our account from the
official departments and other interests to date so that we can examine them and reconcile them with our accounts.
With reference to your letter No. ⟦...⟧ dated ⟦...⟧ regarding the amounts you received from
the Treasury amounting to ⟦...⟧ Dinars, please inform us of the reason for not receiving the remaining amounts totaling ⟦...⟧ Dinars
as the total sum of the amounts you received for our account to date is ⟦...⟧ Dinars. We also
are surprised by your failure to provide us with a detailed statement of the amounts received to date despite our
repeated requests in this regard. We request to be provided with the mentioned statement immediately and without delay so that we can take the necessary action,
hoping to be provided with the required information within a maximum period of one week from this date, otherwise we will be forced
to take the necessary legal measures in this regard.
With reference to your letter No. ⟦...⟧ dated ⟦...⟧ regarding the amounts you received from
the Treasury amounting to ⟦...⟧ Dinars, please inform us of the reason for not receiving the remaining amounts totaling ⟦...⟧ Dinars
as the total sum of the amounts you received for our account to date is ⟦...⟧ Dinars. We also
are surprised by your failure to provide us with a detailed statement of the amounts received to date despite our
repeated requests in this regard. We request to be provided with the mentioned statement immediately and without delay so that we can take the necessary action,
hoping to be provided with the required information within a maximum period of one week from this date, otherwise we will be forced
to take the necessary legal measures in this regard.
Please inform us of the reason for not receiving the remaining amounts totaling ⟦...⟧ Dinars from the Treasury to date
as the total sum of the amounts you received for our account to date is ⟦...⟧ Dinars. We also
are surprised by your failure to provide us with a detailed statement of the amounts received to date despite our
repeated requests in this regard. We request to be provided with the mentioned statement immediately and without delay so that we can take the necessary action,
hoping to be provided with the required information within a maximum period of one week from this date, otherwise we will be forced
to take the necessary legal measures in this regard.
Please inform us of the reason for not receiving the remaining amounts totaling ⟦...⟧ Dinars from the Treasury to date
as the total sum of the amounts you received for our account to date is ⟦...⟧ Dinars. We also
are surprised by your failure to provide us with a detailed statement of the amounts received to date despite our
repeated requests in this regard. We request to be provided with the mentioned statement immediately and without delay so that we can take the necessary action,
hoping to be provided with the required information within a maximum period of one week from this date, otherwise we will be forced
to take the necessary legal measures in this regard.
Page 268
Iraqi Government
Department of ⟦line⟧ Ministry of Finance:
Number: 4969
Pension Directorate:
Date: August 1949
Pen: ⟦illegible⟧
Subject: Marriage Contract
To " -
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
754
16/8/1949
We have learned that the retiree Violet daughter of Meir Rabie residing
in the Al-Bataween neighborhood (Bustan Al-Naqib) had her marriage contract concluded on
the day 7 / 4 / 949, so please confirm that.
On behalf of the Director General of Finance
Nouri/M
Page 270
Department Copy
1061
17/8/1949
Ministry of Finance
Pension Directorate
Baghdad
Greetings,
With reference to your letter numbered 4966 and dated August 9, 1949,
(Based on the certificate of the Registrar of Engagement and Marriage Contracts for the Jewish Community)
in Baghdad, we hereby confirm that Violet daughter of Meir Rabi' had her marriage contract concluded on
4/6/1949 and not on 4/7/1949. And you have ⟦corrected⟧
Head of the Community
Archive
14
Page 271
Registrar of Engagement Contracts
For the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Department of ⟦illegible⟧
Baghdad on ⟦line⟧
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Jewish Community, Respected
After greetings and respect
Based on the investigations conducted by me, I hereby confirm
that ⟦line⟧
is not engaged or married and has no record in the relevant registers.
Shimon Shaul H. Shimon
Page 272
Registrar of Engagement Contracts
For the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Baghdad on ⟦line⟧
His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
President of the Honorable Israelite Community
After greetings and respect
Based on the marriage certificate numbered ⟦line⟧ I hereby certify that
Mr.
Has married in Baghdad
On the day
Ketubah amount ⟦line⟧ Witnesses
Shimon Shaul H. Shimon
Page 273
THE INTERNATIONAL GUIDE OF AL UROOBA
Commercial, Agricultural, Technical
and Historical illustrated in two
Languages Arabic and English in one valume
By Permation of minstry of interior No. 973
Date 11/6/1949
The International Al-Urooba Guide
By permission of the General Propaganda Directorate No. 973 dated 11/6/1949
An administrative, commercial, industrial, historical illustrated guide
Published in Arabic and English in one volume
To the respected Jewish community
Dear Sir,
The Directorate General of propaganda in
the Ministry of interior has authorised me to
issue a commercial agricultural, technical and
historical guide illustrated in Arabic & English
in one volume.
Therefore I wish you to send me your
photograph attached with your biography.
Please do send your full address and
inform me about, your job. The price of the
1st. vol. is I.D. 3 payable in advance.
Will you please fill the from nerein the
back and re-send it for us as urgently as
possible.
My dear and esteemed sir
The General Propaganda Directorate at the esteemed Ministry of Interior
has authorized us to issue a commercial, agricultural, industrial, historical
and illustrated guide published in Arabic and English in one volume
and sequential volumes. We kindly request you to send your personal
photograph, your biography, and your address, and to inform us of
your work, attached with the amount of three Dinars for the subscription of the
first volume of the guide, and to fill out the form on the back of this
letter and return it to us as quickly as possible. With
respect.
with sincere wishes
Truly Yours
Mohammed Khaliss El-
Molla Hommadi
The Central post office Restant
Baghdad - Iraq
⟦signature⟧
Mohammed Khaliss Al-Mulla Hammadi
Owner of the International Al-Urooba Guide
Central Post Office Window, Baghdad
Poste Restante
Page 274
5 TISHRI 5710.
HOTEL LAURELTON
A KNOTT HOTEL
147 WEST 55TH STREET
NEW YORK 19, N.Y.
BOOTH COLMAN
28 SEPT 1949
Dear Rabbi Khedouri:
I have been given your address
by the American Embassy at
Baghdad in the hope that you
will be able to help me.
I am very anxious to exchange
friendly letters with a young
Sephardic Jew living in Iraq.
I am an American Jew of
Anglo-Portuguese ancestry, and
am descended from the family
of Don Isaac Abarbanel of Lisbon.
My age is 26 years, and I am,
by profession, an actor in the
New York theatre and in the
cinema.
All phases of Jewish life and
culture interest me deeply, as
well as the broader scope of
Page 275
Brief Translation
Mr. President
According to a letter from Mr. (Leon Coleman)
in America, who is a young Jewish American working
in acting, he requests you to give him the address of a young
Iraqi Jew to correspond with him.
⟦Heskel⟧
10/5/1949
1
Save
2
In advance
world affairs.
I am truly hopeful that
you will give this letter to
a young woman of the Baghdad
Jewish Community who would
like to have a friend in
America.
Please accept my warmest
greetings, dear Rabbi Khedouri,
and my wishes for the New
year just begun!
Faithfully,
Booth Colman
⟦Booth Colman⟧
( Shmuel David ben Shimon Colman
Beit Tov )