Correspondence regarding Jews being Harassed by Iraqi Government; Studying Abroad in London; Requests for Finical Assistance; Income Tax Reports
View interactive document pageThis 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.
⟦Department Copy⟧ 1140 10/27/1949 Baghdad Peace Court (2) With reference to your letter numbered 2/4371 and dated 10/22/1949 regarding the request to state the date of circumcision of Shaul Heskel. We regret that we are unable to fulfill your request as there are no circumcision records in the community. Sincerely yours; ⟦signature⟧ 10/27 Head of the Community A/1 Miscellaneous
THE EDITORS' COMMITTEE Biographies of Famous Iraqi Personalities An illustrated directory dealing with history, geography and social conditions of Iraq as well as biographies of famous Iraqi personalities PUBLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PROPAGANDA AS PER TGEIR LETTER NO. 3930 DATED 13-11-1945 ADDRESS : 610-94 AL-KESHAL STREET, BAGHDAD, IRAQ The Editors' Committee Historical Directory of Famous Iraqi Provinces An illustrated encyclopedia researching the history of Iraq and its geographical and social conditions and the biographies of its famous men Issued under the permit of the Directorate General of Propaganda by its letter No. 3930 dated 11/13/1945 Address: Baghdad, Al-Qishla, Al-Qishla Quarter near Al-Saray Mosque 94/610 Very Urgent Number: ⟦700⟧ Date: 10/11/1947 Head of the Jewish Community The Honorable and Virtuous ⟦Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri⟧, Respected The Editors' Committee of the "Historical Directory of Famous Iraqi Provinces" is pleased to have you answer the information recorded below in detail with the aim of publishing it in the section for the Province of ⟦Baghdad⟧ in the chapter dedicated to ⟦Clergymen⟧, and to kindly send a copy of your photograph to be published with the biography and return the coupon signed by you to us as soon as possible. Please accept our highest respect. The Editors' Committee of the Historical Directory of Famous Iraqi Provinces Chairman of the Committee Baghdad ⟦Necessary⟧ | 1 - Full name and fame (surname) | 2 - Date of birth - in the Gregorian year - and its exact location | 3 - Current position or profession | 4 - Name of the family or clan to which you belong with a brief history of it | 5 - Schools and courses in which you studied, stating their types, locations, and the exact date of your graduation from each school | 6 - Positions, offices, and jobs you have held, stating their dates, whether governmental or private | 7 - Prominent works you have performed in the service of the country | 8 - Languages you are proficient in | 9 - Medals and ranks awarded to you by the Iraqi government or other governments | 10 - Countries you have seen, mentioning the occasions that prompted you to visit them Note: - Please write the information in clear handwriting so it can be read, adding another paper to this coupon if the information does not fit in it
Directorate General Iraqi State Railways Incoming Number ⟦292⟧ Date ⟦17 / 7 / 948⟧ File Number
Iraqi State Railways General Directorate Presidency of the Jewish Community 872 On 1 / 12 / 1949 Date 28 / 11 / 49 Number L / 2 / 265 / 2744 To - Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Subject / Fuel Wood Reference to your letter No. 1178 dated 20 / 11 / 49 We regret that we are unable to respond to your request as we do not have any ⟦...⟧ armored vehicles that we can dispense with to sell to you. For the General Manager Register priorities Miscellaneous ISRP—1103—19-2-48—8,000. Iraqi State Railways M.112 Directorate General of Railways OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF RAILWAYS. Section ⟦line⟧ Case No. ⟦line⟧ Subject matter (briefly) ⟦line⟧ To whom sent and date ⟦line⟧ In what particular connection ⟦line⟧ To be brought forward on (date) ⟦line⟧ Superintendent of Receiving Department ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ Supdt. Receiving Department. I/C Section Officer in Charge
To the presence of His Excellency our President, the respected Hakil Shim Tob, After greetings and respect, we, the Eastern Jewish people, it is known to your Excellency what has happened and transpired in our affairs, and I considered the past as a low cause because we were sold to Maslon Khadouri according to the time of the Haham in their purchase through consultation for a period of years, and they prevented the Jewish people from the sacrificial slaughter of vows on Thursday and Friday. Some of the people today are accustomed every Thursday and Friday to slaughter for the poor people inside the houses, and for those in high places and for those in loss, so that they may manage the household matter from the betrayal of the noble people. And I considered these vows distributed from Adam and Eve; there is no obstacle to them, neither from a ruler, nor from a judge, nor from all the heads of the masters from before, and it is what is famous among all sects that the slaughter of vows is not forbidden. And all the heads who passed before in the past did not interfere because of these sins of the poor's money only. At the time when Daoud Musfi and his brother presided from among the experts, they despised the experts and destroyed its workers for the sake of Maslon Khadouri, the late Kah. Today, everything they do is under their control. Whoever speaks with them is immediately sent to the police, and they even stop them from Maslon Khadouri as well. They slaughter, and this invention of preventing Thursday and Friday comes from Daoud Musfi and his brother, because in Maslon Khadouri there are people who slaughter for trade and sell fat falsely. This thing has not happened and will not happen from the custom of the Jews. So I did not force the sale on Thursday, but rather a judgment for the sake of the house rent, and this is a great matter in defending the vows. In these two mentioned days, the hardship increased for the poor people because of one day in the week they enjoy the smell of meat, and it was taken from them. With my own eyes, they began to call upon the Lord of the Worlds against what happened because of them, and their cry was verified before the Lord of the Worlds. Indeed, the decrees we have mention that every person our Lord rewards according to his deeds. According to what he prevented meat from the poor, their resignation was through meat. At the time of the dear master, the Mufti, it was Thursday and Friday. The sellers of the vow sheep went to Lulu Kamel, they went and it was necessary to enter upon him who speaks with Maslon Khadouri so that they would reject them on Wednesday. And Wednesday was the end, and they took the fur and spoke with Maslon Khadouri indeed ⟦telephone⟧ he said to him, why are you so insistent on the poor and prevented them from these two days? Where was I president until I came? I repented and did not stop it. No judge was able to prevent it. You must not reject them. Do they slaughter by custom? And if you continue to follow the words of Daoud Musfi, you will see this becomes its causes are lost. And he said to him, we will see later. And likewise, he acted with transgression against us, and immediately we saw it with our eyes in his resignation. It has been a month since Maslon Khadouri arose. They returned to slaughtering again on these two days, and the poor people returned as before, because we heard your Excellency your jealousy took you and you made peace among the Jewish people. We remained hoping for you in the morning. Last week, Daoud Musfi and his brother returned and turned the head of Haham Salman Liohuwah, the president and my beloved, to return to strengthen their words and return to prevent the slaughter of vows on Thursday and Friday by order of Maslon Khadouri. And he went behind the teachers and informed them that it is not permissible to slaughter on these two mentioned days. And this attack and your attempt, which our Lord gathered these sick prisoners, and a few of them came out and made today sacrifices for safety and slaughtered on Thursday for the sake of fulfilling a vow required for the Sabbath. And he returned once again and informed the teachers that it is not permissible to slaughter anymore on these two mentioned days. We, all the Jewish people, this order came from the Spiritual Council and they informed them. So all of them returned humiliated to the people. They want, with your knowledge, O Haham Salman, they began with pressure and anger upon them and spread a rumor that they want Maslon Khadouri as a spiritual head. The people began to exaggerate about the saying of our prophets according to the situation. The people said at the time of Rehoboam son of Solomon: We have no portion in David, nor inheritance in the son of
Regarding the house and that you bought our food, we ate meat and did not sin. This garment, we return to the Ghazal market and it will be exchanged for you from the tenth day. We have not eaten because the room is in need and there was no meat in their hearts for the sake of Hadi. We came to seek mercy from your presence, may our Lord protect you and your late fathers who used to attend their assembly, which prevents the spiritual council from doing evil and they do not allow the people to be sinful, and among them there is a plan of injustice. We hope from our Lord the Creator that this permanence will be our mercy through you. And the matter is your command. The Jewish People The Iraqi ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Date: ⟦8⟧ / ⟦1⟧ / ⟦1948⟧ ⟦Dear⟧ ⟦...⟧ His Excellency the President has requested ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ requested ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Please ⟦...⟧
In the week of the month of the year five thousand of the creation according to the calendar we are accustomed to use in the city of Baghdad, situated on the Tigris River, by the permission of the scholars, may their dignity be great, how the protected said Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I, with the help of the Almighty, will support, sustain, honor, respect, raise, provide for, and clothe you according to the customs of Jewish men who work, sustain, honor, respect, raise, provide for, and clothe their wives in truth and faithfulness. And I have given you which is the delayed portion and established upon me from my silver assets and for your sustenance, clothing, and necessities, and to live with you according to the way of the world. And has consented and become his wife, and the aforementioned has consented and added from his own money an increase over the original amount of this Ketubah, a sum of and this dowry with which she entered, of the currency current here in Baghdad, which is under the rule of His Majesty our Lord the King may his glory be exalted. And he has accepted all of it and received it, and it has come into his possession and he has accepted it upon himself as a debt and a loan. And thus said the aforementioned to us: that the value of this entire Ketubah—the original, the dowry, and the increase, along with all the remaining conditions of the Ketubah—I have accepted upon myself and upon my heirs after me, upon all the best of my real estate and movable property located under all the heavens, of what I have possessed and will possess, of movable property and real estate, all of it is encumbered and secured for the collection of this entire Ketubah—the original, the dowry, and the increase—so that it may be collected from them during my life and after me, even from the clothes upon me. And he has taken an oath (Kinyan), a complete oath by means of a (handkerchief), regarding all that is mentioned in truth and faithfulness, according to the intention of the Creator, Blessed be He, and according to the intention of those who swear in truth, and according to our intention to verify and establish all that is written above, nullifying all that is found (contrary to this contract) of thoughts, and voiding its witnesses according to the opinion of the Rabbi, the Master Shlomo bin Adret, may his memory be good. And this contract was not made as a mere reliance, nor is it of the papers filled with nonsense, but rather it is like all valid contract documents circulating in the Israelite community, drafted according to the regulations as organized by the scholars, blessed be their memory. And everything in it is true, just, proper, and established. ⟦illegible⟧ 14
Translation Marriage Contract Number 204 On Wednesday, corresponding to 25 September, the year 5707 of the Creation, which is the date we are accustomed to dating by in the city of Baghdad, situated on the Tigris River - the bachelor groom Mr. Albert Emile Wolfe appeared before the Rabbis, may their dignity be great, and said to his bride, the virgin girl Violet Aqeel Yaqoub Murad: Be my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, and I pledge to work, honor, revere, respect, raise, provide for, and clothe you according to the customs of Jewish men who work, honor, revere, respect, raise, provide for, and clothe their wives in truth and honesty. I have given you the dowry of your virginity, which is 200 silver zuz, which I must pay from my pure funds according to the law of the Torah, and I pledge to support you, clothe you, secure your needs, and enter unto you according to the customs of the whole world. The bride responded with consent and became a wife to him. The groom agreed and added from his money to the dowry one thousand Dinars, in addition to the dowry amounting to two thousand five hundred Dinars presented to him by the father of the bride, as well as the five hundred Dinars designated for the trousseau and clothing. Thus, the total amount became four thousand Iraqi Dinars, which is of the currency placed in circulation in Baghdad under the seal of our master His Majesty King Faisal II. He agreed to that and acknowledged his receipt of this amount, and it became under his disposal and he accepted it upon himself as a debt of his covenant. The groom also indicated before us that the responsibility of this marriage contract regarding the payment of the aforementioned original dowry amount, the trousseau, the wedding clothes, and the additional amount with the other conditions has been accepted by me and my heirs after me, to be paid from the best of my property and money, and that all I own under the sky and what I may own in the future, whether movable or immovable, all of that shall be a pledge and a guarantee to discharge all claims arising from this marriage contract, namely the original dowry amount, the trousseau, the clothes, and the additional amount during my life and after me, even from the cloak I wear from now until forever. The groom took upon himself to fulfill all the pledges and obligations pertaining to this marriage contract; therefore, he took the legal oath on all that was mentioned, faithfully upon the intention of the Creator, Glory be to Him, and upon the intention of the Rabbis in truth, and upon our intention for certification and proof of all that is written above, nullifying all that is found against this contract and refuting its witnesses according to the opinion of the Rabbi, the teacher Shlomo Ibni Adireth, may his memory be good. This contract was not made as a reliance, nor is it of the papers containing nonsense, but rather it is like all valid contract deeds circulated in the Israelite community, drafted according to the protocols as organized by the scholars, blessed be their memory, and everything in it is true, just, proper, and established. Recorded in the Marriage Contract Register No. 16 and sequence 211 Stamp President of the Israelite Spiritual Council Baghdad Seal and signature of the Chief Rabbi Salman H. Aboudi Baghdad I certify that the signature above is the signature of the Chief Rabbi Salman Hakki Aboudi, President of the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad, and that the seal is the seal of the aforementioned Council. Signature and Seal 20 / 7 / 49 Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri President of the Israelite Community Baghdad
At the accountant's Translation of a marriage contract into English
Article Forty-Seven - The permanent members of the Liwa Administrative Council, the judge or his deputy in the Sharia court, and the spiritual heads of the non-Muslim sects shall meet under the chairmanship of the Mutasarrif during the month of February of each year as a committee called (the Separation Committee) and they shall nominate from among the inhabitants of the Liwa a number equal to three times the number of vacant memberships, taking into account Article (46), and the names shall be sent to the Qaimaqams of the districts attached to the Liwa and to the municipality of the Liwa center. Each Qaimaqam must form a joint committee of the members of the District Administrative Council and its Municipal Council, and this committee shall elect two-thirds of the candidates (whose names are listed in the table) and send the names of those elected to the Mutasarrif in a report signed by the committee members present. The head of the municipality of the Liwa center must gather the members of the Municipal Council and perform the same task. The Mutasarrif, upon receipt of all reports, must gather the Separation Committee to count and record the number of votes, and he must take double the number of vacant memberships from the candidates in the table, taking into account the number of votes they obtained, and submit their names to the Minister of Interior to elect the new members from among them. ⟦line⟧ For filing ⟦illegible⟧ P 4/7/⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Quantity Porcelain coffee cup with saucer | 8 Buffet coffee cup with saucer | 3 Milk cup with saucer | 2 Tea spoons | 6 Eating spoon | 1 Coffee pot (Dallah) | 2 Lamp | 2 Kettle | 1 Note One lamp with a kettle were placed with Al-Hajji as a trust for safekeeping On behalf of / ⟦your commissioner⟧ ⟦signature⟧
Iraqi Government Ministry of Social Affairs "Division - Affairs" Number: 15826 / 138 / 17 Date: 4 / 3 / 1369 AH 25 / 12 / 1949 AD To the Governorate of Baghdad. Subject - Release of the prostitute Khatoun Salman. Based on the petition submitted to this Ministry on 24 / 12 / 1949 regarding the request to release the prostitute Khatoun Salman, nicknamed - Sabiha - in the house of the madam Rabi'a in the public brothel in Baghdad, and her repentance for the purpose of marriage to the person named Fouad Abboud, a resident of the Bustan al-Rawaf neighborhood, who works as a car mechanic in Hamza Garage in Al-Sinak. Since we have no objection to that, and based on the provisions of Article 13 of the Regulation for Inspecting Brothels and Monitoring Prostitutes to Combat Venereal Diseases No. 33 of 1943, we have decided to approve the release of the prostitute Khatoun Salman from the public brothel in Baghdad for the purpose of her marriage to the person named Fouad Abboud, requesting that the necessary measures be taken for that and that we be informed. Minister of Social Affairs. A copy to:- Directorate of General Police - Operations - requesting review and instruction to the Baghdad Governorate Police Directorate to release the prostitute from the public brothel in Baghdad. Also, the necessity of bringing the prostitute with the person to the office of this Ministry before the Head of Affairs and informing us. Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad - since both parties are Mosaic, requesting that the necessary measures be taken on your part for the legal marriage contract after bringing both parties and informing us. Directorate of Social Affairs. Khalifa For filing Miscellaneous 1 / 1
Incoming 882 Date 12/18/1949 Copy His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, Respected Greetings and respect, I wish to present to your Excellency the following case: About a year and a half ago, four masked persons came to my father's house and asked for my son named Yaqub, aged 16, who lives in my father's house. My father was not at home, so they entered by force and took my son by force and went with him to the Criminal Investigation Directorate. After he remained there for about four days, he was led to the Abu Ghraib detention center, and there he remained for four days, then he was taken out to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and there they beat him severely until blood clots spread under the skin preventing him from walking or making any movement. Then he was taken to Al-Karkh Hospital and a surgeon examined him and did not accept him because his condition was beyond the hospital, as they used to bring him at night to the Criminal Investigation Directorate and in the morning he would be returned to the mentioned hospital while he was sick. On Wednesday, falling on 12/14/1949, my father was attacked on the road in Bab al-Saif by persons from the Criminal Investigation, so they put him in a car and went with him to the Criminal Investigation Directorate and asked him about his son, whom they claimed had escaped from the Criminal Investigation Directorate. When my father denied the news, they did not believe him and began hitting him on his eye, and he has not been able to see with it until now because of that. As for my son Yaqub, I know nothing about him and we do not know his location, whether he is imprisoned or killed. It is strange that the Investigation Directorate claims that he escaped from the Investigation Directorate; how could a very sick boy who is unable to move escape from the hands of the police and security men? I hope your Excellency will look into this case with an eye of kindness and mercy by writing to the Respected General Security Directorate to release my sick and elderly father and to request information about the fate of my son, about whom we know no news. Please accept, your Excellency, the highest thanks and respect. The Petitioner ⟦illegible⟧ Youssef Murad Al-Qasimi From Al-Karrada No. 21 / 194 Baghdad on 12/15/1949
Copy His Excellency, the Respected President of the Jewish Community Baghdad Greetings and respect, I wish to present the following case to your Excellency: About a month and a half ago, four people in civilian clothes came to my father's house and asked for my brother named Shamoun, who is 16 years old and works as a carpenter. He was not even at home, so they arrested him wherever he was in one of the cafes, accused of Zionism. Then he was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and after staying there for about four days, he was taken to the Abu Ghraib detention center, where he stayed for another four days, then returned to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. There he fell ill, and as a result of the illness, some boils spread on his legs, preventing him from walking on them or making any movement. Then he was taken to Al-Karkh Hospital to undergo surgery, but he was not permitted to be admitted to the hospital because they were bringing him at night to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and then taking him in the morning to the aforementioned hospital while he was sick. Last Wednesday, corresponding to 12/14/1949, my father was arrested on the road and brought to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations after his hands were shackled and he was severely beaten by hand. He was asked to provide information and search for the location of his son, who they claimed had escaped from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Since my father was arrested until now, we have not been able to know anything about him, nor have we been able to meet him either, in view of our being prevented from doing so. As for my brother Shamoun, we know nothing about him and do not know if he was killed, strangled, or died in prison. As for their claim that he escaped from the Investigations Directorate, my brother was very sick and could not have done such a thing as the boils had spread in his legs. I hope your Excellency will look into this case with an eye of kindness and mercy regarding interceding with the competent departments to release my sick and elderly father and to request an inquiry into the fate of my brother, about whom we know nothing of what happened to him. Please accept, your Excellency, the assurances of my highest gratitude and respect; The Petitioner Roubin Ezra Lagasi Taht al-Takiya, House No. 113 / 68 Age 27 years Baghdad on 12/18/1949 A / 14
1/1949 Copy His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community, Respected Baghdad Respectfully Further to my petition dated 12/18/1949 I wish to present to your Excellency that my father was released on 12/20/1949 and we still do not know anything about my brother's fate until now. We are still waiting for your Excellency to look into this case regarding mediation to inquire about my brother's fate, wishing you at the same time every progress, and please accept utmost gratitude and respect; The Petitioner Rubin Ezra Lagassi Taht al-Takiya, House No. 68 / 113 Age 27 years
⟦Department Copy⟧ 1158 11/7/1949 1/1/9502 His Excellency the Commander of the Military Forces for Martial Law Administration, Respected Baghdad Greetings and respect A number of families of the detainees from the members of this community in Abu Ghraib detention center have approached me, pleading for mediation with Your Excellency to allow them to visit them there. Therefore, I request Your Excellency to issue your orders to allow them to do so. With highest gratitude and respect to Your Excellency ⟦Sassoon⟧ Head of the Community ⟦Miscellaneous⟧
Copy for reproduction 8511 Number 8/1605 11/7/1951 Subject: Appointment of collectors for the Trachoma control campaign in the Karrada area Sir Trachoma Committee in Karrada On the occasion of the end of the Trachoma control campaign period in this area And due to the lack of need for the services of the collectors appointed for this task on a temporary basis in the Karrada district Please be so kind as to approve the termination of their services as of the night of November 30, 1951. . With thanks The matter is subject to the decision of your esteemed committee ⟦illegible⟧ Trachoma Control Department In ⟦illegible⟧
(1) T / 950 1 / 1 / 1950 Announcement Members of the community are requested to note that all letters addressed to the leadership of the community without a signature or with a pseudonym will be ignored, noting that the leadership of the community is ready to accept any study and with an open heart all suggestions that are sent to it, however it reiterates to the honorable public of the community members that it will ignore every letter without a signature or with a pseudonym. Heskel Shemshoub Acting Head of the Community President of the Lay Council A Archived ⟦Dated 4 / 1 / 50⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
(1)
Number: T/ 950
Subject:
Date: 1 / 1 / 1950
ANNOUNCEMENT
Members of the community are requested to note that all letters addressed to
the Presidency of the Community without a signature or with a pseudonym will be ignored, noting that the Presidency
of the Community is ready to accept any study and with an open heart all suggestions that
reach it, however it reiterates to the honorable public of the community members that it will ignore
every letter without a signature or with a pseudonym.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Heskel Shem-Tov
Acting President of the Community
President of the Lay Council
A1
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
(1)
Number: T/ 950
Subject:
Date: 1 / 1 / 1950
ANNOUNCEMENT
Members of the community are requested to note that all letters addressed to
the Presidency of the Community without a signature or with a pseudonym will be ignored, noting that the Presidency
of the Community is ready to accept any study and with an open heart all proposals that
it receives, however it reiterates to the honorable public of the community members that it will ignore
every letter without a signature or with a pseudonym.
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
Heskel Shemshoub
Acting President of the Community
President of the Lay Council
Note
This announcement was placed on the notice board
at the Presidency of the Community from 1 / 1 / 950
to 7 / 1 / 950
Publication Plan
A. A.