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.
270 5 / 4 / 1949 ⟦illegible⟧ Ottoman Bank Baghdad After greetings We submit herewith (32) promissory notes according to the details mentioned in the attached list for collection on our behalf. Please credit the collected amounts to our current account. Please accept our respects ⟦S. Sassoon⟧ President ⟦Account⟧ ⟦Ch !⟧
List of details of bills of exchange to be collected by us Due Date | Town | Debtor | Amount Fils Dinar 1949/4/15 | Baghdad | Mr. Salam Mahdi | 1 - 1512 500 1949/4/30 | " | " | 2 - 1512 500 1949/5/15 | " | " | 3 - 1512 500 1949/5/30 | " | " | 4 - 1512 500 1949/6/15 | " | " | 5 - 1512 500 1949/6/30 | " | " | 6 - 1512 500 1949/7/15 | " | " | 7 - 1512 500 1949/7/30 | " | " | 8 - 1512 500 1949/8/15 | " | " | 9 - 1512 500 1949/8/30 | " | " | 10 - 1512 500 1949/9/15 | " | " | 11 - 1512 500 1949/9/30 | " | " | 12 - 1512 500 1949/10/15 | " | " | 13 - 1512 500 1949/10/30 | " | " | 14 - 1512 500 1949/11/15 | " | " | 15 - 1512 500 1949/11/30 | " | " | 16 - 1512 500 1949/12/15 | " | " | 17 - 1512 500 1949/12/30 | " | " | 18 - 1512 500 1950/1/15 | " | " | 19 - 1512 500 1950/1/30 | " | " | 20 - 1512 500 1949/8/1 | " | Mr. Hashem Al-Sayyid Saeed | 21 - 350 500 1949/12/1 | " | " | 22 - 350 500 1950/4/1 | " | " | 23 - 350 500 1950/3/1 | " | Mr. Nassim Makki Muhammad Saeed | 24 - 120 000 ⟦line⟧
Continuation of the list of details of bills to be collected by us ⟦line⟧ Amount | Debtor | Town | Due Date 25 - 40.000 | Mr. Yusuf Salem | Baghdad | 1949/7/1 26 - 40.000 | " " " | " | 1949/9/1 27 - 40.000 | Mr. Naji Salman | " | 1949/7/1 28 - 40.000 | " " " | " | 1949/9/1 29 - 37.500 | Messrs. Sahyoun Yaqub and Yusuf Yaqub | " | 1949/7/1 30 - 37.500 | Messrs. Sahyoun Yaqub and Yusuf Yaqub | " | 1949/9/1 31 - 25.000 | Mr. Abbas Muhammad | " | 1949/8/1 32 - 15.000 | Mr. Alwan Ahd | " | 1949/8/1 ⟦line⟧ 31695.000 Total ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ 14
Department Copy 217 1/7/1951 Administrative Order ⟦line⟧ The Council has noticed a significant increase in cash and stored expenses during recent months, especially at this time when financial resources have begun to decline, making it necessary to economize expenditures to the lowest possible limit. After discussing this matter and reviewing the expense estimates during recent years, it was decided as follows:- First - Emphasizing to the community's employees the necessity of observing complete economy in expenses and dispensing with unnecessary expenditures even if they are approved in the budget. Second - Requesting special approval for every unusual expense whose amount exceeds five dinars. Vice President Copy to - Presidency of the Spiritual Council Presidency of the Court Secretary of the Community The Accountant To note this decision ⟦illegible⟧
226 22 / 7 / 1949 ⟦illegible⟧ The Honorable Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, Respected After greetings, The obituary of your late daughter Hilda had a painful impact on the souls of the members of the Physical Council. The Council decided in the first session it held after this painful tragedy to convey the Council's condolences to you and its sharing of the deep sorrow in your loss, asking the Almighty to grant the deceased a place in His spacious gardens and to inspire you with beautiful patience ⟦line⟧ . Please accept the highest respect; Sincerely, Vice President ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ On behalf of /
( <del>12</del> ) ⟦illegible⟧ The Department 242 9 / 8 / 1949 Respected Mr. Saleh Cohen After greetings We request an investigation regarding the (secret) letter numbered L / 70 dated 5 / 8 / 1949 received from the Hospitals Committee and attached herewith regarding the amount (292.342 Dinars) remaining as a liability of Elias Samira, the former administrative officer of Rima Khedouri Hospital, and to submit a report urgently on the result. Best regards. Vice President 14
297 16 / 12 / 1949 ⟦illegible⟧ To the Honorable Mr. Sassoon Hakham Moshe Registrar of Marriage Contracts Baghdad ⟦line⟧ After greetings We request that you continue to submit the synagogue revenue lists to Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq, the former President of the Council, for weekly auditing. With respect, Vice President Copy to - The Honorable Mr. Eliyahu Hayyim Tawfiq - for your kind receipt Accountant ⟦line⟧ On behalf of / ⟦illegible⟧ Inheritance fees
281 12/16/1949 Department Copy Honorable Gentlemen Eliyahu Hayyim Tweig Sassoon Bashi Zion Subhi Al-Manami After greetings The Council has decided to task you with monitoring the synagogue revenues and the property affairs belonging to the Lay Council. I ask you to kindly undertake this mission, and please accept our thanks and respect; The Council Vice President Copy to - The Accountant - for the file 14
ADVOCATE
SION S. JIJI
No. 8/33 Rewaq, Baghdad.
TEL. No. { OFFICE 3759
{ RESIDENCE 7468
Date :
Lawyer
Sion S. Jiji
Khan Hayawi Abu Al-Timman 8/33 Rewaq - Baghdad
Telephone Number { Office 3759
{ Residence 7468
Date: 22 / 12 / 1949
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number G / 420 / 949
Date 22 / 12 / 949
File Number
To the Honorable President of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad.
Baghdad
Greetings and respect, and thereafter
With reference to your letter numbered 298 and dated 16 / 12 / 1949
Due to my poor health and my preoccupation with studies, I very much regret my inability to carry out the task that
was entrusted to me according to the aforementioned letter, so please accept my apologies with my highest greetings and respects.
Sincerely
⟦signature⟧
To be presented to the Council
22 / 12
Approved, Secretary of the Council
⟦illegible⟧ 150 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
(1) ( - ) Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Date: ⟦line⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible stamp⟧ ⟦illegible signature⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Jewish
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 1950 ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad Number J / 448 / 950 Date 29 / 1 / 950 File Number His Excellency the President of the Lay Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Respectfully Presented to your Excellency Since we are a group that earns its living from circumcision ceremonies (Tahur) from father to grandfather, and we have inherited this means since our early childhood until this day, and we have no means other than this profession. We were informed of the oral prohibition from entering Meir Elias Hospital by the hospital director, and when we inquired about the reasons for the prohibition and the party that issued it, he answered us by saying (you are prohibited from entering) without explaining the reason. I consulted the head of the community at that time, but he did not reveal the truth, claiming that your esteemed council issued this prohibition. And as we explain to your esteemed council that Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri began at that time to bring close to him limited people and restricted the livelihood to them, cutting off the livelihood from us, the owners of large families, and as in the past, it was customary for the qualified person (who performs the circumcision) not to obtain fees, and the intention was to restrict this work to the hands of Rabbi Shua, who is not legally permitted to practice another interest because he is an official employee, and we believe that the competent official departments do not agree to that. Nothing remains for us in this world but to resort to your esteemed council, as we support three families consisting of thirty people who have no source of livelihood except what we explained above, so we plead with your esteemed council to look at our case with an eye of kindness and mercy. In the name of modernity and in the name of compassion, we submit this plea, praying to the Almighty Creator that the right takes its course and justice its integrity, and we hope for your help in these difficult circumstances and to notify the aforementioned hospital not to prevent us from entering it when a circumcision occurs. Please accept our highest respect. 22/1/950 Habib Abboudi Maato, Saleh Abboudi Maato, Rahmin Abboudi Maato ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Jewish Hospitals Committee 25 / 1 / 950 Number - J / 425 / 950 Date - 20 / 1 / 1950 Referred to the Hospitals Committee according to jurisdiction to provide an opinion, please. President of the Lay Council Referred to the Director of Meir Elias Hospital to provide an opinion and statement. 21 / 1 / 50 Habib The President To prevent overcrowding of the facility and out of a desire to maintain peace and order in the hospital, it has been decided to prevent any person from entering during circumcision or otherwise, except for the mourner, excluding the circumciser and the contractor for flowers and myrtle, especially since we noticed in the past that some of the above employees have caused noise that disrupts the hospital system, and there have been numerous complaints from the patients themselves. Director of Meir Elias Hospital 22 / 1 / 950
Administration of ⟦illegible⟧ Number 90/109/4 Date 20/4/90 File Number ⟦illegible⟧ (2) His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the Respected Baghdad After greetings An ancient family of noble lineage and descent, bitten by time and afflicted by everything, carrying what it cannot bear, has come to seek your help and urge your determination. It has three daughters with no husband, no son, no helper, and not even a shelter. It has nothing in this universe but God's mercy. It has become on the verge of the abyss of destruction. People of righteousness and charity from among its relatives in Japan used to give it alms, and since the last war, news of them has been cut off. It pleaded by all means to find out the truth of their situation but did not succeed. From that time until the writing of this plea, everything it possessed, from the valuable to the cheap, from jewelry to furniture to the last thing it could rely on, has been exhausted. When time exhausted it, it was forced to knock on the doors of the people of mercy and compassion, asking you for something that is very difficult for it, but what is the solution? I and my three daughters must live, whether we like it or not. This family, which has reached the lowest levels of poverty, seeks your help and appeals to your protective zeal to assist it in any way possible. Indeed, God does not waste the reward of those who do good. Everyone among you knows that this family, which has now extended its hand to you asking for help in its ordeal, often in the past, when it was in its glory and majesty, helped many. But the calamities of time are many. I repeat my plea and say: help me, save me and my daughters from the ordeal I am in. May God save you from every evil and harm. He is the All-Hearing, the Responder. The Petitioner Hannah Hakham Aaron Hakham Abdullah Ibrahim Yusuf Somikh. Hannah Hakham Aaron Somikh Baghdad 20 / 4 / 90 Not possible To be presented to the Council 4/21 To be filed Sabahi
( 8 ) Remaining amounts owed by Elias Samira Presidency of the Hospitals Committee J / 51 / 2 / 9500 5 / ⟦14⟧ / 1 / 1950 Greetings, Further to our letter No. 338 dated 8 / 9 / 1949, We convey to you below a copy of Resolution No. (5) taken in the sixth session held on 5 / 1 / 1950 regarding the subject, to note its content and act accordingly, please. ⟦signature⟧ Vice President Copy of the Resolution 5 - A second discussion took place regarding the remaining amounts owed by Elias Samira, the former administrative officer of Rima Khadouri Hospital, and it was decided:- a - To add a third paragraph to the decision of the Physical Council taken in its forty-fifth session held on 7 / 8 / 1949 in this regard, the text of which is as follows:- "Requesting Mr. Elias Samira to submit a legal written confession of his liability for the amount "under discussion. b - Amending the second paragraph of the aforementioned Council decision taken on 7 / 8 / 1949 as follows:- "In the event that the guarantor or the aforementioned legal written confession is not submitted, it was decided to authorize the President "of the Physical Council or his deputy to file a complaint with the competent authorities to recover the mentioned amounts. c - Dismissing Mr. Elias Samira from his position at Mir Elias Hospital as of the date of his suspension, while paying half of his salary for the period between his suspension and the date of this decision, and notifying the Hospitals Committee to deduct what he will be entitled to according to this decision from the remaining amounts owed by him. d - It was decided to pay 27/850 Dinars (twenty-seven dinars and eight hundred and fifty fils) to the Hospitals Committee (for the remaining fees due to Mr. Elias Samira from the Council for his copying of deeds for the purposes of the Properties Committee) to be deducted from the amount remaining for the Hospitals Committee from the mentioned Mr. Elias Samira. ⟦line⟧ 14
Top Secret (9) Vice President's Committee Subject: - ⟦illegible⟧ Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 1- I would like to clarify below the stages of this case for decision by the esteemed Council On 5/8/1959, a secret letter was received for the Hospitals Committee No. L/707 dated 5/8/1959 stating in it the committee that following the transfer of Mr. Doctor ⟦illegible⟧ from ⟦illegible⟧ Hospital to the committee headquarters it appeared that (the mentioned Mr. Doctor) had kept with him, without legal justification, the amounts listed below without paying them as explained opposite them: - Amount / Fils 129/750 balance of ⟦illegible⟧ Hospital revenues for the period 16-20 / 4 / 1959 24/280 balance of ⟦illegible⟧ Hospital revenues for the period 1-7 / 7 / 1959 178/022 revenues of Doctor ⟦illegible⟧ for the period 1/8/58 - 29/6/1959 (because the mentioned amount was paid) in the clinic as a share to the doctor and the hospital) 0/760 balance of school publications advance. 332/812 Total three hundred thirty-two dinars and eight hundred twelve fils Accordingly, the Hospitals Committee decided to provide the mentioned department by referring the matter to the Accounting Department for decision 2- Following the receipt of the mentioned letter, the Rabbinical Council decided by its letter No. 292 dated 8/8/1959 to task the committee of Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ to investigate the case and submit the report of the mentioned committee within 24 hours 3- ⟦illegible⟧ confirmation of what was stated in the letter of the Hospitals Committee mentioned in paragraph (1) above. 4- The Rabbinical Council decided to write to the Hospitals Committee and the mentioned committee shall deport the mentioned doctor dismissal and correcting his balance and providing us with the mentioned procedures: a- That ⟦illegible⟧ the amounts mentioned above and requesting him to submit a letter of resignation from his position ⟦illegible⟧ in the Council's accounts. b- In case of not submitting the resignation ⟦illegible⟧ the esteemed Council decides to dismiss him from the position ⟦illegible⟧ to the competent authorities to recover the mentioned amounts. 4- The Council tried repeatedly and with the help of the Head of the Community and the Religious Head ⟦illegible⟧ the mentioned Mr. Doctor to settle the amounts and some people whose words are respected mediated and they returned the amounts ⟦illegible⟧ to enable him to manage his financial affairs as they indicated that they had presented to him the amounts he borrowed from the community's funds from his personal profits ⟦illegible⟧ and that he is responsible for supporting a large family and therefore the house remained in this miserable state without any action. 5- The mentioned Mr. Doctor repeatedly visited during this period the Accounting Department and the esteemed Council and requested ⟦illegible⟧ other than transferring it to his community and the circumstances he is going through from a financial and social aspect and the lack of ⟦illegible⟧ with bad faith and that he is ready to return the remaining amounts owed by him to the community but he requested a grace period ⟦illegible⟧ until the request. 6- The mentioned Mr. Doctor was tasked by the community administration to sell the house and distribute its price among the community
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ except for ten dinars received in advance ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 27/850 rent for a year ⟦illegible⟧ 5/000 rent ⟦illegible⟧ 32/850 thirty-two dinars and eight hundred and fifty fils The rent for this room remains the responsibility of the aforementioned, requesting instructions to pay the aforementioned fees for holding the aforementioned party in the place and withdrawing it from the date of it in early August 1944. Please accept our respects. The Secretary Baghdad on 1/18/1949
95/2/12 Respected Uncle, After offering my respects, I sent your servant, my son Saeed, in the past days, but you were busy. So, would you allow me, Uncle, if I could meet you as you kindly suggested? May you remain well and successful. Nuzha Yatim Your daughter ⟦Sir⟧
(5) Honorable Vice President ⟦line⟧ The departure of Wars has been completed Entering this request in the ⟦status⟧ of the neighborhood today, I inform you ⟦signature⟧ 2/28 Neglect For filing ⟦line⟧ Organizations - Tax
Jewish Lay Council JEWISH LAY COUNCIL in Baghdad BAGHDAD Telephone No. 5452 TELEPHONE No. 5452 ( 6 ) Number :: 526 / 50 Date :: 2 / 7 / 1950 Subject Summary :: Respected Gentlemen Mrs. Rita Meir Cohen ⟦line⟧ President Mr. Ezra Haddad ⟦line⟧ Vice President Mr. Ibrahim Nahoum ⟦line⟧ Member Lawyer Anwar Eliyahu ⟦line⟧ Member Mr. Salim Shaul Sassoon ⟦line⟧ Member Mr. Abdullah Majid Yassa ⟦line⟧ Member Dr. Naim Isaac ⟦line⟧ Member Gauri Dalim Committee After greetings and respect In view of the zeal and drive for the public interest that we have witnessed in you, it has been decided to elect you as a committee to manage the immigrants from the ⟦line⟧ . I ask you to kindly proceed with this humanitarian work, with the request to attend your meetings at the National School ⟦line⟧ . Please accept our highest respect ⟦line⟧ Sincerely ⟦signature⟧ President 6/23/J
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Oath ⟦illegible⟧
Proposal to add ⟦illegible⟧ the invitation to the committee His Excellency the President called and explained that there are families living in the synagogue threatened with collapse The mentioned synagogue building is dangerous and therefore he sees it necessary to deliberate to find a suitable place to move them to such as a school or another place <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> that contains the necessary sanitary facilities And he requested to discuss this subject in the body My hope ⟦signature⟧ <del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
501 6/ ⟦...⟧ /1950 Respected Gentlemen, 1 | Mrs. Rena Meir Koestler | President 2 | Mr. Ezra Haddad | Vice President 5 | Mr. Sassoon Shaul Shaul | Member 7 | Dr. Nadim Isaac | Member 4 | Lawyer Anwar Shemsha | Member 3 | Mr. Ibrahim Shemsha | Member ⟦...⟧ | Mr. Abdullah Ovadia | Member After greetings and respect, In view of what we know of your zeal and sacrifice for the sake of the public interest, I have named your election as a committee for sheltering the needy of the community. We ask you to kindly commence this humanitarian work, with the request to hold your meetings at the National School ⟦...⟧ . Please accept our highest respect; The Council The President ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible stamp⟧ 6/12/A
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL BAGHDAD TELEPHONE NO. 5452 ⟦s⟧ No :- 344 Baghdad, 21st Aug. 1949 Subject Summary: The Ottoman Bank, B A G H D A D . Dear Sirs, We enclose herewith your two receipts Nos., 1104/2970, 1105/2971 for 200 ( two hundred ) bonds IRAQ GOVERNMENT PREMIUM LOAN 2% 1944, with your receipt No. 1099/2967 for IDs. 1500/- ( IRAQ DINARS FIFTEEN HUNDRED ONLY ) Nominal IRAQ GOVERNMENT LOAN 3 1/2 % 1947. We shall be glad if you will deliver if you will deliver the relative securities of the above-mentioned receipts, duly endorsed by us, to Mr. ELIAHOU HAYIM TAWFICK. Yours faithfully, JEWISH LAY COUNCIL, ACCOUNT WAKIF RIFKA MENAHEM SALEH DANIEL. Jewish Lay Council in Baghdad 1930 ⟦illegible signature⟧ Enclos. 3 Receipts
(10) The Lay Council of the Israelite Community * Baghdad ⟦line⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible circular stamp⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧