AI English Translation, Pages 276-300
- 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 foundations.
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 British Pound Sterling was based on the gold standard, but this arrangement 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 then he was re-elected in successive councils until his death. He held the position in the Council
of chairmanship of the financial, economic, and legal committees, so 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: in addition to 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 authors,
Eastern and Western, 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. 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 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 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⟧
Capital Secretariat
Baghdad
⟦illegible⟧
Sender: Salman Yusuf Hayya
Capital Secretariat
Date: ⟦line⟧
To the honorable Professor Alwan Hudhouri, respected
After greetings and respect
This is my father Zion, who is in the most
urgent need of assistance, and he has a diligent and intelligent son
who has excelled at the Shamash School, and furthermore for his achievement
of excellent grades in the Baccalaureate exam.
And today he is unable to pay the school fees
due to his financial weakness, so I hope for your kindness to favor
ordering assistance for him and ⟦...⟧ he has, so we owe you the deed
and you surely know that you love helping such
vulnerable people, so I ⟦...⟧ and to you the completion of this
service ⟦...⟧ and with all hope and confidence in your assistance for this
poor student. And please accept the highest respect and gratitude
Greetings
⟦illegible⟧
Sincerely
⟦illegible⟧
The Iraqi Government
Department of ⟦...⟧ Ministry of Finance:
Number: 4969
Pension Directorate:
Date: 9 August 1949
Office:
Subject: Marriage Contract
To " -
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Baghdad
We have learned that the pensioner Violet daughter of Meir Rabi, residing
in the Al-Bataween neighborhood (Bustan Al-Naqib), had her marriage contract concluded on
7 / 4 / 949, so please confirm that.
On behalf of the Director General of Finance
⟦illegible⟧
754
16 / 8 / 1949
Nouri M
The Department
Committee in B. B. from Tishrei year 51
On day 6 Adar 2 Tishrei Monday 25 Tishrei 51
Kosher in life Aaron
Sum of money 7 from ⟦illegible⟧ 6 Tishrei 1949/4/6 sum of fils ⟦illegible⟧ paid fils
Yes I am Sheikh Avraham Elyon for debts from the rent of the synagogue house
2200 ⟦line⟧
216
2416 ⟦line⟧
7000
2990
10
10000 ⟦line⟧
Debts
Tishrei
Year
Oved Ma'tuq Hazan
M. Avraham
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
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
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
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
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
Brief Translation
Mr. President
According to a letter from Mr. (Bon Coleman)
in America, who is a young American Jew working
in inspection, he requests you to give him the address of a young
Iraqi Jew to correspond with him.
⟦signature⟧
10/5/1949
Save
From now on
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 )
From Baghdad Peace Court 49/2857
Number ⟦illegible⟧
Date 22 / 10 / 49
To
The President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Number 828
Date 26 / 10 / 949
Please inform us of the date of death of the person named Shaul
Saqil and we hope for a response before the day of the hearing
before the day of the hearing corresponding to 9 / 11 / 49
<del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
The Judge
⟦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 Government Railways:
Incoming Number: 292
Date: 21 / 11 / ⟦illegible⟧
File Number:
THE EDITORS COMMITTEE
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Editorial Committee
Council of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
⟦illegible stamp⟧
Baghdad on ⟦...⟧
To the respected ⟦...⟧
We inform you that ⟦...⟧ has decided in its session held on ⟦...⟧ to accept your article titled
⟦...⟧ for publication in the magazine ⟦...⟧ issued by the mentioned committee ⟦...⟧
1- ⟦illegible⟧
2- ⟦illegible⟧
3- ⟦illegible⟧
4- ⟦illegible⟧
5- ⟦illegible⟧
6- ⟦illegible⟧
7- ⟦illegible⟧
8- ⟦illegible⟧
9- ⟦illegible⟧
10- ⟦illegible⟧
Editorial Committee ⟦...⟧
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⟧ Division:
Case No. ⟦line⟧ File Number:
Subject matter (briefly) Subject Summary:
To whom sent and date To whom sent and date of sending:
In what particular connection In what particular connection:
To be brought forward on (date) Must be submitted on date:
Receiving Department Supervisor ⟦line⟧
Supdt. Receiving Department. I/C Section Division Officer
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
1178
20 / 11 / 1949
His Excellency the Director General of Railways, Respected
Baghdad
⟦line⟧
After greetings,
We kindly request your approval to supply us with two tons of
firewood available with you at the fixed price, noting that it will be used
for heating purposes in this department.
Please accept our highest thanks and respect;
⟦illegible⟧
Head of the Community
On behalf of/
Based on that ⟦...⟧ we ate for you and we did not thirst, this time we return to the Ghazl market and in your hand from the hand of ⟦...⟧
We did not eat because the rooms will need it and there was no one, they turn a day for Harry, we came ⟦...⟧ have mercy from your presence, our Lord
protects you and your late fathers who used to attend a gathering of goodness that prevents the spiritual council from doing evil and
they do not parallel the people being sinful and there is a plan of injustice in it, and we hope from our master your prestige to always be our mercy through you
And the matter is your matter
The Jewish People
The Iraqi
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Date: ⟦line⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Deposited
for safekeeping
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
Translation of the marriage certificate into English
At the accountant's.