Official Letters to Jewish Organizations and Government Office, President of the Jewish Community
View interactive document pageThese are archival documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. They include correspondence from the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad to Jewish community presidents in Sulaymaniyah, Irbil, Mosul, Basrah, Kirkuk, Fallujah, regarding condolences, regulations, hospitals, permits, religious dietary laws, smallpox, distributions to the poor, employment and unemployment, financial settlements, legal settlements, charitable donations and requests for documentation. There is also correspondence with various government and community organizations including the Office of Information – Mosul; National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Iraq; The British Bank of Iran; Office of the Haham of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews of Great Britain; Chevrolet; Iraqi Red Crescent Society; The Society for Improving the Conditions of the Blind in Iraq; French Ambassador in Iraq; The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China; The Great Synagogue of Baghdad; and the President of the Catholic Diaspora. The item also includes the newspapers: الزمان (Al-Zamān), Issue #4764 from May 1, 1953; and الحوادث (Al-Ḥawādth), Issue #3096 from 1953.
His Eminence Rabbi Suleiman Barzani Mr. Yahya Shmuel Tuhafi Rabbi Yahya Rahmim and his companions Teacher Zakkai Zebulun Mosul I thank you for your condolences, may you see no harm Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Name: Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Address: President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧ The Community ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Telegram 11 Telegram via Internal and External Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration Number: Telegram Type: Ordinary Time of Registration: 12/10 Sent at hour: Minute: Received at hour: 8 Minute: 40 To: From: Sulaymaniyah 16 Serial Number: Received by: K Sent by: Words: 27 Remarks: Official Date: 16/10 Issuing Office: Sulaymaniyah To His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, Respectfully We have been and still are giving the greatest attention to this case despite it being within the jurisdiction of the courts which have performed their duty to the fullest extent and despite what is claimed by those telegraphing you regarding matters contrary to the truth The Mutasarrif BAGHDAD ⟦17⟧ MAY 1953 ⟦...⟧
His Eminence Rabbi Suleiman Barzani Mr. Yahya Shmuel Tuhafi Rabbi Yahya Rahmim and his companions Teacher Zakkai Zebulun Mosul I thank you for your condolences, may you see no evil Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri ⟦Silence⟧ Name: Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Address: President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad ⟦illegible⟧ President The Community in Iraq
287 6 / 5 / 947 His Eminence Rabbi Moshe Mordechai, the respected Sulaymaniyah After greetings We received the telegram from the members of the Israelite community in Sulaymaniyah dated 27 / 4 / 947 on the date of 29 / 4 / 947 regarding the disappearance of Saadia Yusuf and we consulted the venerable Ministry of Interior in this regard and they promised us a good outcome. We also sent a telegram to His Excellency the Governor of the Sulaymaniyah Province to pay attention to this case, a copy of which is attached herewith, and we hope that His Excellency will take interest ⟦in this⟧ matter. Please accept our respects Sassoon Head of the Community
6 / 5 / 947 His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Said al-Qazzaz, the respected Governor of Kut Province Warm greetings Furthermore, I would be most grateful if Your Excellency would kindly provide possible assistance to the bearer of this letter, Sabiha Shaul, regarding the matter that ⟦Sabiha⟧ will explain to Your Excellency. Hoping that I have not troubled Your Excellency with this request of mine, please accept my respect with abundant thanks. Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ 5/6 Sassoon Head of the Community The Iraqi Community
May 6, 1947 The Honorable Mr. Nassim Bechor, Respectfully Railway Directorate Greetings, Baghdad I would be most grateful if you would kindly provide possible assistance to the bearer of this letter, Mr. Mahdi Wafi, regarding the matter he will explain to you. With my thanks in advance, please accept my sincere respect. ⟦Sassoon⟧ Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧ For filing ⟦illegible⟧
Number 2 Number ⟦line⟧ Inland Telegram “A” Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration Outgoing Internal Telegram: Telegram Type: Time: Issuing Office: Date: Administrative Instructions :: Sent to: Hour: Minute: Signature of Sending Clerk: Word Count: Fee: Nothing to be written by sender above this line Nothing to be written by sender above this line To :- To: His Excellency the Governor of Hilla Province, Abdul Rasul al-Khalisi Governor of Hilla Province I wish Your Excellency success in managing the esteemed province, hoping you will kindly look into the case I presented to Your Excellency regarding Yusuf Shamil And please accept my highest respect Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Jewish Community Name Name: Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Address Address: Baghdad - Jewish Community Signature Signature: ⟦signature⟧ Not to be telegraphed This telegram is sent according to conditions on reverse. This telegram is sent according to conditions on reverse. ⟦9/18⟧
The Israeli Religious Court Authority in Amarah The Israeli Religious Court Authority in Amarah Number :: Date :: 24 / 6 / 1947 To His Excellency the President of the Israeli Community in Baghdad, the Respected Greetings and respect We present to your Excellency the bearer of this letter of ours Masouda daughter of Fadhil Saleh, she is sick and needs a visit to a doctor Arif because here she did not get a result, then she traveled by means of the association because she is an orphan and her father is ⟦dead⟧ and destitute and has no helper. We hope for your compassion to be kind to her and help her in admitting her to Meir Elias Hospital for treatment, and we thank you very much Sir The Israeli Religious Court Authority in Amarah The Israeli Religious Court Authority in Amarah 1941 - 5701 President The Community in Amarah Summary of conditions under which inland telegrams are accepted 1 - This telegram is sent in accordance with the inland telegraph regulations published in the Iraqi Post and Telegraph Guide. 2 - The Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration shall not be responsible for delay, error, deficiency, or damage that may occur to a telegram as a result of its deletion, non-delivery, non-transmission, or locations. 3 - The sender of the telegram must write in the space provided on the left side of the address on the face of the form the indication he desires, such as an urgent telegram, or that the fee for its reply is paid in advance. If the telegram is in the interest of the Iraqi government, the word (Official) shall be written. 4 - The Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration has the right to refuse to accept the telegram, and it also has the right not to send it even if it has been registered for transmission or distribution, and in this case its fee shall be returned to the sender upon his submission of a request for that. 5 - Requests related to the recovery of fees and all complaints about telegrams shall be submitted to the General Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs in Baghdad. 6 - To prevent the occurrence of error, the telegram must be clear in letters and words. Conditions on which Inland Telegrams are accepted. 1. This telegram shall be forwarded in accordance with the Inland Telegraph Rules, published in the 'Iraq Post and Telegraph Guide. 2. The Administration of Posts and Telegraphs, 'Iraq, shall not be liable to make compensation for any delay, error, loss, injury or damage arising from omission, non-transmission or non-delivery of the telegram. 3. The sender may write the instructions in the space provided at the left side of the address, on the face of this form, such as Urgent, Reply Paid, or State of on 'Iraq Government Service. 4. The Administration of Posts and Telegraphs, 'Iraq, may decline to accept the telegram. It may also decline to forward it although it has been booked. In such case the amount paid for transmission shall be refunded to the sender on application. 5. Complaints and applications for refund should be addressed to the Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs, Baghdad. 6. To prevent mistakes this telegram must be legibly written.
To the Honorable Committee of the Israelite Community in Baghdad. Presented to your Excellency "- That Naeem Moallem Salman, holder of the certificate from the Directorate of Public Health from the director of Dar al-Shifa Hospital in Baghdad numbered 504 and dated 6/14/947, is the son of Rabbi Moallem Salman Ibrahim, known to His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, spiritual leader of the Israelite community in Khanaqin. The aforementioned entered the hospital on 1/10/945 and is still in the aforementioned house until now, and his father has spent all the money, household furniture, and the like that he owned for the sake of his aforementioned son. Until now, he has nothing left to spend on his son. Therefore, we have come with this letter of ours, appealing to your Excellency to contact His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri to take the necessary measures and provide what his father requires in terms of a certificate recommended by specialist doctors in Palestine, noting that his father has decided to send his aforementioned son to Palestine for treatment there. We repeat and recommend to your Excellency to look upon this case with an eye of kindness and compassion and full recommendation in his right, and we wish your Excellency goodness, full health, peace of mind, and long life. A copy of it to "- His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri in Baghdad. Head of the Israelite Community in Khanaqin (Salman Ibrahim). Khanaqin on 7/13/1947. Member | Member | Member | Member | Member Salman Yusuf | Yantob Menashi | Moshe Rubin | Saleh Haroun | Menashi Hai Mordechai | Issa | | | Iraq 10 Fils ⟦illegible signature⟧ ⟦illegible signature⟧ ⟦illegible signature⟧ ⟦illegible signature⟧ Committee of Community and Aid
190 Barq 11 Internal and External Intermediate Telegram Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration Number ⟦line⟧ Time of registration ⟦line⟧ Telegram type 4 / 4 Office Stamp | Sent at hour .... minute .... | Received at hour 16 minute 25 | To .... | From Mosul 112 | Serial number .... | | Dispatched by .... | Received by ⟦illegible⟧ TELS. BAGHDAD 17 MAY 47 Words 30 Remarks Date 4 Issuing Office Mosul To Baghdad Presidency of the Jewish Community We offer your Eminence our heartfelt condolences on the death of the late scholar Rabbi Raphael, may God cover him with His vast mercy and grant his family patience and solace Yahya Rahim Yusuf Shua Ain al-Nabi Center
Telegram 11 Internal and External Intermediate Telegram Iraqi Post and Telegraph Administration 512142 Time of registration: Telegram type: Number: 221 Baghdad 2 MAY 53 TELS BAGHDAD Sent at hour ⟦line⟧ minute ⟦line⟧ Received at hour 12 ⟦line⟧ minute ⟦line⟧ To ⟦line⟧ From ⟦illegible⟧ Serial number ⟦line⟧ Received by ⟦illegible⟧ Dispatched by ⟦line⟧ Words | Remarks | Date | Office of Issue 15 | | | Mosul To the Head of the Jewish Community Baghdad We offer our condolences on the death of the late Rabbi Raphael Tbeila. To the deceased mercy and to his family patience | Zakhai
4/4/1947 ⟦...⟧ The Honorable Mr. Saleh Yusuf Nouri, respected Erbil Greetings and respect, Furthermore, I attach herewith the original letter received by me from Erbil without signatures, requesting your kindness to look into its content and address what was stated therein if there is any matter that needs addressing, as you see fit for the public interest. May the Almighty Creator grant you success in serving the members of your community and reward you with goodness and blessings. On behalf of The Head of the Community ⟦illegible⟧
Yahia Shemuel Suq - el - Sarai MOSUL Date ⟦line⟧ The Store Yahya Shmuel Date 20 / 8 / 1947 To the Committee Community Affairs in Iraq To the Honorable and Virtuous Professor Mr. Sassoon Khedhouri, Respectfully Secretary of the Administration of the Israelite Community in Baghdad After greetings and offering respect, I hope you are in the best of health and wellness My dear respected one. When I was in Baghdad and had the honor of meeting you regarding the ⟦subject⟧ of the travel of Mr. Shmuel Hayyim Rabbi Sassoon outside of Iraq for treatment, and you were kind enough to say that upon his return to Baghdad he would be provided by the hand of ⟦...⟧ but there was in the processing in Mosul a delay in inspection, so please provide assistance to him to finish his passport processing ⟦in a way⟧ ⟦...⟧ as quickly as possible due to the limited time remaining in the summer season, and by doing so you make us grateful for your kindness. May God preserve you and grant you success Sincerely Yahya Shmuel Note: I hope to offer my highest respects to His Eminence the Great President Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, Respectfully Community Administration Your ⟦...⟧ To the Committee of Community Affairs in Iraq
For preservation Community affairs in Fallujah 971 1/8/047 His Eminence Rabbi Heskel Hoki Abboudi, the respected Chief Rabbi Basra After greetings and respect Reference to your letter dated July 19, 5707. Based on your request, we have ⟦authorized⟧ the owner of the Eastern Press to print five hundred copies of the coupons you require, provided that "Basra" is printed ⟦on them⟧, with the request to handle them accurately to prevent forgeries. Please accept our respects ⟦S⟧ ⟦Sassoon⟧ Head of the Community
Chief Rabbi Basra The Chief Rabbi of the Community Basra - Iraq 19 Tammuz 5712 To the honorable Mr. Sassoon Khedouri, may God protect and preserve him, President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Honorable President and his deputies, may God be upon them Peace, blessing, and all good forever Mr. Pinhas Rafaelov, who was sent by the Administrative Committee of the community here in the city of Basra to bring with him money in the amount of 2000 Dinars for the building of the synagogue synagogue, the paper ⟦...⟧ was sent with him to be signed by the honorable Committee of the community in Baghdad, and the aforementioned Mr. Pinhas was also sent to bring from the community in Baghdad money in the amount of ⟦...⟧ Dinars to participate in the building of the aforementioned house With great respect and all the best President of the Community ⟦Hakham Sassoon⟧ Approved The Community ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦stamp⟧
To the Honorable Rabbi, the Genius, Hakham Sassoon Kadoorie, may God protect him. Tel Aviv. President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, may God protect it. After inquiring about your honor's well-being and all those accompanying you with a blessing of peace and blessing. I am writing to inform you that it has been a long time since I sent you several letters and I have not received a complete answer. Therefore, I am writing to your honor this time with a very urgent request because I have a family of five people and I have no work, and also the cost of living here in the country is high. Therefore, I request from your honor to send me some financial assistance so that I can survive with my family because my situation is very bad. And I also request from your honor to send me the birth certificate (Jinsiya) of my wife and of my son and my daughters. And their names are: my wife Naima daughter of Salman. And my son Eliyahu son of Ezra and my daughters Ora daughter of Ezra. And Rachel daughter of Ezra. And Dalia daughter of Ezra. I request from your honor to send me these certificates as soon as possible because they are very necessary to me. And I also request from your honor to send me a certificate of good conduct (Shahadat Husn Suluk) because I used to work at the Jewish Hospital in Baghdad (Rima Kadoorie) and I worked there as a clerk and also a contractor of the food in the aforementioned hospital. Therefore, I request from your honor to send me a certificate testifying to my work there and my good behavior. With thanks in advance and with great respect The young man Ezra Pethahiah Address: Tel Aviv Neighborhood ⟦illegible⟧ Yosef Yaakov Address: Yosef Yaakov Tel Aviv
To Mosul Miscellaneous The Community in Iraq 276 11 / 8 / 947 The Honorable Mr. Yusuf Yaqub, respected Jewish Market - Mosul After greetings With reference to your letter regarding the authorization to open a school in the name of ( ⟦...⟧ ) Please submit a request to the Directorate of Education of the Mosul Province in your area to obtain the necessary permit to open the aforementioned school Please accept our respects ⟦signature⟧ Head of the Community Copy to His Eminence Rabbi Suleiman Bozani - Head of the Israelite Community - Mosul
His Excellency, the President of the Jewish Community, Respected Baghdad Presented to Your Excellency: We have heard of the assistance Your Excellency has provided for the sake of our teacher ⟦...⟧ and the efforts exerted by the Rabbis for the same purpose, and we thank you for this assistance and the facilities you have provided for his case, but we request from Your Excellency as we request from His Excellency ⟦...⟧ the matter from the Rabbis that you hasten to complete this task and send him as soon as possible due to the distress and confusion we have suffered in ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ and our hope is firm in Your Excellency that you will take interest in this case of ours and save us from what we are in of difficulty, especially the poor class among us whose condition has moved from bad to worse due to the loss of meat, which is the pillar of our livelihood. Your love for goodness and helping the weak is what encouraged us to submit this petition to Your Excellency, hoping to send our teacher as quickly as possible and release him, and to inform us of the result and ⟦...⟧ God for doing good ⟦...⟧ Naji Sasson Kahla President of the Jewish Community in Nasiriyah Abed Youssef Salman ⟦...⟧ Heskel ⟦...⟧ Ezra ⟦...⟧ Daoud ⟦...⟧ Khedhouri ⟦...⟧ Youssef ⟦...⟧ Salim ⟦...⟧ Naim ⟦...⟧ Saleh ⟦...⟧ Isaac ⟦...⟧
8/5/947 The Honorable Mr. Khedhouri Balbul, Respectfully Head of the Jewish Community - Nasiriyah After greetings, With reference to your letter regarding the teacher Hanina Shlomo. I have been informed by the Spiritual Council that the aforementioned teacher is weak in the principles of ritual slaughter ( ⟦as he is a believer and clear about it⟧ ) and he requires retraining. I have instructed that attention be given to his matter and to expedite his training, and in any case, the matter depends on him. Therefore, we see it appropriate that you agree with another teacher to manage your affairs temporarily until the aforementioned teacher Hanina Shlomo completes the necessary training. Please accept our respects, On behalf of Head of the Community ⟦The Jewish Community⟧
Head of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri S ⟦...⟧ Number ⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧ Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Based on your interests, Ibrahim Effendi has agreed to the position of Shochet, teacher, and Hazan A monthly response, an agreed-upon award And a signature with you for twenty Dinars monthly, response Sincerely, Shimon Yosef Dallal
Note :- If there are several families in the house, use one of these forms for each family, and the forms for the single house should be sequential Number of killed, wounded, or captives and their identity: The minimum requirement for the head of the family to return to his work: ⟦Undertaking⟧ of the remaining head of the family ⟦missing⟧ ⟦...⟧: