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 Excellency the Ambassador Greetings, This presidency does not have records concerning incoming births and knowing the birth dates of its members, and you must consult the Student Insurance Committee. Please accept the assurances of my highest respect. A. Kh. Sassoon Acting Head of the Community His Excellency the French Ambassador in Iraq ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
17 ⟦August⟧ 1954 Mr. President The French university authorities have requested a copy of the birth certificate of Mr. Elie Bonfils from your community, born in Baghdad on October 12, 1921. I would be grateful if you would kindly organize this document. Please accept the expression of my highest respect. The French Embassy Hama This presidency does not have special records <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> regarding birth dates of its members, however we grant certificates to persons who present documents whose authenticity is convincing. Please accept the highest esteem and respect The Rabbi
Embassy of France in Iraq FRENCH REPUBLIC Baghdad, June 17, 1954 Mr. President, The French university authorities are asking me for a copy of the birth certificate of Mr. Ely Bonfils, belonging to your Community, born on October 13, 1931 in Baghdad. I would be grateful if you would kindly have this document prepared for me. Please accept, Mr. President, the assurance of my most distinguished consideration. ⟦illegible⟧ Mr. President of the Jewish Community Baghdad 2
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number 3531 5452 Number T / 3325 / 54 Date 28 / 5 / 1954 6 / 17 Subject: The Honorable Judge of the Sharia Court in Baghdad After greetings Further to our letter No. T / 3325 / 54 dated 22 / 3 / 1954, please be so kind as to issue your order to provide me with certified copies of the endowment deeds (Waqf) related to the properties endowed by the late Menachem and Sassoon, sons of Saleh Daniel, to the poor of the Jewish community in Baghdad, issued by your esteemed court, the details of which are written below. 1 - The deed issued on 9 Shawwal 1326, registered in Register No. (1) under number 181. 2 - The deed issued on 8 Shawwal 1326, registered in Register No. (1) under number 179 and page 69. 3 - The deed issued on 14 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1342, registered in Register No. (4) under number 151. 4 - The deed issued on 28 Rabi' al-Thani 1343, registered in Register No. (4) under number 311 and page 83. 5 - The Sharia deed issued on 14 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1342 in Register No. (4) under number 152. With much respect to your Excellency Sassoon Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Acting President of the Community 124 Community Affairs
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T/54/2278
Subject:
Date: 22/6/1954
To Whom It May Concern
Based on the document kept by this Presidency, we certify that Dr. Simha
daughter of Sassoon Sheina, also known as Dr. Samiha daughter of Sassoon Sheina. Based
on the request, she was provided with this certificate.
140
on behalf of
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
8
Community Affairs
To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community Baghdad. Also We, the undersigned, certify that Dr. Simha daughter of Sassoon Sheina is sometimes titled by the name Dr. Samha daughter of Sassoon Sheina, and for this reason we have signed this certificate 2/22/54 ⟦illegible⟧ Hashil Shuaub Sheina Dr. ⟦illegible⟧ Dr. Albert Helmy ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 3286 Community Affairs 141
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone No. 3531 President 5452 Secretary Number: 2378 Date: 22 / 6 / 1954 Subject ⟦line⟧ To whom it may concern . Based on the document kept by this Presidency, we certify that Dr. Samha daughter of Sassoon Sheina ⟦also⟧ known by the name Dr. Samiha daughter of Sassoon Sheina and based on the request, she was provided with this certificate ⟦S Kh⟧ Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri Acting President of the Jewish Community ⟦illegible⟧
To whom it may concern ⟦Based⟧ on the record kept at this presidency, we certify that Dr. Samira Souf is known as Dr. Samia without a heart murmur, and she was provided with this certificate to Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Head of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number 5452 Number: M / 541 Date: 21 / 6 / 1954 Subject Summary: Loan of a mobile bed The Honorable Mr. Israel Hay, Respected After greetings With reference to your letter dated 8 / 6 / 54, the Administrative Committee approved in its session held on 14 / 6 / 1954 to loan you from Meir Elias Hospital the mobile bed. Please inform us of its arrival — Please accept our highest respect — ⟦illegible⟧ Chairman of the Administrative Committee ⟦illegible⟧ 141 Community Affairs
To the honorable Mr. Arthur Kay, After greetings, With reference to your letter dated ⟦...⟧ 8/2/53 The Administrative Committee approved in its session held on 14/2/53 to grant you the aforementioned bed at the hospital of Mar Elias ⟦...⟧ the aforementioned bed. Please inform us of the receipt of this, and please accept the highest respect. Chairman of the Administrative Committee ⟦...⟧
On May 28, 1954. Presidency of the Jewish Community, Baghdad. Greetings and respect, I have been informed that the respected administrative body has abandoned the idea of reopening the community hospital for financial reasons and that the intention is to sell and liquidate the remaining piled-up furniture and equipment from the previous hospitals. Among those furnishings are special iron beds (numbering four, I believe) with movable, folding mattresses, and regarding this, I am applying to the respected body requesting to purchase these beds at their current market price, not for the purpose of profit or trade, but to prepare and set them up for free loan for the sake of God to those in dire need of such beds among the patients in Baghdad. If the community ever decides one day to reopen the hospital and needs these beds, I pledge to return them for a price not exceeding what will be decided as the purchase value. This is what I wanted to present to your respected body, hoping it meets with your approval. Please accept my further respect and thanks to your Excellency. Sincerely, ⟦illegible⟧ Israel Nassim Hay Secretary To be presented to the esteemed body at the first meeting On 1/6/54 ⟦illegible⟧ In administration ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Assigned ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Governorate of Baghdad Liwa Local Administration Number / 4001 Date / 8/1 To - Personal Status Court The Baghdad Liwa Police Directorate informed us in its letter numbered ⟦...⟧ and dated 28 / 7 / 954 that ⟦...⟧ the report of the Jewish community stating that the Jew Sion Heskel Khedhouri has passed away and left some furniture located in the Torah rooms and in some lands. Please order the inventory of his estate, provide us with the legal distribution of inheritance, and inform us. ⟦...⟧ 2551 54/8/1 Abdul Jabbar Fahmi Governor of Baghdad Liwa Chairman of the General Liwa Council A copy to - Baghdad Liwa Police Directorate - its letter referred to above Baghdad Liwa Land Registry Directorate - please inform us of the properties belonging to the aforementioned and provide us with copies of the records and maps. Baghdad Liwa Property Commission - for the same purpose District Administration of Baghdad Center - please instruct the Mukhtar of that neighborhood to provide us with the legal distribution of inheritance. Secretariat of the Jewish Community. Local Administration Treasury Commission. Hamid / 7 / 30 ⟦...⟧ On its behalf ⟦...⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / ⟦779⟧ / 51
Date: 22 / 3 / 1951
Subject:
To
Mr. Moshe Ephraim Cohen, Respectfully
Amara
After greetings
Based on our reliance on you and given the vacancy of the community presidency in Amara at the present time
we have assigned you to supervise the affairs of the community and its properties in Amara, including the synagogue
and the school. We request that you provide us with a list containing the properties belonging to this community, mentioning
their monthly or annual revenues.
Please accept our highest respect.
⟦signature⟧
Acting President of the Community
President of the Lay Council
5/24/1954 Your Eminence the Rabbi I submit to your Eminence the requested information regarding what was stated in the letter of Mr. Moshe Ephraim Cohen dated 3/25/1954 in which he claims an amount of seventy Dinars for the expenses he incurred in exchange for his management of the properties, endowments, and synagogue of Amarah throughout the duration of his employment. The previous Lay Council appointed Mr. Moshe Ephraim Cohen on 3/26/1951 to manage the community's properties in Amarah and oversee its affairs following the resignation of its acting manager, Mr. Ephraim Rahmin Kashi, on 3/24/51 due to the revocation of his Iraqi citizenship. Mr. Moshe Ephraim Cohen performed the tasks entrusted to him throughout this period, and during it he spent approximately seventy Dinars with the knowledge and testimony of Mr. Yusuf Bahari. This is what had to be presented, and with respect to your Eminence. ⟦handwritten signature⟧ Secretary of the Community The President The committee decided that a letter should be written to him requesting a statement of the number of properties that were in his possession and what the amount of revenues he obtained during the mentioned times was, and that he should submit a list of the expenditures he spent supported by other documents ⟦illegible signature⟧ 5/25
Presidency of the Israelite Community: In Amarah Number /: ⟦line⟧ Date /: / / Subject /: Honorable ⟦President⟧ of the ⟦...⟧ Community After greetings ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ by the government ⟦...⟧ in it a reading ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ trust ⟦...⟧ in a ⟦...⟧ manner with it ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ the President's book ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ on your neck ⟦...⟧ which flew ⟦...⟧ number ⟦...⟧ President ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
Mutasarrifate of Kut Liwa Local Administration Accounts Number: 800 Date: 9 / 7 / 1951 To Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Subject - Ledgers and papers belonging to the deceased Rahmin Moshi Shamal The Personal Status Court in Kut, during the inventory of the estate of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Shamal, found a collection of ledgers and papers totaling 17 ledgers, which were written in the Hebrew language. In order to identify the debts belonging to the deceased and audit his accounts, we are sending you the aforementioned ledgers accompanied by this letter of ours. Their pages have been numbered and the seal of this department has been placed on them. Therefore, please conduct an examination of the mentioned books, translate them, and return them to us - accompanied by your observations. Attachments A - 1 - Book No. 1 and its number of pages is 181 2 - " " 2 " " 189 3 - " " 3 " " 176 4 - " " 4 " " 171 5 - " " 5 " " 183 6 - " " 6 " " 199 7 - " " 7 " " 48 8 - " " 8 " " 187 9 - " " 9 " " 28 10 - " " 10 " " 100 11 - " " 11 " " 228 12 - " " 12 " " 195 13 - " " 13 " " 148 14 - " " 14 " " 189 15 - " " 15 " " 73 16 - " " 16 " " 123 17 - " " 17 " " 56 B - A collection of papers numbered up to 32 C - Another collection of papers <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> Ibrahim Al-Naqib Mutasarrif of Kut Liwa and Chairman of the General Liwa Council For Registration and Administration ⟦illegible⟧ 7/12
Governorate of Kut District Local Administration Accounts Number 8000 Date 29 / 10 / 1954 ⟦illegible⟧ To: - Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Subject - Ledgers and papers belonging to the deceased Rahmin Moshi Mashal The Personal Status Court in Kut, during the inventory of the estate of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Mashal, found a collection of ledgers and papers totaling 17 ledgers, which were written in the Hebrew language. In order to identify the debts belonging to the deceased and audit his accounts, we are sending you the aforementioned ledgers accompanied by this letter of ours. Their pages have been numbered and marked - with the stamp of this department. Therefore, please conduct an examination of the mentioned books, translate them, and return them to us - accompanied by your remarks. Attachments A - 1 - Book No. 1 and its number of pages is 181 - 2 - " " 2 " " 189 - 3 - " " 3 " " 176 - 4 - " " 4 " " 171 - 5 - " " 5 " " 183 - 6 - " " 6 " " 199 - 7 - " " 7 " " 48 - 8 - " " 8 " " 187 - 9 - " " 9 " " 28 - 10 - " " 10 " " 100 - 11 - " " 11 " " 228 - 12 - " " 12 " " 195 - 13 - " " 13 " " 148 - 14 - " " 14 " " 189 - 15 - " " 15 " " 73 - 16 - " " 16 " " 123 - 17 - " " 17 " " 56 B - A collection of papers numbered up to 32 C - Another collection of papers ⟦illegible signature⟧ Governor of Kut District Chairman of the General District Council
Mutasarrifate of Kut Liwa Local Administration Personnel Number ⟦...⟧ Date ⟦...⟧ / ⟦...⟧ / 195 To: - Presidency of the Jewish Community - Baghdad Subject - Estate of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Meshaal Your letter No. T / 3443 / 54 dated 5 / 11 / 54 The register mentioned in the petition of the applicant Masouda Nassim from ⟦...⟧ was not among the registers found by the Personal Status Court in Kut Liwa during the inventory of the estate of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Meshaal, and it has no evidence to ⟦support⟧ support her claim. Filed ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ Hussein Kubba Mutasarrif of Kut Liwa Chairman of the General Liwa Council Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad Number Ali 2589 Date 21 / 11 / 1954
Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad Telephone Number | 3531 President | 5452 Secretary Number: T / 2242 / 54 Subject: Date: 5 / 11 / 1954 His Excellency the Governor of Kut Province, Respected After greetings Reference to your letter numbered 828 and dated 29 / 6 / 54 We submit to your position the original petition of the wife of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Mashal, please look into her request. Please accept our highest respect On behalf of Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting President of the Community 146
To the Honorable President of the Jewish Community After greetings, The Governorate of Kut District has previously sent the commercial ledgers belonging to my deceased husband, Rahmin Moshi Mashal, to the Presidency of the Community for auditing. These ledgers were presented to me, and it appeared that the ledger called the 'Claims Ledger', which is the primary ledger belonging to my late husband Rahmin Moshi Mashal, is not present among these ledgers. I request your Excellency to mediate regarding this matter with His Excellency the Governor of Kut District. This matter is for your Eminence to decide. The Petitioner Wife of the deceased Rahmin Moshi Mashal Masouda daughter of Nassim Salman
Announcement The President of the Jewish Community, His Eminence Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri, announces that he has volunteered to give lessons on the laws of ritual slaughter ( ⟦Laws of Shechita⟧ ) at the late Ezra Daoud Synagogue at six o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday of every week starting from Sunday, February 20, 1955. Anyone who wishes to attend should be at the aforementioned synagogue at the appointed time. Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad 16 / 2 / 1955