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.
⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 1/22/1955 ⟦illegible⟧ regarding the settlement of ⟦illegible⟧ Please provide us with the information ⟦illegible⟧ The response to this letter of ours before the date of 1/12/955 and many thanks to you The President
The Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number 5452 Number: ⟦illegible⟧ / 5.5 Date: 26 / 4 / 1955 Subject Summary :: Respected Mr. Munir Dakkour After greetings We have noticed from the records of this administration the existence of an amount of 158/250 dinars outstanding in your account; therefore, as we wish to settle it, we hope you will take the initiative to pay it as soon as possible, and remain with respect Chairman of the Administrative Committee The Director Write to him urgently ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ 158 1/2
Dear Mr. ⟦illegible⟧ respected After greetings We have noticed ⟦illegible⟧ the department ⟦illegible⟧ in the amount of ⟦illegible⟧ Dinars ⟦illegible⟧ owed by you. This we hope ⟦illegible⟧ that you will initiate payment ⟦illegible⟧ possible and remain with respect Head of the Administrative Committee ⟦signature⟧
TELEPHONE 3531 54⟦...⟧ President of the Jewish Community BAGHDAD No. 3498 BAGHDAD 20th February, 195 5 Rabbi Dr. ⟦S.⟧ Gaon 2 Ashworth Road, LONDON. W.9. Dear Sir, We are informed by Mr. M. Dangoor of your city that you agree to despatch to you 120 "Saifair Torah", some of which are covered with Silver. We have made the calculations of expenses for their delivery to London, and we estimate that it will come to £.1/10/- per each Saifair, making a total of about £.180/-/-. If the above meet with your approval, please send us a cheque through a bank payable here for the amount of £.100/-/- to cover packing, etc. The remaining value will be payable by your goodselves. May I take this opportunity to express to you my best respects and deepest regards. I remain, Yours sincerely, ⟦on behalf of⟧ Hakham S. Khadoory, President of the Jewish Community, BAGHDAD.
TELEPHONE 3531 5452 President of the Jewish Community BAGHDAD No.: 3498 BAGHDAD: 20⟦th⟧, February 195 5 Rabbi Dr. S. Gaon 2 Ashworth Road, LONDON. W.9. Dear Sir, We are informed by Mr. Dangoor of your city ⟦th⟧at you agree to despatch to you 120 "Saifair Torah" some of which are covered with silver. We have made the calculations of expenses for their delivery to London, and we estimate that it will come to £.1-10-0 per each Saifair, making a total of about £.180-0-0. If the above meet with your approval, please send us a cheque through a bank payable here for the amount of £.100-0-0 to cover packing, etc. The remaining value will be payable by your goodselves. May I take this opportunity to express to you my best respects and deepest regards. I remain. Yours sincerely, HAKHAM S. KHEDOURY PRESIDENT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BAGHDAD, IRAQ.
TELEPHONE 3531 5452 President of the Jewish Community BAGHDAD No.: 3498 BAGHDAD: 20th, February 1955 Rabbi Dr.S.Gaon 2 Ashworth Road, LONDON, W.9. Dear Sir, We are informed by Mr.Dangoor of your city that you agree to despatch to you 120 "Saifair Torah" some of which are covered with silver. We have made the calculations of expenses for their delivery to London,and we estimate that it will come to £.1-10-0 per each Saifair,making a total of about £.180-0-0. If the above meet with your approval,please send us a cheque through a bank payable here for the amount of £.100-0-0 to cover packing,etc. The remaining value will be payable by your goodselves. May I take this opportunity to express to you my best respects and deepest regards. I remain. Yours sincerely, HAKHAM S.KHEDOURY PRESIDENT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BAGHDAD,IRAQ.
Presidency of the Israelite Community Special Number Date New York City, New York Nov. 2nd, 1954 The Curator The Great Synagogue Baghdad, Iraq Dear Sir: I m intrested in the subject of ancient carved doors of wood, ad have included in my reseach mosque doors through the ges 600 A.D. through 1200 A.D. The examples we are fortunate to hve in our museums are classified as Mosque D oors. Very little is known concerning them, ad I m intrested not only inthe variety of woods, but in as mayy examples of the ancient art as it is possible to include in the research. Should your Synagogue hve preserved an ax- ample of this ancient art, I should be so hapy to learn of it, and to include the information with my subject matter- if I m granted permission. Very Sincerely Yours, ⟦Evelyn V. Lowdermilk Ball⟧ (Mrs.) Evelyn V. Lowdermilk Ball 438 W. II6th St., Apt. 5I Keep it with ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ the community ⟦...⟧
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad 3531 President Telephone Number 5452 Secretary Number T/: 55/ Subject: ⟦line⟧ Date: 20 / 7 / 1955 ⟦illegible⟧ Land Registry of the Province ⟦illegible⟧ This is for your Excellency's command His Excellency the Director of the Land Registry of Baghdad Province, Respected After greetings Please provide us with a copy of the registration for the plot with sequence 1 / 13, Al-Bushibl neighborhood. This is for your Excellency's command ⟦illegible⟧ On behalf of Rabbi Sassoon Khadhuri Acting President of the Community
To the Honorable Director of Land Registry (Tabu) of Baghdad Province Greetings, Please provide us with a copy of the registration record for the plot with sequence number 12/10, Al-Bushibl neighborhood. This is for your order. D. Ham
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number T/: 55/⟦...⟧
Subject:
Date: 20 / 7 / 1955
His Excellency the Director of Land Registry of Baghdad Province, Respected
After greetings
Please provide us with a copy of the registration for the plot with sequence 1/13, Al-Bushibl neighborhood.
This is for your Excellency's order
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
His Excellency the Director of the Land Registry of Baghdad District, respected After greetings Please take the necessary measures for the organization of 1/12 Al-Bashir neighborhood. This is with much gratitude to you. Ibn Hatem
Presidency of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: <del>8/9/55</del> 55/501
Subject: ⟦line⟧
Date: 29/7/1955
157
Respected Mr. Gurji Shaul Aghababa
After greetings
With reference to your letter dated 18/7/1955;
After consultation with the Administrative Committee, we inform you that it is not possible to pay you an allowance
due to the deficit in our budget.
Please accept our highest respect
Trustee
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
President of the Community
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number T/: 551
Subject: ⟦line⟧
Date: 1955/7/29
Respected Mr. Gurji Shaul Aghababa
After greetings
With reference to your letter dated 1955/7/18,
This Presidency is unable to pay you an allowance due to the deficit in its budget.
Please accept our highest respect
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
President of the Community
After discussion with the Administrative Committee in your place
It is not possible to pay <del>any</del> allowances
to you due to the deficit in our budget
Please accept our highest respect
The Rabbi
Dear Mr. Cohen Shaul, Greetings, With reference to your letter dated 18 / 8 / 951 We inform you that we have sent an allocation payment to you due to the deficit occurring in this budget Please accept our highest respect Sincerely ⟦line⟧ ⟦line⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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Basra on 18 / 7 / 55 His Eminence the Virtuous Father Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, the Respected After kissing your blessed hands I present to your high position the issue of ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦...⟧ in Basra, which I have been and still am serving for a period of nearly four years for very symbolic wages that are now non-existent, and I had previously agreed with the head of the Israelite community in Basra on a monthly salary of 4.000 Dinars (four Dinars), and what prevented the continuation of ⟦illegible⟧ from this monthly amount and its cessation is the freezing of the funds of the Israelite community in Basra, but I remained continuing to perform this work without interruption until now, but recently some matters have occurred which made me stop continuing this work, and they are: 1- That the old slaughterhouse in Basra, which was near us, has been closed and replaced by a modern slaughterhouse located midway to Al-Maqal in a desolate and barren nature for desert dwellers, which requires going to it by a private car that charges a fare of no less than 750 fils per day. 2- That the current butcher is a person with a family of 12 souls performing his duties, and his financial situation is extreme poverty that warrants charity with effort to help him, and he is unable to bear these expenses, especially since the non-kosher part of it is not paid for, and we often ⟦throw it⟧ in the trash. 3- That the slaughter times on our route are in the middle of the night - then nightly without interruption, and the meat is no less than two heads and no more than four ⟦the matter⟧ as in the case of holidays. Despite the required nightly expenses, I do not think your conscience would accept that I perform this exhausting work for free; therefore, I hope that you allocate a monthly salary that I receive from you so that I may perform this task. I am awaiting your kindness to decide on the salary appointment as quickly as possible, and my waiting will be until the end of this month; otherwise, I will be forced to leave slaughtering permanently and I will be innocent and not responsible before God and the people for everything that will happen regarding my cessation of slaughtering, which will encourage most people to buy regular meat (i.e., non-kosher) under the pretext of the absence of meat, and by that, we will cut the last hope in maintaining this sensitive point, as it is the key to every gap in our law, and by its loss, all commandments are lost. So I ask you not to be the cause of the breaking of this thread and to establish a monthly salary that I receive so that matters may take their course. I wish to be worthy of your good opinion, and the matter is yours, my master. Your obedient servant Teacher Nomi Shaul Aghababa Formerly of the British General Supply Stores, Basra Telephone number 7657 ⟦illegible⟧ A copy of it to: 1- To the Presidency of the Lay Council of the Israelite Community in Baghdad 2- The Presidency of the Israelite Community in Basra
15/8/1955 in Baghdad Dear respected brother ⟦illegible⟧ Kind greetings and warm heartfelt longings, and thereafter I have received your letter dated ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ in ⟦illegible⟧ in English ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ which I received on the date of ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ Sincerely ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
Presidency of the Israelite Community in Baghdad 3531 President 5452 Secretary Telephone Number Number: T/55/2597 Date: 20 / 9 / 1955 Subject: His Eminence the Head of the Syriac Catholic Community, Respected After greetings With reference to your letter dated 13 / 9 / 955 and based on our records, it appeared that Latifa known by the name Flora daughter of Salman Haskel Gabbay is married to the person called Yusuf known by the name (Savani) son of Moshi Saleh Shukri, and their marriage was contracted in Baghdad on 12 / 9 / 937 and she is still under the marriage of her husband. As for what was mentioned in your above-referenced letter regarding her mother's name, her maternal grandfather's name, and the place of residence of her husband, this Presidency does not have any information. Please accept our highest respect on behalf of Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri Acting Head of the Community
His Excellency <del>President</del> Deputy Head of the Syriac Catholic Community, Respected After greetings, With reference to your letter dated 12 / 9 / 955 and ⟦...⟧ Our records show that (Latifa, known as Flora, daughter of Salman Musfi Kabbay) is married to the person named Yusuf, known as (Savani) son of Hawsh Salih Sharji, and their marriage was contracted in Baghdad on 2 / 9 / 1927, and she is still under the marriage of her husband. As for what was mentioned in your above-referenced letter regarding her mother's name and her maternal grandfather's name and her husband's place of residence, the Presidency has no <del>information</del> <del>about these</del> any information. This, and please accept the highest respect. Any Rabbi
From Baghdad on 12 - 9 - 1955 His Excellency the President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, Respected After performing the duty of peace and respect: I request your Excellency to clarify to me in an official letter the following: 1) Is Flora, daughter of Salman Gabbay, married or is she divorced now? 2) What is the name of her mother and her mother's father? 3) And if the aforementioned Flora is married, where does her husband live now? I hope your Excellency will send the answer to me at the earliest opportunity to send it to the High Presidency in Beirut because it ordered me to send that to it. Thanks to your Excellency in advance. Deputy of the Syriac Catholic Community in Baghdad ⟦illegible signature⟧ (Khoury Boutros Saba) Presidency of the Archbishopric of the Syriac Catholic Community Baghdad, Basra and its dependencies Contract Register Your Excellency's review 9/15 She married Yusuf, mentioned by the name (Isaac) in the army of Saleh ⟦sweets (was called sweets)⟧ And the marriage contract took place on the date 5698 Hebrew And her mother's name is Latifa, known as Flora daughter of Salman Haqir Gabbay and his bride The place of residence of her husband ⟦...⟧ information 19/9/55
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: T / 2621 / 55
Subject:
Date: 24 / 11 / 1955
To Whom It May Concern
⟦line⟧
Mr. Saleh Isaac Moshi, as of 1 / 3 / 955, receives a monthly salary
from this Presidency in the amount of twenty Dinars only, including high cost of living allowances, namely
fifteen Dinars in his capacity as a teacher at the Midrash school and five Dinars monthly as an allowance
for his duties as a correspondent for the President of the Community, and at his request we have provided him with this certificate.
⟦signature⟧
Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri
Acting President of the Community
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number: 55/
Subject:
Date: 24 / 11 / 1955
To Whom It May Concern
Mr. Saleh Ishaq Moshi, as of 1 / 3 / 1955, receives a monthly salary
from this Presidency in the amount of twenty Dinars only, including cost of living allowances, of which
fifteen Dinars are in his capacity as a teacher at Al-Ghadir School and five Dinars per month as an allowance
for his work as a correspondent for the President of the Community. At his request, we have provided him with this certificate.
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
⟦illegible signature/stamp⟧
⟦To Whom It May Concern⟧ Mr. Saleh Ahmed Ayash, as of 1/2/55 receives a monthly salary from this presidency amounting to twenty dinars only, including cost-of-living allowances, and that is for ten dinars per month in his capacity as a teacher in the Al-Sharash school and five dinars per month as an allowance for his work as a correspondent for the Head of the Community. At his request, he was provided with this certificate. The Rabbi
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531
5452
Number: T / ⟦illegible⟧ / 55
Date: 30 / 11 / 1955
Subject:
Honorable Second Notary Public of ⟦illegible⟧ - Baghdad
After greetings and respect
The amounts detailed below have previously been deposited to our account in your department, so please return them by check
in the name of the President of the Administrative Committee in Baghdad.
Please accept our highest respect
Sassoon
Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
Acting President of the Community
Amount | General Number of the Notary Public Administration | Date | Name of Depositor
30/- Dinars | 2851 | 6 / 7 / 54 | Mr. Shaoul Lawi
30/- " | 5161 | 6 / 10 / 54 | " " "
30/- " | 102 | 2 / 1 / 55 | " " "
30/- " | 3098 | 5 / 4 / 55 | " " "
6/- " | 4752 | 22 / 9 / 54 | " Jawad Muhammad al-Bahr
Presidency of the Jewish Community in Baghdad Telephone Number | 3531 President 5452 Secretary Number: T / 2661 / 56 Subject: Date: 22 / 2 / 1956 161 To the honorable lady, the wife of the late Mr. Menashi Ibrahim Kashi, respected After greetings In my name and in the name of the President and members of the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad We offer our deepest condolences to you and the honorable Kashi family on the occasion of the passing of the late, well-remembered Mr. Menashi Ibrahim Kashi, the righteous man who served the Jewish community with the greatest service And left behind good traces that will not be erased. May God cover him with His vast mercy and grant you and us patience and solace. Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri President of the Community