Description
This is archival material from the Baghdadi Jewish Community that contains correspondence between various Jewish community groups and government offices. Topics include: increases in monthly salaries, the allocation of money to various Jewish community offices, religious ceremonies, plans for vacant lots, travel for medical treatment and rest, kosher meat, ledgers with the amount of meat purchased in 1949 (for meat tax), correspondence from the Mayor of Baghdad regarding trash removal, financial summaries, budgets, salary reports, newspaper clipping, employee raises, purchased goods, women’s ritual purity laws, correspondence with individual rabbis, girls’ school, applications for permits, and an index of registered judges' names. There are also correspondence and flyers in Judeo-Arabic; the Judeo-Arabic flyers are from the Tomkhe Torah Society.
AI en Translation, Pages 176-200
Page 176
OTTOMAN BANK.
( Incorporated in Turkey )
BILLS DEPARTMENT.
Baghdad, 2-6-49 ⟦line⟧ 19
( Iraq )
M/s Jewish Lay Council
Bd.
Gentlemen,
For your guidance, we beg to inform you that the undernoted collection/s remain/s
outstanding up to date.
We shall, therefore, be glad to receive your further instructions.
Date of despatch | our Number | your Number | Drawess | Amount | Remarks
| 76331 | | S. Mahdi | ID 12/500 | due 30-5-49
CONTROL
E. R.
O. B.
BAGHDAD
BILLS DEPARTMENT.
B. 13-1-20
110
⟦illegible⟧
Jan
Page 177
Corrected by revision
Monitored locations
740
First Party: Mr. Fouad Isaac, acting on behalf of the Head of the Jewish Community
in addition to his position
Second Party: Mr. Salim bin Zion Sheikh, the weighing scale contractor
Whereas the Second Party has taken by way of contract the weighing scale fees arising from
the slaughters belonging to the Jewish Community according to the contract concluded between him
and the presidency of the aforementioned community dated 21 / 2 / 1949
And whereas the Second Party has ceased paying the revenues due from him from
the contract value, such that the overdue amount in his debt has become 6050/- Dinars <del>⟦illegible⟧</del>
claiming that he suffered some damages,
And whereas the two parties have desired to settle the issue of the alleged damages by way of
arbitration in light of the provisions of the aforementioned contract, so according to this arbitration, the Second Party
is not entitled to delay the payment of the amounts due to the budget mentioned above
at all, totaling 6050/- Dinars, which consist of the amounts
that on 21 / 2 / 1949 in the amount of 512/500 Dinars guarantee 20/7/49, the promissory note dated 21 / 2 / 49
in the amount of 512/500 Dinars due on 15/7/49, and the promissory note dated 21 / 2 / 49 in the amount of 512/500 Dinars
due on 20 / 7 / 49 and the promissory note dated 21 / 2 / 49 in the amount of 512/500 Dinars due on 15 / 8 / 49
And that the governing council has the authority to demand them according to the procedures
Therefore, an agreement was reached between the two parties to organize this arbitration deed
under the following conditions:-
First - The purpose of this arbitration is to look into the issue of damages
claimed by the Second Party, in light of the provisions of the contract
dated 21 / 2 / 49
Page 178
2
Second - The religious court has every week ⟦...⟧
possible to consider the disputed case before the morning
in the first item above.
Third - Arbitration shall take place within five days from the date of nomination, excluding this item.
Fourth - The court has absolute authority over the remainder based on the interview
and the initial legal statements provided by each of the two parties
and they have the authority to hear their statements and bring them in person to the head of the party
or to clarify points that appear ambiguous upon request for
information and providing them with it.
Fifth - Arbitration shall take place in the administration of the Israelite community <del>in the Council of Experts</del>
at ten o'clock in the morning <del>and the researcher in it</del> on the days appointed by the arbitrators.
Sixth - If one of the two parties refuses to appear before the arbitrators when summoned
the court may consider the case in absentia.
Seventh - Neither of the two parties has the right to dismiss all or some of the arbitrators
without cause.
Eighth - The arbitrators shall issue their decision by consensus or by a majority of opinions
meaning two opinions against one opinion.
Ninth - The court's decision shall be final, conclusive, and enforceable against both parties
in all religious courts and is not subject to appeal or cassation.
This document is organized in five copies, one copy for each of the two parties, and as for the
first three copies, one copy for each arbitrator.
We have agreed to this arbitration decision. Signatures:
First Party ⟦...⟧ Second Party ⟦...⟧ Arbitrators
Page 179
J/413/50
1/3/1950
⟦8/2/95⟧
Respected Mr. Salam Mahdi
Al-Samawal Street
Baghdad
After greetings
Since the payment of five promissory notes totaling 7562/500 Dinars is due from you
(Seven thousand five hundred and sixty-two Dinars and a half), each amounting to 1512/500 Dinars
(One thousand five hundred and twelve Dinars and a half), the first was due on 7/30/1949, the second
on 8/15/1949, the third on 11/30/1949, and the fourth on 12/15/1949
and the fifth on 12/30/1949.
We now warn you of the necessity to proceed with their settlement within a period of 48 hours (forty-eight hours)
from the date of your notification of this warning; otherwise, we will apply the provisions of the contract concluded between you and the Council
on March 21, 1949, and take legal action against you while holding you liable for all damages and expenses. Sincerely.
⟦8 / 2 / 95⟧
Vice President of the Lay Council
Page 182
The Lay Council
of the Jewish Community - Baghdad
⟦Office of the Vice President⟧
I record below the meat slaughter statistics from 12/20/49
until today 1/17/950 for your kind review, noting that the meat slaughter rate
is 400 cattle on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and about 240 on other days
Day | Date | Al-Hashimi | Al-Karkh | Total
Thursday | 12/20/49 | 152 | 96 | 248
Sunday | 1/1/50 | 226 | 150 | 376
Monday | 1/2 | 231 | 126 | 357
Tuesday | 1/3 | 206 | 111 | 317
Wednesday | 1/4 | 177 | 102 | 279
Thursday | 1/5 | 284 | 173 | 457
Friday | 1/6 | 191 | 115 | 306
Sunday | 1/8 | 278 | 140 | 418
Monday | 1/9 | 216 | 102 | 318
Tuesday | 1/10 | 220 | 111 | 331
Wednesday | 1/11 | 196 | 97 | 293
Thursday | 1/12 | 329 | 140 | 469
Friday | 1/13 | 184 | 93 | 277
Thursday | 1/14 | ⟦illegible⟧ | 150 | 389
Sunday | 1/15 | 279 | 111 | 390
Monday | 1/16 | 252 | 105 | 357
Tuesday | 1/17 | 257 | ⟦illegible⟧ | ⟦illegible⟧
| | 3579 | 1922 | 5501
Baghdad on 1/17/950
Reviewed
1/19
⟦Signature⟧
1/17
Page 184
50 / 1902
1950 / 1 / 3
To Whom It May Concern
We hereby certify that Mr. Meer Shaul Basri is the Vice President
of the Jewish Lay Council in Baghdad and that he is authorized to sign
on behalf of the President of the aforementioned Council.
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Head of the Community
Page 189
Account/ Ottoman Bank on 5 / 1 / 1950
Dinar | Fils
To him | 20980 | 994
From him | 23065 | 277
Balance | 2084 | 717
Amounts deposited in this account belonging to the Akur Dim and Al-Masri synagogues | 2217 | 940
With the total bank balance which is in | 2084 | 717
Overdraft | | 223 / 133
Honorable Vice President
For your information, noting that the overdraft occurred on
the trust of the Al-Day and Isaac Hayyim synagogues
⟦signature⟧
15 / 10
Page 192
Comparison between the table of one month from 11/20 - 12/19 relative to the same period for the year 1948
Date by weeks | Number of sheep slaughtered in 1948 | Date by weeks | Number of sheep slaughtered in 1949 | Total
| Kosher | Treif | Total | For the same period | Kosher | Treif | Total
From 11/20 - 11/26 | 1858 | 1550 | 3408 | For the same period | 792 | 2901 | 582
From 11/27 - 12/3 | 1798 | 1261 | 3059 | " | 845 | 75 | 220
From 12/4 - 12/10 | 1782 | 1542 | 3324 | " | 340 | 87 | 427
From 12/11 - 12/17 | 1810 | 1686 | 3496 | " | 1809 | 818 | 2627
| 7248 | 6039 | 13287 | | 4610 | 2220 | 6830
The ratio of the number of Kosher for the year 49 = 1/2 the number of Kosher for the year 1948 as an approximate ratio
Ratio of the number of Treif " = 1/3 " Treif " " "
Ratio of the total " = 1/2.5 " total for the year " " "
Page 194
Year 1948
Year 1949
Date | Number of Sheep Slaughtered | Weight in Kilos | Date | Number of Sheep Slaughtered | Weight in Kilos
11/20 | 261 | 267 | 628 | | 11/20 | 251 | 220 | 471 |
11/21 | 289 | 262 | 551 | | 11/21 | 25 | 21 | 46 |
11/22 | 294 | 248 | 542 | | 11/22 | 24 | 19 | 43 |
11/23 | 255 | 244 | 499 | | 11/23 | 19 | 18 | 37 |
11/24 | 290 | 217 | 507 | | 11/24 | 22 | 27 | 49 |
11/25 | 269 | 212 | 481 | | 11/25 | 25 | 20 | 45 |
11/26 | 1858 | 1555 | 3413 | | | | | |
11/27 | 245 | 258 | 593 | | 11/27 | 23 | 27 | 50 |
11/28 | 220 | 241 | 561 | | 11/28 | 22 | 27 | 49 |
11/29 | 271 | 221 | 492 | | 11/29 | 11 | 10 | 21 |
11/30 | 248 | 206 | 454 | | 11/30 | 10 | 8 | 18 |
12/1 | 237 | 243 | 480 | | 12/1 | 27 | 17 | 44 |
12/2 | 247 | 212 | 459 | | 12/2 | 22 | 20 | 42 |
12/3 | 1768 | 1461 | 3259 | | 12/3 | 115 | 109 | 224 |
12/4 | 232 | 210 | 642 | | 12/4 | 7 | 12 | 19 |
12/5 | 288 | 264 | 552 | | 12/5 | 9 | 11 | 20 |
12/6 | 293 | 263 | 556 | | 12/6 | 23 | 24 | 47 |
12/7 | 224 | 198 | 422 | | 12/7 | 23 | 27 | 50 |
12/8 | 285 | 210 | 695 | | 12/8 | 25 | 24 | 49 |
12/9 | 250 | 207 | 457 | | 12/9 | 112 | 115 | 227 |
12/10 | 1782 | 1544 | 3326 | | 12/10 | 274 | 243 | 517 |
12/11 | 246 | 296 | 642 | | 12/11 | 274 | 243 | 517 |
12/12 | 304 | 259 | 563 | | 12/12 | 274 | 222 | 495 |
12/13 | 268 | 289 | 557 | | 12/13 | 295 | 204 | 499 |
12/14 | 267 | 247 | 514 | | 12/14 | 229 | 184 | 413 |
12/15 | 416 | 229 | 845 | | 12/15 | 269 | 212 | 481 |
12/16 | 219 | 156 | 575 | | 12/16 | 279 | 144 | 423 |
12/17 | 1810 | 1686 | 3496 | | 12/17 | 209 | 144 | 353 |
12/18 | 263 | 264 | 527 | | 12/18 | 1809 | 1418 | 3227 |
Page 195
The Lay Council
of the Israelite Community * Baghdad
⟦line⟧
⟦Honorable Vice President⟧
⟦I record below the meat slaughter statistics from 12/15/49⟧
⟦until today 12/22/49 for your kind review, noting that the rate of⟧
⟦meat slaughter is 400 livestock on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays⟧
⟦and about 200 on other days⟧
Day | Date | Kosher | Treif | Total
Saturday | 12/15 | 250 | 134 | 384
Friday | 12/16 | 190 | 92 | 282
Sunday | 12/18 | 274 | 142 | 416
Monday | 12/19 | 206 | 118 | 324
Tuesday | 12/20 | 235 | 117 | 352
Wednesday | 12/21 | 217 | 100 | 317
Thursday | 12/22 | 304 | 142 | 446
Total | | 1676 | 845 | 2521
Baghdad on 12/22/49
⟦signature⟧
Reviewed
12/22/49
⟦signature⟧
Page 196
The financial situation of the Physical Council as it is on the date of
12/22/1949
Dinar Fils
4584 528
Total amounts belonging to the Al-Miri and Al-Kah Sahim synagogues
000 1240 Al-Kah Sahim Synagogue
920 977 Al-Miri
2217 920
2366/608 Net amount
⟦illegible⟧
Accountant
Vice President's Note
Very much approved ⟦illegible⟧
12/22
Manager
⟦illegible⟧
12/22
Page 197
The Lay Council
of the Israelite Community * Baghdad
To the Vice President of the Lay Council
I record below the meat slaughter statistics from 2/12/49
until today 14/12/949 for your kind review, noting that the
meat slaughter rate is 200 livestock on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays
and about 240 on other days.
Day | Date | Livestock | Expenses | Total
Friday | 2 / 12 / 49 | 20 | 6 | 26
Sunday | 4 / 12 / 49 | 2 | 2 | 6
Monday | 5 / 12 / 49 | - | - | -
Tuesday | 6 / 12 / 49 | 17 | 2 | 19
Wednesday | 7 / 12 / 49 | 63 | 11 | 74
Thursday | 8 / 12 / 49 | 102 | 24 | 126
Friday | 9 / 12 / 49 | 42 | 16 | 58
Sunday | 11 / 12 / 49 | 115 | 34 | 149
Monday | 12 / 12 / 49 | 224 | 106 | 330
Tuesday | 13 / 12 / 49 | 274 | 122 | 396
Wednesday | 14 / 12 / 49 | 295 | 104 | 399
Total
1593
⟦illegible⟧
Page 198
The Lay Council
of the Israelite Community * Baghdad
⟦line⟧
Honorable Vice President
Mr. Salam Huda, the steelyard contractor, met with me today
and stated that if the Council sees that the meat issue will continue in
this manner, he wants to settle the account with him because (according to
his claim) he is not prepared to pay the employees' wages and the loss in
the meat slaughter.
I answered him in an appropriate tone to soften the intensity with which he spoke
to me and gave him hope that the issue will not continue without a remedy
for more than a day or two, and he requested a deadline to receive the answer
from the Council after the case is presented.
Your orders, please
⟦illegible⟧
4 / 12 / 949
Noted, this matter will be discussed
this afternoon
4 / 12
⟦illegible⟧
Page 199
⟦illegible⟧
To the Honorable Professor, Director of ⟦Lui⟧
Greetings and respect,
Furthermore, it has come to my attention during ⟦Wasfi's turn⟧ as head of the slaughterhouse today, the phenomenon of all butchers refraining from attending
the slaughterhouse. I also learned that slaughtering has completely stopped today, and the slaughtering contractor did not slaughter today
at once, except for (6) sheep whose meat was sold at the slaughterhouse price (2) ⟦Felka⟧ (and Tarshan) the rest, i.e.,
at the rate of every house. I inquired with Mr. Safouk, the Sheikh of the session, about the reason for this, and he replied that the butchers are clinging to unjustified opinions
following which they were summoned to the Secretariat of the Capital last month, not because they are in the sect, but as an ordinary individual of the
sect who has some grievances in this matter...
I see it as an absolute duty - and before the appearance of the date of the issuance of the Great Royal Ministry regarding the imposition of consumption -
for the committee to take actual measures in this case, which are:
1- Summoning a large section of the butchers (numbering 150) for the purpose of inquiring from them
about the reason for their failure to go down to the slaughterhouse and resume their work for the sake of the sect's interest, and emphasizing
to them from livelihood, religious, and humanitarian aspects, and extracting the strongest statement from the hands of specialized
persons.
2- Summoning the butchers with a representative from each neighborhood - ten people for example - to discuss with them
in the poor class neighborhoods to speak with them directly under the chairmanship of the official, while repeating the speech
therein by alternating to close the shops and the like. My opinion is that the speech should be repeated in a tone
of warning and severity, and from the standpoint of resuming work and inspection.
3- Summoning a representative from each category of workers such as the elders, the mixers, the reconcilers,
the doormen.. etc., and speaking with them in the same tone mentioned in paragraph (2).
4- Summoning all school employees including directors, teachers, clerks, and supervisors and speaking with them
(by the inspector or those representing them from the commission) and not from the school committee, given that
it is inevitable that a section of the school employees has resentment and conspiracies towards the school committee
due to their discipline with them) and urging them to help in the consumption of meat by them and
by their relatives, provided they show agreement with a serious mathematical study pointing to matters of
the sect's policy as well as preaching for the future. It is preferable that they do not leave the schools
much by cutting their salaries and so on.
5- Summoning all employees of the hospitals committee including doctors, clerks, supervisors, nurses, and others
to speak with them in the same tone in paragraph (4).
6- Summoning all employees of religious institutions, the missionary body, the body for the needy,
assistants, and travelers, and speaking with them in the same tone mentioned in paragraph (4).
7- Tasking one of the charitable religious organizations to agree and hold a ⟦session⟧ to estimate the slaughter of meat,
this organization with the female members of the Democratic Party to carry out a wide inspection campaign
and the invalidity of the idea that says there is (prohibition) in the meat.
(To be continued)
Page 200
(2)
I see it as necessary that these conditions end in a short period not exceeding two or three days
so that time is not wasted in vain without taking effective action, as this delay caused by
the Council in these conditions would instill in the souls of the people whose burden falls especially on the shoulders of
the initiators and the cadres who stayed up late to serve the noble endowments' goals.
It is also necessary that these endowments carry out some cleaning of the dirt and foul odors
which fill the vast atmosphere and make these places polluted, should this requirement be met
a complete purification and the formation of inclusive committees so it is not thought that the community notables are turning a blind eye in
these difficult and critical days we are passing through. Furthermore, I must mention that there are many of the community's
intellectuals who still maintain a negative stance toward this situation.
This direct contact has great benefit in isolating individuals or knowing their financial circumstances, and this
view removes the disparity, just as personal contact between the people who lead the community and these
classes generates love and familiarity and the possibility of repeating such a situation in the future - God forbid -
knowing that its occurrence is not far off, as these members of the working class are considered the hungry circles in
this country, and it is not easy for us to provide such assistance from time to time.
The guarantees of time warn against miscalculation in this regard, as I mention that I have estimated my fees
as a volunteer with my effort and appreciating the duty to your Excellency, and in any case, the assessment of this situation returns
to your grace.
Since I was completely devoted to this experience, given that the sword has dispensed with my efforts in terms of
occupations, considering that I am an executive employee to implement orders, not to draw general policy.
Please accept the highest respect
Baghdad on 12/29/1949
Sincerely
⟦signature⟧