AI en Translation, Pages 251-275
Page 252
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE NO. 531
The Lay Council of the Israelite Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 531
Number ::
Date :: June 23, 1946
Subject Summary ::
Mr. Daoud Saleh Cohen
The Council has reviewed your petition dated 6/3/1946 regarding the request to increase your salary and decided after deliberation
to inform you of its regret for the inability to meet your request given that the financial situation of the Council does not allow for that
at the present time.
The President
⟦Accounts for the occasion⟧
Page 253
⟦The Respected Heads of the Community⟧
⟦Baghdad⟧
I submit to your esteemed council
⟦I am the widow⟧ of Ibrahim Shalom, I have become an elderly woman as I have reached approximately
eighty years of age and I have no provider, as I have no father, no brother, no son,
nor a daughter, and my father was Shmuel Zilkha and my maternal grandfather was Yosef Zilkha.
It is no secret to you that I am from a well-known family, however time
⟦has been harsh⟧ on me and I have come to possess nothing, therefore I have turned
to your esteemed council so that you may look upon my case with an eye of compassion
and be so kind as to allocate a monthly allowance for me.
Please accept my utmost gratitude and respect.
⟦The Petitioner⟧ ⟦Widow of⟧ Ibrahim Shalom
To be filed
For review
⟦...⟧
Page 254
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad
Number ⟦1505⟧
Date 21 / 2 / 1949
File Number ⟦illegible⟧
His Excellency the President of the Honorable Lay Council
The esteemed Council had decided to grant a sum of one hundred dinars to our late uncle, Rabbi Abraham Aslan Yehuda
for his travel to Jerusalem. Since the current and previous circumstances hindered his travel until his inevitable end came,
and since the deceased died without a son to carry out the spending duties required by the familiar customs after death
until the end of the year, and as he died poor, possessing nothing of the debris of this fleeting world, there is no doubt that
duty called me to knock on the door of your esteemed council, requesting the favor of the aforementioned decided grant so that I may spend it
on the required religious obligations until the end of his year, especially since my uncle spent his life in the service of the community and in
worship. It is not hidden from your Excellency that duty dictates helping this man even after his death. In conclusion,
I ask the Creator, Almighty and Sublime, not to show you any harm and to preserve you with His high care for the service of our community. To your Excellency
utmost thanks and respect 21 / 2 / 949
One of the family of the deceased
Ezra Salman Nissan
⟦signature⟧
⟦illegible⟧
Page 255
112
4/5/1948
To the honorable Mr. Ezra Salman Nissan, respected
After greetings
The Council has considered your letter dated 3/31/1948 regarding the allocation of an amount to be spent
on the required bills during the year of the passing of the late Rabbi Abraham Aslan. It was decided to disburse an amount of
twenty-five dinars (25/- dinars) to you for this purpose, under your supervision as those responsible for the expenditure
in this regard.
Enclosed you will find a check on the Ottoman Bank No. 683679 dated 3/31/48. We hope
you will acknowledge receipt. Best regards.
Vice President
Copy to the Accountant
Retirees
Dispositions ⟦...⟧
For filing
⟦illegible⟧
Page 256
Baghdad on 4 / 5 / 1948
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, the respected
After greetings
I request to inform you of the death of Habiba, widow of Rabbi Hayyim, one of the retirees, on
22 February 1948, and as I was not aware of her death until this date, please kindly inform me of
the date you designate for cutting her salary, and I will return her remaining salaries to the Ottoman Bank
And please accept my respect ;
The Accountant
The Accountant
See decision No. (60)
On 4 / 5 / 1948
⟦illegible⟧
The Assistants
14 / A
Page 257
Administration of the Lay Council
Baghdad
Number 89
Date 7 / 9 / 1947
File Number
His Excellency the President of the Honorable Lay Council
Presented to your Excellency:
Your High Council previously decided to grant me a pension allowance in the amount of (10) Dinars per month.
It is not hidden from your Excellency that the mentioned amount is very small and does not align with the living conditions and the high cost of materials
necessary for living and the number of family members.
Mr. President,
The late Rabbi Moshe Mordechai had dedicated his spiritual life to serving the community and
he passed away to the mercy of his Lord while possessing nothing of the world's debris, except that he left a family whose members exceed
ten people starving, including five daughters, two of whom are at the age of marriage,
and a son unfit for work, and a poor widow who does not own a house.
Mr. President,
I submit this petition of mine to your high position, seeking mercy and consideration for a poor family
that has no one to support it and save it from certain destruction except by knocking on the door of your justice for which you are known, and
helping a family such as this is not a difficult matter for your Excellency.
Please accept my utmost thanks and respect.
Khazna daughter of Salton
Widow of Rabbi Moshe Mordechai
Abdo Effendi
To be kept with the attachments
⟦illegible⟧
7/15
Page 258
Department Copy
165
7/24/1948
To the respected Mrs. Ghazala bint Salhoun
Widow of the late Rabbi Moshe Ibrahim
Greetings,
We convey to you below a copy of the Council's resolution No. (7) taken at the twenty-second meeting
on July 13, 1948, for your information.
You will find below check No. 688055 dated 7/14/1948 drawn on the
Ottoman Bank in Baghdad. Please acknowledge receipt.
Vice President
⟦signature⟧
⟦line⟧
Copy of the Resolution
The Council reviewed the petition of the widow of Rabbi Moshe Sidkh regarding the request to increase the
pension allocated to her. After deliberation, it was decided that it is not possible to increase this salary given that it is the maximum
that the community can pay for the services of the deceased Rabbi. However, in view of what the Council saw regarding
his family incurring special expenses during the period of his death, it decided to grant his widow a lump-sum aid of fifty
dinars.
Aboud Aswad
Selim Murad
For filing
7/14
⟦line⟧
Page 259
Baghdad on February 24, 1949
Presidency of the Lay Council
After greetings,
I hope to inform you of the death of Heskel Menachem Mahlab, one of the needy, on 2/14/1949.
Please issue your order regarding the date you designate for cutting off his salary.
Please accept my respect;
Note that his nominal salary is 0.675 Dinars, to which is added
cost of living allowances in the amount of 1.250 Dinars monthly.
⟦illegible⟧
The Accountant
Honorable Vice President
Please review ⟦illegible⟧
2/24
The Accountant
The salary is to be cut off starting from 2/14/49
And it shall be presented to the Council
⟦illegible⟧ 2/25
The Accountant
2/25/49
A. A.
Page 260
Department Copy
257
4/3/1949
⟦illegible⟧
Administrative Order
Due to the death of the late Heskel Menachem Mahlab, one of the needy, it has been decided
to cut his salary as of the end of February 1949.
⟦signature⟧
4/3
⟦signature⟧
Vice President
Copy to -
The family of the deceased, the late Heskel Menachem Mahlab
The Accountant - to act accordingly
Personal File
For filing
4/3
Page 261
288
1949/6/5
⟦Department Copy⟧
To the esteemed widow of the late Rabbi Moshe Ibrahim
Greetings,
The Council has considered your petition dated 5/24/1949, and I regret to
inform you that the Council has decided it is not possible to consider increasing the pension
granted to you; however, it has decided to grant a gratuity in the amount of twelve dinars (12/- dinars)
on the occasion of the first anniversary of the passing of your late husband of blessed memory.
Enclosed please find check number 826009 dated 6/2/1949 in the amount of
(12/- dinars) to your order for the aforementioned gratuity.
Vice President
Attachments
A check for the amount of twelve dinars
⟦With reservations⟧
Copy to -
Personal file.
⟦On behalf of /⟧
Page 262
1951
Page 263
Baghdad, March 4, 1951
To His Excellency the Acting President of the Israelite Community
and the Honorable President of the Lay Council
Greetings,
I, Amam bint Muqbil, widow of the late Ezra Sasson Suhayq, submit to Your Excellency that
my children have traveled abroad and I am left without a guardian or helper after I used to live in glory
and happiness under the care of my late husband.
It is no secret to you that my late husband performed great services for this community. For
he was an active worker in charitable societies, communal councils, school committees, and other
works that accompanied him throughout his life. He has left me for the eternal abode while I possess nothing
except the mercy of God and the compassion of the members of the community who remember the great services
performed by my late husband.
It is not in the character of people of chivalry and fairness to leave me in my old age and weakness at the
mercy of fate and the torment of need and loss. Therefore, I have come with this petition of mine to your
venerable council, pleading that you extend a helping hand to me and decide on a monthly salary for me to live on, because
I have remained alone in existence and have nothing but the mercy of God and your well-known zeal which does not accept
that my situation be exposed among the people.
Waiting for your urgent decision and your initiative to help me. Please accept my utmost respect.
The sincere supplicant
Amam bint Muqbil
Widow of the late Ezra Sasson Suhayq
Presidency of the Israelite Community: in Baghdad
Number: T / 51 / 1279
Date: 3 / 9 / 1951
A one-time grant of 15 Dinars is to be paid
for the last time, then it shall be referred with the approval of the Lay Council
Vice President
3 / 9 / 1951
Page 265
Baghdad on September 6, 1932
To His Eminence, the Head of the Jewish Community, the Honorable Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri
After offering the duties of respect. I submit that the petitioner has been reading in the Midrash Beit Laha
with the Rabbis for many years. However, my name is registered with the retirees
the retirees. And I have come to seek your Eminence's mercy that
you register my name with the Rabbis, and I thank you, and may you remain [in health]
The Petitioner
⟦...⟧
⟦Charity Treasurer⟧
⟦Midrash⟧
72
To the Council
To be kept
H
Head of the Jewish Community:
Special Number: 125
Date: 9/28/32
To be read in the event of the performance of the Collection Council
For God
Page 266
2226
2 November 933
His Eminence the Honorable Chief Rabbi
Enclosed you will find a copy of the petition ⟦to the dream of⟧ David Ezra Somikh which he submitted to this presidency
for consideration and to take the necessary action regarding it.
⟦Luh⟧
⟦Sassoon⟧
Head of the Community
40
Page 267
89
The Chief Rabbi of the City of
Baghdad, may God protect it
Chief Rabbi of Baghdad Benjamin Hakham Moshi
CHIEF RABBI
BENJAMIN H. MOSHI
Baghdad
True copy
⟦illegible⟧
To the Honorable Director of the Jewish Community Committee in Baghdad
Greetings
Your letter dated ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
Benjamin ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
Presidency of the Israelite Community:
Baghdad:
Number: 1110
Date: 10/11/22
As required
I hope you will keep the book
The Israelite
12/18
922
Page 268
2281
18 February 934
To Rabbi David Yehuda Somikh
Reference to your letter dated 6 September 933
The Lay Council approved on 17 January 934 the registration of your name with the rabbis of
the Mesirut and the transfer of <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> your salary to their budget.
⟦signature⟧
President of the Lay Council
A copy of it to Rabbi Michael Jeremiah for information
" " " " The Accountant to act accordingly
⟦illegible stamp⟧
Page 269
Presidency of the Jewish Community
Presidency of the Jewish Community - Baghdad
PRESIDENT OF
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY - BAGHDAD
Baghdad
Number :: 2527
NO::
Date :: 28 December 4 / 49
DATE::
Subject: Rabbi Daoud Yehuda Somikh
SUBJECT:
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, respected
After greetings and respect
We refer to your esteemed council the petition of Rabbi Daoud Yehuda Somikh
with the private papers for consideration as the case belongs to your council,
Louay
⟦illegible signature⟧
President of the Community
Attached - three papers
252
Presidency of the Lay Council
Number 1166
Date 4 / 1 / 49
Test Number 7
Page 270
2982
16 February 934
18
His Eminence Rabbi Michael Premsa, Respectfully
Enclosed you will find a certified copy of the salary schedule for the rabbis of Ha-Yishuv
for the year 33 - 934 as decided by the Physical Council and approved by the
General Council on January 11, 934.
⟦signature⟧
The Secretary
A copy of it to the Accountant
\ 2 \
Page 271
Salary table for the Yeshivoth Rabbis for the year 33 - 934
As decided by the Lay Council and approved by the General Council on January 11, 934
Dinar | Fils
Hakham Shimon Mordechai | 5 | 175
" Heskel Ezra David Bechor | 4 | 875
" Salem Isaac Baruch | 3 | 525
" Sassoon Ezra Isaac | 6 | ⟦line⟧
" Michael Jeremiah | 3 | 975
" Joseph Ambar | 3 | 975
Heskel Ezra Shalom | 2 | 025
Hakham Eliyahu Abraham | 3 | 038
" Ezra Mordechai | 3 | 975
Jacob Hakham Moshe Shamash | 2 | 025
Hakham Heskel Saleh | 1 | 350
" Heskel Hoki | 1 | 350
" Moshe Hakham Heskel | 5 | 250
" Nissim Khedhouri | 3 | 750
456/653 = x 12 | 54 | 288
934
According to the letter from the Lay Council Department dated August 18, 934
That ⟦...⟧ the salary of David Bechor is transferred from the retirees
To the Yeshivoth administration, therefore the salary must be added
As follows :-
Dinar Fils
Original total salaries 50 288
Salary of David Bechor 4 875
55 / 163
⟦illegible⟧
These are the salaries of ⟦...⟧
121
Page 272
Baghdad, May 24, 1924
To the Honorable President of the Lay Council
After greetings and respect;
It is not hidden from you that for approximately seven years I have held the position of President of
the Spiritual Court, as well as the position of Acting Hakham Bashi, Deputy Hakham Bashi, and the duty of President of the Spiritual Council
recently. During this period, I received a salary for these positions ranging between 260 and 400 rupees.
I accepted this salary, which is half the salary of my predecessors, solely to manage my livelihood and those dependent on me,
without complaining out of greed. On the occasion of holding these aforementioned high positions, I incurred
vast expenses, and to this date, I cannot turn back from them for reasons you appreciate. Upon the formation
of the recent councils according to the new communal law, I became without a position, and the Lay Council that
was elected before you at the time allocated me a pension of only six dinars. When I was notified of it, I requested
a reconsideration of this meager pension, explained my severe distress, and pleaded for them to increase this
pension by an amount so that I could manage my affairs. Their response was that they could not do so due to the deficit in the communal fund.
Since I am an elderly, devout man with no helper but the Creator, Almighty, who knows my condition, and I am still
burdened with debts and targeted in administration, I have therefore come pleading to your esteemed council to reconsider
the matter of my salary, and to designate for me an amount by which I can live and support my children.
With greatest respect to your presence,
⟦illegible signature/stamp⟧
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad:
Number: 2422
Date: 24 / 5 / 924
File Number: 12
Page 273
2582
19 June 934
His Eminence Rabbi Abraham Aslan Yehuda, the respected
Reference to your letter dated 24 May 934
Our council considered your request in its session held on 18 June 934
And in view of our financial constraints - which your Eminence undoubtedly knows of - it regrets
its inability to grant your request;
⟦Yehuda Joseph⟧
The President
⟦22⟧
Page 274
2224
30 August 934
His Eminence Rabbi Michael Jeremiah, the respected
It has become clear to the Spiritual and Lay Councils in the joint session held on
28 August 934 that the chicken slaughterers have begun to manipulate the chicken slaughter fees. Their manipulation,
besides causing the community financial harm, on the other hand, damages the reputation of the slaughterers
among the public and consequently damages the reputation of the clergy in general. Accordingly, it was decided to suspend the pension of the retiree
Nissim Moshe, the father of the chicken slaughterer named Moshe, until a decisive measure is taken. And
it is possible, after an investigation by a specialized committee so that the Spiritual Council can be certain
that this slaughterer is sincere, that it will be decided to withdraw his religious license;
⟦illegible signature⟧
President of the Lay Council
A copy of it to the accountant for information
Page 275
His Excellency the President of the Lay Council, respected
After greetings
I inform your Excellency that the person named Daoud Sweih from Al-Yashwa
passed away on February 7, 935. Therefore, please inform me of what is necessary.
Mayor - and remain with respect
25 / 2 / 935
Received on 25 / 2 / 935
Number 5008
Rabbi ⟦Najati⟧
Administration of the Lay Council - Baghdad:
Number: 2388
Date: 25 / 2 / 935
File Number: ⟦22⟧
25 / 2 / 935 Cut his salary from March 935
To be archived
For God
D D D D
062 B 369
To the Honorable Chairman of the Community Management Committee
We kindly request your approval to disburse the amount of ⟦five⟧ dinars to Mr. Ibrahim Sassoon Hakkak as
medical assistance. A similar amount was previously disbursed to him according to your decision No. 062 B 826
on 10/15/1951, as he is still suffering from a very poor health condition which forced him
to stop working. Since his financial situation is very weak, he is unable to afford the costs of
treatment, including medications and doctors' examination fees. Therefore, we kindly request approval to disburse
the aforementioned assistance for one time only and as an exceptional case, hoping that the Chairman of the Committee
will kindly approve this so that the mentioned amount can be disbursed. May God grant success.
⟦Signature⟧
Chairman of the Committee for Assisting the Sick and Needy
Approved for the disbursement of the mentioned amount