Description
These are documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. They contain correspondence regarding marriages, divorces, civil disputes; the birthday celebrations of the Iraqi king, responses to inquires about the treatment of Iraqi Jews under Iraq’s citizenship laws, the history of Jews in Iraq, and the provision of Jewish artifacts to the Iraqi Museum. There are receipts for furniture stores and other vendors, invoices; budget allocations, deficits, and planning for various community organizations and institutions; ritual slaughtering administration, names of butchers with the numbers of animals slaughtered, names of community organization members, ledgers of payments for goods or fees, building plans, provisions for school children, concerns over hospital food distribution, blanket distribution to the poor, receptions, meetings, shipment orders, import and export of goods, the care of orphans, and a census on the number of synagogues in Baghdad in 1945 (40). There are copies of a printed text titled “Appeal to Save the Children.” Letters include: the President of the Jewish Community to the Controller of Foodstuffs in Baghdad thanking the Controller for the allotment of sugar and tea for the students at the Rahel Shamoon School; addressing complaints at the Meir Elias Hospital in Baghdad; purchasing blankets for the poor via the Poor Welfare Society; sending money rather than clothes from an importer in New York City to the poor in Baghdad since clothing costs have gone up.
AI en Translation, Pages 251-275
Page 251
8416
20 September 945
His Excellency the Respected Director General of Revenues
After greetings and respect,
I have obtained a building permit from the Secretariat of the Capital on 5 / 3 / 945
under number 245 for the purpose of reconstructing the shops located in Jadid Hassan
Basha neighborhood, numbered 17, 19, 21, and ⟦13⟧ 23 anew. Therefore, I request that after
completing the renovations, you order an inspection and tax assessment, and exempt me from the taxes of an
entire year according to the provisions of Article Seven of the Property Tax Law.
Sincerely,
On behalf of
The Head of the Community
Miscellaneous
Page 252
September 20, 945
His Excellency Mr. Mustafa Al-Omari
Honorable Minister of Interior
After offering the purest greetings and sincerest wishes for your health
and safety, I present to Your Excellency the bearer of my letter, Mr. Rubin Zilouf
of whom I had previously spoken to Your Excellency before your travel to the North
and you promised me to provide possible facilities for the travel of Mr. Rubin Maurice Zilouf
and his wife outside of Iraq, and my entire hope is that you include him in your generous kindness
And please accept the utmost gratitude and further respect,
Sincerely
on behalf of
Head of the Community
Miscellaneous
⟦illegible⟧
Page 255
8 / 10 / 1945
His Excellency Mr. Abdul Majid Allawi
The Honorable Minister of Social Affairs
After greetings and respect,
Dr. Hazim al-Abid, the health physician in Hillah, wishes to travel
to England for specialization. Naturally, this desire of his cannot be realized
unless he receives your Excellency's sympathy and care. As I know for a certainty that
Dr. Hazim's specialization will be of benefit to the country, I did not hesitate to petition
Your Excellency to extend assistance to the aforementioned person.
I am certain that Dr. Hazim will receive what he deserves from
Your Excellency's generosity and gallantry.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my respect;
Sincerely,
Sassoon
Head of the Community
Miscellaneous
Page 256
I <del>Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri</del> pledge to use all the construction materials in the building or 528/1
The open space with sequence 27/197 located in the Hanoud al-Saghir neighborhood for which construction permit No. 107 was granted
dated 4/25/1945 issued by the Mayoralty of the Capital or the Municipality in this building within a period of
eight months from the issuance of the purchase permit issued by the Directorate of General Engineering Supplies numbered
and dated / / 1945. And in the event that I do not use these construction materials effectively
without a legitimate justification in the aforementioned construction, I shall be obligated to pay a sum of (1000) Dinars
and to return all the construction materials distributed to me directly to the Directorate of General Engineering Supplies -
without recourse to the courts or prior notice, and I have no right to demand any settlement of whatever kind or degree
in this regard.
Stamp of 100 fils category
The Undertaker/
Page 257
8421
19 / 10 / 945
Directorate of General Engineering Materials
Baghdad
Mr. Salman Ezra Shahrabani is the head of the management committee for the Sheker Synagogue
located in Hanoun Al-Saghir neighborhood, numbered 37 / 147, and he is authorized to sign
all transactions related to it; please consider his signature in the attached
guarantee provided by you.
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
Deceased
Page 258
8294
26 June 945
N L ⟦...⟧ 16
His Excellency the Minister of Interior, respected
After greetings and respect
I present herewith to ⟦...⟧ you the petition of Mr. Heskel Yaqub Murad, the lawyer
and his colleagues requesting the establishment of a charitable association named (Association for Assisting Poor
Israelite Girls for Marriage) along with the internal bylaws of the association.
I would like to assure Your Excellency that this association, if its formation is approved by
Your Excellency, will be able to provide charitable social services that we are in dire need
of; therefore, I request Your Excellency to include this application in your kindness and order
the provision of all possible facilities in this regard, and to Your Excellency thanks in advance
and further respect.
⟦Signature⟧
⟦Signature⟧
⟦Signature⟧
Sassoon
President of the Community
Page 259
8442
10/24/945
Respected Manager of Haim Nathaniel Company
Baghdad
After greetings and respect,
This presidency wishes to export ⟦six⟧ Torah scrolls with their accessories
placed in one box to the Chief Rabbi Haim Nahum in Cairo
according to the customs declaration attached herewith.
So please be so kind as to transport them by car to Haifa and from Haifa to
Cairo by train, and deliver the customs declaration to the aforementioned Chief Rabbi without
requesting any expenses from him. Please record the fees and expenses incurred
against us so we may pay them to you upon completion of the transaction.
With best regards;
Sassoon
President of the Community
Foreign Affairs
Page 260
JEWISH LAY COUNCIL
BAGHDAD
TELEPHONE NO. 531
Lay Council of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 531
Number :: 2516
Date :: 26 October 945
Subject Summary ::
Respected Mr. Salim Murad Khabbaza
The Council decided in its meeting held on 25 / 10 / 945 to appoint you as Secretary for the community administration
at a monthly salary of thirty Dinars plus five Dinars as a high cost of living allowance. This is effective from the first of
November 945, provided that this appointment is under probation for a period of three months.
⟦illegible⟧
The President
A copy to - His Eminence the Head of the Jewish Community
- To the Accountant to act accordingly
For filing
Page 261
Ministry of Social Affairs
Directorate General of Civil Status
Personnel Office
⟦line⟧
Iraqi Government
Number: 4205
Date: 10 / 10 / 947
Subject: Number of religious centers
To " - His Excellency the Head of the Jewish Community
We kindly request you to provide us with a list containing the number of religious centers
(Synagogue) located in Baghdad along with their current location for the purpose of utilizing them
in the general registration.
Director General of Civil Status
A copy to " - Statistics Department - for follow-up.
Referred to the Spiritual Council
⟦illegible⟧
S/M
10/9
Page 262
8427
16/10/945
His Eminence the President of the Jewish Spiritual Council, Respectfully
Baghdad
Subject - Number of Centers
The Directorate of General Population requested us in its letter No. 4185 dated
13/10/945 to provide it with a list containing the number of religious centers
(Synagogues) present in Baghdad along with their current location for the purpose of
utilizing them in the general registration. We request your compliance.
⟦illegible⟧
On behalf of the President of the Community
Page 263
Spiritual Committee of the Holy Community
Baghdad, May God Protect It
The Israeli Spiritual Council
in Baghdad
Number: 1569
Date: 10/15/1950
attributed for three years to ⟦...⟧
currently ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ 11/12/1950
⟦...⟧ 18447/1 ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧
Yitzhak Kaduri
Yitzhak Hayim
Karz
Reviewing the papers
Page 265
8426
10/26/945
Ministry of Social Affairs
General Directorate of Civil Status
Baghdad
Reference to your letter No. 8427 dated 10/16/945
We attach herewith a list containing all the names of the Israelite synagogues
in Baghdad with their current locations, totaling (40) synagogues.
⟦Alwan⟧
Head of the Community
Page 266
List of names of Israeli Synagogues in Baghdad
Tatran Quarter - : Torat Shaul - Torat Sofer - Torat Dahan - Torat Dinah -
Torat Farha Abid .
Faraj Allah Quarter - Torat Masouda Eliyahu Rubin - Torat Ni'ma .
Bani Said Quarter - Torat Mandali .
Al-Torat Quarter - Torat Farha Meir Somikh - Torat Midrash Talmud Torah - Torat Menashi Zubaida .
- Torat Zilkha - Torat Al-Alliance - Torat Meir Eliyahu - Torat Menashi
Saleh .
Al-Qishla Quarter - Torat Ishaq Shalum - Torat Ishaq Hayyim - Torat Masri .
Al-Takiya Quarter - Torat Gawi - Torat Rubin Yehuda - Torat Farha Salman - Torat Barukh
- Torat Hakham Heskel - Torat Rahel Shimon - Torat Masouda Salman .
Abbas Effendi Quarter - Torat Khazam - Torat Ishaq Farha .
Hanoun al-Kabir Quarter - Torat Sheikh Ishaq
Hanoun al-Saghir Quarter - Torat Shukr Ghazi Street .
Al-Dahdwana Quarter - Torat Menashi Karhi .
Abu Sifin Quarter - Torat Meir Raphael .
Haydarkhana Quarter - Shamash School
Al-Senek Quarter - Torat Beit Shmuel
Al-Batawin Quarter - Torat Masouda Shotub - Torat Ezra Daoud - Torat Meir Tweig -
Al-Adhamiya - Torat Al-Adhamiya .
Rakhaita Quarter - Torat Rakhaita .
Al-Huwaidi Quarter - Torat Al-Huwaidi
Karrada Quarter - Torat Karrada .
Page 268
The Iraqi Government
Baghdad Customs and Excise Department Number 2297
Excise Section ⟦line⟧ Date 9 / 11 / 1945
1
9 / 11 / 1945
President of the Jewish Community - Baghdad
Subject .... Denatured alcohol ....
With reference to your petition numbered 8433 and dated 16 / 10 / 1945
Addressed to the Directorate of General Customs and Excise.
Since denatured alcohol has become available with the alcohol sellers
In the markets and control over it has been lifted by us, you can purchase the quantity
Requested in your above-mentioned petition from one of the said sellers.
⟦signature⟧
For the Director of Customs and Excise
Baghdad
⟦faded red stamp⟧
Page 269
CABLE ADDRESS TELEPHONE
SOMEKH—NEW YORK MURRAY HILL 2-1372
E. SOMEKH
EXPORT — IMPORT
522 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK 18, N. Y.
AIR MAIL
September 10, 1945
Rabbi Hakham Sasson Kadoury
Jewish Community in Baghdad
Baghdad, Iraq
Dear Rabbi Kadoury:
I acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 20th contents
of which are noted and for which I thank you.
With reference to the order for $3,750.00 value of assorted
old clothing, I wish to inform you that it will be a pleasure
to be of service to the Jewish Community and I will do my
best to obtain the best goods at the best price. Unfortunately,
however, prices have gone up tremendously due to the fact that
Europe and other countries are now open and they require a
great deal of such articles.
Regarding the collection to be made here for the Jewish Com-
munity, I regret that this is impossible as the Iraqians have
organized a society under the name of the Iraq American <del>Aid</del>
Society, the purpose of which is to obtain donations from
time to time from Iraqians towards charities in general.
Therefore, any question of charity must go to the committee.
I have contacted them for the purpose of aiding our brothers
in Iraq and the matter is under consideration. The difficulty
is however, that the committee is not empowered to give any
donation exceeding $500.00 for any charitable purpose during
the calendar year. They, therefore, will either grant the
$500.00, which is in their power, or they will call a general
meeting for the purpose of getting special authority for
making a larger donation in this special case, which I believe
they will do.
The money will be sent to you direct through Iran in English £,
and I will keep you acquainted with the result.
With best wishes for the New Year,
Sincerely yours,
⟦signature⟧
E. SOMEKH
es:pw
Page 270
8458
4 November 945
Stationery
General Directorate of Imported Goods
Please supply the administration of the Jewish Community with five hundred Manila folders along with twenty
American cardboard sheets size 70 x 100 cm as the community administration is in dire need
of this stationery for organizing and preserving correspondence.
With much gratitude.
⟦signature⟧
4/11
Head of the Community
⟦illegible⟧
To the Director
⟦signature⟧
5/11
Archive
7/11/945
Page 271
Dear Dr. Qamar-Ein
Fragrant greetings.
I kindly ask you to provide medical treatment to Mr. Isaac Ibrahim for free, and I thank you
in advance. Best regards.
Sincerely
⟦signature⟧
12/17
On behalf of the Head of the Community
Baghdad 11/12/945
⟦Issued under No.⟧
874
On 11/17/945
Page 272
To the Honorable Chairman of the Management Committee of the Menashi Saleh School Synagogue
After greetings and respect,
I request you to allow Mr. Saleh Yusuf Shmaya to hold a
wedding ceremony for his son Moshe in the Menashi Saleh School Synagogue building free of charge,
and he will pay the service fees only.
Please accept my thanks in advance with high respect.
Sincerely,
⟦signature⟧
On behalf of the Head of the Community
Baghdad 12 / 11 / 945
Issued
No objection
14 / 11
⟦illegible⟧ / 22
⟦illegible⟧
Page 273
Dear Mr. Elias Samira
After greetings and respect
Mr. Faiq, the officer in charge of the Supply Police Center, wishes to treat one of
his relatives at Rima Khadouri Hospital, so please provide the necessary care
while extending all possible facilities to him.
Accept my thanks in advance with the utmost respect
Sincerely
⟦signature⟧
Head of the Community
1712
Baghdad 12 / 11 / 945
⟦Mr. Ishaq⟧
⟦Please do what is necessary⟧
12/11
⟦Aboud⟧
1 / 22
Page 274
8472
9 November 945
Ministry of Social Affairs
Baghdad
With reference to the oral request of Mr. Nuri Ahmed, observer of Social
Affairs, we present to you herewith a copy of the Ministry of Interior letter No. 2075
dated 7 / February 1929 regarding the formation of the Hebra Kadisha Association with a copy of
the association's internal bylaws.
⟦signature⟧
On behalf of/ Head of the Community
S Kh / A M
⟦illegible⟧
Archive
⟦illegible⟧
Page 275
Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number:
Subject: Copy of Regulation
Date: 20 November 1945
Ministry of Social Affairs
Baghdad
With reference to
⟦illegible⟧
202