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Estate of the late Sir David Ezra in Calcutta U
IJA 3322
Correspondence Regarding Wills, Estates, and Trusts of Community Members; Community Establishments Receiving Funds
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These are documents from the Baghdadi Jewish Community. Included is correspondence regarding the wills, estates, and trusts of several wealthy community members (Sir Ezra David, Raphael Aaron Gubbay) and where their money is going within the community. Correspondence is between community leaders, family members, and attorneys regarding splitting up of money and receipts of receiving funds.
AI en Translation, Pages 1-25
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ORR, DIGNAM & CO. TELEGRAMS: "DIGNIOR, CALCUTTA." (A.B.C. CODE 6TH EDN) & BENTLEY. 101/1 Clive Street, Standard Buildings, Calcutta. 17th June, 1948. AIR MAIL. IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE REFER TO NO: SB/CM/E3/10/38 The President of the Jewish Community, Baghdad. Dear Sir, Estate : Sir David Ezra, decd. Re :- Legacy. ⟦line⟧ We thank you for your letter of the 6th inst., with the information therein contained. We have written to Lady Ezra informing her of the contents of your letter under reference, and she has agreed with your suggestions except that she would prefer to have the money in- vested in sound Government Securities, irrespective of what Government it may be, as a property would entail much looking after, repairs and other incidental expenses. We shall therefore be obliged if you will let us know if this can be done when we shall send you the funds in settlement of the legacy due to you under the Will of the deceased. Please let us know your full name as this information is required by Lady Ezra. Yours faithfully, ⟦Orr Dignam & Co⟧
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AIR MAIL ORR, DIGMAN & CO. 101/1, Clive Street Calcutta, 1. 4th. March 1948 Refer to No. SB/JS/CM 495 Ezra Menahim Daniel, Esq., Baghdad, Iraq. Dear Sir, Estate Sir David Ezra, decd. ⟦line⟧ We act on behalf of Lady Rachel Ezra, the sole Executrix of the will of Sir David Ezra. By his Will Sir David Ezra has bequeathed to the Committee for the time being of the Jewish Mejlis el Ruhaniyah the sum of Rs. 50,000/- upon certain trusts as to use the income thereof. We are informed by Lady Ezra that you are in a position to put us in touch with the present members of the Committee. If this is so we shall be obliged if you will kindly ask them to communicate with us on the matter. Yours faithfully, S/D.
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Ezra Menahem Daniel
12/2/4 Al-Mustansir Street
Telephone Number { 3044
6367
Baghdad on 3/15/1948
His Eminence the Respected President of the Spiritual Council
Greetings and respect
Attached is a copy of a letter I received from Messrs. Orr, ⟦Dignam⟧ and Co., executors of
the will of the late Sir David Ezra in Calcutta (India) dated 3/4/1948 for your perusal
and kindly contact them directly and inform me.
Please accept the assurance of my highest respect;
Sincerely
Ezra Menahem
Daniel
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Number 138 Registered ⟦London⟧ ⟦Sign⟧ 420 BAGHDAD AS-SAMAWAI 5 AUG. 48 To ⟦Caledonia⟧ Value of stamps affixed (if a package) Dinar Fils Contents ⟦line⟧ Insured for the amount of Dinars (in figures) ⟦line⟧ In words ⟦line⟧ Insurance fee ⟦line⟧ Weight in words ⟦line⟧ Entry of (letter) bundle or (package) as the case requires Receiving officer
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It has been completed 1/10/2 By hand No. 635 2nd April 8 Messrs Orr, Dignam & Co. 101/ 1 Clive Street Calcutta, 1 . Re- Estate Sir David Ezra, dcd. Dear Sirs, A copy of your letter dated March 4th, 1948 has been kindly passed by Mr. Ezra Menahem Daniel to the Jewish Spiritual Council of Baghdad. The latter passed this copy to me as I am empowered by virtue of the law to act on behalf of the Community in general. In these circumstances, I shall be very obliged to you if you would kindly send me a copy of the will of the late Sir David Ezra in order to enable me <del>a copy</del> to give you our advocate's legal advice in this connection or any other necessary information you may need. Thanking you in anticipation and in the hope of hearing from you soon. Your Sincerely ⟦v.t.⟧ PRESIDENT JEWISH COMMUNITY BAGHDAD ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦illegible stamp⟧
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Extract from the Will of the late Sir David Ezra. ⟦line⟧ 17. I give and bequeath to the Committee for the time being of the Jewish "Mejils el Ruhaniyeh" (the Jewish Spiritual Leaders) of Bag- dad the sum of Rupees Fifty Thousand UPON TRUST to invest the same in securities authorised for the investment of trust funds by Trustees in such name or names as the Committee shall decide to be most convenient and to pay and apply the net income of such investments as it shall accrue due to and for the benefit of the destitute poor Jewish inhab- itants of Bagdad at such times and in such manner as the said Committee in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion shall think fit save and except that I direct the said Committee to give preference to my needy relatives there. ⟦line⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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ORR, DIGNAM & CO. TELEGRAMS: "DIGNIOR, CALCUTTA." (A.B.C. CODE 6TH EDN) & BENTLEY. Presidency of the Jewish Community Baghdad No. 422 Date 5/2/948 101/1, Clive Street, Calcutta. 21st April, 1948. AIR MAIL! IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE REFER TO NO SB/CM/E3/4741 The President of the Jewish Community, Baghdad. Dear Sir, Estate : Sir David Ezra, decd. With reference to your letter of the 2nd inst., we do not consider it necessary to send you a copy of the Will of the above- named deceased as, with the exception of Clause 17, the Clauses therein do not relate to the question of the legacy to the "Mejils el Ruhaniyah". We, however, enclose a copy of Clause 17 of the Will and shall be obliged if you will send us your comments on the same. Yours faithfully, ⟦Orr Dignam & Co⟧ Enclo:- bm
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His Excellency the President of the Lay Council of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, Respected Subject: - Regarding the will of the late Sir David Ezra ORR, DIGNAM & CO. CALCUTTA 21st April, 48 No. 4741 ⟦illegible⟧ With reference to the letter of Messrs. Orr Dignam & Co. Calcutta No. 4741 dated 21 April 1948, which was referred to me for an opinion. I have studied the subject and it appears to me that the best suitable way to execute the will is to purchase immovable property in the name of the President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad or in the name of someone trusted by the executor of the will, and the person in whose name the purchased property is registered in the competent departments shall dedicate it as an endowment (Waqf) and state in the endowment deed the following phrases: - That he has dedicated the mentioned property with all its appurtenances, attachments, facilities, and all its rights as a valid perpetual endowment and an explicit permanent detention until the end of time for the benefit of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, provided that its revenue is spent first on the reconstruction and restoration of the endowment and the necessary expenses and taxes, and then what remains of the revenue is distributed among the poor Israelites present in Baghdad, and the distribution shall be handled by the Israelite Spiritual Council in Baghdad and at its absolute discretion, provided that priority is given first to the poor who are relatives of the late Sir David Ezra, who died in Calcutta, as an act of charity for his soul, and the endowment shall be named after him for all time, and the guardianship (Tawliyah) shall be to the President of the Israelite Community in Baghdad and his successors in office, generation after generation. Therefore, if the respected Council approves this opinion, I suggest notifying the competent authorities, and in the event that the executor of the will agrees to the mentioned procedures, he is requested to send the endowed amounts to carry out the above. Sincerely yours. Faithfully ⟦signature⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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distributed to and for the benefit of the destitute poor jewish inhabitants of Baghdad at such times and in such manner as the " Mejlis el Ruhaniyeh (the jewish spiritual council) of ⟦...⟧ Baghdad in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion shall think fit save and <del>that</del> except that the said <del>Mejlis</del> Council <del>shall</del> shall give preference to the needy relatives of the bequeather.
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Messrs ⟦...⟧ 10/1, Clive Street, Calcutta. Dear Sirs, ⟦illegible text block - very faded handwriting⟧ first in view of the laws and regulation in force here, is first ⟦line⟧
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No: 685 June 6th, 8 Messrs. ORR, DIGNAM & Co., 101/1, CLIVE St., C A L C U T T A/ Dear Sirs, In reply to your letter dated April 21st, regarding Clause 17 of the will of the Late Sir David Ezra, please note the following: After taking our advocates legal advice in this matter, it has been found that the best way to execute the will in question in accordance with the laws and regulations in force here, is to purchase an immovable property having the value of Rupees 50,000 to be registered first in the name of the President of the Jewish Community or in the name of any other person the Executrix may rely upon. Then, the purchaser shall register this immovable property as a Waqf - endowment to perpetuity - with the competent authorities, with the conditions that its revenue be spent on the maintenance of this immovable property first and the rest be distributed to the benefit of the destitute poor <del>inhabitants</del> Jewish inhabitants of Baghdad at such times and in such manners as the "Mejlis el Ruhaniyeh" the Jewish Spiritual Council of Baghdad in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion shall think fit save and except that the said Council shall give preference to the needy relatives of the bequeather. This Waqf - endowment to perpetuity - shall bear the name of the late Sir David Ezra, and the President of the Jewish Community of Baghdad shall be the Mutawalli i.e., superviser, of this Waqf generation after generation. In case you approve the above suggestion, I beg you kindly to remit the sum bequeathed to act accordingly. Awaiting your reply, Yours faithfully. ⟦signature⟧ PRESIDENT JEWISH COMMUNITY, BAGHDAD. ⟦illegible⟧
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Presented on ⟦8/8/1922⟧ Arrived ⟦line⟧ registered ⟦line⟧ number Addressed to ⟦Mona⟧ Calcutta Date stamp Fils Dinar Value of stamps affixed (if ⟦...⟧) For insured items Entry (letter) bundle or (parcel) as the case requires Insured for an amount of Dinar (in figures) ⟦line⟧ In words ⟦line⟧ Insurance fee ⟦line⟧ Weight in words ⟦line⟧ 4 JUN 8 ⟦...⟧ The Saray The receiving officer
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No - 729 3rd August, 8. Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co., 101/1 Clive Street, ⟦line⟧ Subject: ⟦line⟧ Dear Sirs, I have the honour to acknowledge with thanks, receipt of your letter dated 17th June, 1948 and in view of its contents, I referred the matter to the Jewish Lay Council of Baghdad and to the Council's legal adviser to take their views. After discussing the matter, they have found that the way shown in my letter of 6th June last, is the safest way to execute the will in question as the immovable property suggested to be purchased in such cases is usually a shop in one of the best bazars in Baghdad, and such places would not entail much looking af<del>d</del>er or repairs and its revenue is much more than the revenue derived from securities; anyhow if Lady Ezra prefers to keep the money invested in sound government securities, there would be no objection to do it. I shall, therefore, be obliged if you inform me of your final views to act accordingly and herewith please find my full name:- RABBI SASSON KADOORI, PRESIDENT JEWISH COMMUNITY BAGHDAD. Kh ⟦line⟧ 3/8 Yours faithfully, ⟦signature⟧ PRESIDENT, JEWISH COMMUNITY BAGHDAD. ⟦stamp: faded circular stamp with text in Arabic and English⟧
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Number: 287 Arrived: ⟦line⟧ Addressed to: Tigman (Address Line 2): Calcutta Date stamp: ⟦stamp: BAGHDAD ...⟧ Entry (letter) bundle or (package) as the case requires: Value of stamps affixed (if they were ⟦...⟧): Dinar: Fils: For insured items: Insured for an amount of Dinars (in figures): In words: Insurance fee: Weight in words: Receiving officer:
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Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co. 101/1 Clive Street Calcutta ⟦line⟧ Subject: - The Will of the Late Sir David Ezra ⟦line⟧ My Distinguished Masters, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated June 17, 1948, and in view of what was stated therein, I referred the case to the Israeli Lay Council in Baghdad and the Council's legal advisor, and after deliberation, it was found that the method set forth in my letter dated June 6 last is the best and safest way to execute the will under discussion, as the immovable property that is usually proposed for purchase in such circumstances is a shop in one of the main markets in Baghdad, and such properties do not require much supervision or repairs. Their returns are usually higher than those of trusts. Nevertheless, if Lady Ezra wishes and prefers to place them in government securities, there is no objection to doing so. In view of the above, I would be very grateful if you would inform me of your final opinion so that I may take the necessary measures accordingly. As for my full address, it is as follows: - Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri: President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad. Sincerely, 14
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48 / 19 Translation Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co. 101/1 Clive Street Calcutta ⟦line⟧ Subject: - Will of the late Sir David Ezra My dear sirs, I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17 June 1948, and in view of its contents I referred the case to the Jewish Lay Council in Baghdad and the Council's legal advisor, and after deliberation, it was found that the method set out in my letter dated June 6 last is the best and safest way to execute the will under discussion, since the immovable property usually proposed for purchase in such cases is a shop in one of the main markets in Baghdad, and such assets do not require much management and repairs, and its income is usually more than the income from trusts; nevertheless, if Lady Ezra wishes and insists on placing them in government securities, there is no objection to doing so. In view of the above, I would be very grateful if you would inform me of your final opinion so that I may take the necessary measures. As for my full address, it is as follows: - Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri: President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad. Sincerely, ⟦signature⟧ 12 For filing in a new file in the name of the estate of the late Sir David Ezra in ⟦Calcutta⟧ ⟦signature⟧ His Excellency the President Kindly sign the attached letter in the English language, the translation of which is recorded above and attached, please. ⟦signature⟧ 7/7
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ORR, DIGNAM & CO. TELEGRAMS: "DIGNIOR, CALCUTTA." (A.B.C. CODE 6TH EDN) & BENTLEY. 29, Netaji Subhas Road, Standard Buildings, Calcutta. 23rd August, 1948. ⟦illegible handwritten note⟧ AIR MAIL. IN YOUR REPLY PLEASE REFER TO NO: SB/CM/E3/16179 Rabbi Solomon Hoogi Aboody, President, "Mejils el Ryhaniyeh", Baghdad, IRAQ. Dear Sir, Estate : Sir David Ezra, decd. We act for Lady Ezra, the sole Executrix named in the Will of the abovenamed deceased who died on the 23rd August, 1947. By his Will the deceased bequeathed a sum of Rs.50,000/- to the Committee for the time being of the Jewish "Mejils el Ruhaniyeh" "upon Trust to invest the same in securities auth- orised for the investment of trust funds by Trustees in such name or names as the Committee shall decide to be most conven- ient and to pay and apply the net income of such investments as it shall accrue due to and for the benefit of the destitute poor Jewish inhabitants of Baghdad." We shall be pleased to have your comments on the subject at an early date. Yours faithfully, ⟦signature⟧ ⟦illegible⟧
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8/23/48 Translation ⟦line⟧ Calcutta, August 27, 1948 From: Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co. in Calcutta To: Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri President of the Jewish Spiritual Council - Baghdad Subject: The Estate of the late Sir David Ezra Greetings, We are writing to you on behalf of <del>of</del> the wife of the late Sir David Ezra, the sole executrix of the will of the deceased who passed away on August 27, 1947. The deceased left, according to his will, a sum of 50,000/- Rupees to the Jewish Spiritual Council to be invested by purchasing bonds permitted for purchase with trust funds, provided they are named with the name designated by the aforementioned Council, and that the proceeds be ⟦allocated⟧ for the poor of the Jewish community in Baghdad . /. <del>⟦illegible⟧</del> We would be grateful to receive your comments regarding this matter. Sincerely, Yours faithfully, Orr, Dignam & Co.
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No. 126 Receipt ⟦line⟧ Registered ⟦line⟧ Insured to ⟦Sir Ezra David⟧ Fils ⟦line⟧ value of attached stamps (if it is a parcel) Entry (letter) bundle or (parcel) as the case requires Insured for an amount of Dinars (in figures) ⟦line⟧ In words ⟦line⟧ Insurance fee ⟦line⟧ Weight in words ⟦line⟧ Receiving official BAGHDAD 6 SEP 46 Date Number
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No. 2014 Baghdad, 8th September 1948. ⟦illegible⟧ ⟦1948⟧ ⟦Interpretation⟧ Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co. 29, Netaji Subhas Road, CALCUTTA Dear Sirs, I am in receipt of your letter dated August 23rd, contents of which have been carefully noted. I wish to confirm the suggestions put to you in this respect by the President of the Jewish Community of Baghdad Rabbi Sassoon Kadoori, in his letter dated August 3rd No. 729, which consist of purchasing an immovable property with the sum bequeathed to be registered as an endowment to per- petuity, the revenue of which shall be spent on the destitute poor Jewish inhabitants of Baghdad in accordance with the will of the late Sir David Ezra. Yours faithfully ⟦signature⟧ Rabbi Salman Hoogi Aboodi President, Jewish Spiritual Council, Baghdad. Dear Sirs, Messrs. Orr, Dignam & Co. Calcutta Greetings, We have received your letter dated August 23 and have perused its contents with care. I wish to support the proposals submitted to you by His Excellency Rabbi Sassoon Kadoori, President of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, in his letter dated August 3, No. 729, which includes the proposal to purchase immovable property with the bequeathed sum, provided that this property is registered as an endowment whose proceeds shall be spent on the poor of the Jewish community in Baghdad in accordance with the will of the late Sir David Ezra. Please accept my respects, Mr. President Mr. Zion Gege has reviewed the copy of this letter and approved it. ⟦signature⟧ 8/9 Rabbi Salman Hoogi Aboodi President of the Jewish Spiritual Council 2