Voices from the Archive

IJA 1048

Correspondence among Jewish Community Committees

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Description

These are documents from the Baghdadi Jewish community. There is a letter from the British Military Governor for the allotment of lambs for the Jewish New Year 1918. Included are various correspondences: what students should bring to the Rabbinical College in Rhodes, Greece; verifications of birth certificates; letter and reply to the Jewish Lay Council from the Institute for the Blind to report its budget for 1934; letter from the Girls Sewing Charitable Society that lists its budget for 1934; letter from the head of Ozer Dalim Society to the President of the Jewish community regarding charity; 1933-1934 budget for Tomkhe Tora Society in Baghdad; letter from Chief Rabbi Benjamin Moshi; letter from the budget council of the Jewish Lay Council to all accountants in the Jewish community regarding decisions and instructions on budgets for 1934; letter from an accountant addressed to the head of the budget council regarding annual budget for 1934 - expenses, property tax, Jewish schools, wages for retired and needy people; spreadsheets containing expenses and revenues of the belongings of the Jewish community - hospitals, Morashi and education institutes; letter to a military figure asking for the release of six named war prisoners in 1919; letter from a legal codification department requesting deputy rabbi to look into a divorce subject to the rabbinical system in 1929; letters about a legal case of a woman claiming the right to collect her deceased husband's allowance, arguments stating she was divorced before he died; letter to the Lay Council concerning a house contract and a settlement; letter from the administration office of the Jewish community to a tenant regarding money for leasing a house; letter from the President of the Jewish community addressed to Iraqi government and Council of Ministers urging them to help distressed victims that were subjected to a catastrophic burglary and damage to their properties and shops, a total of 2731 families; letters to the Jewish Schools Committee regarding decreasing wages, transfers, retirements, sale of school belongings, requests interpretation of some amount to be reported, decrees and increases of allocated money; 1100 new students and their requirements from Jewish community funds; school debts and a copy of the annual budget; a teacher requests a teaching job in Almedrash School or any Jewish school in Baghdad appended by recommendation to the head of the Jewish Lay Council; request to make changes on class schedules and other educational arrangements. Correspondences from community members to the President of the Jewish Community regarding personal issues: help to finding relatives; dispute on a dowry issue; burials; a teacher requests a financial reward for 32 years of working in Midrash Talmud Torah, requests to continue to receive a retirement allowance of deceased husband; letter to Rabbi Sassoon Khedouri from a member of the Supreme Court requesting an additional salary for some extra work he does to help him financially; letter from workers requesting salary increases to the President of the Jewish Butchery; list of thirty names of needy and retired people whose allowances were decided upon by the Jewish Lay Council and approved by General Council. Also included are issues of the Iraqi Chronicle in 1973 on the nationalization of Exxon and Mobil Oil companies.

Metadata

Archive Reference
IJA 1048
Item Number
16216
Date
Approx. January 1, 1911 to December 31, 1920
Languages
Multiple Languages
Keywords
Benjamin Moshi, Greece, Rhodes, Envelope, Postage Stamp, Financial, Legal, Midrash Talmud Torah, Correspondence, Divorce, Rosh Ha-Shanah, School Material, Dowry, British Occupation, Revenue Stamp, Marriage Certificates, Newspaper, Letterhead, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ozer Dalim, Shamash Secondary School, Hakham Sassoon Khedouri, Jewish Schools Committee, Iraqi Gazette, Annotation, Iraqi Government, Ink Stamp, Institute for the Blind, Charitable Sewing Society for Girls, Handwritten, Baghdadi Jewish Community, Accounting, Menashy Saleh School, Alliance School, Al-Rashid Club, Jewish Lay Council, Chief Rabbi, Rivka Nouriel School, President of the Jewish Community, Rahel Shamoon School, Judeo-Arabic, Lawrence Khedouri Primary School, Lease, Tenant, Military, Benjamin H. Moshi, Jewish Religious Court, Teacher, Birth Certificates, Basrah, Typed, Appeals Court, Tomkhe Tora Society, Albert David Sasson School, Masooda Saliman School

AI en Translation, Pages 101-125

Page 101

The Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone Number 5452
Number: 551 / M
Date: 25 / 7 / 1955
Subject Summary: Rent for the house belonging to Meir Elias Hospital
occupied by you.
Respected Dr. Sophia Tokar - Baghdad
With reference to your letter dated 2 / 6 / 55, please visit the Community Presidency and pay the rent
for the house occupied by you since the date of the hospital's closure on the basis of 200/- Dinars annually
after deducting what is owed to you by the hospital, excluding travel expenses which you are not entitled to
under your employment contract. Respectfully yours.
Chairman of the Administrative Committee

Page 102

⟦illegible⟧
- 4 -
Accordingly, and in view of what has been explained above, and since the state of distress and misery that
I mentioned is intensifying and worsening day by day, and since it has become clear that the resources of this community
cannot address the matter, but rather cannot even continue temporary relief in it
for more than a short period that will reach its end soon, I especially beg of
Your Excellency and the esteemed Council of Ministers for an urgent look into the case with the eye of compassion that
the situation calls for. I am full of hope that the esteemed government, which has never ceased
to show mercy to the afflicted in all circumstances and provide them with effective aid, and even helps
those who suffer visible harm among the afflicted, will not deprive these victims of
its comprehensive kindness in particular, especially since their catastrophe came at the hands of their brothers and is not from
heavenly disasters.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest respect.
Head of the Community.

Page 103

Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
Rhodes
COLLEGIO RABBINICO CONVITTO
RODI (EGEO)
Rhodes, on: 27th day of the month of Iyar 5695
Rodi, li: 26 Maggio 1935
To the Honorable Committee of the Hebrew Community,
Baghdad, may God protect it
Mr. President
We hereby respond to your honorable letter dated 7th of Iyar 5695 which we have just received.
As we have already written to His Excellency, the Italian Consul in your city who approached us on your behalf, we reiterate to you that we are ready to accept
students that you may send to us in the future, for the sum of 2500 Italian Lira per year for each one. This sum does not cover
the expenses that each student costs our seminary; it should be considered that the annual budget of the student would fall on our account
only because during the 12 months of the year the student receives lodging, food, clothing from head to toe, we give him new linens
and not only does the student benefit from religious and secondary education according to the program sent to you, but the institution also provides him with his needs in books
and writing materials, and medical care is also provided to him by a doctor specialized for this. From all that has been said so far, you can see how low
the price of 2500 Italian Lira per year requested from you is.
Attached herewith we send you the curriculum and the schedule of the code of conduct in Hebrew as you requested.
We would be grateful to you if you would inform us soon of your final answer so that we can make the proper preparations in the boarding school for their arrival.
On behalf of the Governing Council
The President
Vitalis Stroumza

Page 104

Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
Rhodes
COLLEGIO RABBINICO CONVITTO
RODI (EGEO)
Rhodes,:
569:
193:
Rodi, li:
Admission Requirements for the Rabbinical Seminary in Rhodes
Young men no less than thirteen years of age are accepted to the Seminary. The complete cycle of sacred and secular studies contains nine
years of study, divided into three courses of three years each. The preparatory and elementary course leads to the granting of a teacher's certificate for the Hebrew
language and the religion of Israel, and ordination as a Cantor, Ritual Slaughterer and Examiner for those qualified. The upper course leads to the granting of Rabbinical ordination.
Admission to the various courses is based on preliminary examinations in accordance with the existing curriculum.
The study of the Italian language and its literature is mandatory for the students, to provide them with assistance in the course they attend.
The application for admission to the institution must be addressed to the Governing Board and the following certificates must be attached to it:
a) A certificate of sacred and secular studies completed by the student.
b) A certificate of good religious and moral conduct, certified by the local Rabbinate or the local authority.
c) A doctor's certificate regarding physical health.
The annual fee is 4000 Italian Lire, payable in two installments (on the first of September and the first of March).
The students receive, without any additional charges, lodging, food, clothing, tuition, books, school supplies, medical care, etc.
At the time of arrival here, the student must bring with him:
4 | shirts
4 | underpants
6 | pairs of socks
3 | flannels (wool shirts)
12 | handkerchiefs
2 | pairs of shoes
2 | hats
2 | suits of clothes
1 | coat

Page 105

Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
Rhodes
COLLEGIO RABBINICO CONVITTO
RODI (EGEO)
Rhodes,:
569:
193:
Rodi, li:
Curriculum
⟦(Year 1)⟧
A) The Talmud and its Commentaries
The Preparatory Course (3 years)
The purpose of this course is to awaken in the student's heart an interest in the study of the Mishnah and Talmud, and to
prepare him to understand correctly for the theological course; for this purpose, selected chapters
from various tractates (e.g., Berakhot, Shabbat, Bava Metzia, Sanhedrin) will be taught in the preparatory course.
Selected chapters from the Talmudic tractates e.g., Berakhot, Shabbat, and Beitzah
Gemara) In the first half of the final school year, the Mishnah is studied without commentaries, understood and studied with the commentary
of Bartenura and the Talmud with Rashi
Decisors) Regular introduction to the Shulchan Aruch subject and study of the chapters: Shema, Prayer, Tefillin, Blessings,
Torah Study, and Shabbat.
The Theological Course (3 years)
This course primarily covers professional study; at the end of this course, the teachers, cantors,
and ritual slaughterers complete their course of study. Accordingly, special attention will be devoted to their studies. The passages
in the Talmud that have direct relevance both for teachers and for cantors and ritual slaughterers, such as: tractates,
Bava Kamma, Makkot, Pirkei Avot, Gittin.
Talmud) Selected chapters and Shabbat will transition to the study of Gittin and a portion of the Laws of Character Traits of Maimonides and a portion
of the Laws of Repentance from the Book of Knowledge.
Decisors) Laws of Shabbat and Festivals, Chol HaMoed, Hanukkah, Ritual Slaughter and Inspection, Torah Scroll, Circumcision, and Certifications.
Decisors) Candidates for certification in ritual slaughter will perform practical exercises in slaughter and inspection during the two
final years of their studies.
1

Page 107

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
RHODES (AEGEAN)
H. H. General Rabbinical Council - H. H.
Rhodes
Rhodes, the: ⟦illegible⟧
193: ⟦illegible⟧
No.: 592
On: ⟦illegible⟧
Deep history in known periods of our chronicles,
Religious philosophy, history of religious philosophy, Saadia Gaon, Solomon ibn Gabirol, Bahya, The Kuzari, Maimonides
Maimonides and finally,
Weekly study schedule according to the various courses
Subjects | Preparatory Course Year: | High School | Upper
| A B | Year C | Year C
Mishnah and Talmud | 4 5 | 4 | 4
Decisors (Poskim) | 3 3 | 3 | 3
Introductions and aids to the Talmud | - - | - | 1
Halakhic exercise | - - | - | 1
Hebrew, Tanakh | 3 3 | 3 | 3
Torah | 3 3 | 1 | 1
Prophets and Writings | - - | 2 | 2
Hebrew History | 1 1 | 2 | 2
Hebrew Philosophy | - - | - | 1
Midrash | - - | - | 1
Pedagogy | - - | 1 | -
| 14 15 | 16 | 19

Page 108

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rabbinical Seminary and Boarding School
Rhodes
(History) The history of the Middle Ages and the modern period with special attention to Italy (according to the curriculum of the upper
secondary schools).
(Geography) General knowledge, geography of Italy and Europe in detail, other parts of the world in general.
(French) Grammar and syntax in detail, exercises in translation and verbal writing and authors. Historical overview of French
literature and reading works of the following authors:
Montaigne, Malherbe, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Mme de Sévigné,
La Fontaine, Fénelon, La Bruyère, Bossuet, Voltaire, J. J. Rousseau,
Buffon, Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, A. Chénier, Mme de Staël,
Chateaubriand, Lamartine, X. de Maistre, V. Hugo, A. de Musset,
A. Daudet, H. de Balzac, A. Dumas, A. France, F. Coppée,
L. Ratisbonne, P. Loti.
(Mathematics) Algebraic calculus: first-degree equations and linear pairs of equations. Rate calculation, second-degree
shares, simple root of higher-degree equations, foundations of plane and solid geometry.
(Natural Sciences) Knowledge in biology, botany and mineralogy, (based on the curriculum in government secondary schools).
The Upper Course
(French) Reading and explanation of classical works, critical analysis and study of authors in detail, French exercises in French.
(Foreign Literatures) General overview of the important European literatures, reading excerpts of important authors.
(General History) Study of ancient culture and especially Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Eretz Israel, Phoenicia, Hittites.
(History of Religions) Religions of primitive humans, Eastern religions, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, mystery religions, the
monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism.
⟦illegible stamp⟧

Page 109

To the Honorable President of the Israelite Community, Rabbi Sassoon Khedhouri, respected
After greetings and respect
We received your letter dated the 22nd of this month, in which you ask about
the death of the late Um Hayroun
We inform you that the deceased passed away on February 17th and that
the heirs of the deceased and the ⟦heirs of⟧ Moshe opened the reception room of the back house
taking the furniture ⟦by their own knowledge⟧ and after the final division, and you must
ask the aforementioned individuals to inform you about ⟦the details⟧; truly we expressed no ⟦...⟧
Baghdad 24 / 1 / 1941
The Petitioner
Reuben Sassoon Cohen
The Petitioner
Sassoon Joseph
Ezra Dekour
Ibrahim Salman Saleh Quraish
Radhi Ezra Habib
that she is a legatee for him
in his house and his movables
⟦illegible stamp⟧
⟦...⟧ (⟦...⟧) ⟦...⟧
500
Cohen
Dekour

Page 110

- 3 -
For their houses are not purely residential houses in the sense understood by the elite, but
rather a great number of those houses contain professions and small workshops, and from an
economic standpoint, they are considered shops and places of work. Therefore, the soundest basis for classification is
taking the number of families as an average. The total number of families whose houses
or shops, or both, were looted reaches (2731) families. We estimate that the number of families
that were able or are able to resume their work or some of their work and meet their needs is about seven hundred.
There remain about two thousand families in need of assistance who cannot earn their living without it. There
may be among these families about two hundred houses of beggars who can resort to begging,
but the painful part regarding the rest is that they are people who cannot do so, and whoever has visited their locations
will concede that there is extreme misery and hunger in the literal sense of the word, and that hunger and misery are buried and hidden in
their place, not visible to those who do not search for it and content themselves with wandering the main streets. And we
have calculated that the minimum amount they can be assisted with is an average of one hundred dinars per family, considering that
this might give twenty dinars to one family and two hundred dinars to another. We do not mean by this
assistance in the sense of spending on living, but rather we mean primarily giving what is necessary
to return to work and earn a living.
Third - This administration has been active with all its energy in collecting donations
and has formed several committees for this purpose. It has covered the greatest distance in this path and all
indications show that the total donations will not reach more than twenty thousand dinars.
We would be very delighted if we reached twenty-five thousand dinars. A
significant portion of the donations has been spent so far for the purpose of urgent food and clothing during
the first three weeks of the incident, and a small amount is still being spent on individual
cases that cannot be delayed. Therefore, there is no hope in the donations for achieving
anything constructive or at least anything sufficient.
Fourth - The material aid that ⟦...⟧ does not represent, as the
officials know, more than a small percentage of the total damage. The purpose of the proof
was ⟦...⟧ that in order to ⟦...⟧ the subject from any aspect.

Page 111

To the Honorable H' Sassoon Kadoorie, may he live long and well
Head of the Community (The Jewish Community)
Dear Sir,
I am hereby requesting, since during my work in the
Court with the Honorable Minister of the Secular Court, in my hard
labor (and the labor of Torah for its own sake) "before the appearance" you placed me
and before him I knew your honor would recognize my benefit and conduct in my ways
I am compelled to awaken the ⟦tangible⟧ power of your excellency's kindness
and I shall stand at your honor's right hand and help him in his knowledge, as was
my work always, and to add to your satisfaction, and I am certain
that your honor will support me so that merit will be added to me with great compassion
for it is my soul's life, please pay attention to this and gladden me
with joy of heart - and peace to your honor
Your servant who serves - Eliyahu ⟦Raphael⟧
Worker of your honor's room in the Court

Page 112

Telegraphic Address
Nafftachi
HARON ELIAHOU BROS
Harun Eliyahu Brothers
Telegraphic Address
Naftchi
RE-SHIRIN
Qasr-e Shirin to Baghdad:
Dated: 17th of the month of Muharram 1347
To the most honorable hands of my master, the exalted Haham Bashi of Baghdad, the respected
May his glory last, Amen
After offering our respects to you, we submit to your Excellency that we previously sent a letter in the name of the Haham Khana by the hand of Brother ⟦...⟧ 24 ⟦...⟧
Regarding the husband of my daughter, who is Fatima daughter of Salman Shatta, a dispute occurred between them and he came to our relatives and claimed some
matters that violate religious rights, and we judged with him and before us that he should finish the assignment to your presence so that you may send for
the girl's father and settle with him, but after proving ⟦Salim⟧ and he does not succeed ⟦and knows⟧ and until this date I have not received an answer and we ask you
in any case we ask for what is necessary and favor us with your grace, we ask you without delay and may you remain safe
Harun Eliyahu Brothers
⟦illegible⟧
⟦Qasr-e Shirin⟧ ⟦...⟧

Page 113

The Religious Court of the Holy City
Baghdad, may God protect it
Jewish Spiritual Court in Baghdad
JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT
BAGHDAD
Honor
To the honor of his excellence, the stronghold and tower, Mr. ⟦...⟧ Cohen Yehoshua
The Community Committee in Baghdad, may God protect it
Community Committee!
Line by line, it is owed from Amos Eli Maskil El Dal Yosef
Before the master, signed and sealed and finished, and this is for me as my portion
Twenty-two and a bit of a quarter from the inheritance of Abdal Karima Shmayyah and Fadil and Ahmad
Former residence, and here we have come signed according to the law here in Baghdad, may it be rebuilt and established speedily in our days, Amen
On the 26th of the month of Kislev, foundation of the Lord, the year five thousand seven hundred and eight
Your servant, minister
Hazan Sasson
S.T.
⟦...⟧
⟦stamp: Religious Court Baghdad⟧
Reviews
No

Page 114

⟦B . A⟧
July 12, 1928
To His Eminence the Honorable Hakham Bashi of Jaffa
Subject: Regarding the case of Menashe Moshe Zalouf
Greetings and respect, we hereby refer to your esteemed office the petition submitted to us by the named
Moshe bin Ibrahim Zalouf on July 10, 1928, requesting that you kindly look into it as
required and inform us of the outcome of the case.
Please accept our thanks and respect;
Sincerely,
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad
Sh . D

Page 115

To the Honorable Material Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad
The undersigned ⟦worked⟧ in the Talmud Torah Beit Midrash for a period of 32 years
I wish to inform your excellencies that I have worked in the aforementioned Beit Midrash from the day it was founded until now
with devotion and loyalty and with all my strength, and I labored much in raising the students and guiding them in the straight and correct path
And behold, now I have grown old and gray, and I have no strength to work as I used to work before, and also my economic situation is very tight
And I request from your excellencies that you would be so kind as to give me some reward or prize for my many years of work
so that I may live out the remainder of my days in dignity and rest and not need the help of others, for I have never stretched out my hand
And I hope that your excellencies will look upon this request of mine with an eye of compassion and mercy and do with me kindness and charity as is your way
always good and upright with the poor of your people and the destitute, and I have no doubt that your excellencies will not turn me away empty-handed
And by virtue of this, may you be blessed by the Most High and merit many pleasant years, Amen, may it be His will
I am Yosef son of Avraham ⟦Menachem⟧ known as ⟦H. Halabi⟧, the teacher in the aforementioned Talmud Torah Beit Midrash
this has been for 32 consecutive years without any break, and I also served in the aforementioned Beit Midrash as a Gabbai
for several years, and all my work was for the sake of Heaven without any pay or reward, only now because of my old age
I request help and assistance from your honorable excellencies, and I thank you in advance for any kindness you do for me
for in truth I am very needy and have no support or stay except for your blessed help, and I sign
with all respect and admiration for your high and exalted excellencies, to the honorable President and the distinguished members
of the Material Committee of the Jewish Community in Baghdad, may God protect them, may they live, Amen
The humble servant
Yosef Avraham
Baghdad
3 Kislev 5694

Page 116

⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
To ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ 20 ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧
⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧ ⟦...⟧

Page 117

G/125
September 7, 1928
To the Head of the Israelite Community in Kermanshah
Subject: Regarding the case of Na'ima, daughter of Bashir
After greetings, based on the request of some relatives of the named Na'ima, daughter of Bashir bin Abdullah
Bashir (Abu al-Sami'), it is necessary to inform your presence that the aforementioned Na'ima, daughter of Bashir, her husband
Ibrahim had traveled with her some time ago to Kermanshah, and today he is alone in Baghdad.
Since news of this woman has been cut off from her relatives in Baghdad, and they -
are apprehensive that harm may have befallen her, it is therefore requested of your presence to provide us
with some information about the aforementioned Na'ima, and if possible, to provide us with a letter from her explaining
her situation and informing us whether she wishes to come to Baghdad, as some of her relatives
are prepared to provide the travel expenses for her.
Respectfully yours,
⟦illegible⟧
Acting Hakham Bashi of Baghdad
Heads of the Community outside Iraq
8/9/28
⟦illegible⟧

Page 118

8631 Fourth 7
18/25
5 candles interest before it a lira 12 fils sent in this
And it is mentioned under its value a fourth value: ⟦used⟧
About him who is mentioned under its value, the correct thing is to say it is restricted to the property of Rina 5 liters its value ⟦...⟧
To my master strong, so when it is mentioned under its value that I clarify about it and likewise its profit truly (and its policy is seen) and it is mentioned
What was gained as interest 5 candles and here is placed 5 candles interest 5 of it to manage with his money a hundred N L L Abwa
⟦line⟧ And here what was gained as interest we have no right to use it like this a hundred also 5 of it to manage N A for whom
For the benefit N A and its disposal N A for others and it is permissible for us N A N A to manage with it a hundred N A N 5 eight gold by the amount
For a day and six for his house, so we have no right to take N A its profit N A P strong, so when its value N 5 T to manage the state of wax
To my master L L by the amount N L what was gained as interest and its profit interest by seven for example N A N for him it is not clarified to be clarified
For her by the corruption of its value or by the corruption N ⟦...⟧
In White for his soul with
⟦symbol/stamp⟧
What was gained as interest to manage L L profit
⟦...⟧ L ⟦...⟧ L L
15 / 5 / ⟦...⟧

Page 119

3
May the Lord be with you, mighty men of valor
To the excellence of the fortress and tower, teacher and officer, may the Lord live upon him and may he merit to see the joy
Our honorable teacher Ezra Dangoor, Hakham Bashi of the great city of Babylon, may God preserve and protect him
The legalities when they are examined in the palace of our lord the King to testify that the force is upright
Several poor people traveled from here, three brothers to defend with them, and a terrible law they left
their elderly mother and this wife of their aforementioned brother, and for a long time they have not
sent them sustenance, and they cry out for their livelihood and there is none to show favor and none
to have mercy, and they ask of the Lord to provide for them and to bring them this
one of them shall rest here in the city, God forbid, lest what for their livelihood and God forbid
three of not they shall do, and permission shall be given to sell the courtyard, their father's inheritance
For the sake of the Lord and for the sake of our holy Torah, in whatever way it may be, he shall compel
the three brothers and they shall make a rectification, because all day in the house for the children
they cry for bread and none breaks it for them; the three brothers are obligated to supervise
them, for all who have mercy on creatures etc. and especially honoring the mother
the Torah decreed: Honor your father and your mother etc. In general, the one who awaits
his lofty response ⟦...⟧
Synagogues
In goodness
⟦illegible stamp⟧
Kurdistan
External
161
16 / 12 / 1929

Page 120

4068 . A . L
28 December 929
His Eminence Rabbi Isaac Rabbi Rubin, the respected
(Sanandaj - Kurdistan)
With reference to your letter dated 5 Tishrei year 5690 (Hebrew), we have summoned each of
Aaron, Nissan, and Haqanbaz to this department and informed them of the content of your aforementioned letter.
They decided to send twenty rupees for the month of Tishrei (ten paid by Aaron and ten paid by
Nissan and Haqanbaz equally), and thereafter they will send an amount of fifteen rupees monthly,
provided that this amount is spent on your mother only.
⟦Sassoon Khedhouri⟧
Acting Chief Rabbi of Baghdad
N . M
External
⟦illegible⟧

Page 121

15 October 2
262 on 18 December
The Honorable and Respected Sassoon Effendi Khedhouri
(Chairman of the Schools Committee - Baghdad)
Based on the request submitted by (Rahma) on 23 November 1933 regarding the financial assistance that was
being paid to her by the esteemed Lay Council, and based on Article 5 of the Jewish Schools Regulations
concerning the payment of half the monthly salary for a period of six months upon the death of a teacher, the Lay Council decided
in its session held on 25 November 1933 to pay an amount of (five Dinars) to the aforementioned from the budget of
the mentioned school for one time only, and accordingly you have been informed to take the necessary action.
With respect
Secretary of the Presidency of the Jewish Community
12/20/1933
N 9

Page 123

The Rabbinical Court of the Holy City
Baghdad, may God protect it
Jewish Spiritual Court in Baghdad
JEWISH RELIGIOUS COURT
BAGHDAD
No.: 212
Date: 25 Sivan
Year: 5688
To the Honorable
The dear dignitary, stronghold and tower, Mr. Sassoon Kadoorie, may his light shine, may he live
And all the members of the honorable committee, may they live
Regarding the ⟦illegible⟧!
Behold, during the session of last Thursday in our supreme committee, there appeared the
Hakham Abraham Hakham Nissim Kapoor, holding a printed document signed
with the seal of Hakham Abraham Cohen, and requested of us to be accepted with us in the Beth Midrash
to pray and study as is customary —
The young Ezra Dangoor
S.H.P. here
Baghdad
References

Page 124

Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. 531
Number ::
Date ::
Subject ::
No 3318
Baghdad 11th August 1942
Birth Certificate.
In accordance with testimonials presented we hereby
confirm that Mr. ABRAHAM ISHAK of the Jewish Faith was born
in Baghdad inthe year 1900 ( one thousand nine hundred A.D.)
⟦Harun⟧
President
The Jewish Community.
Baghdad.

Page 125

To him | From him
Fils Dinar | Fils Dinar
20000 to Isaac Sadar for the school estate | 18150 from the director Jacob Sadar
6750 to Khedhouri Menashe the servant | 2500 from Salman Saqr
4000 to Moki Shaul " | 5775 from Daoud Ibrahim
4000 to Menahem Ibrahim " | 4222 from Isaac Samm
4000 to Abbas Ali " | 4275 from Salman Nafeh Saqr
7752 cash on hand | 4042 from Khedhouri Ibrahim
20092 | 4000 from Mullah Obaid
88478 the transfer on 27 / 2 / 34 for the school | 4000 from Saleh Haqam Isaac
118481 | 5500 from Cohen Al-Sheim
| 4250 from Saqr Cohen
| 2500 from Sabbi Daoud
| 4000 from Saif Hai Haqam Michel
| 4800 from Sassoon Levi
| 2500 from Eliahu Salman
| 2200 from Naim Jacob
| 2000 from Khedhouri Sassoon
| 2000 from Saif Hai Haqam Eliahu
| 4500 from Ezra Ibrahim
| 2800 from Salim Shalom
| 2000 from Ibrahim Cohen
| 2250 from Cohen Bakr
| 2000 from Murad Subhi
| 2000 from Saif Hai Shakouri
| 2000 from Daoud Shukr
| 7715 from the Student Cooperation Committee
| 4522 from the prize distribution
| 769 from the Library Committee
118481 | 118481 which is approximately accounts
29 / 2 / 8
Jacob
The Director
Saif's Book
For Accounting