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 English Translation, Pages 101-125

Archival unit 101

From the President of the Baghdad Court of First Instance
To the Spiritual Head of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Number ⟦19⟧
⟦188⟧
Date August 8, 928
Please clarify for us the type of lawsuit recently filed by Jahla daughter of Baruch to prove her
deferred right these days, and whether she has presented the (marriage contract) to you in the aforementioned lawsuit,
as well as informing us of the procedure usually taken when a divorce decree is issued by the Rabbinate: is
the marriage contract retrieved from the wife or left in her hand? This is requested before the trial day falling on August 22,
928.
⟦illegible signature⟧
The President
⟦illegible circular stamp⟧
J. Y.

Archival unit 102

The Hakham Bashi
of the Israelite Community in Baghdad
Number: 2/256
Date: 25 December 928
His Eminence the President of the Spiritual Court, Respected
Subject: The case of Jahla daughter of Baruch
After greetings, below is a copy of the letter received by this department from His Eminence the Hakham Bashi
of Kirkuk in response to our recent inquiry to him as to whether Jahla daughter of Baruch was divorced from
her deceased husband or not.
May you remain in peace;
Acting Hakham Bashi
⟦line⟧
To the presence of the Acting Hakham Bashi of the Israelite Community in Baghdad, Respected
On 18 September 928
After greetings and respect, I respond to your letter numbered 126 and dated 9 September
928. As for Jahla daughter of Baruch, she is divorced, and before the arrival of your dear letter, the Single Judge
of Kirkuk asked me regarding the letter of Personal Status matters of Baghdad in this regard, and I gave them my answer
in writing and in detail, but I was surprised by the threat and severity contained in your letter regarding
your petitioner, and this is contrary to our hope from your kindness and care, and to you from us more respect, Sir;
Hakham Bashi of Kirkuk
(Seal and Signature)

Archival unit 103

To the presence of the Acting Chief Rabbi of the Israelite community in Baghdad, the respected
18 September 928
After greetings and respect, I reply to your letter numbered 126 and dated 9 September 928. As for
the daughter of Baruch, she is divorced, and before the arrival of your dear letter, the Sole Judge of Kirkuk handed me, with reference to the letter
of Personal Status matters of Baghdad regarding ⟦this⟧ specific matter, and your petitioner answered him in writing and in detail, and I was surprised by the ⟦estimation⟧
and the intensity that your letter contains regarding me and you, and this is contrary to our hope in the community and your care, and to you
from us further respect, Sir, Chief Rabbi of Kirkuk
The most humble
⟦illegible stamp with Arabic and Latin script⟧
1928
⟦illegible red ink marginalia⟧

Archival unit 104

Registered
Baghdad, July the 2nd 1935
To the Council of the
Jewish Community
Baghdad.
3/7
12
Sirs:
May I draw your
attention to the fact that
I have not yet received
your reply to my letter
dated June the 2nd 1935
concerning the house-contract
and the settlement of our
previous account.
Would you please
send me your reply
at your earliest ⟦convenience⟧
Yours ⟦faithfully⟧

Archival unit 105

Z. LAMPERT - Tokar
Alwaziyah 5/1
Baghdad.
Registered
To
The Council of the Jewish
Community
⟦Gamber Ali⟧ 152/113
Baghdad.
6 FILS IRAQ POSTAGE
10 FILS IRAQ POSTAGE
10 FILS IRAQ POSTAGE
Baghdad
BAGHDAD
3 JLY. 55
BAGHDAD
221
221
⟦...⟧ LY. 55

Archival unit 106

Presidency of the Jewish Community
in Baghdad
Telephone No. { 3531 President
5452 Secretary
Number:
Date:
Subject:
⟦illegible⟧

Archival unit 107

Baghdad 19 April 942
The Honorable President of the Jewish Community
After greetings and respect
Reference to your letter No. 6896 dated 31 March 942
We have received with thanks the check numbered 113342 and dated 27 March 942 which you received from
the Ministry of Social Affairs to be distributed to the poor from the amounts subscribed during the Poor Week
And we have distributed it to the poor registered with us in the form of food during the past Passover
With respect to your Excellency.
President of the Ozrei Dalim Society.
⟦illegible blue stamp/bleed-through⟧

Archival unit 108

Baghdad 19 April 942
The Honorable President of the Israelite Community
After greetings and respect
Reference to your letter No. 6896 dated 31 March 942
We received with thanks the check numbered 113342 and dated 27 March 942 which you received from
the Ministry of Social Affairs for distribution to the poor from the amounts subscribed during the Poor Week
And we have distributed it to the poor registered with us in the form of food during the past Passover
With respect to your Excellency.
President of the Ozrei Dalim Society.

Archival unit 109

Baghdad
1955
His Excellency the Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community, Respected
After greetings
The respected community previously sent its letter No. 55/284 dated 25/7/1955
to Dr. Sophia Tokar regarding a ⟦house⟧ from the community's properties and the payment of the rent due
from her on the basis of 200 Dinars annually, after deducting her share of the property, and the aforementioned
did not contact our respected community and did not pay the rent due from her, so we request your Excellency
to inform us how to proceed, and to you much thanks and respect
Property Officer
⟦illegible⟧
⟦His Excellency the Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Jewish Community, Respected⟧
⟦After greetings⟧
⟦Please kindly approve the disbursement of the amount of ...⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible⟧
⟦illegible stamp⟧

Archival unit 110

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

Archival unit 111

⟦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.

Archival unit 112

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

Archival unit 113

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

Archival unit 114

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

Archival unit 115

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
Rhodes
Rhodes, on the: ⟦line⟧
193:
569: ⟦line⟧
Rhodes,:
2.
Hebrew and Historical Subjects
Preparatory and Intermediate Course
a) Language - Preparation for understanding modern Hebrew texts, spoken Hebrew and writing, syntax, reading the Haggadah
and works of modern Hebrew literature, explanation of the prayers.
b) Grammar - Fundamental study of Hebrew grammar with appropriate exercises, historical grammar of the Hebrew language,
Biblical and Talmudic Aramaic grammar.
Bible a) The Five Books of the Torah with Rashi's commentary
b) Prophets and Writings: Joshua, Judges, Samuel I & II, Kings I & II, Ruth, Jonah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, The Twelve, selected chapters
from Psalms, Job, and Ecclesiastes.
c) History of Hebrew Literature in its special period for modern literature (for teachers)
History from the beginning of our history until our own days.
The Higher Course
Language and Literature, History of Hebrew Literature, the Biblical and Hellenistic period, Talmud and Midrash, the Spanish period,
Commentators of the Bible and the Talmud, the controversy between the servants of religion and the adherents of philosophy, Kabbalah, Hasidism, Maimonides,
and Humanism, religious courses, Rabbinic and Enlightenment literature, renewal in literature, the greats of the communities, modern
literature.
Bible a) Torah with Nachmanides' commentary and other commentators
b) Prophets and Writings: parts of Proverbs, Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles,
General introduction to the Bible.

Archival unit 116

RABBINICAL COLLEGE CONVILLO
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rabbinical Seminary in Rhodes
Greece
Rhodes, the: 193
⟦illegible⟧: 592
⟦illegible⟧: ⟦illegible⟧
Curriculum
The Higher Course (3 years)
This course was initially intended for the preparation of rabbis; from the Talmuds they go over Gittin and selected
books from the tractates Yevamot, Ketubot, Kiddushin ⟦illegible⟧
In the final year they deal with issues with commentators, introductions to the two Talmuds, introduction to the Bible
(Baraita) and studies of Halakhot.
Laws of Shabbat, Gittin, Yibbum and Chalitzah, prohibitions of entry through the laws of Mikvaot and Niddah.
In the last two years there are exercises in Halakhic questions, continuous study on the foundations of Hebrew
law, according to Asher Gulak's book "Foundations of Hebrew Law".
⟦illegible text visible through paper from reverse side⟧

Archival unit 117

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rhodes
Rhodes, on: ⟦line⟧
193:
569: ⟦line⟧
Rhodes,:
3
General Subjects
Lower Preparatory Course
(Lasts one year)
Grammar) The first foundations of language and grammar, reading and grammar exercises, small compositions, reading and Biblical tradition
of selected passages from the Torah and the Prophets, reading and explanation of selected passages from the childhood of classical authors.
Inflections, knowledge of style, integrated forms of the language in register according to its types.
History) Knowledge of Greco-Roman history (based on the curriculum in lower secondary schools).
Geography) Foundations of geography, Europe in general, Italy in particular.
Mathematics) 4 four operations, arithmetic with whole and decimal numbers, degree of exchange, prime numbers, greatest common
divisor, least common multiple, fractions, decimal numbers, proportions, simple average rule,
extraction of the square root and a bit on the cube table for extracting cube roots.
C. The first foundations of geometry.
French) Dictation exercises and compositions, translations from and to French, reading and storytelling exercises, knowledge of grammar and inflections
of the body with appropriate exercises (based on the curriculum of lower secondary schools)
The Secondary Course
Italian) Reading selected passages from prose and poetry, general overview of the history of Italian literature with consideration of the great
authors, in-depth reading of Italian prose and verse (based on the curriculum in upper secondary schools).
Italian compositions on subjects of geography and literature, attention will be devoted to the following authors:
Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Macchiavelli, Ariosto, Tasso, Parini,
Alfieri, Goldoni, Foscolo, Leopardi, Manzoni, Carducci, Pascoli.

Archival unit 118

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rabbinical Seminary and Boarding School
Rhodes
Rhodes, the ⟦illegible⟧ 193 569
Ancient history in known periods of our history,
Religious philosophy, history of religious philosophy, Saadia Gaon, Solomon ibn Gabirol, Bahya, The Kuzari, Maimonides
Maimonides and Halevi,
Weekly study schedule according to the different courses
Subjects | Preparatory Course Year: | Secondary | Upper
 | A B C | Year A Year B | Year A Year B
Mishnah and Talmud | 4 5 | 4 | 4
Poskim | 3 3 | 3 | 3
Theoretical sources on the Talmud | - - | - | 1
Bible translations | - - | - | 1
Hebrew, prayers | 3 3 | 3 | 3
Torah | 3 3 | 1 | 1
Prophets and Writings | - - | 2 | 2
Jewish history | 1 1 | 2 | 2
Jewish philosophy | - - | - | 1
Midrash | - - | - | 1
Pedagogy | - - | 1 | -
 | 14 15 | 16 | 19

Archival unit 119

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
Rabbinical Seminary Boarding School
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rhodes
4
History of Philosophy) Engagement with the important problems of philosophy, reading excerpts from selected philosophers.
Homiletics) Fundamental rules for composing sermons, different types of sermons, the value and purpose of the sermon, exercises
in sermons on various topics, examples of festive sermons, for exceptional cases, reading
and explanation of works dealing with Jewish ethics and morality.
Subjects | Preparatory Course Year 1 2 3 | Intermediate Course | Upper Course Year 1 2 3
Italian | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2
French | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3
Greek Literature | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | -
History of the East | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | -
General History | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | -
Geography | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | -
Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | - | - | -
Natural Sciences | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | - | - | -
History of Religions | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | -
History of Philosophy | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2
Homiletics | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2
 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 9

Archival unit 120

RABBINICAL COLLEGE BOARDING SCHOOL
RHODES (AEGEAN)
Rabbinical Seminary and Boarding School
Rhodes
Rhodes, on:
193: 9
569: 9
(History) History of the Middle Ages and the Modern Era with a special focus on 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 depth, exercises in translation and free dictionary writing. Historical overview of
French literature and reading works of the following authors:
Montaigne, Malherbe, Corneille, Molière, Racine, M-me de Sévigné,
La Fontaine, Fénelon, La Bruyère, Bossuet, Voltaire, J. J. Rousseau,
Buffon, Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, A. Chénier, M-me de Staël,
Chateaubriand, Lamartine, V. de Maistre, V. Hugo, A. de Musset,
A. Daudet, H. de Balzac, A. Dumas, A. France, F. Coppée,
L. Ratisbonne, P. Loti.
(Mathematics) Algebraic calculation: first-degree shares and linear years of machines, calculation of needs, second-degree
shares, simple years of higher-degree shares, foundations of plane and solid geometry.
(Natural Sciences) Knowledge in biology, botany, and mineralogy (based on the curricula in state institutions).
The Upper Course
(French) Reading and explanation of classical works, critical analysis and detailed study of authors, French-Hebrew exercises.
(Foreign Literatures) General overview of the important European literatures, reading excerpts of important selections.
(General History) Study of ancient culture and the selection of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Eretz Israel, Phoenicia, and Greece.
(History of Religions) Religions of primitive humans, Eastern religions, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, mystery religions,
monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism.

Archival unit 121

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

Archival unit 122

- 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.

Archival unit 123

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

Archival unit 124

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⟧ ⟦...⟧

Archival unit 125

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⟧
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