JOURNAL OF BABYLONIAN JEWRY PUBLISHED BY THE EXILARCH’S FOUNDATION ISSN 14 74 - 0230 www.thescribe.uk.com ISSUE 74 - AUTUMN 2001 Established 1971

A Happy New Year 5762 to all our Readers and Friends

ur babylonian Heritage - The Shrine of Ezra the Scribe in Southern Iraq on the bank of the Tigris. In the 5th century B.C.E., the Prophet Ezra Ha-Soffer recorded the Bible, changed the Hebrew Oalphabet to the current square script, introduced the Synagogue as the place of worship in lieu of the Temple and later led an aliyah to Jerusalem. It was said of Ezra that if the Torah had not been given to Moses, he would have been worthy to receive it. It would be desirable for a delegation to be sent to Iraq to inspect our Jewish shrines all over the country. Thoughts & Afterthoughts by Naim Dangoor After Auschwitz All European rorist acts against Jews are indeed our Man's Godly Attributes Culture is Trash enemies and must be regarded and treat- ed as if they themselves took part in the 99% of what we attribute to "God" is murder of the Six Million. he Holocaust represents a seismic due in fact to the momentum of history fault-line in the history and culture and geography. In short, the momentum ** Tof Europe, and, as such, it augures of nature – the momentum of creation, if a major future quake which would rank you like. (Kismet - Fate). He who sacrifices his principles for very high on the Richter scale. The other 1% is attributable to the material gain will, in the end, lose both God within us. For when we were creat- Nineve of old saved itself by under- his principles and his material gain. ed in the image of God we did not only going a complete and sincere repen- get the outside form but God gave us a tance, but the nations of Europe are not * * spark of love, a spark of justice, a spark willing to change their ways. Anti- of genius, a spark of wisdom, a share of Semitism, now in the guise of Anti- Faith goes further and deeper than rea- His attributes and it is this God within Zionism or anti-Israel is on the increase. son, but Faith must not contradict rea- us that we are trying to assert. One reason for this state of affairs is that son. Religion must adjust to scientific Israel means "one who struggles with no proper punishment was meted out to discoveries. the momentum of nature. Islam means to fit the crime of the genocide of the submit to the momentum of nature. Our Holocaust. ** destiny is to become Gods. It’s not too late to do so now to pun- ish our enemies. But who are our ene- Some people sow their wild oats at the * * mies, seeing that the perpetrators them- start of their careers; others do so at the selves are either dead or dying? end of their careers. Both approaches Racism is terrorism. The proper way to All those who deny the Holocaust, or are equally valid, it is all a matter of deal with it is by counter-terrorism. ♦ commit Anti-Semitism, or commit ter- priorities.

ord Rothschild, President of the Institution for Jewish Policy Research, organised a fund-raising last June at 11 Downing Street, official home of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to which 130 guests attended. The above photograph shows The LRt Honourable Gordon Brown, MP Chancellor of the Exchequor (on the right) listening attentively to Naim Dangoor’s pet theory of interest-free money. The Chancellor has already introduced a basic national dividend which can easily be linked to the working of an interest-free monetary system. Mrs Renée Dangoor looks on with amusement. ♦

2 The Scribe No.74 My Thoughts on Israel by Naim Dangoor or nearly 2,000 years we have been between Egypt and Babylon and between Commonwealth Jewish Council last year, praying and hoping for the return to Rome and Persia. Today, Israel’s depend- Francis Pym who was Foreign Minister FZion. Our generation has been privi- ence on American Jewry which, in every remarked in his speech that it was no leged to witness the rebirth of Israel. I way, is the modern counterpart of the longer true to say that the sun never sets therefore often ask myself, what are we Babylonian Diaspora could embroil the on the British Empire. But that it is true to doing here? Why are we not back in Israel? Jewish State in America’s problems. say that the sun never sets on the Jewish The answer lies in the difference between Thirdly, economics. It is said that Diaspora. The Diaspora can be looked religious Zionism and political Zionism. Israel is a nation of rich people in a poor upon as Israel’s Empire. There is no need country. The rich are the moneylenders for Israel to swallow up the communities From the early days of the Galuth, and those who are fortunate to own land of the Diaspora one after another. In the Babylonian Rabbis came to the conclu- and property. Have the prophets not absence of a Mashiyah, Diaspora Jews sion that Israel needs a Mashiyah to make denounced again and again the economic want by and large to stay put. The a radical change in its structure. It was no system whereby the rich get richer and Diaspora has no desire to liquidate itself. use reviving Israel with the old diseases the poor get poorer? As we see today, this However, under proper conditions many that killed it on two previous occasions. is particularly dangerous in a country more Jews would want to immigrate to Ezra’s reforms made the Galuth under the such as Israel. Israel. In the meantime there is a case for Torah self-sufficient and deferred ‘sine But the Torah forbade usury, i.e. inter- encouraging half-Aliyah whereby die’ the need for a Mashiyah. Jesus est on money. Moslem banking is an arti- Diaspora Jews can establish permanent opposed the Pharisees and Mohammed, ficial way to get around usury. The cor- second homes in the Holy Land. claiming that he came to revive the pure rect way is an interest-free monetary sys- Israel needs millions more people. religion of Abraham, arose as a direct tem, whereby money is issued in the But these can be produced from within reaction to the spread of the Talmud. name of the borrower and not in the name and would cost Israel less than immi- Jewish circles not within the Babylonian of the lender. grants. The national dividend can be tai- orbit widely opposed the Talmud and Likewise, the Torah forbade freehold lored to encourage large families. accepted Mohammed as a Gentile titles in land – "And land must not be sold Sixthly, a Mashiyah will give us a Mashiyah, such as the Jews of Arabia and in perpetuity" – and commanded the moral uplift and may also develop our the Jewish exiles in Afghanistan and Jubilee system which means in modern religion to realise the vision of Jeremiah Kashmir (the Pathans). terms, index-linked leasehold tenure with and Deutero-Isaiah when the whole It is said that history repeats itself. In rent reviews every fifty years. It would world accepts and submits to God’s rule. fact, like a good teacher, history only ensure that the land of Israel remains for- We must realise that the new Israel is repeats itself when the lesson is not ever in Jewish hands. part of a changed Middle East. learned. So what are the problems that a Fourthly, relations with the Arabs. But even in the absence of a Mashiyah has to solve? And where did Why did we weep then and why are we Mashiyah we should do our utmost to we go wrong? concerned today? Perhaps the next three facilitate his job. Firstly, that Eretz Yisrael by itself is words of the psalm can give the answer - Two thousand years ago, only the Jews too small as a viable homeland for the Al Arabim Betokha (because of the Arabs worshipped the One True God. Now three- Jewish people. While Israel is our nation- who were there). What is the sense of quarters of humanity submit to the God of al home, the whole Middle East is our offering full employment to Arabs in Israel. Single-handed, Mohammed created regional home. For a long time the Jews Israel or who come to Israel, while neigh- a new monotheistic religion on the lines of did occupy Hejaz and parts of the Yemen. bouring Arabs countries import labour the Revelations to Abraham and Moses, The Hebrews came from Arabia in the from India and Far East and while many having today two billion followers all over fourth wave of Amorite migration around Israeli Jews are forced to emigrate? the world. Islam does not conflict with the peninsula through Kuwait and Iraq Perhaps to their detriment, Jews never Judaism but confirms it. We should have and thence to Canaan. All this shows our tried to drive out natives from Israel. It no difficulty in acknowledging that there historic connections with all parts of the was the Arabs who applied such a policy is no God but Allah and that Mohammed region. Israel should aim for a kind of so that by massacres, conversions and was his missionary. The conflict started confederation, based on the communal forced emigration they made Arabia when Mohammed tried to convert the autonomy that was applied by the 100% free of Jews until now. Jews, and the Jews rightly refused because Ottoman Empire. In a sense Israel’s The Arabs accuse Israel of being they already acknowledge God. Just as strategic frontiers are on the borders of expansionist but it is the Arabs them- Christian-Jewish enmity started not Iran and Turkey. selves who have been expanding since because of the baseless accusation of "dei- Secondly, that Israel must not be the rise of Islam. cide", but because Jews refused to convert caught in superpower politics. The Fifthly, Aliyah. to a paganised Christianity. ♦ defeats of 586 BCE and 70 BCE were the At the inauguration of the outcome of involvement in the struggle

To those who say Zionism is responsible for all the trouble in Palestine, We say Arab imperialism is responsible for all the trouble in the Middle-East.

3 The Scribe No.74 Shlomo Hillel in London ast May, former Knesset speaker opportunity to express, if I may, my autonomous communities which was Shlomo Hillel paid a ten day pri- thoughts on the endemic Middle-East changed over arbitrarily to a number of Lvate visit to London with his wife problems. nation states to suit the ambitions of the Temima and their daughter Hagar who Israel is accused of occupying Arab imperialists’ conquerors. was researching old documents at the land, and of persecuting and oppressing Alarmed by the news that Iraq was Public Records Office at Kew. Palestinian Arabs. What are the facts? going to be given to Arab rule, the Jews Since 1948, a hundred new nations of Iraq petitioned to become British sub- Baghdad-born Mr Hillel emigrated came into being and are now living in jects. But the petition was turned down. with his family to Palestine in 1934 at the peace and security, while the Jewish state Among the petitioners are the following: age of eleven. He returned to Baghdad on remains a festering sore. Where did we President of the Jewish Lay Committee - an Iraqi passport in 1946, staying there go wrong? Shaul Hakham Heskel for one year. He was again in Baghdad in Forget about the Balfour Declaration Acting Chief Rabbi and President of 1950 to negotiate the mass immigration which became a dead letter soon after it Religious Council - of the Jews of Iraq in the historic received the smudged signature of its Operation of Ezra & Nehemia. author. Forget about political Zionism Hakham Moshi Shamash During his stay, a reception was held which managed to uproot the Jews of Yehuda Zelouf in his honour at the Mayfair headquarters Europe and of Arab countries but failed Menahem Daniel of the Exilarch’s Foundation when he to completely repossess our ancient Sasson Khezzam was welcomed by leading members of homeland. Murad Djouri the Iraqi Jewish community. To understand and evaluate the Arab- Yehouda Y Noonoo Jewish problem of the last eighty years, Sion E Dangoor Following is Naim Dangoor’s welcoming we must realise that it is not simply a con- A H Elkebir speech: flict between Israelis and Palestinians as, Abraham Hayim (Shabander) It gives me great pleasure to welcome unfortunately it has been narrowed down ShaoulShashoua to our midst Babylonian Jewry’s to become. In fact, it is a wider, regional Abraham Haim (Aqerib) favourite son, the honourable Shlomo problem. But Israel has managed to drive Hillel, Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the herself into a corner, allowing the Arabs For 2,500 years the Jews had a promi- Knesset, Chairman of Keren Hayasod, to proclaim, "what is ours is ours, and nent position in Iraq, a thousand years who was the prime mover of the historic what is yours is also ours". before the Arab invasion, a position operation Ezra and Nehemia in 1950-51 With the dismemberment of the which was maintained throughout the by which most of the Jews of Iraq made Ottoman Empire in the First World War, Persian, the Abbasid, the Mongol and the the Aliyah to Israel for which we were the Arabs were given all the benefits in Ottoman Empires. For all that period of waiting for generations and centuries. the region. twenty five centuries the head of the Shlomo was recently awarded the In particular, Iraq was not entirely Jewish community in Iraq was the Freedom of Jerusalem and I take this Arab, but was given over to Arab rule to Exchequer of the Empire ... a position opportunity to extend to you our hearti- the exclusion of the other nationalities, which continued to the early years of est congratulations for this well merited especially the Jews and the Kurds. modern Iraq in that the Minister of honour. Turkey ruled the Middle-East for 401 Finance and pillar of the government was I would like to take this auspicious years under a successful millet system of Sir Sasson Heskel. ☛

The above picture shows left to right: Renée Dangoor - David standing (reading his father, Naim Dangoor’s welcoming Speech, who is sitting next); Shlomo Hillel, Abdullah Dangoor; Doreen Dangoor; Maurice Khalastchi; Menahem Barukh; Eliahou Abraham; David Khalastchy; Abraham Fattal [Photograph by Eileen Khalastchy]

4 The Scribe No.74 Ashkenazim should not be afraid to put forward the right of Jews from Arab countries, to support Jewish claims in the region, especially in the important matter of the exchange of refugees. The problem of the Middle-East is regional. We only ignore that to our peril. The exile to Babylonia was to demon- strate that the Middle-East is one region. There can be no peace in Israel unless Iraq is pacified. Like a good teacher, his- tory will keep repeating itself until the lesson is learned. Saddam has rebuilt Babylon and is training an army to liber- ate Palestine. Why are we waiting? Dear Shlomo, in conclusion, I believe that you can still play a big part in shaping the future policy of Israel. ♦ ℘℘℘℘℘

Jews expelled from Arab The honourable Shlomo Hillel receiving the Freedom of Jerusalem from Mayor Ehud Olmert Countries left behind $30bn in …When Miss Bell once asked the Iraqi There can only be an imposed settle- assets Prime Minister Abdul Rahman al-Naqib a ment on the basis that Israel would cover EL AVIV (January 3) - Jews who certain question about Iraq, he replied, I the whole of Palestine West of the River emigrated from Arab countries don’t deal in politics; please ask Sasson Jordan, and the Arabs including Israeli Tbetween 1922 and 1952 left behind Effendi" (who was present). Arabs who now call themselves an estimated $30 billion in assets, accord- The last Ottoman report on the Palestinians in Israel, should be given ing to former internal security minister Vilayet of Baghdad gave the number of autonomy of people, but not of land Moshe Shahal, who chairs a world organ- Jews as 80,000 out of a total population based on the Ottoman millet system, ization of Jews from Arab countries. of 202,000, which included Moslems, which in fact is what the Albanians are Christians and Kurds. now demanding in Yugoslavia. Arafat, is Shahal told a news conference in Tel Under the self-determination princi- of the Hussaini family, which is of Aviv that the organization was raising ple, Ottoman Jews in Iraq, Syria and Albanian origin, a nephew of Amin the issue to balance the claims of Palestine, should have been allocated at Husseini, the notorious Mufti of Palestinian refugees in the peace negoti- least 20,000 square miles, which is Jerusalem who met Hitler in November ations. He maintained that Jews should greater than the total area of Israel and 1941, when he assured him of Arab sup- also be compensated for having been the so-called occupied territories. port for Germany in return for not letting exiled from Arab countries, including Trans-Jordan was part of the Palestine Jews get out of Europe which also suited Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Mandate and its separation in 1921 British policy with regard to Jewish Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. should have been regarded as the nation- immigration to Palestine. Shahal said that a political settlement al home of the Palestinian Arabs, who Palestinians often ask why should with the Palestinians should take into with Zionist money went over and bought they suffer for what Hitler did to the account that some 850,000 Jews once lands cheap there and prospered. Jews. The answer is that they played an lived in these countries. Many were In the early twenties, Jews and Arabs important part in the Holocaust. The stripped of their assets and expelled in were considered natural allies. Thus Arabs, who were on the side of Hitler, the aftermath of Israel’s establishment in when King Feisal made an official visit to received all the benefits of World War II 1948, or due to the rise of Arab national- the Jewish Community in Baghdad in while the Jews, who were on the side of ism in the 20th century. 1924 he asked my grandfather, Chief the Allies, are still struggling for a coastal In all, some 600,000 Jews emigrated Rabbi Hakham Ezra Dangoor, if the Jews strip of rocky territory. from Arab countries, while other Jews of of Iraq were Zionists. To the satisfaction The principle of land for peace must Middle Eastern origin emigrated from of Feisal, my grandfather replied... "We apply to Syria. She must give away the elsewhere. are all Zionists since we pray three times whole Golan for the sake of peace with Shahal said his organization planned a day for the return to Zion". Israel. to submit a report about public Jewish Where do we go from here? There is no room for a separate property in Arab countries, on the basis Israel frittered away all the gains of Palestinian state. of affidavits submitted by people once the Six Day War. That was the time to Israel should apply the Biblical involved in community affairs in those finalise the Palestinian problem. Jubilee fifty year system all over the countries. It seems to me that there can no country to ensure that the land of Israel In his statements after the Camp David longer be a negotiated settlement with will remain forever in the hands of the summit in July, US President Bill Clinton Arafat that the Jews could afford to Jewish people. mentioned the need to resolve the issue of make and the Arabs would accept in the Arabs have proved themselves unable Jews in Israel and abroad who became long run. and unwilling to live at peace with Israel. refugees due to Israel’s founding. ♦

5 The Scribe No.74 Israeli Statistic From : Dr Zvi Shtauber he latest economic figures for the Israeli Ambassador - London State of Israel show that the Jewish Dear Mr Dangoor Moreover, history has taught us that TState of Israel is one of the leading would like to thank you most sincere- there can be no real peace for Israel five nations in the world in technology. ly for sending me a copy of The unless Iraq is tamed. 2,500 years ago The gross national income reached 110 IScribe. The issues raised in the Nebuchadnezzar was subdued by King billion dollars. Israel’s export amounts to Journal of Babylonian Jewry present an Cyrus. Luckily the United States is will- 40 billion dollars. The average income per important insight into Diaspora and ing and eager to tame Saddam, the latter- capita was 18 thousand dollars. indeed Israeli life. day self-proclaimed Nebuchadnezzar, and this process should really take place Israel’s budget for 2001 is 60 billion I note that this year sees the 30th within the Middle East peace settlement. dollars "which nearly equals the budgets anniversary of your publication. May I There are a number of other problems of all the Arab countries". take this opportunity to congratulate you like the Kurds that could be solved under Before World War II there were 20 and wish you every continued success in the same umbrella. million Jews and two million Moslems in the future of The Scribe. Europe. Now the figures are 20 million Labour’s announcement to join the government of national unity is a good Moslems and two million Jews. ** According to Mr Ben-Porat there are starting point. 305 thousand Iraqi Jews in Israel and Dear Mr Shtauber Naim Dangoor elsewhere. Although this figure appears any thanks for your most kind let- too low, considering that they were over ter and for your good wishes on ** 160 thousand fifty years ago. However, a the occasion of The Scribe’s 30th close scrutiny reveals that the correct fig- M anniversary, which I was not mindful of! ure is not even 305 thousand. The latest Dear Naim official statistics in Israel show that Jews Allow me to welcome and congratulate ust a quick note to thank you for your of Iraqi origin number 252 thousand. Add you in your position as Israel’s Ambassador, fax and interesting article "Where did to that 20 thousand in the United States, not only to the Court of St James but also to Jwe go wrong" of 10 July, we hope to 8,000 in the UK, 2 thousand in Canada, 2 the Jewish communities of the United be able to use this in our information work. Kingdom. I hope to have the opportunity to thousand in Australia and the Far East, Once again, I would like to thank you liaise in matters of mutual interest. I recall I we have a total of only 284 thousand! for your continued help and solidarity was sitting next to you at the meeting with According to former President with Israel at this most troubling time. Navon, the average number of children Prime Minister Ehud Barak early last year, when I noted your sympathy for the rights of for a Jewish family in Israel is only 1.6, Dr Zvi Shtauber not enough even to replace the previous Jews from Arab lands. I feel sorry that Israel now finds her- generation, whereas the Palestinians are ** doubling and re-doubling their members self dealing with the growing Palestinian problem all alone, having released, in every generation. Add to that, that a mil- Mr Eli Yerushalmi practice, all Arab countries from any lion Jews have already left Israel, we can Minister Councillor for Public Affairs responsibility in this regard. see that there is going to be a serious Embassy of Israel demographic crisis in Israel in the years A Palestinian peace settlement, espe- cially as regards refugees and compensa- to come. But according to Mr Navon, Dear Mr Yerushalmi tion, can only be achieved in a Regional Jews prefer quality to quantity, by which t pained me to hear this morning the context to involve all countries that went it means that Jews prefer a television, a BBC Radio 4 interrogator questioning to war against Israel. Egypt and Jordan computer, a motor car and a freezer to the Israeli spokesman about Israel’s more babies. who are enjoying bilateral peace treaties I army incursion into PA territories and should also be involved in a Regional Just before the Six Day War, Israel "assassinating" suspected terrorists, instead peace settlement. was going through a crisis not dissimilar of arresting them and bringing them to jus- to the present day situation. Jews were tice. His reply that Israel has no power to ** leaving the country in great numbers in enter and arrest people inside Palestinian t was a great evening yesterday, for search of greener pastures, and the joke areas does not sound satisfactory. was that a large notice was affixed at the Israel and for the Bonds. Ben Gurion airport that the last person to I When I was an officer in the army (i.e. the Iraqi army) we were taught the leave, let him please switch off the lights! Syria has inadvertently walked straight doctrine of "Hot Pursuit" which allows a Let us hope that the present situation will into my trap by declaring that there will be State to enter a neighbouring State in pur- also end up in a political triumph of the no separate peace deal with Israel, but only ♦ suit of an enemy and dealing with that magnitude of the Six Day War. one jointly with the Palestinian negotia- enemy in a warlike manner. It seems to ℘℘℘℘℘ tions. This is a welcome development that me this is what Israel has been doing should be acknowledged and endorsed by legitimately. This is what Turkey is con- Israel. It makes the peace negotiations a Quote… tinuously doing in Northern Iraq. regional matter which can impose on Syria Ability is of little account Is there a vacancy for me in the the principle of land for peace, i.e. Syria without opportunity Cabinet? ♦ has to cede the Golan Heights if she wants Naim Dangoor Napoleon Bonaparte to make peace with Israel.

6 The Scribe No.74 1 February 2001 WOJAC read with pleasure the latest issue of "The Scribe" and I want to congratu- Dear Mr Dangoor 13 November 2000 Ilate you on both the design and the Dear Mr Shachal packaging. t is with pleasure that we are informing I do want to call your attention, Naim, you that the General Assembly of irst, let me congratulate you on to the matter of compensation for proper- IWOJAC, in its meeting of 3.10.2000, your election as Chairman of the ty. Before I resigned as Co-Chairman of elected the Honorable Moshe Shachal, for- FPresidium of WOJAC, especially WOJAC, I approved the decision that mer Cabinet Minister and Member of after WOJAC first decided to fold up and was published and sent to the Foreign Knesset, as Chairman of the Presidium of put the organisation into liquidation. Now Ministry of Israel. If a situation should the Organisation. Advocate Moshe Shachal that WOJAC has now come back from arise, wherein the State of Israel should immigrated to Israel from Iraq, served as the cold I, as a member of the Presidium, agree to balance the claims of Jews from Member of Knesset for 29 years, as Deputy feel a bit confused. Please let me know Arab countries against the claims of the Speaker of the House for ten years and was what the aim is in reviving WOJAC, who Palestinians for properties left in Israel, in office as Cabinet Minister for 12 years is financing this revival, is it going to be then it is clear that compensation is due to with four governments - as Minister of a tool of the Israeli government to cancel Jews from the Arab countries, and that Energy and Infrastructure, Minister of the claims of the Palestinians? If so can this compensation will be the burden on Communication and of Minister of Internal that set-off include the property of Jews the budget of the State of Israel. Security; he also fulfilled the role of from Arab countries who never went to A second issue is that it is not true Permanent Observer at the Council of Israel? If not, who is going to look after WOJAC is only interested demanding the Europe and as Permanent Representative at the claims from Jews of Arab countries rights of Israeli citizens. The opposite is the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Currently who never went to Israel? true. WOJAC is concerned with all the he is head of one of the leading law firms I have been in touch with Judge people who have left property in the Arab in Israel. Avraham Sofaer regarding such claims countries, whether they are in Israel or in We hope to convene an international but now the whole matter is again in the other countries. conference in the course of the year 2001, melting pot. Where do we go from here? Another thing is that it is most impor- with the participation of the representa- Are our claims going to be in millions tant not to create confrontations between tives of WOJAC worldwide, in order to or in billions? Whom are we going to the Jews from Arab countries and the outline the policy and ways of action of claim against? Palestinians. The solution that I have pro- the Organization in Israel and throughout Kindly let me know in order to satis- posed for the last ten years is that there the world concerning the claims of the fy my curiosity. should be an international fund that Jews originating from Arab countries for would compensate all those who have their property that was confiscated and Naim Dangoor legitimate claims, whether they be expropriated when they left their coun- Palestinians or Jews from Arab countries. tries of origin due to persecution and Reply: The suggestions of former President of threat to their life and safety. The A New Lease of Life for WOJAC the U.S., Mr Clinton, is a wise one that Organisation will claim compensation on would answer this need. That is, that behalf of the Jews originating from Arab hank you for your letter of 13 eight wealthy countries, and in this I countries worldwide for suffering, November 2000. include the wealthy Arab countries and oppression and the loss of communal and the State of Israel, would create a fund for T this purpose. private property abandoned in their coun- tries of origin. I was asked by my good friends to be I enclose a research paper by ITA- The Organisation will appeal to pub- the Chairman of the Presidium of MAR LEVIN concerning Jewish proper- lic opinion in the United States and the WOJAC after the last Camp David peace ties in Arab countries. rest of the democratic world and demand talks where the question of the refugees, that the rights of Jews from Arab coun- from both sides, was included in the Chairman of the Centre tries be ensured and realised. agenda, and President Clinton declared Mordechai Ben-Porat that all refugees, Arabs and Jews should Tel Aviv, Israel Shimon Avizemer be compensated. Scribe: Secretary-General We asked the Government of Israel, According to the research paper by and the Jewish Agency, to support Itamar Levin mentioned in the above let- WOJAC and to finance its activities for ter, the top estimate of Jewish assets left ♦ Copy: The Honorable Moshe Shachal, the next year. behind in Iraq amounts to $4 billion in Chairman of the Presidium today’s value. Mr Oved Benozair, Chairman of the Tel Aviv M. Shachal – Adv The policy of the Israeli government World Executive M Shachal & Co Law Offices ever since 1951 concerning the Jewish assets left behind in Iraq is stated in Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett declara- tion at the Knesset on 19 March 1951 vis: This issue of The Scribe is now on the internet at "The government of Israel notifies the www.scribe1.com appropriate UN institutions, that we will reckon the value of Jewish property ☛

7 The Scribe No.74 …frozen in Iraq in making the account of the compensation we have undertaken to From Kensington & Chelsea WIZO pay Arabs who have abandoned property Dear Mr Dangoor Dear Mrs Hodes in Israel." am writing to thank you most sincere- hank you for your letter explain- The Jewish community of Iraq as a ly for your kind donation to our ing the work of the WIZO and whole have also a right to claim a share of ISummer Lunch and to tell you a little Tthe various projects which you the wealth of the country they were of why we are raising money for WIZO have undertaken, to make life easier for forced to leave. and where our money goes. various people (which I presume includes Israeli Arabs). Naim Dangoor’s reply to Mr Ben-Porat: Over eighty years ago in 1918, the British Federation of the Women’s I recently watched a television pro- Thank you for your letter explaining International Zionist Organisation was gramme on cave dwellers in Mount the position of WOJAC, which we shall created in Manchester and at that time Carmel 15,000 years ago – one cave was include in The Scribe. Rebecca Sieff and her colleagues were occupied by human s and the other by The question remains that if Jews eager to organise social and welfare serv- Neanderthals. The Neanderthals vanished from Arab countries are entitled to com- ices for the pioneers in Palestine. The from the surface of the earth because they pensation from funds personally held by underlying principles of WIZO remain as did not reproduce sufficiently to replace Israel, why do they have to wait until the relevant to Israel today as they were in previous generations. It is as simple as that. whole generation is dead? ♦ pre-State Palestine. Recently, former President Yitzchak There are now in Israel today a WIZO Navon gave a talk at our synagogue when network of 800 projects and services he explained to us that merely a quarter Congratulations to ranging from daycare centres, special of Israelis now live abroad, another quar- Mordechai Ben Porat schools, youth clubs and WIZO family ter being religious do not want to fight for centres. WIZO also plays a significant Israel. The remaining Israelis are only ongratulations to Iraqi born role in supporting the socially oppressed producing 1.6 children per couple, while Mordechai Ben Porat who was and with the mass immigration of the Palestinians and other Arabs are doubling Cone of three recent recipients of many poor immigrants. and re-doubling every generation. the Israel Prize. The other two were, The Kensington & Chelsea WIZO This is our problem and WIZO would Yitzhak Shamir 86 and Abba Eban 86. Mr group was started over 40 years ago by an do well to tackle this anomaly. We need Ben-Porat was cited for his work in the enthusiastic and energetic group of quantity more than quality. It is a matter Hagana and later risking his life while women, most of whom are sadly no of life and death. ♦ organising a wave of immigration from longer with us. They decided to raise ℘℘℘℘℘ Iraq, which brought some 120,000 Jews money and build their own Mother and to Israel from 1949-1951. Baby Home (as they were then called) for am very impressed with your online WIZO and with the help of money from Later he served as head of the Or publication as well as your links page. I husbands, parents and many friends, they Yehuda local Council then as a Knesset Ithink it is wonderful that you are record- were soon able to lay the foundation Member and Cabinet Minister in the ing Iraqi Jewish history and current events. stone in Kiryat Nordau for the home 1980’s. Ben Porat, who also founded a My father escaped Baghdad and came to which has now been in operation for well centre for Iraqi Jewish heritage, was cited the United States, and I am very interested over 30 years. These Mother & Baby for having contributed to Zionist educa- in learning more about my homes are now called Day Centres and tion, love and protection of his homeland. Sephardic/Mizrachi heritage. I would also The Kiryat Nordau Day Centre caters for Recently the Hahagana Street in Or like to meet other Jews of Iraqi ancestry. Do poor immigrant children who are looked Yehuda was re-named the Ben Porat you know if there are any online communi- after all day, receiving food and care. Avenue in his honour. ♦ ties (such as email groups or web-based Unfortunately, we as a group can no newsgroups) of Iraqi Jews? I would think longer fully maintain the upkeep for this that in these days of the internet it would be centre, which is now under the general fairly easy to form an online community for ℘℘℘℘℘ umbrella of WIZO, but our commitment sharing stories and meeting people. I would to WIZO is directed to help in the gener- also like to know if there are any Iraqi al umbrella of WIZO, but our commit- Jewish organisations, either cultural or reli- ment to WIZO is directed to help in the gious, in the Maryland or central New To Crack a "Nut" general maintenance of the Kiryat Jersey/Philadelphia areas. I feel somewhat Nordau Day Centre and we are happy to separated from my culture due to living in a o legislate against the ownership of know that in our way we are participating majority Ashkenazi Jewish culture. Any hand guns in order to prevent eth- with WIZO in helping with their many information you can provide will be greatly Tnic crime, is a case of cracking a commitments in Israel. appreciated. Thank you. nut with a steam roller. A determined It is with the generosity of people like Yvonne Violet Shashoua criminal can always get hold of his yourself that make our efforts worthwhile email: [email protected] weapon. Nip the crime in the bud. and help us to continue. Preaching ethnic violence should be treat- Attached with our grateful thanks is There is a site on the internet of Iraqi ed as first-degree murder, carrying top our official receipt. penalties. This is the most correct way of Jews which might be helpful: http://thesite2000.virtualave.net/iraqi- treating racist nutcases who achieve wide- Jane Hodes jews/index1.html ♦ spread publicity by their crimes. ♦ Treasurer

8 The Scribe No.74 Questions and Answers without distinction of race, colour, creed oing through my papers, I found or language, an idea that many reac- a visa issued to my father in 1929 tionary people are unwilling to accept by the U.S. Consul in Baghdad. Question from Linda Dangoor- G even today. This clearly shows the great- What intrigues me is how he managed to Khalastchi: ness of our traditions. make the trip from Beirut to New York How can we reconcile the Jewish year with no language skills other than Arabic. 5762, said to be "to the Creation", with Once in the U.S. he had no difficulty as the claim of scientists that the universe See Article "In the Footsteps of Adam" he was guided by his younger brother, came into being 15 billion years ago? elsewhere in this issue. ♦ Saul, whom he had sent to New York a Answer by Naim Dangoor: ℘℘℘℘℘ few years earlier to manage the business he rabbinic belief is that our civil- office he had opened there. Letter to the Editor isation is destined to last 6,000 As far as I can remember, he was a Jewish Chronicle Tyears when it will come to a cata- seasoned traveller. In his youth he cov- clysmic end, and a new sequence will ered the eastern coast of Arabia, with his Sir start all over again! The explanation is father, on numerous trading voyages. that there have been many such phases MORE THAN ONE MOSES? They must have felt safe enough to make before. There is, however, no biblical by Stephen Rosenberg these trips. I recall his telling me that he foundation to this theory. (J.C. 8.12.2000) once was asked by a local Sheikh to con- The Book of Genesis deals with two vert to Islam, as he, the Sheikh, wished to distinct events – one is God’s creation of ameses II was not the Pharaoh of adopt him. He, of course, declined the the universe out of nothing for which the the Exodus, as is commonly and offer and remained on excellent terms Hebrew word "bara" is used, and the sec- Rerroneously supposed. The with them, particularly with Sheikh ond event is the creation of mankind from Exodus took place in the reign of his son, Mubarak Al Sabah, the founder of the dust of the earth for which the Hebrew Merneptah, in the first year of his reign, present ruling clan of Kuwait, who had word "yatzar" is used. It records what when a general amnesty was proclaimed neutralised his brothers in order to retain could be remembered of the story of as was customary, which allowed Moses the "Emirate" in his own line. Adam’s generations, inventor of agricul- to return to Egypt from his exile. During the First World War, my father ture, and thus becoming Father of our moved the family to Kuwait where he civilisation. The Jewish year is arrived at There is no difficulty in reconciling was, obviously, very much at ease. My by adding together all that was remem- the biblical narrative with historical mother became a close friend of the bered of the generations of Adam. dates: "Now there arose up a new king Sheikh’s favourite wife, Um Saoud. However, the invention of agriculture over Egypt, which knew not Joseph" (Ex. Among the stories I remember is the one took place, not 5672 years ago, but a lit- Chapter I:8). That refers to Rameses I, the about Um Saoud telling my mother that tle earlier, 9000 years ago. nationalist king who started the 19th she remembers being kidnapped, as a It is notable that the Jewish year is Dynasty and who imposed the harsh child, while she was playing in the street denoted by Jews "layetsera" by which is labour regime on the Israelites. "And it in a big city whose name she could not meant "to (the creation of) Adam" in con- came to pass in the course of those many remember. She was brought up by her trast to the the latin term "Anno Mundi" days, that the king of Egypt died" (Ex. kidnappers and somehow ended up in meaning "to (the creation of) the world". Chapter II:23). That refers to the death of Kuwait. Judging by the "European" fea- That figure 4004 BCE was worked Rameses II after his extraordinarily long tures of her children, she was, probably out by Bishop Ussher who was obviously reign. from the Balkans. We remained friends reading a Greek translation of the Bible. The Exodus took place in 1236 BCE with the Sabahs until the recent events He gave creation as 6 pm on Friday and can be said to be 430 years from made it difficult. autumn equinox, being the end of the when the migrant labour of Canaanites Such friendly relations between week of creation rather than its beginning and Israelites came to Egypt in 1666 Moslems and Jews, was the norm until at the time of the Big Bang. The Hebrew BCE. In 1659 the Hyksos rulers invaded recent events soured them. I remember Bible gives the day as morning to morn- and in 1550 they were driven out. These when I was returning from school in ing and not as evening to evening. events refer only to their rulers – the India in 1943, the ship I was on stopped labourers stayed on. in Bahrain to pick up the ruler, Sheikh al- Further question by Linda: The repeated encounters between Khalifa, who was on his way to Kuwait. Thanks for the information, but isn’t Moses and Merneptah shows that the new Since I was the only Arabic speaking pas- it presumtuous of Jews to date our calen- pharoah had a sympathetic ear to Moses’ senger on a British boat, I spent a lot of dar to Adam as if he belongs to us exclu- demands to "let my people go" but was time talking to him. He showed what I sively, whereas he is supposed to be the overuled by the powerful priesthood. The can only call keen and all but fatherly Father of all Mankind? young king told Moses on departing to interest in my studies and future plans. bless him also, Ex. XII: 32. The Egyptian Once in Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad al Sabah, Further answer: army chased the fleeing Israelites when it who was a close friend of my family, was realised the amount of looting that dam is mentioned only in the came on board to receive his visitor. I took place. Jewish Bible and in no other con- asked permission to take a picture of As far as Jericho is concerned that temporary or earlier source. Our them, and they kindly posed for one. I A was another place and another time. ♦ Bible clearly shows Adam as the Father find it very sad that such good relations of all mankind which confirms our had to end in the present bitterness. ♦ Naim Dangoor beliefs in the brotherhood of all mankind Montreal Naim S Mahlab

9 The Scribe No.74 Scribe: The Uniqueness of the Holocaust he reason why commemorating the Holocaust has become neces- Dear Dr Levene The reason why it took a long sary is that after so many years it time for World Jewry to shout about the T has become possible to deny the Holocaust is the appearance of have gone through your thesis which Holocaust and to consign to the realm of Holocaust denials. It is becoming as if you kindly sent us. In reply for your fictions, that in turn became possible Neo-Nazi’s will get away with this great- Iquest on the uniqueness of the because the perpetrators of the Holocaust est crime in human history. In my view Holocaust as distinct from other erup- were not punished properly. tions of genocides that have taken place those who deny the Holocaust should be since the end of World War II, the treated as if they took part in it. If, at the end of the war a number of atom bombs were thrown on Berlin, in Holocaust was unique because… The trouble with the activity of punishment and retribution for what the Holocaust education establishments is 1) It was not the result of a sectarian Germans did during the war, then that that they do not bring out these points. war between two communities, would have been a sufficient reminder of Unless they stress these values, any but the determined act of a west- the inhuman crimes that nation had com- attempt to remember the Holocaust ern power which claims high mitted. In other words, the punishment becomes meaningless, a) because not moral values metered out to German leaders did not fit enough Jews are left to say it must not the crime. happen again and b) it has been happen- 2) The six million died as hostages Unfortunately Israel agreed to keep ing again in other countries. for the free world in accordance quiet in return for the billions that with Hitler’s threat in 1939 Naim Dangoor Germany paid in reparations. Likewise, Israel agreed to Britain’s request at the end of the war not to touch the Mufti, Amin Husseini, for his direct role in stop- National Holocaust Memorial Day ping European Jews from seeking refuge by Percy Gourgey MBE elsewhere, in order to prevent them from ending up in Palestine. During the war the objective of the Mufti and his However Bulgaria refused to allow the was very pleased to have attended the Palestinians entourage were identical Nazi occupiers to take her Jewish citi- first National Holocaust Memorial Day with those of the British Foreign Office. zens, showing countries could have resis- Ievent held at Central Hall, Westminster They both wanted to prevent Jews from ted the brutal Nazis if they chose to do so. on 27 January 2001 – the day in 1945 when reaching the Middle East. The ex-Mufti recruited Bosnian Muslims Russian troops entered Auschwitz to liber- It is not too late to take the view at all to join Rommel’s Nazi Army in case it ate the survivors of the largest Nazi exter- those who deny the Holocaust should be invaded Palestine under British Mandate mination camp scene of the mass murder regarded as if they had taken part in it and in the Second World War. of 11/2 million people, mostly Jews. should thus be punished accordingly. ♦ On 15 December 1942 the House of It was addressed by Tony Blair, Prime Commons held a special session at the ℘℘℘℘℘ Minister, and Chief Rabbi Jonathan suggestion of Sidney Silverman MP, Sacks, amongst others. The Prince of Chairman of the British section of the Wales lit the first memorial candle on Holocaust Remembrance World Jewish Congress when news was behalf of the nation. We heard speeches received of Hitler’s "Final Solution" by Ben Helfgott and Roaman Halter, "Those who do not remember the past plans drawn up at the infamous Wansee Holocaust survivors, and our Sam are condemned to repeat it". The term Conference earlier that year, Prime Freiman sat amongst other survivors. "Holocaust" which originally referred to Minister Churchill stated that the There were telling films of the poor vic- the genocide of European Jewry by the "German war criminals would be pursued tims of the Nazis, the war and survivor German beasts, has now been appropriat- to the ends of the earth". Unfortunately stories, readings by famous actors and ed by the rest of the world to cover minor this was not done efficiently and many actresses and other performances – all outbreaks of genocide. Remembering the escaped together with post-war mass most moving. Holocaust may be of some use but it can murderers in Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq I represent Sephardim on the Board of also remind the extreme right what under Saddam Hussein (against the Deputies Yad Vashem Committee, and crimes can be committed with impunity. Kurds in 1989) and elsewhere. was hoping there would be reference to In so far as the Jews are concerned, But the Holocaust against the Jews Sephardim, mainly from Salonika, who remembering offers no remedy. Racial was unique in that for the first time in his- perished in Auschwitz. They were massa- and religious anti-Semitism are merely tory a supposedly civilised nation resort- cred there at the instigation of the notori- on the back burner because no proper ed to scientific, modern industrial and ous ex-Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al- punishment was meted out to our ene- technological methods to exterminate Husseini who drew Hitler’s attention to mies for their previous crimes. But where populations under its control. Hence the their existence in the Balkans, in can we find our enemies now? All those value of this Memorial Day to educate November 1941. Over 60,000 were taken who say the Holocaust did not take place, future generations, so very necessary. from Greece despite the appeal from the all those who say Hitler was right, all The Imperial War Museum Exhibition Greek Orthodox Archbishop Damaskinos those who say "Kill the Jews" should be is well worth visiting for this purpose. and other prominent Greeks who praised punished as if they had committed the ♦ the patriotism of the Sephardi Jews. Holocaust themselves.

10 The Scribe No.74 Holocaust Remembrance Was Britain Actively Involved in the Holocaust? Day, 27 January n 1917 Britain issued the Balfour The nagging question remains, there- Declaration in order to bring the fore – Is it possible that the British gov- n the occasion of the Holocaust United States to join the Allies in the ernment was actively involved in the Remembrance Day, 27 January, it I war against Germany, after the collapse murder of the Six Million? Oshould be recognised that the of the Russian front. After the collapse of the Rashid Ali Holocaust was not merely a Jewish calami- revolt, ex-mufti Amin Husseini who was But soon after the end of the First ty, but that it had an international political in Baghdad, fled to Iran and thence to World War it became clear that Britain dimension. I believe that the Six Million Italy and Germany where he met Hitler in was opposed to establishing the Jewish died not so much as racial victims, but as November 1941. Throughout the war he National Home. The Palestine Mandate hostages for the Free World in the hands of influenced Nazi anti-Jewish policy and covered the areas west and east of the Germany, for the following reasons:- made certain that Jews were prevented River Jordan and a happy solution could from getting out of Europe. He persuaded 1) In 1939, on the 30 January, in a have been to develop Palestine for the Hitler that Jews leaving Europe would speech at the Reichstag, Hitler threat- Jews and develop Transjordan as the end up in Palestine and that would anger ened that if World Jewry would again national home of the Arabs. But in 1921 the Arabs. embroil Germany in another world Transjordan was given over to Emir The mufti’s objectives coincided with war then all the Jews of Europe Abdullah without conditions, leaving the those of Britain – witness the sinking of would be liquidated. Jews and the Arabs to fight over the the Struma in 1942 with the loss of 800 rocky strip of Palestine. 2) Before the war Hitler co-operated Jews. In the run-up to the Second World with the Zionists by allowing train- The question arises; was there secret War British policy was embodied in the ing camps in Germany for would-be contacts between the Mufti and British 1939 White Paper which closed the door olim to Palestine. agents? The mufti was afraid to leave to Jewish immigration at a time when Germany after the war, but was given European Jews were badly in need of a 3) During the war, Nazi policy against safe conduct by Britain through France safe haven. British policy was meant to the Jews did not follow racial lines. and thence to Egypt and Beirut. It is pos- gain Arab sympathy, but in fact Arab Karraite Jews were exempted from sible that Israel was advised not to inter- sympathy was solidly pro-Hitler through- the provisions of anti-Jewish policy. fere with him. out the war - witness the Rashid Ali pro- All along Britain was obviously 4) Arabs ranked below Jews in Hitler’s Nazi revolt in Iraq in April 1941. afraid that the Zionists would take over racial catalogue, but Egyptians were Historians attach little importance to the Middle East and displace Britain in its granted the status of honorary that event but in fact if it had succeeded vital sphere of influence. Aryans. Russia would have been cut off from The indications are strong and the Allied aid and the war would have taken a leads must be plentiful. The time has 5) Nazi policy followed religious lines different course. Britain defended Iraq on come to research this episode of the after the Konkordat with Pope Pious the island of Crete where after heavy loss- twentieth century to put the record XII in 1939. es the sole German airborne division was straight. destroyed. Crete was surrendered only 6) At all times, Hitler kept attacking the Britain’s sympathy with the when Iraq was safely in British hands. Jews as capitalists and Communists. Palestinians and hostility to Israeli gov- British policy after the war regarding ernments continues unabated. Printing a the Jewish National Home was the same. 7) The Holocaust also had a strong monograph on the subject would be Survivors of the death camps were Palestinian dimension. Up to 1941, financed. ♦ Hitler was interested in getting Jews turned back and were forcibly disem- out of Europe. In November 1941, barked in Germany. ℘℘℘℘℘ Mufti Amin Husseini metHitler and It is therefore reasonable to conclude impressed on him the need of not that British policy was the same during They knew about the Holocaust allowing Jews to leave Europe and the war. thus end up in Palestine, if he wanted After the establishment of the State of n the BBC television programme to obtain Arab sympathy for his cam- Israel, British officers led the Arab forces "Young Elizabeth", it was said that paigns in Africa and the Middle East. that attacked the Jewish state and were IKing George VI, among others, This led to the Wannsee conference paramount in delineating its frontiers. became fully aware of the Holocaust of January 1942 which sealed the As a student at London University in early on but it was decided that "the news fate of the Jews of Europe. the early thirties, I was tormented by the was too terrible to publicise". One is ease with which Hitler was allowed to re- unable to make sense of that statement 8) In 1944 the Jews of Hungary were arm Germany. My own teenage guesses at except to conclude that the British openly held as pawns to be traded for the time were either that Britain wanted to Foreign Office wanted to hush up the transport lorries from the Allies. achieve a decisive end to the earlier war news as it suited their policy of prevent- Realising all the above facts would with Germany or that a new European war ing Jews from reaching Palestine. make it possible for the Holocaust to be was organised solely for the purpose of murdering the ten million Jews of Europe. It is well-known that allied planes remembered for what it is and for the Jews overflew the death camps on several who perished in the Shoah to be honoured In the event, my second guess proved cor- rect and the Holocaust was the only last- occasions but made no attempt to disrupt as having died for the Free World. ♦ ♦ ing outcome of World War Two. the proceedings.

11 The Scribe No.74 Israeli Olympic team. This was done by The Struma Affair the German police, but the Israeli govern- by Edward Dangoor ment had to subscribe to the version that it was committed by the Palestinian ter- was amazed to read first in the Jewish policeman heard the alarm, was intrigued rorist, in order not to sour relations with Chronicle and then in The Scribe the and followed the two youngsters and Germany which was paying massive abracadabra story of The Struma as arrested them. They proved later to the I compensations at the time. ♦ related by Joel Ives. Is he that innocent or court that they could have shot the police- ignorant about the true story or is he acting man easily but they had their instructions ℘℘℘℘℘ in order to promote his book or articles. to abide with. The Egyptian press for weeks and before the trial was sympa- Letter to the Holocaust Centre The facts about the Struma is that it thetic to the boys as was the majority of was torpedoed by a British submarine to the population. Mr Stephen D Smith avoid receiving in Palestine the 800 The most important Egyptian lawyer The Holocaust Centre refugees it carried. Had it not been for the was committed to defend them (without Beth Shalom one witness who escaped by miracle and charge) and everybody thought that the Laxton reached the Turkish shores, the boat two would get away with imprisonment Newark would have been lost and forgotten. but this thought irritated the British and Nottinghamshire The witness repeated, once and they had to find a machiavellian way to NG22 OPA again, in his testimony that the sinking have them hanged. was consecutive to an explosion by A day or two before the sentence the Dear Mr Smith bomb or torpedo. Egyptian Prime Minister was assassinat- Contrary to what is related in the arti- ed and many saw the machiavelian hand often wonder what is the signifi- cle the witness was taken care off by the of the British. cance of the Holocaust to non-Jews, Turkish authorities who accepted his ver- Consequently a sentence was passed and why do we want to spread news sion of the story. I and the two boys of 20 and 18 were of the Holocaust far and wide? What In another scene of this episode was hanged. has the Imperial War Museum to do the special session of the committee of I knew the boy of 18 as he was from with the Holocaust? the Jewish Underground Forces who had a family of Syrian origin. The Pessah special entries to the High It has been said that Holocaust educa- before these events I spent with this fam- Commissioner’s office in Cairo when tion will prevent it from happening again, ily in Haifa with others. they came across and copied or photo- but there are no millions of Jews left in Israeli sources also confirms that it copied the message sent by the High Europe for a Holocaust. Moreover, geno- was the Russians who torpedoed the Commissioner to a British submarine to cide activities have been going on in the Struma for political reasons. torpedo the Struma. A special court was post-war period in Africa and in Asia. convened and Lord Moyne, the High I believe that the real significance of Scribe: Commissioner was sentenced to death. the six million Jews who were killed by Israel often found herself, because of All these facts came up in the Cairo the Germans during the war is that these her weak position, obliged to bite the bul- court as you will notice later on. people died as hostages for the free let and accept a version of events which The execution of the sentence was world. In 1939 Hitler threatened that if is different from the truth. At the end of entrusted to two special agents of the World Jewry would embroil Germany in the Second World War, Israel abstained underground movement (tireurs d’elite) another world war then he would kill all from harming the ex-Mufti Amin good shots, with instructions not to ever the Jews of Europe. He thus held the Jews Husseini because Britain gave him safe hurt any Egyptian. as hostages for the free world and they passage first to Egypt and then to Beirut. The High Commissioner’s office was should be remembered and honoured as It is likely that Amin Husseini played a not so well-protected and the two fellows such, not just as victims of a genocide. ♦ major role in preventing Jews from leav- easily had access to his office, shot the ing Europe, a policy which was in line Commissioner and left on the bicycles Naim Dangoor with British Foreign Office objectives. they trotted in with. The alarm was given Another incident at which Israel had to when the two fellows were cycling hard ℘℘℘℘℘ keep quiet was the assassination of the for safety when a passing Egyptian

n Issue No. 72, page 26, Ramzi Loya, born in the late 1930’s, wrote a letter Ito the Editor of The Scribe criticising the action or inaction of Hakham Sasson Khadoury during the rule of Al-Bakr. In fact that was a very difficult period in the life of the Jews of Iraq and my late father did all that he could do in those difficult circumstances. He was power- less to do any more. ♦ Shaoul H. Sasson The Struma London 12 The Scribe No.74 BBC Prejudice Letter sent by Naim Dangoor to Sir international accountability for war Reply to the same letter also received Christopher Bland, Chairman of the crimes, they believed that Mr Sharon from: BBC, Broadcasting House, London with could be indicted for what happened. Foreign & Commonwealth Office a copy to The Rt Hon Mr Jack Straw, MP- The programme also interviewed sur- King Charles Street Foreign Secretary-Foreign Office vivors of the massacre, Israeli officers London SW1A 2AH who served in Beirut and members of the understand that you have taken the Dear Mr Dangoor Christian Phalange which committed the trouble of screening a programme Iagainst Ariel Sharon and his indirect atrocities, notably Elie Hobeika, the man hank you for your letter about the involvement in the murder of some 800 accused of leading the militiamen in the situation in the Middle East, which Palestinians in Sabra and Shatila. An camps. Mr Sharon was approached to be Thas been passed to this Department. Israeli court of enquiry had already criti- interviewed for the programme and his Please find below a summary of the cised Mr Sharon for his involvement spokesman Dr Ranaan Gissen was inter- Government’s position on recent events. which was regarded as indirect, and your viewed on his behalf. A lawyer for Mr The Government is greatly concerned programme was not really necessary. Sharon, Dov Weissglas, also appears in by the continuing violence in the region, Why don’t you research and prepare a the programme. and dismayed by the tragic deaths. In par- programme about the British Foreign The BBC has made numerous films ticular, it deplores the fact that the vio- Office’s direct and profound involvement about human rights abuses in the Middle lence has led to loss of life among chil- in the murder of six million European East. Among them are a Correspondent dren and innocent bystanders. The UK Jews in what became known as the film which was highly critical of Yasser supports the view of the UN High Holocaust, to prevent them from reaching Arafat’s Palestinian Authority and a dis- Commission for Human Rights that the Palestine, to comply with the terms of the turbing Newsnight film on the use of protection of children must be an 1939 White Paper? Contact was main- absolute priority for both parties. children in the front line of the intifada. tained with the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem The Government has consistently We believe Panorama - The Accused to who spent the war years in Berlin. urged Israel and the Palestinian Authority One further evidence is the sinking be an entirely legitimate look at a human to show restraint. Violent incidents in of the Struma by order of Lord Moyne, rights issue and that it is a fair and bal- Israel and the Occupied Territories threat- with the loss of 800 lives. This would anced analysis of the role played by Ariel en to derail the fragile cease-fire. It is vital really be a worthwhile programme and Sharon. I hope this clarifies the BBC’s now for the parties to end the violence and an eye opener. position. to move ahead with full and early imple- Please be assured your comments on mentation of the recommendations of the this matter have been recorded for the Mitchell Committee report, which sets out Reply from BBC Information: benefit of senior management and the a road back to the negotiating table. programme makers. The BBC wel- The UK has played an important role hank you for your letter of 25 June in recent months. The Prime Minister met comes all feedback, as it helps us to addressed to the Chairman to Israeli Prime Minister Sharon on 24 June Twhich I reply as follows: make decisions about future pro- and Foreign Minister Peres on 18 July grammes or policies. and urged them to take urgent steps in I recognise that you feel the screening parallel with the Palestinians to imple- of Panorama - The Accused was not nec- ment the Mitchell recommendations. essary. I would like to explain that Our reply to BBC/Mori Questionnaire: Lord Levy has travelled to the region as Panorama - The Accused examined the the Prime Minister’s envoy. Ben massacre of at least 800 civilians in the o help ensure the BBC Bradshaw, the new Minister for the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila dur- Information Department is giving Middle East, visited the region in July. The Foreign Secretary has met Israeli, ing the invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It Tyou the service you need, we Palestinian, Syrian and Arab League analysed the role played by Israeli Prime would like to have your views on: Minister Ariel Sharon, amongst others, leaders. He is in close touch with his EU who resigned as Israeli Minister of and US counterparts and with the UN Defence following the Kahan Being courteous – very satisfied Secretary General. Commission inquiry into the tragedy. The UK and the EU have serious con- As Mr Sharon has now been elected Responding in a full and serious manner cerns about the lack of respect for human rights in the Occupied Territories. Prime Minister of Israel, we therefore felt to my comments and/or complaint – Following its policy of constructive it to be appropriate to examine his politi- very dissatisfied. cal and military record, in particular as engagement with partners on human the Israeli Defence Minister who sent the rights issues; the EU raised its concerns Lebanese Phalange militiamen into the You did not reply to the second part of my with Israel at the meeting on 21 May of Palestinian refugee camps. letter, which I now request you to do, by the EU/Israel Association Committee. We Panorama asked contemporary fig- referring it either to "Panorama" or to the will continue to raise our concerns, both ures and international law experts proper department in order to investigate publicly and in private at all levels, for as whether, in the current climate of greater Britain’s wartime role in the Holocaust." long as this remains necessary. ☛ 13 The Scribe No.74 …The Foreign Secretary has expressed be occupied territory. Jerusalem has a Mr Dangoor’s reply: deep concern over the demolition of unique religious and cultural importance Dear Ms Phillips Palestinian houses. for Christians, Jews and Muslims, and we hank you for your letter dated 2 The Government deplores settlement attach great importance to ensuring August stating British policy activity in the Occupied Territories access to Jerusalem and freedom of wor- regarding the Middle East, which I (including East Jerusalem). It is illegal ship there for those of all faiths. T am unable to accept and totally reject. under international law and a serious On the question of arms sales, the UK obstacle to peace. The recommendation of is guided by the consolidated EU and 1. Her Majesty’s government policy the Mitchell Committee is that Israel national criteria on Strategic Export regarding the Jewish National home should freeze all settlement activity, Controls. We will not issue export soon after the Balfour Declaration has including the "natural growth" of existing licences where there is a clear risk that been to harass Jewish immigration settlements. The EU raised the issue of the equipment might be used for internal into Palestine and to create ill-feeling Israeli settlements at a meeting with Prime repression or adversely affect regional between Jews and Arabs. The prob- Minister Sharon in Stockholm on 14 June. stability. We will not issue licences for lem you are talking about is not The Government supports UN equipment similar to that used in the between Israelis and Palestinians. General Assembly Resolution 194, which Occupied Territories. We have no evi- 2. It is a regional problem which came calls for the right of return and compen- dence that British-made equipment into being with the dismemberment sation for Palestinian refugees. A perma- licensed for export since this Government of the Ottoman Empire and the grant- nent solution to their plight can only be came to office in 1997 has been used by ing of all its Middle East territories to achieved as part and parcel of the peace the Israeli forces against civilians in the the Arabs. The Jews of the region had process and we continue to encourage Occupied Territories during the recent a right to a share of that territory and support the parties in their search -for violence. Since this Government came to which can be symbolised by the total an agreement. office in 1997, no export licence has been area of Palestine. The Government is also deeply con- approved for tear gas or rubber bullets. 3. In 1921 the late Winston Churchill gave Trans-Jordan to Emir Abdullah cerned about the humanitarian and eco- The Government has called on Israel without any conditions. That was the nomic impact of closures. Sustained clo- to use non-lethal force wherever possi- sures continue to restrict the free move- moment of the partitioning of ble. One of the Mitchell Report’s recom- ment of people and essential supplies Palestine when Trans-Jordan should mendations was that Israel should between the Occupied Territories and have become the National home of ensure that the IDF adopts and enforces Israel and other countries, as well as the Palestinian Arabs. policies and procedures encouraging within the Occupied Territories. 4. You spoke of occupied territory but non-lethal responses to unarmed demon- Economic hardship and unemployment you don’t mention who you think it strators. They should adopt tactics of can only fuel hatred and violence, and belongs to. In view of the fact that the crowd control that minimise the poten- make a comprehensive settlement more Arabs of Palestine as well as the neigh- tial for deaths and casualties and should difficult to achieve. We have expressed bouring Arabs refuse to live at peace ensure that the stated values and stan- our serious concerns to the Israeli with Israel, I consider that Israel is jus- dard operating procedures of the IDF Government on political, legal and tified in claiming the total area of geo- instil the duty of caring for Palestinians humanitarian grounds, and will continue graphical Palestine, west of the Jordan. to do so. The latest EU demarche to the as well as Israelis, consistent with the 5. You have the cheek to speak of the Israeli government on humanitarian Ethical Code of the IDF. Israel has right of Palestinians to return to Israel access was made on 29 June at the UN in accepted the Committee’s report. and thus destroy the Jewish state from New York. UK involvement is practical as well within. You seem to forget that in 1950 The presence of international as political. The UK’s total assistance to there was an exchange of population observers has been suggested as a means the Palestinians, including contributions when a million Jews from Arab coun- of contributing to stability in the region. to UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works tries went to Israel in exchange for the The EU General Affairs Council on 16 Agency) and via the EU, is generally million Arabs who had left Israel. Such July agreed that a third-party monitoring around £25 million per year. In 1998 (the exchange took place between India and mechanism is needed in order to over- latest available OECD figure) it was Pakistan, Germany and Poland and come any obstacles that might impede the £28.4 million. This year it will be sub- many other neighbouring countries implementation of the Mitchell recom- stantially more. after the war. You must be living in mendations. Foreign Ministers and sub- Please be assured that the cuckoo land if you think otherwise. sequently G8 Heads of State took a simi- Government remains closely engaged in 6. You speak of resolutions 242 and lar view when they met in Italy (on 19 efforts to urge both parties to consolidate 338; these and other resolutions were July and 21 July respectively). Our view the cease-fire and build confidence, in totally and repeatedly rejected by the is that to be successful any presence the context of a renewed political re- Arabs. How come now you want to would require prior agreement by both engagement, aimed at an agreement bring them to life again? Israelis and Palestinians. based on United Nations Security 7. You speak of "land for peace". Surely The UK regards the status of Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the the Arabs have all the land – 10 mil- Jerusalem as still to be determined in per- principle of ‘land for peace’, security for lion square miles of it against the manent status negotiations between the Israel within recognised borders and an Israeli’s 10,000. Do you seriously and parties, and recognise no sovereignty end to occupation. honestly believe that Israel should over the city. Pending agreement, we Pat Phillips give some land to the Arabs? recognise de facto Israeli control of West Near East and North Africa 8. You seem to think that when Jerusalem but consider East Jerusalem to Department Palestinian leaders murder ☛ 14 The Scribe No.74 …innocent Israelis by training and send- ing suicide bombers to supermarkets The world in a village and nightclubs, that that is alright and f we could shrink the earth’s popula- becomes glaringly apparent. The following is not against international law, but tion to a village of precisely 100 peo- is also something to ponder... when Israel targets the perpetrators of Iple, with all the existing human ratios If you woke up this morning with these murders you condemn her action remaining the same, it would look some- more health than illness...you are more and say that it is against international thing like the following… blessed than the million who will not law. Such hypocrisy does not fit the tra- survive this week There would be: ditional character of the British people. If you have never experienced the 9. Regarding Jerusalem; you seem to danger of battle, the loneliness of impris- 57 Asians think that divided Berlin should have onment, the agony of torture, or the pangs 21 Europeans been united, but united Jerusalem of starvation...you are ahead of 500 mil- 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both should become divided. As for free- lion people in the world north and south dom of worship to all faiths; when If you have food in the refrigerator, 8 Africans East Jerusalem was in Arab hands, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and Jews were not allowed to worship in a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% 52 would be female their holy places and were driven out of this world 48 would be male of their homes. There is perfect free- If you have money in the bank, in dom of worship to all concerned in your wallet, and spare change in a dish 70 would be non-white Israeli hands. someplace...you are among the top 8% of 30 would be white 10. There is strong evidence that Her the world’s wealthy Majesty’s government played an If your parents are still alive and still 70 would be non-Christian active and direct part in the Holocaust married...you are very rare, even in the 30 would be Christian and this is now being researched to United States and Canada bring to the surface what really is If you can read this message, you just 89 would be heterosexual going on in your Foreign Office. received a double blessing in that some- 11 woud be homosexual Peace in the Middle East must be global one was thinking of you, and further- and all the Arab countries that went more, you are more blessed than over two 6 people would possess 59% of the to war against Israel have to step in billion people in the world that cannot entire world’s wealth and all 6 and contribute in land, wealth, and read at all other resources to solve the endemic would be from the United States problem between Jew and Arab. ♦ Someone once said: What goes around 80 would live in sub-standard housing ℘℘℘℘℘ comes around 70 would be unable to read Work like you don’t need the money 50 would suffer from malnutrition To Rt. Hon. Jack Straw MP Love like you’ve never been hurt Foreign Secretary Dance like nobody’s watching 1 (yes, only 1) would have a college Sing like nobody’s listening Thank you for your recent letter. Isn’t it a education Live like it’s Heaven on Earth shame that Great Britain, who promised 1 would own a computer the Jews to restore their national home in Sent by Robert Khalastchy ♦ Palestine, should now be in the vanguard When one considers our world from of those seeking to destroy it? ♦ such a compressed perspective, the need for ℘℘℘℘℘ Naim Dangoor acceptance, understanding and education

Media Bias Against Israel would like to know, according to the Shulhan Aruch, and what page, what he world community must be By presenting Israelis as wilful murder- are the requirements for women to made aware of how biased the ers of children it reawakens old atavistic I have their heads covered by a hat. Tinternational media, chiefly anti-Jewish attitudes that in the past CNN, the BBC, the New York Times resulted in terrible tragedies. Urgent Ida Prizament and almost all the French and the British measures should be taken to counteract [email protected] media are towards Israel. It has been a this media bias. longstanding fact of life, and we have Daniel Doron Answer kindly supplied by Rabbi almost become accustomed to it. Director Abraham Gubbay: The Israel Center for Social & But on a recent visit to Europe, and The reference is in Shulchan, Orach Economic Progress the spate of serious anti-Semitic attacks, Chayim, Chapter 75, sub-heading 2 ♦ including the burning of synagogues (8 email: [email protected] in France, with 26 more failed attempts, Scribe: and attacks even in Britain!) have con- There is no doubt that Arab oil money Quote… vinced me, and others I spoke with, that plays an important part in swaying the we are facing a much graver situation sympathies of radio, television and the Our hours in love have wings, now. The media is not only waging a press. A massive budget is necessary to put in absence, crutches war on Israel, but on the Jewish people. matters right. This is not an easy task. ♦ Colley Cibber

15 The Scribe No.74 Information Centre From the pages of history: The Ammunition Hill National Memorial Site and Moslem conquest of the Middle East Museum in Jerusalem n the Byzantine state there was con- tapes. Archive materials include soldiers’ stant hatred between Christians and Extracts from the Report sent by Gad Ben eyewitness accounts, materials from IJews and this intensified Jewish hope Ari, Director General study days and other activities held at the for help from Iranian side. In 556 Justinian site and so forth. faced a Samaritan-Jewish uprising in he Information Centre of the Palestine as also did Justin II in 578. Struggle for Jerusalem, established THE COMPUTERISED DATA BANK – In September 610 when the Iranian Ttwo years ago thanks to a generous is part of the Information Centre, but army of Khusro II drew near Antioch, the donation by the Dangoor family, contains stands as a project on its own. The mate- Jewish community rose in rebellion but a variety of material on the struggle for rial in the library’s other two sections in was put down. At Tyre & Acre the Jews Jerusalem from the beginning of the 19th the process of computerisation and multi- attempted to support the invading army century to the present day. media productions are being developed. and suffered in retaliation. The invaders’ route from Damascus to Caesarea passed The information is organised accord- through the heart of the Jewish settle- ing to the following subjects: From The Ammunition Hill National ments. Jews from all parts of the country Memorial Site and Museum joined in the struggle and Jewish support Jerusalem from the beginning of the Dedicated to the Reunification of greatly facilitated the invasion. 19th Century until the British Jerusalem during the Six Day War, 1967 Mandate (1917) In April 614 Iranian units and Jewish detachments stood before the holy city. Thank you for the information you The British Mandate (1917-1948) Zachariah, the Christian patriarch organ- sent us about - The Scribe. ised the defence. The siege lasted 20 We made this information available to The War of Independence (1947- days. The victorious army massacred the visitors of our DANGOOR 1948) "60,000" Christian inhabitants and LIBRARY at Ammunition Hill. burned many churches. The Iranian gen- We also sent the information to "Yad The divided City (1948-1967) eral selected 37,000 skilled workmen for ben Zvi" - one of the important institu- deportation to Iran. According to the eye- tions in Jerusalem, which investigate the The Six Day War witness account of strategies, the Jews History of the Jewish communities offered to ransom Christian captives if around the world. ♦ Jerusalem – the united City they would accept Judaism. Jerusalem Yoram Tamir After the Iranian army left with the Jerusalem – the centre for the Jewish Director Christian captives, the Jews destroyed the rest people of the churches in the city as part of their ℘℘℘℘℘ effort to "sanctify" it once again. They appar- Commemoration and memorial ently renewed the sacrificial offerings. Values – in battle and in daily life ou carried a book review by Anna Shortly thereafter the Iranians declined to Dangoor on Jeffrey Pickering’s extend to the Jews the right of self-govern- ACTIVITIES Britain’s Withdrawal from East ment and of rebuilding the Temple and Y became hostile to them possibly through the of Suez (Read review). I would like to intervention of Christian court officials in Every week, schoolchildren, youth, read this but am unable to locate it in the families of fallen soldiers and visitors to Ctesiphon in 617 they punished the Jews who listings (Amazon, etc.) I would be grate- had participated in the slaughter of Christians the Memorial Site make use of the ful if you could confirm the publisher and and forbade Jewish settlement in Jerusalem. resources at the Information Centre. publication date or the ISBN. Iran thus sacrified the Jews in an effort to seek Students, researchers, tour-guides and the reconciliation and friendship with the Barry Alexander United Kingdom members of the public-at-large who are Byzantine court. They permitted the interested in the period are also served by [email protected] Christians to rebuild the ruined churches. The the Centre and the number of its visitors Scribe: Iranians may have been willing to leave is constantly growing. The publisher for Jeffrey Pickering’s Palestine in Jewish hands if they were numer- ous enough to control it but being a minority The Information Centre is composed book is Macmillan, 231 pp, priced at of three complementary sections: of 10% to 15% the Jews could hardly do so. £42.50, 0333 69526 7 As they would not agree to co-operate with the Iranians to restore normal conditions for THE STUDY LIBRARY – containing There is another book which may be of interest to you, namely: Demise of all the population, the Iranians had to turn to thousands of books, periodicals, the Christians for support. the British Empire in the Middle East brochures and flyers, some bequeathed Heraclius re-occupied Jerusalem in 627. by such notable personalities as Uzi Britain’s response to nationalist move- When in 637 the Moslem armies invaded Narkis and Motta Gur. ments, 1943-55 Palestine, the Jews there generally sided with the Moslem cause. THE ARCHIVES – contain a collection Michael J Cohen and Martin Kolinsky, editors by Dr Jacob Neusner of documents, photographs, newspaper A History of the Jews in Babylonia clippings, maps, audiotapes and video- 212 pp, Cass., £39.50, 0714 64804 3 ♦ Vol. V., Page 122 ♦ 16 The Scribe No.74 The Sassoon’s Return Visit to Baghdad A Diary by Mozelle Sassoon

n September 1910 Mrs Farha Sassoon Soon after we arrived, Hakham and her children undertook a trip from Nessim Ben Abu-Reuben arrived and the IBombay to Baghdad via Basrah. latter brought a tray with 12 cones of On the voyage to Basrah, they were sugar of which we are told it is the rule to joined by Sir William Willcocks in take one or two only and return the rest Karachi, who built the Asswan Dam in with one or two plates of sweets or other Egypt. dainties. Aunt Hannah came soon after On the way to Baghdad, they stopped and lots of other visitors kept on coming at Ezair to visit the Shrine of Ezra the the whole morning; among them Abdel Scribe (Ezra Ha-Sofer). Kader Pasha al-Khetheiry. He sent us a Flora’s daughter, Mozelle Sassoon big Mosul earthenware chatty (Hebb) for (1884-1921) kept a detailed diary of the purifying and cooling the water. whole journey, which continues:- In the afternoon visited us Chief Rabbi David Papu, Hakham Moshe Tuesday, 27 September – Shamash, Hakham Abraham Hillel, Mozelle Sassoon Hakham Yitshaq Abraham Mjaled. It efore entering Baghdad we saw the Daughter of Solomon and Flora was a wonderful group; they are all so bridge of boats which opens and handsome and all have snowy white hair, closes to let river traffic through. B as well as Hakham Ezra Dangoor Hayyu As we were going in the balam, we passed and Hakham Yaacob Yoseph Hayeem and Aunt Hannah’s house and saw her on the change, and in his absence his son spent all others. David Basoos has sent Ezekiel veranda with several members of her fam- their money in building this huge palace in ily, and her daughter Rebecca Daniel was very grand style. The drawing-room ceil- Saltoun to be our buyer of provisions looking through her binoculars. Lynch’s ing and the bedroom walls and doorways (meswaqchi) and shohet for us. Mr Baghdad agent took us through two nar- were elaborately decorated and coloured Langridge, Lynch’s agent, says one row lanes to our house, rented from Mr glass decorations were used in the veran- watchman will be quite enough and he Fatoohi for £55 for two months. It seems das. The house costs £5,000 that made the will act as a servant, as Baghdad is quite that Mr Fatoohi went to Bombay for a poor father lose his reason. safe and he can sleep at night. ☛

The Old bridge in Baghdad which was opened in 1902

17 The Scribe No.74 Wednesday, 28 September – Friday, 30 September – At 6.30 we ordered a landau and drove few visitors came very early. e got up very early and were to Bab-el-Shargee. Mr Saul E. M. Among them Hakham Sasson ready to go to Yehoshua Kohen Hayeem came as a guide. It was a drive Smooha Hayyu, a previous Chief Gadole (Joshua the High Priest). A through narrow lanes and bazaars, across W Rabbi and Saleh Elyshaa. Meir Somekh, We had to cross the river by balam, as the awful roads full of holes and ditches, and only surviving brother of Moreno (Stayee) bridge was open to let the Hamidiya, (the dust was like a fog around us. Bab-el- Hakham Abdullah Somekh also called. boat we came on) to get through on its Shargee (South Gate) is a big plain with return journey. On the other side (Hathak- some trees in the distance – and forms the el-Sob) two landaus were awaiting us. We Thursday, 29 September – Hyde Park or Bois of Baghdad. On the drove to the Shrine accompanied by Saul return journey we drove through e went to Midrash Talmud Hayeem through a dusty barren desert – just Menahem Salman Daniel’s bazaar – he Torah School to examine a quarter hour’s drive. This building is quite used to let it and the government arranged Wthree classes in Hebrew dicta- small. We took off our shoes and went with him that if he died without leaving tion and grammar. Hakham Ezekiel of inside and we hooked on the tomb the cov- the Alliance School looks after it all. any children that they would take it. He ering that we brought with us and put as The Chief Rabbi who presided at the was the husband of Rebecca, Aunt well the bells on each corner. We lit candles examination was there as well as Hanna’s daughter. After he died in 1891 and David and Saul Hayeem read the Hakham Sasson Smouha. Then we went the bazaar was taken over by the govern- Kaddish and David read the Hashkaba for on the balcony (Tarma) and saw the boys ment. After that we passed the Serai by an Papa. We could only read Shama’a-na assembled in the courtyard, and David asphalt road, and many cafés, which are Yehushua around the dome; the rest was all took a snapshot of them. They sang brightly lit up. Nearly everyman in effaced and the whole place was spoilt when Turkish and Arabic songs and Hakham Baghdad spends the evenings at the cafés. the Turks took possession of it in 1891; but Ezra Dangoor made a Meshabairakh and We had innumerable visitors again today. now the new Wali is going to give it back to Mamma promised them Turkish £20 for Abdel-Kader Pasha invited David to go them. On our way back, we passed a poultry dinner for the boys. The chil- for a drive with him tonight, so he met him Zobeida, Haroun-el-Rashid’s favourite dren were all in new khaki suits given by near the café and went for a drive in the wife’s tomb, which is pineapple shaped. the Wali,costing T£50 and we saw some same hired landau that we had, and ended suits being made there. off at his house, where there were singing When we got back we found that D. Today Hakham Abraham Dangoor and dancing in the drawing room, by Bassouses had sent us jeradeq and and Hakham Ezra Cohen called. Jewish actresses and Mohamedean actors. Shabbath bread. ☛

Ship to shore transfer by guffa-a craft which was already obsolete at the time of Noah. The river steamer is in the background. Courtesy of Freddie Khalastchy

18 The Scribe No.74 Saturday, 1 October – Sassoon gave his turn to him, as he T£5 and if a bride does not receive it, she always read it) and made a Meshabairakh feels hurt. It is then distributed and the e got up early. David went of T £2 and they did the Hashkaba for friends and relations are thereby before us to the Great dear Papa Solomon David Sassoon. informed of the engagement. We then Synagogue, where the service W Prayers were over at 7.15. Here the came home to breakfast, and soon after began at 5.30 and we got there at 6.30 Hazzan reads the whole Parasha – only the influx of visitors began. More came accompanied by Ezekiel Saltoun, our the Maftir is read by the Olé and all the after lunch. Mrs Semha Sasson Somekh steward, who had already finished his Congregation join in the Haftara so that of Amarah stayed on for tea and prayers at an earlier Synagogue. We were the principal reader’s voice is not heard. Habdala. After prayers Hakham Nessim conducted up to the ladies’ gallery behind Ben Abu Reuben stayed to dinner. the Tebah, where we had seats arranged On our way back Mrs Basoos insisted We slept on the roof for the first time. for us by Mrs David Basoos. All the on our stopping at her house for a few It was delightful and the stars looked ladies were covered with their Ezzegh and minutes. They showed us their Sirdab, beautiful. So we tried the Sardab and the Khwili and it was impossible to make where people spend the day during the roof on the same day. I had always won- them up; they all sit on the floor, and it is great heat. It is a cellar. Sirdab is a com- dered what sleeping on the roof was like. such a tight fit. They all crowded around pound Persian word meaning "cold The young ladies here do a lot of us, and in the afternoon a visitor told us water", it being the practice in these parts embroidery (broderie anglaise and raised that it was not only to see us, but to study to keep cold water stored in cellars. Then embroidery chiefly) and also embroider the latest fashions also. The gentlemen we went to Aunt Hannah’s house where by machine, prayed in the open courtyard, without any we saw the white Luzina tray and a pair roof, which they generally use in the of anklets which was sent to her grand- Sunday 2nd October – summer, and behind is the covered daughter by her fiancé on the occasion of Synagogue, which is used during the win- their engagement. fter breakfast at 8 we went in two ter or when the service is going to be late It was a tremendous tray. I am sure it landaus to Muadham by such a and it will be sunny. The service was con- must have measured a few yards round Adusty, shaking, bone-breaking ducted by Hakham Ezra Dangoor himself, and the Luzina was about 1/2 foot thick. drive through an immense desert. On our his Hazzanouth is considered the best in We tried to move it a little but could not; return we passed Uweina, which is the the country. The Synagogue was simply it was such a deadweight, composed of place where the milk come from, where packed. There were 26 Hekhaloth. David sugar and almonds with cardamom. they farm the cows, and we drove was called up to the Sefer, (Saleh Elishaa They tell us such a tray costs from T£4 to through Abu Sifein where the ☛

Seated, Senior Rabbis of Baghdad Most of them past or future Chief Rabbis who were entertained to dinner by the Sassoons. Left to right: Yitzhaq Abraham Mjaled; Sasson Elia Moshe Halewi (Smouha); Abraham Hillel; Moshe Shlomo Dawid Shamash; Ezra Cohen; Shmuel Abraham Mjaled Standing behind are their pupils

19 The Scribe No.74 …poorest Jews live, and Henouni, the shopping area. We got back at noon very tired. After lunch Hakham Yaacob and Hakham Yoshua did the Hettara for us.

At 6.15 Abdel Qader Pasha took us to the Wali Nazem Pasha, Turkish governor of Baghdad. We ushered ourselves into his presence on the Terrace. The Wali speaks only Turkish and French and the Arabic was translated by Abdel-Qader Pasha. The Wali is about 60 and has been only 5 months in Baghdad. He showed us the plans made by a French architect, Goddard, for a new gate for the Serai and other improvements thereabouts.

Monday, 3rd October – Eve of Rosh Hashana t 5.30 we all went to the Great Synagogue where we sat by our- Aselves in a Hekhal on a side. The prayers were read very quickly and not word by word as in Bombay. At home we read Mishna before din- ner. Mrs Basoos sent us holy-day bread and Saleh Elishaa Benjamin Sassoon sent The Shrine in Baghdad of Joshua, the High Priest (said to be deutero Isaiah) us apple jam for Yehi Rasson and two with Chief Rabbi Hakham Ezra Dangoor. bottles of old kiddush wine which we used tonight.

Tuesday 4th October – Rosh Hashana 5671 e got up early and went to the Great Synagogue. Grandpapa, WSheikh Sassoon’s Sefer was brought out as Sefer Rishon. It is con- tained in a beautiful chased silver case "Tiq", much tarnished with age. He ded- icated it in the year 1793 and made a con- dition that it should be brought out first for Kol Nidre and every holy-day includ- ing the Festivals and Hol Hamoed and Shabbath Jethro, Beshallah and Weth’hannan and one of the direct descendants from the paternal side is to be called up to the Sefer and lights the Hanukkah in the Synagogue. Our family here have the original document in their keeping and it is signed by the Rabbis of those days. A few years ago, others, among them Sassoon Hayeem Moorad, wanted to do away with this time-hon- oured right and use their Sefarim, but this document was produced, and Hakham Yosef Hayeem also affixed his signature to it. (They say the scroll got worn out and has been changed). The descendants of Abu Reuben also have a right to sit in the middle Hekhal which is the principal Chief Rabbi of Baghdad Hakham Dawid Papou at the time of the visit one and where our ancestor ☛ 20 The Scribe No.74 …Sheikh Sassoon sat. As a rule Saleh E.B. Sassoon exercises these rights, and on this occasion he gave them all to David. When they started the school service, Sasson Moorad and others took his Sefer there. On our return we stopped at Mrs Basoos to give the crowd time to diminish and got home at about 10. David went to the Hathima to Saleh E. D. Sassoon’s, quite near. They began at 11 and it lasted till 2. David came home for lunch and went back. During the afternoon many visitors called and stayed late. We read the Mishna.

Wednesday, 5th October – e all went to the School Synagogue today, which Wbuilding was given by Grandpapa Sir Albert and has a wing given by Menahem Saleh Daniel. The gentlemen prayed in the open courtyard, which the children use as a playground. We sat on the veranda near the Chief Rabbi’s wife. We got home at about 9. It seems on Rosh Hashana people do not pay visits, but we had heaps of calls, as they find us so "irresistible, tempting and charming" as Farha’s sister said. The Wali’s A.D.C. called with the Wali’s card, but stayed only a few min- utes as the influx of ladies was so over- powering that he fled!

Thursday, 6th October – his morning soon after 8 we all went in two landaus to the Bab-el- TWustani to see the Review of the troops in honour of the "Eed" at the end of Ramathan as the Wali’s guests. We went and took our seats in a large tent, lined in The interior and exterior of the Shrine of the Prophet Ezekiel red, yellow and blue. They brought sherbet and at about 9.30 we and the others (3 European men, some Arab Sheikhs and some Turks) went to a fenced-off enclo- sure, in front of which, the infantry, caval- ry and the artillery marched past. There were 4000 soldiers among them there being 450 Jewish conscripts. These were all in khaki suits, with the Eguel on their heads, the kerchief arrangement hanging down, protecting their necks from the sun. They did not look well turned out and marched badly. Some of the Arab ponies were very fine, but did not look well- groomed. The band played some monoto- nous tunes the whole time. Rachel and the others remained outside walking about, and Mamma, David and I returned to the tent after the parade. After a little while the Wali Pasha came to the tent (he had been watching the review on horseback) and The restored Shrine of Ezekiel, now in the hands of the local Moslems shook hands with Mamma and me ☛ Picture supplied by Mr Shaul Sasson 21 The Scribe No.74 …and salaamed all the gentlemen and related to us. Menahem Effendi had of doors. She is very particular and when then sat down, and the gathering dispersed come to see us some days ago on his she travelled to Europe and Egypt she after a few minutes. After the serving of return from Hillah and Mamma had a had her cook with her and would not even rose coloured drinks. The Chief Rabbi had telegram from his son Ezra on Rosh eat the Shehita of several places. Once also come while the Parade was going on, Hashana. He knew us in Bombay in she went for her son’s health and once for with his son and when the Wali came he 1900. Mrs Sasson Daniel and her daugh- her husband’s. We then went to beit Abu came forward to shake hands, but he only ter Regina, a schoolgirl are very quiet, as Reuben which has an enormous court- salaamed all round. An Arab Sheikh had also Mr Sasson Daniel. Mrs Menahem yard and used to be the finest and largest been sitting near Mamma and talking to and Mrs Sasson were both in Arabic house in Baghdad, but now it is in a sad her and he told her that she is "like a queen; dresses with caps and scarves round the condition, and quite void of its splen- she has so much information and knowl- chin (Fez and Lachag), but the former dours. Grandpapa, Sheikh Sassoon, the edge". Sheikh Saadoon, who has come to had an abaya over her head also; it is the Nassi, lived there over 100 years ago. A Baghdad after 30 years, was there and had first time that I have seen it worn thus. It few branches of the family are living a seat of honour in the centre of the is customary for ladies of good family to there now. We had met Meir Somekh on Assembly. He has two hundred thousand wear an abaya indoors and an izzagh out the way and Mamma told him to lunch ☛ followers under his control and Sheikh Amir el Najd has two lacs (20,000), and they are both very powerful chiefs. On our way back we called on Hakham Jacob and his mother (widow of Hakham Yosef Hayeem) at the family mansion near the Henouni and we saw many members of the family there. We asked Hakham Jacob to enquire if the Chief Rabbi was in and from there we went to call on him. He said he had noth- ing good enough to present to Mamma, so he would give her his photo as a sou- venir. He has had it taken in full dress, and then he brought the coat to show us and put it on with his two orders.

Friday, 7th October – oday we ate Za’arur which look something like cherries, but are very Tinsipid. There is a saying – Ja el Entertained at Hilla. Left to right: za’arur wa kassah el khairat (when za’arur Seated: Rachel Sassoon (Lady Ezra); Sasson Daniel Effendi; Farha Sassoon; comes it terminates the fruit season). Mrs Hayim; Jacob Hakham Saleh Somekh; near Farha Sassoon on the floor, Today we were all asked for tea at the her daughter. Mazeltov. English Club. Standing behind, fourth from left: Saleh Sasson Daniel with two policemen Mrs Lorimer, the British Consul’s and servants. wife, who was there, asked Mamma to her bi-monthly garden party tomorrow but we are not going. (I am writing this on the 9th of December, so after two months I cannot remember who dined with us).

Saturday, 8th October – e got up at 5 – and we all went to the Alliance School WSynagogue. The service was over at 7.15. After breakfast Mamma, Rachel, David, Diana and I began by call- ing on Mr and Mrs Menahem Saleh Daniel and Mr and Mrs Sasson Saleh Daniel at their large double riverside mansion. Mr M D has two orders from the Sultan Abdel Hamid and both the brothers are known as Effendia. They have a pretty garden, in which we saw oleanders (defla), roses, carnation trees and violet plants. Mrs Rebecca Daniel is The underground tombs of the Geonim 22 The Scribe No.74 …with us today and he agreed, so today Alliance School called and related to us ber of lantern bearers with us besides our suddenly we discovered lunchtime that he about his Babylon trip. He and 20 or 30 own men. Mamma told Rebecca it was a had left after calling, and Mamma was so of the school teachers went with, and Mrs beautiful party and she must have taken sorry that she had not told him again (after Menahem and Mr and Mrs Sasson Daniel so much trouble over it. She said she a few days when we got to know him better as their guests. They went to Babylon does not do a thing, the servants do he told us he saw the fire in the kitchen and and Kifil, the site of Ezekiel’s Shrine. everything in her house. The flowers on he could not understand and did not like to They had a delightful fortnight. the table were very pretty. ask, so would not eat here, so Mamma After a boat outing we went to explained to him that the Goy did it). Monday, 10th October – Rebecca at 8 o’clock for a large dinner Mr and Mrs Yehouda Zelouf and their party, We waited a long time, and we did oday we made return visits to many little girl , Flora, Hakham Sasson not know that Rebecca was waiting for us relatives and friends. In the after- Smouha, Mr Elias Elishaa and Mr Saul E. to say that we had rested sufficiently and Tnoon we had more callers at home. M. Hayeem stayed to lunch here. During were ready for dinner. At last we sat the afternoon we had a great many down at the table. There were some hired Tuesday, 11th October – callers. In the evening Diana went for a waiters and also a "party cook". boat sail with Hougui’s and Moshi’s fam- The menu was as follows:- soup, t 8.30 David went to see the ilies. After sunset, Rebecca Menahem stewed fish (Shebbout), lamb cutlets and Great Synagogue with Saleh Silman called and asked Mamma to dine green peas, tomato mahashas, home-fed AElishaa. He has asked them to with her tomorrow evening. Mamma roast geese, rice pillau with raisins and allow him to dig under the brickwork to tried to tell her that we could not come, almonds, gombo (okra or bamia) stew find some old records, which they buried but she would not listen, so accepted. and green beans stew and roly poly pud- there. They have agreed and he is to ding. Everything except the roast was build up the mounds again. At 9 Rebecca Sunday, 9th October – made of mutton. It was a very long came over to say that Abdel Jabbar menu. There were several kinds of Effendi, the greatest lawyer here, was he ex-German Consul called. He sweets and preserves and the fruit was coming to call and he arrived at 9.30, was charmed with the house and very good. The plates were continually accompanied by Shaoul Shashoua and said he had no idea there was one T changed, even between the fruits. We all Yosef Shemtob. He, Abdel Jabbar is an like it in Baghdad. The headmaster of the walked home after11. They sent a num- Armenian. He went to Bombay ☛

The British Residency in Baghdad with the gunboat "Comet" moored in front on the Tigris. Painting by Renée Dangoor

23 The Scribe No.74 …with Fatoohi our landlord, and before roof room where they used to keep the we were at the Grosvenor Hotel in June he had been there a week, the Turkish beddings during the hot daytime sun. 1906) has abandoned his visit to Russia, Government wired to him to return at They always sleep on the roof and enjoy having been refused a privilege passport, once, as he had no business to leave with- it. There was an Indian soldier there, who because he is a Jew, and receiving only the out orders, because he has a Turkish title! was watching for the sunset, as he dips usual authorisation issued to Jewish mer- the flag every day at sundown at the chants. They subsequently ordered a spe- We drove to the Mosque of Sheikh sound of the bugle. The Comet, an Indian cial permit, but Mr Strauss declined. Abdel Qader al Gailani in Bab-el-Sheikh. marine boat is stationed opposite. Mrs We walked through the courtyard, but At the Great Synagogue they have a Lorimer said that Sir W. Willcocks had couldn’t get in to see the tomb because of 110 years old Parokhet falling to pieces been relating our Basrah experiences to the crowd. Then we visited the Izzagh which has a complete plan of the future them. In the evening Jacob did the factory nearby and ordered some abayas third Temple, which they bring out only Kapparot for us on the covered veranda and ezzegh, hand loomed of silk and gold on Yamim Noraim and Semhat Torah. near the kitchen. There is a scarcity of thread with various designs. At 5 we all Hakham Yosef Hayeem A.H. who died white cocks this year and they are very drove to the British Consulate to tea with last year wanted it copied. I think David expensive. Poor Meir Eliahou is very ill Mrs Lorimer. There was a difference of 6 is going to buy it. On the eve of Rosh and the operation does not seem to have hours and 20 minutes between the Hashana and Yom Kippur all the Jews done him any good. He is so charitable English time and the Turkish as the visit the cemeteries after morning prayers and has done so much good. During his Turkish is always 12 at sunset and the and the poor people go to the different illness, when they carried him upstairs he English have the sunset today at 5.40. houses and beg. On the eve of Rosh gave T£5 mitzvah for every step; there The house is very nice and is only built Hashana though we distributed money were about 20-24 steps. on three sides of the courtyard, quite they were so troublesome that today modern and on the river. We went Jacob asked Abdel Qader Pasha to send a Wednesday, 12th October – upstairs to the drawing room, and to our soldier to stand at the door. Kippur’s Eve surprise we found a real English drawing At 9.30 Mamma, Diana, Rachel and I room, such as we had not seen since leav- ne piece of news is that Mr with Hakham Nessim Ben Abu Reuben ing Bombay. After tea we went onto the Strauss, the American Ambassador (on the box) drove to see the Jewish verandas, which are very large, then we Oat Constantinople (whom Mamma Cemetery (David had another appoint- went on to the roof and were shown the met at Sir Samuel Montagu’s dinner when ment). We felt very sad to see the ☛

Tallisim (Bab-el-Tellesim) or (Bab-el-Westani), the tower of the ancient Baghdad rampart which was built by Abu Jaffar el Mansour the first founder of Baghdad in the year 730 A.D.

This tower was blown down by the Turks on their evacuation of Baghdad 1917.

24 The Scribe No.74 Parents of Farha (Flora) Sassoon – Ezekiel Abraham Gubbay 1824-1896. He left Baghdad to Bombay in 1842 and mar- ried in 1853. Aziza 1839-1897 daughter of Abdulla (Albert) David Sassoon. Pictures taken at their wedding.

…shabbiness and struggling state of the whole place. The community go on working their way eastwards, although here is a vast plain westwards, which originally was the site of the old graves, for fear of exhuming any bones. The name is inscribed on the side where the head goes, and is kept covered with a brick, which can be pulled out when they wish to read the name. The graves are covered with bricks and mud; they are afraid to use stones or marbles, because the graves would be demolished and the materials stolen. The poor Jews – how different are the English and the Armenian cemeteries which have high boundary walls and cypress trees.

End of Diary

Ps… Solomon D Sassoon, 1875 late Mrs Flora Sassoon in London 1910 See Notes on next page ☛ husband of Farha

25 The Scribe No.74 NOTES:

n one occasion during the visits to Mrs Farha Sassoon, 6 Chief ORabbis, past, present and future sat under one roof. It is noteworthy that the visitors did not appear to having been offered the Masgouf Shabbout fish of which Baghdad is famous. The Turkish pound was a gold Lira worth at the time 12 Indian Rupees or 18 Shillings. We greatly admire the scope and interesting details in the Diary of Mozelle (1884-1921). David Sassoon wrote his own diary which appeared in Hebrew in a book entitled (Massa’a Babel). ☛

The family of Saleh Elishaa (Sassoon)

"Yimma Hannah" (daughter of Yehushoua Gubbay, and cousin of Farha’s father) surrounded by family members.

From right to left:

Standing: Naima Abraham; Muzli Yehuda; Saleh Yehuda; David Yehuda; Eliahou Yehuda; Khatoun Baroukh; Yehuda Shoua; Saleh Baroukh; Sion Baroukh; Yousef Yehezkel Sasson Zubaida; Farha Yehuda

Sitting: Aziza Baroukh; Yehuda Shoua; Seniora "Yima Hannah"; Yehuda Eliahou Yehuda; Habiba Eliahou Yehuda; Rahel Eliahou Yehuda; Muzli Baroukh; Yehuda Shoua; Abdullah son of Aziza; Naima daughter of Aziza; Muzli daughter of Aziza; Salman Abraham Eliahou Yehuda; Reuben son of Aziza; Semha daughter of Habiba; Menashe Abraham Eliahou Yehuda

26 The Scribe No.74 Scribe: The Expelling of Nazem Pasha - Elijah's Chair The Wali of Baghdad n the short space of 40 years, the fol- he Brit Milah of the first grandson of Rabbi Dr Abraham and Estelle lowing momentous event happened in n March 1911, Nazem Pasha received Levy, the son of Julian and Sian Iand around the region:- an order from Istanbul terminating his T Isaac, was celebrated last February at the appointment as Governor of Baghdad. I Lauderdale Synagogue to a gathering of There was a public outcry against this The First World War (1914-1918) over 200 guests. On that occasion the order and, despite a wave of strikes and The Russian Revolution (1917) Chair of Elijah which was donated by the hunger strikes in support of the popular The Balfour Declaration (1917) Smouha family was first used. The Dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Wali, Istanbul refused to rescind the order Empire and he was replaced by a new Governor After the service and ceremony, a The Dismemberment of the Ottoman Yousef Pasha. ♦ lavish breakfast was offered in the Empire Montefiori Hall. Guests were presented Iraq given to Arab Rule (1921) ℘℘℘℘℘ with a copy of an English translation of The emergence of 21 Arab countries, a monograph on Benedictions by Rabbi under Mandate Isaac Levy of Gibraltar which contains a The Turkish Republic adopts the Latin genealogy of the Levy family going alphabet (1923) The National Front back to the year 1640. The rise of Nazi Germany (1933) We learn from the interesting chap- The Second World War (1939-1945) f members of the National Front want ters of this beautifully produced little The Farhud in Iraq, hundreds of Jews to demonstrate or parade they should book that Grace after Meals can be said killed (1941) Ibe allowed to do so to their hearts in any language. ♦ The Holocaust (1942-1945) content in one of the parks, but should ℘℘℘℘℘ The Independence and Partition of India not be allowed to demonstrate or parade (1947) in areas where people live or work. Historical society of Jews The creation of the State of Israel (1948) N E Dangoor from Egypt The discovery of vast oil reserves in Arab countries ** The forced emigration of about a million P O Box 230445, Brooklyn, NY 11223 Thank you for your letter of 19 April to Fax: 718-998 2497 Jews from Iraq and other Arab countries the Home Secretary, concerning National (1950) Front marches. It has been passed to me FROM OUR PREAMBLE to reply. In 1910, the safest way to travel from his organisation shall be known as London to Baghdad would have been by Your comments have been noted. ♦ HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF JEWS FROM EGYPT, and not of sea to Bombay and from there to Basrah Mr Stuart Moore T Egypt or of Egyptian Jews, but FROM by local steamer and from Basrah to Home Office EGYPT for the purpose will be to Baghdad by riverboat, totalling 5 weeks Policing and Crime Reduction Group include all our co-religionists whose lin- In 1950, regular airlines took only 5 Action Against Crime & Disorder hours from London to Baghdad. ♦ eage have sojourned in the Jewish Communities of Egypt. The aims of this society are to pre- Baghdad as a Jewish city serve, maintain, co-ordinate the imple- mentation, and to convey our rich her- t has often been said that New York is book of the Baghdad vilayet: total num- itage to our children and grandchildren, a Jewish city. I think one can safely ber of inhabitants, 202,200, of whom: using all educational means at our dis- Isay the same about Baghdad of the 80,000 were Jews; 12,000 Christians; posal to bring into being the necessary first half of the twentieth century. 8,000 Kurds, 800 Persians; and 101,400 foundations. Arabs, Turks and other Muslims. To have an idea of the city’s demog- Passover...... celebrating the birth of A proclamation issued by the British raphy and the position of the Jews in our people’s Freedom from Egypt and so military Governor in the early 1919’s those five decades, it is enough to we learn; our fathers were slaves in fixed the number of sheep to be slaugh- glance at these few facts of statistics: Egypt, and if it wasn’t for the Almighty’s tered daily in Baghdad East (al-Risafa, In 1904, the French vice-consul in intervention we would have been slaves the more populous half of the city) at Baghdad gave the number of Jews in the in Egypt until today. 220 for Jewish butchers and 160 for then Ottoman Baghdad vilayet as Muslim and other butchers. 40,000, out of a total population of Scribe: In the Baghdad Chamber of 160,000. The truth about Passover: Who made us Commerce most of the members were In 1910, a British consular report slaves in Egypt? It was none other than Jews and the administrative council con- estimated the number of Jews in Joseph as a result of cornering the grain sisted of 8 Jews and 8 Moslems. ♦ Baghdad as ranging from 45,000 to market. The whole population of Egypt 50,000. became slaves to Pharaoh. When a new Nessim Rejwan In October 1921, a British publica- Pharaoh arose (Rameses 1) he released Israel tion quoted these population figures for the Egyptians but kept the Hebrews in ♦ the city as given in the last official year- their bondage. 27 The Scribe No.74 Destroying Idols Jewish Genealogical

he move by Afghanistan’s reli- Afghan nobles to Arabia to embrace Islam. Conference gious leaders to destroy the idols Mohammed greeted him as "malik" (king) Tof Buddhism is to be applauded. as he claimed descent through 47 genera- he 21st International Conference They offend the followers of monothe- tions from Saul. Qais died in 662 aged 87. on Jewish Genealogy, the largest ism, worshippers of the one true God, All the modern chiefs of Afghanisatan Tevent of its kind staged outside the Creator and Sustainer of our universe, claim descent from him. The Afghans still United States, has styled itself "London especially Jews and Moslems. call themselves Beni-Israel. Their claim to 2001". Some 1,000 delegates attended, Israeli-tish descent is allowed by most including many of non-Jewish back- So who is ranged against the coura- Mohammedan writers. King Amanullah ground, reflecting the ethnic mix of the geous Afghan move? It is the Islamic Khan once stated they were of the tribe of speakers, and testifies to the recent Republic of Pakistan, the fundamentalist Benjamin." (Jewish Encyclopaedia). explosion of interest in genealogy. The regime of Iran, the puritan kingdom of Additional references: Afghanistan opening up of the archives of the former Saudi Arabia and the supreme authority (Khorasan in medieval Muslim and Soviet Union countries, advances in of Al Azhar Imam of Cairo. President Hebrew sources). Early Karaite and genetic technology, law suits over resti- Hosni Mubarak tells the Afghans that Rabbinite biblical commentators regard- tution of artworks and other property Egypt has not destroyed the pharaonic ed Khorasan as a location of the Ten looted during the Holocaust have all con- idols. But the followers of these idols no Tribes of Israel. Afghanistan annals also tributed to the expanded nature and longer exist, whereas Buddhism is thriv- trace the Hebrew origin of some of the boundaries of genealogy. ing. The tradition of destroying idols Afghan tribes, in particular the Durrani, goes back to Abraham, ancestor of both More than 170 leading academics, the Yussafzai and the Afridi to King Saul Jews and Arabs. historians and scientists from across the (Talut). This belief appears in the 17th What makes Afghanistan head and world addressed Europe’s largest ever century Afghan Chronicle, Makhzan-i- shoulders above the rest of Islam? It is the conference on Jewish Genealogy, which Afghan." (Enc. Jud.) Jewish connection of the Afghan people. was held in London last July. Among the "The Afghans have a tradition that they speakers were – Naim Dangoor writes: descend from the lost Ten Tribes. They were carried away by Buktunaser. In the Years ago I went to the Afghan David Dangoor – Babylonian Jewry book (Taaqati-Nasiri) a native book, it is Embassy in London to enquire if it was (Read excerpts of this talk later in this stated that at the time of the Shansabi known that the Afghan Royal Family was issue) Dynasty there were a people called Bani of Jewish origin. I was told they will find Israel who settled in Ghor, S.E. of Herat, out. Six months later the Royal Family Rita Bogdanova and colleagues – and about the year 622 CE (the Hegra took was toppled and the exiled Afghan king Overview of the Holdings of the place that year) converted the Islam by a still lives in Italy. ♦ Latvian State Archives person called Qais or Kish, who led some Lydia Collins – Sephardi Manchester

Interfaith Conference Held in Moscow Professor Yitzhak Kerem – The Jews of Salonika and Greek Jewish Sources Taken from: Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The Academic Response To Antisemitism & conference represents the first time that Ilana Tahan – Jewish Genealogical Racism in Europe (Arare) Jewish-Islamic and Jewish-Russian Resources in the British Library Chairman: Professor Eric Moonman Orthodox dialogue was conducted within Russia on such a high level. as well as Stephen D Smith MBE, n interfaith conference was held founder and director of the Beth Shalom in Moscow last October and was UNPRECEDENTED PUTIN GESTURE Holocaust Centre Aattended by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, the In an unprecedented gesture to The Bible includes much genealogi- Congress of Jewish Religious Russian Jewry, President Putin spent 90 cal material, attempting to trace the Communities of Russia and the Council minutes at the dedication of a Lubavitch human family tree from Adam Harishon. of Muftis of Russia, as well as from other synagogue which had been repeatedly Subsequent lists of who begat whom had religious communities functioning in bombed by neo-Nazis. The former KGB to do with the need to trace land titles in Russia. Scholars from the United States officer used the occasion to decry anti- Israel in accordance with the way the and Europe also participated. Organised semitism and to laud the revival of country was divided and allotted to the by a Russian group which promotes inter- Judaism in Russia. various tribes by Moses. religious dialogue and supported by the The hate crimes in Russia extend government and by the Federation of beyond the Jews. African diplomats in Visit the web page: http://www.jewish- Jewish Organisations, the Conference Moscow reportedly fear for their safety gen.org/london2001 was entitled "Search for Paths of Peace after being targeted by neo-Nazi skin- Email: [email protected] and Harmony: Common Responsibility heads believed to be working in co-oper- Write: London2001, PO Box of Christians, Moslems and Jews" and ation with the KKK (Klu Klux Klan) and 27061,London N2 0GT, England ♦ was held in the official residence of the German extremists. ♦ 28 The Scribe No.74 Babylonian Jewry by David Dangoor Excerpt of the talk he gave at the 21st were destroyed in 586 BCE, and most of nity in Babylon contributed much Jewish Genealogical Conference, held in the inhabitants were deported. towards the rebuilding of the structures in London last July When the last group of Jews arrived Israel. The High Priest Joshua, thought to in Babylonia, they found two other be Deutero Isaiah and the Prophet abylonia was one of the main groups of Hebrews already there. One Ezekiel are buried in Babylon. birthplaces of the Jewish people group, there for only eleven years, were The Babylonian, Ezra the scribe gave Bfrom its earliest times, as well as recent newcomers still learning to cope Judaism the decisive impulse that eventu- the place where the foundations of with a new life. ally produced the Pharisee movement and Judaism as we know it today were con- The other group were the descendants the rabbinical system. He changed the structed. The area between the River of those deported by the Assyrians in 721 Hebrew alphabet, and set himself to make Tigris and Euphrates, approximating to BCE from the northern kingdom of the Torah the governing force in Jewish modern day Iraq, can lay claim to a Israel. However, unlike their predeces- life. It is said of him that if the Torah had greater part of our history as a nation and sors, the later exiles of Judah did not not been given to Moses, Ezra would as a religion, than any other place. Not assimilate, because they were more have been worthy to receive it. His shrine only was it from there that Abraham attached to their religious traditions. The (shown on the cover of this issue) stands emerged as the founder of our people on prophet Jeremiah’s advice to the exiles in Southern Iraq. his journey to Israel, but it was here that was: build houses and live in them, plant In the year 331 BCE, the the Jews had autonomy for most time as a gardens and eat their produce. Take wives Achaemenians lost control of Babylonia people for over 1,000 years, here that the and have sons and daughters, multiply when their armies were defeated by Babylonian Talmud was created from there and do not decrease. And seek the Alexander the Great in the Battle of where it formed the framework for rab- welfare of the City where God has sent Gaugamela near Arbil (Arbela). The binic Judaism. It was in Babylon that the you into exile, and pray to the Lord for its Persian troops stationed in the capital synagogue and the love of learning grew. peace, for in its peace you will find your Babylon surrendered without fighting Our story starts in Ur, in southern peace. and the Macedonian conqueror made a Mesopotamia, where Abram’s father This became the charter for all the triumphal entry into the old Semitic Terah, the head of an Aramean Nomadic diasporas. metropolis. Alexander went on with his family escaped from there in the face of Within 48 years of the destruction of swift conquest all the way to India. Two an annihilating attack by Elamite hords Jerusalem, Babylon was conquered by years later he was back in Babylon where attacking Sumaria in about 1960 BCE. the Persian King Koresh, Cyrus the he was struck by fever and died there at An attack in which Ur was destroyed. Great. He allowed the Jews to return the age of thirty-two. Terah made his way north with his fami- home and rebuild the Temple in Seleucus, one of Alexander’s ly to Harran where he died. The succes- Jerusalem. Forty thousand did, but the Generals, made himself master of sion fell to Abram, his eldest son. Unlike majority stayed in Babylon. Babylon, and the large Seleucid empire his father, a polytheist worshipping idols, It was the policy of the Achaemenian ruled Babylonia for just over two cen- Abram was a monotheist. He broke with rulers, from Cyrus down, to tolerate the turies to 126 BCE. idolatry, and turned to the service of the cults of the subjugated nationalities In 126 BCE, forty years after the one and only God whom he recognised throughout their empire. Jews in Maccabian revolt in Israel, the Seleucid and by whom he was re-named Abraham. Babylonia worked mainly as farmers as empire was driven out from Babylon by This was not a God restricted to one they had in the Holy Land but they also the Parthians, another Persian group, locality, but the Creator of Heaven and worked as bakers and brewers, weavers, whose Arsacid dynasty provided 350 Earth, independent of nature and geo- dyers and tailors, shipbuilders and wood- years of reasonably stable Persian rule, graphical limitation, and essentially an cutters. There are records of Jewish which though it had its ups and downs for ethical God to whom justice and right- blacksmiths, tanners, fishermen, sailors the Jews, was generally a benign period. eousness was of supreme concern. and porters. Street vendors eked out a The Arsacids were concerned with foster- Proceeding south along the eastern modest living while men of commerce ing local support among indigenous pop- bank of the Jordan, he crossed into the exported grain, wine, wool and flax, and ulations and so made little effort to land of Canaan to Shechem near imported silk, iron and precious stones. impose their culture and religion over Jerusalem. According to Josephus, It was at this time that the founda- them. Palestinian Jewry under the Abraham was called "The Hebrew" in tions of the synagogue were laid. The Hasmoneans, and Arsacid Parthia had a reference to his ancestor Heber men- synagogue met the needs of the exiles in common interest in the destruction of the tioned in the Bible. The Hebrews appear more than one sense. It was natural for Seleucid Greek power. again on the Mesopotamian scene over a those living near one another to meet on At the beginning of the present era thousand years later, when the days they did not work, the Sabbath, there were many conversions to Judaism Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful Festivals and Fast days. Without a all over the Middle East. In about 40 CE, Babylonian King conquered the Temple, they could not sacrifice, but in northern Iraq, the Royal Family and Kingdom of Judah and captured they could sing songs which accompa- many of the people of Adiabene became Jerusalem in 597 BCE, and deported nied the sacrifices and which the scribes Jews. It is estimated that there may have leading Jews to Babylon. After a rebel- had preserved. been as many as one million Jews around lion by Judah, Jerusalem and the Temple In the meantime, the Jewish commu- Babylonia at that time. ☛ 29 The Scribe No.74 …However, when in the year 363 the read the whole Torah over a three year of the academies of Sura and Pumbeditha Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate cycle instead of the Babylonian one year and one of the most significant functions offered Babylonian Jewry to rebuild the cycle which has prevailed. of their heads, the Geonim, was answer- temple in Jerusalem if they turned against Great academies also grew in ing queries coming from Jewish commu- their Persian rulers, they refused. Nehardea, Sura, and Pumbedita, and nities near and far. These answers were Parthian reinforcement saw the estab- while people such as the great Hillel the given in Teshuboth, responsa. The ques- lishment of a position called the Resh Babylonian used to go to Jerusalem to tions touched on the whole range of law Galuta which is Aramaic for Head of the study, the centre of gravity of Jewish and the plain meaning of a talmudic Exiles, or Exilarch. The holder of this learning gradually shifted to Babylon. In phrase or the order of prayers, or points position exercised government over all 219 CE Rav returned to Babylonia and of dogma or history. The answers were Babylonian Jewry and Jewry within the formed the Sura Academy. It was here often read in public, in synagogues and Parthian empire. The holders of the office that the Amoraim over many generations schools, with copies made and carried to traced their lineage back through the (about three centuries) did their work to other communities. Subsequently a male line to King David and they passed explain or complete the Mishna. The whole body of collected responsa litera- the position within the family, mostly word Gemara is from the Aramaic word ture evolved. Many of the remote com- from father to son for 900 years. completion. munities of the diaspora survived on the During the Parthian rule the Exilarch The Gemara exists in two versions: intellectual guidance coming from had his own courts and prisons and col- the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonia. Many Geonim in the four cen- lected taxes on behalf of his administra- Babylonian Talmud, but it is the turies after the Muslim conquest had a tion and the central government. There Babylonian Talmud that has had the great reputation throughout the Jewish are even records of capital punishment greatest influence on Judaism, as we world. One notable among them was being meted out. This autonomy contin- know it. This is partly because it was Sa’adia Gaon of Sura in the 10th Century ued during Sassanian rule, though the focused more on issues important in the who composed a Book of Seasons about powers of the Exilarch were initially Diaspora, partly because the Babylonian the Jewish calendar, an Arabic translation severely restricted until the Jewish gov- community governed itself and so the of the Bible for the common people, and ernment accepted State Law on certain rules had a direct relevance, and also a philosophical justification of Judaism. matters such as land tenure and payment because this resulted in more polishing of Another notable Gaon was Samuel Ibn of taxes, summarised by the principle of the work by repeatedly revisiting and Al-Dastur who also had a daughter who dina de malchuta dina (secular law is explaining difficult passages. Also the was so learned that she taught the stu- law) which remains a basic Jewish prin- tyranny of Rome in Judea had prevented dents, but had to do so from inside a ciple even today. the completion of the Jerusalem Talmud. building through a window, so the stu- Most of the fourth century saw Jewish In 641 CE the Muslims conquered dents below her could not see her. persecution in Babylonia, with many Mesopotamia with the help of During the period of Geonim, and killed, and children given to Mazdean Babylonian Jewry who had been suffer- perhaps in part as a reaction to rabbinic Priests. Jews were even forbidden to light ing from Masdakite religious fanaticism. talmudic Judaism, a sect of Judaism Shabbath candles. When the Sasanians Such great help was given to the Muslims called the Karaites based on a literal embraced briefly the teachings of by the Jews that when the Muslims con- interpretation of the Bible (Karaim means Mazdak which included the sharing of quered Persia the two daughters of the scripturalists) was started in the 8th cen- property and women, the Exilarch Mar Shah were taken by the Caliph Omar, tury by Anan Ben-David, a wayward Zutra II expelled the Mazdakites in the who married one and gave the other in elder brother who was passed over in the year 513, and declared an independent marriage to the Exilarch Bustanai. position of Exilarch in favour of his state which lasted seven years, until he Muslims divided the world into two main younger brother. On challenging this he was captured and killed in 520. domains; Dar Al-Islam (the domain of was sentenced to death, but in prison was The idea grew among the Jews of Islam), and Dar Al-Harb (the domain of advised to offer a bribe and claim a new Babylonia that knowledge was an impor- war) but in between they introduced the religion that accepted a place for Jesus tant acquisition. The ignoramus was to be concept of Dar Al-Sulh (the domain of and Mohammed and which had a differ- despised, and a man’s standing in the conciliation) which belong to such peo- ent calendar. It gained many disciples community began to depend not so much ples as Jews and Christians (the people of over the following centuries and was the on family and wealth as on intellectual the Book) called Dhimmis to whom tol- greatest threat that rabbinic Judaism had endeavour and achievement. Young and eration and protection was extended by encountered for many centuries. old became interested in acquiring treaty, in return for protection money During the early years of Islam, the knowledge. A young man was counselled called Jezia. The life of the Jews of Exilarch as the temporal head of the to sell if necessary all he possessed to Babylonia under Islam took a turn for the Jewish community was shown great hon- marry the daughter of a learned man. better, partly because of the affinity our and respect by the Muslims. He Gradually Jews experienced a kind of between the two religions. would visit the Caliph every Thursday cultural democracy. The synagogue had What is more, the very expansion of with a grand processional escort of Jews eliminated the priestly intermediary, and the Muslim empire and the establishment and non-Jews, and a herald in front of education made the Torah available to all. in 762 CE of Baghdad as the capital of him would cry out; Make way before our The Torah was read and explained on the Moslem world, and the seat of the Lord, the son of David. He would kiss the Shabbat, but since farmers lived some Caliphate, opened up extraordinary Caliph’s hand and the Caliph would rise distance from synagogues, and could not opportunities for commerce as well as for and place him on a throne beside him. travel on Shabbat, portions of the Torah the extension of the influence of the Though the Jews’ experience of Islam were also read on market days, Mondays Babylonian academies. was generally a very positive one they, and Thursdays. In the Holy Land they As a result, one of the main activities like all non-Muslims, did suffer ☛ 30 The Scribe No.74 …when their rulers were of a more fanat- allow such an important and useful part A pro-axis government took power in the ical disposition. Distinctive and unusual of his population to leave. He was warm- spring of 1941 with army support, and clothing to humiliate them was occasion- ly welcomed by Baghdad’s small Jewish denied British troops access to military ally the order of the day, as well as community. The Ottomans were on the bases in Iraq. When British forces came restrictions of freedom for non-Muslims. whole very favourable to minorities in, this government fled, but the British Also the Caliph Haroun el Rashid fought including the Jews, as they perceived the stayed outside the capital for a few days against the Khazars who had converted to main threat to their rule would come from while the mob set upon the Jews. About Judaism and when he met military set- the majority populations. 180 were killed and many more injured in backs against them he took it out on the The Persians re-conquered Baghdad the days before a curfew was imposed. Jews of Iraq. in 1623. Fifteen years later, Sultan Murad A lull of a few years occurred, but Afghanistan today probably gives an IV laid siege to it. On the night before with the establishment of the State of insight into the occasional lurches to attack he went in as a beggar to survey. In Israel in 1948 and the poor showing of fundamentalism that occurred from time the evening, he knocked at a Jewish door. Iraqi troops against it, the Jews found to time. Decided that a full loaf would be a good themselves facing government victimisa- Babylonian influence over other omen, he got full loaf and accommoda- tion and extortion with confiscation and Jewish communities began to wane large- tion. The next day Murad captured fines following trumped-up charges. The ly as a result of quarrels among Moslem Baghdad and later enquired what Mrs few who left the country were required to people themselves and the weakening of Parizat, who had given him lodging, pay huge deposits, and many started to the Caliphate. would want as a present. At her request, leave illegally across the mountains. Baghdad ceased to be the centre of the growing Jewish community were Eventually the government introduced a the Muslim world between the 10th and given a large piece of land to be used as a law allowing Jews to leave on the surren- 12th Centuries, but disaster was to cemetery. After the Revolution of 1958 der of their nationality, and loss of their strike with the conquest of the Mongols. President Qassem appropriated the ceme- assets. It was declared that there was to In 1258 Hulagu, the grandson of tery to build the highest tower in the be an exchange of populations with Genghis Khan stormed the city. The world. He paid no compensation as the Palestinian refugees who were to occupy majority of Baghdad’s inhabitants of community had forgotten to register its vacated Jewish houses. Two bombs went over 800,000 people (some say as high ownership in 1930. off, one among Jewish people and anoth- as two million) including the Caliph and However later Sultans let power slip er in a synagogue. As a result when the his family was slaughtered and the city back to the local Pashas under whom the massive airlift to Israel, known as given over to plunder and flames, as lot of the Jews deteriorated. Emigration Operation Ezra and Nehemia, took place was the Mongol way took its toll, and during the 18th and 19th in 1951, most of the Jews in Iraq got out Some accounts suggest that many centuries plagues of fearful dimensions with little more than the clothes they Jews and other Dhimmis were spared, left the yeshivot half empty, the rabbinate were wearing. By 1952 over 130,000 had and thirty years later a Jew called Sa’ad crippled and the community much left and only 6,000 remained. Since then Al-Dawla was made Governor of Iraq. reduced. The result was the population of most of those have also left by one means Three years later he was assassinated and Baghdad is not likely to have grown or another so that today, apart from about the mob turned the Jewish Quarter of much in the past five centuries. Indeed thirty very old Jews, no-one remains from Baghdad into a scene of murder and plun- the Jewish population of the area of the community that had flourished for der. However two years later an econom- Babylonia in 1950 was about the same as thousands of years. ic crisis compelled the regime to turn to it was 2,500 years earlier at the time Today the Babylonian Jewish com- another Jewish physician financier for when Koresh conquered Babylon. This is munity is roughly estimated at about help. Rashid Al-Dawla’s position as min- despite having been many times larger at 300,000 worldwide, out of which about ister lasted for two decades but when his certain intervening periods. 280,000 are living in Israel. Outside master died he was accused by his ene- In 1917 the British entered Baghdad Israel there are about 25,000, mainly in mies of having poisoned him, and was where the Jews of the district now num- the US and UK. executed in 1316. bered 80,000, among a population of Babylonian Jewish children were In 1401 Tamerlane, the last and great- 200,000). The Jews were soon concerned taught at an early age to memorise as est of the Mongols, conquered Baghdad because the British intended to give the much of their family tree as possible – at again with great loss of life including Arabs independence. They feared dis- least to a well-known ancestor, who Jewish lives. The Mongol occupation of crimination. Despite assurances from the would remain a landmark for several gen- Iraq brought about the downfall of British who appointed the Emir Faisal as erations that followed him. Babylonian Jewry as a force in the Jewish the first King of Iraq, their minority posi- The Bible’s emphasis on genealogy world. tion gradually resulted in handicaps was to do with protecting land titles. After turbulent times and a succession which got worse when Faisal’s son, Community positions, which once of rulers, the Ottoman Sultan, Salim the Ghazi, took over. He was more stridently attained, were often held for life, featured Savage, took much of Mesapotamia in nationalist, and less of a statesman. in names. The President of a congregation 1516, and in 1534 the greatest Ottoman, Under the influence of Nazi propaganda, was called Hazzan from Hazzanu Sulaiman the Magnificent, entered Jews began to find access to government (Governor), and that title became a sur- Baghdad accompanied by a number of jobs and institutes of higher learning name for the person and for following gen- Jewish scholars and physicians. He is the restricted to them. Zionist activity abroad erations of the family. The Treasurer was one who encouraged Sephardi Jews, was creating a growing nationalist back- known as the Gubbay, and the Secretary recently expelled from Spain to settle in lash at home, and Jews found themselves was known as the Shamash. A number of his empire. He would ask how the King having to make numerous declarations of Iraqi Jewish families bear the names of Spain could call himself wise and loyalty to deal with mounting hostilities. Hazzan, Gubbay and Shamash. ☛ 31 The Scribe No.74 …Other surnames referred to places of Baghdadi Haggada which includes the origin e.g. Shirazi, Karkukli, Hillawi, translation in Arabic which used to be Regarding Hakham Mandelawi, Basri, etc. or the profession sung in full as part of the Seder, with the Shim’on Aghassi e.g. Haddad (Blacksmith), Shohet Arabic written only in Hebrew charac- (Slaughterer), Kateb (Writer=Sofer), ters. (Issue 73) Baqqal (Grocer) and Saatchi (Watch The Babylonian Jewry Museum in the by Edward Yamen - Milan repairer), or pedigree e.g. Cohen, Lawi, town of Or Yehuda near Tel Aviv features Nasi, Hakham or Siddiq. a reproduction of an alleyway in the However surnames were not used for Jewish Quarter of Baghdad around 100 much of the time until recently. Instead years ago. It also houses temporary and we used a pattern of first names with one permanent exhibits and hosts educational or two distinguishing names threading activities, symposia for artists, etc. the line. There are associations in Israel of Families confined themselves to only groups of Iraqi origin, for example the a few names which were then repeated in Association of Jewish Academics from different patterns. Secondary branches Iraq which have published many books established new patterns. including a dictionary of the distinctive Unfortunately most of the ancient Judeo-Arabic dialect of Iraq. Apart from records of our community disappeared in distinctive traditions and a distinctive the constant warfare that plagued that dialect, Iraqi Jews used their own charac- region. Perhaps genetic analysis in the teristic Hebrew script. ♦ coming years will reveal again some ℘℘℘℘℘ knowledge of general genealogical pat- terns. In the last three centuries, extensive records were made and are still available. The Hilda Sofaer Useful sources of information have been Centre for example the military tax that was levied by the Ottomans from the Jews and which was fully recorded. Some fam- dinburgh House, our own Spanish Hakham Shim’on Aghassi Z’L ilies can date their family tree back to the and Portuguese Residential Care 17th Century. My own family records go EHome for the elderly, is a regis- back to around 1700. At that time there tered charity which was established in take pleasure in sending you herewith was a massive death toll in Baghdad from 1747 and is one of the oldest Jewish char- a valuable picture which I treasured one of the plagues that decimated the ities in the UK. It provides accommoda- Ifor scores of years now, of the late population in that period. New rabbis tion and care for Jewish men and women, Rabbi and which I find as a necessary were brought in, often from Aleppo. My with facilities for religious observance. complement to the article. father once came across a person in The current building, situated in Pictures of those who are not any- London who looked identical to a close Wembley, was opened in November 1977. more with us are fundamental for the relative of ours. He asked him his sur- After many years of heavy use it required sake of recognition, appreciation and name which turned out to be Danker, upgrading and refurbishment, to enable identification. very close to Dangoor. The name appar- continuing the provision of the best possi- It goes without saying that the picture of ently is carried by a number of Jewish ble levels of comfort and service, which the Rabbi illustrates in a very clear way a people from a town in Latvia which was the residents, families, carers, volunteers man of significance and genuineness. ♦ called Dankera, now called Gostini. So and staff alike so richly deserve. perhaps our family came to Baghdad ℘℘℘℘℘ from Spain via Latvia and Aleppo. The construction work commenced in Efforts are made to preserve the histo- January 2000, at a cost of £1,100,000. It ry and traditions of Babylonian Jewry could not be funded by the government or The Mary Nathaniel today. My father created a Foundation the local authorities and therefore an called The Exilarch’s Foundation to keep appeal to provide the funds was made to Golden Hall of Friendship Trusts, Foundations and members of the alive many traditions of the community. he Mary Nathaniel Golden Hall of He has been publishing a magazine of Spanish and Portuguese Jews communi- ty, who gave significant support, and the Friendship, The Jerusalem Babylonian Jewry for thirty years with Foundation and the YMCA have over 4000 copies distributed free all over balance was pledged by Elias Sofaer and T his family in memory of his late wife inaugurated last July the restored audito- the world. It covers a vast range of the rium at the YMCA, Jerusalem, in the culture of our community from history Hilda, whose untimely death shocked the Community. presence of the representatives of the and family trees to poetry and literature, major donors and Mr Teddy Kolleck. politics and current affairs, cookery and The whole complex therefore is being familiar proverbs. named The Hilda Sofaer Centre and com- A concert was performed in the Mary The Scribe is now available on the prises the refurbished Edinburgh House Nathaniel Golden Hall of Friendship in internet at scribe1.com. plus additional bedrooms and facilities as her memory. ♦ The Exilarch’s Foundation has also well as a conservatory and a new physio- ♦ published a number of editions of the therapy room. 32 The Scribe No.74 Two outstanding cousins Israel, the Vatican by Saeed Bershan and Anti-Semitism BA Commerce & Economics From Clemens N Nathan approachable. I can cite many instances of his kindness, to me and to others. His srael asked the Vatican’s "immediate excellent education is reflected in his intervention" in stopping the rising inci- expert writing on many topics: politics Idents of anti-semitism around the world. (he has first-class and intimate knowl- Last October, Israeli Secretary edge of our history and has often argued Yitzhak Herzog asked the Holy See, them with high and mighty), religious Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nun- tractates, philosophy and science. That is cio to Israel, to confront the recent wave not surprising when you realise the of anti-Semitic attacks. breadth of his travels and experiences, his A statement from Herzog’s office said great family tree and the extent of his phi- the conversation followed a special Israeli lanthropy, both here and abroad. He has Cabinet meeting held a day earlier on the been one of the unique Iraqi Jews who subject of the attacks. Herzog, who also is have made it his business to meet top the Secretary of the Committee Against everywhere, as well as the Royal family Anti-Semitism and Chairman of the govern- and, along with his wife, been pho- ment’s Inter-Faith Dialogue Forum, stressed tographed with every ‘who’s who’ you the importance of taking a "clear and can imagine. Saeed Bershan unequivocal stand against anti-Semitism". He was instrumental in founding in Herzog referred to the 1994 agree- 1969 The Iraqi Community Centre which ment signed by Israel and the Vatican feel very blessed and humble to be has proved crucial in bringing together able to claim two outstanding individ- regarding the curbing of anti-Semitism. successive generations of our dispersed Full Vatican-Israeli diplomatic relations Iuals among my close relatives. Let community. One of his greatest contribu- me share with you some insight into their were established in 1994. tions to the Iraqi Jews all over the world "The Holy See should take a leading role lives. Both combine exemplary morals, was to publish, since 1971, "The Scribe", with a high degree of intelligence. in challenging the spread of anti-Semitism filling it with interesting articles and nos- around the world", Herzog said. "The Israeli I will first mention my Uncle Meer talgic pictures, available to everyone, government sees its role as ensuring that Basri, the author, editor, poet and histori- without charge, never mind the effort and Jews are not threatened or harmed because an. For nigh 75 years now his reputation the expense. His far-sightedness and gen- of their religion and calls on the enlightened as a scholar with a superb mastery of the erosity led him to establish The nations to meet this challenge." Arabic language has brought him esteem Exilarch’s Charitable Foundation in order Archbishop Sambi declined to com- in the foremost literary circles in Iraq. to continue a paramount Babylonian tra- ment on the conversation. Indeed he has such an astute memory for dition and dignity. After the recent flare-up of Israeli- events, dates and personalities, well- Because of him we acquired an organ Palestinian violence, tensions ran high in known authors continue to defer to him in to testify to our common heritage. some European countries, especially writing their books. His prolific powers Because of him we resuscitated our France, where there is a significant Arab are legendary as he continues to pen Baghdadi and childhood memories, in the immigrant population. Jewish worshippers down articles, poems and books – both in process discovering a distinctive culture. leaving their synagogues in France were English and Arabic – he hasn’t stopped Thanks to The Scribe various people the target of stone-throwing, and attackers since 1933 (he is 90 now). He is regarded have begun to contribute even more. For set fire to several synagogues. ♦ by the Iraqi poets and men of culture as one man to have achieved all of this, he ℘℘℘℘℘ one of them. Here in London he still must deserve a righteous status evermore. attends scholarly circles where he is feted As it happens, those two affable gen- realise that we must move with the by his friends the Arabs –indeed they tlemen are first cousins in their own right times and that the internet is now the refer to him in a reverential manner as well as good friends, and I conclude Ibest form of communication, but The (Istath), while his repertoire of books are my letter by wishing them both contin- Scribe on the internet cannot replace the still being sold all over the world. ued health and happiness. Would our pleasure of handling the magazine and He has served the Community with community ever produce such geniuses turning the pages and reminiscing about honesty and benefited them in many again? I wish…. ♦ one’s childhood and youth. aspects without any personal remunera- ℘℘℘℘℘ Would it be possible to publish it at an tion. He has made many speeches and economic price like other publications? written many articles in newspapers both Ray Sopher London in Iraq and London, and appeared on Scribe: A computer colour print-out radio in both countries. Quote… My other worthy relative is my sec- can be sent to all interested readers by Forty is the old age of youth, ond cousin on my mother’s side. sending a cheque for £10.00 (within the Fifty is the youth of old age. Although a highly successful business- UK) or US$20 (overseas) to The man, Naim Dangoor has remained very Victor Hugo Exilarch’s Foundation, 4 Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 3AW, England ♦ 33 The Scribe No.74 The Centre for Jewish-Christian Relations

Dear Mr Dangoor sion of a Jewish child. Another worrying Jewish "elder brothers". development is the recent outburst by the thought the enclosed article which the From the liberal end of the Catholic Cardinal Biffi, Archbishop of Bologna, Centre for Jewish Christian Relations spectrum there is a deafening silence. It about a Muslim "invasion" of Europe. Ihas sent out might be interesting for would be interesting to know what your magazine. I am Chairman of the I fear that these events, whilst separate, Cardinal Cassidy thinks about all this. The Board of Trustees and we have done a represent a concerted attempt to reverse Pope’s recent journey to Israel and the great deal of work for improving Christian the advances that emerged from Vatican II. Palestinian Territories has demonstrated Jewish understanding at an academic level If such attitudes prevail, they will cause his personal commitment to religious tol- in Cambridge. The Centre is very success- untold harm not just to relations between erance and understanding. Can the same ful. We have today over 100 students the Roman Catholic Church and other be said about the Curia? studying Jewish Christian text and working churches but also with Judaism and, more The dialogue between Catholics and together in a most harmonious manner. worryingly, to relations with other major Jews has deepened in recent years and the religions, sharpening the anti-Christian relationship has matured. The desire to Clemens N Nathan London fervour of some of their fundamentalists. create a sustained, positive relationship ecent developments in the Roman For example, there has always been a between us, the willingness to engage in Catholic Church are sending out tension between Christianity and Islam authentic dialogue from our long and Rthe wrong signals, and friends of because of the latter’s missionary empha- complex history, and the ability to give the Church are concerned. sis and Muslims are now more likely to (and receive) criticism is part of an ongo- Of particular worry is the doctrine of the take up a position of conflict. Anti- ing process (and should not simply be dis- Faith’s declaration, Dominus lesus: On the Christian violence has in recent years bro- missed because it is a view which one Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus ken out in parts of Africa and Asia. This is partner does not like). and the Church. The outward purpose of not limited to Muslim countries: even Dear Clemens India (a country with history of tolerance this declaration is to offer a firm riposte to Thank you for your letter and enclosure towards Jews and Christians) has seen theologians who relativize the Christian which will be considered for the next outbreaks of anti-Christian feeling. This faith and the Roman Catholic Church. issue of The Scribe. was previously almost unheard of, and the However, it has been criticised by many The Vatican’s declaration is a retrograde involved in intra-faith as well as inter-faith call for active missionary activity and evangelising the religions of the world step. As a matter of fact I believe the trend dialogue, because the tone of the docu- should be in the opposite direction. ment is so grudging and because it repre- will surely increase the risk of a recur- rence of such explosions of feeling. Judaism has been regarded as the mother sents a step in a concerted attempt to over- religion of Christianity and Islam, but I Although Dominus lesus does not dis- turn the dialogue of recent decades. now believe that it is more correct to call cuss the Catholic-Jewish relations, it The tone of Dominus lesus fails to all three religions as sister religions. There clearly has important implications. reflect the deeper understanding that has are elements both in Christianity and Islam Judaism is obviously non-Christian, yet it been achieved through dialogue over the that go far beyond the beginnings of our is not a subset of "non-Christian reli- last 30 years. rabbinical religion and are all together on gions" either. It is in its own category but No wonder an alliance of Protestant equal basis regarding our relationship. ♦ I wonder how followers of other religions churches criticised it as ecumenically view this document? How can Catholics Naim insensitive. It required the personal inter- involved in dialogue assert with integrity ℘℘℘℘℘ vention of Pope John Paul who emphasised that their dialogue partners are in a grave- the Catholic Church’s commitment to ly deficient situation? improving ecumenical relations at a meet- Map of Baghdad and Basra This declaration is not, as some have ing with the World Alliance of Reformed I am writing my memoirs of my life in Churches (which claim a total membership suggested, a helpful line drawn in the sand. It may be that we are just witnessing Iraq, and I need street maps of Basrah and of 75 million Christians in 106 countries). Baghdad. I would very much appreciate it The commitments of the Catholic Church conservative figures in the Church bat- tling for the Pope’s ear during the twilight if you could tell me how I can get these to ecumenical dialogue is irrevocable, he maps. I have not been able to get these said in a welcome clarification. of this papacy; but some liberal Catholic theologians fear that something far more maps in the USA. My email address is… This declaration has appeared immedi- sinister is afoot: nothing less than a con- [email protected] and my mailing ately after a series of events which have spiracy to overturn Vatican II. address is… depressed friends of the Roman Catholic 500 Manhattan Drive, B4, Boulder, CO Over the last 40 years we have watched Church. Attempts to canonise Pius XII 80303. My phone number is… and welcomed the more ecumenical and the linking of beautification of Pius 303-499-6193. approach adopted by the Church: the cur- IX with John XXIII have caused grave Shaul Basri concern about what is going on in the rent Pope, though a conservative, has Vatican. The pairing of these two Popes is taken massive strides to heal the historic Reply: rift between Catholicism and Judaism. We clearly a balancing act between liberals The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Centre have grown used to a Catholic Church and conservatives. For many of us, Pius 83 M Ben-Porat Avenue which spoke of its "deep and mutual IX is remembered primarily for holding Or Yehuda 60261 respect" for its brothers and sisters in out against modernity as well as acquiesc- Israel other Christian churches, let alone its ing in the kidnapping and forcible conver- email: [email protected] 34 The Scribe No.74 Consultative Council of been adequately treated in existing instru- International Standard ments, and the effectiveness of current Jewish Organisations international machinery needs to be re- Serial Number (ISSN) From: Chairman Clemens N Nathan examined. I have assigned the following ISSN to: The CCJO wishes to encourage an The Scribe he Consultative Council of Jewish innovative and dynamic approach to ISSN 1474-0230 Organisations (CCJO) was estab- these issues, and for this purpose invites should be grateful if the ISSN could Tlished as an NGO (non-govern- the submission of scholarly papers, 30 to be - printed in all issues of the serial, mental organisation) at the United Nations 40 pages (double-spaced), on different Ipreferably on the top right-hand cor- in 1946 by Jewish organisations frorn both aspects of racism and racial discrimina- ner of the cover in the form given above, sides of the Atlantic to encourage the tion. The intention is not to promote any i.e. preceded by the letters ISSN with a recognition of human rights for all people particular agenda, but rather to stimulate hyphen separating the two halves of the and to ensure the input of the Jewish ethi- debate by presenting varied viewpoints. number - quoted in all promotional and cal tradition in the development of interna- The following topics are likely to be descriptive material concerning the serial tional human rights law. The CCJO’s first among those to be addressed at the I should appreciate it if we might be President was Rene Cassin, a principal World Congress: notified in advance of any change in title, drafter of the UN Declaration of Human • Religious freedom however slight, since this may necessitate Rights, who was awarded the Nobel Peace • The scope and limits of restitution the assigning of a new ISSN. I am able to Prize in 1968 in recognition of his work and compensation for victims of issue numbers in advance of publication for human rights as a jurist, academic and discrimination once I know the new title and other infor- statesman. The CCJ0 has been an active • The treatment of racism and mation such as the proposed date of first supporter of efforts to increase the effec- discrimination by the UN system issue, the frequency and any relationship tiveness of the UN’s human rights treaties with other titles. Serials already in exis- and institutional mechanisms in the inter- • Developments in the field of racism tence can also be assigned ISSN on receipt vening decades. From the 1940s to the and discrimination in European law of either a sample copy of a recent issue or 1970s it was involved in the creation of the (EU and Council of Europe) photocopies of relevant pages, such as the United Nations human rights instruments, • Racism and the internet title page, contents page, cover, etc. ♦ which form the basis of the UN’s human • Refugees, internally displaced rights activities today. The CCJO’s con- persons, asylum seekers Paul Bunn stituent organisations at present are the • Racism and the media Director, ISSN UK Centre Anglo-Jewish Association, the Alliance • Racism and the criminal justice British Library - London Israelite Universelle, the American system. Friends of the Alliance, and the Canadian Friends of the Alliance. ℘℘℘℘℘ As an NGO with special consultative status at the United Nations (as well as at UNESCO) the CCJO participates in Human Rights meetings, including the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. It closely follows international human rights prob- lems and developments, and has taken a particular interest in the establishment of an international criminal court. Recent CCJO briefings have been presented to various international bodies on subjects ranging from the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia to problems relating to laws dealing with the migration of workers.

Criteria for Papers

hief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks invited Mr Shaoul Sasson to his home to congratu- The CCJO is currently developing a late him on his book in which Mr Sasson described his ordeals for one year in new series of projects in furtherance of its the hands of the Iraqi authorities. fundamental aims. One of these is in con- C nection with the World Conference The Chief Rabbi presented Mr Sasson with his latest book "Faith in the Future" inscribed: against Racism, Racial Discrimination, To Shaoul Sasson Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to be held in South Africa in August 2001. In admiration of your courage – which is a source of inspiration to me and to the Contemporary issues of racism and dis- Jewish people! crimination are arising that may not have The above photograph shows them together at the Chief Rabbi’s home. ♦

35 The Scribe No.74 The Jews of Iraq by Naim Dangoor

Congress Bulletin Montreal In exile, the formula was – let us pre- and set himself to make the Torah the May-June 1971 serve the Torah so that the Torah will pre- governing force in Jewish Life. Seeing serve us, a nation without a State of its what happened to the Lost Ten Tribes, ebrew Associations with Iraq go own; and to hope that in time a Mashiyah Ezra fixed Jewish priorities. Top priority back to the time of Abraham who will appear who will lead us back to the is the preservation of the Torah. Second Hleft Ur for Canaan by divine Promised Land. In 539 BCE the Persian priority – the survival of the Jewish peo- command around 1800 BCE because of King Koresh, Cyrus the Great, who is ple and third priority – the establishment religious intolerance. Both Isaac and named in the Bible as Mashiyah, defeat- of a Jewish State. He was in a real sense Jacob took wives from the old country ed Babylon and offered to repatriate the the true founder of traditional Judaism and eleven of Jacob’s twelve children liberated Jews. But only 40,000 returned from which also emerged Christianity were born in Iraq. – the rest, about 80,000, encouraged by and Islam. It is said of Ezra that if the The Jews appear again on the scene the Persians, stayed on to prosper in the Torah was not given to Moses, he would when, twelve centuries later, in 597 BCE, rich land of the rivers, astride the main have been worthy to receive it. Centuries King Yehoyachin and 18,000 of the lead- trade routes between East and West. later, Hillel too went up from Babylon to ing citizens of Judah were brought cap- "By the Rivers of Babylon, there we Jerusalem. He was the first of the tive to Babylon. The people of Judah had decided to stay; we also wept when we Tannaim who established the Oral Torah been in two minds regarding foreign pol- remembered Zion." (Mishnah). His youngest and most icy. The Hawks wanted to defend their The aim of the Persians was to create a famous disciple was Yohanan Ben country’s independence. The Doves, led buffer State. In Babylon, this Jewish Zakkai, the founder of the Yavneh by the prophet Jeremiah, wanted to come buffer State retained its importance on and Academy. This became the centre of to terms with the moderate King off for over 1,000 years. For example, in Jewish life and thought after the national Nebuchadnezzar. the year 363 CE the Roman Emperor disaster and destruction of the Second Eleven years afterwards Julian, who renounced Christianity, vainly Temple in 70 CE. Nebuchadnezzar came and razed tried to win over to his side the Babylonian At the beginning of the present com- Jerusalem to the ground, killed or dis- and Mesopotamian Jewries in preparation mon era there were many conversions to persed the 4million inhabitants and took of his contemplated invasion of Persia. He Judaism all over the Middle East. In back with him 100,000 able-bodied men wrote to them, "When I have successfully Northern Iraq, the Royal Family and to dredge the silting irrigation canals of concluded the War with Persia I will many of the people of Adiabene became Babylonia, which is Southern Iraq, rebuild with my own efforts the sacred city Jews. It is said that Jews at that time con- Northern Iraq, which depends on rainwa- of Jerusalem that you may glorify the most stituted 20% both of the Persian as well ter, is usually referred to as Mesopotamia. high God therein." But the community as the Roman Empires. But after the fall (The Jewish people have not recovered remained loyal to Persia. This loyalty had of Jerusalem it was the Christians who from that disaster). been a major factor in the disastrous made converts in the frontier territories of Jeremiah had really very little interest Jewish war with Rome which ended with Mesopotamia. The earliest converts were in politics but he had a grand vision of the destruction of the Second Temple. Jews.. But wherever Rabbinical influence establishing God’s Kingdom on Earth. It is interesting to observe here that in was strong among the local community Nebuchadnezzar offered him safe pas- 1971 Iran celebrated the 2500th anniver- as in Babylonia, there Christianity (and sage to Babylon but he was not willing to sary, a Jubilee of Jubilees, of Cyrus’s later, Islam) made little progress among face the bitter exiles. However, he sent Empire. As Israel was not going to be Jews. Iraq remained within the Persian them the following message which represented I offered to the Iranian Empire for 1,000 years. Babylonia, cov- became in a way the charter of the Jewish Embassy to lead a delegation of Iraqi ering Central Iraq, became practically an Diaspora: "these are the words of the Jews to Persepolis to pay homage to the autonomous Jewish State headed by a Lord of Host, the God of Israel: to all the memory of Cyrus and his enlightened and hereditary Exilarch (Resh Galutha) exiles whom I have carried off from tolerant rule. Teheran found it difficult to descended from King Yehoyachin. The Jerusalem to Babylon: build houses and arrange this at short notice and we were Exilarch had his courts and prisons and live in them; plant gardens and eat their invited instead to the reception at the collected taxes, half of which went to produce; marry wives and beget sons and Savoy Hotel which was attended by the Central Government. daughters… and seek the welfare of the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished At one time Babylonian Jewry num- City to which I have carried you off and guests including members of the govern- bered over one million and may have pray to the Lord for it, for in its peace you ment, when I and twenty members of the constituted the majority of the popula- will have peace". In Babylon the community delivered to the Ambassador tion. When the Temple was in existence Diaspora became a way of life. an illuminated scroll to commemorate the they sent every year, about the time of (In time the Babylonians came to treat occasion. The Shah later expressed his Succoth, rich presents to Jerusalem in their exiles well and the latter gradually appreciation and thanks. convoys, sometimes consisting of 30,000 took the position rather of colonists than of The Babylonian Ezra gave Judaism armed pilgrims. It was ruled at that time captives. Lands were allotted to them and the decisive impulse that eventually pro- that the prayer for rain should not be they grew to love and own the soil they duced the Pharisaic Movement and the recited until 15 days after the conclusion cultivated, some of which has remained in rabbinical system. He changed the of Succoth to allow the pilgrims to return. Jewish ownership until modern times). Hebrew alphabet, started the synagogue The Babylonian Diaspora retained ☛ 36 The Scribe No.74 …its paramount importance from the 6th After the Great War the Jews of Iraq Century BCE to the 13th Century CE – a were betrayed first by the Allies who period of nearly 2,000 years. Its commu- handed over the country to Arab rule and nal constitution, which served as a model then by the Arabs who, in a short time, to the whole Jewish people, was largely proceeded to discriminate against the maintained until recent times. other national groups – the Kurds, Jews, "During our stay in Babylon we made Assyrians, etc. ourselves thoroughly at home. As the For centuries the Treasury of Iraq was Talmud records." in Jewish hands. Under Ottoman rule the Indeed Babylonia became practically head of the community was ex-officio the Jewish Fatherland. Here were estab- Treasurer (Sarraf Bashi) of the country. lished the famous vast academies of This tradition was continued in the early Nehardea, Sura and Pumbaditha which years of modern Iraq when Sir Sasson later served as prototypes for the first Heskel held the Finance Ministry in sev- European Universities of the 12th centu- eral governments. In the 1920’s and 30’s ry. The Babylonian Talmud took 300 over 50% of the trade and finance was in years to develop in complete freedom and Jewish hands but by the 50’s this had was completed in 499. In its 2.5 million dropped to less than 10%. From 1820 words the Talmud touches on every Iraqi Jews spread out to India, Australia, The Late David Bershanpour aspect of life. For instance, it discusses the Far East and Europe. The Rashid Ali whether a person who is walking on a pogrom of 1941 decided the community Remembered by a friend moving platform that is going in the that there was no future in Iraq. In the avid Bershanpour was born in opposite direction would be breaking the mass emigration of 1950/51 Aliya Ezra Baghdad in 1918. He was a man Sabbath if his position relative to the and Nehemia and thereafter the majority of immense charm, charisma and ground remained the same. Einstein left for Israel but the better-off went to D a sense of humour. In England I got to admits that this gave him the idea for his Europe and America where there now are know him well and found him, in the theory of relativity. about 40,000, of whom about 7,000 are in words of Rabbis, a man who loved peace Towards the end of Persian rule the UK, including our brethren from and pursued it. He always provided me Mazdakite fanatics made life unbearable India who have faithfully kept to the with advice in many different aspects of for the Jews who, in time, invited and Baghdadian tradition. my work and his advice was sought after, gave decisive help to the Moslem con- The fact that our community was since it was always sound. quest of Iraq and indeed of other parts of divided in this way does not relieve us of the Middle East. our responsibilities towards the needy He came to be highly respected in our Under the Caliphs of Baghdad the who ended up mainly in Israel. community, and he always showed Jews paid a head tax and enjoyed reli- It is a pity that Israel does not make respect for others. full use of the fact that thirty years ago gious and communal freedom. The When an individual honours another it there was an exchange of populations - authority of the Exilarch extended, as in ennobles the giver more than the receiv- the 800,000 Palestinian Arabs who left Persian times, to all parts of the Empire er. But above all else, his family meant a Israel and the 800,000 Jews from Arab and this office lasted until the 14th tremendous amount to him and he was countries who came to Israel. While Century. Thereafter the community was the much loved husband of Louise and a Israel absorbed its refugees, Arab coun- headed by a local Nasi who, until recent loving father, and grandfather to Rhonda, tries deliberately kept theirs in camps to times, was also always of the Davidic Lydia, David and Daniel. line. He was assisted by a Hakham. In be used as a lever against Israel. 1849 both positions were united in a Although the Jews arrive in Israel as We mourn a good friend who went Hakham Bashi (Chief Rabbi). Olim, they leave the Arab countries through life helping many people.♦ To establish a Jewish Middle class in mostly under duress. ♦ Europe Charlemagne had asked Harun al- ℘℘℘℘℘ ℘℘℘℘℘ Rashid to send Jewish teachers. These came with Rabbi Machir who was given Pharaoh and Kings by Charlemagne a Princedom in Narbonne and was known as King of the avid Rohl has personally seen to it that we have 6 of his colleagues and co- Jews. With the fall of Sa’ad Addawla, the authors with us – including major contributors to his 2 books, "Pharaohs & Jewish Chancellor of the Mogul Empire, DKings", and "Legend". In addition to Egypt, we are also looking at Mesopotamia, the Jews suffered terribly at the hands of Assyria and of course interesting subjects such as Santorini and Petroglyphs! the populace in the pogrom of 1291 and many were forced to embrace Islam, a David Rohl is an Egyptologist, but as he works on the Timeline for ancient Egypt, the Old process which was repeated on several Testament cities and characters in the Bible really come to life more than ever before! (His occasions in Iraq and Persia. first book, "Pharaohs & Kings" covers the time period of King David and King Solomon Jewish fortunes started to improve and works back through time, with Moses & Joseph. David’s second book, "Legend: after the Ottoman re-conquest of 1638, Genesis of Civilisation", covers the flood, and works back to the Garden of Eden). whose army included many Jewish offi- I hope you will consider joining us – at least I want you to know that you are invited ♦. cers and men. (Some sources say Cannie McCraw Texas 10,000 Jewish officers and men out of a total army of 100,000). http://www.egroups.com/ground/NewChronology 37 The Scribe No.74 i. My father, Moshe (Morris Jewish Rights in the Middle East Mizrahi) paid for a lifetime Hsubscription of The Scribe to be and the Peace Process sent to him in Los Angeles several years ago, but has not received a new issue for srael is accused of occupying Arab Disregard the Balfour Declaration over 2 years now. He so looked forward lands and oppressing the Palestinians. which became a dead letter, and to receiving his subscription twice a year. What is the truth? Zionism which has succeeded in I Is this due to some lack of funds on your bringing Jews to Israel but has failed to When the Ottoman Empire was part or an oversight? Please let me know. come to terms with the Arabs. At the broken up in 1917 all the Middle East If you are still sending out the Scribe in break-up of the Ottoman Empire Jews was given over to the Arabs without magazine form, please do so to his should have been entitled to at least regard to the rights of self-determination address in Los Angeles: 20,000 square miles, more than the of the other nationalities, mainly the total area of Palestine, west of the Barry Mizrahi Los Angeles Jews and the Kurds. Jordan River. As such, Israel is entitled [email protected] Look at the statistics: the population to the whole of that area and the figures of the vilayet of Baghdad as given Palestinians should regard trans-Jordan Scribe: by the last official yearbook of 1916 – as their national home. That should be The last printed issue in a magazine Jews numbered 80,000 out of a total the basis of any just and lasting form of The Scribe was published and population of 202,200. In the Baghdad settlement between Jews and Arabs in sent out in September 1999, which we Chamber of Commerce up to 1946, most the Middle East.♦ assume your father has received. Since of the members were Jews and half the then it has been on the internet at… Administrative Council were Jews. www.scribe1.com or ℘℘℘℘℘ www.thescribe.uk.com and is no longer issued as a printed magazine. The current issue is on the A Show-er, A Blower internet now. If you or your father wish to receive future issues by email, please n Victorian and Edwardian times, a In Baghdad, before the advent of let me know. gentleman had to carry two clean paper and plastic bags, a show-er was Alternatively a computer colour print- used as a shopping bag by some men, by Ihandkerchiefs every day - a show-er out can be obtained by sending a cheque tying or holding the corners together, in the breast pocket which was in fact for US $20 to: designed to accommodate it, and a enabling a businessman to take home blower in the trousers pocket. fresh fruit for lunch. The Exilarch’s Foundation 4 Carlos Place Nowadays, the new generations find it As its name implies, a show-er is for Mayfair more convenient just to carry paper show only, but was available to a lady London tissues than cloth handkerchiefs. companion, who would pull it out and use W1K 3AW it in an emergency. She would keep it and Etiquette… When a towel is used in a England return it next day, washed and ironed. A guest toilet, it should be left in a With regard to subscriptions: we never blower once used, should not be folded crumpled state to show that it had been accepted subscriptions, whether annual but crumpled and returned to the pocket. used. At the dinner table a guest must or lifetime, or advertising for that matter. Both handkerchiefs had to be changed leave his napkin not folded, otherwise it Please give particulars of your claim. ♦ each day but, after the shock of the may suggest that he wants to come again. Great War, the rule was relaxed a little Etiquette… Never give a handkerchief ℘℘℘℘℘ in that yesterday’s show-er, if unused, as a present as it may be taken to mean could become today’s blower. for wiping off the tears. ♦ ℘℘℘℘℘

was passing your premises today Reply: The Scribe belongs and noticed your brass plate. Being With reference to your letter dated 29 to the ages Ivery interested in London’s January, we are a Charitable Foundation. buildings and their occupants, I should The Exilarch was the Head of the Jewish ll the issues of The be very grateful if you could tell me community of Iraq, going back to King Scribe, since it something about your organisation, its Yehoyakhin, who was the first Exilarch. started in 1971, will history and how long you have occupied This office lasted until 1270 when it A the premises. lapsed after the Mongol invasion of the soon be on our website and Middle East. The office was revived by will be found in the I do not think I have ever heard of the Mr Naim Dangoor in 1970 after a gap of “archive” Exilarch’s Foundation. Your help would 700 years. be very much appreciated. We enclose a copy of our publication Garth Andrews London which you may find of interest. ♦ 38 The Scribe No.74 Barak's View of the Future: Die or Separate Israelis and the Palestinians I am confident that we did the right sovereignty. The real objective of Camp just can’t live together, says thing for the future of Israel. When I took David was to know if we had a serious power, there was only one path that I partner who was ready to accept such far- Camp David’s peacemaker found reasonable - either to unmask reaching ideas as a basis for an agreement. by Lally Weymouth Arafat or to take calculated risks if we You were ready to give up the Jordan found him a Palestinian Sadat, ready to Valley, which Rabin said was n his first interview since he was put an end to the conflict. strategically crucial. defeated last February, former Israeli Are you saying you went to Camp In exchange for an end to the Israeli- prime minister Ehud Barak sat down I David to expose Arafat? Arab conflict, we were ready to and discussed Camp David, Yasir Arafat No. Arafat is a highly sophisticated and contemplate far-reaching risks. But and the bleak legacy of his peacemaking cunning rival. He is not easy to penetrate, Arafat refused. He said, "I cannot take efforts with Newsweek’s Lally Weymouth. and it’s not easy to understand his real these ideas as a basis for negotiation. And Excerpts: intentions. Oslo was based on a set of I demand the right of return and full WEYMOUTH: Is there any chance assumptions that if he was recalled from sovereignty over the Temple Mount". for Israel to arrive at a negotiated Tunisia to Gaza and the West Bank, if a This is a euphemism for the elimination agreement with the Palestinians while kind of political authority was established of Israel, and no Israeli government will Arafat is still in power? for him and he was exposed to meeting accept it. There is a thin line between a BARAK: My feeling is that we won’t the daily needs of his own people, if he calculated risk and yielding to terror. I have a peace agreement with Arafat. He’s was treated as a future leader of a state, never intended to cross this line. not a Palestinian Sadat or a Palestinian this would transform him from a leader of People criticise you for not having King Hussein. Arafat turned to violence a terrorist organization into a responsible built a personal rapport with Arafat after Camp David. Camp David was a leader of a future state. So it was not a before and at Camp David. conspiracy or a trick to push Arafat into a moment of truth… It was an end to what It’s ridiculous. Can you remember what trap. You cannot know the other side’s Arafat had done for years - namely, talk in kind of rapport existed between Begin intentions without being willing to take English about his readiness to make peace and Sadat? They hardly talked to each certain risks. and in Arabic about eliminating Israel in other, but they were leaders. stages. He decided that only by turning to What did you think the chances were? Some say you made a mistake to start violence could he once again create world At the beginning I thought it was maybe negotiating with Syria and that by the sympathy. Arafat believed that pictures of 50-50. Maybe it was just his way to delay time you turned to Arafat it was too late. young Palestinians facing Israeli tanks the moment of truth and reach it with the No, it was clear [Syrian President would compensate for his failure. His maximum political capital. But during Hafez] Assad was ageing, and after he indifference to Palestinian casualties and and after Camp David, it became clear died we would enter along period of loss of life… is a kind of a Palestinian that we didn’t have the kind of leader we uncertainty. tragedy. If they were a democratic society hoped for, that could make the decisions, they would replace him. a Sadat-like leader. Then it became But you pulled out of Lebanon and did not get an agreement with Syria. There are reports that the Israeli important to expose him. That was the Was that a mistake? cabinet Is considering authorising the pre-condition for the Israeli unity which Army to enter Palestinian territories to Sharon enjoys. No, it was not a mistake. It takes two to eliminate the Palestinian Authority and What exactly did you offer at Camp make an agreement. Toward the end get rid of Arafat. Do you favour this? David? Assad was gradually becoming more and more focused on the succession process. It should be a last resort, an option we are It was not these details that led to its willing to contemplate only if all other failure. Formally, they were not our Do you believe the separation from options have not worked and we have suggestions but ideas raised by the the Palestinians is the only way out? gathered international support. It could American president. Ninety to ninety one I believe, in the long term, the strategic easily boomerang and prompt international per cent [of the West Bank] would be need of Israel is disengagement from the intervention in ways that might hurt Israel’s transferred to the Palestinians in exchange Palestinians. interest. If there is a major clash and the for a one per cent territorial swap. …Sharon says separation is impossible. world does not understand why Israel is How was Jerusalem going to be I think he’s wrong and it’s imperative. acting, we might end up with an imposed divided? So how will it work? Will you have a solution which would be against our interest The [Clinton] administration’s idea was poor Palestinian state living side by Do you approve of Prime Minister that we would take the Jewish side with a wealthy Israel? Ariel Sharon’s policy of restraint? neighborhood, and Arafat would take Every attempt to leave us with one Sharon is doing the right thing by most of the Arab neighborhoods. Certain political unit, west of the Jordan River will combining an active campaign against neighborhoods would be under a special end up with either a bi-national state or an terrorists, with restraint against wider regime or a kind, of joint management. apartheid system-but clearly not a jewish operations that could harm the civilian What about the Temple Mount? democratic state. The only answer is to population. The president suggested an arrangement establish a border for Israel in which we Looking back, do you think you made under which they would have a custodian will have a solid Jewish majority for too many concessions at Camp David? sovereignty while we had overall generations to come. It might take ☛ 39 The Scribe No.74 …three or four years to delineate the lines around settlement blocks. At the beginning, Chammelha - Give me more.... I would not dismantle settlements. But in (says Yasser Arafat) due time, I would take isolated settlements into the settlement blocks or into Israel he high point in Israel’s short Whilst President Clinton was proper.I would announce formally that we history was the Six Day War of apparently trying to help Israel achieve leave the door open for the Palestinians to T1967, when the whole world peace with the Palestinians, he was in fact resume negotiations based on Camp David applauded Israel’s miraculous only interested in obtaining the Nobel without any precondition, except for the achievement of defeating the combined Peace Prize. In the last months of his term absence of violence. Arab armies. It is said that every Jew in he asked Prime Minister Ehud Barak for Is Oslo dead? the Diaspora walked three inches taller. the best terms that Israel could offer the Once Oslo’s assumptions collapsed, it That euphoria was gradually frittered Palestinians. Naively, but in confidence, cast a disturbing shadow in retrospect on away by the mistakes of the Politicians. Barak offered most favourable terms to what has happened since 1996. Maybe Firstly, Moshe Dayan and others were the Palestinians. When Arafat saw the list Arafat cheated all of us. I put an end to the hoping to achieve peace with the Arabs he could not believe his eyes, but in Arab process of giving him more and more land from a position of strength, but the Arabs fashion he decided to ask for more. who were shell-shocked by their massive just to find out in the end that we gave him "Chammelha": In the Middle East everything [and got nothing in return]. defeat were not in a position nor in a mood to make peace. Secondly, the haggling is normal in any purchase. Are you going to come back to Israelis wanted to use cheap Arab labours When a Bedouin comes to the market he politics soon? to enhance her economy which was a big cannot judge for himself the correct price It’s not on the table right now. mistake. Thirdly, leaders like David Ben of what he wants to buy. So he tells the Why did you meet such rejection in Gurion and Shimon Peres kept wanting to grocer Chammelha (put some more). the last election, considering you had make peace with the Arabs, oblivious of Arafat acted in the same fashion and he taken incredible risks for peace? the fact that the region consisted of many who wants all will end up loosing all. This is where the Palestinians stand now. It was clear to me, especially in the last other nationalities who could strengthen few months, that by pursuing this policy Israel’s hand in creating a Middle Eastern Where do we go from here? Israel must I was taking a big political risk. Sharon Union, not predominantly Arab. modify her approach by regarding the was telling people, "Rely on me. I will Thus, thirty four years after the Six Day problem as a regional matter which can solve it easily.." I knew if he won, he War, Israel has reached the low point of her only be solved by the active participation would end up doing basically what I had history when Ehud Barak offered the and contribution of all the countries of the done. It was clear to me that by sticking Palestinians 98% of the administered region. There is no room for a Palestinian to these policies I risked a kind of territories, half of Jerusalem and Estate of state. Jordan should have been regarded personal and political defeat But I have their own, but they kept asking more as the Palestinian State, but since this done it all my life. concessions, emboldened by Arab states opportunity was missed, the administered Was It worth it? and even by the British Foreign Minister. territories should be divided into two or I did the right thing for my country, and Israel cannot now afford to give anything three autonomous areas. Palestinian I never look backward. When the time more that would not lead to the eventual labour should be completely eliminated comes for the Palestinians to have a dismantling of the Jewish State. from Israel’s economy. ♦ Sadat-like leader, we will end up with a ℘℘℘℘℘ favourable agreement and then with permanent peace along the same lines Micha" Society for Deaf Children shaped by us at Camp David. am the mother of Liran who has drawn a number of caricatures for "The Scribe". Do you think that time will come? I am a volunteer of "Micha" association, which is a society for deaf children, It will take years.♦ Ifounded by my late uncle, Dr Ezra Korine (of Baghdad). Dr Ezra Korine dedicated his life to research and worked for the Deaf. For his life’s enterprise he received the Sharon's Option very prestigious "Israel Prize" for 1976. For its existence, "Micha" relies almost entirely on private donations. I am proud to rime Minister Sharon cannot note that among Micha’s supporters are several of my family members, and of the proceed from where Ehud Barak Iraqian community, who have donated towards study rooms, expensive equipment P left off. He can only succeed by used by the children for the lessons, and other purposes. following a complete change of strategy. I am writing to you to support this very worthwhile cause. Israel alone cannot solve the Mrs Marsha Segal, a lovely lady and Chairwoman of "Micha", visits England Palestinian problem, which must be several times a year, and would be glad to provide you with further details. regarded as a regional problem. All the Arab countries that waged successive Dalia Dangoor Tel-Aviv wars on Israel and emboldened Arafat in Later, from "Micha" Association: his latest stance must contribute to a On behalf of our Directors, staff and children, we wish to express our heartfelt lasting settlement. appreciation for your generous gift of £250 which will help to ensure the Fortunately, the new Bush continuity of our special educational and rehabilitation programmes for the administration has accepted this reality. ♦ benefit of Micha’s children. ♦ 40 The Scribe No.74 From Issue No. 3 The Arabs will Never make Peace with Reality by Exilarch

n November 1947, the United Nations THE ARABS WILL NEVER MAKE They apparently could not accept the passed the Partition Resolution of PEACE WITH ISRAEL… reality of the situation in the field. The IPalestine, which was flatly rejected …any pretence to the contrary is only Israelis kept moving forward. by the Arabs. Since then an important meant to put pressure on Israel to This refusal to accept reality results event happened in the region - namely, evacuate occupied territories without from a defect in the Arab character - they the emigration in the fifties of one million achieving secure frontiers and a lasting cannot live at peace with their neighbours. Jews from Arab countries, the great peace - for a genuine peace would mean And while the Arabs on many occasions majority of whom went to Israel. Two take and give, and Arab thinking, in history gained from calculated perfidy, important considerations arise from this politics and strategy have always been the Jews often suffered as a result of their event: 1) that the Jews who came to Israel based on the wonderful formula: all to loyalties - to their faith, their neighbours from Arab countries and the Arabs who take and nothing to give. and their allies. left Israel for Arab countries represent an exchange of populations similar to those When Arab propaganda vaguely speaks NB: Earlier this year Ehud Barak, that took place after the war in many of Israel having to withdraw from surprisingly, offered Arafat everything; more parts of the world. 2) The Jews who occupied Arab lands, they want people to than anyone expected but the Arabs still did not accept the offer. ♦ emigrated from Arab countries brought believe that they mean land occupied in with them ancient territorial rights in the Six-Day War. In fact however, the their countries of origin that must be Arabs mean Israel’s withdrawal from the whole of "Palestine" and the total satisfied in any final settlement of the ℘℘℘℘℘ regional conflict between Jews and elimination of the Jewish State. Arabs. Both points have been overlooked Recognising the natural desire of many or ignored by successive Israeli Jews to re-establish their Middle Eastern ow! what a fantastically governments. home and realising the benefits that historical site you have!! My The only way such claims can be would accrue to the region which could Wname is Joseph ElHadef, and I satisfied would be from what is termed be transformed in peace and prosperity live in NY. I am Greek, Hungarian, Arab lands now occupied by Israel. In into some of the leading countries of the Egyptian, and Iraqui. In the article from other words, this would make the whole world, Iraqi Premier, Nuri al-Saeed Montefiore Hall the lecturer mentions of "Palestine" West of the River Jordan proposed in 1946 to admit two million that Mr.Dangoor spoke to a crypto Jew Jews from Europe if the Jews would give belonging to Israel. in Saudia Arabia, tell me more about this up their plan of an independent State. His The fact that most Arab countries incident? I had two Kuwaiti friends at proposal was rejected by the Arabs and took up arms against Israel and have Hofstra University in NY and they both came too late to be accepted by the Jews. been taking part in various forms told me that there are STILL Jews in Later when the federal plan for Palestine against Israel puts on them the Kuwait? As well as Bahrain? Tell me was published some Arabs opted for responsibility of assuming their role in a more about the Saudi Jews! Nuri’s proposal. After the UN decided on final settlement of the regional conflict partition the Arabs came to favour the Joseph ElHadef between Jews and Arabs. federal plan. And when the State of Israel [email protected] Immediately after the Six Day War emerged in 1948 and the Arabs failed to many observers believed that the shock wipe it out of existence by war, they Scribe: of defeat would bring the Arabs to their announced their acceptance of the U.N. A crypto Jewish couple from Saudi senses and force them to the conference partition plan. After the events of June Arabia with their twelve children came table where a just and lasting peace 1967, they have been clamouring for the might be negotiated for the benefit of the boundaries of 1948. They are always one to London a few years ago and visited whole region. step behind, for they cannot make peace the offices of the Exilarch’s Foundation, with reality. asking for help to obtain a visa to But in September 1967 at the enable them to emigrate to Israel. Khartoum Summit conference Arab On the first day of the June war, Arthur However, the Israel Embassy in London leaders unanimously resolved that there Goldberg who was then United States turned down their application and they can be "No peace, No recognition, No representative at the U.N. proposed a decided to travel to Jordan and move negotiations" with Israel. Instead, the ceasefire but this was rejected by the over to Israel clandestinely. Arabs have tried, through military, Russians and the Arabs. In his memoirs, diplomatic and economic measures, to President Lyndon Johnson continues the According to their evidence there are force Israel to withdraw to the pre-1967 story: "June 7, the third day of the war, thousands of crypto Jews in Saudi Arabia armistice lines. Those who support the began with the Israelis announcing that who lead a separate existence from the Arab case ignore the fact that when they were willing to accept a crasefire main population. To our knowledge, Israel was confined to those lines, Arab [before Jordan entered the war and lost there are no Jews living in Kuwait, but a attitude was exactly the same: they the West Bank] provided the Arabs number of Jewish families still live in talked war and not peace. agreed. But the Arabs did not respond. Bahrain, mainly of Iraqi origin. ♦ 41 The Scribe No.74 around the dangling corpses marked Giscard Stresses Palestinians’ "JEW". My 90-year old parents left in 1973 after their property was sequestrated. Our family had lived in Iraq for over 2500 ‘Right to a home’ years. We belong to more than one million ARIS – French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing said here on Tuesday displaced Jews from Arab countries who night that France believes in the necessity of a global agreement in the did not take to the gun but dispersed all P Middle East which would preserve the legitimate rights of "all concerned over the world, are trying to pick up the and especially the right of the Palestinian people to a homeland of their own". threads quietly and with dignity. The French President, who was addressing a banquet in honour of the ruler of The solution must be global for there can Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa, praised the recently concluded Israeli-Egyptian be no peace for the Palestinian refugees disengagement agreement as "having safeguarded the chances for a peaceful while the rights, material and political of solution in the Middle East", but stressed: "it is only a step towards a global the Jewish refugees are ignored. agreement which is indispensable and urgent". The solution must be global for there can be no peace In one corner of the Middle East while the Lebanese M.E. solution must be global Christians are faced with a life-and-death struggle; while 6 million Kurds cannot To the Editor of The Jerusalem Post from entering some Arab countries on attain autonomy; while the Armenians pain of death. Sir, and Assyrians remember their massacres The solution must be global, for peace, and their stolen lands; while the Shia In his address at the recent banquet for law and order in the Middle East are majority in Iraq are oppressed; while the Sheikh Khalifa of Qatar, French President indivisable. To the PLO who say they Arabs control 5 million square miles of Valery Giscard d’Estaing expressed the want to establish a free, multi-racial, territory and non-Arabs are denied any belief that the Middle East must have a democratic, secular and progressive territory. These are not isolated problems global agreement. Allow me to applaud Palestine, we say we want to establish a and must be solved together. this verdict of vision , these words of free, multi-racial, democratic, secular and wisdom, which point to the right path for The solution must be global for there can progressive Middle East. To those who say peace in the Middle East. be no peace in the Middle East while a few that Zionism is responsible for all the Arab leaders pocket most of the oil wealth I am an Iraqi Jew who managed to trouble in Palestine, we say that Arab and Jews have to keep tightening their escape from the country in 1964 just imperialism is responsible for all the belts; while the Arabs clamour for a return before the official wave of terror trouble in the Middle East. to Palestine (although the bridges are open) descended on our community and N E Dangoor but have barred Jews from entering some culminated in the public hanging in Arab countries on pain of death. Baghdad’s main square of nine innocent Appeared in the Jerusalem Post, 2 Jews. My 90 year old parents left in 1973 December 1975 The solution must be global, for peace, after their property was sequestrated. Our law and order in the Middle East are family had lived in Iraq for over 2500 Following is the full text of the letter to indivisible. Moreover, the conflict between years. We belong to more than one million President Giscard d’Estaing. the Arabs and Israel is not equal: for while displaced Jews from Arab countries who the Arabs are striving to gain control of H.E. President Valery Giscard did not take to the gun but, dispersed all Palestine, we Jews are struggling for a d’Estaing, Paris over the world, are trying to pick up the more basic and elementary claim; the right threads quietly and with dignity. November 5 1975 to exist in the Middle East, a right not denied to the Arabs. The solution must be global for there Your Excellency can be no peace in one corner of the In your address at the banquet for To the PLO who say they want to Middle East while the Lebanese Sheikh Khalifa of Qatar last week you establish a free multi-racial, democratic, Christians are faced with a life-and-death expressed the belief that the Middle East secular and progressive Palestine, we say struggle; while 6 milion Kurds cannot must have a global agreement. we want to establish, a free, multi-racial, attain autonomy; while the Armenians democratic. secular and progressive and Assyrians remember their massacres Allow me to applaud you, Mr Middle East. To those who say that and their stolen lands; while the Shia President, for this verdict of vision, these Zionism Is responsible for all the trouble majority in Iraq are oppressed; while the words of wisdom, which point to the in Palestine, we say that Arab Arabs control 5 million square miles of right path for peace in the Middle East. imperialism is responsible for all the territory. These are not isolated problems I am an Iraqi Jew who managed to trouble in the Middle East. and must be solved together.. escape from that country in 1964 just Being the cradle of civilisation and the The solution must be global for there before the official wave of terror crossroads of three continents, the Middle can be no peace in the Middle East while descended on our community and East contains many ancient nationalities a few Arab leaders pocket most of the oil culminated In the public hanging in and thus it Is fragmented into small wealth and Jews have to keep tightening Baghdad’s main square of nine innocent vulnerable units. As such It always their belts; while the Arabs clamour for Jews while President Bakr went there with attracted aggression from within or a return to Palestine (although the a brass-band to celebrate the occasion and without. Yesterday Ottoman power bridges are open) but have barred Jews the populace were invited to have a picnic dominated the scene; ☛ 42 The Scribe No.74 …today Arab nationalism Is trying to assert itself; tomorrow It can be Persia The Israel Museum, Jerusalem that will dominate the Middle East as: of wo weeks ago, I met Zvi Gabay at the opening of an exhibition in Jerusalem. years In the past. The fact is that the He told me about the journal on Babylonian Jewry The Scribe published by various communities of the Middle East TThe Exilarch’s Foundation. I was truly happy and moved to get the latest issue were never united in freedom and thls Is of this journal which evoked fond memories of my childhood in Iraq which I left in the only way to ensure lasting peace In 1942 and never went back. I remembered the name Dangoor in school and later I met the area – a federatlon or confederation another Dangoor in Stockholm, I knew about your being in London but never had covering Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the chance to meet you. The last ten years I have been active at the Israel Museum Jordan, Kuwait (and Cyprus) in Jerusalem as director of the European division. …comprising 6 million Shia, 6 million Sunna, 6 million Kurds, 3 Million A few years ago, Fred Worms helped us to install the Synagogue from Cochin Christians (Greek, Maronites, (India) from the 17th century which carries his name. On that occasion the Israel Armenians, Assyrians), 3 million Jews Museum organised a wonderful exhibition on the three Jewish communities in India as well as a score of other groups before the establishment of the State of Israel. I enclose for you a catalogue of that exhibition and I hope that you will enjoy reading it. (Yezidls, Druse, Alawis, Turkomen, Bahais, etc.). Vicky Meroz Jerusalem Head of the European Department The upheavals of the Middle East over the years were responsible for driving The Jews of India the better section of the population out of the region and this process is still The story of three communities continuing. With the establishment of a Edited by Ospa Slapak stable and peaceful regime In the Middle Published by The Israel Museum. Jerusalem East, most of these diasporas would tend 215 pp to return and thus transform the picture This is an illustrated catalogue of the exhibition on the Jews of India organised by of that part of the world. It is unfortunate The Israel Museum, which was made possible by the generous contributions of… that today in matters concerning the Arabs expediency often takes priority Audrey and Martin Gruss, New York over principles. But anyone who Les Amis du Musée d’Israël à Jerusalem en Suisse Romande sacrifices principles for material benefits Doreen and Albert Jacob, Jerusalem in the end loses the principles and the Elias Charitable Foundation The Rembaum family, in memory of their father, Bolek Rembaum material benefits. The following is a selected bibliography on the subject: La France, depositary of the human conscience, can under your wise Abraham, Calcutta Jews Abraham, Isaac S. Origin and History of the guidance, lead world opinion to demand Calcutta Jews. Calcutta, c. 1970 and implement a global agreement for the Middle East which will earn the gratitude Benei Yisrael The Bene Israel: Halakhic Decisions and Sources of this and future generations. Regarding their Origins and Legal Status. Chief Rabbinate of Israel, Jerusalem, 1961/2. Yours respectfully N E Dangoor Elias and Cooper, Elias, Flower, and Judith Elias Cooper. The Jews Jews of Calcutta of Calcutta. Calcutta, 1974. ** Ezra, Calcutta Jewry Ezra, Esmond David. Turning Back the Pages. A Chronicle of Calcutta Jewry. London, 1986. PRÉSIDENCE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE Fischel, Immigration “The Immigration of Arabian Jews to India in the Eighteenth Century”. PAAJR33 (1965): 1-20. Paris Fischel, Ha Yehudim beHodu The Jews in India: Their Contribution to the Monsieur, N E Dangoor – London Economic and Political Life. Jerusalem, 1959/60. Monsieur Hebrew. Votre lettre est bien parvenue à Isenberg, Bene Israel Isenberg, Shirley Berry, India’s Bene Israel: A Monsieur le Président de la République. Comprehensive Inquiry and Source-book. C’est avec toute l’attention nécessaire Bombay. 1988. qu’il en a été pris connaissance. Israel, Jews of India Israel. Benjamin J. The Jews of India. New Delhi, Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l’assurance 1982. de mes sentiments distingués. Roland, Jews in British India Roland, Joan G. Jews in British India: Identity in Philippe SAUZAY Le Chef de Cabinet a Colonial Era. Hanover, N.H, 1989. 8 December 1975 ♦ Roth, Sassoon Dynasty Roth, Cecil. The Sassoon Dynasty. London. 1941 ♦ 43 The Scribe No.74 On the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of The Scribe, we reprint selected articles from previous issues

FROM ISSUE NO. 1 Toward a Middle East Federation by Exilarch he repeated attempts of Arab by pan-Islamism but the aim is Arab leaders can afford to play this leaders to unite various countries domination. The combinations have been game of power politics because they keep Tof the Middle East in a pan-arab varied: Iraq, Syria and Jordan; Egypt and their own people under their heels as most Federation shows clearly their imperialist Syria; Iraq and Jordan; Egypt, Syria and Arab regimes are military dictatorships. Thus Arab leaders gain absolute control intentions and their ultimate aim of Yemen; Egypt, Libya and Sudan; Egypt, Syria and Libya with Sudan to follow. of vast oil revenues which they squander having an empire extending from the on arms and power adventures with Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf and Since the end of the First World War, complete disregard for the welfare of their beyond. This movement has been fuelled the long term plan to Arabise the Middle- people who are kept impoverished and so sometimes by pan-Arabism, sometimes East has been put in motion. rendered harmless. ♦ The Israeli Birthrate

t a recent visit to the Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, former Israeli President Yitzhak Navon explained the demographic problems facing Israel. The average birthrate per couple was only 1.6 children, not even enough to replace Athe previous generation. Luckily, religious Jews are trying to make up the deficiency by having large families. Likewise, some Sephardic families are also having a large number of children such as Ezra Shohet and his wife Caroline (née Khazma) shown below with their children and grandchildren. May more Jewish couples follow their example. ♦

44 The Scribe No.74 The Cellar Club n 1970 the younger members of the who was thinking about it as well. idea as to what the Club meant. Emile Iraqi Community in London However, we did not understand what wanted a House of Parliament, Jimmy a Iestablished their own club – The each one meant. A meeting was next restaurant, Charlie a discotheque; Soad Cellar Club. arranged with Naim Dangoor (who had and Samira a place to go to; Yvonne an just established the Gardenia Club) and educational institute. To me a club would Samir Samra relates how it came off we went, four of us; Emile Cohen, mean nothing but a Qahwa (coffee about: Sitting with my wife Ingrid at a Edward Ezer, Jimmy Shamash and house). The funny thing is that none of party, I heard somebody mumbling myself. Naim Dangoor gave us his these tied up with the Seniors idea who about a club. Positioning my ear a bit blessings and we drove back happily. wanted an undercover marriage bureau. better, I find it is about the same old club that I had been hearing about since I At a plenarily meeting twenty of us The Cellar Club, in the basement of arrived to this country but never seen. I were sitting round a table with Emile as the Gardenia Club, was declared open on then decided to move my whole head Chairman and six committee members the 25th January 1970 to a meeting of 40 nearer to Ketty Shohet and Jimmy and their "Mishpaha". Then it dawned on or so people. Shamash. We contacted Emile Cohen me that each one of us had a different

Historical note: The Gardenia Club building was acquired in 1969 at the price of £19,000; the premises are now worth one million pounds. The 1973 committee members of the club are introduced by the Editor of the Club journal, Emile Cohen, as follows… • Chairman: Jack Attraghji, known as the one-eyed Jack • Secretary: Vivi Shina, Queen of Sheba and Duchess of the Island of Waq Waq • Treasurer: Sami Dellal, Financial Advisor to the Bank of England and several firms in the City • Committee Member: Dora Tawfiq, Miss World 1900 • Committee Member: Danny Dellal, one of the original members of the Ali Baba group • Committee Member: Sabah Rashti, Paul Newman in disguise • Committee Member: Nadia Shina, Cilla Black of the Cellar Club

he Club runs activities of various We have also got a drama group which The style of the two plays were natures, basically serving to has produced several plays and shows comedies and this really is the basis of Tentertain and cultivate our with tremendous success. The Cellar success. Iraqis, I think, would be very members. Guests are welcomed and Drama Group has captivated audiences susceptible to serious dramatic plays. The treated with respect and friendship until of about 200 people a show. success earned from these plays spurred they pay their £2 membership! others to write. The plays that were performed were: Emile Cohen wrote and directed a play On the cultural side, talks, discussions "Lock up your sons" – by David Gabbay. in Arabic called "Yallah ya Shabab". This and debates occupy a major part. A year later, David Gabbay wrote another was a serious comedy with a lot of General knowledge quizzes always play "The Bible" and by then we were politiical motives and views and was one manage to hold an attentive audience. well established and had money to spend of the best acted plays. This was coupled Dancing parties with disco and flashing on production. Edward Ezer made some with "The Marriage Broker", directed by lights etc. are always popular, with food beautiful recordings of "God" and had Ezra Sopher starring Isaac Amber as a and booze amply provided. various technical effect to exhibit. We had woman marriage broker. This was The Cellar Band or the Doub-a-Doub is some new actors notably Freddy Zelouf undoubtedly the funniest play of them all a musical group playing a variety of who took the part of Samson and got so and the most successful. musical compositions from Victor carried away in his acting that when he 1971 was a very good year for plays Sylvester to the Beatles and in several had a fight on stage (part of the play) with and in Christmas we made a show called languages. They established themselves Jack Attraghji he broke three of Jack’s "After Ramadhan...... Christmas" in the late months of 1972 and in the ribs. Good job he was not asked to kill which was composed of funny sketches months ahead they should gather Jack. The Bible was the best production and songs and nearly all the people who momentum and score their successes. we made and lasted for 21/2 hours. took part were newcomers. ♦ 45 The Scribe No.74 The Marriage Broker…

46 The Scribe No.74 47 The Scribe No.74 48 The Scribe No.74 A receipe for a happy home, intended for men, women and children. Take 2 cups full of Patience 1 heart full of Love 2 full hands of Generosity 1 pinch of Gaiety mixed with… 1 cup of Understanding. Now add 2 cups of Loyalty; Mix all the ingredients with Tenderness. Spread this irresistible mixture on a Life and serve it to all you meet.

49 The Scribe No.74 Regarding “The Elias Family” by Edward Yamen, Milan (issue 73) am writing to report a story which I and if you like, he must have used as well heard from my late grandfather of the conventional wisdom in feeling that IBaghdad, Yossef Nissim, in relation to the time of the "Right Moment" was quite an invitation made by his father-in-law ready for that change. More than all that, Yahya Dahood Nissan, for a party in his the story showed that he had capabilities house honouring Abdalla Eliyahoo on the of wordpower, good brains and motivation occasion of his visit to Baghdad. Notables toward emancipation in fashion. and friends from the community were I seize this opportunity to send you present celebrating the event. herewith a photo of my grandfather At the end of the party, the main guest wearing a fez taken in 1915. Tradition has it Abdalla Eliyahoo in person stood up and that repeating something in the name of the addressed the people asking them in a one who said it is a great source of merit for convincing and friendly manner to give that person – even after his passing, thus up their old-fashioned headgears for new displaying indebtedness to the source; and ‘modern’ fez. The name derives from the that is what I am now properly doing. town Fez in Morocco from where that Read article "The Elias Family" from headgear was imported. In later years the Issue 73 ♦ Yamen Yousef Nissim wearing a Sidara, fez was imported from Vienna and the 1930’s. name was changed to Feena – a reference to Vienna which he brought with him to Regarding the marriage of the parents of the party in sufficient numbers in a "chinbeela’ (an Arabic slang to denote a General Khaled AL-ZAHAWI very big bag, much bigger than a ‘zinbeel’ – a basket made of palm leaves). by Edward Yamen Milan (Issue 73) he letter of Ms Z. Zahawi showed a They shook hands very warmly and sincere and serious interest in had a cordial talk while I remained a Tsearching for facts, in contrast to the silent observer looking at that typical attitudes of other persons in similar charismatic person with his enthusiastic cases who disregard the past, ignore it and and jovial gestures wearing a very new against all logic do consider even ‘SIDARA’ and a wide smile. yesterday a day of an era already passed. Meantime, I could not forget for a I would like to seize this opportunity to moment the tense, crucial and upsetting appreciate and applaud her noble sense of period we were passing by, whereat the belonging and strong will for fact- shops which belonged to the non-Jews finding, as she proved to be validated as a over the street were already marked and person who matters. painted with the words "MUSLIM" OR "CHRISTIAN". (It was by itself an In relation to the marriage itself, I easier job than to write "JEWS" on the should say that it was a very rare event shops of the Jews, as they were more and strictly an isolated case in our numerous"! – without a shadow of community for many years right across doubt, that scenery gave the broadest Yossef Nissim wearing a fez ‘1915’ the spectrum. hint that an act of violence was in the Surprisingly enough the reaction was I find it not enough from my side to offing against us at the zero hour. favourable and the idea pleased everyone stop here while I can say a word about Spontaneously enough, Khaled Al of the guests whereas the host excused two sons from that marriage, namely, Zahawi pointed up with disapproval and himself nicely asserting that his attachment Khaled and Naji whom I had the chance disgust to all those things, saying to my to the old way was too powerful on him. to meet and remember very well. father something like "we are not going to So the guests left the party happily Just four or five days before the end of stand by and let them do what they want… wearing their new fez, leaving their old- the pro-Nazi revolt in Iraq while I was NEVER!" fashioned things behind, and supposedly walking with my father in a torrid afternoon Those assurances were surely very making a big surprise to their wives and in the main street of Baghdad, he bumped helpful especially to me as a kid, families upon their return home and into Khaled Al-Zahawi by mere chance just frightened to death from all those creating spontaneous joy and natural across the street from the shop of the latter’s upsetting surroundings! content for the "New Look" to their relatives from his mother’s side. I was at environment. that time a 13 year old kid and am glad that It was really an incredible gift; I felt so refreshed and rejoiced at that news beyond In fact, Abdalla Eliyahoo, unveiled in I can still remember that casual encounter description but at the end when the time this story a mix of grace as well as guts, with clarity and brightness. did come all the good intentions ☛

50 The Scribe No.74 …and expectations of Al Zahawi were transformed into a ‘pious hope’ when the 98 And Still Working attacks of the mobs started to take place zra Belboul (Lev) continues working at the Ministry of Defence at the age of and the Kafka-esque nightmare came true 98. He was born in Baghdad in 1903. In 1917 with the British entry to as Jewish people were falling dead and Baghdad, he was employed by the British authorities at the young age of 14 shops and homes were being attacked, E for his knowledge of Arabic, French, Turkish and English. They found him robbed, plundered and looted. trustworthy and reliable. He rose in his position to become personal secretary to the Degradation and death showed their ugly British Governor. He also worked with King Feisal I and was in his entourage when face in no time. Oddly enough, the he met King Ibn Saud in 1930 on board a British battleship. He occupied important unrestrained ruthlessness of the British so- positions in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior until his emigration to Israel in 1950. called ‘liberators’ exploited that terrible situation as a vested interest for In Israel he was appointed as translator in the Ministry of Defence and remained in this position until he was pensioned in 1968, but continued to work with a salary until themselves and as a scapegoat weaponry the year 2001. He still continues to work without pay as he finds his work to be his leaving Baghdad for more than 36 hours life. He has 2 sons and 2 daughters and 26 grandchildren. ♦ in full disorder, disarray and lawlessness. Al Zahawi informed the Dangoors privately as I could see from the last paragraph of the Scribe’s article under reference, that he wasn’t given the permission to disperse the rioters neither by the British nor by Noori al-Sa’eed, not even by firing into the air only. Seventeen years later just by a history’s twist of fate, Noori al Sa’eed himself was killed in the streets of Baghdad and had not a better end than those innocent civilian Jews, killed in that event and who could have been saved if he wanted to. Though I would like to declare that I wasn’t happy to what has happened to him just as I wasn’t happy for what happened to the Jews in June 1941. Nevertheless, I should say that I had given a thorough and well meditated philosophical thought to how things happen in life of which to take note of; just at the manner of the ‘Ecclisiasticus’ in the Bible. Now speaking about Naji Mahmood Al Zahawi, the younger brother of Khaled; his that full name was enlisted among the customers’ of my father’s banking bureau. He was honest, reliable and punctual. Surely these high marks couldn’t be given to every customer; I can add that he was extraordinarily Ezra Belboul (Lev) meticulous in his those virtues and qualities. Whereas Khaled was so Letter of Appreciation from The Attorney General, Jerusalem – 25 January 2001 extrovert, Naji was so introvert though very quick in talking and walking, Dear Mr Ezra Lev modest and mild – he was shorter and have learned with pleasure that you have attained the age of ninety-eight years, in thinner. As he was a ‘Judge’, I daresay he well-being and good living, and that the Ministry of Defence will distinguish this was a ‘lenient’ Judge because looking at Iday during which you will conclude your period of formal work in this office and his characters he couldn’t be otherwise. will commence your work as a volunteer. This makes me want to tell you: may you continue to stand on your post, as you have done over one generation’s time from the N.B. Enclosed: a photograph of my usual age of retirement. Yours is an outstanding phenomenon, few, if any, of which can father with a Sidara. Date: easily 1930’s. be found in public service. The beauty of this is that, firstly, that the administration Read article on the marriage of the appreciates the importance of your service, and secondly, in that your service is that of parents of General Khaled AL-ZAHAWI the Defence of Israel, a country still struggling for peace and security. May you know from issue 73 ♦ happiness and live for many years to come, in good health. ♦ 51 The Scribe No.74 De Gaulle's opinion of Israel A Protestant Press conference held at the Elysée Palace on…27 November 1967 Clergyman Answers Sent by Edward Dangooor General de Gaulle Question: double its population by encouraging the t is considered decent to be ecstatic immigration of new elements had led us to over the brilliant style of your press General, war broke out in the Middle believe that the territory it had acquired conference. I did read your recent and East six months ago. It ended quickly, I would soon prove insufficient and that, in original interpretation of Jewish history as we know. What do you think of the order to enlarge it, it would seize on any and you will allow me to be ecstatic not evolution of the situation in that area opportunity that would present itself. This is over your style, but over the surprising since last June? the reason why the Fifth Republic had ignorance it reveals of the actual facts, the disengaged itself from the very special and Answer: deliberate determination to misrepresent close ties with Israel, established by the History and the remarkable subtlety previous regime, and instead had applied he establishment of a Zionist employed in order to insult and to hurt. homeland in Palestine and then, itself to favouring detente in the Middle East. after the Second World War, the Obviously we had maintained cordial Obviously, in spite of some Israeli and T relations with the Government of Israel, and Jewish exegetes, you are not anti- establishment of the State of Israel raised even continued to supply for its defence the at the time a certain amount of fears. The Semitic. It certainly would appear most weapons it asked to buy, while at the same question could be asked, and was indeed ungentlemanly to be anti-Semitic as far time we were advising moderation. Finally, as you are concerned, for many reasons: asked even among many Jews, whether we had refused to give our official backing to the settlement of this community on a its settling in a conquered district of When you make of so many centuries land acquired under more or less Jerusalem, and had maintained our Embassy of sufferings a simple poetic ballad of the justifiable conditions, in the midst of Arab in Tel Aviv. "Wandering Jew", you insult eighteen populations who were basically hostile, centuries of Jewish sufferings in would not lead to continued, incessant Unfortunately a drama occurred. It was Christian lands. frictions and conflicts. Some people even brought on by the very great and constant When you assert that in Christendom a feared that the Jews, until then scattered tension resulting from the scandalous fate of the refugees in Jordan, and also by the threat "capital interest and sympathy" has always about, but who were still what they had of destruction against Israel. On 22 May the been offered to Israel, you insult the people always been, that is an elite people, sure Akaba affair unfortunately created by to whom were inflicted the "rouelle" of themselves and domineering, would, Egypt* would offer a pretext to those who (round cloth headpiece Jews had to wear once assembled again on the land of their wanted war. To avoid hostilities, on 24 May during the Middle Ages) and official ancient greatness, turn into a burning and France had proposed to the other three contempt (counciliar decisions of 1215). conquering ambition. Major Powers to jointly forbid both parties When you speak of the Jewish Jerusalem Neverthless, in spite of the ebbing and from initiating the fight. On 2 June, the flowing stream of malevolences they French Government had officially declared as of a "conquered district" you have us aroused in certain countries and certain that it would condemn whoever would take smile: everybody knows in the West that times, a considerable capital of interest, and up arms first. I myself, on 24 May, had this town Jerusalem covers several hills even sympathy, had accrued in their favour, stated to Mr Eban, Israel’s Foreign Minister, and has been built by Jewish hands. But especially it must be said in Christian whom I saw in Paris: "If Israel is attacked one will have, one of these days, to realise countries: a capital issued from the we shall not let it be destroyed, but if you somehow the Ambassador of France will immense memory of the Bible, fed by the attack we shall condemn your action. have his place in Jerusalem, that the Holy Land is not protected anymore by anyone: sources of a magnificent liturgy, kept alive Israel attacked, and reached its objectives by the commiseration inspired by their in six days of fighting. Now it organises Israel is in charge and takes care of it with ancient misfortune, poeticised here by the itself on conquered territories, the more efficiency, courage and honour than myth of the Wandering Jew, heightened by occupation of which cannot go without any previous "protector". the abominable persecutions perpetuated oppression, repression, expulsions, while at Really, it was not necessary, indeed to during the Second World War and the same time a resistance grows, which it maginified, after they had again found a spit in the face of the people who gave regards as terrorism. Jerusalem should the world Moses, Isaiah, Jesus, accusing homeland, by their constructive works and receive international status. the courage of their soldiers. That is why Israel of provoking "the stream of many countries – France amongst them – *After asking the UN forces to leave, malevolences: (admirable euphemisms) had seen with satisfaction the establishment which for ten years had controlled the which Jews had to suffer unceasingly. outlet of the Gulf of Akaba at the Straight of their State on the territory acknowledged Mr President, you should not have taken as theirs by the Major Powers, while of Tiran, Egypt announced that it would men of France, Western countries and wishing for them to reach, by using some block navigation to and from the port of Israel, for a bunch of fools since it is plain modesty, a peaceful "modus vivendi" with Eilat, by which Israel receives its oil their neighbours. imports from Iran and which is its only for all to see that in your mind, the important outlet to the Red Sea, especially since the questions are about oil, money and the It must be said that these psychological Suez Canal is closed to ships flying the prestige not of France which your unworthy factors had somewhat changed since 1956. Israel flag. words have injured, but by the miserable The Franco-British Suez expedition had seen ephemeral glory of a politician in the the emergence of a warrior State of Israel Israel rightly regarded the closure of evening of his life. ♦ determined to increase its land area and navigation as the start of hostilities by boundaries. Later, the actions it had taken to Egypt. ♦ Claude Duvemoy Minister 52 The Scribe No.74 The Israeli Source of the Pathan Tribes From the book, Lost Tribes from Assyria, by A Avihail and A Brin, 1978, in Hebrew by Issachar Katzir s children, we heard from our What is the Ethnic Origin of emissaries succeeded in their assignment parents, who come from the Panthim? and Muhammed praised them for this. AAfghanistan, stories about the The Place of the Assyrian Exile Ten Tribes who were lost during the The Panthim are not similar in their destruction of the Temple, about outward appearance or in their character According to the Bible (the second meetings with the country people with to any of the ethnic groups which Book of Kings, Chronicles 1 and 2), the whom they had contact in trade matters, populate this environment: the Indian ten tribes were exiled to Halah and Havor about Jewish customs and names – and it group-Iranians, Mongolians, Turks or and the river Gozan and to the cities of all sounded inconceivable and Persians. Most of the researchers are of Maday. According to the tradition of the fascinating. Like all children, we enjoyed the opinion that the origin of the Pathans Jews of Afghanistan, the river gozan is hearing about tribes of Israel preserving is indeed Israeli. The aliyah to Israel of ‘rod jichan’ (river in Persian is rod), one of their forefathers’ tradition, bearing arms Afghanistan Jews and the volume of the tributaries of the Emo-daria, which and awaiting the day of redemption. evidence heard from them on this subject descends in the vicinity of the town of about the customs of the Pathans Maimane. The city of Havor is, they say, From Mr Yisrael Mishal, who lived in corroborate this idea. peh-Shauor (Pash-Havor’) which means Afulah and was formerly President of the ‘Over Havor’ in Afghanistan, and today Afghanistan Jewish community, I often Relationship to the Tribes of Israel serves as the centre of the Pathans on the heard unusually fascinating quotations Pakistan that the whole area populated the and stories uttered repeatedly and Mr There is interesting evidence about the ancient Assyrian Exile. There are Mishal gave live examples of his preservation among the tribes of family researchers who claim that all the Jews meetings with Pathans who dwell on the trees on their origin, and on their living in southern U.S.S.R. along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. relationship to the fathers of the Israeli Emor-daria’ are the descendants of the ten Who are the Pathans? They are also people. These family trees are well tribes - the Bucharins, Georgians, etc. As called Afghans or Pishtus after their preserved. Some of them are penned in we know, a group of ‘‘B’nei Yisrael’ some language. They identify themselves with golden lettering on deerskin. The names of of whom settled in Israel, is also found in their former name ‘sons of Israel’, even the tribes speak for themselves: the tribe of India and Afghanistan. The existence of though nowadays they live as Muslims. Harabni (in the Afghan tongue) is the tribe the Pathan tribes is therefore in the heart of In Afghanistan they are said to number of Reuben, the shinwari is Shimeon, the the area in which the ten tribes are found. six to seven million, and in Pakistan Levani – Levi, Daftani – Naftali, Jaji – The Similarity of the Pathans Gad, Ashuri – Asher, Yusuf Su, sons of seven to eight million. Two million of to the Jews them live as beduins. Outwardly, the Josef, Afridi – Ephraim, and so on. Pathans are similar to the Jews. The former monarchy in Afghanistan The British, who ruled Afghanistan for a long time, found it difficult to distinguish From their ancient customs, one can has a widely-spread tradition according to between the Pathans and the Jews, and point to a connection between the Pathans which their origin was from the tribe of called the Pathans ‘Juz’ - Jews. The Jews, and the Jewish people. They make up Benjamin and the family of King Saul. too found it hard to distinguish between about half of the population of According to this tradition, Saul had a son themselves and the Pathans when the latter Afghanistan, in the region called called Jeremia and he in turn had a son are not wearing traditional dress. Pushtunistan, on the eastern border of called Afghana. Jeremia died at about the Afghanistan has about 21 peoples and Afghanistan. Over ninety per cent of the same time as Saul and the son Afghana languages and only the Pathans, apart inhabitants are Sunni Muslims. Later was raised by King David and remained in from the Jews, look clearly Semitic; their modernisation has penetrated into this the royal palace during the reign of countenance is lighter than that of other State, and even less in the hilly areas near Solomon too. About 400 years later, in the days of Nebuchadnezer, the Afghana peoples and their nose is long. Some of the border. In these places, the Pathans them also have blue eyes. Since most of continue to live in the tribal framework as family fled to the Gur region (Jat in our times). This is in central Afghanistan and them grow beards and sidelocks like Jews, their fathers and forefathers did. The legal this also adds difficulty to an attempt to system operates according to the here the family settled down and traded with the people of the area. In the year distinguish between them and the Jews. Pashtunwali," the Pashtun Laws, parts of 622, with the appearance of Islam, which are similar to the laws of the Torah. Jewish Customs Muhammed sent Khaled ibn Waleed to the The Pathans are known for their ‘sons of Ishrail’ to spread the word of Even though the Pathans accepted Islam physical strength. They are tall, light- Islam among the Afghanistan tribes. He voluntarily and forcibly, they maintain coloured and handsome, good soldiers succeeded in his mission, returned to Jewish customs preserved from the and for the most part bear arms from a Muhammed with seven representatives of recesses of their past. The book contains young age. They are diligent and the residents of Afghanistan and with 76 considerable evidence taken from Jews of intelligent, faithful to an exemplary supporters. The leader of these people was Afghanistan who lived in the degree and are known in the world as ‘Kish’ (the name of the father of neighbourhoods of the Pathans and had outstanding hosts. Solomon). According to the tradition, the contact with them. ☛ 53 The Scribe No.74 …The evidence doesn’t relate to all the divided the large area of the southern part of Pathans or to all the tribes and places. central Russia into smaller districts such as Articles of However, it does prove the existence of Tanjekistan, Turkemanistan, Kazchastan, etc. Jewish customs among the Pathans. The In Tanjekistan, which is in northern interest from research on this subject still requires Afghanistan, there was a village by the name completion, both quantitative and of Dushme. When Stalin gained power, he previous issues called the village in his name, Stalinabad. It qualitative. Let us note the customs in • 2,500th Anniversary Celebrations of headline form only: sidelock, circumcision started to develop and grow and many Jews then began to stream into Tangekistan. They the Persian Monarchy-plus photo (No. within eight days, a Talith (prayer shawl) 1) and four fringes (Tsitsit), a Jewish wedding found that the Tanyakis light candles on (Hupah and ring), women’s customs Friday evening. When the Jews went to visit • King Feisal I & Iraq’s Jews (No. 1) (immersion in a river or spring), levirate them, they revealed that they eat a dish made of meat stuffed with rice called Pacha, which • Abraham – Father of the Middle East marriage (Yibum), honouring the father, is characteristic of the Bucharian Jews and is (No. 1) forbidden foods (horse and camel food), eaten on Friday night. When they asked them refraining from cooking meat and milk, a • Towards a Middle East Federation what it was, the Tajiks replied that this is an tradition of clean and unclean poultry, the (No. 1) ancient traditional food of theirs and its name Shabbat (preparation of 12 Hallah loaves, is Pacha. They also said that they have a • Iraqi Jewish Community at Iran’s refraining from work), lighting a candle in tradition that they were once Jews. celebrating (No. 2) honour of the Shabbat, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) prayer (some of Rabbi Saadia Gaon discussed at length • Letter to the Editor (From Mr D them pray turned in the direction of with the Hacham Hivay Habalchi and in the Segal) (No. 3) opinion of the speaker, in that period (10th Jerusalem), blood on the threshold and on • “Cellar Club” (No. 3) the two Mezzuzot (in times of plague or century) the Jews were inclined to trouble), a scapegoat, curing the ill with the assimilate into Islam and it was about this • United Europe – a threat to Jewish help of the Book of Psalms (placing the that they were arguing. Survival (No. 4) Book under the patient’s head), a Hebrew The scholar Ibn Sina, born in Buchara, • Babylonian Jews in Israel (Ben amulet (Kamia), Hebrew names (also. for also lived at the time. The teacher Tajiki Jacob) (No. 5) neighbourhoods and villages), Holy Books said that he, too, belongs to the Jews who (they especially honour ‘the Law of Sharif’ were forced to convert, assimilated into • Sepharad Ransoms a Babylonian which is the Law of Moses), and rising Islam and are called Tchale. As recounted, Rabbi (No. 6) when the name of Moshe is mentioned. the meaning of his name is Even Sina – son • Yekum Purqam (No. 6) of sinal (and up to this day in many As for the Pathan law, they have laws languages, and also in Hebrew, the words • A nation in defeat (No. 7) similar to the Jewish law. The Magen are similarly pronounced – Sinai, Sin Sina) • Napolean was right (No. 9) David symbol is found in almost every and perhaps this is why he called himself Pathan house on an island in the Pehshauor Ben Sinai, in other words, son of the Torah • Babylonian Genealogy (No. 9) district. The rich make it of expensive which came forth from Sinai. metals, the poor from simple wood. The • Ben Gurion: Jewish state does not Magen David can be seen on the towers of The Maharaja of Mardan was a scholar yet exist (No. 11) schools and on tools and ornaments. who completed his studies at the University of London and would often visit the • Deutro-Isaiah (No. 12) Archaeological and Other converts of Mishhad who lived in • The Staff of Life (No. 14) Evidence Pehshaurf. He also visited a Jew called Carmeli, who told Mr Hiya Zorov that the • Are Jews really Arabs? (No. 15) Apart from synagogues, Sifrei Torah, Maharaja always said the day would come • Indian President Lauds Jews (No. 16) Hebrew placenames and tribal family when they would learn to distinguish the trees, there also exists evidence on origins of all people and then they would • Sunday opening – Saturday closing important archeological finds: near the know that all the peoples in the vicinity of (No. 17) town of Herat in Tchcharan, old graves Afghanistan were once Jews. The Maharaja • The Arabs and the Abars (No 17) were found on which the writing was in published a book in English and wrote of Persian and in the Hebrew language. The this in the introduction to the book. But the • Shehita (No. 19) book was lost. There was a time when the graves date from the 11th to the 13th • Group Survival (No. 19) centuries. In an opposite fashion, so it author Hiya Zorov, with late President Ben- seems, there are a number of inscriptions Tsvi, who considered it of great importance, • To Partition or not to Partition (No. engraved on rocks in ancient Hebrew tried to find the book, but in vain. 20) script near the town of Netchaset. Some of the Bucharian Jews have a • The Jews of Shanghai (No. 20) tradition that they are among the people of In the ‘Dar el amman’ museum in • The lost Sefarim (No. 20) Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, there is the First Temple possibly from the Ten a black stone found in Kandahar, on Tribes, but he doesn’t know about this and • Jewish mission to the Christians (No. afterwards they were joined by Jews from which is written in Hebrew. 20) the Second Temple Exile. It would be appropriate to end this article • The New Ottoman Empire – Petrol Scribe: with one of the pieces of evidence. Mr Chiya was the undoing of the old Ottoman Zorov of Tel Aviv notes: When the Pakistani Cricketer Imran Khan who Empire; water may become the Bolsheviks rose to power in Russia, they married Jemima Goldsmith is a Pathan. ♦ lifeline of the new one (No. 29) 54 The Scribe No.74 Dear Naim With thanks for your great service to the Jewish Community all over the world, I present to you my booklet. A Tribute to Elie Kedourie by Professor Shmuel Moreh ELIE KEDOURIE, CBE., FBA 1926-1992 Edited by Sylvia Kedourie History, Philosophy, Politics. London, Portland-Oregon: Frank Cass Publishers 1998, [8], 132 pp., ISBN 07146 4862 0, £25.00 he above title, by Sylvia Kedourie, confirms Prof. Kedourie’s conclusion that Arab history and literature, were the object is a collection of essays published "nationalism is anti-individualist, despotic, of their parody. Their jokes were Tas a memorial for the fifth racist, and violent." concentrated upon police behavior towards the Jews, the Iraqi Government, the Iraqi anniversary of the untimely death in 1992 My brother was then a classmate of Elie Parliament and the behaviour of its of the celebrated Orientalist and scholar Kedourle during their primary and members; the way in which laws were Prof. Elie Kedourie. He was Professor of secondary studies at the Alliance Française passed by its MPs while asleep, etc. Later Politics, specialist in the History of the school and later on at the Shammash High on, Elie’s articles, before and after their Middle East at the London school of School in Baghdad in the late 1930’s and publication in Baghdad newspa-pers, were Economics and Political Science (LSE), 1940’s. In these two schools the French discussed. Their discussions were full of the Founder and Editor of the well- and then the English languages were, humour, sometimes with ironic, absurd and known journal Middle Eastern Studies respectively, the languages of instruction. sharp remarks mingled with high bursts of (1964), and the author and editor of many This fact can shed light upon Elie’s writing laughter or sardonic smile, which even after outstanding books on the Middle East. on the Farhud and his attitude towards some decades were observed by Oliver British policy in the Middle East after the As an old friend of Prof. Kedourie I Letwin in Prof. Kedourie’s conversations disintegration of the Ottoman Empire and feel an obligation to write in memory of and writings. One notable example that the rise of national Arabic governments in this great scholar and friend who was they would repeat was that of a tribal chief the Middle East. proud of being a descendant of the M.P. who repudiated the censure of the glorious Jewry of Babylon. It was after This decisive and traumatic pogrom traffic police with the boast of’thousands of the Farhud (pogrom) of 1941, when I against the Jews of Baghdad, (June 1941), tribal gunmen at his disposal. first met Elie Kedourie. I used to initiated by pro-Nazi Iraqi and Palestinian Only after the massive immigration to accompany my elder brother Jacob to elements (cf. Peter Roberts’s remark) who Israel, during what was termed in Iraq as Elie’s home in the old Jewish quarter in received refuge in Iraq, was haunting "the exchange of population", i.e. the Jews Baghdad. The Oriental classical Prof. Elie Kedourie’s memory, and his of Iraq with the Palestinian refugees, did we architecture of Elie’s huge two storey- generation. The Farhud became rooted in hear of Elie Kedourie’s renown. This house with its square courtyard in its the collective memory of the Jews of Iraq, exchange took place after the 1948 War and centre, the cellar with its well and its yet he was the first scholar to write about the 1950-1951 Jewish mass immigration of conventional system of ventilation was its scholarly researches on the the Jews of’ Iraq to Israel. Although we in sharp contrast to the new architecture background of the Farhud and its lived in tents in temporary camps we of our house in the Battawiyyin (a new repercussions. Nowadays it is a well- managed to study at the Hebrew University mixed quarter outside old Baghdad). known fact that the Farhud was the main of Jerusalem, and obtained our M.A. These differences were striking and reason for the mass exodus of the Jews of degrees. I was sent by the Hebrew unforgettable. The conventional Jewish Iraq during the 1950’s. His writings on University to continue my studies in Arabic family ties and religions values were this tragedy, together with Mr. Naim literature at SOAS-University of London more observed in the old Jewish quarter Kattan, his colleague at the Alliance while my brother Jacob decided to continue than in the new ones. This fact might school in Baghdad, made European and his studies at LSE. By then, the defiance of illustrate why Prof. Elie Kedourie was American scholars aware of this massacre Elie Kedourie’s Ph.D. degree at Oxford identified by some of his "Eurocentric which Arab historians and writers supervised by Prof. Gibb had become a colleagues" as being "conservative, or deliberately ignored and about which they "venerated legend of academic heroism" in reactionary, or ‘right-wing’." kept conspiracy of silence. Israel, especially among his friends and The reason for my accompanying my Elie and Jacob were the best pupils in admirers comprising mainly Iraqi Jews. brother was that danger awaited any Jewish their classes. They read English, French and Thus, the first person to whom we would child or young man who would dare to walk Arabic books extensively, and their turn for advice on deciding to study at the alone in the streets, not only of Baghdad, but discussions and conversations spared University of London was our good friend in the whole of Iraq, especially through nobody from their critical and sarcastic Prof. Elie Kedourie. Our letter from Muslim quarters. Already, before the Farhud comments and comic remarks. They Jerusalem to Elie was, to our surprise, and the rise of Zionism, we were then criticised various subjects including their promptly answered with a positive reply. indeed, "victims of ideological tyranny " teachers, their manners and habitual Elie proved to be, as always, "a friend in The persecution of minorities in Iraq with remarks, their teaching methods and their deed". Afterwards, our meetings with him the establishment of the national regime, friends. Their history lessons, especially on and his wife Sylvia became frequent. ☛ 55 The Scribe No.74 … Our conversations were always in philosophical history or Britain’s policy “The Disputation” our Baghdadi Jewish dialect in which we towards the Arab countries. This fact all enjoyed its folkloric humour and special explains why my brother and I started our Play at New End Theatre, Hampstead idioms. Ph.D. studies long after Elie’s submission Reviewed by Percy Gourgey, MBE of his thesis in 1953. I am recounting all these reminiscences he play is based on a book of the because what one feels missing in this To read in this book eulogies in homage same name by Prof Hyam condensed and well-presented book, is the to Elie written by first rate scholar fills the TMaccoby, a distinguished scholar testimony of’ one of his personal friends heart with pain and sorrow at the untimely and author on Jewish Christian relations who studied with him during his passing away of a devoted friend and great (who was a fellow congregant in schooldays. This task others could do better scholar. Such homage includes: "What Richmond Synagogue until his move to than I, such as his friends Dr. Jacob Moreh one admired in the act of a young Elie Leeds) and it has received wide acclaim in and Mr. Nissim Dawood, both living in the Kedourie-defying the Oxford the United States and here. U.K. However, this book covers all aspects establishment, willing to pay a price for It concerns a disputation between a of Professor Elie Kedourie’s personal and his truth-is a quality that remained renowned Rabbi, Moses ben Nachman, university life, i.e. as a student, a scholar, an throughout’ (Itamar Rabinovich, [Israel with a Jewish convert to Christianity, academic researcher, a teacher and his former Ambassador to the USA], p. 42); Pablo Christiani, in Aragon, Spain in 1263 devotion to his mentor and colleague Prof. "Elie Kedourle leaves a rich and diverse Barcelona on Jewish and Christian beliefs, Michael Oakeshott. His achievement as a legacy many of us have benefited in a supervisor to his Ph.D. students, a held under the authority of King James. variety of ways from both his great commentator in journals and radio and The rabbi agreed to take part on condition learning and personal kindness". T.V., political advisor, colleague, and other that he had full freedom of expression "Kedourie was the scholar par roles he played, are also covered here by which the King accepted. some friends and admirers. The essays are excellence" O’Sullivan’s second remark: I found the whole play, and especially the written in an excellent English style worthy "the sustained philosophical rigour, range actual debate, of riveting interest, and I asked of one of the greatest Orientalists and of imaginative sympathy, and depth of the organisers of the production for a copy of scholars of our time, who was considered historical insight, displayed in his the script which covers the whole gamut of one of the outstanding masters of English reflections on Hegel’s proposed synthesis emotions aroused in a dialogue of this nature. style. All these aspects of Elie’s life were and Marx’s critique of it ensure that this Robert Rietty put in a performance of intense discussed in full detail by authoritative volume will confirm his status as one of the sensitivity to the arguments involved as a personalities. In fact one can understand greatest political thinkers to have emerged Christian monk, Raymond de Penaforte, or Elie’s unique personality, achievements, during the second half’ of the twentieth ‘Brother Raymond’ as he is called in the play. greatness and the special traits of his books century"; "One of the obituaries... pointed He asks Nachmanides to be conciliatory and only after reading thoroughly the nineteen out that Elie was an observant Jew,... In any not press his case too forcefully lest he arouse essays written by his publisher, his wife and event, I consider Elie Kedourie to have Christian anger, but the former insisted on his devoted friends (the three other essays were been a great man, and... have played... an right to put his case as he thought fit. One point he made was that if the founder of written by Prof. Kedourie; this book was important role in the formulation of United Christianity was described as the "Prince of edited by his devoted wife, Dr. Sylvia States foreign policy at a key juncture in Haim-Kedourie, who is bearing alone, with Peace" – a phrase used in Isaiah’s prophecies our post-Cold War history." "He was a sage – what peace had the world known, especially dignity and capability, the burden of the dedicated to wisdom. He lives on, not just great legacy of her late husband). with the ongoing crusades at the time, since in the memory of his friends and students, the start of Christianity. Hence the Jewish In his essay, Kenneth Minogue but in his contribution to the store of belief that the Messiah was still to come. commented with great accuracy: "Indeed, wisdom which should regulate the conduct This put me in mind of the Talmudic view that so far as Britain and France were of human affairs". Such praise, couched in by the Jewish Year 6000 (in the Tractate concerned, Elie was culturally the usual idiom of English understatement, Sanhedrin 95a) the Messiah would have come ambidextrous, and I have always thought only serves to emphasize the deep feeling and the Third Temple built in Jerusalem. Perhaps we were lucky to get him ... He could of loss sustained not only by Orientalists we should start an organisation now to study and easily have become an adornment of the and historians in general, but by the entire act upon the far-reaching implication of this Seine rather than the Thames." In fact, Jewish people. He was indeed a great view! For instance, who would have thought that we, i.e. his friends in Israel, used to say scholar, and humanist, who could enrich when Herzl convened the First World Zionist that: "if Elie would have immigrated to Oriental studies with his devoted research Congress in 1897 in Basle, Switzerland, after writing his famous book, "Der Juden Staat", that Israel he would not have achieved what and intellectual integrity and deep insight, he had achieved in England. He has the State in Israel would come into being just joined through the personal experience of fifty years later to justify his vision! escaped many years of torture to master having lived under Arab national the Hebrew language to the level of governments in Iraq. This play has striking relevance in this age with writing his research." This is beside the the Church’s Mission to the Jews, current fact that since 1947 onwards, the nascent Prof. Elie Kedourie’s Oriental heritage, attempts in Israel to convert Jews made by monks State of Israel was engaged in a series of personality and academic integrity can be and nuns and, in this country, the "Jews for Jesus" organisation in universities and elsewhere, wars with its neighbours, which would better understood and deeply appreciated after reading this book. He proved himself a appealing to vulnerable and ignorant Jews. In a have rendered concentration on his fitting comment on Maccoby’s work, Chief research very problematic. Moreover, worthy descendant of those Jews who came Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks has stated that "God has Israel at that time was alreadv inclined to Babylon with Yehoyachin" and all the given us many faiths but only one world in which towards the study of the Holocaust and princes, and all the mighty men of valour," to live together. On our response to that challenge, Nazi Germany, and not in the who later on compiled the Talmud Babli. ♦ much of our future will depend." ♦ 56 The Scribe No.74 Zimbabwe-Jews (Feature) Letter to the Editor RUSAPE, Zimbabwe, April 23 Sapa-AFP I am researching the origin of my n the hilly rural Makoni district, some There are even languages resemblances family name, Magasis. My paternal 200 kilometres (120 miles) southeast of between the Zimbabwean native lineage is from a Jewish village in or near Ithe capital Harare, lies a small synagogue languages and Hebrew, they say. Kobrin, Belerus. However family legend maintained that we originally came from whose entrance is graced by a star of David They point to American scholars who painted in brown against a white wall. a town which bore our family name (or in a book compiled in 1970s said the from which our name was derived). Inside the church are some 500 similarities between African culture and Zimbabwean worshippers, colourfully pre-exile Hebrews are too many and too I have seen references to a town near the dressed in blue and brown neat uniforms close to be accidental. Tigris river (possibly between Al’Amarah and Al Kut) with the name, "Magasis". with sashs, the men wearing black ***** Scholarly studies, they claim, yamulkas, or skull caps, the women show evidence that in virtually any For example, the following is from a wearing maroon and purple crowns. All the African country, remnants of an earlier British historical reference: worshippers bear rosettes in seven colours. Hebrew civilisation can be found with "On the night of 24/25 April 1916 in They have been celebrating the eight- traces of their ancestry to the ancient Mesopotamia, an attempt was made to re- day period of Passover - the flight of the kingdom of biblical Abraham. provision the force besieged at Kut-el- Jews from Egypt as recounted in the Bible. Western historians say Bantus, Amara. Lieutenant-Commander Cowley, They consider themselves to be Africans of southern Africa, came from with a lieutenant (FIRMAN, K.O.P.) authentic Jews. Drawing striking parallels the north, but where exactly, they do (commanding SS Julnar), a sub-lieutenant between the historical conditions of pinpoint, argued another elder, "We and 12 ratings, started off with 210 tons of biblical Israel and common African believe we came from Israel in the stores up the River Tigris. Unfortunately cultures, the elders of the Church of God Middle East". Julnar was attacked almost at once by Turkish machine-guns and artillery. At Saints of Christ are convinced that they They also argue that there is biblical are lineal descendants of Moses. Magasis, steel hawsers stretched across the evidence that Abraham, the original river halted the expedition, the enemy "We are typical of a house of Israel, our Isrealite, was of cushite or black African opened fire at point-blank range and culture is typical Israel – our marriages, descent, and that Moses, the founder of Julnar’s bridge was smashed. Julnar’s inheritance customs, even our childbirth Judaism was born in Africa. commander was killed, also several of his customs. We have never been gentiles, we Some of the Judaic practises followed crew; Lieutenent-Coommader Cowley are the lost tribe of Israel," Rabbi by the Zimbabwean black Jews include was taken prisoner with the other survivors Ambrose Makuwaza told AFP. “We are the strict observance of the Sabbath, and almost certainly executed by the authentic Israelites... We crossed the Suez observance of the ten commandments, Turks." canal to come to Africa. We are Hebrews, male circumcision and baptism by descendants of Abraham.” I had also read of shelling between Iran immersion in flowing water as well as and Iraq in December 1984 which While the church has been in existence following the lunar month. targeted a town called Magasis. in Zimbabwe since 1938 and claims a The Rusape Jews believe Jesus was the following of more than 5,000, it is little Any information on the town and/or Messiah of the time, and that Jesus was family name "Magasis" would be greatly known nationally.The Orthodox Jewish like any other human being who is community here is aware of their existence appreciated. (Known alternate family currently buried in Jerusalem, not that he name spellings include Magezis, Magzis, but say that since it has not been went to heaven as Christians believe. established whether or not the and Magesis) Zimbabwean worshippers are Jews, they "The birth or death of Jesus has no Many thanks! ♦ cannot claim to be Jews, though they may religious value, only his teachings," said have a Jewish inclination. elder Hosea Risinamhodzi. ♦ Steve Magasis Stanley Harris, president of the Central M Basner Please write to me at: African Jewish Board of Deputies in [email protected] http://www.anc.org.za/anc/newsbrief/1 Seattle, WA, USA Zimbabwe, says it would be difficult to 995/news0423 trace Judaic origin of these people."They 24Hr Phone/Fax: (206) 784-9980 are of possible Judaic knowledge, but not of Judaic origin," said Harris. Quote… But Rabbi Makuwaza is adamant that Zimbabweans, like all black southern Plan for this world as if you expect to live forever, Africans of Bantu origin, are of Judaic but plan for the hereafter as if you expect to die tomorrow. parentage."In times to come the world Ibn Gabirol. will come to realise that there are (black) Quote… Jews in Zimbabwe," he said, adding: "We are Israelites, we have no doubts. ... If we A wise man learns more from his enemies, are not Israelites, as other people want to than a fool from his friends. believe, how come we follow the Barbara Gracian. Israelites way of living?" 57 The Scribe No.74 From World Jewry: The Review of the World Jewish Congress November 1971 Iranian Jewry Celebrates Cyrus Moussa Kermanian he Jewish Community in Iran is sovereign of Iran, such great magnanimity scholar. The Hebrew-Persian dictionary one of the oldest in the the and humanitarian love has been shown has already been printed in Jerusalem and TDiaspora, dating back to the them that the Iranian Jews, like all their the other works were made ready during destruction of the First Temple at the compatriots have made considerable the last days of his life. hands of Nebuchadnezzar. It has now progress. In contrast to their neighbouring Cyrus the Great loved the Jews and been the witness of unique and countries they have been shown extra- took a number of positive measures in unprecedented celebrations, of fourfold ordinary kindness and generosity and it is the cause of justice and righteousness, significance to Iranian Jews. the sacred duty of the Iranian Jewish and that too in the hard and cruel world society to express its gratitude in the best First of all, Iran is their home and they of his times. The present Monarch of possible manner. have shared its joys and sorrows. It is the Iran also has spared no effort to show resting place of their ancestors, and their Iranian Jewry shared the celebrations kindness and generosity to the Jews and holy shrines such as tomb of Daniel, Esther without reservations and tried to express to bring about international peace and and Ezra are located here. Aside from that, its feeling of gratitude and thankfulness understanding. The traditions of parts of the Old Testament have either been in every possible way. humanitarianism established by Cyrus written in this land or relate to it. the Great and the equality of men were Among the measures adopted by the one of the first ideas expressed and Secondly, these celebrations did Iranian Jewish society through the outlined by the Shahanshah. honour a king who occupies the highest decisions of a special committee, were spiritual position in the religious the organising of meetings, the If circumstances had permitted, the literature of the Jews. decorating and illuminating of all Jewish joy of the Iranian Jewish community establishments, such as synagogues and would have reached its peak. In the great Cyrus the Great, as it is written in Ezra, gathering of world rulers and leaders on c. I and Isaiah, c. 44-45, as well as in the schools, and the holding of prayer and thanksgiving ceremonies. the occasion of the 25th centenary of the last Chapter of Kings, has been given the Iranian monarchy, the absence of the titles of Shibban and Messiah by God, For many years ago, the Jewish representatives of the Jewish nation is to which even the prophets do not have. community had planned to set up be regretted. establishments such as a hospital and a Thirdly, from the national and political It would appear that if political and other girl’s secondary school, both of which points of view, the celebrations considerations had allowed, the have now been set up and named after commemorated the declaration of Human representatives of the nation that was so Cyrus the Great, to commemorate the Rights and Liberties by Cyrus the Great, favoured by Cyrus the Great might have occasion. The Central Committee of the founder of the Iranian Monarchy. participated in this illustrious gathering as Iranian Jewry, or individual members of It was through this declaration and proof of human justice and vivid witness to the community, have set up more than 30 the glory of that magnificent monarch. ♦ other decrees that the prisoners of schools throughout the country. Babylon were not only freed but were ℘℘℘℘℘ encouraged to lay the foundations of the Perhaps, the most outstanding action for Second Temple. the occasion was the extensive repairs to the Shrine of Esther and Mordchai in the Dr Nahum Goldmann, Cyrus did not confine his benevolence to city of Hamadan (Ekbatan), the summer this act alone but also ordered that all the capital of Xerxes, which has attracted President of the World Jewish gold and silver utensils looted from the Jewish and Christian pilgrims from time Congress sent the following First Temple be restored to the Jews and immemorial and constitutes one of the message to the Shah of Iran: that the people of the Achaemenian lands most valuable archaeological treasures of “On behalf of the World Jewish should not spare any moral and material Iran. Adjacent to the shrine, a huge garden Congress and its member communities support to assist the exodus of the Jews, with new commemorative buildings, which was carried out in an orderly manner. and organisations throughout the world, I chapel and library have been created and wish to convey to your Imperial Majesty Fourthly, with the arrival of the Jews the site is today a major tourist attraction. and to the Iranian people our joyous from Babylon as free men and citizens of The new facilities are expected to be participation in the celebrations the Achaemenian Empire, the Iranian Jews inaugurated soon in the presence of the commemorating the founding of the became a community. In fact they are as old dignitaries of the country. Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. The as the Persian Empire and as such the In the educational field, arrangements Jewish people will always remember his celebrations also commemorated the have been under way for several years for historic act, sanctioning their first return beginning of the Jewish community in Iran. the publication of a Hebrew-Persian and from exile to their homeland. We wish In the reign of His Imperial Majesty, the Persian-Hebrew dictionary by the late you and your people happiness and Shahanshah Aryamehr, the present Suleiman Haim, the noted Iranian Jewish prosperity.” ♦ 58 The Scribe No.74 I am interested in the genealogy of the medieval Jewish Exilarchs and their descendants. Do any of the issues of the Journal of Babylonian Jewry published by the Exilarch’s Foundation contain this information, and, if so, how may I obtain the same? David Hughes North Carolina Scribe: The Exilarch’s Tree of the middle ages appears in the Babylonian Haggadah published by the Exilarch’s Foundation and is as follows: BABYLONIAN EXILARCHS

NAHUM 140 – 170 CE

HUNA I 170 – 210 MAR UKBA 210 - 240 HUNA II 240 - 260 NATHAN I 260 - 270 NEHEMIAH 270 - 313

MAR UKBA II 313 - 337 HUNA MAR I ABBA 350 - 370 HUNA III 337 - 350

NATHAN II 370 – 400 KAHANA I 400 – 415

HUNA IV 415 – 442 MAR ZUTRA I 442 – 455

KAHANA II 455 - 465 HUNA V 465 –470 HUNA VI 484 –508

MAR ZUTRA II 508 - 520 AHUNAI - 560 HOFNAI 560 - 590 HANINAI 580 - 590 BUSTANAI - 670

HISDAI b. BUSTANAI BAR ADAI b. BUSTANAI HISDAI II b. BAR ADAI SOLOMON b. HISDAI II c. 733 – 759 ISAAC ISKOI b. SOLOMON JUDAH (ZAKKAI b. AHUNAI) d. before 771 NATRONAI b. HAVIVAI 771 MOSES ISAAC ISKOI b. MOSES DAVID b. JUDAH c. 820 – 857 JUDAHI b. DAVID c. 857 NATRONAI after 857 HISDAI Ill b. NATRONAI UKBA c. 900 - 915 DAVID b. ZAKKAI 918 - 940 JOSIAH (HASAN) b. ZAKKA1 930 - 933 JUDAH II b. DAVID 940 SOLOMON b. JOSIAH c. 951 - 953 AZARIAH b. SOLOMON HEZEKIAH I b. JUDAH DAVID b. HEZEKIAH HEZEKIAH II. DAVID 1021 - 1058 DAVID II b. HEZEKIAH 1058 - 1090 HEZEKIAH Ill b. DAViD from 1090 DAVID Ill b. HEZEKIAH HISDAI IV b. DAVID d. before 1135 DANIEL b. HISDAI 1150 - 1174 SAMUEL OF MOSUL 1174 - c. 1195 DAVID b. SAMUEL d. after 1201 DANIEL SAMUEL b. AZARIAH c. 1240 - 1270 The ancient line of Exilarchs stopped in 1270 following the Mongol invasion of the Middle East. The line was restarted in 1970 by Naim Dangoor, exactly 700 years afterwards. ☛ 59 The Scribe No.74 …Question. Book Review an the ancestry of Mr Dangoor be traced from the medieval Jewish From Baghdad to Boardrooms – Cexilarchs without breaks? I read that Mr Dangoor revived the exilarchate. My Family’s Odyssey Does that mean that he is the recognised by Ezra K Zilkha with Ken Emerson Royal Davidic heir? I do not know the traditions of the Dangoor family, but Self Published in 1999 by Ezra K Zilkha perhaps they are of royal Davidic descent but have lost their pedigree. I am No ISDN Number 253 pp Reviewed by Anna Dangoor writing a book on the subject - that is The book also sheds light on Ezra’s why I wanted to know more about the rom Baghdad to Boardrooms - is an own character. He is an extremely self- Dangoor family. excellent book on many levels. It Ftook me almost no time to read, disciplined, and principled man who David Hughes entertaining me with countless anecdotes, bestows a great deal of respect upon [email protected] some amusing, some insightful, and some those who deserve it. His Iraqi possessing both qualities at once. background has left its mould on his Scribe: character, and its influence often Written as a testament to the life of appears when he quotes old Arab The fact is that at various times in Khedouri Zilkha, Ezra’s father, the book Jewish history after attempted revolts sayings such as, ‘show them death, and is also a memoir of Ezra’s own life, they’ll settle for sickness’. Ezra is also and endeavours to reform our Nation all charting his achievements in the business known descendants of King David were a very warm and loving man, and he world, and also on a more personal level. rounded up and massacred, both by the shows great admiration and affection Persians as well as by the Romans. The book begins by describing how for his wife Cecile, and for his beloved Khedouri set up the first and largest father Khedouri in memory of whom However, as Time Magazine pointed private branch banking system in the the book is dedicated. out recently, after ten generations every Middle East, KA Zilkha Maison de ancestor would have some 1000 This book is a journey through highs, Banque. Its first branch in Baghdad, descendants. Thus after 100 generations and lows, through good times, and bad Ezra’s birthplace, was opened by every Jew must carry some of King times. The journey of a child, who Khedouri when he was only fifteen, and David’s genes. This would even be more watched his father with awe and pronounced among Babylonian Jewry. he went on to open other banks in Beirut, admiration, and who is now a man Modern claims to a direct descent from Cairo, and Alexandria. Khedouri ran his himself with children of his own. By King David cannot be proved without a banks by a strict code of traditional writing this book Ezra has offered you a shadow of doubt. business ethics, always reliable, and chance to travel this journey with him, always true to his word. Ezra notes how and I strongly recommend you take it.♦ In the meantime, any person who finds when his father was starting out, much of ℘℘℘℘℘ himself better qualified for the title is his business was conducted simply on the invited to come forward." ♦ strength of a person’s good reputation. ℘℘℘℘℘ This kind of practice would regrettably ou carried a book review by Anna today be considered incredibly risky. Dangoor on Jeffrey Pickering’s I received your postcard giving the YBritain’s Withdrawal from East of internet details of The Scribe but found it It is evident that the values that Suez (Read review). I would like to read very difficult to download issue no. 73. Khedouri stood by were passed down to this but am unable to locate it in the Please mail to me a print-out for which I Ezra. He explains how important it was listings (Amazon, etc.) I would be grateful enclose payment. to him within all his business, to preserve if you could confirm the publisher and the excellent reputation his father had My best to Renée Dangoor – she and I publication date or the ISBN. created for the Zilkha name. He also talks went through school together in of his extreme fear of the shame of Barry Alexander United Kingdom Shanghai, even played piano duets at bankruptcy which is an admirable [email protected] community concerts – a long time ago!♦ concern in today’s world where all too Scribe: Rose Jacob Horowitz many businesses take the loss of other The publisher for Jeffrey Pickering’s book Los Angeles people’s money far too lightly. is Macmillan, 231 pp, priced at £42.50, 0333 ‘From Baghdad to Boardrooms’ gives 69526 7 an insight into the world of business, There is another book which may be of detailing numerous deals and ventures interest to you, namely: Quote… that Ezra was involved in. He also Demise of the British Empire in the If you want to make peace, describes vividly the huge spectrum of Middle East people and characters that he had the you don’t talk to your friends. Britain’s response to nationalist pleasure (or sometimes displeasure) of You talk to your enemies. movements, 1943-55 coming into contact with, amongst Moshe Dayan whom familiar names such as Margaret Michael J Cohen and Martin Kolinsky, Thatcher, Henry Kissinger, and Jimmy editors Goldsmith crop up. 212 pp, Cass., £39.50, 0714 64804 3 60 The Scribe No.74 How the Jews Survived Abridged from The Daily Telegraph

raham Turner has spent four who speaks through "the still, small voice" faith. They came to the conclusion that: months talking to Jews in Britain, of Conscience. They gave Christians the "We have got to create a survival Gthe United States and Israel about basis of their moral law in the shape of the mechanism that will enable our people to their beliefs, their fears and their sense of Ten Commandments. keep their faith and identity in a diaspora". what the future holds. Each year, during the Seder meal with Jews were told, through the dietary laws How on earth, I wondered, had the Jews, which they celebrate Passover – the story is of kashrut, what was kosher (fit to eat) and scattered across the face of the globe and told of their release from bondage in Egypt. what was not. That, in itself, put an immense subject to persecution such as has been That happened more than 3,200 years ago. social barrier between themselves and non- visited on no other people, managed to They are commanded to tell the story as if Jews. They were told that every male child survive, while great empires – The Assyrian, it were yesterday, and are expected to learn must be circumcised on the eighth day after the Egyptian, the Greek, the Roman, the the lesson of that story. The Holocaust may his birth. Not satisfied with the Ten British – had all withered and died? cast an immensely dark shadow, but it is Commandments of Moses, they were given only the latest shadow among many. The no fewer than 613 mitzvot to observe. Over the course of the past 2,000 years, German Jews were the most assimilated of the Jews have been expelled from Religious Jews were – and are – expected all Jewish communities – and look what virtually every European country. They to say as many as 100 different blessings happened to them. were kicked out of the German states six every day. Jews everywhere were times; out of parts of Italy five times; out Political anti-semitism could only come encouraged to live within walking distance of France four times. They were again anywhere, even in the United States. of a synagogue. And the family was to be the primary unit of survival, and celebrating massacred by the Babylonians, the "Non-Jews have an endemic disease in the home the Sabbath and the festivals. Romans, the Crusaders, the Poles, the called anti-semitism", said a New Jersey Russians and, most recently, the Germans. Professor. "But Jews tend to blow up any As the Jews moved out of their ghettos They have to keep thinking of moving inconsequential incident, as if the entire and into mainstream society over the past from the countries where they live. Gentile population is about to rise up and two centuries, they have been faced with For many centuries, Jews could not own wipe them out forever. If someone throws different problems. a handkerchief in a synagogue, they think land, belong to guilds or go to university. In In an open society, mixed marriages are a pogrom is in progress, said Jackie Germany and Russia, they were not allowed shrinking Jewish communities. to travel without special permission. They Mason, the comedian". Can Judaism survive tolerance and were routinely blamed for everything, from But how did the Jews, this tiny people kindness as successfully as it survived the death of Jesus to the Black Death. There with no homeland, manage to survive the persecution? ♦ is surely the most astonishing story of multiple traumas of two millennia? survival against all the odds in the whole of ℘℘℘℘℘ human history. Yet they have not merely One explanation, said Esther Rantzen, is survived, they have flourished. "There are that "the slow often got wiped out. You only about 13 million of us", says Ed Koch, always had to be a jump ahead of the am Jeffrey Gabbay, the son of three times Mayor of New York. "That is less pogrom. I am casting no aspersions on Abraham Gabbay and Daisy Somekh, than a third of one per cent of the world’s those who died but, if you are persecuted both from Baghdad. My parents for thousands of years, it is a very tough I population, and yet, coming from the loins of moved to the USA in 1946 where I was the Jewish people, you have Moses, Jesus, form of the survival of the fittest". The born (in 1948). I moved to Jerusalem in Marx, Freud and Einstein, the seminal crucial factor, however, was the genius of 1973 where I reside with my wife and thinkers of the modern world. Not to the rabbis of old. In the long centuries after four wonderful children. mention 116 Jewish Nobel Prize winners". the Babylonian exile 2,500 years ago, they succeeded in creating a marvellously I want to take this opportunity to tell In the United States, 5.7 million Jews shockproof survival capsule for a religion you how much I enjoy the publication. I account for only two per cent of the whose followers had no firm land base; find the articles interesting and, in many population, but have roughly 10 per cent and who, from the moment the Roman cases, touching. It is nice to see such an of the members of Congress. A few years Emperor Constantine became Christian, important part of Jewish heritage being ago, seven out of eight Ivy League were forbidden to swell their ranks by remembered and preserved. I find it colleges, which, even in the Sixties were making converts. exceptionally nice to see the names of still applying quotas to Jewish students, people who were part of my childhood in had Jewish Presidents. "The Jews in Babylon", said the Chief many of your articles. I know a lot of Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, "reflected long and Nor have Jews merely achieved work goes into each publication and I hard about what it would take to survive in want you to know that it is appreciated. positions of temporal power. Their exile. "After all, they had already lost 10 of spiritual influence has been enormous. the 12 tribes of Israel, who’d chosen to Kindly send me The Scribe as it comes They have given the other monotheistic assimilate when they were conquered by out on the net. My e-mail address is… religions a catalogue of priceless gifts. the Assyrians. So the rabbis who came [email protected] They gave Christians and Muslims the after them knew what was at stake, because notion of one God who is not only the so many of their brothers and sisters had Jeff Spencer Seliem Gabbay Creator of the Universe but also the God simply abandoned their people and their Israel 61 The Scribe No.74 Chirac honours Professor Ady Steg

French President Jacques Chirac with Professor Ady Steg at at the Award Ceremony.

am enclosing a translation EXCERPT FROM THE the World Union of Jewish Students and from the French of the speech PRESENTATION SPEECH BY President of the Alliance Israélite PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC Universelle. This last responsibility is of the President of France, I probably the one that matches your I shall simply state this morning that as Monsieur Jacques Chirac and the personality the best, given your desire to a teaching professor you held the chair of reply by Professor Ady Steg to pass on your knowledge and to study, as Urology at the Cochin Hospital, that well as a sense of dialogue, openness to this remarkable speech which I through your work, your publications and others, and respect for others. think should be considered for books you are recognised as an authority your journal. throughout the world, and that you have It is the commitment of the grown man, won numerous awards and distinctions in a Frenchman and a Jew, a Jew and a Professor Steg and myself are joint France and elsewhere in Europe. The Frenchman, who wanted to reconstruct, Chairmen of The Consultative Council Hebrew University in Jerusalem awarded revive and rebuild that which the Shoah of Jewish Organisations which is one you an honorary doctorate, as did the tried to destroy. The message is there. of the oldest non - Governmental University of Athens last year, and this You carry with you the aspirations of a organisations at the UN. It is in this may well be followed by one from Rome, multi-cultural citizenry for whom love of capacity that I have forwarded the in recognition of your outstanding France and love of Israel, concern for speeches to you, although of course he achievements. As a "senior administrator" Israel are inseparable. you have acquired authority and fame. As is also the President of the Alliance Respect signifies the recognition by all a doctor of medicine you have a down-to- Israelite Universelle. of the legitimacy of the State of Israel, of earth simplicity. its inalienable right to safe and recognised The occasion of which a photograph It is just as much for the distance you borders, whilst naturally respecting the is enclosed was the Award of the have travelled as for the point that you have other peoples in the region. Everyone Insignia of Grand Officer of the Legion reached that I should like to congratulate knows there can be no solution other than d’Honneur to Professor Ady Steg at the you, first and foremost.Your whole life has peace.Dear Ady Steg, it is for the whole of Palais de l’Elysee in France. been lived beneath the sign of commitment. your life’s journey, in your professional, personal, moral and spiritual capacity, Clemens N Nathan You committed yourself to the travelled in the greatest harmony with your community. You were Vice-Chairman of London lady wife, who has had the same goals ☛

62 The Scribe No.74 …and share everything with you, and to whom I present my affectionate homage, Why were the Jews permitted to live – that today France offers you its highest accolade. I shall be awarding it to a teacher, and be persecuted - another day a chairman and a public figure, but just as from Time Magazine much to the little seven year old boy who came to France with a wide-open heart. he answer, provided in James "lovely brainwave, we would have been Carroll’s fascinating book, is St exterminated long ago". But it was a REPLY BY PROFESSOR ADY STEG TO THE SPEECH BY THE TAugustine. In the year 425, shortly warped, creepy kind of sufferance, a little PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC: after Christians slaughtered the Jews of like keeping someone chained to the Alexandria in the first recorded pogrom, radiator instead of doing him in. And it set It is with a heart full of gratitude that I that influential Church further cautioned, the stage for countless persecutions as the come, Mr President, to express to you my "Do not slay them." He preferred that the Christian-Jewish saga rolled on. deepest thanks for the eminent distinction Jews be preserved, close at hand, as of the accolade that you have awarded unwilling witnesses to Old Testament Carroll says his book was inspired by me at this wonderful ceremony to which prophecies regarding Jesus. Augustine’s the large cross erected by Poles outside you had the finesse to invite such a huge followers elaborated on the idea, writes Auschwitz. But his real target appears to crowd of my friends. Carroll: Jews "must be allowed to be the Vatican’s 1998 apology, "We Thanks to you and through your voice, survive, but never to thrive", so their Remember". That long awaited document France recognised its responsibility for the misery would be "proper punishments for expressed regret at Christian role played by the Vichy Government in the their refusal to recognise the truth of the mistreatment of Jews over the centuries anti-semitic persecution under the Church’s claims". The 18th Century but pinned the fault on some of the Occupation. You considered that you had a Jewish philosopher, Moses Mendelsohn, Church’s sinful "members" while holding moral duty in this regard. "Recognising the noted that were it not for Augustine’s blameless "the Church as such". ♦ wrongs of the past", you declared. "and the wrongs committed by the State, concealing ℘℘℘℘℘ nothing of the blackest hours of our history". If I dared, I would abrogate to myself Jews for Allah the power of the Chief Rabbi of France, who has the right to bless the country, liked your site, especially your The fact of the matter is that Jews something which, in fact, all our rabbis do quote, "The Arab is our brother, there already believe in Allah. We can tell the every Saturday morning in synagogue, Iis no other". Would you like to Moslem, "You got your ideas from us, reciting the prayer that begins with: exchange links? and now you want to sell them back to - May France live happily and Mine is… us?" Jews, Christians and Moslems all believe, in different ways, in the One prosperously, may it be strong and great http://www.Jews-for-Allah.org among the nations". ♦ True God of Israel. It is futile to claim Scribe: monopoly, and there is no reason for ℘℘℘℘℘ For 2,000 years we have been dodging attempting conversion from one to the call of Jews for Jesus. Now a new fad another. In the words of the Prophet has appeared – namely, Jews for Allah, Mohammed, "We have our religion and The Unfaithful Wife wanting to convert Jews to Islam. When you have yours". Rabbi "Zembartout" was asked how come here was a middle-aged couple we see many Jews converting to Islam but For years, the Catholic Church claimed who had two stunningly beautiful hardly any Moslem ever converts to that Catholicism is the only way to God. teenaged daughters. They decided T Judaism, his cynical reply was, "Yes, a Now, with the rising Moslem threat, the to try one last time for the son they always sighted man can become blind, but a blind Pope has to admit that there are various wanted. After months of trying, the wife man cannot become sighted"! ways to approach God and are all valid. ♦ became pregnant and sure enough, nine months later delivered a healthy baby ℘℘℘℘℘ boy. The joyful father rushed to the nursery to see his new son. He took one look and was horrified to see the y name is Ruth Sofaer and I am a daughter of Abraham Sofaer the actor. UGLIEST child he’d ever seen! He went I was enormously interested in Sassoon Meyer Sofaer’s letter in The to his wife and said that there was no way Scribe - I found Sassoon on the family tree that I have been developing that he could be the father of that child. M for the last ten years. My great grandfather Hakham Abraham Sofaer married Aziza "Look at the two beautiful daughters I Aghasi - who was a cousin I believe. They were all of Bagdad. It was Hakham fathered." Then he gave her a stern look Abraham Sofaer who took his family to Rangoon to escape the unfriendly attentions and asked, "Have you been fooling of Sheik Daoud. My grandfather, Isaac Haim Sofaer, was born either in Bagdad or around on me?" The wife just smiled en route to Rangoon. Sassoons grandfather, Meyer Abraham Sofaer, and all sweetly and said, "Not this time, dear". ♦ subsquent children were born in Rangoon. I would be happy to exchange From: Mary Ann Shakarchi information with Sassoon Meyer Sofaer via email. ♦ [email protected] Ruth Sofaer sofair@ earthlink.net 63 The Scribe No.74 In Search of Roots read your web site and was wanting to II. Evidences of a pre- Moslems attempted to force conversions initiate dialogue with you. I work with Sinaitic Observance of to their respective faiths, many Hebrews IDr Sidney Davis in a ministry where the Sabbath In Africa resisted and fled into the mountains and we are researching our Hebrew roots in interior desert regions of Africa, for which Africa. We just attended a seminar in This is from the Biblical perspective. there is much documentation today, California where he made the presentation The Sabbath was given to man (mankind) howbeit the majority of which is in foreign for which I post for you this synopsis: in Eden (Gen.2:2). The location of the languages. Additionally, the only site other Garden of Eden is shown to be in Africa. than Jerusalem, where a temple of the This e-mail is being sent to introduce The Biblical boundaries of Eden Most High YHVH existed with the very you in order to set up in hopes of presented in Scripture (Gen. 2:10-14), the same rites and ceremonies was in Africa, beginning an ongoing dialogue with Dr tradition of the Hebrew sages, (as at the Egyptian colony of Elephantine. Sidney Davis who is a resident of the documented in the Talmud), and the Each of these elements when examined USA, President of the Bible Sabbath consensus of recent scientific research on show powerful evidences of how through Association, of Ethiopian descent, a the origins of man put Eden in Africa the Hebraic dispersion the Sabbath roots Knight of the Imperial House of Sellase, where the Sabbath began. The Sabbath were affirmed in Africa. and a champion of the Sabbath Day: was reiterated in a covenant to African IV. The African roots of http://hometown.aol.com/sabbathmore Hebrews while still in Africa in Mizr (or fully/myhomepage/photo.html Egypt)(Ex.5:5; Ex.16:25;20:8; Ps.81:1- Biblical Judaism and Christianity. This is the synopsis of a presentation at 5). Africa is the home of the Sabbath and a Sabbathkeeping tradition that has been the Sabbath Roots Conference, The earliest Biblical evidence of a exported to the world. University of Southern California at Los Hebraic presence in Africa began with Angeles, November 8 and 9 2000 by III. The Sabbath In Africa Abraham’s sojourn into Egypt (Gen 26:2), Sidney L Davis, Jnr., President of The as seen through the and later the sons of Israel Bible Sabbath Association and Editor of Hebraic Dispersion (Gen.41:41;Ex.1:5). The interaction "Proclaiming The Sabbath More Fully" between the Hebrews and the sons of research journal and newsletter. There are four major elements Cush on the African continent is evident contributing to the Hebraic Dispersion in the Hebraisms of many African INTRODUCTION throughout Africa and hence the spread of cultures. This is been a matter of much Recognition of the tremendous work of the Sabbath throughout the land of Cush. documentation and research for which Dr Bradford represented in Sabbath These elements of dispersion were much has been uncovered and more still Roots – The African connection and other initially through, (1) Trade. Multiple trade remains to be discovered. Christianity scholars who have contributed routes, on land and sea (they were was firmly planted in Africa, just after the substantially in the field; W R Robinson, intimately connected with the seafaring day of Pentecost. We see devout men "out Beckele Heye, Kofi Mensa and others. I Phoenicians from the 8th century BCE, of every nation under heaven"(Acts 2:5) especially honoured the legacy my who were known for their large-scale attending, with special notation made of maternal grandfather Arminious maritime trade routes), which were men attending from African cities and Reginald Leslie Ramsay whose constant eventually colonized by the Hebrew regions of Egypt, Libya, Cyrene(Act rehearsal of my Ethiopian ancestry and Israelites (1Ki.9:27), who according to 2:10). These areas were vast expanses of heritage in my ears has since ever been Jesus (Matt.23:15) were also involved in territory much greater than what we see the voice motivating me to the truth of (2) Aggressive missionary activity. These on today’s maps, in fact anciently the my Sabbath heritage. My thesis consisted trade and missionary activities resulted in whole continent of Africa before it was of six modules. conversions of whole people groups i.e., known by that name was called "Libya" the Moors and Berbers of N. Africa, and by the Romans.These men returned to I. The Changing Face of subsequently intermarriage with the local Africa, and shared their faith with those in Christianity population. (3) Conquest. In his quest to their homelands. Most certainly, however, find the Garden of Eden, Alexander was Christianity was brought into Africa with The early icons of the Christian church directed by "the elders of the South (i.e. the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch (The Ethiopian Black Madonna) show a Africa) to where he might find it. He (Acts 8:27), some 50 years before the face of Christianity that betrays the employed Jewish warriors in his conquest gospel was proclaimed among "the dominant and universal presence of of North Africa and his expanding Gentiles" by Paul. The New Testament Christianity today. Christianity is conquest of lands toward the Indian also mentions African Hebrew prophets in returning back to its roots and its roots are subcontinent. At the destruction of both the Christian church (Acts 13:1). The very African as they are Hebraic. The temples in 586 BCE and 70 CE, many Christian church in Africa is 2000 years African presence in Christianity as Hebrew Israelites attempted to escape old, as old as Christianity itself. represented by the ancient icons of the enslavement and death when they Christian church are being reflected in an Before the Islamic invasion of Africa, migrated with Jeremiah (Jer.43:1-7) into increasing dominating presence of the Biblical Judaism and Biblical Africa and thereafter to many African African in Christianity today. It’s as if Christianity stood side by side and both cities where other Hebrews were already Christianity is coming full circle. The were more dominant on the continent of living in prosperity. ( 4) Persecution. It has origin of these iconastic images originate Africa than anywhere else in the world been discovered that when Christian and from churches who observed the Sabbath. including the land of Israel. ☛

64 The Scribe No.74 …Both groups enjoyed a common particular, and the world at large." That the Letter to The Editor Sabbathkeeping tradition which is descendants of slaves in the Americas are Jewish Chronicle attested to by the early Church the progeny of an already dispersed documents. The Roman persecution of Hebrew as well as Sabbathkeeping Let Us Move to the Jews in the first three centuries also Christian presence in Africa is the content included the early Christians or of module VII of this thesis. This will gives Nazarenes (Acts 24:5) whose leaders the truth against the lie that Christianity is Mauritania were not only ethnically Hebrew but a "slave religion" or the white man’s If Jerusalem is expendable, then what is whose universal practice where ever the religion, the lie that the Sabbath was made gospel was preached was that of Sabbath for the "Jews" only and that the dilemma left to keep us there, a troublesome corner observance (Acts 15:27; Heb.4:9). of the African is chronicled in the of the world for the past 3,000 years? In an Whether ethnically a Jew or religiously a prophetic word of Scriptures (Deut.28:68). overall peace deal with all the Arabs, we Sabbath observer these were links that Indeed the face of Christianity is not only might be able to swap Israel for marked one for persecution. These led to changing, but the legacy and destiny of an the separation of non Jewish believers not African people is coming full circle Mauritania, a more strategic and more only from ethnic association with Jewish bringing the true faith and practice of the convenient location, forty times the size of believers but eventually from the Sabbath Christian faith to light. Israel and very sparsely populated, next to itself. However throughout Northern Dr. Sidney L. Davis, Jr. - President a friendly Morocco. Soon the Jews would Africa and especially Ethiopia because of the relative isolation and other factors, the www.biblesabbath.org make the desert bloom, and I for one will Hebraic and Sabbath keeping roots of the hasten to go there. Would the Palestinians "Proclaiming The Sabbath More Fully" Christian faith were maintained. have second thoughts and beg us to stay?♦ www.sabbathmorefully.org V. The Indigeny of the Naim Dangoor Sabbath In Africa e-mail: http://hometown.aol.com/sabbathmorefu ℘℘℘℘℘ The Sabbath in Africa can clearly be lly/myhomepage/photo.html traced and established from it’s Edenic Speaker/Lecuturer On the African roots, through the Hebraic dispersion and Roots of Biblical Judiasm and Book its native Hebraic and Christian origins. It Christianity is also evident in the Sabbath legacy of Review the Ethiopians and many other African Now Accepting Speaking tribes whose link to the Sabbath are Engagements for Black History Month established Biblically, historically, (847) 785-0315 archeologically, (i.e., inscriptions on ancient tombstones) ethnically and Scribe: ethnographically, anthropologically, While the origin of Adam of the Bible A Time to Be Born geographically, scientifically and not least was in Africa, the Garden of Eden to Customs & Folklore of Jewish of all genetically with the phenomenal which he moved was in Aden, where discoveries that have confirmed the Adam discovered the wild wheat and Birth Hebraic origins of African tribes, a fact started agriculture which was the by Michele Klein always known and acknowledged by beginning of our present civilisation. Africans themselves- especially in many The Jewish Publication Society, of their oral histories. These all testify to At that time, 11,000 years ago, Arabia Philadelphia the primacy of the Sabbath in Africa. This and Africa were still joint together, and the www.jewishpub.org part of the presentation briefly address red sea was merely a lake. ♦ those areas in Africa where such ℘℘℘℘℘ 405 pp discoveries have been made in the past, uring the gaonic period, Jews in recently and other indications that show Babylon used magic bowls to promise of an ever expanding revelation Quote… protect against a child-killing that declare the Sabbath in Africa. Genius is one percent inspiration D demon. Such bowls, excavated at Nippur, and ninety nine percent perspiration. VI. Conclusion Mesopotamia, and dating approximately Thomas A. Edison from the sixth to the eighth centuries, The Sabbath in Africa, so what? What were buried under the threshold of does this mean in the context of the Quote… houses for protective purposes. changing face of Christianity? What does Intellectuals solve problems, this have to do with our Christian faith and This impressive volume is a Geniuses prevent them our Judaic orientation? This part of the comprehensive account of all aspects of presentation attempts to address the Albert Einstein pregnancies and childbirth, circumcision meaning of what the Sabbath In Africa is and childcare. The author, Michele Klein, all about and how these revelations as Dr. Quote… a psychologist, is also the author of New Keith Burton of Oakwood College has said If youth knew, if age could Life: A Diary for Jewish Parents. She "could revolutionize the meaning of the lives with her family in Israel. ♦ Sabbath for the universal black nation in Henri Estienne

65 The Scribe No.74 Abraham, Father of the Middle East From Issue No. 1 by N E Dangoor n many ways Abraham is the Damascus where he resided for some expressed in the verb ‘aslama’ (submitted common denominator of the Middle time. He later proceeded to Canaan, themselves), was evidently the act that IEast especially that part of the region which at that time was sparsely provided Mohammed with the name known as the Fertile Crescent. He was an populated and consisted of a number of Islam for his faith. small city states. One of these was Salem Aramaean born in Iraq who had to It is interesting to dwell further on (Jerusalem) whose king, Melchisedek, migrate to Canaan for the sake of Abraham’s personality: a visionary and a priest of the Most High God, was religious freedom. His compliance with prophet – he is referred to as the ‘friend particularly friendly with Abraham. the divine command which bade him to of God’ in the Old Testament and the leave ‘thy country, thy kindred and thy Abraham had eight sons: Ishmael by Koran; a tribal chief, a merchant prince father’s house’, demonstrates both his Hagar, Isaac by Sarah and six sons by and a traveller; a warrior and a brilliant obedience to God and his attachment to Keturah. Ishmael’s offspring became the tactician. On his return from one trip to his native land which he did not leave out Nabataens who populated northern Egypt he adopted some hieroglyphic of choice: both Isaac and Jacob had to Arabia from the Euphrates to the Red symbols and, by making each symbol choose their wives from the old country. Sea. Africa is named after Ofren, one of represent a particular sound, developed Abraham spoke Aramaic (Syriac) Abraham’s grandchildren, who the first alphabet, suitable for the which at the end of the eighth century conquered Libya. Hebrew nomads and which was used to record the fascinating story of the B.C.E. became the lingua franca of the Abraham was shrewd, loyal to his kin, Chosen People which was beginning to Middle East. From that time and for brave in war, desirous of numerous unfold as well as the old sagas that go 1,200 years Aramaic was the spoken offspring, extremely hospitable, just, a back to Noah and beyond. language of Jews in Palestine and hard bargainer, and an unquestioning Babylonia right up to the Moslem believer in God. His religion, according The tradition and personality of conquest of the Middle East. The to the Bible, was the first monotheistic Abraham can be used as a basis to forge Hebrew that was used in writing the faith. He was the first to venture the a democratic federation of the Fertile Bible and was the language of the notion that there was but one God, the Crescent comprising Iraq, Syria, prophets and the Kingdoms of Israel and Creator of the Universe. In that field of Lebanon, Israel, Jordan - all Abraham’s Judah was in fact the language of course his influence became felt country in which still live a score of Canaan. Abraham’s ancestors originally throughout the civilised world, first different nationalities. Of these only the came to Iraq from the north-eastern part through Judaism and then through Arabs would oppose and frustrate such a of the Arabian peninsula which was the Christianity and Islam so that today the union, in order that they may achieve cradle of the Semitic family which greater part of mankind acknowledges complete Arabisation. emigrated into the Fertile Crescent, the the God of Abraham. The ideal capital for such a federation people who subsequently became the Mohammed regarded Abraham as the would be at Abu-Kemal, half-way on Hebrews, Phoenicians, Babylonians and spiritual ancestor of Islam. The the Euphrates and near Mari of old in Assyrians of history. submission of Abraham and his son to the which Abraham once lived. What better Abraham’s travels took him first to will of God in the supreme test when name can such a capital have than that Haran in northern Iraq and then to Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, of Abraham? ♦ ℘℘℘℘℘

Letter to the Editor

was browsing the web in search of generations of Exilarchs and on page 90 Izdundad Sassanid, daughter of information on the office of the all the previous kings to King David." Yazdegerd III, the last of his dynasty. Exilarch. I How could I trouble you for the same? I would like to learn more about the Most modern references do not include The lineage is a fascinating one. There Exilarchs, their link to David and reference to them by name. is a connection of Rab Abba Arika of the European Royalty, and I imagine you I am pursuing my genealogy, and for academy in Sura, and of course it’s would be an authoritative source for this. anyone who has used "Royalty for connection to David, and interestingly to If this is possible, I’d be delighted to Commoners" the link between the the Sassanid house. hear back from you. ♦ Exilarchs and European Royalty is From what I have put together through Theodoric of Septimania, aka Robert Stewart Theodoric Machir was the son of Machir ben Habibai, who was Judiarch of Habibai, son of Mar Natronai, son of Mar Belgium Narbonne, etc;. Nechemiah, son of Haninai bar ‘Adol, [email protected] In your reply to Annessa Main or and ultimately to King David. Habibai’s Lander, Wyoming, you offered to send "by mother was the daughter of Hisdai Scribe: The Exilarch's Tree as found in post a copy of the Babylonian Haggadah Shahrijar, who was the daughter of the Babylonian Haggadah is reproduced where you will find on page 91 the earlier Exilarch Bustenai ben Hanina and on page… 59 66 The Scribe No.74 In the Footsteps of Adam by Naim Dangoor Issue 55. he Jewish calendar, Anno Mundi, course, in southern Arabia. Adam spoke a The Deluge is supposed to begin from the version of ancient Arabic, and is reputed Tcreation of the world, but it is to be buried in Hejaz. Then at the time of Noah, 1656 years absurd to pretend any longer that the from Adam, the rains came - forty days world was created merely 5753 years Adam discovers the and forty nights - which also caused the ago, and that it will come to a sudden end melting of the ice on the Turkish in the year 6000. New definite evidence wild wheat mountains, which brought about the of the Creation has just been discovered Deluge in Mesopotamia. Historians often It was in the Garden of Aden that Adam by astronomers. It shows that the Big argue whether the Bible borrowed the discovered the wild wheat - an event which Bang which created the Universe took story of the Flood from Babylonian was, by definition, the start of our place at least 15 billion years ago, and accounts or vice versa. It was neither. The civilisation, as men began to lead a settled that the Universe will finally collapse Flood story was common to the peoples into nothing in about 20 billion years’ life in agricultural communities. In keeping of the Near East. time (so much for eternal life!) with ancient tradition, the historical Adam was honoured by naming him as the First After the Flood, God said to Noah, In the adjoining article, Rabbi Maller Man (Adam ha-Rishon). Adam left the "Every moving thing that liveth shall be dates the Jewish year from when Adam Garden to look for watered land suitable meat for you; even as the green herb have left the Garden of Eden which makes a for growing the nourishing grain, which I given you all things". (Gen. 9:3). Bible lot of sense, as it marks the start of our takes only a few weeks to grow. scholars are puzzled why the generation civilisation and the beginning of history. of Adam was only allowed to eat fruit and The period before Adam’s departure from "Therefore the Lord God sent him from herbs, while after the Flood animal flesh the Garden can cover all the millennia of the Garden of Eden, to till the ground... In was allowed. In the early days of prehistory. It changes our time scale from the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat agriculture all animals were still wild and the ridiculous to the sublime - Anno bread..." (Gen. 3:23, 19). meat was hard to come by. The place of Mundi becomes Anno Adam. Noah in the march of civilisation is that The circumstances that led to the he domesticated animals. This is Although the Bible begins with the "expulsion" of mankind from the Garden, graphically illustrated by the story of the fascinating account of the creation of the from a life of ease as gatherers of food to Ark and the zoo that went into it. Noah, Universe and the creation of Time, I have a life of toil as tillers of the ground, made always maintained that the Book of Genesis who distinguished between clean and of Adam a persona non grata and of our unclean animals, is likewise honoured by is essentially the story of our civilisation, new condition as the "Fall" from God’s with Adam as the hero of that story. naming him and his family as the sole grace. This attitude is further confirmed survivors of the Flood. Who was this Adam, where did he by the story of Cain and Abel in which come from, where did he go, what did he God looks favourably on Abel, the hunter Adam, the founder do and where was the Garden of Eden? and gatherer, and disapprovingly on Cain, Rabbi Maller focuses his attention mainly the farmer. Cain’s murder of Abel of Monotheism on what happened in Mesopotamia, but represents the traumatic transition to a the story begins much earlier. new life-style, and the triumph of Adam has an even greater claim to fame. He was a great leader and a agriculture over hunting."And Cain went The retreat of the last Ice Age climate prophet. He is honoured as such in Islam; out from the presence of the Lord and took place some 9000 years ago starting, but, alas, not in Judaism. The story of his dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of obviously, in equatorial Africa, and that is encounter with God demonstrates his Aden". (Gene, 4:16). where Adam lived. Up until then people belief in the One Supreme Creator. We subsisted mainly by hunting, but as this It is interesting to note here that one of may infer that Adam started monotheism, became less and less rewarding Adam the opinions in the Talmud mentions and that movement became widespread was inspired to move with his tribe wheat as being the forbidden fruit that by the time his grandson Enos was born. eastward to southern Arabia, which was Adam ate in the Garden. The "Then began men to call upon the name then uninhabitated and was lush with aphrodisiac quality of wild wheat of the Lord". (Gen. 4:26). virgin forests and fruit gardens. The Red promoted Adam’s eating of the Sea was still a lake. The story of the tree of knowledge of Forbidden Fruit being associated with good and evil likewise demonstrates that "And the Lord God planted a garden the dawn of sexual awareness. Adam believed in Free Will - man’s eastward in Eden, and there he put the freedom to choose, and that he was not an man whom he had formed". (Gen. 2.8) As the earth’s climate continued to warm up, the wades of southern Arabia automaton in the hands of destiny. Adam Because the weather was not warm soon became dry and civilisation had to believed too that man was created in God’s image and having many of His attributes - enough, it hadn’t started to rain yet – the move northwards to Canaan and holiness, wisdom, love, compassion. gardens were watered by mist as Mesopotamia, where the first settled Genesis tells us. communities were located at the foothills The story of the Creation in seven days Where was the Garden of Eden - of Kurdistan. Adam’s son Seth is also demonstrates that Adam and his Gannat Adam, in Arabic? In Aden, of reputedly buried in Mosul. followers observed the Sabbath ☛ 67 The Scribe No.74 …as a weekly day of rest, a "back to Akkad (2371-2316 BCE) lived in the 14th nature" interlude, when we did not have Dating the Jewish century of the Jewish calendar. Abraham to work, to cook, to build houses, to Calendar was not born until the 20th century. weave clothes. A taste of the -good old …While homo sapiens has been days", of the bliss of the Garden of Aden by Rabbi Alien S. Maller evolving for tens of thousands of years, of the past, and of the utopian Gan Eden Rabbi of Temple Akiba, Calver City, civilised mankind only begins about 58 of the future. California centuries ago. The Jewish calendar is the Technology points to a life of ease, free Condensed from an article in Dor le oldest in the world. The closest to it is the of toil and of disease, of simplified food Dor, Spring 1992 Mayan calendar, only 26 years behind.** intake and improved human waste, which Published in Jerusalem by the Jewish now pollutes us and our environment! Bible Quarterly Naim Dangoor adds: The Christian calendar starts from the onsidering the Hebrew calendar to The rise of idolatry birth of Jesus. The Moslem calendar start, not from the creation of the begins with the flight of Mohammed from Universe, but from the beginning After the Flood, despots in the mould of C Mecca to Medina. By analogy, one might of recorded history, changes our time Saddam arose, who drank of the violent expect that the Jewish calendar would scale from the ridiculous to the sublime. waters of the Tigris and who promoted the start either from the birth of Abraham (the worship of idols and of themselves. But first Hebrew) or from the Exodus out of The invention of the Hebrew alphabet Monotheism survived in pockets in Egypt (the birth of the Israelite nation). by Abraham or by his tribe has had a Western Arabia and in Canaan. The Bible Yet the rabbis in the second century who more far-reaching effect on civilisation abounds with such references. "Noah made up the current Jewish calendar than the introduction of earlier, crude walked with God. "Noah found grace in chose Adam as their starting point. forms of writing. the eyes of the Lord". "Noah built an altar The present Jewish calendar is lunisolar unto the Lord". (Gen. 6:9, 8; 8:20). The first Adam represents the beginning of civilised mankind. The exit ~ the months being reckoned according to Abraham, a direct descendant of Noah, of Adam from the Garden of Eden the moon and the years according to the journeyed from Ur to Canaan where he symbolises the transition of mankind sun. According to tradition, quoted in the met Melchizedek, king of Salem from a Stone Age state of hunters and name of Hai Gaon of Babylon (d. 1038), (Jerusalem) and priest of the Most High gatherers, to the more advanced Bronze the present extremely accurate Jewish God; the Patriarchs’ encounters with Age society of farmers and city dwellers. calendar was introduced by Hillel II in various missionaries of God; Moses’s 358-59 CE. In the Biblical period the father-in-law was most probably a When did this take place? The most reckoning was from the time of the believer in God; at Jericho, Joshua met a famous attempt to calculate "the Exodus; then from the erection of stranger with a drawn sword who told beginning" was that of Irish Bishop Solomon’s Temple, or the beginning of him, "... as a captain of the host of the James Usher who sets the date for the the reign of Kings; then from the Lord am I now come". (Jos. 5:14). departure from the Garden of Eden in the Babylonian captivity. In Talmudic and year 4004 BCE. The current Jewish post-Talmudic times, calculation was It is wrong therefore to attribute the calendar is based on the calculation of from the start of the Sellucid era in 312 start of Monotheism to Abraham. Rabbi Yosi-ben-Halafta in his second BCE. Only when the centre of Jewish life century book, Seder Olam Rabba, by moved from Baghdad to Europe did the Rehabilitating Adam adding the lifespans in Genesis and calculation become Anno Mundi. Exodus. According to him, Adam exited It is time to rehabilitate Adam and the Garden of Eden and became civilised Attempts at reforming the calendar honour him not only as the father of our 3760 BCE (5753 years ago). and making it symmetrical have agricultural civilisation but also as the repeatedly failed because it would founder of Monotheism. When I was There is another way to estimate when tamper with the 7-day sequence and eight years old I asked my late mankind became civilised. According to result in a roving Sabbath. ♦ grandfather Hakham Ezra Dangoor, if archaeologists, this fundamental our Patriarch Abraham - Abraham Abinu development in human evolution first ℘℘℘℘℘ - had observed the Sabbath. I was told took place in the Tigris-Euphrates valley that Abraham had kept the almost 6000 years ago. The earliest Commandments by "inspiration". In fact, writing discovered so far comes from the Abraham kept many Commandments by Mesopotamian city of Uruk (Erech, Gen. traditions handed down from previous 10: 10) and dates to about 5500 years ago. God-fearing ancestors. By beginning the Jewish calendar with Quote… Adam, the rabbis equated human history Brothers in Adam Yesterday is history with urban civilisation and writing. Indeed, Tomorrow is mystery all written references to political events in Judaism, Christianity and Islam each Today is a gift the archaeological records can be dated by committed the mistake of trying to That’s why it is called the present. obliterate and supersede its predecessors, the Jewish calendar. The first dynasty in claiming to have a monopoly of the Egypt arose in the 7th century of the Source unknown Truth. In fact, we are all brothers in Jewish calendar. The first stone pyramid Adam, who have to recognise and respect was built in the 10th century of the Jewish each other as equals. ♦ calendar and the great King Sargon of

68 The Scribe No.74 Hakham Shimon Agassi zt'l

n your SCRIBE issue no. 73, from July 2000, page 16, you have Ipublished an article about my grandfather, HAKHAM SHIMON AGASSI zt’l. In the article you write: “Rabbenu did not accept comfort for his oldest son until his last son Ezra Tzion grew up and married his brother’s intended wife.” Putting facts correctly, HAKHAM SHIMON AGASSI’s last son was Eliyahu Chayim Agassi, who was born in 1909, 13 years after Ezra Tzion. Eliyahu came to Israel in 1928, and later was the Head of the Arabic Department in the Rehabilitation Centre in Beersheva ‘Histadrut Haklalit’, and the publisher of n Monday, 22 October 2001, in the presence of a delegation from Keren the ‘Hakikat Al Amar’ newspaper. Hayesod Sweden, the Sweden Rehabilitation Centre was formally dedicated. Eliyahu wrote four books for children, OAmong the honoured guests attending this ceremony were former Keren which told many Baghdadi folklore Hayesod World Chairman, Mr Shlomo Hillel, Mayor Yaakov Turner, Mr Gad Ben- stories, among them ‘Husham from Ari, Director General of Keren Hayesod and Mr Shimon Tourgeman, Director Baghdad’ and ‘Hayafa Bat Haruach’. General of Ilan. In addition, numerous residents and individuals of Beersheva were I am Eliyahu’s son, and am called after present that will benefit from the services provided by the Rehabilitation Centre. my Grandfather. The Dangoor family has adopted the rehabilitation apartment and kitchen. These I will be glad to share additional special rooms were designed to teach the disabled how to live and function in a home information about the family of my environment. ♦ Grandfather with whoever is interested. ♦ Dennis Allon Acting Director Shimon Agassi. e-mail address: Projects Division [email protected] ℘℘℘℘℘ ℘℘℘℘℘ The Jewish Musicians of Iraq Proverbs… y name is Shosh Gabay and I’m an Israeli journalist, daughter of Jewish immigrants from Iraq. I read in your web the interesting article by Yeheskel Weave in faith and God MKojaman, about the Iraqi music and the role of the Jews of Iraq in the will find the thread. Arabic music. I’m making a documentary movie about the subject and I would like to get in touch with Mr Kojaman. Would you be kind and pass this email to him? ♦ Talking without thinking Thank you. is like shooting without taking aim. Shosh Gabay [email protected] Scribe: Mr Kojaman has been informed. Courage is not the absense of fear, ℘℘℘℘℘ but the conquest of it.

The Maqam Music Tradition of Iraq Goodness speaks in a whisper, by Y Kojaman evil shouts. 257 pp with many rare photographs r Y Kojaman has just published his new book on Iraqi Maqam Music, a subject The best mirror is an old friend. in which the author is a leading authority. Some of the contents: The Chalghi bands; the effect of the emigration of Iraqi Jews; Iraqi music and Maqam M Out of debt, out of danger. tradition in Israel after the emigration; A typical Chalghi night; occasions at which Chalghi nights are performed; classification and features of the Maqam; development of Pastas; the traditional Maqam instruments. ♦ What the eye does not admire, The book is obtainable from the author and publisher at… the heart does not desire. 116 Hanover Road, London NW10 3DP, UK 69 The Scribe No.74 fraught with revolution, in which a once Jacob Benjamin Elias numerous community, learn to fear for their lives, as ‘Grey Beetles’, the cars of Synagogue Book the secret police trawl the streets, and pounce on innocent Jews. Along the first Stanford Hill, London N16 6QT theme, Yahia describes vividly the sights, England sounds and tastes of Baghdad. Traditional Review dishes such as Sambousak are mentioned, 18 December 2000 and Yahia includes the occasional Arabic Dear Mr Dangoor word, which contribute to the vivid sense of place she creates. Yahia also paints a must thank you very much for the When the Grey convincing picture of life for a young books that have been sent to me and Beetles Took Over teenage girl. Lina has to deal with Iwhich were written by your everything that any other girl approaching grandfather, Hakham Ezra Dangoor. 1 Baghdad adolescence experiences: The start of her found this to be a most wonderful book, menstruation, the interest boys around her very interesting, very digesting, so simple by Mona Yahia begin to take in her, and the corresponding to understand. and unfamiliar feelings which she Peter Halban Publishers Ltd develops for her English friend Lawrence. Your grandfather, Hakham, had great £15.99 406pp wisdom to be able to write a book such as Along the second theme, the struggles of this, to be able to learn to understand our Reviewed by Anna Dangoor the Jewish community are depicted Bible. In his book he gives the translation strikingly. Yahia creates an intense mood of ona Yahia was born in Baghdad in detail, which even a child can fear, as one after the other, innocent Jewish in 1954, and escaped with her understand and learn. men are arrested and accused of false family to Israel in 1970. She M crimes. These arrests culminate in the I have given it to my Synagogue and studied Psychology at Tel Aviv University executions in Tahrir square, mentioned my rabbi reads from it to the people, who and worked as a trainer in the school for earlier, where thirteen men, nine of them enjoy hearing the passages and learn Army Commanders. In 1985 she moved to Jews including Lina’s swimming teacher, from it. I think you did a great job and a Germany to study Fine Arts. She has and a boy of only 17 from her school, are mitzvah having this book published. I published short stories in London Magazine hung for being traitors to Iraq. Yahia’s and The Jewish Quarterly, as well as in wish it could have been printed in description of these events, coupled with German anthologies. This is her first novel. English, so that people unable to read their reality is sickening, and this part of the Hebrew would have an understanding. Mona Yahia’s novel ‘When the Grey book is deeply saddening. The trouble’s also Beetles Took Over Baghdad’ is the story of come even closer to home for Lina’s family. It would be greatly appreciated if you the life of Lina, a young Jewish girl growing Her elder brother Shuli is also arrested when could let me have a few more copies of this up during the 60’s in Baghdad, at a time of he makes the mistake of responding to a book to distribute to my other synagogues. great instability for the Jewish community. fellow student’s request to be shown a Star May the Almighty give you strength, Lina is the book’s narrator, and Yahia of David. The very same student health and happiness to you and your captures the mind of a young teenager subsequently reports him as a Zionist. family. May you see the weddings of your perfectly, drawing the reader in, so that Acts of cruelty such as this appear children and grandchildren. May the Lina’s hopes and fears become one’s own. throughout the novel. However these are Almighty shower upon you all His choicest Fear is a strong theme throughout the tempered by Yahia’s description of the blessings which you so richly deserve. ♦ novel, and ultimately the book is a story of partial normality which the Jewish Lina’s longing for freedom; freedom from community cling to. This makes Lina’s Yours sincerely Iraq, but ultimately freedom from fear. life a fine balance between the usual and David Elias BEM, MWI, FIWO Having such a young narrator allows Yahia the unusual, and is fundamentally what to write simply, making the book a very makes her such a real character. So real in Scribe: Glad to note that Mr Elias is easy read. The confusion and complexity of fact that reading this book is like taking a making steady progress after an adolescent mind however, especially journey to Baghdad and back. ♦ his recent illness. one surrounded by such turmoil, are also ℘℘℘℘℘ ℘℘℘℘℘ conveyed with impressive understanding. Life for Lina is by no means simple, and would like to obtain a copy of this sending me a copy of Vol. 69 of the Scribe. through her Yahia allows us to feel both the volume (69)... can anyone help? I’m As I had hoped, the Somekh Family Tree unbearable horror of Jewish persecution, Imore than happy to pay for it! that appeared in the issue indeed tracks my such as the hangings at Tahrir square, and Dennis A. Somech own ancestors, and I found my grandfather contrastingly, the innocence and frivolity [email protected] and my two great-aunts towards the more of events such as the Purim casino which Reply: recent generations. My grandfather will be Lina attends. That is what is so fantastic thrilled when he sees this, as I am sending about the book. It tells two stories in one. If you would like to email your postal address we shall send issue No. 69 to you. a copy today. Thank you very much, and The first is the story of Baghdadi life for best wishes to you.My grandfather’s name His reply: a young girl who is fast becoming a is Godfrey Somech, who appears at the woman. The second, the story of a state Thank you ever so much for graciously bottom centre of the second page. ♦ 70 The Scribe No.74 Lionel Blue's Non-Conversion Hazon Yeshaya Soup From Alex Ritter Kitchens

’ve just visited your web page His creatures for being as He made them? Jerusalem http://www.dangoor.com/72page33.h At least the Jewish God, in the story of am a businessman from New York tml and read Lionel Blue’s account of I Abraham and Isaac, didn’t let the who moved to Jerusalem and started a why he did not become a Christian. sacrifice of Isaac actually happen. But Ismall Humanitarian Project that has As I am an atheist (albeit married to a God’s motivation is open to criticism. I grown enormously. I presently have four Christian wife), I see the matter from a think. I would respect both Abraham and locations that distribute daily hot meals more detached point of view than most of the Deity here if Abraham had refused to to over 600 people – that adds up to over your readers would, I imagine. At least I kill Isaac and God had congratulated him 15,000 meals per month. And this don’t suffer from any religious bias! The on that response. God’s satisfaction at number increases daily. article was interesting in that it seeing that Abraham would have I volunteer all my time and efforts to confirmed some of my thoughts about murdered Isaac makes the Deity as run this project. religion. imagined in Judaism seem a monster, like the Christian one. The cost of this project is covered First, the Rabbi’s reaction was entirely from my own resources, but I emotional, and religion is an affair of the As Lucretius said of the sacrifice of invite like-minded people to join and emotions, as Pascal pointed out. Iphigenia by her father, such are the evils ♦ to which religion leads. share with me in this worthy cause. Secondly, the Rabbi saw the situation Abraham ISRAEL through the tunnel vision that religion Why should adherents of different 61 Rashi Street seems to produce. He is right, of course, religions hate one another so readily? I POB 57570 to point to the hatred of some Christians think maybe it’s because they are in fact Jerusalem towards Jews. Maybe Doris Lessing was insecure in their beliefs, but so dependent ISRAEL91571 right when she called Christianity the on them emotionally that they have to most intolerant religion the world has pretend to themselves that those beliefs Tel/Fax: 02-500 2627 ever seen. But doesn’t he see that too are incontrovertible. And such certainty, E-mail: many adherents of the three connected as Michel de Montaigne said, is the [email protected] religions of Christianity, Judaism and surest mark of unreason. Soup Kitchens: Islam are guilty of the same attitudes? As I must say, by the way, that from I said to my Christian wife when she hearing Rabbi Blue on the radio, and 65 Rashi Street (Mekor Baruch) showed me photos of Jerusalem after a seeing his writings occasionally, I have 15 HaKinamon Street (Gilo) visit, "You can tell how holy it is by the the impression of an admirable person. 7 Dov Hoz St (Kattamon) number of armed police and soldiers on What a pity he needs to saddle himself the streets!" with religion, of whatever kind! ℘℘℘℘℘ Then there’s the treatment of Palestinian I’d be interested to know what other Arabs by the Israelis - perhaps caused visitors to your website think about these he last issue of The Scribe I primarily by politicians, but intensified by things, but would ask that if anyone wants religion. And, nearer to my home, received was on 9/99. I was to comment on this message, they do it wondering what happened to the consider the relations between Protestants through your website, or via yourself, and T next two issues. I have been receiving and Catholics in Northern Ireland. People you do not divulge my e-mail address. say that these conflicts are not religious this valuable journal for several years. If but ethnic or political. That is true of their Scribe: you’ve had a change of policy regarding origins, but religion is what makes them The truth about the sacrifice of Isaac is subscription, please let me know and I’ll so savage and difficult for men of this: be glad to oblige. This journal is a goodwill to influence. Indeed, the resource and, a very good one at that, to Protestants were first put into Ireland in Human sacrifice was practiced by the all of the Babylonian Jews such as the knowledge that relations between Canaanites as the ultimate proof of their myself. I would like to continue them and the Catholic population would devotion and obedience to their God. receiving this excellent journal. be vicious. They challenged Abraham to prove his own devotion and obedience to his God Shamoon Salih My own rejection of Christianity is by sacrificing Isaac. The story that was New York mostly a matter of temperament - I think enacted was to demonstrate to the one either is or is not inclined to religion, Canaanites that human sacrifice was Scribe reply: and if one is, one normally takes what’s repugnant not only to Abraham but also The reason for your not receiving our on offer locally, Christianity, Judaism or to the God of Abraham.♦ current issue, No. 73, is because The Scribe whatever. But there also seems to me to ℘℘℘℘℘ is now appearing only on the internet be something objectionable at the heart (www.thescribe.uk.com), one issue per of Christian belief. Would any Creator year, and the last printed edition was No. If you would like to make any worthy of respect, let alone adoration, 72. However, if you wish, we can send you comments or contribute to The Scribe demand a human sacrifice, and provide a print-out in colour of the current issue at please contact us. his own victim, as the price of forgiving a cost of US $20, including postage. ♦

71 The Scribe No.74 After the destruction of the Second Temple American Friends of the Babylonian Jewry in 70 CE, Babylonian Jewry became the spiritual centre for far-flung Jewish Heritage Centre, Inc. communities. Great academies of learning were established at Nechardea, Sura and From Robert Shasha Pumpedita, headed by outstanding gaonim he Babylonian Jewrry Heritage Center intends to preserve the memory, the (excellencies). (The museum houses a cultural heritage, and the history of the Iraqi Jewish community. diorama of an academy). The Babylonian Talmud (the Oral law), the basis of Jewish T law, philosophy and the Jewish way of life, The centre is in need of expanding its facilities and we have volunteered for the job was produced by Babylonian Jews. of soliciting monies for this effort. The golden age of gaonim paralleled the This is a gift for our children and grandchildren. This is also a great way to honour one’s days of splendour of the Arab caliphate (mid- parents and family. 7th century to mid-11th century). For over a thousand years, the Jews had their own The following unassigned halls in the museum remain: administrative head, the Exilarch or Rosh Size Square Metres Cost Galuta, who at one point governed over two million Jews. 1. Culture and Art* 50 $175,000 2. Education* 50 $175,000 Tolerance and tyranny were the lot of Iraqi 3. Theatre* 50 $175,000 Jews after the Middle Ages. During the 4. Temporary Exhibits* 50 $245,000 Mongol period (13th to 15th centuries), the larger yeshivas were closed down. But by the 5. The Jewish Home* 100 $350,000 end of the 18th century, Baghdad had once *These donations can be given by up to two people again become a centre of learning. The scholarly projects which need to be funded are: By the 19th century, Jews controlled Iraq’s commerce and exerted influence in 1 The project on history of the ancient government circles, and as early as 1919, got Babylonian Jewish Community $210,000* on the Zionist bandwagon. Besides Zionist 2 Translation to English on the pogrom organisations, the community had very active in Baghdad in 1941 $ 50,000 sports clubs, teams and parades. A 3 Discovery of documents in governmental topographical replica of the Jewish Quarter of institutions in the Ottoman Empire during Baghdad in 1948 reveals more than 60 Ottoman rule in Iraq $ 45,000 institutions – yeshivas, schools, synagogues, 4 Completion of the genealogies of the medical institutions and administrative 305,000 Iraqi Jews in the world $100,000* bodies. 5 Research on Babylonian Jewish Leadership For more information email… (Personal, rabbinical, and diaspora leaders) $246,000* [email protected] 6 Supporting the newsletter "Nehardea" in English $ 30,000 Reply: 7 Grant Funds for Research $ 30,000 Thank you for your appeal on behalf of Or- 8 Gilded Sign for Museum Entrance $ 6,000 Yehuda, totalling some US$5 million. I have often heard in the past five years of plans to Cheques should be made payable to the… American Friends of the Babylonian Jewry build the first floor. What is the position now? Heritage Center, Inc and sent directly to the office for the attention of Mr Halahmy. Are there any brochures or plans of this unique IRAQI JEWS – PRESERVING A RICH HERITAGE establishment? Please send me full information to study the matter. ♦ by Sharon Kanon It is hard to imagine what it must have been like to take a stroll down a street in Baghdad, or ℘℘℘℘℘ sit on the shores of the Tigris or Euphrates. It is also hard to imagine that Iraq, formerly Babylon, was once home to a flourishing and fiercely Zionistic Jewish community – the largest Jewish community in the world – with a highly developed network of educational, religious and cultural institutions. Probverbs… The best way to experience the drama of the first Diaspora and recapture the vitality and charm of the large Jewish Quarter in Baghdad 50 years ago, is to visit the Babylonian Jewish An once of practice is worth a Heritage Centre, located in Or Yehuda near the site of Israel’s first transit camp. pound of preaching. A replica of a street in the Jewish Quarter includes a typical coffeehouse and shops belonging to a silversmith, a goldsmith, a cloth merchant, an embroiderer, a shoemaker and a spice dealer. At the end of the street is a reconstruction of the Great Synagogue of Baghdad (one of 60 A good wife and health synagogues in Baghdad in the mid-20th century contained over one thousand gold and silver is a man’s best wealth. encased Torah scrolls. The Heritage Centre recently organised its first event to attract the children of Iraqi Jewish immigrants in Israel and increase awareness of their cultural and historical roots. The written word can be erased-- not so with the spoken word The en-masse return of the oldest Jewish Diaspora brought with it traditions from centuries of flourishing culture that had evolved over a period of 2,000 years. Rich in history, song, folklore, customs and dress, and infused with a strong Zionist spirit, the Iraqi-Jewish legacy pulsates with life. 72 The Scribe No.74 Natalie starting her Book life in England.

r. Amira Nassim left Baghdad ten Review Dyears ago and started a long process of getting established in the 'Look Up and Dream' UK, getting her GP appointment two years ago by Robert Rietti and got married last year to Frankie Sweiry. Published by Valentine Mitchell Their daughter Natalie An appreciation of the book by the looks a healthy and bright Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks six old ready to start life in "…That is the recurring theme of Robert a new diaspora. Rietti’s engaging reminiscences "Look Up and Dream". Time and again he tells us of occasions in which the hand of God seems to have been directing the affairs of man. He calls them ‘small miracles’. Coincidence? Happenstance? Luck? So New Shanghai new buildings and new roads, even they might seem to one for whom that is all while the software of prosperity – a there is, for whom the universe circles by Pamela Yatsko reliable legal regime, openness to new endlessly in the void, blind to our hopes, ideas, freedom to innovate – languished. The rocky rebirth of China’s deaf to our prayers. But Rietti speaks to us A key problem was that, during the legendary city with the voice of faith, real faith, not the Communist era in Shanghai, any trace of hectoring variety convinced of its own 298 pp Wiley Paperback £14.50 capitalist ability had been obliterated. If righteousness, all too ready to use the anything, the city administrators retained perfection of God as a rod to chastise the hanghai, perched on the southern a traditional Maoist leaning well into the imperfections of mankind. His, rather, is coast of China, is known as one of 1990’s, with a strong emphasis on the faith of one who stands always open to Sthe world’s largest cities. But until government control. They made the surprise, his ear carefully attuned to the recently, it was also known as one of the music of God beneath the noise and sleepiest, a far cry from the laissez-faire mistake of believing that innovation clamour of daily events. Rietti knows what energy of its colonial past. Then, in the could be planned. The result was mainly we too often forget, that God speaks to us in early 1990’s, the Chinese government confusion. At the factory level, most the ‘still, small voice’, meaning the voice decided that Shanghai would be managers interpreted the new direction that we only hear if we are listening. To one developed into a world-class financial as permission for them personally to without faith, life all too often confirms his and commercial centre, a city capable of make as much money as possible, or her lack of expectations. But to one for leading China into the new millennium. causing an epidemic of corruption that whom the presence of God is a perpetual The recipe seemed simple enough. Take shows no sign of abating. possibility, Heaven discloses itself, often plenty of money and 20 million people, In some ways, too, the city’s vast size when we are least expecting it. This is a and mix until skyscrapers form. Add is also a problem. One can make a great lovely and a moving book, inviting us to generous amounts of hyperbole, a lot of look at our lives again and recognise the mobile phones and a stock market. And deal of money without having to look moments at which we were touched by the – there you have it. beyond the city borders. The executives of foreign companies who poured into sheltering winds of Divine providence and In certain respects, Shanghai looks the city ten years ago have also become for a moment felt the whisper of eternity, like a financial centre. There are deeply dissatisfied, and now tend to signalling a purpose beyond the winds of certainly plenty of skyscrapers; at one chance and a Presence behind the rush of time the city contained one-fifth of the focus on the local market. Those who every day events." ♦ world’s construction cranes. The are looking for a national base have moved to Beijing. Sir Robert Rietti O.M.R.I. planners looked at Hong Kong, London 40 Old Church Lane and New York, and concluded that glass But Shanghai’s substantial industrial London WN9 8TA towers were the defining trait of a base and strategic position as a successful market economy. They Tel: 020 8205 3024 gateway to the interior of southern simply failed to understand the China make it a logical centre for difference between the outward symbols Fax: 020 8200 4688 manufacturing and trade. It may one of capitalism and the social day even become the regional financial Email address… underpinnings of it. In essence, this is centre it is supposed to be. ♦ robert/[email protected] the difference between hardware and Website… www.ispc002.demon.co.uk software. The government focused on From the Times Literary Supplement 73 The Scribe No.74 The Double Exodus Book A study of Arab and Jewish Refugees in the Middle East. From a foreword by Philip Goodhart, MP he most reliable estimate of the number of Arab men, women and children who Review left their homes in Palestine during 1948 was not more than 600,000. It was Tonly the twelfth largest movement of refugees to take place since the end of World War II. Real Wealth From 1947 to 1950 at least four million Moslems moved from India to Pakistan and more than four million Hindus fled from Pakistan to India. The estimates of the Creation number of permanent refugees driven from their homes by the first partition of India range between eight and eleven million. by Stella Shamoon By September 1950, three million Sudeten Germans had been expelled from Orion Business Books Czechoslovakia. Between 1949 and the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 a ISBN No. 0-75282-111-3 further 2,739,000 refugees moved from east to west Germany. An additional six Published in 1999 210 pp and three quarter million Germans left their homes in the Provinces annexed by Poland after the war. Reviewed by Anna Dangoor In Africa about one and a half million Ibos refugees returned to Eastern Nigeria. tella Shamoon’s book ‘Real Wealth The number of Frenchmen and pro-French Arabs who fled from North Africa before Creation’ is a simple and clear and after Algerian Independence has also been put at rather more than one million. Sintroduction to making the most of one’s money. When Vietnam was partitioned in 1956, 800,000 North Vietnamese, many of whom were Roman Catholic, moved to South Vietnam to escape from Ho Chi Minh’s For someone who until recently thought regime. During the major Communist offensives in the mid-1960’s more than one that ‘derivatives’ were things you only million South Vietnamese also moved out of their homes into temporary refugee came across in Physics, the explanatory camps. More than one million refugees from North Korea settled in South Korea after style of this book was perfect. the fighting that moved up and down the Korean peninsula in the two years that Stella spends a great deal of time followed the North Korean attack in June 1950. Over one million refugees from convincing her reader that everyone and mainland China lived in camps in Hong Kong. anyone is able to manipulate their finances to better advantage. I have to say In the Middle East itself the exodus of Jews from Arab lands has been even larger that at first I was sceptical, but Stella’s than the flight of Arabs from Israel. In 1948 there were almost 850,000 Jews in Arab firm words of encouragement eventually lands ranging from Iraq to Morocco. By 1973 there were less than 50,000. did their magic, and urges to subscribe to There is, however, one factor which distinguishes the bulk of the Arab refugees the Financial Times and start investing from the millions of people who have left their homes and countries in the last 50 my student loan immediately, were years because of political, ethnic, or religious pressures. Everyone of the non-Arab difficult to quell. countries that received a flood of refugees did their best to re-settle the new arrivals. This book is straightforward, easy to All countries except the Arabs, launched successful programmes of absorption. In follow, and not just aimed at those of us most of the Arab countries however, strenuous efforts were made to prevent or to limit who are still mere babes in the world of the re-settlement of their Palestinian refugees. Arab leaders have denounced and finance. Stella’s plan can be adapted for thwarted all international attempts to re-settle the refugees in empty lands away from any age, and any means. If you have an Israel’s borders for political reasons. income you have investment power, it may just need coaxing out of you. A lasting solution to the whole sad problem can only be found when all concerned recognise that there has been a double exodus, involving a lasting exchange of people. One thing Stella does not pretend is The Arab departure from Israeli territory must be balanced against the flight of an that achieving financial ‘fitness’ will be even larger number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands. easy. ‘It’s like a diet’ she writes, requiring a great deal of discipline, and The solution of the Middle-East refugee question has to be based on a recognition only worthwhile if one has a reasonable that an exchange of population has taken place. Though the circumstances varied, the long-term goal. So throw out your exchange was irrevocable. Return to unfriendly Arab countries by the Oriental Jews Slimfast, stop losing the pounds, and is obviously unthinkable. Likewise, Palestinian refugeees cannot expect to return start gaining them! ♦ under any circumstances. ♦ ℘℘℘℘℘ ℘℘℘℘℘

All unsigned articles are written by the editor

74 The Scribe No.74 would be obliged if you could help Book A Rabbi Talks with me to find the address or telephone Inumber or email address of Mr Albert Review Khabbaza. Mr Khabbaza is the brother of Jesus the late Esther Mercado, who was a very dear friend of my father the poet, by Rabbi Professor Jacob Neusner Abraham Ovadiah. My father wants to McGill - Queen’s University Press get in touch with Mr Khabbaza, because he plans to publish poems translated by Montreal & Kingston - London - Ithaca the late Esther. 161 pp paperback We know both Esther and Albert used his learned author had written a detailed "history of the Jews in Babylonia" in to write to your journal. six volumes, as well as many other books, including The Theology of the Oral Mazal Deshe TTorah. He is now a distinguished research professor of religious studies at the Administrator – Computing Division University of South Florida and professor of religion, Bard College, New York. University of Haifa Neusner explains why the Sermon on the Mount would not have convinced him to email: [email protected] follow Jesus and why he would have continued to follow the teaching of Moses. He explores the reasons Christians believe in Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, Reply: while Jews continue to believe in the Torah of Moses and a kingdom of priests and As a result of having the operation, holy people on earth. Esther sent us a farewell letter and a This imaginary dialogue is conducted in a spirit of friendliness and respect for the poem for her friends and the readers of others’ belief, free of intolerance and intentional misunderstanding. ♦ The Scribe which we published on page 47 of No. 73, which has since been ℘℘℘℘℘ appearing only on the internet. If you wish to send any further material of Esther’s work we would be glad to Book consider it for future issues. Enclosed Review Constantine's Sword requested address. ♦ ℘℘℘℘℘ by James Carroll Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company (MA, USA) From: Naim S Mahlab Montreal am attaching a copy of a book review that appeared in a recent issue of Time, and Iwhich you may find of interest. The Baghdadi I am gratified that the author, a former Catholic priest, proposes the thought that Haggadah anti-semitism was conceived, spawned and nurtured by the Christian Church, something that I have always maintained but never expected to hear from a practicing in three languages; Catholic. Hebrew, Arabic (in It is a sad commentary that, what he calls "one of the West’s epic plagues" is still Hebrew characters) and with us, albeit in a more discreet way. The propagation of this pernicious virus starts in Sunday school where the Jew is portrayed as a deicide, and is confirmed in a more English sophisticated way from the Christian pulpit. is available from Perhaps we should dare hope that with more people like James Caroll, the Church will accept responsibility for the crimes it has committed against the people of Jesus. The Exilarch’s I think it was Mark Twain who said the man is the only member of the animal Foundation at £5 UK kingdom who has the ability to blush, and we certainly have a lot to blush about. ♦ and US $10 Overseas, ℘℘℘℘℘ which includes postage and packing e would like to inform The Scribe readers of a new website, dedicated to the Jews of Iraq who left Baghdad during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Wgenealogy section should interest all Iraqi Jews. ♦ URL: http://come.to/iraqijews email: [email protected] The Webmaster

75 The Scribe No.74 ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER SIEGFREED SASSOON 1886 – Books by Simon Reeve 1967 The Story of the 1972 Munich by John Stuart Roberts Olympics of Richard Cohen Books – London 344 Massacre, a government cover-up and pp £20.00 Interest a covert revenge mission Faber and Faber - 244 pp THE SEPHARDIC STORY

THE JEWISH STATE THE IRON WALL A Celebration of Jewish History by Chaim Raphael The Struggle for Israel’s Soul Israel and the Arab World by Yoram Hasony by Avi Shlaim with a Preface by Professor Moshe Mani 433pp Basic Books, 12 Hid’s Copse Penguin Books - 642pp Road Vallentine Mitchell – London - 284 pp Cummar Hill, Oxford, OX2 9JJ £19.50 EUROPEAN AND ISLAMIC TRADE IN THE EARLY OPERATION BABYLON FROM HERZLTO RABIN OTTOMAN STATE Jewish Clandestine Activity in the Middle East 1946-51 The Changing Image of Zionism The Merchants of Genoa and Turkey by Amnon Rubinstein by Kate Fleet by Shlomo Hillel 285pp New York; Holmes and Meier; Cambridge University Press - 197 pp William Collins Sons & Co Ltd - 299 Distributed in the UK by Book pp $15.00 representation and distribution £25 THE SILENCE OF HEAVEN WHO OWNS LONDON? A BLOOD-DIMMED TIDE by Amoz Oz Agnon’s Fear of God A revealing in-depth investigation Dispatches from the Middle East by Shirley Coreen Translated by Barbara Harshaw 384 pp Allen Lane, The Penguin Press Weidenfeld and Nicholson – London Princeton University Press - 197 pp £20 216 pp THE SEPHARDIM THE STORY OF THE EXILE THE ROAD FROM Their Glorious Tradition from the A short history of the Jews of Iraq BABYLON Babylonian Exile to the Present Day by Nir Shohet The Story of Sephardi and Oriental by Lucien Gubbay and Abraham Levy Translated and edited by Professor Jews Abraham Zilkha Carnell Limited – London - 220 pp by Chaim Raphael Published by the Association for the Weidenfeld and Nicolson-London 284 Promotion of Research, Literature TO BAGHDAD AND BACK pp £16.95 and Art – founded in Israel by Jews The Miraculous 2,000 Year from Iraq - 141pp Homecoming of the Iraqi Jews THE TERRIBLE SECRET by Mordechai Ben-Porat NEW SHANGHAI The First, Disturbing Account Of Gefen publishing house, Jerusalem - How The News Of Hitler’s "Final 361 pp The Rocky Rebirth of China’s Solution" Was Suppressed And How Legendary City It Was Eventually Revealed SAINT SAUL by Pamela Yatsko by Walter Laqueur A Skeleton Key to the Historical Jesus John Wiley & Sons, Inc. - 298 pp Weidenfeld and Nicholson, London - by Donald Harman Apenson 252 pp £8.95 A PEACE TO END ALL Oxford University Press 2000 - 346 pp PEACE £20.00 FOLEY… THE SPY WHO SAVED 4,000 JEWS The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the SIEGFRIED SASSOON Creation of the Modern Middle-East The Book that uncovered Britain’s The Making of a War Poet by David Fromkin Schindler A Biography 1886-1918 Avon Books – New York by Jean Moorcroft Wilson by Michael Smith 567 pp Duckworth in UK only - 585 pp £25.00 Coronet Books - 348 pp ☛ 76 The Scribe No.74 …Continued The Littman Library HOURGLASS BEYOND REASONABLE Cookery DOUBT by Shlomo Habusha by Rabbi Louis Jacobs Books Translated by Riva Rubin of Interest The Oxfordian Institute – Oxford - 270 ONE PEOPLE? pp Tradition, Modernity, and Jewish Unity GOLDEN APPLES – by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks MODERN JEWISH COOKING WITH STYLE ARTSCROLL SERIES PERSPECTIVES ON Innovative and Contemporary Kosher Parables of the Ben Ish Chai MAIMONIDES Recipes for all Occasions by Yaakov Kahn Philosophical and Historical Studies by Denise Phillips Edited by Joel LKraemer Translated by Shaindel Weinbach Robson Books - 192 pp £16.95 Professor of Jewish Studies and of Mesorah Publications Ltd - 192 pp Social Thought – University of Chicago ALICE’S INTERNATIONAL CUISINE DENYING HISTORY BRITISH JEWRY AND THE Favourite Recipes Who Says The Holocaust Never HOLOCAUST by Alice Shashou Happened And Why Do They Say It? by Richard Bolchover 16A Northgate, Prince Albert Road, by Michael Shermer and Alex London NW8 7RE Grobman VERSUS ISRAEL Summerfield Press - 321 pp University of California Press - 304 pp A study of the relations between Christians and Jews in the Roman RECIPES FROM BAGHDAD ROAD TO RICHES Empire (AD135-425) by Renée al Kabir and others OR THE WEALTH OF MAN by Marcel Simon Translated from the Printed in Baghdad in 1952 in English French and in Arabic by Peter Jay MOSES MENDELSSOHN Weidenfeld & Nicolson – London - THE BEST OF BAGHDAD 371 pp £20.00 A Biographical Study COOKING by Alexander Altmann WITH TREATS FROM ONLY YESTERDAY ℘℘℘℘℘ TEHRAN by Daisy Iny A Novel by S Y Agnon Search for the Lost Tribes in Translated by Barbara Harshav Saturday Review Press/E.P. Dutton & Israel Co., Inc., New York - 169 pp Princeton University Press - 642 pp really enjoyed your piece about the Lemba people. I am really interested INDIAN – JEWISH WARTIME LIES Iin their story as it unfolds. COOKING However, at the end of the article you by Louis Begley by Mavis Hyman stated that several people all over claim to winner of the Irish Times/AER be descended from biblical tribes but Hyman Publishers – London - 187 pp Lingus don’t have proof. Well I think instead of ℘℘℘℘℘ International Fiction Prize assuming that these people lying, how about starting an International Search for "Adi Zahav" Pan Books Limited 198 pp the Lost Tribes in Israel in which those am writing to thank you for the copy of who claim to be blood descendants can be Picador UK £5.99 "Adi Zahav", a commentary on Chumash DNA tested. I think that would be more Iby Rabbi Hakham Ezra Dangoor, who is productive, historical, controversial, and in fact my great great grandfather. REINVENTING PAUL interesting. Don’t you think???? It gave me great pleasure to read the pages Great job guys, keep up the good work! of the Sefer, and I look forward with by John G Gager anticipation to any future publications. Khaeem Yisrael Oxford University Press - 187 pp Ramat Bet-Shemesh Michael Reuben US$25.00 [email protected] ISRAEL 77 The Scribe No.74 ELKEBIR FAMILY TREE

Descendants of Heskel Elkebir (1740-1816) son of Abraham Nissim Shellim Saleh David Gubbay* (*see note at end of tree)

Heskel ELKEBIR (1740-1816) married 1st, the daughter of Jacob Aaron Gubbay of the SHEIKH ELIEZER family, and had issue; wife and children died in Basrah. He married 2ndly, wife from the ADES family of Aleppo and had issue (A.1-A.7) A.1 Aslan Heskel ELKEBIR (1780-1800), m. and had issue B.1 Meir (1800-1887) m. 1824 Habiba dau of Rahmim ABDULEZER, and had issue C.1 Aslan C.2 Saleh C.3 Heskel C.4 Jacob C.5 Shaul A.2 Isaac m. and had issue B.2 Jacob m. and had issue C.6 Abdullah m. and had issue D.1 Ezra C.7 daughter m. 1859 son of Eliahu ben Heskel Menahem A.3 Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR m. Mazaltov (Muzli Toba) SOMEKH, sister of H. Abdullah Somekh, and had issue (B.3-B.8) B.3 Heskel Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR known as Ezekiel ABRAHAM (1824-1896) m. 1853 Aziza (1839-1897) dau of Sir Albert (Abdullah) SASSOON, Bt. and had issue (C.8-C.19) C.8 Flora (Farha) (1856-1936) m. 1876 her half-great-uncle and 2nd cousin, Solomon David SASSOON (C.50), and had issue D.2 Rachel (1877-1952) m. 1912 Sir David EZRA (BAHER) (1871-1947) (no issue) D.3 David SASSOON (1880-1942) m. 1912 Selina (1883-1969) dau of Maurits PRINS of Amsterdam and had issue E.1 Flora (b.1914) m. Oscar FEUCHTWANGER (issue) E.2 Rabbi Solomon SASSOON (1915-1985) m. Alice BENJAMIN (issue) D.4 Mozelle (1884-1921) unmarried; writer of diary of visit to Baghdad in 1910 with her mother, sister and brother published in this issue C.9 Ronnie (Aaron) GUBBAY (1960-1931) m. Elizabeth (d.1944) dau of Emanuel EMANUEL (no issue) 78 The Scribe No.74 C.10 Kate (Khatoun) (1861-1929) m. 1880 her 1st cousin, Jacob Elias JUDAH (MATUQ) (C.29) and had issue

D.5 David (1881- ) m. Miriam (Mary) and had issue

E.3 Jacob

E.4 Rachel

E.5 Naomi

D.6 Solomon (1882 - ) m. his 1st cousin once removed, Rebecca (C.22) dau of Nahoum Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR (no issue)

D.7 (Eliahu) Ellis (1891-1939) m. Sophie (no issue)

C.11 Rachel (1862-1904) m. Charles (Saleh) NISSIM (1845-1918), 2nd son of Meir MOSES, and had issue

D.8 Meyer NISSIM (1882-1959), Mayor of Bombay, m. Flo HOWARD (no issue)

C.12 David ABRAHAM (1863-1945) m. 1885 Mozelle (1869-1954) dau of Ezra MOSES, eldest son of Meir MOSES (and sister of Aaron MOSES see D.56); see photograph of family group in The Scribe 53 (April 1992), 11; and had issue

D.9 Reuben (Ruby) ABRAHAM (1888-1968) m. 1910 Mozelle (Maisie) dau of Joseph HAYIM and Hanini Sassoon Benjamin Sassoon, and had issue

E.6 Ezekiel unmarried

E.7 Aziza m. Selim MOALLEM (issue)

E.8 Jo Hayim m. (issue)

E.9Isaac (Jack)

C.13 Abraham (1866-1936) m. 1894 his 1st cousin, Rachel (C.23) dau of Nahum Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR and had issue

D.10 Ezekiel unmarried

D.11 Aline unmarried

C.14 Rebecca (1870-1929) m. her 2nd cousin, Sasson Silman SOMEKH (1872-1944) (no issue)

C.15 Dina (1871-1940) m. 1895 Ezekiel Hayim MOSHE and had issue

D.12 Hayim HAYIM (b.1897) m. Aline (E.37) (b.1901) dau of Aaron Ezra MOSES and had issue

E.10 Basil

E.11 Derek

E.12 Roy

D.13 Rachel (d.1995) unmarried 79 The Scribe No.74 D.14 Lydia (Aziza) (1909-1989) m. Ezra Eliahu Rahmim SHAHMOON and had issue E.13 Sassoon (Dick) E.14 Rebecca E.15 Dinah C.16 Simha (1873-1910) unmarried C.17 Sarah (1874-1909) m. Manasseh Saleh MANASSEH and had issue D.15 Aziza (1903-1923) unmarried D.16 Heskel died in infancy D.17 Abdullah Albert MANASSEH (1907-1991) m. Rachel dau of Reuben Eliahu ANI and had issue E.16 Jacob Eliahu (Jack) E.17 Sarah C.18 Joseph GUBBAY (1876-1962) unmarried C.19 Ezra ABRAHAM (1880-1963) m. 1909 Hannah (1883-1965) dau of Joseph NISSIM (MOSES) and had issue D.18 Ezekiel m. (no issue) D.19Aziza m. and had issue E.18 Rachel Leah m. Fred HEMI D.20 Meyer unmarried D.21 Rachel m. D.22 David unmarried D.23 Sarah (1911-1990) m. and had issue D.24 Sophie died in infancy D.25 Emma died in infancy D.26 son died in infancy D.27 Ellis, newspaper editor, unmarried B.4 Yehuda Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR (b.1830) m. Leah dau of Abdullah SHLOMO and had issue (C.20-C.21) C.20 Barukh (1855-1920) m. his 1st cousin once removed, Habiba (C.35) dau of Elias JUDAH (MATUQ) and had issue D.28 Sion unmarried D.29Eliahu Haim (1885-1932) m. Lulu Ezra Isaac Silas Sh. SASSOON D.30 Saleh Yehuda m. his cousin, Katie SHAHMOUN (E.25) D.31 Khedouri (b.1895) 80 The Scribe No.74 D.32 Aziza (b.1880) m. Abraham-Haim Reuben SOMEKH (1850-1930) and had issue

E.19Gourgi SOMEKH m. Naima dau of David Aaron SOMEKH

E.20 Abdullah SOMEKH

E.21 Naim SOMEKH

E.22 Khatoun m. Shaul MASRIE

E.23 Mazli m. Jacob Abraham ABOUDI

E.24 Naima (d.1991) m. Ghali Saleh SHAMASH (d.1986)

D.33 Khatoun (b.1892) unmarried

D.34 Blanche (Simha) (b.1898) m. Khedouri Ezra ASHER

C.21 Shaul (1857-1920) m. and had issue

D.35 Ezra (b.1890)

D.36 Mazli (b.1894) unmarried

D.37 Rachel (b.1895) unmarried

B.5 Nahoum Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR (d.1906) m. dau of Heskel ben Joseph Ezra BAHER, and had issue (C.22-C.24)

C.22 Rebecca m. her 1st cousin once removed, Solomon Jacob Elias JUDAH (MATUQ) (D.6) (no issue)

C.23 Rachel m. 1894 her 1st cousin, Abraham Ezekiel ABRAHAM (C.13) and had issue (see husband)

C.24 Sophie m. DAVID

B.6 Shlomo m. Simha (d.1897) dau of Isaac HAYIM

B.7 Rima (1826-1886) m. Shlomo Reuben ABOUDI and had issue (C.25-C.28)

C.25 Sion ABOUDI

C.26 Reuben ABOUDI

C.27 Aziza (Messouda) (d.1951) m. her 2nd cousin, Saleh Heskel-Ezra ELKEBIR (C.37) and had issue (see husband)

C.28 Farha m. Heskel Ezra Elisha SASSOON known as “3 Es Sassoon” and had issue

D.38 Jacob SASSOON

B.8 Hannah (1828-1921) m. Elias JUDAH (MATUQ) and had issue (C.29-C.36)

C.29Jacob Elias JUDAH (MATUQ) m. 1880 his 1st cousin, Kate (Khatoun) (C.10) dau of Ezekiel ABRAHAM and had issue (see wife)

C.30 Yehuda m. dau of Shamaoun Silman 81 The Scribe No.74 C.31 Abraham m. Habiba dau of R. Moshe HAIM, brother of H. Joseph HAIM, and had issue

D.39Menashe

D.40 Naima

D.41 Salman

D.42 Farha

D.43 Naim JAVID m. Marcelle dau of Reuben SOMEKH (issue)

C.32 Shoua m. Rebecca dau of Heskel Shoua

C.33 Khatoun m. as his 1st wife, Silman David SOMEKH and had issue

D.44 David SOMEKH

D.45 Serah (1872-1967) m. Elia Rahmim SHAHMOUN and had issue

E.25 Katie m. her cousin, Saleh Yehuda (D.30)

C.34 Simha

C.35 Habiba m. her 1st cousin once removed, Barukh Shoua Heskel ELKEBIR (C.20) and had issue (see husband)

C.36 Rebecca

A.4 Abraham Heskel ELKEBIR (1790-1873) m. Mazaltov dau of Sh. Saleh Sh. ELIEZER and had issue, an only child

B.9 Heskel-Ezra (1828-1891) m. Aziza Matuk SHAHRBANI (1844-1908) and had issue (C.37-C.45)

C.37 Saleh (c.1860-1932); see photograph of family group in The Scribe 71 (April 1999), 21; m. his 2nd cousin, Aziza (Messouda) (C.27) dau of Shlomo Reuben ABOUDI and Rima ELKEBIR, and had issue (D.46-D.53)

D.46 Muzli (1882-1929) m. Zeghair Heskel SHABI and had issue

E.26 Farha

E.27 Renee

D.47 Farha m. Naji Jacob SHAUL

D.48 Habiba m. Shaul H. Sasson SMOUHA (LEVY) and had issue

E.28 Sasson LEVY

D.49Abraham ELKABIR, OBE (1885-1973); Director-General ofFinance at Baghdad for over 20 years: m. Renee ELIAS and had issue

E.29Jemil

E.30 Aida m. HOUGIE 82 The Scribe No.74 D.50 Matuk (b.1887) died ?

D.51 Heskel (1891-1969)

D.52 Salman (b.1895) m. Simha dau of Abraham Meir SOMEKH and had issue (3 daus)

D.53 Joseph (b.1897)

C.38 Meir (b.1860) m. Naima RABIE

C.39Isaac (b.1863) m.

C.40 Jacob (b.1866) m. Habiba

C.41 Joseph (b.1869)

C.42 Hannah m. David Jacob NAHOM

C.43 Simha m. Heskel SHABI

C.44 Farha m. ABDULEZER

C.45 Khatoun m. Joseph RASHI

A.5 Rahma m. David BENJAMIN

A.6 Khatoun m. SHELLIM and had issue (B.10-B.11)

B.10 Heskel SHELLIM m. and had issue (C.46)

C.46 Shellim E. SHELLIM (1845-1912) m. 1866 his 2nd cousin, Rebecca (C.53) dau of David SASSOON and had issue

D.54 Kate (1868-1912) m. Aubrey J. DAVID and had issue

E.31 Evelyn (1886-1946)

E.32 Meyer Archibald (b.1887)

E.33 Villiers (b.1890)

E.34 Vere Mozelle (b.1892) m. as his 1st wife, Sir Percival DAVID, 2nd Bart (1892-1964) (brother of Louise DAVID see D.57) (issue - one daughter Katherine Viola Monica b.1914, m. William Frederick TAYLOR)

D.55 Eddie SHELLIM (1869-1928) m...... GROSSMAN

D.56 Flora (1876-1965) m. Aaron MOSES (1873-1946) son of Ezra MOSES (and brother of Mozelle wife of David ABRAHAM C.12); see photograph of family group in The Scribe 53 (April 1992), 11; and had issue

E.35 Lionel MOSES (b.1898)

E.36 Sybil (b.1900) m. Maurice DANGOOR (issue Renée Rebecca, Joyce Esther, Edward Ezra Sasson) 83 The Scribe No.74 E.37 Aline (b.1901) m. Hayim HAYIM (D.12) and had issue (see husband)

E.38 Winnie m. Ezekiel TOEG (no issue)

E.39Cyril MOSES (b.1907) m. Jennie TOEG (issue)

D.57 David SHELLIM (1877-1941) m. Louise (b.1882) dau of Sir Sassoon Jacob Hai DAVID, 1st Bart (and sister of Sir Percival DAVID see E.34) and had issue

E.40 Stella Diana (1905-1939) m.1927 Eric BENJAMIN (no issue)

B.11 Salha m. SHAHRBANI

A.7 Rifka m. Faraj HAYIM and had issue

B.12 Flora (Farha) (1814-1886) m. as his 2nd wife, David SASSOON (1792- 864) son of Sh. Sasson ben Saleh and had issue (C.47-C.56) - (for details see… Sassoon family tree in The Scribe 66 (Sept 1996), 48-49)

C.47 Sassoon David SASSOON (1832-1967) m. Flora REUBEN (issue)

C.48 Reuben SASSOON (1835-1905) m. Kate EZEKIEL (issue)

C.49Arthur SASSOON (1840-1912) m. Louise PERUGIA (no issue)

C.50 Solomon SASSOON (twin) (1841-1894) m. 1876 his half-great-niece and 2nd cousin, Flora (C.8) dau of Ezekiel ABRAHAM and had issue (see wife)

C.51 Aaron SASSOON (twin) (1841-1907)

C.52 Kate (1844- ) m. Solomon EZEKIEL (issue)

C.53 Rebecca (1847-1918) m. her 2nd cousin, Shellim E. SHELLIM (C.46) and had issue (see husband)

C.54 Simha (1850-1857)

C.55 Frederick SASSOON (1853-1917) m. Jeanette RAPHAEL (issue)

C.56 Mozelle (1855-1952) m. Jacob Meyer HYEEM (issue)

*Note. Heskel Elkebir was descended from Saleh David Gubbay who seems to be the same Saleh David Gubbay ancester of the Sassoon family

The above Family Tree was compiled by Miss Lydia Collins from the following sources: The archives of Mr Naim Dangoor and information supplied by the late Abraham Elkabir OBE, the late Albert Manasseh, and Mrs Rachel Hemi 84 The Scribe No.74 FROM ALICE SHASHOU’S COOKERY BOOK

85 The Scribe No.74 Why not try a rose with your prose?

Pictured is Robert Dangoor getting stuck into some poetry outside Ms Ladak’s shop

Say it with poetry and flowers seems to be the idea behind a fresh display in a South Kensington shop.

he whole of August will see an exhibition of poetry by the writers Daniel Roberts (pen name of Robert Dangoor), Rupert Brooke and John Clare combined with a floral display at Flowers Inc II in Gloucester Road. Store owner TRosnina Ladak had the idea to link her floral arrangements with the writing. Poet Robert said: "I told Rosnina I would give her my book and she could take out of it whatever works she thought would be right." The display has used poetry from his book The Way It Is, and there is poster work throughout the shop with words written in calligraphy. The shop has been blending poetry with flowers since it opened five years ago. Roberts added: "The shop promotes poetry in a commercial vein which enhances community spirit."

The Baghdadi Haggadah in three languages; Hebrew, Arabic (in Hebrew characters) and English is available from The Exilarch’s Foundation at £5 UK and US $10 Overseas, which includes postage and packing

Published and printed by The Exilarch’s Foundation, 4 Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1K 3AW, England Tel: 020 7399 0850 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 020 7399 0860 Web: www.thescribe.uk.com The Scribe No.74