---------------------------
Abe V. Mosseri
Trustee H.S.J.E
Ahaba ve Ahva Congregation
President,
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will recount it to thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. (Deuteronomy 32:7)
This organization shall be known as HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF JEWS FROM EGYPT, and not of Egypt or of Egyptian Jews, but FROM EGYPT
Title ...
Thursday March 13, 1997
MS. CARMEN WEINSTEIN
WEINSTEIN PRESS
28 RUE CHERIF PASHA
CAIRO, EGYPT
Dear Ms. Weinstein,
We at the Historical Society of Jews from Egypt wish to extend our congratulations and best wishes on your new appointment as vice-president of the Jewish community in Egypt.
The H.S.J.E a New York State approved educational, social, and cultural agency is the only organization presently in the world, at the forefront to preserve our rich heritage. We also would like to make known to you, that the H.S.J.E has received full credentials and authorization by the State of NY to establish a museum and a university for the study of Egyptian Jewry.
As you have been informed, we have given extensive coverage to your recent work in our publication the Second Exodus, which is mailed to Jews and non Jews, Universities, and Government agencies world wide. We are proud of the work you have accomplished , and wish that you continue your excellent work to preserve our heritage.
We came to the realization that the Comunauté in Egypt, will no longer be able to preserve and upkeep our heritage. In a few years it will be extinct. For after 50 years of leaving Egypt, and close to 20 years after the peace process, we are not aware of any Jews returning to Egypt. It is sad and clear, the Egyptian Jewish community is facing the same outcome as Spanish Jewry. Before long there will be no one left to cater, or care for our patrimony.
Our inclination must be towards the future. The perception must not be biased by short term optimism. If we truthfully wish to preserve our past, we ought to contemplate the present predicament and search for a rational solution with no sham or vanity.
In retrospect, as you are well aware, Mr. Nissim Hadef a trustee of the Historical Society of Jews From Egypt, requested and held a meeting in Egypt’s foreign ministry with Dr. Osama el Baz special adviser to President Hosni Mubarak, followed by a second lengthy meeting with Egypt’s ambassador Mr. Ahmad Maher at the embassy in Washington. The delegation was led by our Honorary Chairman and community rabbi, Rabbi Shimon Alouf, Mr. Clement Soffer, and Mr. Nissim Hadef a trustee of the H.S.J.E.
We received approval for the collection and transfer of all sefarim from Egypt. Within a few weeks, a delegation from NY will arrive in Cairo, and will be in contact with you. We will appreciate your assistance in helping them as to the hiring of packers and shippers for the transfer of these religious articles to NY, to be shared with Egyptian Jews around the world. The delegation will take care of all charges incurred for the transfer. Your assistance in the transfer will help preserve our heritage and maintain our forefathers legacy. We the leaders of our communities are remembered well not by our past work, but by our most recent and last accomplishment.
Your goodwill to provide assistance to our delegation will be well acknowledged and retained in history books through the ages. Coming generations will judge you as the champion and protector of our heritage.
Rest assured that these artifacts will be well cared for by the H.S.J.E an organization under the scrutiny and strict supervision of the state of NY. Those that donated these items, did so, not to a community or to a synagogue, but for the sole purpose of being used and to be engaged in a functional society. Unfortunately there is not a minyan in all of Egypt to use them, hence they have no purpose in Egypt at the present time, and none in the foreseen future. For the sake of tourists, it will be advisable to retain a few sefarim in the main synagogue.
We also would like to be informed on a regular basis as to the condition of the community members, and their whereabouts, if possible please supply us with their names addresses, and phone number.
We are aware of the previous administration’s pilferage, and their accountability should be addressed in a court of law. We would like to have a present day inventory of the community’s assets, and a report if possible on the shape and conditions of synagogues, homes, schools and all things the community owns/owned and operate.
We would like to bring to your attention, an international conference sponsored by the H.S.J.E to be held in NY, in 1998, to be co-hosted by C.U.N.Y and Y.U. The conference will document, and report on the Jubilee of the Second Exodus. As president of the Jewish community in Egypt, it will be an honor to have you speak and report on the Jewish community of Egypt.
If you agree with our agenda, it will be a privilege to endow upon you the title of Honorary President of the H.S.J.E. We are sure your name on our letterhead will bring luster to our organization.
We are looking forward to a long and lasting relationship. With our utmost respect,
--------------------------
Joseph Elie Mosseri
Secretary H.S.J.E
-------------------------
Desire Sakkal
President H.S.J.E
Reply to above letter, received by email on Tuesday March 25, 1997.
Reply Received in two parts, the following note, and the Bassatine News, following story.
As per Ms. Carmen Weisntein’s request, we print her replies.
From Carmen;
Dear Gentlemen,
Thank you for your recent letter. I would like to advise you that before any delegation makes the trip unnecessarily to Cairo regarding collection of Sefarims, please make sure they first have the written evidence of the verbal approvals made by the persons / institutions mentioned in your letter (Egyptian Embassy, Mr. Osama al-Baz, etc.) Mr. Clement Sofer is well aware that unless these are forthcoming it will be practically impossible to export any Sefarims out of Egypt. These have been recorded and noted by the Antiquities Department and the Ministry of Culture.
Their export will require their prior authorization.If, however, all is order and the above-mentioned authorities concur - Antiquities and M. of Culture - then the Board of the Jewish Community in Cairo will convene to give the matter its due consideration.
On behalf of the board,
Carmen Weinstein