IN MEMORY OF ALISA MEIR HAKKAK
The Iraqi Jewish community in New York State was organized in 1934, as the
"Iraqi Aid Society". Its aim was to help its members who found difficulties
in their new country of settlement, and to purchase burial sites for the
members of the community.
BURIAL GROUND, BAGHDAD
In the center is the grave of Hakham Yosef Hayim
In the early 1950's, several members of the community established a second
organization called the "American Alliance Society". A few years later,
they merged with the original "Iraqi Aid Society". The new name that
emerged was the current "American Aid Society,"also known as A. A. Society, Inc.
Between the 1940's and the 1980's, the community's social activities took
place at very prominent hotels. In addition, during the High Holidays in the
1970's and up to 1980's, a large hall was rented in Esplanade Hotel
in Manhattan for religious services.
The 2023-2027 members of the Board of Trustees of the A. A. Society Inc.,
are listed below:
| President | Robert Aizer |
| Vice Presidents | Oliver Iny, Nanette Jiji, Abe Lerner |
| Treasurer | Stewart Ephraim |
| Secretary | Susan Aboaf |
| Cemetery Trustees | Hesky Haim, Arieh Shamash |
| Trustees |
Maurice Bakhash, Carole Basri, Saul Khutaina, S. David
Moche, Jack Shakarchy, Robert Shasha, Haron Shohet |
| Religious Advisor | Aaron Abrahams z"l |
In case of need, the following are the A.A. Society Cemetery contacts:
Abe Lerner (C) 516-626-7888, Hesky Haim (C) 516-662-0407, Robert Aizer (C) 516-697-6784, Oliver Iny (C) 718-428-8466, Samy Salem (c) 415-730-1402
.
| Contact Us | 85-34 Midland Parkway
Jamaica Estates, NY 11432-2222 |
| Phone Us | (718) 297-5737 |
| Email Us | Click Here |
IN MEMORY OF ALISA MEIR HAKKAK
Due to Mrs. Alisa Meir Hakkak generosity, Congregation Bene Naharayim, which was established by the A. A. Society, Inc.
received a large donation according to her will.
Here are some excerpts from the will:
"I direct my executors to purchase or have written a Scroll of Law (Sefer Torah) and a proper
cloak or container and a set of silver fillials (rimonim) for the scroll, and a silver plate with an inscription dedicating the
torah to the memory of my husband, Meir Nessim Hakkak, and myself."
Three conditions had to be satisfied before the money was bequeathed to the A. A. Society, Inc./Congregation Bene Naharayim:
1) The A. A. Society, Inc. should own premises to be used as a synagogue, and that the services will "be conducted in accordance with the customs
of Iraqi or Sephardic Jews."
2) The main auditorium, used as the main prayer hall, should display a suitable plaque with the legend, "Dedicated in Memory of Meir Nessim
Hakkak and his wife, Alisa Hakkak."
3) The name and plaque should be carried over to any future synagogue used by the A. A. Society, Inc.
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