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The Papers of Eli S. Malka

 Collection
Identifier: ASF AR 60

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Eli S. Malka are arranged in two series. Series I is made up of biographical material and material describing the world of the Jews in the Sudan. The biographical material focuses mainly on the life and views of Malka’s father: Chief Rabbi Solomon Malka of the Sudan. In addition, there is included in this series correspondence regarding the acquisition of the records described in Series II, and which form the basis for the creation of Eli Malka’s book. Also included is information and communications from Eli Malka’s younger brother David, including a paper written by Eli and delivered by David at a conference on Sudan.

In series II, one finds the primary contents of these papers: a collection of communal records created by the Sudan Jewish Community (approx. 183 pp.) dating from 1909 up until the departure of the Jews from that country in 1959. These records deal with the lives and interactions of the Sudan Jewish Community, including such materials as Betrothals (Ketubot), Marriages (Kiddushin), and Divorces (Gittin). These records were initiated by Rabbi Eliahu Hazzan Chief Rabbi of Alexandria, continued by Rabbi Shlomo Malka (Rabbi from 1906 until 1949), and completed by other rabbis who recorded the records in the years that followed.

Dates

  • 1909-2004
  • Majority of material found within 1974—2004

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact:

American Sephardi Federation, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

email: ASFinquiries@cjh.org

Biographical Note

Eli S. Malka, z"l" (1909-2003) was born, raised, and worked in the Sudan. The eldest son of the Chief Rabbi Shlomo Malka, he was president of the Sudan Jewish community, vice-president of the B'nai B'rith Khartoum Lodge, and CEO of Gellatly Hankey Trading Co, the largest British firm in the Red Sea area. The Sudan was at the time a British colony. After the Sudan gained independence, Eli Malka and the rest of the Jewish community left the Sudan for safer shores mostly in Switzerland, England, and the USA.

In his book Jacob's Children in the Land of the Mahdi: Jews of the Sudan (Syracuse University Press, 1997) Malka wrote the history of the Jewish community of the Sudan from its earliest days in the 19th century to its final times. Positioned at the center of both the Sudan Jewish community as the son of the Chief Rabbi and its past president, and of the British rulers as the CEO of their largest firm in the area, with numerous contacts among the Sudan's leading politicians and merchants, Malka was in a unique position to write this detailed history. A book about which Professor Henry Feingold wrote "… was told by a man whose family was at the very center [Malka] knows all there is to know about this community." Eli Malka remained active in business and Jewish affairs and passed away in White Plains, NY, on November 6, 2003, the eve of his 94th birthday.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Abstract

The primary contents of these papers are a collection of communal records created by the Sudan Jewish Community (approx. 183 pp.). These records deal with the lives and interactions of the Sudan Jewish Community, including such materials as Betrothals (Ketubot), Marriages (Kiddushin), and Divorces (Gittin). These records were initiated by Rabbi Eliahu Hazzan Chief Rabbi of Alexandria, and continued by Rabbi Shlomo Malka (Rabbi from 1906 until 1949). Originals are to be found in the Jewish Nation and University Library in Jerusalem; its signature JNUL Heb 4 7306/I-2. Copies are in the library of Beit Hatefsoth in Tel Aviv, and Ben Zvi Institute in Jerusalem. Includes photo-copies of: A) Betrothals (Ketubot) B) Divorces (Gittin) C) Marriages D) Conversions

Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series

  1. Series I: Eli S. Malka and Sudanese Jews, 1936-2000
  2. Series II: Documents, 1907-1965

Acquisition Information

Collection was donated to the American Sephardi Federation on May 17, 2000 by Eli S. Malka and his brother David Malka.

Related Material

The book, Jacob's children in the land of the Mahdi: Jews of the Sudan, by Eli s. Malka. 1st ed. [Syracuse, N.Y.] : Produced and distributed by Syracuse University Press, c1997.

Separated Material

From generation to generation a legacy of faith and tolerance, David S. Malka. [United States] :Book Mart Press,c1999.

Frontiers of Jewish faith : Solomon Malka ; Reproduced from the original Arabic by Edmond S. Malka. [Trenton, N. J.,E. S. Malka,1977]

Jacob's children in the land of the Mahdi: Jews of the Sudan, by Eli s. Malka. 1st ed. [Syracuse, N.Y.] : Syracuse University Press, c1997.

Processing Information

Materials have been organized into two series. Materials within each series were grouped together by subject and arranged in alphabetical order. The description of each folder includes folder title and date. Processing the collection involved encapsulating photos in Mylar sleeves, photocopying of the most fragile newsprint and thermofaxes, re-boxing and re-foldering using acid-free archival supplies, removing rubber bands, staples, and paperclips (and other metal fasteners) where appropriate.

Title
Guide to the Papers of Eli S. Malka (1909-2003) 1907-2004 bulk 1974-2004 ASF AR 60
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Randall C. Belinfante
Date
© 2012
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the American Sephardi Federation Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States