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Correspondence

September 1966

Letter from R. Dobrinsky about Participating in Shimush Program for Young Rabbinical Students (1966)

The Rabbinate
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Correspondence

Letter from R. Dobrinsky about Mentoring Ralph Roness for Shimush Program (1966)

Dear Norman שליט"א: Further to our earlier conversation regarding the Shimush Program for Semicha students and your kind acceptance to participate in this project, I am pleased to advise that Mr. Ralph Roness will be calling you to arrange his visit to your community for a Shabbos. Ralph hails from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he graduated from Sir George Williams College. He attended the Lubavitcher Yeshiva and then studied for two years in Israel at the Yeshiva Mercaz Harav Kook. He is now in Semicha I. Ralph is uncertain at this point as to whether he will enter the pulpit rabbinate or chinuch. Mr. Roness' initial visit with you and your family will be to observe congregational services, shiurim, etc., on Shabbos and, while enjoying your hospitality, to discuss with you problems and challenges of the pulpit rabbinate. Hopefully, Ralph will be re-invited by you for a second Shabbos, at which time you might call upon him to actively lead some of the synagogue activities on the Sabbath. It will be helpful to Ralph if you will be able to call upon him to witness any of the religious ceremonies listed on the enclosed outline of our Course SR 123 "Rabbinic Practicum" so that he may gain the experience and accordingly receive credit for each assignment. I am enclosing record slips which we would ask you to kindly send in to us when the student has completed each of the assignments so that our records may be kept up to date. I am also enclosing a general evaluation questionnaire which we would ask you to kindly complete and submit to this office for our confidential study. This will be of great help to the prospective rabbi when we discreetly evaluate his performance. Of course, you may feel free to communicate any constructive criticisms to the young man at any time you deem appropriate. All of us on staff and our entire Rabbinic Alumni express sincere appreciation to you and your wife for your warm understanding and hospitality which will mean so much in the proper…
The Rabbinate

Correspondence

Letter from R. Dobrinsky about Mentoring Lawrence Kaplan for Shimush Program (1966)

Dear Norman שליט"א: Lawrence Kaplan, another student in our Shimush program, is most eager to come under your tutelage. It would appear that greatness carries with it such burdens and responsibilites. I do hate to burden you so and I know that it is difficult to find a place for these students for Shabbos, but since there is no substitute for you in the mind of this young man (and in the minds of many others) would you please accept him. Lawrence Kaplan, as you will recall, is one of our stars of our College Bowl Program. He hails from Far Rockaway and is seriously considering a career in the rabbinate, in Chinuch or possibly teaching on a higher level. Since your rabbinate represents all of these areas, we feel it would be a most meaningful experience for him. Please treat this in the same manner as the other student and I am enclosing the necessary materials for our records.With warmest personal regards, I remain,Sincerely yours,Rabbi Herbert C. Dobrinsky Director, Rabbinic Placement Coordinator, Shimush Programhcd/bna enc.
The Rabbinate

Correspondence

Letter to Ralph Roness about Mentoring Him for Shimush Program (1966)

Dear Ralph: Mrs. Lamm and I will be delighted to have you as our guest as part of your Shimush program in Practical Rabbinics. We would like to have you come together with your classmate, Lawrence Kaplan, for Shabbat, November 19th. Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities for you to sleep in our apartment, and therefore will keep you informed (if you will be kind enough to call me the week before) as to sleeping accommodations. Please bear in mind that most of our people utilize the ״heter” for riding an elevator operated by a non-Jew. If you accept this decision, there will, of course, be no problem. If you do not, it may be necessary for you to walk as many as twelve flights.Please let me know whether the date is satisfactory to you.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman LammRNL/fzP.S. You will be the guests of Rabbi and Mrs. Jung for the Friday night meal and of Mrs. Lamm and myself for lunch and Shabbat.
The Rabbinate