Letter from R. Klavan about RCA Guidance on Mechitza (1957)

On occasion, Rabbi Lamm turned to the Halacha Commission of the Rabbinical Council of America for halachic guidance. In this case, it appears he did so primarily for political cover.

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Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein on Separate Pews (1958)

My dear Norman: Thank you very much for sending me the address that you delivered before your Sisterhood, entitled "Separate Pews – A Mark of Jewish Dignity." I read it with a great deal of interest, and so did Haskel. I want to compliment you on a beautiful presentation on a forthright and courageous statement and on a scholarly treatment of the subject. In spite of the apparent scholarship, you nevertheless managed to make it sufficiently popular, so that a group of average lay people could understand it. It is one of the finest statements on the subject that I have read. Congratulations.Very cordially yours,Joseph H. Lookstein

Separate Pews

Letter from R. Haskel Lookstein on Separate Pews (1958)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Thank you very much for your congratulations and wonderful wishes. It was really very nice of you to have taken the time to express them. By the way, my father showed me your speech on mixed pews (not in mixed pews) and I thought it was literally out of this world – in the right direction, of course. I read it, reread it, tried to memorize the arguments, and then put it in my file cabinet in case I shood forget its contents. I think that it is far and away the best treatment I have seen or heard on the subject. Congratulations! I hope you can keep doing this sort of work. It’s really excellent, Sincerely, Haskel. Regards to the rebbetzin

Separate Pews

Letter to R. Klavan about Article on "Separation of the Sexes in the Synagogue" (1959)

Dear Izzy: Enclosed is a copy of a letter to Rabbi Finer. Please note the suggestion about R.C.A. doing for its members what Yeshiva University plane for its alumni. Please let m know what you think. Sincerely, Rabbi Noman Lamm, Nl/rs. "Separate Paws in the Synagogue: A Social and Psychological Approach" was written in the conviction that we have a tenable, valid point of view which is deserting of the widest dissemination. Silence on an issue of such sharp public controversy – and which has caused us so ouch misery – will not win us any converts. Denunciation of others will certainly not win us any sympathy. Only by naans of a wholesome educational campaign can we hope to stem the unfortunate desecration of our synagogues.I am convinced, moreover, that on the "mixed pews" issue we can present a strong and attractive cams for our traditional view even without relying solely upon an appeal to the authority of the Halakhah. While that is indeed cur ultimate sanction and ths soiree of our opinion, it is no easy natter to convince a wavering layman on the basis of Halakhah alone. The major part of this article is based, with some modifications, upon an address to the Sisterhood of Cong. Kodimoh in Springfield, Mass., where I served until recently. It was the surprisingly favorable reaction of that group to this kind of exposition that has persuaded me to publish it in TRADIHOK. It is ay hope that this kind coeducational approach to the whole painful problem will yield better results than either submission. evasion, or epithet.Tbshivu Itai varsity, R.C.A., and the U.O.J.C.A. all have a number of reprints available for those who wish to have their lay people read the arguments directly. The suggestions that follow are meant for those of our colleagues who may want to use the article as source-material for their own personal approach.The presentation should be forceful, fearless, and unapologetic, but never 80 strong as to offend the feelings of a possibly antagonistic au…

Separate Pews