Letter to Moses Feuerstein about OU Opposition to Becker Amendment on Public School Prayer (1964)

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Exchange with Superintendent about Conflict between Public School Desegregation Plan and Talmud Torah Education (1965)

I bring to your attention a matter of urgent importance to the New York City Jewish community. As you are aware, there is a new proposed integration plan for New York City. According to this plan almost all High Schools will go on a double or triple session. Many students and teachers will be assigned to late sessions which will end as late as 5:00 or 6:00 P.M. This is a direct threat to Shmiras Shabbos during the winter months. This is also a direct threat to Jewish Education on the Talmud Torah level in which the bulk of Jewish children receive their Jewish education. Your committee was represented at a meeting with Dr. Bernard Donovan, acting superintendent of schools, and brought this problem to his attention. One of our proposals was that the students and teachers be given a choice of selecting the early sessions. Dr. Donovan agreed to make a thorough study of the situation. We therefore request that you communicate immediately with Hon. James Donovan, President of the Board of Education, 110 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Dr. Bernard Donovan, Acting Superintendent of Schools, 110 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and the Hon. Mayor Robert F. Wagner, City Hall, New York, N.Y., indicating to them that we cannot approve or stand idly by at attempts to alleviate the problems of one minority group at the expense of another. Very truly yours, Rabbi Simon L. Konovitch, Co-chairman, Education Commission

Jewish Education

Letter to NYC Mayor and Public School Superintendent about Public School Schedule (1965)

Dear Sir: As a Rabbi of an Orthodox synagogue in New York City, I am extremely concerned by the threat to Sabbath observance and Jewish education which is posed by the new structure of double or triple sessions for high schools. Whereas I am completely in sympathy with the desire for the integration of our school system, I certainly would not want this to take place at the expense of the religious integrity and cultural continuity of those who adhere to the Jewish faith.I strongly urge, as an alternative, that students and teachers be given a choice of selecting the early sessions in the new system, so as to insure that no minority will be disadvantaged at the expense of another.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL: rfThis letter was sent to the following people:Dr. Bernard DonovanActing Superintendent of Schools110 Livingston StreetBrooklyn, New YorkHon. James DonovanPresidentBoard of Education110 Livingston St., B'klyn, N.Y.

Jewish Education

Letter to Meyer Levin about Providing His Son with a Jewish High School Education (1967)

Dear Mr. Levin: It has come to my attention that you have moved into the neighborhood. As the Rabbi of a nearby Synagogue, and having met you privately, permit me to extend to you the hand of welcome and to wish you and your family a very pleasant and fruitful stay. I have been told that you have a 14 year old son whose Jewish education you will probably want to provider for while in New York. May I therefore inform you that Manhattan Hebrew High School meets in The Jewish Center building and provides quite advanced classes for young men and women of high school age. If you are interested, as I suppose you will be, please do be kind enough to contact me at the above number, or please call the principal, Rabbi P. Oratz, at SC 4-2700 between 4:00-5:00 P.M. any day.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

Jewish Education