Dear Rabbi Itamar:

Please excuse me for not answering earlier your communication containing the text of the Chief Rabbinate's decision concerning the Bene Israel. The information you provided was of considerable help in our deliberations here in New York.

We would like to do all that is within our power to help in this situation. We are meeting shortly in order to plan our approach.

However, I am personally confused by the conflicting reports that issue from Israeli journals and newspapers. Is the decision of the Rabbinate final? And if so, why have no instructions been passed on to the individual Rabbis in the country? Is there a possibility that right wing opposition will nullify the "Heter"?

Furthermore, in connection with the inner-workings of the interested parties of Jerusalem, could you pass on to me some confidential information? I am particularly interested in the following: what role is being played by Tartakower? Has there been any political interference and, if so, what is its nature and intensity?

I realize that these are delicate questions, but I will promise, if you so indicate in your report, I will keep the answers confidential and not disclose them to anyone except our very close circle who will similarly be interested to treat the information as completely secret. With very best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Norman Lamm

NL:ff

CC: Dr. Weiss

Mr. M. Feuerstein

Rabbi Jung

Ltr sent to Dr. Weiss to copy and return