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Correspondence

Jan. 19, 1964

Exchange with Dr. Heller about His Article on Midrash, the Pope's Statement on Israel, and Extraterrestrial Life (1964)

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1. Dr. Heller to R. Lamm

1. Dr. Heller to R. Lamm (Jan. 19, 1964)

1. Dr. Heller to R. Lamm (Jan. 19, 1964)

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Dear Norman: Before I become involved in the work which accumulated on my desk, I quickly want to write to you and thank you for your participation in the Symposium held in connection with the annual meeting of the Memorial Foundation. There were numerous comments on the importance and high quality of the presentations and discussions. Your paper was most informative and out-standing. Many people paid special tribute to your valuable insights. As you know, we are planning to publish the presentations made at the Symposium. If you have a written manuscript, I would appreciate your sending it to us by return mail, since it would save us the time and cost of transcribing the tapes. As I mentioned to you previously, we will transcribe all the comments made in the discussion and send them to you so that if you wish, you can incorporate all or some of them into your formal presentation.May I again, on behalf of the Foundation, express our appreciation to you for taking time, from what we know is a busy schedule, to prepare your excellent presentation and to come to Geneva for the Symposium.I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you again soon.Sincerely yours.Assoc. Executive DirectorJH:sh
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Exchange with Herman Shumlin about the Vatican's Attitude Toward Jews (1964)

Dear Mr. Shumlin: Thank you for your note of November 13th in which you enclosed your correspondence with Pope Paul. I did not, of course, expect that you would get an answer, and I think that the silence of the Vatican on this documentary is evidence of the present Pope’s attitude towards the Jews and sneaks volumes more than the ״absolution״ we are now to receive from the Church. I think it was the happiest possible coincidence that this morning’s Times carried, in the same issue with the new Vatican draft on the Jews, this resounding confirmation of what the ״Deputy״ has been preaching – and please excuse the verb, I think that it is most appropriate – against all the vociferous opposition of both Catholics and some of our weak fellow-Jews. Personally I think that the production of the ״Deputy״ in this country forms an integral and significant part of Jewish history, and now that the show is to close on Broadway, I would urge you to write down your memoirs of all the trials and tribulations that had to be undergone both before and during the staging of this show. Whether or not all names should be mentioned publicly is a matter for serious discussion — but certainly there should be records which may some day prove of major interest to historians.Once again, it was good seeing you those several Wednesday nights at my Talmud class and I do have the effrontery to mention my hone that I shall see you again at similar occasions.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMMCATHCLIC V/EEKLY CALLS FOR STRONG VATICAN STAND CN JEWISH ISSUENEW YORK, Oct. 1. (JTA) -- The Commonweal, liberal Catholic lay-edited weekly, asserted today that, if Roman Catholicism was "serious about erasing Christian anti-Semitism, " the Ecumenical Council would have to take a stronger stand on relations with the Jewish people than the revised version of the draft declaration on which debate was concluded at the Vatican this week.The weekly,in its current issue, criticized "the needless skirting of the deic…
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Exchange with R. Samuel Press about "The Jews and the Ecumenical Council" (1964)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I just read your article entitled “The Jews and the Ecumenical Council.” As a rabbi, once more I thank you for sharing with us your acumen and sagacity by articulating your convictions without reserve. It is often disheartening for the Orthodox rabbi to find his leaders failing in their obligation to give direction because of their reticence to verbalize opinions which we assume would be based on Torah. I always am skeptical that their silence is not as justified as they might contend. As Sandy Press, I am appreciative that I know you. You may not recall the letter you wrote me while I was in Alaska. At a time of disillusionment, when the way of the rabbi seemed so dark, your words gave much light to my path. I soon shall make plans for next year. That “mate” of mine must be in that new locale! Roz was married to an Israeli boy. The wedding was at Kodimoh with her brother as “M’sader Kiddushin.” My family is well and send you their regards. Hoping that you and your family are well. As ever, Sandy
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