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Correspondence

November-December 1961

Exchange with Haham Gaon about Offer to Become Principal of Jews' College (1961)

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1. R. Lamm to Haham Gaon

1. R. Lamm to Haham Gaon (Nov. 3, 1961)

1. R. Lamm to Haham Gaon (Nov. 3, 1961)

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Exchange with Dr. Fox about Offer to Become Principal of Jews College (1962)

Dear Marvin: Not having corresponded with you in a long time, I should probably begin with the usual social amenities. Please, therefore, consider them exchanged, executed, and done with. The reason for my writing is to make a confidential inquiry of you. You know the complicated situation that prevails in England with regard to the Principalship of Jews College. The situation is quite critical, and the right man in that position can, by a kind of chain reaction, have a profound effect on the future course of Anglo-Jewry. I am anxious to make a recommendation to Chief Rabbi Brodie who, I know, will give my proposal very serious consideration. The search seems to center on you. You have, to my mind, all the necessary qualifications for the position, and I think it will give you the kind of forum which will be proper for your own talents, ambitions, and principles. I need not, and perhaps cannot, elaborate to any greater extent at this time. I do think that it is a tremendous opportunity in a situation which can have historic consequences. I would want your agreement in writing that you would be willing to consider an invitation. This, of course, does not bind you to any eventual agreement. If I can receive your consent to this point by return mail, I will feel free in contacting Rabbi Brodie immediately.Of course, all these negotiations will be held in strictest confidence by me and by the people in England, as I know it will be by you.All best regards to June and the children.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM
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Exchange with R. Feuchtwanger about Offer to Become Principal of Jews' College (1961)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I am sure you have not quite forgotten yet the nice little dinner party we had prior to your trip to India in London at the Kedassia Restaurant together with my brother-in-law, Rabbi S. D. Sassoon, and Mr. v. Carnell. This is mainly to place myself in your memory. No doubt you have since heard that last Thursday the Israeli Chief Rabbinate decided that the “B’ne Israel” and all other Jews are allowed to inter-marry now. This long awaited and most important decision will of course greatly help towards the consummation of the academic work of your visit to India. When I read your report of what you had been doing I found it a most lucid and constructive document. What I have written up to now was meant to bring our personal relationship up to date. The reason of my writing to you today is, however, as follows: You most likely know that Dr. I. Epstein retired as Principal of Jews’ College at the end of the summer term. As no full scale successor could be found in the Commonwealth, the Senior Lecturer, Dr. E. Zimmels, has been appointed Director of Studies, whereas the Chief Rabbi’s plans are obviously centered on finding a permanent Principal. It is widely recognized that the retirement of Dr. Epstein created the necessity of appointing a person fully qualified to occupy such a position. The last few months have seen the subject debated in public discussion and the Chief Rabbi has not concealed that he has had his eye on you, Dr. Lamm. Especially after your latest publication in “Tradition” I attended one of your talks to the Council, and the couple of very able and talented speeches you gave created quite a stir. The Chief Rabbi has specifically asked me, as one who has the privilege of knowing you personally, to convey to you on his behalf that he would very much like to know whether you would be prepared to consider occupying the position of Principal of Jews’ College on being officially invited to do so. Personally speaking I would add that there…
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Letter from R. Feuchtwanger with Invitation to Become Principal of Jews' College (1961)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I am sure you have not quite forgotten yet the nice little dinner party we had prior to your trip to India in London at the Kedassia Restaurant together with my brother-in-law, Rabbi S. D. Sassoon and Mr. L. Carmell. This is mainly to place myself in your memory. No doubt you have since heard that last Thursday the Israeli Chief Rabbinate decided that the "Bne Israel" and all other Jews are allowed to inter-marry now. This long awaited and most important decision will of course greatly help towards the consumation of the results of your visit to India. When I read your report of what you had been doing I found it a most lucid and constructive document.What I have written up to now was meant to bring our personal relationship up to date. The reason of my writing to you today is, However, as follows:-You most likely know that Dr. I. Epstein retired as Principal of Jews' College at the end of the summer term. As no full scale successor could be found in the Commonwealth, the Senior Lecturer, Dr. H. Zimmels has been appointed Director of Studies, whereas the Chief Rabbi has been appointed President of the College. A similar arrangement prevailed during the interregnum after the passing of Dr. Buechler. The Chief Rabbi is obviously very concerned in finding a person fully qualified to occupy the position of Principal in due course. As this matter has been in public discussion for the last few months I have actually been thinking of you ever since Dr. Epstein retirement and even mentioned your name to a member of the College Council, yet I had no chance of talking to the Chief Rabbi before last night when I attended a meeting over which he presided. When he granted me a couple of minutes and listened to me he told me how strange it was that he also had the very same idea after having read your grand article "The Unity Theme and its Implication for Moderns" an the last issue of "Tradition".Personally speaking I would add that there can be no better qualif…
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