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Correspondence

September-October 1973

Exchange with Hans Bachrach about Mikvah Policies in Australia (1973)

Australia & New Zealand

1. Hans Bachrach to R. Lamm

1. Hans Bachrach to R. Lamm (Sep. 21, 1973)

1. Hans Bachrach to R. Lamm (Sept. 21, 1973)

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Correspondence

Exchange with Hans Bachrach about Lubavitch Involvement in Co-ed Australia Seminar (1973)

My Dear Rabbi Lamm, I assume that you and your family are glued to the radio just as we "down under" pray that the present treacherous attacks will be beaten back without too many karbonot. The other night I saw Rabbi Groner and I have to admit total failure in even getting permission even officially to distribute at his schools invitations to a "mixed" seminar. I argued that, at his own table, sometimes male and female visitors participate of a meal. I did not speak of the fact that later in life most students will attend lectures where there is no separation of the sexes. Nor does he prohibit travel in aeroplanes. Should we weep that Rabbi Groner expressed concern about his own institution having had men and women together at their annual fund raising dinner? And some of their Mothers' Club functions are attended by Men and Ladies. I guess it is useless to argue with him. From my talk with him, it appears that, according to the Tass, our directions are correct, but since Rabbi Groner asked me to make a Sheela whether I be permitted to sponsor the fare for councillors and organisers and lecturers to such a camp, (although I was flabbergasted), in deference to him I wonder whether I should submit it to you or to whom you wish me to submit such a question.It is a great pity that such issues prevent some young people from benefitting by your effort. Lubawitsch does a lot of good, and they could learn a lot from such seminars as they have not got your "know how".I'm inclined to revert to an early idea of your's that certain promises must be made by the participants, and you may like to formulate same. The councillors and camp personnel will have to see that these requirements are honoured by the students.As it is unlikely that Lubawitsch will participate, I would be very happy if the name of the Yeshiva University be associated with the camp.Gini had the left hand operated on and we look forward to beneficial results. Local friends were delighted with your ^ 9־ or gre…
Australia & New Zealand

Correspondence

Exchange with Hans Bachrach with Reflections on Australia Trip (1973)

Dear Mr. Stern, Rabbi Norman and Mrs. Lamm have stimulated, electrified and greatly influenced a fair section of our Melbourne community. We are delighted with their visit and we only hope that the heavy schedule which they undertook in this city will be offset by a few days rest before their return to the United States. I'm sure you will be delighted to hear that out of an overall total Jewish population of 35,000 in Victoria, Rabbi Lamm will have addressed at least 4,500 during his stay here. Allowing for the fact that a number of people attend more than one lecture, the Rabbi has had at least 2,000 different people listen to him who will long remember his visit. Most likely you have heard the Rabbi explain that our great Teachers are known by their works rather than by their names; our Teachers and their Book form an Identity. Similarly, Rabbi Lamm’s lectures were the mirror of his personality and Melbourne laves him for it.We, here in Australia, are grateful to the Jewish Center for allowing the Rabbi sufficient "holidays" for this visit. The Jewish Center is blessed with a great jewel. Please continue to share the Rabbi'׳ time and energy with Jewry in the rest of the U.S.A, and with us in Australia. Your congregation, will be blessed by all the Jews who come in contact with your remarkable genius.Here in Melbourne we are discussing with the Rabbi a certain follow programme and we hope that Rabbi Lamm will help in selecting Rabbis, camp councill and youth leadership instructors from the U.S.A, to spend two months in Australia next year.May I suggest to make the life of the Rabbi a bit easier, and to allow his message to be driven home to greater numbers, that your congregation provide the Rabbi with an "avante gard" to prepare his visits and possibly a group of young men and ladies to follow up (not speaking of Australia) on the Rabbi's wo Rabbi Lamm's message could possibly bear even greater fault.I deep gratitude to you and to your congregation, I remain,Sinc…

Correspondence

Exchange with Hans Bachrach about Reflections on Australia Trip (1973)

My Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Lamm, Gini, the children and I hope that you enjoyed the Shabbath in Wellington and the few days at Waitoma and Rotorura, and naturally we are curious to know whether you followed our suggestion of spending the next Shabbath on the West Coast prior to returning to cold New York. When you expressed to me that my expressions of "avante gard" and "follow up" were not very clear in my letter to Mr. Stern, I believe I was able to rectify this as per the enclosed copy and I hope that I did the right thing. I also enclose photo and letter received from "The Y" and Great Synagogue as well as two pages from the Jewish News. Undoubtedly, you will also be interested in an article just published by the Sydney "Sun Herald" even though I believe that the spiegel article dates back quite a considerable time. This morning, walking through the Botanical Gardens, I remembered the quarter-hour which we spent there together and I'm happy to report that the winter/spring blossoms in white, pink and red have now come out in full. You surely would enjoy seeing how quickly nature advances.Yesterday, we greatly enjoyed the Werdiger wedding. The bride and bridegroom, on arrival, did not proceed to the Head Table as usual but the men circled the bridegroom and the girls the bride and dancing started with a gusto. This set the tone for the whole evening and I feel the example of Robin and Debbie will be emulated.I have also written to Mr. Freedman as per the enclosed copy.Hoping you found Haya, Josh, Shalom and Sara in good health on your return, I remain with fondest regards,
Australia & New Zealand