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Correspondence

December 1963-February 1964

Exchange with Israel Kelman about R. Gotthold's Rulings on Conversions and Divorces in India (1964)

India

1. Israel Kelman to R. Lamm

1. Israel Kelman to R. Lamm (Dec. 23, 1963)

1. Israel Kelman to R. Lamm (Dec. 23, 1963)

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Exchange with Abraham Jhirad about R. Gotthold's Rulings on Conversions and Divorces in India (1963)

Dear Dr. Weiss, At a meeting of the Executive of the UOJCI held on July 7, 1963, there was general agreement over the views expressed in my letter of July 1st. I was further directed to report later (after July 15, 1963) developments on the activities of Rabbi Gotthold. In my letter of July 15, I had omitted to bring one important fact to your notice. Rabbi Gotthold met the members and a few others of the Purity Justification Committee at the residence of the Committee’s President. What was discussed at this meeting was not communicated to us by either party. However, we understand that the entire discussion has been tape-recorded.On Sunday, July 14, Rabbi Gotthold requested the use of the Mikveh at Magen Hasidim Synagogue for carrying out certain conversions. Should not these ceremonies have been performed under the auspices of other congregations? In the absence of a proper Beit Din, he converted, it is understood, a Bene Israel boy (formerly connected with Christian missionary activities) and a non-Jewish lady. Those were long-standing cases and an opinion with regards to the conversion of the minor children was obtained from Haham Gaon by the local Committee, and he had definitely ruled that minor children cannot be converted.This and such other acts of the Rabbi have caused a great deal of confusion and difference of opinion in the minds of the affiliated congregations. When he met the officers of the UOJCI for the second time in the morning of Sunday, July 21, he is supposed to have stated that he had absolutely no respect for the leaders of the UOJCI. We do not give much credit to such propaganda or rumours, but you know that such things can be used to advantage by the opponents.Certain members of the Executive feel that Penkar and I were in the know about Rabbi Gotthold’s arrival in India and that we kept it a secret because of your directives.A few members of the Shar HaMizrah Synagogue have requisitioned a special meeting of the General Body to consider t…
India

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Exchange with Haham Gaon about R. Gotthold's Rulings on Conversions and Divorces in India (1963)

Dear Haham Gaon: Enclosed please find copies of a letter received from Mr. Jhired, dated August 30th, my reply to it dated September 10th and his answer, dated September 17th. I also enclose a copy of my letter of today to Rabbi Gotthold. I do hope that none of the actions of Rabbi Gotthold nor any of the decisions he made was really in contradiction to any P'sak issued by you, for this would make matters very difficult indeed.We shall greatly appreciate your good advice how to proceed. Of course, I shall mail you a copy of Rabbi Gotthold's reply as soon as I receive it.With my warmest wishes for a G'mar Chatimah Tovah, and kindest personal regards, from house to house, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. WeissSRW/sdEnc.Haham Dr. Solomon Gaon 6 Ashworth RoadMaida ValeLondon, W.9 England
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Correspondence

Exchange with R. Gotthold about His Rulings on Conversions and Divorces in India (1963)

Dear Rabbi Gotthold: Enclosed please find a copy of a letter from Mr. Jhirad, dated August 30th, a copy of my reply to him dated September 10th, and a copy of his answer, dated September 17th, received this morning. We shall greatly appreciate your reaction to the statements contained in Mr. Jhirad’s letters. We are especially concerned with the apparent conflict between your decision and the opinion of Haham Gaon in matters of the conversion of minor children. Also, the problem of the Mikvaoth is most urgent. Our people there seem to be in a state of vexation and confusion. Clarification is, therefore, of the utmost urgency. With kindest personal regards and warmest wishes for a G’mar Tov, I am Very sincerely yours, Dr. Samson R. Weiss, Executive Vice President
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