Exchange with Moshe Kohn about "Who Is a Jew?" and the Israeli Supreme Court Decision (1970)

1. R. Lamm to Moshe Kohn (June 15, 1970)

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Exchange with Charles Manheim about "Who Is a Jew?" (1970)

Dear Norman, I happened to see your article in Panim el Panim. I not only agree with your conclusions – I already used it myself to a number of groups. I also thought you’d find the enclosed of interest. What I felt was missing from your article was the role of the coin. The bill is troubled and I felt Mafdal should have left the coalition over it. Raphael is also right that the authentic line is to blame for much of the problem and, in the present situation, more to blame than anyone else.

Who Is a Jew?

Exchange with R. Klavan about Signed Statement on "Who Is a Jew?" (1970)

Dear Issy: I enclose a draft copy of a Proclamation which ought to be circulated, signed, and published as quickly and expeditiously as possible. I talked with the Rav about it, and he is very much in favor of the idea. Please show him the copy for possible revision. I have no pride of authorship; as long as it is done in time for maximum effect I’ll be happy. Perhaps you can contact a number of people, in different areas in public and academic life and ask them to obtain consent for the use of their names. Dr. Seymour Lachman, the Board of Education (who first proposed the idea to me) might know of others in his field. In city government you might try Marvin Schick and Drell Greer. Marvin may have recommendations for other academic too. Milton Furst of Y.U. may have a list of people. Offhand, I might mention Marvin Fox of Ohio State, Paul Rosenberg of Columbia, and Abraham Tennenbaum of Columbia. The petition should be sent to Golda Meir and published in the Jerusalem Post, in Haaretz (in Hebrew) — and how about the New York Times? My secretary is typing this up while I’m off to California, but you can contact me at any time. I’ll be at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs — she has my phone number. I’m sorry to burden you with this, but if the issue has not been settled by the time you get this letter, it is simply too important to delay.

Who Is a Jew?

Exchange with R. Rackman about Signed Statement on "Who Is a Jew?" (1970)

Dear Norman: I received a letter from Rabbi Kirshblum in Jerusalem and he warmly endorses Seymour Lachman’s proposal that we get an expression from American Jewish academicians with regard to the “who is a Jew” problem. Are you following through with Seymour’s suggestion? Warmest personal regards and best wishes for a Chag Kasher ve-Sameach. Yours as ever, Emanuel Rackman, Rabbi

Who Is a Jew?