Exchange with Mrs. Feldman about Distributing "A Hedge of Roses" to a Family Purity Group (1966)

1. Mrs. Feldman to Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (May 12, 1966)

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Exchange with R. Joseph Lookstein about "A Hedge of Roses" Distribution (1968)

My dear Norman: I am writing to you because I do not know to whom else to write. Forgive me, therefore, for troubling you. I would like to get ten copies of your book entitled The Hedge of Roses. I want to distribute them among couples that I know. Would you tell me how I can obtain that, or can you take care of it yourself? Naturally, I want to be billed for those books. Thank you for your attention and all good wishes always. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein

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Exchange with R. Parnes about "A Hedge of Roses" (1966)

Dear Normie, I appreciated your sending me a copy of “Hedge of Roses.” It would “party fun” for a Conservative Rabbi. I was impressed, first with the fact that you made this effort and secondly, by the literary and lucid presentation of delicate, not overly convincingly susceptible to rational and scholastic formulation. I do have some issues, but I don’t think them to be significant enough to impede second and third printings. Mazel tov on this endeavor, recently acquired doctorate. Sincerely, Teddy

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Exchange with Rebbetzin Neuberger about Using "A Hedge of Roses" as Teaching Material in Kallah Classes (1997)

Dear Dr. Lamm, Nearly thirteen years ago, during one of the very first Jewish Family Law courses that I taught at Lincoln Square Synagogue, I took a look at the faces of the brides-to-be who filled my classroom and saw that they were overwhelmed. Despite all my valiant efforts to transfer to them my own buoyancy about this and its profound philosophical meaning and wisdom, they were quickly sinking under the tide of anxiety. Then one student who had released her own k’nay’naic judgment of the carefully structured lesson and read to the class your essay, “The Impact of the Release of the Jews” as it appears in Hedge of Roses. The impact was immediate and powerful. They were inspired and encouraged, and we were all able to return to our studies with a renewed sense of purpose. Ever since that evening, in every class that I am privileged to teach, we pause at exactly the same point and refresh ourselves with exactly the same words. Each of the women receives a copy of A Bride’s Prayer, and we have been told that there are a minimum of one thousand five hundred to two thousand brides and mothers, thank God. This note, I believe, is long overdue, for a practice that I should have asked your permission to adopt thirteen years ago. Please God, you will forgive me for not thinking to do so. Recently, we were given a state-of-the-art computer with numerous professional applications, and my typist prepared your article for our bridal text — set in modern fonts, spaced in professional fashion. One thousand copies and 3,000 reprints of your essay will be distributed free-of-charge, as my gift. I am deeply grateful for your time and consideration, and mostly for the invaluable lessons you have taught me and my brides through all of your writings. Warmest regards to Mrs. Lamm. Respectfully yours, Peshi Neuberger

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