Exchange with Myron Kaufmann about Starting Orthodox Minyan in Sharon, MA (1972)

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Correspondence

January-May 1972

Exchange with Myron Kaufmann about Starting Orthodox Minyan in Sharon, MA (1972)

1. Myron Kaufmann to R. Lamm

1. Myron Kaufmann to R. Lamm (1972)

1. Myron Kaufmann to R. Lamm (Jan. 1, 1972)

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Correspondence

Exchange with Myron Kaufmann about Publicity for Orthodox Minyan in Sharon, MA (1972)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Thank you for your letter, and for your good wishes for our minyan. After only two months, with G-d’s help, one new Orthodox family has already come into Sharon. We hope it will be the beginning of an influx. There are few places in eastern Massachusetts where a family of moderate means but with children in a non-urban environment will still have access to a halachic minyan. One of the tasks that will confront us for some months to come is continuing publicity at this early stage; many in Greater Boston know little and assume that there is an Orthodox minyan in Sharon, while others are waiting to see if the plant is hardy enough to take root. We spread word of our existence through weekly notices, word of mouth, and week-end guests. We have found, however, that a press release, such as the enclosed one which you saw as a press release and which appeared on the front page of the Jewish Advocate in Boston, is far more effective. I therefore feel it is very important in coming months to place follow-up releases in these same papers. Rabbi Louis Finkelstein of the Conservative Seminary, whose son-in-law was my college roommate and who has been a good friend to me over the years, has also written me a fine letter about our minyan and has consented to have this used if and when it is desirable. If I may, I ask to quote here the short release that I enclose with this letter. It is obvious that our growth will rest as much on the words of friends as on publicity of our making, and your words carry weight as President of Yeshiva and as a Conservative rabbi, both of great standing and both friends of our minyan’s members, is extraordinary good fortune at this time. May I have tentative permission to quote from your letter of May 3 in a news release, subject to my submitting a quotation and release of the release to you for your approval? The passages to quote are: “I took special delight in learning the unusual way in which you have managed to establish an …

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Elkanah Schwartz about Reconvening "Chavrusa" (1967)

Dear Rav Lamm: I hope this note finds you and yours in the best of health. You might recall the wonderful moments of “Chavrusas” of a few years ago. One of the moving spirits was Rabbi Jacobovits. I wish to recommend a reconvening of the group, but not for just another Tzaychem L’Shalom. During his tenure on these shores, Rabbi Jacobovits undoubtedly drew some impressions which he would be interested in sharing with a few yichedey segulah, outside the rigidity of the established organizations. (I base this remark not on knowledge but on assumption.) Should you and he be interested, I would be happy to forward the “Chavrusas” list. I leave this matter to your respected judgement. Looking forward to good news on all fronts, I remain Sincerely yours, Elkanah Schwartz

Correspondence

Letter from Myron Kaufmann about Orthodox Minyan in Sharon, MA and Raising Funds for Mikvah (1972)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, The article in the Jewish Advocate was a great success, as you can see from the enclosed. I understand that it was picked up by the JTA and appeared also in New York, Philadelphia and elsewhere. I have had many copies of the Boston article made, both for Orthodox families whom we contact, and for people in the Conservative temple in Sharon who are friendly to or potentially so. We are now going into our 20th week, and have not yet missed a minyan on Shabbat or Yom Tov. This “peaks” the opposition to us – as the existence of an Orthodox effort to establish and consolidate the administrative superiority and future viability in Sharon – apparently helped those opposed to us to be drawn out of the libel against Mr. Horowitz. Of course, it has had the side effect of stiffening the opposition, but we nevertheless consider it most significant progress. The results have been definite and promising, with Orthodox minyanim formed and with the large support of the Orthodox families from time to time, making it possible to know that the vital work of affinity in these families – and of direct indoctrination of the youth – are bearing results. Our job now is to find the prospects that we have been thus far successful in doing portions of the chinuchat themselves, and our resources are limited. I have no doubt that the project will succeed, and that in addition to bringing the nucleus of a community to Sharon we will also have a substantial effect on people elsewhere in Massachusetts. We bring to them not only people who are doing something for their Jewishness, but we bring them as well Torah. We have been learning the same sedarim as our minyanim and shuls, and some of the Sharon people have followed up by coming to the minyanim in Boston, and bringing their sons to the Talmud Torah. We are pleased with this, as it is an important step. We are also pleased with the fact that we can subsidize the students and yeshiva bochurim to come and help us. Our expenses …