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Correspondence

May 1970

Exchange with R. Harold Gordon about Mistake in Press Release about Board of Rabbis' Involvement in Exodus March (1970)

Soviet Jewry

1. R. Harold Gordon to R. Lamm

1. R. Harold Gordon to R. Lamm (May 21, 1970)

1. R. Harold Gordon to R. Lamm (May 21, 1970)

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Exchange with Dr. Marvin Schick about Mayor Lindsay's Absence from Exodus March (1970)

Dear Marvin: I was glad to see you and have you accompany us at the Exodus March for Soviet Jewry on April 26th. I am sure you will agree that the thousands of people present (and there were, to my mind, closer to 30,000 than the 20,000 reported in the media) constituted a powerful moral force on behalf of our cause. The reason I write to you – and this is being done in a purely personal capacity, especially since I intend shortly to relinquish my post as Chairman of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry – is to impress upon your associates how grievously they misjudged the situation.Every politician of note, especially those interested in either securing or retaining the political allegiance of this segment of the electorate, was present and participated. The crowds responded to them enthusiastically. Lindsay was not there—and I flinched and blanched when, upon announcing receipt of his telegram, his name was greeted with loud booing.I heard comments about it later in the afternoon. People wanted to know why, of all prominent officials, he was absent. The old, pre-election animosity towards Lindsay was reawakened. The most current remark referred to the fact that this was not a municipal election year, and so “Lindsay doesn’t need us.”I need not tell you that this will do him no good; voters’ memories are not that short. I fear that those who advised the Mayor against coming have misled him and done him a real disservice. I am genuinely sorry about this, because I like the man.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM NL/e
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Exchange with Jane Gottlieb about Inaccurate New York Times Coverage of Exodus March (1970)

Thought you might like to see a copy of this since I'm sure you'll never see it in print! At least the truth will be on record somewhere in the basement file room of the times. A good שבת to you and your family. See you [illegible]. Jane
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Exchange with R. Gertz about Lack of Communication for Russian Jewry Advocacy (1972)

Dear Dr. Gertz: I must confess to you my disappointment in the development of the Russian Jewry project. It started with so much promise and enthusiasm, that my frustration now is all the greater. If you recall, I promised to help in the project, provided that there would be someone to take the leadership in this country, and that there would be genuine coordination and further progress on the Israeli side. Neither of these has eventuated. I have personally raised, in my own congregation and from few friends in the vicinity over $7,000, most of which I have now sent to Rabbi Kalman for his purposes under the arrangement. All I have seen is a big public announcement by Agudah, Young Israel, etc. Yet, we specifically agreed that funds were to be coordinated both in fundraising and in expenditures. Now from all reports reaching me from Israel, our group remains a paper organization, and everyone is off on his own little campaign. Under such circumstances, I would rather contribute what little I can to a smaller group whose activities I am acquainted than to a larger group which seems incohesive and therefore ineffective, despite the great note of significance it has. I hope, Dr. Gertz, that you will not fault me for being overly frank. I am long in the Orthodox Jewish community, and I have experienced this malady. We Orthodox Jews seem to have a knack for confronting historic challenges with our heads in the ground. I do not wish to indulge myself before one who I know is sensitive to this malady, but perhaps something can eventually be achieved before it is too late. My best wishes for a happy Pesach.Cordially,Rabbi Norman Lamm
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