Exchange with R. Joseph Lookstein Upon R. Lamm's Appointment at The Jewish Center (1958)

1. R. Joseph Lookstein to R. Lamm (Sep. 9, 1958)

1. R. Joseph Lookstein to R. Lamm (Sept. 9, 1958)

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Exchange with R. Eugene Borowitz about R. Lamm's Appointment to YU Presidency (1976)

Dear Norman – I want to send you a heartfelt mazel tov and on one level or two, I have no difficulty with it. That you deserve this job both in terms of your personal capacity and by contrast to others, is perfectly plain. That it will be good for American Orthodoxy and Yeshiva is more than probable. If anything, I had not expected that Yeshiva would have enough courage to appoint a council of independent men and allow it amount of independent voice and direction. But having done so, they merit the mazel tov. But when I think of the endless morass of finances and administration you are now thrown into – woes and aggravations most of us can image – then I’m not so sure what mazel it is that you’re getting. I can only hope that gradually you will find a way to keep it in its place and that because you are willing to live with it you will be permitted to exert a new measure of leadership to Orthodoxy and all of us. May the new post bring you much blessing, for it will surely be a blessing to the community – Gene

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Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein about R. Lamm's Mentorship to Haskel Lookstein (1952)

My dear Rabbi Lamm: I am sending you herewith a cheque for $200 as a fee which I promised you for the instruction that you gave to Haskel over the summer. I know how you feel about accepting this fee, but I want you to know how I feel about sending it to you. I would like to make it three times the amount, and even then it would not be adequate compensation for what you have done to and with Haskel. If it meant nothing else but that he came under your Influence for eight weeks, that in itself would have been enough. If, in addition, he has received such expert instruction at your hands and if it en-abled him, as indeed it did, to decide upon his life work, then you can well imagine how grateful I am for the share you have had in all of that. Accept this not in the spirit of a fee but rather in the spirit of a gift given to one for whom I have genuine affection and for whose future welfare I have deep interest.A happy holiday to you and to your family.Very cordially yours.Joseph H. Lookstein

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Letter from Max Stern to Jewish Center Congregants on R. Lamm's Appointment as Associate Rabbi (1958)

Dear Friends: A General Membership Meeting of The Jewish Center will take place in the Center auditorium on Monday evening, November 17th, 1958 at 8:30 P.M. In addition to extending a cordial and public reception to the new members who have joined the Center since our last Membership Meeting, there will be a general and open discussion on matters pertaining to Center good and welfare, and some musical entertainment to delight those who attend. We will also have a further and appropriate opportunity to welcome our newly appointed Associate Rabbi, Norman Lamm, and Mrs. Lamm. The meeting will be followed by refreshments and a social hour in which to fraternize with each other in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.We earnestly hope you will attend the meeting and thereby demonstrate your interest, enthusiastic support and encouragement in the continued welfare of our institution.ן Sincerely yoursMAX STERN President

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