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Correspondence

December 1998-January 1999

Exchange with R. Perlow about His Appointment to the Presidency of Agudath Israel (1998)

1. R. Lamm to R. Perlow

1. R. Lamm to R. Perlow (Dec. 15, 1998)

1. R. Lamm to R. Perlow (Dec. 15, 1998)

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Exchange about R. Lamm's Appointment to YU Presidency and Returning to Judaism (1976)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Congratulations on your recent appointment as president of Yeshiva University. May it lead to great things both for you and the university. Reading recent reports of your interest in relating Judaism to modern issues prompted me to write to you. I had a minimal Jewish education but about 15 years ago "returned" to Judaism & have been reading so much on Jewish life & values since then. I am presently a member of Young Israel of S.I., consider myself a "committed" Jew, have 3 children receiving Jewish (Yeshiva) educations, and am trying to involve my shul & children's yeshiva to a greater extent in current issues. I am currently teaching courses at Staten Island Comm. College relating to ecology, nutrition, & world hunger. I am trying to gather material relating Judaism to these issues and would appreciate hearing of people working on these problems or learning of relevant references.Coming from a socially concious activist, searching background I have been very frustrated by many of the things that I have found in Orthodox life (in addition to the many positive factors and values): narrowness of views; bigotry; little evidence of a prophetic voice; little interest in relating Judaism to current issues & using Jewish values to improve society; little interest in reaching out to uncommitted Jews; overemphasis on ritual at the expense of ethical values; sometimes my frustration is so great that I feel that it is only outside of Judaism that I can make contributions to current issues. But I really hope that I can play some role in showing how Jewish wisdom can be applied to help solve modern problems. Any ideas or suggestions that you may have would be greatly appreciated.Thank you & best wishes for much success with Yeshiva U.Cordially yours,[redacted](Assoc. Prof. SICC)[redacted]
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Dear Norman, Congratulations on your appointment. This was, of course, bound to come: strange that this time the best man available was elected to our important position. I don’t wish you good-bye, not only because I wish you well personally but also, and mainly, because I wish Yeshiva University – and perhaps I ought to say, Judaism at large – well. I believe it is not belittling the achievements of Dr. Belkin if I say that we have reached a stage at which Y.U. needs a new direction, a comprehensively integrated educational philosophy, and an intellectual, devoted confrontation with the problems of the day. You, belonging to another generation, fully involved in the problematics of the contemporary situation, are able to do the job. Speed and mazal tov. I pray that you have the providence that you need for every success. Sincerely, Eliezer Berkovits.
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למעלת כבוד, ידידי הרב הנכבד, תורה ומדע בו צמודות, הרב ד"ר לאם שליט"א. לקראת יום הדין הבע"ל הריני מברך אני את כבודו ואת כל משפחתו יחיו – שתזכו לכתיבה וחתימה טובה בספר החיים והשלום, בריאות הגוף ושלות הנפש וכל טוב. גם ברכותי שלוחות לכל קהל עדת ישורון אשר כבוד מעלתו עומד בראש ומברך אני אותם ואת הגבאים העומדים בראש הקהלה, ואת כל בני ביתם יחיו, שיזכו לכתיבה וחתימה טובה וכל טוב. אכיר תודה אם כבודו שליט"א ימליץ בעד עבודת הקודש שלי שיכבדוני לכבוד החג הבע"ל בסכום מכובד,
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