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Correspondence

June 1959

Exchange with R. Strassfeld about "Separate Pews in the Synagogue" (1959)

Separate Pews

1. R. Strassfeld to R. Lamm

1. R. Strassfeld to R. Lamm (June 4, 1959)

1. R. Strassfeld to R. Lamm (June 4, 1959)

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Exchange with R. Kuperman about Vote Against Mixed Pews in South Bend Synagogue (1975)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: Last evening, our board of directors announced the outcome of the congregational vote regarding partial mixed pews. If I might refresh your memory, a proposal was made to retain separate seating (no mechitza) in the front half of the main sanctuary and to institute mixed seating in the remainder. This needed a two-thirds majority to be passed. With over ninety percent of the membership returning ballots, which in itself is remarkable, there was a clear majority against the innovation and, consequently, it failed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your constructive advice on handling the problem. Instead of calling a congregational meeting, as you did in Springfield, to speak on the subject, I composed an article for our Bulletin, in which I tried to present the halakhic, psychological, and sociological positions against mixed pews. I’m taking the liberty of including a copy of that issue of our Bulletin in this letter. If you have the opportunity to read it and have any observations, I would appreciate it if you would share them with me. Thank you, again, for your help and advice. May the Ribbono Shel Olam bless you and your family with many years of health and strength to be a guiding force for authentic Judaism in America. With Torah blessings, Allen R. Kuperman, Rabbi
Separate Pews

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Mandel about Yiddish Report on Mixed Pews (1959)

כבוד הרב הגדול בתורה ובחכמה, איש אשכולות, רב פעולות, לוחם מלחמת השם, מה״ר נחום לאם שליט״א, מיט מריוס אינטערעם האב איך מעלייענט אין ״טמז״ש״ פון טען אנטאבער דעם אורתיך על פון הרב ניסן מארדאן, אן איבער לי פער ונג פון אייער אויפך לערונות וועמען ענין מחיצה בבהכ״נ איך אייער זשורנל ״טראדישאן.״ המם איך האב נישט מעלייענט דעם סלרבינאל איז הרב מארדאן פאר מיר קעניג בר סמכא, אז ער האט עס ריכתיך איבערמעמעבען. (אמב וואלט איך אייב מעבעטען, מיר אריינדוליזן
Separate Pews

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Uri Miller about Abridged Reprint of "Separate Pews in the Synagogue" (1959)

Dear Norman: I am writing you this note to tell you how impressed and thrilled I was at your presentation in the recent issue of Tradition concerning the separation of sexes. I found it comprehensive and intelligible in a way that previous writings thereon have not been. I have several suggestions to make that I would like you and the proper authorities to consider. They are all inter-related. I am wondering whether it might not be in order to have a simpler edition made up that would be printed in bulk quantities and distributed widely in our country. I say a simpler edition because your article is approximately 17 pages and the unsophisticated layman, as I know my congregation, would perhaps be discouraged in going through it. If it could be simplified and made half the size I think it could serve a better purpose. And I would like to see it spread in all the synagogues and Jewish press and in addition a very substantial number of copies printed – perhaps 10,000 – I could distribute a thousand in my own congregation. I have an idea that distributing them to the Orthodox Jewish Community of New Orleans as a public service would be most worthwhile. Certainly we ought to do something about this. Perhaps the Rabbinical Council and the Union can take part in it, but this material deserves to be distributed to the very utmost. I am planning to be at the convention and look forward to seeing you then. Nevertheless if you do have time, please drop me a note on my suggestions. With every good wish, I am, Cordially yours, Rabbi Uri Miller
Separate Pews