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Correspondence

June-August 1959

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

Separate Pews

1. R. Uri Miller to R. Lamm

1. R. Uri Miller to R. Lamm (June 2, 1959)

1. R. Uri Miller to R. Lamm (June 2, 1959)

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Exchange with R. Klaperman about Historical Error in "Separate Pews in the Synagogue" (1959)

Dear Norman, Just a note scribbled off in haste. I read your article on mixed pews with great interest and think it is very well done. I must, however, bring a glaring error to your attention. On p. 163 of the article you refer to Wise’s org. of the Baptist Church in Albany in 1846. I have no writing about his conversion or misfortune resulting from that event but I do know that he had not yet come to the U.S. until Feb. 1846. If the event actually took place it probably was based on the heels of Wise’s decision by his cong. in Albany in the 1850’s after which he organized a new cong. in Hudson City. I know that is not...
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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
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Exchange with R. Strassfeld about "Separate Pews in the Synagogue" (1959)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: I have just completed reading your excellent article in Tradition, and I want to compliment you on the very fine presentation of a very difficult problem. I would suggest that the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations reprint this article in brochure form and make it available to its affiliated congregations, as well as the public. I consider this one of the finest expositions on the problem of mixed pews. At the same time, I want to compliment you on the high standard of scholarship and the varied material that appears in TRADITION. With best personal wishes, I remain, Sincerely, Rabbi Myer J. Strassfeld
Separate Pews