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Correspondence

March 1961

Exchange with Robin Gilbert about Impartiality in JDC (1961)

India

1. R. Lamm to Robin Gilbert

1. R. Lamm to Robin Gilbert (March 16, 1961)

1. R. Lamm to Robin Gilbert (March 16, 1961)

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Correspondence

Exchange with A. Manasseh about JDC Funding of Indian Schools (1961)

Dear Mr. Manasseh: I take this opportunity to thank you for the warm hospitality that you and your wife extended to me during my stay in India. With regard to the Sassoon School, Rabbi Jung has just informed me that the Joint Distribution Committee has made an initial grant of some $2,500 to the school. While I realize that this is far from sufficient, may I remind you that this is a beginning – as time goes on you can probably expect increases.I have just been informed from Israel that Mr. Robert Gilbert will shortly be in India, representing the J.D.C. and O.R.T. I most strongly urge you to befriend him in a personal way and try to develop him, thus benefiting the school in the long run.I hope you will be working closely with Mr. Jhirad, the Executive Director at U.O.J.C.A., especially on the matter of the lay Beth Din.Please do keep me informed about all matters as I am most anxious to assist the situation in India in any way that I can. Please bear in mind too that all the above information regarding the Joint Distribution Committee is confidential.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
India

Correspondence

Exchange with Abraham Jhirad about Recruiting Rabbi for India (1961)

Dear Rabbi, Your Berakha for the New Year shall go a long way in giving me courage and strength to work hard for the noble cause of strengthening authentic Judaism in the ancient Jewish community of India. By the grace of the Almighty, we received most valuable guidance from you in a number of our problems – religious and otherwise – and we feel confident we shall receive the same עד עולם. Together with my letter of June 25, 1961, I had forwarded copies of my letters to Dr. Weiss and Dr. Tartakower, with regards to the deputation of an Israel Rabbi to India. It appears from Dr. Tartakower's letter of October 20, 1961 (copy enclosed) that possibly no correspondence was entered into by the UOJCA with Rabbi Nissim on this issue. As a matter of fact, I was under the impression that you or Dr. Weiss would probably discuss this business with Rabbi Nissim during your visit to Israel for the conference. As you know, if the UOJCA is to be on a sounder religious footing, the presence of a Rabbi is most necessary. Dr. Weiss, I understand, is on a tour and all matters are now being handled by Mr. Feuerstein. Could you kindly request Mr. Feuerstein to move the Overseas Commission to consider whether it will be feasible for them to accept Rabbi Nissim's offer? I am sure the Jewish Agency in Israel would be prepared to share the expenditure with the UOJCA. (A copy of my letter to Mr. Feuerstein is enclosed).We have had no word from Rabbi Gotthold, but I am given to understand by Samuel's father that Samuel is now admitted to the Yeshiva with effect from August 1, 1961 for the regular course. The Tefillin (money for which Mr. Max Stern so kindly procured from his friend) are not yet received, and there is absolutely no news about them.I am also awaiting the decision of the Overseas Commission with regards to the Hebrew and Religion classes we have started and we propose to start.Mebasser’s October issue also could not be published for lack of funds.Mr. Penkar has submitted a schem…
India

Correspondence

Letter to Robin Gilbert about JDC Assistance in India (1961)

Dear Mr. Gilbert: Many thanks for your letter of March 23. I appreciate the complexity of your task and I certainly hope that you will do your best both to help our fellow Jews in India and at the same time to make sure that no particular ideological group will have its interests prejudiced with regard to J.D.C. assistance. I deeply appreciate your good work and I am confident that you will arrange things to everyone's satisfaction. I am looking forward to hearing about the composition of the Council and the general development of things.All good wishes for a successful stay in Bombay.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
India