Exchange with R. Berkovits about "A Moral Mission for Colleges" (1986)

1. R. Berkovits to R. Lamm (Nov. 5, 1986)

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Nov. 5, 1986

Dear Rabbi Lamm, נ”י

Many thanks for sending me your articles, lectures, etc. I admire your ability to carry on a creative form of learning and lecturing, writing, managing so successfully the presidency of Y.U. –

This time, however, I have to write to you. I have just finished reading your article, “From Ivy-Covered Walls, Ethical Illiterates.” A friend put the clippings into my letter box. Congratulations! It is a master-piece. The ultimate truth about the present intellectual and spiritual situation.

What hurts me most is the bitter truth that what you say may equally be said, though in a different style, about the “Yeshiva Velt.”

It is a great tragedy of our times that most of the ראשי ישיבה and מגידי שעור are also “Ethical Illiterates.” They educate according to their “Hashkafa” – distorted דרך הלימוד – ethical illiteracy!

What is going to be, רבונו של עולם!!!

Which way is Y.U. going?!

The spiritual crisis – especially in Israel (maybe – I just feel it more because I live here) – is devastating.

Something drastic will have to be done –

Warm greetings, Sincerely,

Eliezer Berkovits.

Next Letter

Exchange with Dr. Plunkett about "A Moral Mission for Colleges" (1986)

Dear Dr. Lamm: You are to be congratulated for your October 14th article on the moral mission of colleges. Your statement of the principles contained in your article was long overdue, and it was as clear and concise a message that I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. As the new Chairman of the Council of Governing Boards in New York State, I was particularly pleased to have the opportunity to reflect on your message and to circulate it to many of my fellow Trustees in the state. We hope to use your article and many of the thoughts contained therein as a foundation for some of the work that we hope to accomplish throughout the state in the years to come.Congratulations and best wishes.Sincerely yours,William F. Plunkett, Jr. WFP/td17 Elk StreetP.O. Box 7149Albany, NY 12224518/436

The University General Education

Exchange with Dr. Zack about "A Moral Mission for Colleges" (1986)

Dear President Lamm: I read your October 14 New York Times piece, "A Moral Mission for Colleges, with great interest. It was an exceptionally well-written piece, and one with which I disagree deeply. I have written a responding essay, "A Moral Mission for Colleges, 2nd Edition," which I am enclosing for your interest. I have submitted my thoughts to the Times (as well as to our local university paper.) However, regardless of whether it reaches that readership, I wanted to share them with you as well.Should you have any comments, I would be most happy to hear from you.SincerelyBrian G. Zack, M.D. University Physician(609) 452-4451BGZ:msA Moral Mission for Colleges, 2nd EditionBrian G. Zack, M.D.32 Stetson Way Princeton, NJ 98540 (609) 452-4451 - office (609) 924-6391 - homeNorman Lamm's essay, "A Moral Mission for Colleges" (The New York Times Op-Ed Page, Oct. 14) stands desperately in need of rebuttal. The eloquence of his pen and the depth of his feeling effectively disguise an argument which means nothing at best and which, at worst, is a call for moral indoctrination.Mr. Lamm asserts that today's universities are delinquent in not offering their students "moral guidance" and deplores their "permitting a generation of students to grow up as ethical illiterates and moral idiots." He maintains that universities should, and by implication currently don't, "encourage a moral climate that elicits respect for the human spirit," and solemnly declares that "knowledge ought to ripen into wisdom" and that "human beings... are certainly the purpose of education."In what sense is all this to be understood? The non-sectarian colleges and universities of today do not advocate a suspension of morality or teach disrespect for the human spirit. It would be exceedingly difficult to find an educator of any persuasion who felt that knowledge ought not to ripen into wisdom or that the purpose of education was anything but the elevation and enlightenment of human beings. At this level…

The University General Education

Exchange with Jeffrey Holland about "A Moral Mission for Colleges" (1986)

Dear President Lamm: I was heartened and inspired by your recent article in The New York Times entitled "A Moral Mission for Colleges." You make a very telling point in a wonderfully articulate way and I commend you for your leadership in this important area. The whole matter of declining moral and ethical strength in public and private life, particularly as such a decline indicts educational practices, is a chief concern of mine. I am taking the liberty of enclosing a copy of a talk I gave at the National Press Club not long after the highly publicized A Nation at Risk was issued. Perhaps you will find it of at least passing interest. With best wishes, Jeffrey R. Holland

The University General Education