Exchange with R. Sherer about Bene Israel and Marriage (1961)

1. R. Sherer to R. Lamm (Nov. 20, 1961)

View Text View Original

Nov. 20, 1961

Dear Reb Nochem:

As you were in India, I would appreciate your personal comments on the enclosed brochure which I received in this morning's mail.

Many thanks and warmest personal regards.

Sincerely yours,

Rabbi Moshe Sherer

Executive Vice-President.

P.S. Would you please be good enough to have your secretary send me a copy of the latest issue of “Tradition,” which I didn’t receive this time.

Next Letter

Exchange with Abraham Jhirad about Ban on Marriage with Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Sir(s), I am directed to forward herewith a copy of resolution adopted by the Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India at their meeting held on Wednesday the 17th May 1961 for information. Yours faithfully, A.D Jhirad, Jt. Hon. Secretary. True Copy of Resolution Adopted by the Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish congregations of India on 17th May 1961: "The Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India views with grave concern and horror the news item appearing in the Local Press regarding the origin of the Indian Jews, especially of Bombay region and expresses its great resentment at the decision of the Israel Jewish Religious Authorities to brand the Indian Jews as Impure Jews and refusing to grant them licences for marriage with other Jewish Communities in Israel.The Executive is convinced that it is the faithful observance of religious precepts and not any organised Indian Council of Rabbis which constitutes a pure Jew.The executive hopes that the Government of Israel will initiate steps to remove the stigma on Indian Jews forthwith both in the interest of truth and also maintenance of cordial relations between the Jews of India and Israel" .President of Israel.Prime Minister of Israel.Minister of Religions.Consul General of Israel in India.Chief Rabbi of England.Haham S. Gaon, London.Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.President, Rabbinical Council of America.Central Jewish Board, Bombay – with a request that a general meeting of the Community to register mass protest be convened immediately.Prof. Haim Ezekiel, Israel.All Local News Papers.Rabbi N. LammRabbi Charles Weinberg.All Synagogues.

Combating Assimilation Who Is a Jew? India

Exchange with Haham Gaon about Gittin for Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Haham Gaon, I sincerely regret that because of our different schedules it was impossible for me to meet you personally in England to carry on the conversation we had begun in New York on the problems of Indian Jewry. I do hope, however, that as soon as my reports are written up after my return to New York please G-d, copies will be made available to you. Meanwhile I am turning to you on a problem of immediate importance. I have just returned to Bombay from Calcutta where the community is now paralysed because of controversies precipitated by Beth Din policies and by personality problems with Rabbi [redacted].

Combating Assimilation Who Is a Jew? India

Letter to R. Gotthold about Marrying Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Rabbi Gotthold: Please accept my expressions of admiration at the dispatch with which you handled the "Indian purity" affair. I must say that I cannot blame the Bene Israel for their agitation. At the same time, I am completely nonplussed by what seems to be Rabbi Nissim's acquiescence to the delegation which visited him and his agreement to affirm the permissive decisions of the two late Chief Rabbis, especially after he hedged when I broached the matter to him several months ago. I am glad to hear, however, that he is now ready to go along with the "heter."

Combating Assimilation Who Is a Jew? India