Letter from R. Stavsky to Victor Geller about Lecturing in Columbus, Ohio on Separate Pews and Family Purity (1959)

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Dear Vic: May I take this opportunity to again thank you for your wonderful cooperation in helping me with my religious emphasis week program. Rabbi Lamm, as I had anticipated, made a tremendous impression. I am truly sorry that we were not in the position to give him the proper monetary compensation which he surely deserved. Close to 100 people attended his session. He left an indelible impact upon everyone. His talk evoked only favorable comment on the delicate subject of mechitza, and even during Yom Kippur, people were still talking "about the Rabbi who was here Monday night." May I add that his modest and dignified approach won for him and the Yeshiva the reputation of being the outstanding speaker of the series.

All in all, over 550 people attended the sessions. I am taking the liberty of enclosing two press releases on the subject.

Again my inadequate thanks to you personally aid to CSD.

With best wishes for continued success.

Sincerely,

Rabbi David Stavsky

Exchange with R. Stavsky about Lecturing in Columbus, Ohio (1959)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: I was delighted to learn of your acceptance to participate in the Religious Emphasis program here at the Beth Jacob Synagogue. Vicki Geller of CSD informed me this morning of your availability, and I am truly looking forward to having you with us. Briefly, let me tell you what the program is about and the particular role which you will play. In carrying over a successful Chaplaincy experience of R.E.W., I thought of sponsoring a week of HISTORUS, “RELIGIOUS REVIVAL,” during Aseres Yemei T’Shuvah. The program calls for a concentrated week of lectures, seminars, workshops, films, and discussion groups, under the theme of T’Shuvah, T’fillah, Tzidakah. I would like for you to handle the opening lecture Monday, October 5 at 8:30 P.M. on the theme of “The Sanctity of Married Life in the Jewish Home and in the Synagogue.” This topic should reacquaint and reaffirm the attitude of the people towards Taharas HaMishpocha and separate seating in the Synagogue. By the way, I must compliment you on the very excellent piece on the mixed seating issue which appeared in “Tradition.” It was refreshing and stimulating. As Mrs. Geller has informed you, we would like to take care of your round trip transportation on a flight to Columbus and present you with an honorarium of $50. I have checked the schedule of flights for Monday, October 5, and I believe that the best schedule would be to follow TWA flight #309 arriving in Columbus 11:47 P.M., then departing the next morning on flight 206.Beth Jacob Congregation 959 Bulen Avenue Columbus 6, OhioB’sever Panim Yafot, David Stavsky, RabbiYou will be my house guest during your stay in Columbus. Please let me know if this schedule sounds convenient to you. I would appreciate it if you would send me by return mail a photo of yourself and a biographical sketch for publicity purposes. Warmest personal regards, A Kisivah V’chasimah Tov, Dave

Separate Pews

Exchange with Victor Geller about Lecturing in Columbus, Ohio (1959)

Dear Norman: Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter received from Dave Stavsky. You can post it on your bulletin board. If you have a chance, I would be grateful for a letter from you telling me about what you found in Columbus. Kindest regards. Very cordially yours, Victor B. Geller Field Director P.S. I will report to you on my West Coast visit as soon as I return.

Separate Pews

Letter from R. Stavsky about Mixed Pews in Columbus, OH (1960)

Dear Norman: Thank you so much for your note of two weeks ago, it was genuinely appreciated. Regarding the question you raise – (what has been done regarding mechizta?) may I inform you of the following: We had two excellent "follow up" sessions on your presentation during R.E.W. We had an executive meeting during the last week of December in my home, and the following was the sentiment of the officers:"Today we sincerely regret there is no Kosher mechitza" – an important recognition."Our Synagogue has experienced very much unnecessary, miserable anxiety and strain, because of this mechitza problem" – more than one person actually said "if we would have had the proper people like Rabbi Lamm, and yourself, explain and present the issue to us properly, then all of our trouble would have been avoided."There was serious discussion of what type of mechitza would be suitable. Across the Synagogue or vertically placed.Recently, however, a new and very realistic issue was raised. Permit me to explain. In recent months I have conducted a silent campaign to awaken the people to the fact that the Beth Jacob Synagogue is dislocated (away from the Jewish Community – Bexley), and that if we are to have any future as an active Orthodox Congregation, we must think in terms of selling our present building and erecting a new one. This entire issue is an exceptionally delicate one – (as you remember our present building is only six years old).Nevertheless, as a result of our discussions, a month ago, the very first bold step was taken – "A Development and Expansion Committee" was organized. I have very serious and unequivocal committments from the majority of the leadership that if and when we build "there will be a Kosher michitza – without question."I was furthermore asked not to press the issue now, as it may become a financial burden to put up a mechitza for what may be a short period of time.Therefore, I feel that I must keep the issue alive, talk about it, and discuss it openly…

Separate Pews