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Correspondence

Feb. 14, 1974

Letter about NYANA and the Integration of Soviet Jewry (1974)

Soviet Jewry
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Correspondence

Letter from Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Rabbi, You are aware of the fact that for approximately four months, together with a few other people of the original West Side Committee to help the Russian immigrants, I have been devoting more than full time to seeking positions, counseling, helping locate apartments, sending children to schools, and in other ways attempting to assist these people and their children to integrate as quickly as possible – to the community, the city, and our American way of life. Without your constant help and morale boosting this would not have been possible.I have hinted to you that cooperation from NYANA is nearly non-existent — they appreciate the fact that we have obtained some four or five dozen jobs for various people — but they in no way ease or smooth our paths by cooperation.The attached was written prior to today. This afternoon, I was told that a Mr. Marvin Schrank at BIAS made the statement that the "west side group is doing more harm than good for Russian immigrants."Under the circumstances, I recommend that the group cease from helping these people. Not one of us desires to be party to "doing harm" to these people. I personally will turn my efforts to what I hope will be more productive and worthwhile ends.I would like to see, if you have the opportunity, to suggest to the proper influential people what the attitude of the professionals at NYANA and BIAS is.Sincerely,Martin Kchmarrschild144 West 86 StreetNew York, New York 10024Queries for your meeting with NYANA's officers or lay people:Why doesn’t every breadwinner get English immediately upon arrival? When this question was raised, the response at the meeting on January 24 was that some of these people do not have the ability to take the course at the school NYANA is using. It would seem to me that this is a) not so, and b) NYANA could find a school where they could learn.NYANA will not give me a list of people in the hotels. I am aware of the reason behind this policy, agree with it 1000%, but have found th…
Soviet Jewry

Correspondence

Letter about NYANA (1974)

Dear [redacted], I read with interest your letter to Mr. E. I. Farber. I do not believe anything at all will be gained by your talking to Mr. Schwartzchild personally, if what you have in mind is mollifying him because NYANA did not choose to employ him. Quite frankly, it was my idea and initiative to begin with, and Mr. Schwartzchild was most reluctant even to allow me to proceed, let alone to agree in advance to such employment. Understandably, he could not conceivably enter into such a relationship at the present time.I wish to reiterate what I said to you during our lengthy telephone conversation. NYANA has failed and is failing to make sufficient use of volunteers. I recognize full well the problems inherent in professional-volunteer relationships, and yet I cannot believe either on moral or professional grounds that volunteers should be discouraged or that professional workers are beyond criticism.I trust that you take these words, as well as the telephone conversation I previously alluded to, in the spirit in which I intend it. The Russian emigration represents the first major influx of Jewish immigrants to this country in a long time, and it is in their interest alone that I have encouraged volunteers and begun these discussions with you.Cordially,RABBI NORMAN LAMM
Soviet Jewry

Correspondence

Letter from Robert Forman to Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Mr. Schwarzschild: I appreciate your recent letter dealing with the families who were in the Hotel Mayflower in Jersey City. I have called this matter to the attention of NYANA, and am awaiting word from them on this. As you are aware, I am in the process of meeting with NYANA officials in an effort to work out an approach towards the proper use of volunteers. I will be away from my desk for two weeks, but look forward to speaking with you when I return in September. Sincerely, Robert P. Forman
Soviet Jewry