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Correspondence

March 9, 1961

Letter from Abraham Jhirad to R. Gotthold about Indian Students Studying in Israel (1961)

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Correspondence

Letter from Abraham Jhirad about the English Rabbinate Visit to India and Chazan Expenses (1963)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I thank you for your letter of 24th December, which I found awaiting me on my return from Cochin. I discussed your letter with Mr. Kellman yesterday. He has already written to you in the matter. I personally do not expect that the English Rabbinate could help us much. It would definitely be an important matter if Rabbi Silas came on behalf of the English Rabbinate. I am sure he would be able to achieve much. I have not written to Rabbi Silas as yet. I am thinking about it.Though you feel that financial matters may be best left for last in this case, the point is what can I offer him. If the Fort Synagogue had the money, I would not hesitate. The present Hazan is drawing Rs 320/- and there has been a deficit in the last two years. Notwithstanding that, I have suggested Rs 800/- and I do not see how to raise the figure. Rs 800/- at the commencement may possibly be Rs 1000/- after some time, but this will not help as it seems he needs Rs 1800/- to maintain his position.I shall be glad to hear of Haham Gaon's feeling in the matter, and your meeting with the Overseas Commission of the U.O.J.C.A. In the meantime, if we decide on anything new, I shall write and tell you.With our warm regards and all good wishes,Yours sincerely,
India

Correspondence

Letter from Abraham Jhirad to Dr. Weiss about R. Gotthold's India Visit and Relationship with OU (1963)

Dear Dr. Weiss, Your letter of July 3 together with the cheque for $500.00 was delivered to me on Sunday the 14th, at a time when we were intrigued about the prolonged silence. The official receipt will be forwarded as soon as I have the Bank's confirmation. I shall endeavour to the best of my ability to make as detailed a report on the activities of Rabbi Gotthold as possible. I do not want to be misunderstood when I say that Rabbi Gotthold has so far carried on most of his business independent of the Union. Right from the date of arrival, (even the arrival was not intimated to us in advance) the Union Officers seem to have been allocated the insignificant part of silent watchers. He could not be received/welcomed as were the other dignitaries, nor conducted any place excepting a few Synagogues, where he attended either the Sabbath eve or Shaharith services and delivered sermons. He has dealt with a few cases of divorce and conversion, but who referred the cases to him or who were the parties involved, we have no knowledge. The cases from Bombay, Thana, Poona and Ahmedabad were mostly of those persons, who were registered to immigrate to Israel and were recommended by the Jewish Agency through the Synagogues (all conservative except Ahmedabad) or the individuals concerned. A lecture arranged by the Jewish Women's Council at the Jewish Club and a series of lectures (of which the first was scheduled at MIS) by the Torah and Hebrew Education Sub-Committee of the Bombay Zionist Association had to be cancelled at the last minute because, it is understood that the Consul-General for Israel instructed the Rabbi not to make any Public appearances, even at Synagogues.When Mr. Penkar and I met the Rabbi for the first time, we had communicated Rabbi Lamm's desire that the Union should have a Lay Beth Din formed. He could instruct the members of the Beth-Din in the right way to deal with religious problems, especially conversion and divorce, to train a good sopher in the hala…
India

Correspondence

Letter to Abraham Jhirad about R. Herschel Schacter's Visit to India (1964)

Dear Abraham: I am writing this letter in a purely personal capacity (because, in the official organizational sense there is so very much to be said). A dear friend of mine and a very distinguished rabbinical leader, Rabbi Herschel Schacter and his wife, will be arriving in Bombay on Friday January 31st (9:15 A.M., AZ 768) and staying until Sunday February 2nd at 6:00 P.M. Because I suspect that they will be staying at the Taj Mahal, I have asked Mr. Manasseh to arrange for the Rabbi’s Shabbat meals, since Mr. Manasseh is closest to the hotel. I wonder if it will be possible for you to obtain the services of some young person (someone who has a car at his disposal will certainly be welcome) who will guide the Rabbi and his wife through some of the more interesting parts of Bombay, most especially things that are of Jewish historical interest. At the same time, it would be good to give Rabbi Schacter a brief, concise, but thorough report on the problems at present pressing on the community, especially the Bene Israel. While he will not have time for any conclusive action, nevertheless he is a man of very wide and profound experience, and it certainly will be worthwhile consulting with him. I am sure that the women will also find Mrs. Schacter to be most charming. Because we are not yet completely sure of whether or not Rabbi and Mrs. Schacter have succeeded in getting reservations at the Taj Mahal, I have asked him to write to you directly, as soon as he has confirmed his hotel reservations. I know that I can count on you to find someone qualified to assist the Rabbi and his wife during their brief stay in Bombay. My fondest regards to Mr. Penkar and all my dear friends in Bombay. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.
India