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Correspondence

March 18, 1974

Letter from Abraham Stern to Hans Bachrach about Suggested Themes for Counterpoint Australia (1974)

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Letter from Hans Bachrach to Abraham Stern about Counterpoint Australia Programming (1974)

Dear Hillel, My first name is Hans or Abraham, and I guess we will be seeing each other soon. May I take the liberty of addressing you by your first name, and I hope you will do likewise. It was a particular pleasure to receive your handwritten letter from Chicago, where I hope you enjoyed being with your family. Your writing is clear and I hasten to answer your letter. The intensity of the seminars had been previously communicated to me, and we in Australia had all intentions of dividing the three weeks during which Shalom College is available into three parts. However, owing to difficulties with transport and owing to the fact that there may be great objections to Australian youngsters travelling each way for a full day just to spend four days in the seminar atmosphere, I telephoned Dr. Stern and, after submitting the problem to him, he agreed to reducing the number of seminars in the period to two longer ones. This may also be an advantage, as Australians may take longer to be emotionally involved and to work up enthusiasm.Taking into account various representations which I have received, I now wish to confirm to you that the first seminar will be exactly as you envisaged, except that the departure shall be moved to one day later. This will be balanced by the arrival of the next group one day later, giving you a full 48-hour break, which you requested. In addition, we have planned a full day's outing to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves, a round trip of 150–200 miles. We had thought of this taking place at the end of the seminar, but Ruthie Casin suggested that it may be better to break the seminar activities towards the middle. Please give us your advice and guidance.As the second seminar starts a day later, it will have to continue to Sunday, 21st, when there is no morning train but an evening train. This seminar can also be broken by possibly two day outings. A visit to a performance of the Opera for this group will be out because of the Three Weeks. Howev…
Australia & New Zealand

Correspondence

Letter from Hans Bachrach to Abraham Stern about Booklets for Counterpoint Australia (1974)

By the time this letter arrives I hope you will have enjoyed the Sedarim – and well-earned rest. Meanwhile, we have been rushing things here a lot and I enclose (Prehscar broke) the first copies of the booklet which we have just produced. The symbol 'CP' naturally stands for Counterpoint and the lines indicate ideas which are flowing to and fro as they shall be at the many discussion groups which we are going to have. You will also notice that our motto is engraved on it. It shows that life is precious and the pre-requisite to the carrying out of the tasks ahead. It urges us to make His way our way.It also reminds me of one of the speeches of Rabbi Lamm where he points out that whilst the making of images of God is strictly prohibited, He made us and established us in His image. Our life has to be a reflection of His ideals.By our life we have to show and bear witness to His creation, and through our life we have to aim at realizing His teachings. Only when we value our life and enjoy it with vigour and strength can we carry out the above ideals and serve Him in joy.We are positively instructed to rejoice. We are told not the dead can carry out the tasks, always pointing to the sacredness of life.In the legal prescript, we are directed to push commandments aside to heal the sick. During the Holocaust this principle enabled some to survive and bear witness to that dark period and to thank God for the deliverance and the establishment of our State of Israel.The above is not explained in the leaflet as it has been pointed out that it would be much better to lift the people up to this understanding during the seminars.Continue to enjoy the rest of Passover.Greetings,
Australia & New Zealand

Correspondence

Letter from Hans Bachrach to Abraham Stern about Counterpoint Australia Schedule (1974)

Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Bernan, My wife and I feel remiss not having personally replied to the letter which our friend, Dr. Abe Stern, delivered. However, you will be pleased to hear that, whilst our first inquiries proved negative, one source has been discovered which may yield results. Of course, we are delighted to hear that both of you may be leaving New York a few weeks ahead of the group, and if you could make it so as to arrive earlier than the rest in Australia, I would like to show our gratitude and from there assist you in making a more leisurely start.We suggest the following possible routes:(a) Tel Aviv / Singapore / Jakarta to Melbourne, or(b) Tel Aviv / Hong Kong / Jakarta to Melbourne, or(c) London / Tokyo / Taiwan / Hong Kong to Melbourne.On such a routing, you will be able to make one official stop for a few days, whilst the other stops are technical to make connecting flights. We shall try to see, if possible, that you have 12–24 hours at each place.My wife and I would be delighted to have you stay at our house, and we would be happy having you with us at the centre of Melbourne Jewish activities!Please convey our warmest regards. We look forward to seeing you soon.Yours sincerely,
Australia & New Zealand