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July 3, 2013

Letter from Ambassador Yehuda Avner about R. Lamm's Retirement (2013)

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Exchange with Yehuda Avner about R. Lamm's Retirement (2013)

My Dear Norman, I have shared your letter with all my children and grandchildren so that they should know the authentic meaning of Torah Umada in its most noble sense. What you write is expressive of your profound scholarship as a life-long talmid muvhak of the Rav – no frills, no superfluities, no flourishes – simply an expression of your deep religious sincerity, unyielding intellectual honesty, unshakeable moral certitude, and unflinching integrity. Jingoistic journalists have no patience for such matters. They pounce on this and that, using words that quickly fade into oblivion. Yours have an eternal ring to them. Wittingly or not you have written a testimony about a lifelong journey that is so spiritually challenging and so intellectually stimulating that it now belongs to the ages. You have fulfilled your promise to the Rav, and in so doing have ennobled the lives of untold thousands, mine among them. Your everlasting friend, Yehuda (Gubby).
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Letter from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about R. Lamm's Retirement from YU Presidency (2001)

Dear Friends: I am delighted to send greetings on the occasion of your celebration of Rabbi Norman Lamm’s 25 years of distinguished service. His impact on American Jewry and Orthodox Judaism throughout the world is immeasurable. As President of Yeshiva University and Rosh Yeshiva and President of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Rabbi Lamm has been at the forefront of every major issue facing Judaism. His intellect, erudition, and integrity have helped shape Modern Orthodoxy. He is a man of vision who has helped instill Jewish and democratic values in the students of YU. Under his leadership YU has enjoyed a warm, close, and mutually supportive relationship with the State of Israel. I wish Rabbi Lamm much success on his well-deserved retirement and am pleased that he will continue to be actively involved. YU makes a very important contribution to the State of Israel, as many Yeshiva University graduates – from all schools and disciplines – make their home in Israel. Their knowledge, expertise, and commitment help us build the Jewish State. Please convey my congratulations to Rabbi Lamm. We are all grateful for his important contribution to Judaism. Sincerely, Ariel Sharon – Mr. Ludwig Bravmann, Dinner Chairman – Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary – Yeshiva University – 500 West 185th Street – New York, NY 10033 – U.S.A. – Jerusalem, Israel
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Letter from R. Konovitch about R. Lamm's Retirement (2013)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, On the occasion of your retirement from your duties as President and Dean of Yeshiva University I wish you “gezunt,” strength and fortitude as you go forward into the next chapter of your extraordinary career. I believe that I was in the first class that you taught at Yeshiva. It was in Teacher’s Institute in 1955 and it was a class in Jewish philosophy. You were a young man, a newly minted PhD. and I was a novice teenager in my first year of studies. You were so erudite, self-assured, and polished – I was so impressed. The next decades saw you rise to the helm of our Yeshiva. You literally saved the University from financial ruin and you salvaged “Torah U’Mada” learning for the future generations of scholars to be. There is no way that the modern orthodox community can adequately thank you. Rest assured that this is your legacy forever. Why? Because we, your talmidim, say so. Best wishes and blessings for the New Year, a year of health, creativity and peace, from myself, my wife Aileen and from the entire Konovitch family, of the yeshiva, and graduates of the University schools. Rabbi Barry J. Konovitch
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