Letter from Baruch Litvin about Tradition Article on Mixed Pews (1958)

The Mount Clemens case involved a synagogue in Michigan where a dispute arose over the installation of separate pews for men and women. Baruch Litvin, a lay leader in the community, spearheaded the effort to uphold traditional synagogue seating, ultimately bringing the case to the Michigan Supreme Court. The case drew national attention.

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Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein on Separate Pews (1958)

My dear Norman: Thank you very much for sending me the address that you delivered before your Sisterhood, entitled "Separate Pews – A Mark of Jewish Dignity." I read it with a great deal of interest, and so did Haskel. I want to compliment you on a beautiful presentation on a forthright and courageous statement and on a scholarly treatment of the subject. In spite of the apparent scholarship, you nevertheless managed to make it sufficiently popular, so that a group of average lay people could understand it. It is one of the finest statements on the subject that I have read. Congratulations.Very cordially yours,Joseph H. Lookstein

Separate Pews

Letter from R. Fabian Schonfeld to Rabbinic Alumni about Lecture on Mixed Pews (1959)

Dear Friend: On February 19, 1959, there will be an Executive Committee meeting of the Yeshiva University Rabbinic Alumni at 10 A.M. in Klein Hall. Following this meeting, we will have the pleasure of listening to our distinguished colleague, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Associate Rabbi of The Jewish Center, who will speak to us on "The Orthodox Position on Family Pews: Interpreting it to the Laity." If you remember, we had originally scheduled Rabbi Lamm’s paper to be read at our last annual Convention in Lakewood. Since, however, Rabbi Lamm was unable to attend, we had postponed his lecture until further notice. We are now very happy to be able to enjoy Rabbi Lamm’s address at our next executive meeting.In accordance with our resolution passed at the Convention, we are engaging on an enlarged schedule cultural programs for this coming year. One of the resolutions called upon the Rabbinic Alumni to arrange various work-shops and seminars in the field of Practical Rabbinics. As a result, I am happy to inform you that arrangements have been made for us to visit the 999 Real Kosher Sausage Co., on 15 Rivington Street, New York City, on Monday, February 9, 19590 Incidentally the factory is owned by Rabbi David H. Hill, an alumnus of our Yeshiva.This visit will commence at 10 A.M, and we will have an opportunity to watch the preparation of meats in accordance with Halachic requirements-. We assure you that you will find this most enlightening, and an experience which will be worth your while in the field of Kashruth. Please be good enough to fill out the enclosed card indicating your intention to be present.Very sincerely yours,RABBI FABIAN SCHONFELD, Chairman CULTURAL PROGRAM

Separate Pews

Letter from R. Haskel Lookstein on Separate Pews (1958)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Thank you very much for your congratulations and wonderful wishes. It was really very nice of you to have taken the time to express them. By the way, my father showed me your speech on mixed pews (not in mixed pews) and I thought it was literally out of this world – in the right direction, of course. I read it, reread it, tried to memorize the arguments, and then put it in my file cabinet in case I shood forget its contents. I think that it is far and away the best treatment I have seen or heard on the subject. Congratulations! I hope you can keep doing this sort of work. It’s really excellent, Sincerely, Haskel. Regards to the rebbetzin

Separate Pews