Letter from Dr. Michael Wyschogrod to R. Lamm about Centrist Orthodoxy Essay (1988)

Philosopher Michael Wyschogrod emphasized the centrality of the Jewish people’s covenantal relationship with God, the significance of the physical in Jewish theology, and the role of divine election, particularly in his major work, The Body of Faith.

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Letter from Marcel Lindenbaum about Self-Confidence and Centrist Orthodoxy (1988)

Dear Rabbi Lamm: I know that for many years your title has been Dr. Lamm, but to me you will always be Rabbi Lamm; my fond recollections of you as Rabbi will always take precedence over your presidential title. I read the New York Times summary of your recent talk at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue and am sorry I missed it, especially since I know how little similarity there often is between what the Times hears and what it reports. I would much appreciate receiving a copy of your address. At the recent YU dinner sponsored by KJ in honor of Jean Lindenbaum, you made reference to “Centrist Judaism, whatever you call it.” I know many have spoken to you about the need for YU to lead the way toward greater independence from the opinions of the right. No institution is better suited and no leader better qualified to become the nucleus for the development of a positive philosophy for this battered group. Such a philosophy would be a welcome change from the constant reflexive responses to pressure from right and left. Without a positive philosophy and the self-confidence that comes from true knowledge of self, we are doomed to continue looking over our right shoulders and mouthing apologetics. In my opinion, this lack of self-confidence is why the younger generation seems to be drifting rightward. The future is not necessarily with the right unless we abandon it to them. I have the distinct impression that those who would agree with me are becoming increasingly uncomfortable as discouragement replaces hope; while we have been losing many to the right, we risk losing some to the left as well. I do not intend here to repeat matters you have no doubt struggled with at length, but I wish to point out that a movement or philosophy with no name cannot be called a movement. I, for one, would vote for “Halachic Judaism” rather than “Centrist.” The definition and philosophy must be articulated by you together with other leaders. I would be pleased to join others in giving major support…

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Letter from R. Jakob Petuchowski about Centrist Orthodoxy (1988)

Dear Dr. Lamm: Although we have met personally only once, at one of the institutes arranged by David Hartman, I have long been an admirer of your writings in both Tradition and Moment. The favorable impression I have gained from your writings has now been greatly reinforced by reading the draft of your “Centrist Orthodoxy.” Thank you for sending it to me. First of all, let me tell you that I like the spirit of ahavat Yisrael in which that pamphlet is written. I like the call for moderation and the cooling of tempers. And I like your way of defining Centrist Orthodoxy per genus et differentiam. The spirit of your presentation reminded me somewhat of the atmosphere of Torah im derekh eretz, in which I had been brought up in Berlin. Could I engage in some nit-picking arguments with what you have to say? I suppose I could. Right as you are in saying that “Torah Judaism” is a redundancy, “for what is Judaism if not Torah?,” I feel somewhat uneasy about having any one group within Judaism lay a monopolistic claim to that name. Granted that Conservative Judaism, for example, is subject to the kind of criticism you level against it, I would argue that, even within Conservative ranks, there have been – and are – some believers in, and practitioners of, “Torah Judaism.” And hard as those believers and practitioners may be to find within the organizational structure of Reform Judaism, I would argue that, if you look hard enough, you might find one or two even there. The recently deceased Rabbi William G. Braude z”l of Providence, Rhode Island, could certainly be considered as such. But then, I understand that it is in the nature of any orthodoxy to make monopolistic claims; and as long as such claims have to be made, it is better to hear them expressed with your kind of derekh eretz than hurled in the strident voice of self-righteousness. It is certainly kind of you to inquire whether you reported my opinions correctly. On the whole, you did, although in my JRJ article I did …

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Letter from R. Schonfeld about the Label of "Centrist Orthodoxy" and Validity of Religious Leaders (1988)

Dear Norman: Please forgive the delay in responding to your communication regarding the address you delivered at the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. I had been out of the country, as had you, but I trust it is not too late to offer the following comments. I cannot disagree with the substance of your thinking and I share many of the sentiments expressed. I do, however, feel compelled to raise two points. First, and most importantly, by using the adjective “Centrist” we risk giving the impression that we are less committed to Torah, or less enthusiastic, than those perceived as being to our right. I emphatically deny this is so. There may be different approaches to the goal of Torah living, but each is fully legitimate. In my recent sermon at the OU Retreat I emphasized this point strongly. By referring to ourselves as “Centrist” we imply that we are somehow on a lower level of observance, which is not true. If what we do is within the framework of halakha, then terms like left, right, or Centrist make little difference; what matters is legitimacy and commitment. My second point relates to your description of Conservative and Reform rabbis as valid religious leaders though not legitimate. To the ordinary person, such a distinction has little meaning, and I do not believe we ought to say that they are “valid” at all. If what we mean is that, pragmatically, they are perceived by their congregations as leaders, then we should find a way to express this without ascribing any religious validity. From my perspective they are not valid, even though I meet with them, talk with them, and at times agree with them in certain areas of Jewish life, especially as described by the Rav in his guidelines. Other than these points, I believe you have expressed my feelings beautifully and adequately, and I hope you will not be unduly disturbed by the recent attacks on you in some columns of the Anglo-Jewish press. With kindest regards, most sincerely, Fabian Schonfeld.

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