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Correspondence

Oct. 14, 1963

Letter from Dr. Rosenfeld to R. Lapin about Lecture to Orthodox Jewish Scientists in South Africa (1963)

Torah & Science South Africa
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Correspondence

Exchange with R. Lapin about Invitation to Speak at Synagogue and Organizing Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists in South Africa (1963)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Dr. Azriel Rosenfeld has probably told you that he has written to me and mentioned your name with regard to the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists. Needless to say, you are very well-known to me through your writings and the Rabbinical work you have done, and your many achievements. The real purpose of this letter is to tell you how very pleased my wife and I are about your impending visit. I have already spoken to the South African Jewish Board of Education asking them to make arrangements for you to preach at my Synagogue and to spend Friday night and Shabbat with us in our home. It will be a very great honour and privilege for us to have you, and I have a very satisfying suspicion that you will enjoy preaching in my Synagogue. The attendance is an excellent one, and those who come to Synagogue are of a high intellectual standard. I would also like to make arrangements for certain of our members to meet you. I hope that providing the South African Jewish Board of Education is agreeable to this arrangement that it also meets with your approval. In the meantime, if there is anything at all that I can do for you here please do not fail to ask me. I shall be only too happy to be of some assistance to so distinguished a guest. Kind regards, and very best wishes for a happy journey and safe landing in South Africa. Sincerely yours, [Signature]
South Africa

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Lapin about Orthodox Jewish Scientists in South Africa (1964)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I am very sorry that I did not reply earlier to your letter but I was waiting until I had more definite information. I have been trying very hard to arrange this group of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, and it is turning out even better than I anticipated. We should have about twenty-five people in all, and a couple of them are really top men in their field. One of them has an international reputation for his work in a particular field of Gynecology. For the time being at least I have excluded lawyers, accountants and any teachers. I have made it a very strict rule that only those who observe the Sabbath strictly and eat only Kosher are eligible for membership. All these people have been interested. I am meeting a representative of the Board of Education within the next two days to decide on a definite date for the first meeting which will take place in my home and will give us an opportunity to launch this Society. After your arrival I hope I shall still have a chance of discussing one or two details with regard to our official affiliation to the Society of America. I wish you to know, dear Rabbi Lamm, that I am placing myself completely at your disposal in every way, and I and my wife wish you to know that our home is open to you at any time, and if there is anything you require we shall be only too pleased to be of any assistance, and very sincerely put ourselves at your disposal in any way. I hope that you might render me, of course, available to you at any time. If there is anything that I can do for you before your arrival please let me know. We are all still very concerned about our colleague, Rabbi Dr. M. Kossowsky, who has been so desperately ill. Prayers are being said for him, not only here but also in Israel and I understand in Cleveland. The last few days there has been a very slight improvement for which we are most grateful. Please do remember me to Rabbi Samson R. Weiss. Kindest regards to you and also to the members of your family, in…
Torah & Science South Africa

Correspondence

Letter to H.S. Liebgott about Representing Torah Judaism in South Africa (1964)

Dear Mr. Liebgott: Now that I have begun to return to my usual routine here in New York, I want to let you know how deeply grateful I am to you for the friendship you have shown me during my stay in Africa, as well as for acting in the role of "shadchan" and thereby being instrumental in effecting my visit. It is obvious to anyone who bothers to acquaint himself with the situation in South Africa that you are indeed a key man in keeping the cause of Torah alive in this wonderful Jewish community. I must express to you my admiration for the fact that you have so vividly and genuinely fulfilled the maxim of our Rabbis, that "where there are no men, you must try to be a man." I know and trust that with your discretion and good sense, you will continue to pursue the causes that unite us with a great deal of zeal and dedication, together with those others who are, as I mentioned to you, the true "neturei Karta" -- the guardians of the walls of Judaism. Meanwhile, I have been in contact with Rabbi Rosenfeld about your request to recommend possible substitutes for Prof. Edar. As soon as I shall have an opportunity, if Rabbi Rosenfeld consents to release his Australian contacts, I shall mail it on to you. If there is anything I can do for you from afar, please do not hesitate to call upon me. Finally, please convey my very best wishes to Mrs. Liebgott and to your daughter, and please give my very best to all our friends in Johannesburg. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
South Africa