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Correspondence

Jan. 29, 1962

Letter from Dr. Tartakower to Saul Penkar about Bene Israel and Training a Rabbi for India (1962)

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Letter to Moses Feuerstein about the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Moe: Concerning the [redacted] fiasco, I had spoken to Rabbi Kahaneman at least twice. I very much fear that the situation is beyond his control at this point. Rabbi [redacted] has already agreed to the "Heter." The problem is the circumstances under which this was done. I think that Dr. Weiss can enlighten you more in the discouraging aspects of the case. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm
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Letter from Saul Penkar to Dr. Weiss about the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Marriage with Bene Israel (1962)

Dear Dr. Weiss, Enclosed with this are one copy each of the following reports: (1) Budgetary Statement; (2) Receipt and Payment Account for the year ended 1961; (3) Report from Mr. Grossman about the classes; (4) The official receipt for Rs. 500.00. The year 1961 shows a surplus of Rs. 629/-, but if the amounts earmarked for the salary of the Hazzan of the Poona Synagogue, Rs. 1125/- collected for the students of the Bene Israel Yeshiva, and Rs. 53/- collected for the Hevra Kadisha Fund of the Congregation are deducted, it will be seen that there is actually a deficit of Rs. 1212/-.The salary for the classes for the period of July to December 1961 is still outstanding. Our contribution to the camp project remains Rs. 162/-.We are, therefore, left with a small balance of Rs. 500/- in our account, and feel confident that we should be able to collect some more once a meeting with Mr. Grossman can be organized. It may be possible to do so as soon as the weather permits.The classes are held regularly, and the students are taught how to read Hebrew and about Jewish laws and customs. They also sing songs and have discussions about religious topics. This is to replace Oneg Shabbath activities, as Mr. Grossman stays very far from the Synagogues. Similar meetings are being held in other Congregations after the Mincha services.We are grateful to Rabbi Lamm for the most generous offer of a knitting mill here. We shall work hard at it, and by the grace of the Almighty, we shall be able to start something very soon.Rabbi Lamm gave me to understand that my request about books, etc., has been forwarded to you.Mr. Grossman was not very communicative about the students whose travel expenses are to be borne by the JCA. Has the JCA stipulated any conditions for having undertaken to bear the expenses? We would very much like to use some of the Agency teachers in the rural areas.More in my next.With kindest regards,Sincerely yours,(A.D. JHIRAD)EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDr. S.H. WeissExecutive V…
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Letter to Dr. Weiss about the OU's Attitude Towards the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Bene Israel and Sending a Rabbi to India (1962)

Dear Dr. Weiss: (1) The enclosed copy is for your records.(2) Your letter to Jhirad was most appropriate. To say that I am dismayed by the information he has sent us from Bombay is an understatement. (3) I have before me the letter to you of April 22nd from Dr. Tartakower. Basically, I think he is right. The “p’sak” by the Chief Rabbi has been given and, as you so well put it, “gazetted.” The problem of the controversy that remains would come into consideration, possibly, if the Union were called upon to officiate at a wedding or openly declare its position. However, this is not the case. All that we are asked to do is to participate in the budget for sending a qualified Rabbi to India. We ought to have sufficient confidence in the Chief Rabbi to do at least this. Frankly, from Jhirad’s letters, from the apparent deterioration in the situation in Bombay, and from information from other sources, the situation is most acute, and nothing less than sending a Rabbi now—not three years hence—will be an adequate solution.To my mind, we ought to inform Dr. Tartakower that we agree in principle, but that the exact nature of our budgetary commitment is as yet undetermined. The Overseas Commission should then make a decision in the matter.Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL\:ffEnd.
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