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Correspondence

Sep. 11, 1971

Letter from Dr. Tropper with Updates about Gesher (1971)

Gesher Israel
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Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Tropper about Gesher Magazine and Seminars (1971)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Enclosed are a few copies of our new magazine, Keshet B’Anan. Designed to maintain closer contact with our seminarians and participants in the chugim, and to broaden our base among high school youth, this magazine is the first to include both dati and lo-dati youth on its editorial board and to be geared to all Israeli youth. We printed 1500 of the first issue and are distributing them to all Israeli high schools. In reference to your letter to the Prime Minister: I’ve scheduled an appointment with Dr. Burg for next week, will discuss the matter with him, and will keep you informed. It is indeed a long shot, but, then again, one of these long shots are bound to come through. At your suggestion, I’ve taken an interest in the "hippie kibbutz" Kedma, and we are helping to get them started. My experiences there have been, to say the very least, different! I see a great future for them, if they can overcome the initial hurdles which the Agency is placing in their way. I've arranged for shiurim, for a rotating sy^yem among the Americans at Kerem B’Yavne to spend Shabbat there and conduct services, etc. As a matter of fact, the Mandels offered me the position of rabbi, but it’s not quite the sort of "shtele" I'm interested in... Our next youth seminar will be held Choi Hamoed Pesach, and registration is extremely high. Our limit of fifty youngsters will probably compel us to reject at least a similar number. Projected deficit: $1000. Best regards to Mindy and the children. Sincerely, Danny
Gesher Israel

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Tropper about Gesher Programming and New Campus (1971)

Dear All, Its been a while since I've written and seen cabinet members and I have quite a bit to report: 1. On Monday Yaakov, Chanan, a few selected madrichim and I sat down for a six hour meeting (to be continued this Tuesday) reviewing the summer seminars and planning coming steps. It was a very healthy and important meeting and a few small but significant changes will be made in the future seminars as a result. 2. On Friday we met once again with the architect Shaked. All final changes were made and now he's beginning the drawing. Since Moshko is still in England and a final choice of a site cannot be made, Shaked will not draw the exact institution but something more or less similar to what he has in mind. Should be ready in 2 weeks. 3. Now a very important item: There have been two developments which have greatly combined to point a slightly new, but very exciting direction for Gesher: a) We have spoken of Gesher thusfar as a program to foster unity within Israel, with the stress on the dati-lo dati problem. However, in recent months the Sefardic-Ashkenazic scism, or better the economic class differences which run roughly along "racial" lines has erupted into a major crisis. Now this issue is very interrelated with the dati problem for many reasons and you can no more speak of unity while ignoring this issue. In addition, a great deal of $$ is being allocated, fer and in long range terms a great more will be, for work in this area. We must get involved. b) Gesher was formed to change attitudes. Theoretically, it would be better to run scores of seminars, each time for new people, however, the seminar kids refuse to let us do this. In 2 recent meetings with the kids we have heard bitter cries that we are ignoring the veterans in favor of expansion. Their claim is that we cannot ignite a new dimension in their life and immediately abandon them. They are right. Willy-nilly, like it or not, Gesher is slowly developing into a youth movement on the line of NCSY. How…
Gesher Israel

Correspondence

Letter to Dr. Tropper about Recruiting for Gesher (1972)

Dear Danny: It was good seeing you at the King David Hotel shortly before I left. I wonder if you had the opportunity to proceed along the lines we discussed, and what if any the results have been. I have not talked to Chaim yet, and I do not even know if he is in the country. Meanwhile, a thought occurred to me. While I was in Jerusalem, I met an old friend of mine whom I had first met in Johannesburg. He is a man who once studied in Yeshiva, is proud of his background, and even though he is still very far from an observant Jew, he is nevertheless very active in the Johannesburg synagogue. (That is the one where Solomon Fouks had been the rabbi.) I have a feeling that this man, Archie Peck, is just the sort of man who would be interested in Gesher. I believe it would be good if you indicate that someone from South Africa who knew me is willing to lend his name as a reference and that you can write to Peck at his Johannesburg address. In doing so, please mention my name and affiliation with Gesher. He is a very, very wealthy man, and he should be used. His address is P.O. Box 6060, Johannesburg. If you cannot find such a person, let me know and I will decide whether you should use my name directly. I trust that Weingarten’s ad in the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz had a salutary effect. All best regards to your wife. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm
Gesher Israel