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Correspondence

March 18, 1963

Letter from Dr. Weiss to Haham Gaon Suggesting Use of Sassoon Funds to Maintain Israeli Rabbis in India (1963)

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Letter from Dr. Weiss to Saul Penkar and Abraham Jhirad about Requisitions for Indian Jewry (1961)

Gentlemen: Various circumstances prevented me from replying to your communications, directed to Rabbi Lamm on May 7th and to Mr. Feuerstein on May 12th, as well as to myself on April 13th. I assure you, though, that Mr. Feuerstein and I have been in constant contact with Rabbi Lamm who has conducted so intensive a correspondence with our friends in India. First let me report to you on the materials mailed to the UOJCI as of today, in keeping with your letter to Rabbi Lamm. You will receive, directly from the Hebrew Publishing Company of New York, the following: 20 copies of the Chumash in Hebrew with English translation 10 copies of the Code of Jewish Law (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch) in the Hebrew original 10 copies of the same in English translation 1 set of the same, in 4 volumes, Hebrew with English translation (this set, I thought, might be advantageous for the instructor) We are furthermore shipping to you the following:20 copies each of our Handbooks on Yamim Noraim, Pesach, Purim and Chanukah.100 copies each of our Festival Series on Chanukah, the High Holy Days. Poaeeh, Moim. Sukkoth and Shavuoth, (The Handbooks are designed for leaders and instructors. The Festival Series is for distribution to the membership.)500 copies of Essentials of Judaism 100 copies of our Guidebook on Kashruth 100 copies of our booklet on prayer 100 copies on the Kaddish 100 copies of our booklet on Brit Milah 10 manuals on the organisation of synagogue youth 20 manuals on teenage activities 20 manuals on organising a synagogue youth council 20 Shabbat manuals for youth groups We are further sending you, courtesy of the Rabbinical Council of America:105 copies of Marriage and Home (this booklet also contains a fine section on kashruth in the home) 1 RCA Sermon Manual, 1959 edition 1 RCA Sermon Manual, 1960 edition 3 copies of Tradition, latest issue We are furthermore mailing you 10 copies of each volume of the “Pray and Learn” children’s book series published by our Women’s Branch.I re…
India

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Sassoon about Finding Rabbi for Indian Community (1961)

Dear Rabbi Sassoon: Thank you for your letter of May 8th which was acknowledged, in my absence, by Mr. Bernstein. We are trying very hard to find a rabbi who could serve the Indian Jewish community for at least one consecutive year. Neither Rabbi Lamm nor Rabbi Weinberg who visited India last year, could possibly undertake to absent themselves from their respective positions for even six months. We are expecting added information on a candidate presently residing in Israel who has done a great deal of work with members of the Bene Israel who have immigrated to Israel.A great deal of correspondence wont on concerning the Joint and its representative Mr. Gilbert and the position he seems to have taken contrary to the wishes of Mr. Manasseh. Dr. Jung is fully aware of the complications and Rabbi Lamm, too, has written in this matter extensively to both, Mr. Manasseh and Mr. Gilbert.You will be happy to learn that the first UOJCA scholarship student has arrived in Yerushalayim where he will be studing at the Kol Yisrael Yeshiva. Three more students are expected and I understand that at least one of them will study at Porat Yosef.As soon as new developments occur, I shall certainly inform you. In the meantime, please accept once more my thanks for your good advice and your cooperation.With kindest personal regards and all good wishes, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. Weiss Executive Vice PresidentRabbi S. D. Sassoon 15, Sollershott East Letchworth, Herts,England
India

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to Mr. Kelman about Sending a Rabbi to India (1962)

Dear Mr. Kalman: Thank you for sending me the copy of your letter to Rabbi Norman Lamm, dated July 27, 1962. Rabbi Lamm and I discussed the subject matter of your communication and, since Rabbi Lamm is still on his vacation, I take the liberty of replying. We are most hesitant to agree to a procedure which would involve the collection of funds by an individual for the purpose of sending a rabbi to India. The reasons are obvious and even under the best of circumstances, the choice of the rabbi and his future relations to the responsible organs of the Jewish community would be open to grave questions. We agree, therefore, wholeheartedly to your suggestion to Mr. Menashe not to write to Rabbi Halberstein.To the best of our information, Chief Rabbi Nissim is presently not inclined to send a rabbi to India. His feelings have been understandably bruised by the violent attacks directed against him by some members of the Bene Israel community in recent months. Still, we believe, people close to him should impress upon him that the situation calls not so much for the in principle very justified protection of the dignity and authority of the Chief Rabbi and the Chief Rabbinate, but for a great deal of forbearance and statesmanship.Possibly the plan you outline in your previous communication to the effect that a qualified rabbi be sent periodically to India, for one or two months twice a year, to take care of Gittin and kindred problems, would be acceptable to Chief Rabbi Nissim. The Orthodox Union, through its Joint Overseas Commission, would, of course, cooperate financially.With kindest regards and all good wishes, in behalf of Rabbi Lamm, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. WeissExecutive Vice PresidentMr. I. KalmanThe Jewish AgencyP.O.B. 1979Bombay 1, INDIA
India