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Correspondence

July 11, 1963

Letter from Dr. Weiss to Moses Feuerstein about Reluctance of Israeli Rabbis to Join India Trip (1963)

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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
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Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Charles Weinberg about the Visit of Israeli Rabbis to India (1963)

Dear Rabbi Weinberg: Yesterday evening, Mr. Max Stern returned to New York, having spent some time in Israel. While there, he put in a great deal of work on India and arranged for Rabbi Gotthold to go to India for a period of six months. He also arranged that an Israeli Rav would go to India for a shorter period, to take care of Gittin, etc. Rabbi Laces told me that Mr. Stern would give him within the next few days a memorandum on all these arrangements. Upon receipt of this memorandum, we must of course advise the UOJCI of the impending visits and make sure that they cooperate. While the inclination of the Bane Israel is to be suspiciously hostile to Israeli representatives, I personally feel that their attitude will undergo a change for two reasons. Firstly, the very fact that visitors come instead of their being treated and judged in absentia will show them that there is a positive attitude. Secondly, since these arrangements were initiated by the Chairman of our Overseas Commission, of whose sympathy and cooperation they are so deeply aware, the rejection of these visitors would disturb the relations between the UOJCI and us. I do not think they would want that to happen.Under the present circumstances, though, it appears that a visit from here, and especially one of so short a duration, would not be advisable. This is the opinion of Rabbi Lamm and Mr. Stern, in which I concur. Let me add that I see great purpose for a visit of at least four weeks, to coincide with the first few weeks Rabbi Gotthold will be in India. When you will peruse the correspondence I gave you, the reasons will be surely quite obvious to you.Thanking you very much for your cooperation and willingness to give us again so much of your energy and time, I amWith kindest personal regards and warmest Shabbos wishes,Very sincerely yours,DR. SAMSON R. WEISSSRW/sdRabbi Charles Weinberg35 Lillian RoadMalden 48, Mass.
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Correspondence

Letter to Moses Feuerstein about the Visit of Israeli Rabbis and Delicate Situation in India (1963)

Dear Moe: I did not want to call you personally about the Indian situation, as you had requested of me, until you read the enclosed letter, as well as the photocopy of Jhirad’s letter of the same date to Dr. Weiss, which the latter is sending to you. I think that the situation is extremely delicate, and threatens to deteriorate unless someone with a strong hand is present on the spot when the Israeli Rabbis arrive. I am not going to answer this letter until you have called re and we shall core to some decision. Please don't hesitate. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm
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