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Correspondence

Aug. 8, 1962

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

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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 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.
India

Correspondence

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

Mr. Max Stern received an identical wire from Rabbi Gotthold. The enclosed reply is the result of his reaction. My original version was softer. Rabbi Lamm was, of course, consulted before the first version and the enclosed final form. Dr. Gaon wrote Rabbi Lamm that he heard that neither Rabbi Kushelevaky nor any other rabbi wants to go to India and that he was not successful to move any rabbi to join Rabbi Gotthold. This explains the reference to the London report in the reply to Rabbi Gotthold.
India