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Correspondence

June 14, 1961

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

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Letter from R. Charles Weinberg to Dr. Weiss about Conditions in the Indian Jewish Community (1960)

My Dear Dr. Weiss: I am here now three days. I can’t begin to tell you the story of India, I could already fill volumes. I am somewhat depressed by the general scene in Bombay, but the Jewish community is a very painful experience to behold. They are really a darling community. Enthusiastic, warm and possessed with a tremendous thirst for knowledge. Since I have arrived I have been working 18 hours a day. I have had about six committee meetings, 4 private sessions and I delivered lectures at 4 public gatherings. Thank G-d in the public gatherings I have made quite an impression on them. In the private meetings and committee sessions, and they are long, I am attempting to lay the ground work for a formal organization of a U.O.J.C.I. I have brought together the Iraqi leadership and the B’nai Israel and thank G-d succeeded in having them agree to a Union which will take in the Iraqi congregations and the B’nai Israel. Also a council of 5 men will be established to whom all matters involving ? and מקוה will be referred for them to contact either the Rabbinate of Israel, or the Chief Rabbinate of England or us in America.So far 9 congregations have agreed to join representing about 10,000 of Bombay’s 15,000 Jews. One of Mr. Benjamin’s friends attended one of my lectures and when it was through he said "it looks as though you have begun to scrap the United Synagogues of India". If these congregations go through with what we have planned Mr. Benjamin will be left with a few small prayer halls.Now comes the real problem. These people are suffering of the worst poverty I have ever seen. Families of 7 and 8 live in one room. It’s simply heartbreaking. Religiously they are very enthusiastic but are completely ignorant. It’s a terrible situation. We must find someone at least a teacher to come over here, at all costs, this is a real need. 15,000 Jews without a rabbi and without a teacher.To combat the influence of the Conservatives and Reform, we must help them organize and th…
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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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Letter from Dr. Weiss to Haham Gaon Suggesting Use of Sassoon Funds to Maintain Israeli Rabbis in India (1963)

Urgent to ascertain possibility of Sassoon funds and similar Indian funds participating in project by maintaining Rabbis in India. Shall appreciate early reply. Regards. Weiss
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