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Correspondence

July 1, 1969

Letter from I.J. Kagan about "The Arrogance of Modernism" (1969)

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Letter from R. Dobrinsky about Lecture on "The Responsible Layman and His Sense of Destiny" (1966)

Dear Norman: I take this opportunity to express the sincerest thanks and appreciation of C.S.D. of Yeshiva University and our colleagues of the Queens-Nassau Yeshiva University Rabbinic Alumni region for the outstanding manner in which you opened our Adult Education Seminar for synagogue leaders on February 7th, 1966 held at Temple Beth El in Long Beach, New York. Your talk on "The Responsible Layman and his Sense of Destiny" was truly beautiful both in content and delivery. It reflected upon a responsible rabbi who loves his calling and who understands his role and the role of those with whom he works in the upbuilding of Torah life.I have heard many comments from rabbis whose balle-battim attended and during the social mingling of the coffee hour from the laymen themselves, all of whom expressed profound admiration and appreciation for your insights and instruction.Unfortunately, my heavy schedule of field visits and being out of the office so much delayed my conveying to you our thanks. However, this time lapse did afford me the opportunity to hear from more and more people of how impressed and inspired they were by your presentation.I hope that our series will continue to reflect the high tone of intellectually stimulating and inspirational material which emerged from your talk.With warmest personal regards and every good wish for you and your lovely family, I remain.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Herbert C. KecineteyDirector, Rabbinic Placement
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Letter to Stephen Stulman about Differences Between the Old and New Generations (1967)

Dear Steve: Thanks for the copy of your letter to Dr. Bernard Mandelbaum. Your words are particularly perceptive, especially your comment that the attitudes of both the younger and older generation are Jewishly valid, provided that we understand that each, by itself, is not sufficient. I sympathize with your desire for communication between the rabbinate and the active laity. I would like to help build that kind of bridge.Warmest regards to your wife and children,Cordially yours,Rabbi Norman LammRNL/fz
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Letter from Edith Kolko to I.J. Kagan about Writing "The Role of the Synagogue Today" (1969)

Dear Mr. Kagan: In accordance with the request contained in your letter of 10th December, enclosed here with please find an article by Rabbi Lamm to be included in the February issue of the Federation Chronicle. With kind regards, I am sincerely yours, Edith Kolko Sec’y to Rabbi Lamm/The Federation Chronicle, (member of audit bureau of circulation) 24, Raleigh Street, Yeoville, Johannesburg, 10th December, 1969. Dear Rabbi Lamm, The Fifth Biennial National Conference of the Federation of Synagogues of South Africa will be held in Johannesburg from the 12th March to the 15th March, 1970. To mark the occasion, the February issue of the Federation Chronicle will be devoted to the Conference.I should be grateful if you would let me have an article dealing with some problem which in your view should be dealt with by the Conference, or with some topical subject of contemporary Jewish interest.As we are going to press by the 15th February, I should be grateful if your article would reach me by not later than the 7th February next.With kindest regards,Yours sincerely,I. J. KaganExecutive Director---"The Role of the Synagogue Today"There are three conceptions of the function of a temple or a synagogue.The first is the common-sensical understanding, one which is most appealing to most of us in our social and cultural context. That is, that the synagogue is the source and origin of kedushah (sanctity) in the community. It is the provenance of spiritual values which radiate from the synagogue outwards. The synagogue, according to this understanding, is the wellspring of religious teaching for the entire community.The second conception is the classical Jewish view. It maintains that the synagogue must not be the cause or source of holiness, but the effect and the result of the kedushah of all the people.The Ramban points to this idea as the reason for the portion of Terumah, with its commandment to build the mishkan, coming after the portions of Yitro and Mishpatim, which speak…
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