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Correspondence

March 24, 1963

Letter from Israel Kelman about Proposal for Visit of Israeli Rabbis to India (1963)

India
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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

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
India

Correspondence

Letter from Saul Penkar to David Mazgaonkar about the Visit of Israeli Rabbis to India (1963)

Dear Mr. Maragaonkar, Thank you for your invitation to the Conference of certain individuals convened by you. Although the propriety of your convening such a Conference is questionable, I shall not discourage you by altogether ignoring the issue. I regret, however, that I shall not attend the said Conference. The stand taken by this organisation with regards to the Bene-Israel problem in Israel is indisputable and we shall continue to fight till the issue is satisfactorily settled.Mr. I—the Jewish Agency, Bombay—has neither the authority, I am sure, nor has he the power to direct the moves of Rabbis. Whatever may be the case, the Orthodox Union refused even to discuss with this subject, leave alone accept his Rabbi.However, to put the records straight and to try and set your mind at rest, permit me to inform you that it has been the desire of the Orthodox Union to get a Rabbi to serve our community in India. It has now become possible for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America, in collaboration with the Israeli Religious Ministry and the Jewish Agency in Israel, to arrange to deputize two Rabbis to India, of whom one is to stay for a period of one month and the other for four months. Before the second Rabbi leaves the shores of India, another Rabbi shall be with us for a period of at least two years, and before the departure of this Rabbi, our student Rabbi may be ordained and may return to India.All these Rabbis shall naturally be at the disposal of the entire community for all our religious problems, to guide us in the correct way of observing the different Misvoth and ceremonies, to attend to the husband-wife disputes, arrange Get whenever necessary, and also conversion according to the terms of Halacha.I, therefore, earnestly hope and pray that the Lord grant you wisdom not to rush headlong into conclusions which might be detrimental to the cause of the community as a whole.Yours sincerely,Sd/-(SAUL S. PENKAR…
India