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Correspondence

Feb. 12, 1975

Letter from Jewish Women's Club to Arthur Silver about the Mikvah's Financial Distress (1975)

The Jewish Center
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Correspondence

Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein to Charles Bendheim about Mikvah Financial Distress (1971)

My dear Charlie: I have your letter of April 27th, 1971, a copy of which you sent to all the Rabbis in the neighborhood. It is regrettable that in our affluent area, a Mikvah has to undergo such hardship. Neighborhoods, far poorer than ours, somehow found a way how to construct a Mikvah and how to maintain it properly. I lay the blame on all of us. I mean the Rabbis, who are so extremely busy with a variety of matters that, in the language of the Bible, "they tend other gardens but neglect their own vineyard". Now you have a problem on your hands and you are entitled to relief and to assistance. I am especially mindful of the fact that you offered to make a gift of $5,000 in order to be relieved of carrying the burden further all by yourself. I think this is a generous intention on your part and I, for one, will be happy to see you implement that intention with the conditions that you set. How shall we go about preserving the institution of Mikvah in our area? I think that we ought to make one grand effort and assemble, in your home, the Rabbis and a number of lay people who are interested in this matter. I am sure that we can find a way of making these repairs, amounting to $16,000, by increasing the mortgage on the Mikvah property. I think that by doing that, we can also include the debt that is due to the Wurzweiler Foundation, a debt which was incurred on good faith and goodwill. I am further sure that the total debt, plus the maintenance of the Mikvah proper, could then, and should then, become the responsibility of the Rabbis of the neighborhood and of their synagogues. I, for one, together with my son, will do our best to carry our share of the responsibility, and even more. Please convene a meeting as soon as possible. Before long, the summer will set in and all of us will be departing, and the matter will again be neglected. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and be assured of my every cooperation. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein
The Jewish Center

Correspondence

Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein about Meeting Regarding the Mikvah's Financial Distress (1971)

My dear Norman: We are all busy people. But busy people always find time when they so desire it. I beg you to find time for a meeting that I am calling, and which will take place on Monday, May 24th, at 8:30P.M., at the home of Mr. Charles Bendheim, 101 Central Park West. The matter that I would like to bring before you is a very urgent one. It has to do with the one Mikvah that we have in our entire area - from the Lower East Side up to Washington Heights. It is regrettable that this fundamental institution of Jewish life is struggling for existence in our community. I am sure that all of us are anxious to save it and to secure it for the future. That is the reason for the meeting - to consult with you and to decide with you what should be done. Please indicate on the enclosed card that you are planning to attend and I thank you in advance for your affirmative answer. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein
The Jewish Center

Correspondence

Letter to Jewish Center Membership with Urgent Mikvah Appeal (1975)

Dear Member: Please give this your utmost attention. It is simply too important to ignore. For the last ten years we had been very proud of the new facilities which have housed our Midtown Mikvah. We have had every reason to be happy with it. However, the community has unfortunately neglected this extremely vital part of our communal life. We are sorry to tell you that the Mikvah (under the name “Jewish Women’s Club”) finds itself in severe financial difficulties – threatened with mortgage foreclosure and with lawsuits on our obligations. Unless these will immediately be funded, the community stands to lose the Mikvah to its creditors, who will take it over in the near future. We can hardly imagine a more disastrous comment on the Jewish community of the West Side – on the dozens of thousands of Orthodox synagogues. Certainly, we cannot permit that to happen. Last year we raised funds from many, amongst others. Despite generous giving, it was not sufficient to meet our needs. Obligation to the Mikvah falls upon you immediately, since we are all equally responsible. If not for our family life, then for our wives and children and the many users of the Mikvah. We urge you, with all the sincerity at our command, to immediately make available to the trust fund of 510 West End Avenue (make all checks to “Jewish Women’s Club” and mail to the enclosed envelope). Please, please do not delay, lest we actually lose the Mikvah. Sincerely yours, Moses L. Green, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Leo Jung
The Jewish Center