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Correspondence

Aug. 22, 1974

Letter from Martin Schwarzschild to Max Stern about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Soviet Jewry
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Correspondence

Letter from Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Rabbi, You are aware of the fact that for approximately four months, together with a few other people of the original West Side Committee to help the Russian immigrants, I have been devoting more than full time to seeking positions, counseling, helping locate apartments, sending children to schools, and in other ways attempting to assist these people and their children to integrate as quickly as possible – to the community, the city, and our American way of life. Without your constant help and morale boosting this would not have been possible.I have hinted to you that cooperation from NYANA is nearly non-existent — they appreciate the fact that we have obtained some four or five dozen jobs for various people — but they in no way ease or smooth our paths by cooperation.The attached was written prior to today. This afternoon, I was told that a Mr. Marvin Schrank at BIAS made the statement that the "west side group is doing more harm than good for Russian immigrants."Under the circumstances, I recommend that the group cease from helping these people. Not one of us desires to be party to "doing harm" to these people. I personally will turn my efforts to what I hope will be more productive and worthwhile ends.I would like to see, if you have the opportunity, to suggest to the proper influential people what the attitude of the professionals at NYANA and BIAS is.Sincerely,Martin Kchmarrschild144 West 86 StreetNew York, New York 10024Queries for your meeting with NYANA's officers or lay people:Why doesn’t every breadwinner get English immediately upon arrival? When this question was raised, the response at the meeting on January 24 was that some of these people do not have the ability to take the course at the school NYANA is using. It would seem to me that this is a) not so, and b) NYANA could find a school where they could learn.NYANA will not give me a list of people in the hotels. I am aware of the reason behind this policy, agree with it 1000%, but have found th…
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Letter from Max Stern to Ernest Michel about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Ernie: It was really a pleasure to talk with you and I am glad you see that the way NYANA is handling the offices has been outmoded. It is important that we will do a better job and certainly save money by looking for someone able to be in charge of NYANA as soon as possible. I mentioned to you that the person should be religious so that he may understand all types of Jews. Believe me, it was very nice to receive a report from Mr. Schwarzschild in detail, and I know that unfortunately this situation has been the same for a long, long time. For your information, more than 60 Russian children are attending Day Schools. A change must take place as quickly as possible. Please see to it. Sincerely, Max Stern
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Letter from Robert Forman to Martin Schwarzschild about NYANA and Soviet Jewry Integration (1974)

Dear Mr. Schwarzschild: I appreciate your recent letter dealing with the families who were in the Hotel Mayflower in Jersey City. I have called this matter to the attention of NYANA, and am awaiting word from them on this. As you are aware, I am in the process of meeting with NYANA officials in an effort to work out an approach towards the proper use of volunteers. I will be away from my desk for two weeks, but look forward to speaking with you when I return in September. Sincerely, Robert P. Forman
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