Letter from Moses Feuerstein about Being Appointed to the OU Nominating Committee (1963)

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Acceptance to Serve on Board of Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists (1960)

I agree to serve under the new constitution of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists as a member of the Board of Governors from 5720 to 5722.

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Letter from Saul Bernstein about Organizing OU Metropolitan Council of Orthodox Congregations (1963)

Subject: The need for community-wide cohesion among orthodox congregations in the Metropolitan area is and has long been obvious; I don't believe it is necessary for me to demonstrate the need to you. Also obvious is the fact that the development of a Metropolitan inter-synagogue Council, as the agency for cohesion, is a big job. I believe that within realistic limits, the job can be done, and that the present moment is timely to begin it.Line of ApproachIdeally, the best method of organization might be to have people confer individually with key figures of leading congregations, "sell" them the idea, bring them together for a series of meetings, map out a detailed blueprint of objectives, methods and structure, build the organization step by step, then get the program under way in careful stages. I don't believe that this method would work in the present case because: 1) Neither the Orthodox Union nor any other agency is in a position to provide or mobilize the professional or volunteer manpower to initiate the process; and 2) Even if this weren’t the case, the process would bog down in talk in the early stages.Or, the opposite approach might be undertaken — to mount a big blast of publicity, call mass meetings, develop public excitement, improvise an organizational facade. In my opinion, this would evaporate in a short time, nothing would be left.So, instead, we propose:I look forward to hearing from you, as per our telephone conversation.

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Letter to Moses Feuerstein about Declining OU Committee on Law and Legislation Appointment (1964)

Dear Moe: Thank you so much for your call on Monday night referring me to Nat Gross. I was about to call him immediately but something came up of a rather important nature and it was much too late at night to make a respectable call. I therefore hope to contact him later today, or later this week. I appreciate your appointing me to the Committee on Law and Legislation. I remember us having discussed it, but without specific reference to my joining the committee. I hope you will take with good grace my declining your invitation. If I accept any more obligations which require any committee meetings at all, I will have extended myself beyond the point of usefulness for anything that I am presently working on. In addition to all else, I have certain other obligations which I can explain to you personally and all of which force me, however regretfully, to say "no" despite my awareness of the importance of this committee.I hope you will explain this to Reuben Gross so that he will understand it too.My very best to Shirley and the children.Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

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