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Correspondence

July 17, 1960

Letter from R. Charles Weinberg to Dr. Weiss about Conditions in the Indian Jewish Community (1960)

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Letter from R. Charles Weinberg to Dr. Weiss about Conflict with the Conservative Community in India (1960)

Dear Dr. Weiss: Things are going at a quick pace. I have addressed about 12 public meetings and have four more to go. The Conservatives have attempted to upset things numerous times but thank G-d to no avail. There is a great deal of inner conflict going on but much of it is slowly being solved. Really, this is a darling Jewish community and we must help them. The people simply are thirsty for the word of Torah. The poverty as I told you is shocking.I am still hoping that you were able to wire me the thousand dollars. It isn’t a great deal of money but it can go a long way. We want to rent quarters and it isn’t too expensive. Also I would like to buy at least 200 pair of Tefilin. Most of the B’nai Israel do not have Tefilin and they are now willing to put them on. We can buy them from Cochin for about $2.50 a pair.If you haven’t been able to wire the money until now then please wait till I return.Please have Moses Feuerstein read this letter.Best personal regards.Sincerely(signed) Charles WeinbergP.S. By the time you receive this letter I will probably be in Israel.
India

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Sassoon about Finding Rabbi for Indian Community (1961)

Dear Rabbi Sassoon: Thank you for your letter of May 8th which was acknowledged, in my absence, by Mr. Bernstein. We are trying very hard to find a rabbi who could serve the Indian Jewish community for at least one consecutive year. Neither Rabbi Lamm nor Rabbi Weinberg who visited India last year, could possibly undertake to absent themselves from their respective positions for even six months. We are expecting added information on a candidate presently residing in Israel who has done a great deal of work with members of the Bene Israel who have immigrated to Israel.A great deal of correspondence wont on concerning the Joint and its representative Mr. Gilbert and the position he seems to have taken contrary to the wishes of Mr. Manasseh. Dr. Jung is fully aware of the complications and Rabbi Lamm, too, has written in this matter extensively to both, Mr. Manasseh and Mr. Gilbert.You will be happy to learn that the first UOJCA scholarship student has arrived in Yerushalayim where he will be studing at the Kol Yisrael Yeshiva. Three more students are expected and I understand that at least one of them will study at Porat Yosef.As soon as new developments occur, I shall certainly inform you. In the meantime, please accept once more my thanks for your good advice and your cooperation.With kindest personal regards and all good wishes, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. Weiss Executive Vice PresidentRabbi S. D. Sassoon 15, Sollershott East Letchworth, Herts,England
India

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Charles Weinberg about the Visit of Israeli Rabbis to India (1963)

Dear Rabbi Weinberg: Yesterday evening, Mr. Max Stern returned to New York, having spent some time in Israel. While there, he put in a great deal of work on India and arranged for Rabbi Gotthold to go to India for a period of six months. He also arranged that an Israeli Rav would go to India for a shorter period, to take care of Gittin, etc. Rabbi Laces told me that Mr. Stern would give him within the next few days a memorandum on all these arrangements. Upon receipt of this memorandum, we must of course advise the UOJCI of the impending visits and make sure that they cooperate. While the inclination of the Bane Israel is to be suspiciously hostile to Israeli representatives, I personally feel that their attitude will undergo a change for two reasons. Firstly, the very fact that visitors come instead of their being treated and judged in absentia will show them that there is a positive attitude. Secondly, since these arrangements were initiated by the Chairman of our Overseas Commission, of whose sympathy and cooperation they are so deeply aware, the rejection of these visitors would disturb the relations between the UOJCI and us. I do not think they would want that to happen.Under the present circumstances, though, it appears that a visit from here, and especially one of so short a duration, would not be advisable. This is the opinion of Rabbi Lamm and Mr. Stern, in which I concur. Let me add that I see great purpose for a visit of at least four weeks, to coincide with the first few weeks Rabbi Gotthold will be in India. When you will peruse the correspondence I gave you, the reasons will be surely quite obvious to you.Thanking you very much for your cooperation and willingness to give us again so much of your energy and time, I amWith kindest personal regards and warmest Shabbos wishes,Very sincerely yours,DR. SAMSON R. WEISSSRW/sdRabbi Charles Weinberg35 Lillian RoadMalden 48, Mass.
India