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Correspondence

Feb. 28, 1961

Letter from Saul Penkar to Moses Feuerstein about R. Lamm's Visit to India (1961)

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Letter to Moses Feuerstein about Finding Rabbi to Visit India (1963)

Dear Moe: I talked to Dr. Gaon about the trip to India, but he certainly cannot make it before April or May, and even then it is questionable. Subsequently I called Rabbi Charles Weinberg, and he will let me know within a week or so if he can go within five or six weeks. Before that it is impossible for him to leave. Frankly, if Rabbi Jung were in full health and I were not committed to a large number of speaking engagements, I would take the next plane myself and straighten out the situation insofar as it lends itself to correction. I still believe, however, that you and Shirley ought to make the trip, if not now then at least later.Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL: ffEncls
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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
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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…
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