Letter from Sen. Ohrenstein Explaining Scheduling Conflict of Senate Committee Hearing on Passover (1965)

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Letter to Senator Ohrenstein about Public Hearings Held on Shabbat and Religious Holidays (1965)

Dear Senator Orhenstein: I tried calling you today, but you were busy and I had to leave; hence this letter. It has come to my attention that the Senate Committee on Mental Hygiene, of which you are Chairman, is holding a public hearing on Narcotics in New York State this Saturday, April 24th. I had been under the impression, and still am, that, out of deference to the religious sensitivities of the citizens of the state, public hearings are not held on major religious holidays. Reference to any Jewish calendar will reveal the fact that Saturday, April 24th, is the eighth and last day of Passover, and is hence a major festival for Judaism.I am sure that this must have been an oversight on your part in scheduling the hearing for that date. I do hope that all public hearings scheduled for the future will be so arranged as not to conflict with major festivals of any of the major faiths.If I can be of any assistance in clearing such matters, I will be glad to offer my services.Sincerely yours,NLirfRABBI NORMAN LAMM

Pesach

Letter to R. Riskin about Inability to Attend Lincoln Square Synagogue Inaugural Dinner (1967)

Dear Rabbi Riskin: It would have been a great pleasure for Mrs. Lamm and myself to attend the first Inaugural Dinner of the Lincoln Square Synagogue this coming Sunday night. However, unfortunately; the invitation arrived too late for me to be able to make the proper arrangement. Several months ago I already committed myself for a lecture out of town on January 29th.I hope, therefore, that you and Mrs. Riskin, and all your congregation, will forgive our absence and accept our best wishes and warmest regards from afar.As an admiring colleague and neighbor, I wish you God speed in all your marvelous endeavors to build, in our neighborhood, a true "makom kadosh" which will reflect glory on the sacred cause that unites us.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman LammRNL/fz

Jewish Unity

Letter to Pollak Family about Inability to Attend Bar Mitzvah (1967)

Dear Charlotte and Yaakov: Mindy and I would have been delighted to attend Daniel's Bar Mitzvah on Thanksgiving morning, p. G. Having enjoyed the last one as much as we did, we looked forward to a repeat performance this year. Regretfully (but, of course, not unfortunately), we shall not be able to attend because of other commitments to "simchas" at this very time. It seems that everybody, including close friends and members, is either getting married or having a Bar Mitzvah this Thanksgiving Day. Please forgive us then, and please ask Daniel to forgive us too. We look forward to joining you at other "simchas" in the future, and meanwhile express to you our deepest feelings of joy and our most genuine good wishes for "mazel tov," and years without end of undiminished "nachas" as he grows up into the kind of Jew and human being who will justify his parents' fondest hopes, and realize their greatest dreams for him.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMMRNL/fz

Bar & Bat Mitzvah