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Correspondence

Jan. 26, 1967

Letter from Victor Weinman about Attempts to Contact Him (1967)

Soviet Jewry
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Letter from Zev Wolfson about Letter to President Kennedy Advocating for Soviet Jewry (1963)

Dear Norman: I have received your corrected draft, for which I thank you. I have also returned your call, but you were not in. I should like to clarify that I did not send the rough draft to you – part of which I did not even read before it was sent to you – for correction, but rather to help Moe and myself with whatever ideas you might be able to contribute. I do realize that you are very preoccupied and I have resolved, therefore, not to impose upon you with these letters, however important they might be, unless you specifically express a desire to be of assistance. A good Shabos.ZWW/mmRabbi Norman LammThe Jewish Center131 West 86th StreetNew York 24, New YorkThe fact mentioned above completely refutes the standard answers on the Jewish question the Soviet leaders usually give when inquiries are made about the subject.**The Honorable John F. Kennedy**President of the United StatesThe White HouseWashington, D.C.Dear Mr. President:As one who has a large constituency of citizens of the Jewish faith, I have become keenly aware of their distress at the unendurable anguish of Russian Jewry. As the President of the country which contains the largest population of Jews in the world today, and in view of the new orientation in Soviet-American relationships, you are the only person in the world today who can effectively broach this topic to Mr. Krushchev in a manner which will assure you a unique place in history.Parenthetically, I hear that your comment about the closing of synagogues, in your recent address at the U.N., evoked much enthusiasm amongst American Jews.Soviet Jewry, numbering some three million, is next to American Jewry the largest Jewish community in the world. It is being crushed by an official policy of attrition which seeks gradually to pulverize and ultimately to eliminate Jewish identity. Yet, despite all the hardships, there are large masses of Soviet Jews who profoundly desire to maintain their Jewish identity.It is tragic, from a purely human point…
Soviet Jewry

Correspondence

Letter from Victor Weinman about Publicizing Activities of NY Youth Conference for Soviet Jewry (1966)

I feel that it is time for the Jewish Center membership and friends to know about my contributions to the problems of, the unity of the Jewish youth organizations, and, Soviet Jewry. I am a member of the Student Zionist Organization’s National Executive Committee. My main outlined task is to bring the Plight of Soviet Jewry to the College campus. In this role, I must formulate educational programs on the oppression and harassment being enacted upon Russian Jewry, and, create and devise social-action oriented activities encompasing this problem.I am a member of the executive body of the North American Jewish Youth Council Sub-Committee on Soviet Jewry. This committee comprises all of the national Jewish youth organizations. Our basic function is to formulate and coordinate all national activity to help the plight of Soviet Jewry.As I have already told you, last week I was elected Youth Chairman of the newly formed New York Youth Conference for Soviet Jewry, This Conference is made up of all the Jewish youth organizations in the New York area. Our first major program will be, the December 11th protest demonstration for Soviet Jewry. This program will consist of a youth processeion, to start at the United Nations(U.N. Human Rights Day), and end at Cooper Union (this is where the adults will be holding their program). We will have a short program at Cooper Union to be followed by singing and dancing. Theodore Bikel has already consented to sing for us.I earnestly believe that an announcement of this activity should be made from the Pulpit. If it is announced and people request more details, I will be more than happy to speak to them. The Jewish Center must participate in this internationally important event. I remain,Sincerely yours,Victor WeinmanVW/cf
Soviet Jewry

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Letter from Victor Weinman to R. Jung about Including Soviet Jewry Plight in Sermon (1966)

Dear Rabbi Jung: December 11th, which is Chanukah and United Nations Human Rights Day, has been designated by the American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry and the North American Jewish Youth Council as a day of national protest. I have already spoken to Rabbi Israel Miller and he has assured me that a directive will be sent to all Rabbis asking them devote their December 10th sermon to discussing the plight of Soviet Jewry. I am, therefore, asking you, as the Rabbi of the Synagogue which I attend, to consider implementing the above. I feel that the membership and friends of the Jewish Center will benefit greatly from hearing, on December 10th, not only what kinds of oppression and harassment are being enacted upon our brothers in Russia, but also what has and can be done to improve the situation.Impatiently awaiting a reply, I remainSincerely yours,Victor WeinmanYouth Chairman, New York Youth Conference for Soviet Jewryc.c. Rabbi Norman LammVW/cf
Soviet Jewry