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Nov. 22, 1963

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

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Correspondence

Letter from Zev Wolfson about Political Advocacy for Soviet Jewry (1962)

Dear Norman, Please excuse my delayed reply to your two letters, for which I thank you. Frankly, I have been preoccupied with the matter I discussed with you, at the expense of all my other duties and interests. I am sending to you a photostatic copy of the memorandum which you already read and other enclosures by the same people, as well as a memorandum in Yiddish which is of particular importance. These papers, together with the Saturday Evening Post article, should give you the necessary background. I think you should particularly stress the point that religious observance should not be associated with political activity. This is of particular importance, as every kind of evil is being attributed to the synagogues in Russia. Specific requests should be made for all the necessary religious services and should be specified in detail.We should also bear in mind the memorandum to Senator Cooper. I am sending your suggested letters to the Department of Defense to Bernie Levmore, although I think he has already sent thank-you letters by himself.As to the letter to the rabbis in Indiana, I think it may be useful to wait until next week when Moe comes back, so that perhaps the letter may be signed jointly.I hope to talk to you after you prepare the suggested paper.Regards, ZWW
Soviet Jewry

Correspondence

Letter from Zev Wolfson about Support from Sen. Capehart on Soviet Jewry (1962)

Dear Norman: Enclosed please find final copy of the speech you have prepared for Capehart. I have made a few minor changes on the final draft to which I hope you will not object. I have known that you write and deliver excellent sermons. However, I did not know how excellent your talents are in political speech writing. Perhaps we ought to suggest to someone to put you on Kennedy’s ghostwriting staff. (He doesn’t write any of them himself.) Regards.In the last few years we have become accustomed to hearing periodic reports of a "thaw" in the Soviet Union. No doubt changes have been, and possibly are, taking place. But if we want to take the long view, and test the depth and genuineness of these reports, we might profitably examine the current treatment of Russian Jews by the Communist government.Throughout the history of civilization, the attitudes of the prevailing power to the Jewish minority have often been an indicator of the whole nature of that government. If the Jews were treated equally with the rest of the citizens of that country, no better and no worse; if they were given the basic rights necessary for survival both physically and spiritually; if they were treated, in other words, as human beings; then the general nature of the government was civilized. But if the policy towards the exposed Jewish minority was sinister; if it were singled out for discriminatory action; then any attempts by that government to appear as otherwise humane and honorable were a mere façade and utterly unconvincing.Last winter there took place the arrest, trial, and conviction of Sedalia R. Pechersky, the religious lay leader of the Jewish community of Leningrad. Shortly afterwards followed government action against the lay leaders of five other Jewish congregations, and the closing of synagogues in a dozen other Russian cities. Then, in early spring, came the reports of the difficulties that Communist authorities were placing in the way of Jews desirous of obtaining Matzohs, o…
Soviet Jewry

Correspondence

Letter to Mayor Lindsay Soliciting His Endorsement for Soviet Jewry Campaign (1969)

Dear Mr. Lindsay, The American Jewish Conference on Soviet Jewry is undertaking a major campaign to obtain signatures or endorsements of Governors and Mayors on the enclosed statement on behalf of Soviet Jewry. The purpose of this campaign is to draw nation-wide attention by simultaneous publication of the statement in various parts of the country timed with Human Rights Day on December 10th, which this year falls during the holiday of Chanuka, which commemorates an ancient victory over oppression.We know that you are no stranger to this cause. Your appearance and eloquent speech at the Rally on October 2nd at the Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza was only one of many times in which you have spoken out or performed some particular service on this tragic issue. We would hope, therefore, that you would lend your personal endorsement and the prestige of your office to this campaign.We visualize the proclamation being read at a public ceremony in your office or at a press conference during the week of December 7th, preferably on Human Rights Day, December 10th. Several representatives of the various New York-based Jewish organizations should be present.As Chairman of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry, I would promise my assistance in any way that would make the ceremony as smooth-running as possible.We await, hopefully, your affirmative reply.Sincerely,David Geller, CoordinatorN.Y. Conference on Soviet JewryRabbi Norman Lamm, ChairmanN.Y. Conference on Soviet Jewry
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