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Correspondence

July 18, 1962

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

Soviet Jewry
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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…
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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…
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Letter to David Geller about Christian Advocacy for Soviet Jewry (1969)

Dear David: The enclosed was given to me by Rabbi Jacob Goldberg. It looks like something motivated by good intentions, but I don't think Christian clergy are as effective with regard to Soviet Jewry as they are with regard to the State of Israel in general. Nevertheless, it may be worthwhile asking around as to the feasibility of this project. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
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