Letter to Dr. Weiss about Decision Not to Solicit Lubavitcher Rebbe for Rabbi in India (1961)

/ Letter to Dr. Weiss about Decision Not …

Correspondence

Feb. 27, 1961

Letter to Dr. Weiss about Decision Not to Solicit Lubavitcher Rebbe for Rabbi in India (1961)

India

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Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Sassoon about Finding Rabbi for Indian Community (1961)

Dear Rabbi Sassoon: Thank you for your letter of May 8th which was acknowledged, in my absence, by Mr. Bernstein. We are trying very hard to find a rabbi who could serve the Indian Jewish community for at least one consecutive year. Neither Rabbi Lamm nor Rabbi Weinberg who visited India last year, could possibly undertake to absent themselves from their respective positions for even six months. We are expecting added information on a candidate presently residing in Israel who has done a great deal of work with members of the Bene Israel who have immigrated to Israel.A great deal of correspondence wont on concerning the Joint and its representative Mr. Gilbert and the position he seems to have taken contrary to the wishes of Mr. Manasseh. Dr. Jung is fully aware of the complications and Rabbi Lamm, too, has written in this matter extensively to both, Mr. Manasseh and Mr. Gilbert.You will be happy to learn that the first UOJCA scholarship student has arrived in Yerushalayim where he will be studing at the Kol Yisrael Yeshiva. Three more students are expected and I understand that at least one of them will study at Porat Yosef.As soon as new developments occur, I shall certainly inform you. In the meantime, please accept once more my thanks for your good advice and your cooperation.With kindest personal regards and all good wishes, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. Weiss Executive Vice PresidentRabbi S. D. Sassoon 15, Sollershott East Letchworth, Herts,England

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to Mr. Kelman about Sending a Rabbi to India (1962)

Dear Mr. Kalman: Thank you for sending me the copy of your letter to Rabbi Norman Lamm, dated July 27, 1962. Rabbi Lamm and I discussed the subject matter of your communication and, since Rabbi Lamm is still on his vacation, I take the liberty of replying. We are most hesitant to agree to a procedure which would involve the collection of funds by an individual for the purpose of sending a rabbi to India. The reasons are obvious and even under the best of circumstances, the choice of the rabbi and his future relations to the responsible organs of the Jewish community would be open to grave questions. We agree, therefore, wholeheartedly to your suggestion to Mr. Menashe not to write to Rabbi Halberstein.To the best of our information, Chief Rabbi Nissim is presently not inclined to send a rabbi to India. His feelings have been understandably bruised by the violent attacks directed against him by some members of the Bene Israel community in recent months. Still, we believe, people close to him should impress upon him that the situation calls not so much for the in principle very justified protection of the dignity and authority of the Chief Rabbi and the Chief Rabbinate, but for a great deal of forbearance and statesmanship.Possibly the plan you outline in your previous communication to the effect that a qualified rabbi be sent periodically to India, for one or two months twice a year, to take care of Gittin and kindred problems, would be acceptable to Chief Rabbi Nissim. The Orthodox Union, through its Joint Overseas Commission, would, of course, cooperate financially.With kindest regards and all good wishes, in behalf of Rabbi Lamm, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. WeissExecutive Vice PresidentMr. I. KalmanThe Jewish AgencyP.O.B. 1979Bombay 1, INDIA

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to Moses Feuerstein about Reluctance of Israeli Rabbis to Join India Trip (1963)

Mr. Max Stern received an identical wire from Rabbi Gotthold. The enclosed reply is the result of his reaction. My original version was softer. Rabbi Lamm was, of course, consulted before the first version and the enclosed final form. Dr. Gaon wrote Rabbi Lamm that he heard that neither Rabbi Kushelevaky nor any other rabbi wants to go to India and that he was not successful to move any rabbi to join Rabbi Gotthold. This explains the reference to the London report in the reply to Rabbi Gotthold.