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Correspondence

Dec. 12, 1961

Letter to E.J. Mazgaonkar about Replacing Books Lost in Poona Flood (1961)

India
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Dear Haham Gaon: I was very pleased to hear from you and to learn, or so I infer, that you plan to visit the States in the very near future. When you do, I shall be most happy to discuss the problem concerning which you and the Chief Rabbi are so concerned. The situation with regard to the Bene Israel and the “heter” of Rabbi Nissim is quite complicated. In this regard, may I impose upon you with a request for your diplomatic intercession with Rabbi Sassoon. As a result of my discussions with informed sources in Israel, I learned that one of the crucial problems is an event that occurred some time ago in Bombay when the archives of the Beth Din were destroyed by fire. I was told that if clarification could be forthcoming on this matter, one of the major stumbling blocks in the way of the reintegration of the Bene Israel in the community would be removed.I wrote to Rabbi Sassoon over two weeks ago, because he, more than anyone else, would probably be informed on this matter. I asked him for an immediate answer. Unfortunately, I have not yet heard from him.I would be most appreciative if you could make some discreet inquiries. A response would be most important to us if it were forthcoming soon.My very best regards to Mrs. Gaon and to the Chief Rabbi.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm
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Letter to Dr. Abraham Stern about Sending Written Material to Publish in India (1962)

Dear Abe: I wonder if you would be kind enough to send all material published by the Youth Bureau to Mr. Abraham Jhirad, Executive Director, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India, c/o Magen Hasidim Synagogue, 8 Morland Road, Bombay 11, India. These people are trying valiantly to set up the Bombay community along the lines I have suggested to them during my visit over a year ago. I think the recent publication of "Youth Ideas" by Norman Linzer is particularly appropriate for them. Whatever you can send to them will be useful, and you will be performing a great "Mitzvah."Please be kind enough to do this for me. I would appreciate it, too, if the material could be sent Air Mail—if not everything, at least the publication on material request (“Youth Ideas”).My very best to your wife.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM
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Letter to E.J. Mazgaonkar about Sending Books to India (1968)

My Dear Mr. Mazgaonkar: I am terribly, terribly sorry that I failed to answer your previous letter. I make it a practice to answer all correspondence, especially those of dear friends. Your letter must have been misplaced, for I cannot imagine so neglecting it as not to answer altogether. I am pleased that all is well with you and I do hope that you will remember me to your family, and to all our mutual friends in Bombay as well as in Poona. I have been thinking that I wanted to send you a gift of some books for the coming festival of Purim. However, because I do not know what you most need and want, I respectfully request that you accept the enclosed with all my good wishes as an expression of my esteem and prayers for a very happy and joyous Purim for you, your family, and all Israel.Cordially,RABBI NORMAN LAMM
India