Letter to Indian Jewish Leaders about Political Advocacy for Soviet Jewry (1962)

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I hope this letter finds you and your family in the very best of health. I suppose that the weather in your part of the world during this season is quite uncomfortable, and so I am sorry to have to burden you with this request. However, I am confident you will appreciate the gravity of the issue which causes me to approach you at this time. I am sure you are acquainted with the dreadful condition of our fellow Jews behind the Iron Curtain. Russian Jewry, which numbers in the millions, is sustaining a wave of virulent anti-Semitism which is all the more pernicious because it is hypocritically denied by Soviet officials. I know that as a responsible leader of your own Jewish community, you sense, as I do, the obligation to do whatever is possible to help our co-religionists.

I have thought of this for a long time, as I am sure many others have, and I knew that there are no quick and easy solutions. Yet I feel strongly that at least something could be done towards alleviating the conditions of Russian Jewry if public opinion were aroused throughout the world I know that as one who is close to the highest levels of government in India, your voice will be heard and given careful consideration. I believe that you are in a position to do more than most ordinary Jews can. None of us dare be silent at such crucial times in our history when the lives and liberty of so many Jews are at stake. I implore you to make representations to the government to communicate directly to the Soviets their distress at what is happening Further, I most urgently recommend that the outstanding dignitaries of Indian cultural life be alerted to the problem. Poets, philosophers, humanitarians, writers and journalists should make their voices heard publicly. You are no doubt aware of the fact that Indian public opinion counts very much throughout the world I know that the task will not be easy; but neither will it be easy to avoid the adverse judgment of history if we fail to rise to the occasion. The opportunities that present themselves to us now may never again be given to us.

I do hope you will give this matter your most urgent, most immediate , and most serious attention. I am including a copy of an article in the ”Saturday Evening Post," one of the most important American weekly magazines, the issue of June 16, 1962, as background material. Please do be kind enough to let me know your reactions to ny proposal and what procedure you have decided upon.

Sincerely,

RABBI NORMAN LAMM

Letter to Indian Jewish Leaders About Political Advocacy for Soviet Jewry

Dear ____________: I hope this letter finds you and your family in the very best of health. I suppose that the weather in your part of the world during this season is quite uncomfortable, and so I am sorry to have to burden you with this request. However, I am confident you will appreciate the gravity of the issue which causes me to approach you at this time.I am sure you are acquainted with the dreadful condition of our fellow Jews behind the Iron Curtain. Russian Jewry, which numbers in the millions, is sustaining a wave of virulent anti-Semitism which is all the more pernicious _ _ Kw«vJbecause it is hypocritically denied by Soviet officials. I -am—sure that as a responsible leader of your own Jewish community, you sense, as I do, theobligation to do whatever is possible to help our co-religionistsI have thought of this for a long time, as I am sure many others have, and Iknew that there are no quick and easy solutions. Yet I feel strongly that we at least something could be done towards alleviating the conditions of RussianJewry if public opinion were aroused throughout the worldI kiiw that J one who is close to the highest levels of government in India, wt your voice will be heard and given careful consideration.I believe that you are in a position to do more than most ordinary Jews can.None of us dare be silent at such crucial times in our history when the lives and liberty of so many Jews are at stake. I implore you to make representations to the government to communicate directly to the Soviets their distress at whatis happeningFurther, I most urgently recommend that the outstanding dignitaries of Indian cultural life be alerted to the problem. Poets, philosophers, humanitarians, writers and journalists should make their voices heardpublicly. You are He doubt- aware of the fact that Indian public opinion countsvery much throughout the worldI know that the task will not be easy; but neither will it be easy to avoid the adverse judgment of history if we fail …

Soviet Jewry India

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

Letter to Moses Feuerstein about Critical Situation of Indian Jewry (1964)

Dear Moe: The Indian situation is much too extensive to be discussed over long distance telephone. We are now heading to a point where, I fear, we shall have to "fish or cut bait." I would suggest that when you see Dr. Weiss next you receive from him an intensive report, and after that we may have to meet with the Overseas Comission for final decision. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm.

India