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Correspondence

Oct. 13, 1969

Letter to Isadore Cohen Soliciting Support for Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (1969)

Soviet Jewry
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Letter to Rabbinic Colleagues Soliciting Support for Exodus March (1970)

Dear Colleague: In the recent issue of Shedemot, published by the Kibbutz movement, there appears a paraphrase of the Yom Kippur confessional, dedicated to the Six Million. One of the verses reads: על חטא שחטאנו לפניך ולפניהם בחבוק ידים – for the sin of folded arms. This is something which, as Rabbis, we cannot let our people forget. As much as we American Jews did, we didn’t do nearly enough. While the Holocaust raged, too many of us sat by be’chibbuk yadayim, with folded arms. The reason for my writing to you now is to solicit your help in avoiding a repetition of this immoral inaction with regard to Soviet Jewry. Now that so many of them risk life and limb talking out, we must do no less.On behalf of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry, I therefore respectfully ask your cooperation on the following two matters:(1) Alert your congregation (including your high school and college groups) to the EXODUS MARCH planned for April 26th at noon. Details on this demonstration will be forthcoming shortly. We want Greater New York Jewry to come out in the tens of thousands. We hope you will personally be pre-sent at the head of a group from your synagogue.(2) We urgently need funds to finance this EXODUS MARCH to ensure maximum publicity and thus the greatest possible effect. I therefore ask of you to obtain for this demonstration the sum of $100 either from your Pulpit Fund or congregation or interested individuals.I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important both these requests are.I plead with you to "lend a hand" -- not chibbuk yadgylm.Very cordially yours.RABBI NORMAN LAMMP.S. Your check should be made out to
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Letter to R. Chaim Segal about Mesivta of Crown Heights Hosting Student Speaker Who Visited Soviet Jews (1969)

Dear Rabbi Segal: A number of students just returned from the Soviet Union report remarkable experiences during last month's festivals. The sum total of their testimony suggests the dramatic conclusion that during the past year or so one of the most decisive expansions of Jewish feeling in history has taken place among young Soviet Jews. Many are making great sacrifices to affirm their Jewishness and to express their protest to the world.I would urge that this extraordinary phenomenon be communicated as soon as possible to your students, perhaps at a School Assembly. Among the eyewitnesses, there is one — a Brooklyn Yeshiva graduate — who is a particularly effective speaker. Listening to him will be a significant experience for staff and students alike.I am sure you will agree that such an encounter will inspire the students with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to the cause. Because the struggle is a long and complicated one, there is a special need to overcome an understandable weariness.For further details, please call Jacob Birnbaum, National Director of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry, at 799-8900 any afternoon. Arrangements should be made at an early time as the young man in question is being rapidly booked.Sincerely yours,RABBI NORMAN LAM
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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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