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Correspondence

June 30, 1961

Letter to Moses Feuerstein about the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Bene Israel (1961)

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Correspondence

Letter from Moses Feuerstein about Soliciting R. Kahaneman to Weigh in on the Bene Israel Controversy (1961)

Dear Norman, I have your letter of June 23rd addressed to Rabbi Zev Gotthold. Rabbi Kahaneman of the Ponovizh Yeshiva may still be in America. I would suggest you contact him immediately, in my name, and assign to him the responsibility to get the results. If he has gone, would you please write to him, in my name, in a similar vein. This is in reference to the responsa you are awaiting from Rabbi Rozovsky. With kindest personal regards, I remainSincerely yours,Moses I. FeuersteinMIF/eocRabbi Norman LammThe Jewish Center 131 West 86th Street New York, New York
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Letter to Moses Feuerstein about the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Marriage with Bene Israel (1962)

Dear Moe: I think no more about the enclosed than you do. I am awaiting the text of the Chief Rabbi's decision before I can appreciate all the nuances and subtleties of the situation. However, superficially it seems that Rabbi Nissim struck a compromise. He allows intermarriage with the Bene-Israel, but only after a thorough search of the genealogy of the Bene-Israel applicant. The Rabbis of the right object to the dispensation altogether, and the Bene-Israel activists in Israel object to the special condition. Poor Rabbi Nissim is right in the middle. Which is where we are, too. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
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Correspondence

Letter from Saul Penkar to Dr. Weiss about the Position of the Israeli Rabbinate on Marriage with Bene Israel (1962)

Dear Dr. Weiss, Enclosed with this are one copy each of the following reports: (1) Budgetary Statement; (2) Receipt and Payment Account for the year ended 1961; (3) Report from Mr. Grossman about the classes; (4) The official receipt for Rs. 500.00. The year 1961 shows a surplus of Rs. 629/-, but if the amounts earmarked for the salary of the Hazzan of the Poona Synagogue, Rs. 1125/- collected for the students of the Bene Israel Yeshiva, and Rs. 53/- collected for the Hevra Kadisha Fund of the Congregation are deducted, it will be seen that there is actually a deficit of Rs. 1212/-.The salary for the classes for the period of July to December 1961 is still outstanding. Our contribution to the camp project remains Rs. 162/-.We are, therefore, left with a small balance of Rs. 500/- in our account, and feel confident that we should be able to collect some more once a meeting with Mr. Grossman can be organized. It may be possible to do so as soon as the weather permits.The classes are held regularly, and the students are taught how to read Hebrew and about Jewish laws and customs. They also sing songs and have discussions about religious topics. This is to replace Oneg Shabbath activities, as Mr. Grossman stays very far from the Synagogues. Similar meetings are being held in other Congregations after the Mincha services.We are grateful to Rabbi Lamm for the most generous offer of a knitting mill here. We shall work hard at it, and by the grace of the Almighty, we shall be able to start something very soon.Rabbi Lamm gave me to understand that my request about books, etc., has been forwarded to you.Mr. Grossman was not very communicative about the students whose travel expenses are to be borne by the JCA. Has the JCA stipulated any conditions for having undertaken to bear the expenses? We would very much like to use some of the Agency teachers in the rural areas.More in my next.With kindest regards,Sincerely yours,(A.D. JHIRAD)EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDr. S.H. WeissExecutive V…
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