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Correspondence

Sep. 29, 1976

Letter to R. Charlop about the Scarcity of Sefarim in YU Beit Midrash (1976)

Yeshiva University
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Letter Requesting Sefarim for Jewish Center Talmud Torah (1958)

Gentlemen: Kindly send to us two (2) copies of each of the following: The Hershon "Torah and Haftorah Readings" for books other than genesis. Kindly send them to us as soon as possible. Thanking yon in advance. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm.
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Letter to Dr. Belkin about Jewish Education for Women at YU (1970)

In the early part of the deliberations of the Committee, I made a number of tentative suggestions for fundamentally recasting the whole structure of higher Jewish education for women at Y.U. However, some committee members felt that because my proposals affected divisions of the university other than SCW, it would be unwise to consider them in the context of this particular Committee. I accepted this criticism, and consented to the final report as submitted. However, I am sending this addendum on my personal initiative.Certain inequities and duplications exist within the present system which, I believe, ought to be corrected. These are as follows:Heretofore, a student at TIW, attending YU only part-time for two years, would receive a Hebrew Teacher’s Diploma and be authorized to enter the teaching field and earn a living. At the same time, a student equally well prepared on the High School level and attending SCW — at much greater expense and with a much heavier Jewish studies program — had to wait four years for a degree. It matters little that one was a mere diploma and the other an academic bachelor’s degree. Few girls, if any, go on to graduate work in Judaica. This paradoxical situation is exacerbated now that the SCW girls will not even get their bachelor’s degree after their full year at Stern!The above reinforces the reluctance of well-prepared high school graduates (such as those of YUHSG) to attend SCW. This reluctance issues, among many other factors, from the economic factor. Why pay for a full college course at SCW when the same — or at least minimally adequate — Jewish higher education can be obtained at TIW, while attending one of the free city universities?Since the Jewish education level of girls entering TIW and the advanced students entering SCW is identical, YU in effect must run two parallel programs and pay double expenses for faculty.It is in order to solve these problems at least partially that the following recommendation is offered. Becaus…
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Letter to Dr. Belkin about Creating YU Branch in Israel (1970)

Dear Dr. Belkin: Life here has been settling into a routine since my return to Jerusalem, and I do want to write if only out of respect and affection. I am completing the revision and preparation of my doctoral thesis for publication in both Hebrew and English, and I hope that I still have your consent for the English edition to bear the imprimatur of Yeshiva University. There is continuing speculation, both public and private, in Israel about the nature and role of Yeshiva's forthcoming "branch" in Jerusalem. If you do not expect it to be a major school, in the sense of a true branch of Y.U., it may be wiser policy for Yeshiva to make this known in advance so that Israelis should not later complain of a let-down or disappointment.In the absence of any concrete information, the guessing that is going on invites both exaggerated expectations and the beginnings of a typically vehement Jerusalemite opposition.If I may be permitted one added suggestion — this country needs a Yeshiva University even more than does the U.S.! The very high hopes of some, and the determined opposition of others, both prove the need.Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen has told me of his and Rabbi Goren's conversations with you concerning some affiliation between Yeshiva and the Rabbinical Seminaries they are now building separately with the hope of eventual amalgamation: Cohen's school for training Rabbis for the Diaspora, and Goren's for Chaplains.I take it that both have in mind that their graduates will, after a short time, begin serving in Israeli civilian positions.I have accepted the invitation of Cohen to deliver a series of lectures in Jewish philosophy at his Seminary, and I begin this Friday.If you are interested in a report I shall be glad to offer any information you desire when I return in mid-January.Meanwhile, please give warmest regards to Mrs. Belkin from my wife and myself and, for the sake of all of us who admire you and need you, please do not overwork.Respectfully,RABBI NORMAN LAM
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