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Correspondence

June 9, 1961

Letter to R. Gotthold about Marrying Bene Israel (1961)

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Correspondence

Letter from Abraham Jhirad about the Israeli Position on Marriage with Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Rabbi, I acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter of May 25, and I hasten to explain the circumstances that led us to the action resorted to. I have absolutely no doubt that the entire World Jewry (except of course those who issued such prohibition) must be appalled at such atrocity. You could imagine our feelings on learning the news and especially when our non-Jewish friends and acquaintances taunted and ridiculed us. There were fortunately no mass protect meetings but every person of Jewish faith, we met, pestered us with the questioned us ״what is the orthodox Union doing about this affair?״ The day the reports appeared in the Press, I got in touch with Mr. Kelman and through him requested the Consul to issue a statement immediately to the Press, denying the facts as far as the Government of Israel was concerned and that he would investigate the matter. Had this been done, there would have appeared very few or no letters in the Press, condemning the decision and the silence of the Government, over such a touching issue. He did issue one after eight days, which slightly worsened matters (copy enclosed).A meeting of the Executive was convened and a resolution adopted, which was released to the Local Press with the solo intention of toning down the agitation of the masses. Fortunately, Rabbi Gotthold sent me the following telegram, which though vague, somewhat relaxed the tension on being released to the Press."Resolution of the Union Orthodox Jew Congregations of May Seventeenth based on unfounded misleading information stop allegations about Israel Jewish religious authorities decision vicious and dangerous fabrication please correct you misinformation shalom Gotthold Ministry for Religious Affairs."The report appeared in the French trees in the first instance and was earned by the Press Trust of India in the Indian Express (not the Times of India). But the French papers appear to have picked up the news from the Israeli papers like the 'Haaretz' and …
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Correspondence

Letter from Haham Gaon about the Status of the Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I was glad to receive the copy of your letter to Mr. Abraham Jhirad of Bombay. I agree with everything you write. Immediately on the publication of the news that some of our Bnei Israel were not being recognised as Jews in Israel, I cabled to the Chief Rabbinate who assured me that this was not so. They stood by their earlier decision and that was that they leave it to the individual Batei Din to decide on these matters. In the meantime, I have been in touch with Bnei Israel families in London who were very disturbed by the rumours, and I assured them that, as far as our Beth Din, is concerned, they have nothing to worry for themselves or for their children.I think, however, the time has come when perhaps a joint effort should be made by us all in order to urge Israeli Rabbinate to come to a definite solution. The Bnei Israel problem has now become a burning one and almost all the touchstone of good faith, as far as this part of the House of Israel is concerned.I do hope to have the opportunity of seeing you soon and hoping to hear from you on this matter.Yours sincerely,GaonHaham
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Correspondence

Letter to R. Itamar about the Chief Rabbinate's Decision on the Bene Israel (1961)

Dear Rabbi Itamar: Please excuse me for not answering earlier your communication containing the text of the Chief Rabbinate's decision concerning the Bene Israel. The information you provided was of considerable help in our deliberations here in New York. We would like to do all that is within our power to help in this situation. We are meeting shortly in order to plan our approach. However, I am personally confused by the conflicting reports that issue from Israeli journals and newspapers. Is the decision of the Rabbinate final? And if so, why have no instructions been passed on to the individual Rabbis in the country? Is there a possibility that right wing opposition will nulify the "Heter"?Furthermore, in connection with the inner-workings of the interested parties of Jerusalem, could you pass on to me some confidential information? I am particularly interested in the following: what role is being played by Tartakower? Has there been any political interference and, if so, what is its nature and intensity?I realize that these are delicate questions, but I will promise , if you so indicate in your report, I will keep the answers confidential and not disclose them to anyone except our very close circle who will similarly be interested to treat the information as completely secret. With very best wishes,Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL:ffCC: Dr. Weiss Mr. M. Feuerstein Rabbi JungLtr sent to Dr. Weiss to copy and return
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