Letter to R. Gotthold about Securing Tefillin for Indian Jews (1961)

/ Letter to R. Gotthold about Securing Te…

Correspondence

June 23, 1961

Letter to R. Gotthold about Securing Tefillin for Indian Jews (1961)

India

View The Text

This content is currently available in its original PDF format. As we expand the library, we plan to add a text version as well.

RELATED CONTENT

Correspondence

Exchange with Avner Tomaschoff about Securing Tefillin for Indian Jewry (1961)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I hope this letter finds you in full health and vigour. Mr. Beth-Aryeh has asked me to find out the position regarding the consignment of Tefilin to India broached by you during the meeting at Mr. Shragai’s some time ago. The Ministry of Religions informs me that the price of one pair of Tefilin is IL 16. – of which they are prepared to shoulder one third. I have further contacted Dr. A. Greenbaum of the Jerusalem J.D.C. However, he put it to me that an instruction regarding financial participation would have to come from the U.S. end, and suggested that you might take up the necessary contact.Furthermore, we lack the requisite information for the transaction, i.e., the number of pairs envisaged and the address of the recipient.As soon as these questions are settled, I shall be pleased to make the remaining arrangements.Meanwhile, I remain with kindest wishes.Sincerely yours,Avner Tomaschoff Assistant to the Director of the Department

Correspondence

Letter from Dr. Weiss to R. Gotthold about Purchasing Tefillin for Bene Israel

Dear Rabbi Gotthold: Rabbi Lamm informed by Mr. Avner Tomaschoff of the Department for Torah Education of the World Zionist Organization that the Ministry of Religions would contribute one third of the cost of Tefillin for India and that the cost of one pair of Tefillin is IL 16. Would you kindly arrange for the immediate shipment of 200 pair of Tefillin to: UOJCI, c/o Magen Hasidim Synagogue, 8 Morland Road, Bombay 11. India. NT. Saul Bernstein, the Administrator of the Union, will arrive in Israel on or about June 23rd and will pay the amount IL 2,134 – two-thirds of the total price of 3,200 IL to the Ministry of Religions.I have advised our friends in India to apply immediately for a duty-free import license for 200 pair of Tefillin and would greatly appreciate your contacting the Indian Consulate from your end to facilitate the duty-free shipment of the Tefillin as a gift. I have, of course, informed the UOJCI that your Ministry is donating one-third of this shipment.It is a pleasure to establish again contact with you and to utilize this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation in our efforts for the Bene Israel of India.With kindest personal regards, I amVery sincerely yours,Dr. Samson R. WeissExecutive Vice PresidentRabbi Zev Gotthold Ministry of Religions Jerusalem, Israel

Correspondence

Letter from Haham Gaon to Haham Gaon about His Rulings for India, Israeli Reticence to Join R. Gotthold's Mission, and the Need for a Rabbi (1963)

I am in receipt of your letter as well as the enclosures of Rabbi Gotthold. As I wrote to you in my previous letter, I felt that many of the accusations made against Rabbi Gotthold were not justified. I have known him for some time and he always left a very good impression on me. There is no doubt that the man was let down, not only because nobody was to be found to go with him from England, but because the Rabbi who was to accompany him from Israel refused to go at the last moment. I think that is something that ought to be put right before any other delegation goes to India. In my opinion, it was unpardonable for the Rabbi who had promised to go from Israel to try and back out at the last moment, and it was because that Rabbi refused to go that Dayan Grossnass also refused to allow any Rabbi from the Beth Din to accompany Rabbi Gotthold and thus make his task easier.