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Correspondence

June 24, 1974

Letter to R. Maurice Lamm about Possible Family Relation in Soviet Union (1974)

Soviet Jewry
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Exchange with Leonid Lamm about Their Possible Relation (1974)

Dear Mr. Lamm: Your name has come to my attention as one of our brothers in the Soviet Union who is aware and proud of his Jewishness, and who wants to emigrate to Israel. Since we share the same family name, I think we may be relatives. My father, Meir Shmuel Lamm, was born near Lwow which is today in the Soviet Union. His parents and grandparents before him lived in this same town of Kamienko. I suppose we have other relatives who lived in Jewish communities throughout Poland and Russia. I myself am American-born, and have lived here all my life. I am the rabbi of a large and influential congregation in New York City, and I am a professor of Jewish philosophy at Yeshiva University. I am married and have four children. There are a number of Lamm families in New York, but most of them are not related to us. I would appreciate hearing from you, learning of your family background and your family at present, and also of how you are doing. Is there anything I can do for you? I do not know if you understand or can write English. Do you understand Yiddish or Hebrew? I can make my way through French and German, but unfortunately I do not know Russian. I trust I shall hear from you in the near future. Sincerely, RABBI NORMAN LAMM
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Letter from R. Lamm and Dr. Wyschogrod to Friends of The Center for Russian Jewry (1967)

Dear Friend, The N. Y. Times recently had a notice about the trial of Yosif Dolnik in Moscow. Past experience has shown that a trial of this nature is symptomatic of a period of troubles for Soviet Jewry. Evidence to this effect has been coming in for some time. Several responses to the Soviet Jewry tragedy are possible: Arousing community opinion at the local level as suggested in the enclosed material and the dispatch of packages. Above all, it has now been proven beyond doubt that our public expression of concern, leading to a major mobilization of public opinion throughout the nation is the foundation for a successful action for Soviet Jewry.One important means to this end is the publication of large ads in the N. Y. Times and Washington Post. The texts are now being prepared for insertion during Passover. Though time is indeed short, we are turning to you for immediate and generous financial assistance – within the next ten days, if at all possible. Checks should be made out to the Center For Russian Jewry and the names of signatories appended.(Rabbi) Norman Lamm(Professor) Michael Wyschogrod
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Letter to Samuel Lamm about Possible Family Relation in Soviet Union (1974)

Dear Pop: The name of this man was sent to me by Malcolm Hoenlein of NYCSJ. Leonid Luma is a resident of Moscow who submitted his document for an exit visa to Israel on December 18, 1973. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested and informed that some years ago he had committed an act of “hooliganism” and other such trumped-up charges. I understand that he is now being persecuted by the Russian authorities. Hoenlein tells me we will be doing a real “mitzvah” if we will be writing to him. The enclosed is my first letter to him. I suggest that you write to him, telling him that you feel you may be related and speaking in very general terms, but not letting on that you know of his difficulties with the Russians. I am told that the KGB reads all his mail. If he does not hear from him in about two weeks, write again, even every once in a while, about twice a month. It is important that the Russians realize that he is not alone, and that the entire family is interested in him. Try to build up, even with only generalities, a sense of importance in our groups. Try not to say anything openly provocative about the USSR. If you get any answer, please let me know the contents, and send a copy of the answer to Mr. Malcolm Hoenlein at NYCSJ 11 West 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036. I also sent a cable to my Congressman asking him to request of Nixon to intervene with the Russians for Leonid Luma. Shalom! Norman
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