Letter to R. Zev Segal about the Internal Strife at Shaarei Zedek Hospital and its Effect on Communal Leaders (1969)

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Exchange about the Internal Strife at Shaarei Zedek Hospital (1969)

Dear [redacted]: I feel rather guilty for writing this letter – that is, not for writing it but for writing it so late – and I hope you will be forgiving. It occurred to me that you might not be completely aware of the strong moral support you have in the agony to which you are being subjected by the wild men surrounding you. Sometimes it is necessary to express the obvious, if only because someone in the thick of battle may not realize that he has friends – many of them and loyal ones.Let me tell you, therefore, not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of many, many others, that we are genuinely sorry for the anguish that has been caused to you and your family, and that, even more, we admire you enormously for your spirit, your perseverance, and your plain American guts.I wish I knew how I could be of help to you. I had been toying with the idea of drawing up some kind of petition, having it signed by like-minded people, and publicizing it. But I don’t know how much good it would do you in the face of charges that you are a stooge of sinister circles in the United States who are trying to get Yeshiva University into Jerusalem through the back door. Whatever I can do for you, I certainly am anxious to, and await word from you. But whether or not there is any active assistance you desire, I do want you to know that we are with you – בלב ונפש.Mindy joins me in warmest regards to you and your wife.Cordially yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL/egbc: Max SternRabbi Irving Greenberg

Zionism

Letter to Dr. Kaminetsky about the Internal Strife at Shaarei Zedek Hospital and its Effect on Communal Leaders (1969)

Dear Joe: I am writing about a matter you mentioned to me casually a week or so ago, and about which I am also writing to leaders of other major Orthodox organizations. I believe the time has come for all of us to stand up and be counted in the Shaare Zedek affair. I am not referring to the merits of the controversy itself – I personally support and admire him, though I understand that honorable men may differ. What concerns me is the degradation of this controversy into the ugliest kind of polemics that our community – so often plagued by destructive disputes – has suffered in a long time. While Orthodox organizations, quick to speak out on issues far removed from immediate Torah concerns, have remained thunderously silent, three distinguished Orthodox Jews have suffered scandalous humiliation simply because of their support for Shaare Zedek. I think you will agree that Max Stern, Ludwig Jesselson, and Charles Bendheim are among the most philanthropic Jews in Orthodox life. Virtually every worthy Jewish cause has benefited from their generosity, and without them Shaare Zedek would likely not survive, let alone expand. Yet because of this controversy, unscrupulous agitators have been picketing their offices and circulating scurrilous leaflets with their pictures. The chillul Hashem has been enormous. Non-Orthodox Jews who witness these spectacles are repelled rather than drawn closer to Torah and piety, while non-Jews form their own obvious impressions of Jews as a whole. What must such leading Orthodox laymen think when, after decades of personal sacrifice and contributions to Torah causes, not a single national Orthodox organization comes to their defense – not even to denounce the agitators and deplore their methods? The time is long past when we can ignore these disgraceful events and remain silent in our comfortable shells. Whatever our views of the substantive issue, there is no justification for the shameful insults to which these men have been subjected. I…

Zionism