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Correspondence

March 3, 1964

Letter to S. Yellin about His Jewish Education Leadership in South Africa and "The Little Lamm" Cartoon (1964)

South Africa
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Correspondence

Letter from R. Jakobovits to Ronald Misheiker Suggesting that R. Lamm Visit South Africa (1963)

Dear Mr. Misheikers: I am deeply appreciative of the honor done to me by your Board in inviting me to visit your community for your Jewish Education Campaign early in 1964. It would have given me very great pleasure indeed to avail myself of this opportunity to pay my first visit to South Africa and to meet its outstanding Jewish community. But after the most careful consideration, and following consultation with my officers, I find that it will regrettably be impossible for me to contemplate a protracted absence from New York during the next winter and spring season, particularly since I was only six months ago absent on a month's lecture tour in England. The period between Rosh Hashanah and Pesach is the busiest in our congregational calendar, and as we have no assistant Rabbi, many of our activities would grind to a standstill during my absence. I wonder, however, whether it would be of any help to you if I suggested to you an alternative visitor who might be agreeable to accepting the assignment. The Rabbi I have in mind is Rabbi Norman Lamm, the distinguished Associate Rabbi of the Jewish Center (131 West 86th street, New York City), our sister congregation in New York. He is a splendid speaker and enjoys a nation-wide reputation as one of the outstanding scholars and lecturers in the American Orthodox Rabbinate. His name may be familiar to you as the first editor of Tradition, now the leading Rabbinical magazine in this country. He has also had some invaluable foreign experience, notably through his important mission to the Jewish communities in India on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America a few years ago. I have no doubt that his messages would be received with great acclaim by all his audiences.I hope I may look forward to some future occasion for such a visit. Meanwhile, I trust you will appreciate the difficulties in the way of accepting your gracious invitation this time.Wishing your sacred endeavors every possible success, I …
South Africa

Correspondence

Letter to H.S. Liebgott about Representing Torah Judaism in South Africa (1964)

Dear Mr. Liebgott: Now that I have begun to return to my usual routine here in New York, I want to let you know how deeply grateful I am to you for the friendship you have shown me during my stay in Africa, as well as for acting in the role of "shadchan" and thereby being instrumental in effecting my visit. It is obvious to anyone who bothers to acquaint himself with the situation in South Africa that you are indeed a key man in keeping the cause of Torah alive in this wonderful Jewish community. I must express to you my admiration for the fact that you have so vividly and genuinely fulfilled the maxim of our Rabbis, that "where there are no men, you must try to be a man." I know and trust that with your discretion and good sense, you will continue to pursue the causes that unite us with a great deal of zeal and dedication, together with those others who are, as I mentioned to you, the true "neturei Karta" -- the guardians of the walls of Judaism. Meanwhile, I have been in contact with Rabbi Rosenfeld about your request to recommend possible substitutes for Prof. Edar. As soon as I shall have an opportunity, if Rabbi Rosenfeld consents to release his Australian contacts, I shall mail it on to you. If there is anything I can do for you from afar, please do not hesitate to call upon me. Finally, please convey my very best wishes to Mrs. Liebgott and to your daughter, and please give my very best to all our friends in Johannesburg. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
South Africa

Correspondence

Letter to Bronner Family about Representing Torah Judaism in South Africa (1964)

Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Bronner: I have waited to write to you until I could personally deliver your regards to Rabbi Amsel. I spoke to your sister earlier, and just this morning spoke to your father, giving both of them your regards. All is well with them here, and I know they will be writing to you shortly. Let me tell you now that it was a real pleasure to meet with you and to get to know you, however brief were our meetings. It is encouraging to know that there are people whom we regard as "anshei shelomeinu" who are unshakeable in their dedication, and perseverance, and their loyalty to Torah Judaism, and hence serve as a focus of inspiration towards the goals of Torah and Judaism in South Africa. Please give my fondest regards to our mutual friends of the Yeshiva College, especially Rabbi Taneer, Mr. Ruch, and all the others. I spoke to Rabbi Oettinger yesterday, and he asked to be remembered to you too. Best wishes for a Happy and Kosher Pesach. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm
South Africa