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Correspondence

July 17, 1975

Letter to Samuel Kramer about Danger to Mikvah (1975)

The Jewish Center
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Letter from R. Joseph Lookstein about Meeting Regarding the Mikvah's Financial Distress (1971)

My dear Norman: We are all busy people. But busy people always find time when they so desire it. I beg you to find time for a meeting that I am calling, and which will take place on Monday, May 24th, at 8:30P.M., at the home of Mr. Charles Bendheim, 101 Central Park West. The matter that I would like to bring before you is a very urgent one. It has to do with the one Mikvah that we have in our entire area - from the Lower East Side up to Washington Heights. It is regrettable that this fundamental institution of Jewish life is struggling for existence in our community. I am sure that all of us are anxious to save it and to secure it for the future. That is the reason for the meeting - to consult with you and to decide with you what should be done. Please indicate on the enclosed card that you are planning to attend and I thank you in advance for your affirmative answer. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein
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Letter to Max Stern, Morris Green, and Lawrence Kobrin about Convening Emergency Mikvah Meeting (1974)

I asked Rabbi Arthur Silver to represent us at an emergency meeting called at the home of Barry Eisenberg on the night of our Annual Dinner, May 22. Rabbi Silver reported back to me that there is an emergency need of $102,000. If the Mikvah can settle with some of its immediate creditors, they will have a deficit of $56,000. They have decided to invite the presidents of all mid-Manhattan synagogues to an emergency meeting on June 5 at 8 P.M. at the home of Eisenberg, at 262 Central Park West, Apt. 2A. Their recommendation thus far was that every synagogue add to its membership fees a community tax to cover mikvah and kashrut. In addition, they assessed each synagogue a certain amount of money. They are asking for \$5,000 from The Center.Apparently, they are unaware of the fact that we have been following the system of adding a special tax for mikvah and kashrut. The problem is the \$5,000 we have to raise if we are to accept this assessment.I know that Mr. Stern will probably be overseas at the time of this meeting. I would appreciate it very much if either Mr. Green or Mr. Kobrin would undertake to attend that particular meeting. Do be kind enough to let me know which one of you will represent us.I suggest that after the meeting we form a committee of five people to make a few phone calls and do our duty toward the mikvah. I strongly recommend that Rabbi Silver be involved in that sub-committee.
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Letter to Jewish Center Membership with Urgent Mikvah Appeal (1975)

Dear Member: Please give this your utmost attention. It is simply too important to ignore. For the last ten years we had been very proud of the new facilities which have housed our Midtown Mikvah. We have had every reason to be happy with it. However, the community has unfortunately neglected this extremely vital part of our communal life. We are sorry to tell you that the Mikvah (under the name “Jewish Women’s Club”) finds itself in severe financial difficulties – threatened with mortgage foreclosure and with lawsuits on our obligations. Unless these will immediately be funded, the community stands to lose the Mikvah to its creditors, who will take it over in the near future. We can hardly imagine a more disastrous comment on the Jewish community of the West Side – on the dozens of thousands of Orthodox synagogues. Certainly, we cannot permit that to happen. Last year we raised funds from many, amongst others. Despite generous giving, it was not sufficient to meet our needs. Obligation to the Mikvah falls upon you immediately, since we are all equally responsible. If not for our family life, then for our wives and children and the many users of the Mikvah. We urge you, with all the sincerity at our command, to immediately make available to the trust fund of 510 West End Avenue (make all checks to “Jewish Women’s Club” and mail to the enclosed envelope). Please, please do not delay, lest we actually lose the Mikvah. Sincerely yours, Moses L. Green, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Leo Jung
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