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December 26, 1962

Minutes of Joint Overseas Commission, Meeting 1 (1962)

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Minutes of Joint Overseas Commission, Meeting 2 (1962)

Present: Moses I. Feuerstein, presiding; Dr. Jacob Griffel, Mr. Ludwig Jesselson, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Zev Segal, Rabbi Solomon J. Sharfman, Dr. Samson R. Weiss. In the absence of Mr. Max Stern, the Commission chairman, Mr. Moses I. Feuerstein presided and opened the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Mr. Feuerstein gave a condensed review of the activities of the Commission in the following areas: India – Bene Israel communities, UOJCI; Israel – the Youth Aliyah problem; Western Europe – Chief Rabbis Conference, cooperation with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of Europe, COJO Conference in Geneva; Russia – meeting with U.N. Under Secretary Narasimhan. Mr. Feuerstein stressed the need to organize the variegated work of the Commission through the assignment of “desks” to competent leaders, each serving the Commission as the expert in his respective field. Thus far, the following desks have been established: India – Rabbi Norman Lamm; Western Europe – Rabbi Simon Langer; Israel – Rabbi Zev Segal; Russia – Rabbi Theodore L. Adams. Mr. Feuerstein reported that Rabbi Solomon J. Sharfman had agreed to handle the Central and South American desk. After a brief discussion based on Dr. Weiss’s report of conversations with individuals familiar with the Central and South American Jewish scene, it was decided in principle – on a motion by Mr. Ludwig Jesselson, seconded by Rabbi Lamm – that Rabbi Sharfman personally undertake a tour of Jewish communities in Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina to establish contact with key personalities. The purpose of the trip would be to investigate the feasibility of and possibly lay the groundwork for a South American Conference of Orthodox Synagogues. Dr. Weiss undertook to prepare this visit for July and August, contingent on Rabbi Sharfman being available for at least six weeks. Rabbi Norman Lamm reported on developments in India. A pressing issue in the Bene Israel community is the lack of employment opportunities that do not in…
India

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Gotthold about His Delayed India Report, Uncooperativeness Accusation, and Expenses (1963)

PROGRAMS UPSET ACTIVITIES PARALYZED FOR LACKING FUNDS TERMINATING MISSION DUE YOUR UNCOOPERATIVENESS GOTTHOLD
India

Correspondence

Exchange with R. Gotthold about Logistics for His Visit to India (1963)

Dear Rabbi Gotthold: Thank you for your letter of February 3rd and the copies of your letters to Mr. Max Stern and Mr. Jhirad. Yesterday evening, Mr. Max Stern and some members of our Overseas Commission met to discuss your communications. We also had the benefit of the presence of Haham Dr. Solomon Gaon. Since time is of the essence, as you so correctly point out and as we here are so deeply aware, I am informing you immediately of the decisions reached. (1) The Overseas Commission of the Orthodox Union is willing to participate if necessary in the expenditures for yourself and Rabbi E. Kushelevsky in India with the amount of $2,000. The figures quoted by you were not clear to us. Firstly, since we are to pay only for maintenance, the figures given under this item do not amount to $4,000, but only to $3,000. Secondly, we find the amount of $600 per month unreasonably high, even assuming that these amounts are a combination of salaries payable in Israel and actual maintenance of the rabbis in India. We would, of course, assume that your Ministry would continue to pay your salary and that also Rabbi Kushelevsky would continue to receive at least part of his salary. This makes the figure of $4,000 even more questionable. If I stated above “if necessary,” I did so because Haham Gaon undertook to investigate the possibilities of obtaining Indian funds from the large Jewish trusts allocated for this purpose. We would appreciate it if you would immediately discuss this possibility with Rabbi Sassoon who is presently in Israel. These trust funds are frozen in India and cannot be utilized outside of the country. The Haham will take this matter up upon his return to England at the end of this month with some of the trustees. If, therefore, the amounts you listed under maintenance are intended for use in India, the Haham is hopeful that arrangements can be made with the trusts. Your immediate clarification whether part of the funds requested, and if so what percentage, is i…
India