Dear Mr. Silverstein: After our conversation this morning regarding payment for April, May, and June of this year to the three Rabbis who supervise the Eruv, I called Rabbi Joseph Lookstein. He is seriously concerned about the manner in which this entire project has been handled until now. As you are aware, there surrounds our Eruv a wall of almost total secrecy. Some of the Rabbis who were the prime movers in creating the Eruv have now backtracked a good deal. Rabbi Lookstein feels that this should be discussed at a meeting of the mid-town Rabbis and a united decision made.At the same time, we feel that all necessary steps should be taken so that the Eruv does not lapse in a few weeks.Kindest personal regards.Sincerely yours,**Irwin Shapiro**

Dear Dr. Gaon: I am writing to you to clarify the matter of the Eruv, about which there has apparently developed some misunderstanding. Permit me to clarify the subject to the best of my ability. The intent of the last communication sent to you, from which the confusion arose, was not to limit the effectiveness of the Eruv. We believe and declare and support the full validity of the Eruv for Manhattan. Had we had any question about its legality, we would never have undertaken our venture. We did, however, decide to proceed with caution in order to avoid any public controversy which would have, in the long run, proven more damaging than an Eruv would be constructive. We therefore preferred not to publicize the Eruv in print, so as not to arouse any violent and ill-tempered opposition. We also counselled our people that it would be wise policy not to do any unnecessary carrying in public in a manner that would prove offensive to those who do not recognize the validity of our Eruv. Furthermore, we emphasized the fact that no Eruv, anywhere, can permit the handling of any objects which Jewish law considers mukzah. However, I repeat that this in no way vitiates the Eruv of Manhattan.There is one primary condition, however, which accompanied the announcement of this Eruv: the constant and uninterrupted supervision of the Eruv by a Board of Supervisors (Mashgichim) who would be compensated according to a pre-arranged schedule. The leading synagogues of the area undertook to subvent this Board by committing themselves, contractually, to pay $500.00 per year; the smaller synagogues who participate will be paying somewhat lower rates.Your Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue is one of the most distinguished and important in the entire country, and certainly in Manhattan. It is therefore absolutely crucial for the continued existence of the Eruv, and our unqualified approval of its validity, that the Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue, together with The Jewish Center, Congregation Kehilath…

Your annual Sunday night lecture is scheduled for Sunday, November 21, 1971. While our Ta Shema brochure carries no title, it would be good to have one for the Bulletin of the Center. I have been thinking of ways of making these two evenings – your lecture, and mine on February 27 – into genuine cultural “events.” The social aspect, including a buffet dinner, will be attended to by the Sisterhood, but what else? In discussing this with you some time ago, you suggested an idea I think worth developing: an art exhibition of work done exclusively by members of The Jewish Center. A committee would contact those we know to be creative in this way and, through the Bulletin, invite those we may not be aware of. These paintings, sculptures, and other works (Sukkah decorations too?) could be exhibited either in the Board Room on the 10th floor or in the Lobby, with appropriate personnel to guard them, while dinner would take place in the 10th-floor banquet room and the lecture in the Auditorium. Displaying in the lobby would also enable the general public to enjoy the work. For the second lecture in February, we might try something similar: an exhibition of books written by Center members (there are at least five, besides the two of us). Perhaps, in cases of both art and literature, we might mark off those items which may be purchased or ordered. As an alternative, the first lecture could feature both artistic and literary works by our own people, while the second might display Jewish books and records of general interest, with provisions made for ordering and purchasing them. In this way both evenings would be as rich as possible. I am therefore asking Rabbi Welder to contact those Center members to whom copies of this memo can be sent, so that they may consult, divide the work, and arrange the publicity and execution of the plans. If you have any further ideas, please let me know. cc: Rabbi Welder, Sam Shechter, Joseph Kaplan, Rabbi Silverstein, Mrs. Leibier, Mrs. Tanan…

Dear Rabbi Silverstein: Please accept my congratulations for your designation as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Citation of Yeshiva University at the annual Hanukkah Dinner. I know that all your friends will respond enthusiastically to this award and, hopefully, respond to your invitation to rally to the cause of Yeshiva University. Most regretfully, I shall not be able to attend the Hanukkah Dinner personally on December 10. At that time, I expect to be in the midst of an international conference in Geneva and so it will not be possible for me to do what I would have much preferred to do – to be with you and your wife at that time. My wife joins me in warmest best wishes and enthusiastic congratulations to you and Mrs. Silverstein and all your family. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm