Dear Dr. Coen: I just received the Kodimoh bulletin this morning and read about your election as President of the Synagogue. Although I am quite busy because of my impending trip this weekend to South Africa, I want to rush to express to you my sincerest and most heartfelt congratulations. I have heard a great deal in the past several years of all the work and service you have done for Kodimoh, and I know therefore that this honor is fully deserved. I am confident that, with the help of God, you will help maintain the high standards of Kodimoh and devote all your energies to that end. I need not tell you that Kodimoh has always been my "first love." However modest my contributions to it may have been, I regard as most important of them the idea that Kodimoh can advance socially, quantitatively, and architecturally without in the least bit sacrificing its religious integrity; that it can be a completely Orthodox Synagogue and yet one of the foremost synagogues in the country. I know that there are those who do not see things in that way. I know, however, that in your hands Kodimoh will remain worthy of the hours and prayers of so many people, and true to its own distinctive loyalties to Torah. Accept, therefore, once again my most heartfelt wishes for a highly successful and distinguished tenure. Mrs. Lamm joins me in these wishes and we both ask to be remembered to Mrs. Coen. I hope to return from Africa at the end of the month, please God. Perhaps if you are in New York shortly after that time, you will let me know and I will be delighted to spend some time with you. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Lamm: In looking over my memoranda on file about Kodimoh, I came across your bulletin of The Jewish Center. It occurred to me that this Bulletin could give me a great deal of information and insight on how a very successful religious institution like yours is conducted. In other words, it can give me fresh ideas on how to improve Kodimoh. I should greatly appreciate it if you could put me on the mailing list for the Bulletin. Kodimoh is going along fairly well, but nothing really exciting that I can get enthusiastic about. I shall be in New York Monday through Thursday, Jan. 31 to Feb. 4th. If it is at all possible, can we arrange to have lunch together some noon during that time.My best regards to you and to your family.Sincerely,