My dear Barry: I have your letter of January 21, 1975, which I turned over to the counsel of the Wurzweiler Foundation. He will probably be in touch with you. The Wurzweiler Foundation is anxious to be cooperative and helpful. I am afraid, however, that the offer that you made is hardly acceptable. Incidentally, it does not entirely conform to the discussion held in my office on December 27, 1974 in the presence of your dear father-in-law and my good friend Charlie Bendheim. You will undoubtedly be hearing from our lawyer soon, and I hope that you will prove as cooperative as we are anxious to prove helpful. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein.

Dear Mr. Silver: Recently a meeting was held of the Jewish Women’s Club, Inc., to discuss the pressing financial problems of the Mikvah. These problems threaten to close the Mikvah. As many of you are aware, the financial pressures on the Mikvah are attributable to four causes. Firstly, more than a year ago, major plumbing repairs were completed at the Mikvah. The total cost of the repairs was $24,000, of which $4,000 is still due and owing. Secondly, the purchase money mortgage negotiated with the former owner of the property, calls for a balloon payment of $26,000 at the mortgage’s termination. The balloon payment is now due and owing. Thirdly, a real estate tax settlement has tentatively been reached with the city under the terms of which, the Mikvah will have to pay $14,000. This settlement was occasioned by the city’s holding that the Mikvah could not be deemed the custodial apartment on its premises (there are presently two) and that therefore the Mikvah was only 3/4 tax exempt. Fourthly, we had been led to believe that a lawsuit commenced by the Wurzweiler Foundation against the Jewish Women’s Club, Inc. was tentatively settled for $30,000. The aforementioned sum was to be paid on the basis of $6,000 a year until the entire sum is liquidated. Enclosed please find the latest correspondence relative to same. As you can readily see, the needs of the Mikvah are pressing and it is only on the community that we can turn for assistance. Some synagogues have already pledged sums and have commenced paying off their obligations. In the coming weeks, the undersigned will contact you to ask for your help to keep the Mikvah open. Very truly yours, Jewish Women’s Club, Inc.