Dear Rabbi Schonfeld: I have before me your announcement concerning the interesting program scheduled for February 19. Unfortunately, it is impossible for me to come to New York again before the end of March. I am especially unhappy, however, over the prospect of missing this session since Rabbi Lamm’s topic is of the greatest pertinence to my own situation, as you know. I am in Wichita with a “heter” from Rabbi Soloveitchik giving me a reasonable time to correct the special arrangement in our small synagogue. I have read many favorable comments on Rabbi Lamm’s treatment of this touchy topic, and, for all that I have written and spoken and read on this subject to date, I still feel that I would benefit from his presentation. I daresay, there are probably far more rabbis in outlying areas, unable to attend these meetings, who are in need of this discussion than there are in the metropolitan area. This gives a pressing immediacy to the step I urged Rabbi Bernstein to take at our Mid-Winter Conference last month. At that time, I suggested similar sentiments about even so informal a discussion as that which the Rabbinic Alumni held at our last dinner: important services and the responsibility of the Yeshiva should impel us toward the regular dissemination of this effort in the field. Since the rules of a convention and the constraints upon the papers presented, I don’t think this would in any way diminish the stature of Yeshiva. I believe that such transcripts or tapes would be equally welcomed by those who attended, but were unable to hear clearly, as well as those who found it very slip by the listener, who would be refreshed for the opportunity to review the material back home. This is not really a difficult project. The technical end could be easily arranged, especially if first services of the Audio-Visual Department were employed. I am sure that our colleagues would be happy to pay for these transcripts or tapes and help to defray the costs of the program. There…

Dear Max: In his last letter to me before leaving for Europe, David mentioned the lectureship sponsored by the East Bay Synagogue Council. We have given this matter a great deal of thought. We have recognized the unique opportunity and the tremendous challenge that will await any person who will appear in such a setting as a spokesman for Orthodoxy. In our deliberations, we have taken into careful consideration the spirit and tone of the community, as well.Accordingly, we have come to the conclusion that we would be better serving the interests of Orthodox in general and the traditional Jewish community of the East Bay Area if we were to select someone for substance rather than merely title.We are most pleased, therefore, to recommend to you the name of Rabbi Norman Lamm of New York City. I think you will find the attached biographical sketch of Rabbi Lamm fairly comprehensive. I want to add a little bit to the profile. Rabbi Lamm is one of the most promising young rabbis to be graduated in the United States in the last fifteen years. He is universally recognized in orthodoxy rabbinic circles as a shining young luminary on the intellectual horizon in America. He is blessed with a keen intellect, a remarkably facile pen ana the important gift of presenting Torah Judaism with clarity and warmth.On the personal level, Rabbi Lamm is a young man of great personal charm and grace. Knowing him as a fellow classmate through our school years, I unhesitatingly recommend him as an admirably qualified candidate for the lectureship. If invited, he will do honor to you and to us and to Torah Judaism.If you want to be in touch with Rabbi Lamm directly, you may reach him at the address indicated on his profile or through our office.With all good wishes to you and to Mrs. Brown, I amVery cordially yours,Victor B. GellerField Director

Dear Vic: May I take this opportunity to again thank you for your wonderful cooperation in helping me with my religious emphasis week program. Rabbi Lamm, as I had anticipated, made a tremendous impression. I am truly sorry that we were not in the position to give him the proper monetary compensation which he surely deserved. Close to 100 people attended his session. He left an indelible impact upon everyone. His talk evoked only favorable comment on the delicate subject of mechitza, and even during Yom Kippur, people were still talking "about the Rabbi who was here Monday night." May I add that his modest and dignified approach won for him and the Yeshiva the reputation of being the outstanding speaker of the series.All in all, over 550 people attended the sessions. I am taking the liberty of enclosing two press releases on the subject.Again my inadequate thanks to you personally aid to CSD.With best wishes for continued success.Sincerely,Rabbi David Stavsky

Dear Norman: Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter received from Dave Stavsky. You can post it on your bulletin board. If you have a chance, I would be grateful for a letter from you telling me about what you found in Columbus. Kindest regards. Very cordially yours, Victor B. Geller Field Director P.S. I will report to you on my West Coast visit as soon as I return.

Dear Victor: We had a glorious trip to Australia and New Zealand and despite an extremely hectic and arduous time, found the experience exhilarating. I have the feeling that your experience with travel arrangements with that part of the world is not very extensive. My Australian hosts told me that the trip could have been arranged for considerably less than it cost me. I am sending you enclosed some material that may be useful to you in the future. Most of the arrangements that Millie made for me were adequate, although it was necessary for me to make one or two obvious changes in order for my wife and myself to leave and arrive at times closer than those scheduled by Millie. Another point: Millie made reservations for me to stay at the Flagship Beach Comber Hotel in Nadi in the Fiji Islands. When Mindy arrived in Nadi at 5 a.m. she learned that this hotel was in Suva, some three hours away by car. That was not advisable, considering that our whole stay was only 24 hours. We, therefore, made arrangements to another hotel, and I am returning the travel voucher so that you may return to me my deposit of $20. (We notified the Flagship Beach Comber of the cancellation before making our other reservations in Nadi.) Finally, I hope your people were satisfied with whatever assistance I was able to offer through my contacts with Astronaut Travel Service In Melbourne. I hope that you and your family had a pleasant summer. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm