Dear David: I suggest you read the article by Rabbi Soleveltchik in the latest issue of "Hadoar." It will explain a number of things that were disturbing you (and me), especially the "conversion.״ Regards. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I write this letter in response to your article in Jewish Life and would like clarification of some of the categories that you use as they appear, or at least this is my impression, confusing. I would like to know, if you agree regarding a Jewish view when you use the term, equating homosexuality with the sin of Sodom was viewed as a crime where punishment was ordained by death—or a view that sees homosexuality as a sickness. Would you say then that the Bible and Halakhah look at homosexuality in the framework of a sickness? It would appear strange that punishment for sickness is capital punishment. One would imagine that a different move should have been suggested. Second, you maintain that homosexuality between two consenting adults is not as grave as other sins (for instance, adultery or incest), and you say this in terms of consistency and expectedness: you call it a sickness, but your argument that voluntary and consenting homosexuality should not be prosecuted by the courts but once it becomes voluntary it should be prosecuted by the courts. Even more, if your argument is within the same framework, then one cannot treat homosexuality as a sickness and wonder how you are at the same level maintaining that your argument is based upon consistency. The third point that I would like to clarify is what is your position when you call homosexuality a sickness. Are you, then, agreeing with those in the medical and psychiatric professions who see sickness as a disease, or do you see sickness as a metaphorical category that one uses to describe a condition and their treatment of people who differ from the tradition? When you call homosexuality a sickness in the loose sense, is this a clarification that in the biblical sense it is a sin, a flagitious act, and really in another way of saying that? Therefore, I think I would like again this type of clarification. If you mean it in a loose sense, then you are really not going away from the biblical but rat…

Dear Norman: Our Conference this year will be held from Monday, June 22nd, through to Sunday, June 28th, at Auberge Lala Truite, Trout Lake, Quebec (Tel. No: area code 819, 326-3408). We hope that you will be able to stay over until Sunday (June 28th) in order to spend Shabbas with us, as it is very important for the spirit of our community that we spend Shabbas together. If you cannot, for some reason, stay for Shabbas, please indicate this on the attached sheet.Due to our financial strain this year, we are unable to cover the expenses of wives who may accompany their husbands to the Conference. I hope that you understand. As a matter of fact, if anyone could raise some money for the Segals Center within their own community, it would be greatly appreciated.It would be preferred if children did not accompany Conference participants, but if it is necessary that children are brought along, please indicate this as well on the attached sheet.We will be leaving from Montreal at 4:30 p.m. by bus. We will be meeting together beforehand (from 1:00 p.m. onwards) at the De Sola Club, 3636 Ontario Avenue, Montreal 18, telephone number: 845-0430. When you arrive in Montreal, please proceed directly to the De Sola Club. Taxi expenses will be covered by the Segals Center.The program for the Conference is attached. In the meantime, we shall be mailing to you, compliments of the Segals Center, copies of Emil Fackenheim's new book, *God's Presence in History*; as well as Moshe Greenberg's article on the relationship of the Jew and the non-Jew; Nahum Goldmann's article on *The Future of Israel*, and Isaiah Leibowitz’s article on *The Spiritual and Religious Meaning of Victory and Might*.Please return the attached sheet. We look forward to being with you at the Conference.Sincerely,David Hartman