Dear Mr. Soskis: I’m glad we were able to meet, exchange ideas and find out more deeply about NYANA’s work. Based on yesterday’s discussion and our growing work with the increasing number of community-based groups helping Russian Jewish immigrants, I’d like to put down in writing what we perceive to be some of the needs of Russian Jews in New York. A. English. Although it is true that a good number of Russian Jews would rather find a job than learn English when they arrive, NYANA should explain to them that proficiency in English leads to better jobs and that such an opportunity to learn English without having to work at the same time will probably not exist again for them. Private language instruction, cheaper than the public school type, seems much superior (smaller classes, more keyed to need to know technical language) should be made available to all who ask, even to those who have first tried a public school course and found it wanting. (Here you can involve volunteers who are needed to help immigrants practice English once a basic knowledge of the language is acquired. Volunteers don’t know the language well?, both by personal meetings and by three or four in a single phone call. The latter would give an enormous opportunity for a shut-in, older person or one too far away from the Russian family centers such as Brighton Beach, Forest Hills, etc.) B. Jobs. The vocational department of NYANA should be reorganized, with an emphasis on enlisting, publicly, the aid of the Jewish community to help meet the employment needs of Russian Jews. (As a result of the other needs for training, NYANA cannot simply put them in jobs like stock room or factory jobs; professionals, musicians and many, many others cannot find employment unless NYANA Employers can “put in” and help NYANA become a real vocational agency. What is needed is a public announcement through the Federation Employment Service and Jewish Family Service that professional jobs for Russian Jews exist.) C. Hous…

Dear Norman: I was delighted to read the official announcement, in the New York Times, of your election as president of Yeshiva University. As a naturalized New Yorker, I have learned that some New Yorkers may question Scripture – but never New York Times reports under the by-line of Irving Spiegel. I rejoice for you, your family and for Yeshiva University that you have been selected for this high office to which you bring so many endowments of mind and spirit. I regret that members of my family will be denied your personal ministry, but am gratified that it will be extended to our wider community. You have been a good neighbor and your presence certainly helped improve the neighborhood. I am delighted that you will continue to reside within the boundaries of our eruv and pray that, nevertheless, you will not find your weekday burdens too onerous. If there is any way in which I can ever be of assistance to you in our common concerns, I know that you will not hesitate to communicate with me. May we share happy tidings and encounters one with another. Sincerely, Wolfe Kelman