Dear Mr. Kolet: I feel that although I have been neglectful in my corresponding with you since my visit this last winter, nevertheless this is as good an occasion as any to resume our friendship. I want to take this opportunity to tell you of my admiration for your splendid work on behalf of New Delhi and elsewhere and especially with the children, and to wish you well for the year that is about to begin. May you, your wife and children together with all our fellow Jews of all communities in India and elsewhere enjoy a year of happiness, health and spiritual eminence.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL:ff

My dear Mr. Kolet: It was a pleasure seeing you here several weeks ago and showing you several of the classes of our Hebrew High School during their sessions. I would like to bring to your attention a matter which I think will please you and in which you might be of some assistance. When I was in India last year, I noticed the unemployment amongst many of the Bene Israel and also the fact that economic conditions forced many of them, who would otherwise observe the Sabbath and holidays, to violate them. Since then I have tried to make contact in America with people who would be willing to invest in industry in the Bombay area which will be able to employ Bene Israels and, at the same time, make it possible for them to observe all the tenets of our religion.I now have been successful in obtaining someone who is ready to invest in setting up a factory in India, preferably in the Bombay area or thereabouts. He is prepared to invest from fifty to one hundred thousand dollars or the rupee equivalent, and to send over people who will set up the operation.As I understand it, Indian law requires that 51% of a business be owned by Indian investors, and that, as an attraction to foreign investors, the government will lend up to 75% for five years interest free.What we are looking for, therefore, is an Indian or group of Indian investors who will be able to match Mr. Klein’s investment (i.e., 1% more).We have here a wonderful opportunity to help Indian Jewry both materially and spiritually. I have written to some people in Bombay and Calcutta asking if they think they can recommend a partner or partners for Mr. Klein.I think that you would perhaps be in the best position to do so, and also to offer any advice or assistance to help this venture.Please be kind enough to give this matter your attention as soon as possible and answer me at your earliest opportunity. If there are any prospects, Mr. Klein will make the flight to India — and possibly I will go along.Sincerely yours,…

I hope this letter finds you and your family in the very best of health. I suppose that the weather in your part of the world during this season is quite uncomfortable, and so I am sorry to have to burden you with this request. However, I am confident you will appreciate the gravity of the issue which causes me to approach you at this time. I am sure you are acquainted with the dreadful condition of our fellow Jews behind the Iron Curtain. Russian Jewry, which numbers in the millions, is sustaining a wave of virulent anti-Semitism which is all the more pernicious because it is hypocritically denied by Soviet officials. I know that as a responsible leader of your own Jewish community, you sense, as I do, the obligation to do whatever is possible to help our co-religionists.I have thought of this for a long time, as I am sure many others have, and I knew that there are no quick and easy solutions. Yet I feel strongly that we at least something could be done towards alleviating the conditions of Russian Jewry if public opinion were aroused throughout the world I kiiw that Js one who is close to the highest levels of government in India, your voice will be heard and given careful consideration. I believe that you are in a position to do more than most ordinary Jews can. None of us dare be silent at such crucial times in our history when the lives and liberty of so many Jews are at stake. I implore you to make representations to the government to communicate directly to the Soviets their distress at what is happening Further, I most urgently recommend that the outstanding dignitaries of Indian cultural life be alerted to the problem. Poets, philosophers, humanitarians, writers and journalists should make their voices heard publicly. You are He doubt- aware of the fact that Indian public opinion counts very much throughout the world I know that the task will not be easy; but neither will it be easy to avoid the adverse judgment of history if we fail to rise to the occasi…