My dear Dr. Belkin, I have just returned from the Torah Leadership Seminar, held at the Lake House in Woodridge, N. Y. This has given me an opportunity not only to participate, but to observe at first hand the sort of work that is being done by Yeshiva University through its Youth Bureau. I thought you might be interested in some of the observations of one of your "Talmidim". I can only say that it is a pity that such projects were not instituted many years ago. I have already heard from some of the parents of the Springfield children who accompanied me some heart-warming reports about the effect the conclave had upon them. It was a most inspiring experience to notice the deep thirst for Torah and the deep desire for Traditional Judaism that these children evinced.Yoohiva io now taping an *laost unitsitod resource of npower that exists in our country.ut all of thio w uld bo possible if not for the superb direction and highly competent professional guid nee of Abmhan *tern. is talent, his devotion, and his ability to develop eonnetent subordinate•, certainly deserve to bo acknowledged in gratitude by Yeah va cam like synelf, who benefited so ׳uch fioe hin wort• know th t you will oprooUto hearing this kind of re ort about the professional wployoes of Yeshivaonly serves to underscore another feeling th t I have had, that I would now like to orient to you. An th t is, thg crying neor a full time , one which would bo njy orting ith the hope that this suggestion will nerit your ooneidemtloI remainMost respectfully yoursRabbi Kainan Umm

אחדשה"ט, הולכות ונמשכות ההכנות לקריאת העצרת שהייתה שעל־יד הקונסוליה הישראלית לרגל חנוכת גיליון מאה של "פנים אל פנים", מתחילה נקבע ה־19 באוקטובר ליום העצרות, אבל לרגלי מחלתו של איש־שמועת ביה"ס מר שטרן במשך החקיק, ננדחה המועד להתאספות עם מר שטרן למועד אחר. בעצרת החמוספחת ישתתפו מספר שגרירים של מדינות אחדות ואורחים רמי־מעלה אחרים ומאוד החינוך רוצים כי גם ביה"ס ישתתף בה לכבודו של מר שטרן ובכן לקבלת העדות־כבוד מספרות ישראל על ספרו החדש, כפי שיראה בהגגה המודפסת של החוברת שאנו מכינים לקריאת הצבור. נודה איפוא לביה"ס אם יואיל נא להודיענו באמצעות מזכירו איזו משלושת התאריכים הבאים מתאימים לו יותר: ערב 26 בנובמבר, פברואר או 10 בדצמבר. באיחולי עמר חתימה טובה בברכה וירידות עוז, פ' נחום פלאי

Dear Dr. Belkin: I have recently been informed of the good news that I have been appointed Visiting Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Yeshiva. I know that this was your decision, and I want to thank you for it. I very genuinely and sincerely appreciate not only the promotion itself, but the very fact that it was you who did it, because of my infinite esteem for your opinion and judgement. My warmest personal regards to Mrs. Belkin, and kindest good wishes to the both of you for a happy and kosher Passover.Respectfully yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Dr. Belkin: I am enclosing, at your request, a copy of the brief proposal originally composed for the founding of an Institute of Jewish Research. A good deal of thought had gone into the specific problems that ought to be researched. These have not been enumerated in the enclosed proposal for reasons of brevity. If, however, you would want me to outline them, I should only be too glad to do so. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.

I suggest the following special problems be included as areas for research in Jewish ethics. (1) The problem of Biblical Wars. What is their ethical justification? Does the interpretation of the Oral Law mitigate the ethical problem? Does the problem have any relevance to the contemporary problem of "just wars?" (2) "Holocaust Theology" – Research into Jewish theodicy, and a study of contemporary writings, in an attempt to meet the ethical challenge of justice in a world in which 6 million Jews were killed. The ethical formulation of the classical metaphysical problem: is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the God of Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau? (3) Illegitimacy – How do we reconcile the limitation on the freedom of an illegitimate child with the ethical principle that every man suffers for his own sins?The treatment of the Non-Jew in HalakhaThe treatment of women in Halakha – The question of their disqualification as witnesses; inheritance; and the Agunah. The ethical problems in this area should also include that of Halitzah: why is the brother-in-law faulted in the ceremony, when he is forbidden to marry the Yebamah by Rabbinical interdiction?RNL/h

כבוד רבינו הגאון שליט״א, Before leaving New York I met with Rabbi Rackman who called me at your suggestion and discussed with him more details of my work at Yeshiva next year. He told me that within a few days I would receive from you the official and detailed letter of appointment. However, so far I have not yet received it. In a letter to Rabbi Rackman further to our meeting, I suggested the outline of several courses in Hebrew Literature which I am prepared to give. This list is in no way conclusive and I am awaiting to hear the suggestions of the Deans of the respective Colleges as to the nature and specifications of the courses. The earlier this information gets me, the more time I will have to work on preparing them properly.One of the courses which I suggested deals with the works of Nobel Laureate S.Y. Agnon and it is in this connection I would like to make a suggestion.As you probably know, Agnon is expected to visit the United States in May as Guest of Honor of the American Friends of the Hebrew University. He is, as you know, a remarkable Talmid Chacham as well as an observant Jew. You may be interested in receiving him at Yeshiva while on his visit to the States. As Agnon is a close friend of mine if there is anything I can do in this respect I whould like to of help if possible.In my letter to Dr. Rackman just before leaving the U.S., I asked him to convey to you my sincere thanks. I would like to express them once more.Looking forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial association with Yeshiva, I am,Yours truly,Pinchas H. Peliנ"בלשם הקלה על עבודת המשרד כתבתי המכתב באנגלית ועם מע״כ הסליחה.

Dear Nachum: I hope you do not think that I have simply forgotten our conversation when we met at the dinner of the UOJCA. I trust that you remember the gist of our conversation. I do hope to be in contact with you towards the end of the summer, p.g., and perhaps we can arrange for you to come in from Toronto at the very beginning of September to meet with me and a few other people to discuss the matter. Perhaps, after that, we may know better what the possibilities are. Meanwhile, please accept my best wishes for a very pleasant summer. Cordially yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Dr. Belkin: This letter comes for one reason only – a deep and thoroughly justified guilt-feeling. To my utter dismay, I was once again unable to attend a significant celebration of your 25th anniversary at Yeshiva! There are very good reasons for my not attending – but they are irrelevant to the fact that as a student, a friend, and a life-long admirer of my רבי, it is my business to attend and it is my loss and I fail to show him honor...

Dear Dr. Belkin: At our recent Convention the incoming Administration was directed to establish a "Study Panel to undertake the ongoing review of the participation of the Orthodox Union in inter-agency organs and to determine in which area independent efforts of the Orthodox Union will be more appropriate to our ultimate purposes." Pursuant to this mandate the Study Panel was appointed and is now functioning. We conceive our task in terms of specific recommendations which will be made concerning organizations the Orthodox Union is now associated with and also in terms of drawing up of criteria to guide future participation in coordinating agencies. Because of the understanding implicit in the Convention Resolution, the study is to encompass the Union's participation in the Synagogue Council of America, the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the World Jewish Congress, and the National Jewish Welfare Board. As the first part of our review process, we are writing to you and other orthodox leaders connected with various religious organizations to solicit written comments on the matters within the purview of our Commission. We trust that you will recognize the importance of the study that is being undertaken and that you will offer us the benefit of your considered judgement. Our Study Panel also intends to conduct, subsequently, and in addition to this written inquiry, oral hearings. Would you kindly indicate in your reply whether you would be willing to give us further oral elucidation and information, if invited. In order not to unduly delay our work and because the Convention directed us to make our initial report before the summer, we respectfully ask you to write to us by Nissan 27 - April 15. We thank you for your participation in our work. Sincerely yours, Marvin Herskowit, Chairman Study Panel

לכבוד מו״ר אישי מכובדי ורחימא לדבאי, ראש ישיבתו ונשיא עדתנו, הרה״ג מוהרר״ש בלקין שליט״א, שלום רב וברכות מעל. הססתי לכתוב מע״כ ולא להעמיס עליו את הקריאה, אולם שמעתי היום בשורה טובה על החלמתו המהירה ולכן צוותי בקצרה להוסיף ברכתי ברכת הציוט על ברכות אלפי מעריציו ולאחל לו מעומק דלבא רפואה השלמה מן השמים בתוך שאר חולי ישראל. יה״ר שבקרוב ישוב לאיתנו ולהמשיך בעבודתו ההיסטורית להגדלת התורה.