My dear Charlie: I have your letter of April 27th, 1971, a copy of which you sent to all the Rabbis in the neighborhood. It is regrettable that in our affluent area, a Mikvah has to undergo such hardship. Neighborhoods, far poorer than ours, somehow found a way how to construct a Mikvah and how to maintain it properly. I lay the blame on all of us. I mean the Rabbis, who are so extremely busy with a variety of matters that, in the language of the Bible, "they tend other gardens but neglect their own vineyard". Now you have a problem on your hands and you are entitled to relief and to assistance. I am especially mindful of the fact that you offered to make a gift of $5,000 in order to be relieved of carrying the burden further all by yourself. I think this is a generous intention on your part and I, for one, will be happy to see you implement that intention with the conditions that you set. How shall we go about preserving the institution of Mikvah in our area? I think that we ought to make one grand effort and assemble, in your home, the Rabbis and a number of lay people who are interested in this matter. I am sure that we can find a way of making these repairs, amounting to $16,000, by increasing the mortgage on the Mikvah property. I think that by doing that, we can also include the debt that is due to the Wurzweiler Foundation, a debt which was incurred on good faith and goodwill. I am further sure that the total debt, plus the maintenance of the Mikvah proper, could then, and should then, become the responsibility of the Rabbis of the neighborhood and of their synagogues. I, for one, together with my son, will do our best to carry our share of the responsibility, and even more. Please convene a meeting as soon as possible. Before long, the summer will set in and all of us will be departing, and the matter will again be neglected. Thank you for bringing this to my attention and be assured of my every cooperation. Very cordially yours, Joseph H. Lookstein

My Dear Mr. Greenspan: Permit me to bring to your attention a communal problem of the greatest urgency. You are no doubt cognizant of the crucial importance for Jewish life, of the institution known as Mikvah. Normative Jewish family living and the initiation of proselytes into Judaism are impossible without a functioning Mikvah. Furthermore, in order to make sure that this introduction to Jewish life is appealing rather than repelling, it is of the utmost importance that this facility be as attractive and aesthetic as possible. The only Mikvah between the Lower East Side and Washington Heights is the one on West 78th Street, which goes under the name of the Jewish Women’s Club. This facility was built only a few years ago at great expense for Jews of mid-Manhattan. We now face two critical problems – 1. A good part of the Mikvah is in a state of disrepair and it is necessary for us immediately to invest considerable sums into putting it in order. 2. We must assure community support for the regular maintenance of the Mikvah. To that end, the major Orthodox synagogues (and some Conservative synagogues as well) of Manhattan have agreed to provide $10,000.00 per year, minimum, for maintenance of the Mikvah. It is our hope that this kind of ongoing commitment will solve our major problems, and allow the Mikvah to operate for the benefit of the entire Jewish community, in a manner of which we can all be proud. I discussed the matter with my dear colleague, and your distinguished rabbi, Rabbi Kahane, and he quite naturally and enthusiastically approves of our activities. May I therefore, most respectfully, urge you, Mr. Greenspan, as a President of an important Orthodox synagogue on the West Side, to make every effort to prevail upon your congregation to join its sister congregations in our community, in this sacred endeavor. Do be kind enough to let me hear from you at your earliest convenience. Sincerely, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi Lamm: The writer wishes to refer to his letter to you of April 14, regarding your pledge of an annual contribution of $1,000.00, as an ongoing contribution for the maintenance of our Mikvah on West 78th Street. As you were advised at the meeting at the home of Mr. Bendheim on April 11, the funds are sorely needed, and you indicated that we can normally expect the above amount as a lump sum by Rosh Hashanah of each year. To date we have not received any monies honoring your pledge, and in view of the need for funds at this time, I would appreciate if you could arrange to forward a check to the attention of the writer. Thanking you for your cooperation, and with kindest personal regards, Very truly yours, C. H. Bendheim

Dear Charlie; I am sorry that it took us so long to remit the $1,000 for the Mikvah, but I am pleased finally to be able to send you that amount enclosed, on behalf of The Jewish Center. As I explained to you, we preferred to raise the money by voluntary assessment added to our dues bill. Since our bills go out on January 2, it was not possible to send the check until today. All good luck to you.Cordially,Rabbi Norman LammNL:cwEnc.

Dear Charles: Please find enclosed a check for $1,000.00 to the Jewish Women's Club, Inc. for the special repairs for the Mikvah. It is the result of soliciting a number of people. I trust that others in the community are cooperating. Best wishes for a pleasant summer to you and Els and all the family. Cordially, Rabbi Norman Lamm