Moetzet Harabanut Harashit hemlita sheen issur nisssuim im bnei Israel vechol harabanim messadre hanissuim lebarer kol mikre lefi oraot harabanut – nekuda tzarich lishloah rav laheda behdu habaki betiv guittin vekidushin – Harav Harashi Nissim.

Identical wires sent to: Chief Rabbi Nissim, Jerusalem and Chief Rabbi Unterman, Tel Aviv (Wire to be dispatched after nightfall Saturday evening, November 25th.) Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America considers decision concerning Bene Israel marriage admissibility of historic importance. Future generations will be able to evaluate true impact of this decisive psak issued at a time when courageous leadership is of crucial and pivotal consequence. This will have most salutary effect upon isolated Jewish communities everywhere.Moses I. Feuerstein, PresidentRabbi Norman Lamm,Member, Joint Overseas Commission

Dear Chief Rabbi, It is with a feeling of deep concern that I write this letter to you, with a view that the situation shall receive your personal attention. Your Council of Rabbis have unanimously decided, it is understood from Dr. Tartakower, to have no difficulty in the performance of weddings of Bene Israel with other Jews in Israel, though I have not received a copy of the official decision. However, immediately on receipt of this information of the removal of the ban, Mr. A.D. Jhirad released the same to the Indian press.The Orthodox Union was very much concerned with the turn this problem was taking in Israel, and had it not been for the assurance of the R.C.A., it would have become very difficult for us to suppress the feeling here. It is very painful to note that the “problem,” it is understood, is raising its ugly head once again in Israel. Is there no means by which your Council can enforce their decision on the local Rabbinate or Beth Din?Kindly let me have your reply in the matter at an early date.Taking advantage of the above situation, the World Council of Conservative Synagogues, which is having its conference in Israel on 29/9/1962, will be in a position to attract many congregations, especially Bene Israel, on the ground of offering equal status.I do not know how the office of the Chief Rabbi or the Council of Rabbis in Israel feel about this new development. It is known that the Israeli Government does not much worry as far as the religious trend in Israel is concerned, but surely the Orthodox Rabbinate in Israel cannot remain silent over such a grave situation and thereby endorse Conservatism.The Reform movement has purchased land in Israel to build a temple; the Conservatives are to hold a conference, which is to be opened by an address by the President of Israel. Would it be difficult for them to attract new adherents in Israel or other countries, with all the pampering they would receive from the Israeli Government and no opposition—or even c…