Exchange with R. Cook about Jewish Proportion in Reform Congregation Membership (1964)
Dear Rabbi Lamm: I enclose a clipping from the Feb. 7, 1964 issue of the South African Jewish Times. I am interested in knowing whether the statement in which you are quoted as saying, "There are some Reform Congregations in America where half the members are non-Jewish," is an accurate quotation. Irrespective of the statements attributed to you, do you happen to know the name of a Reform Congregation in the United States where half the members are non-Jewish? I still recall, with pleasure, your remarks a year and a half ago, when you, together with Rabbis Kahn and Eisenstein, addressed the college students winter recess assemblage in our building. I hope that your South African tour was up to your expectations. With greetings from house to house, Sincerely, Rabbi Samuel Cook Director