Dear Mr. Jesselson: I hope you will not take it amiss if I take the liberty of replying to your letter to Prof. Fisch. This year we are together responsible for the financing of the Summer Institute. We have, of course, been counting on the confirmation of your support and the withdrawal of such a significant donation at this stage will make it hard for us to meet our obligations for which we carry the responsibility. But your letter has been, most of all, a moral blow. The experience of the last few years shows that we are on the right road. Let me cite just one fact to back this up: this year Prof. Ephraim Katchalsky and Rabbi Adin Steinsalz have joined our group of founding members, and Elie Wiesel will address the opening session of our Summer Institute. One could hardly find three personalities more different in background and outlook. Still, they have found with us a meeting-ground in their common concern for Jewish values and in their conviction that through serious confrontation with modern thought Judaism can be made a living instrument, not only for its own sake but also for the good of mankind as a whole.I cannot believe that you of all people will wish to disassociate yourself from our work, and I do hope you will kindly reconsider the matter. This would mean a great deal to all of us.I take this opportunity of sending to you and Mrs. Jesselson, as well as to your family, my warmest wishes for the coming Pessah Holidays.With best regards,Yours very sincerely,Prof. Y. Schachter.YS/vescc: Prof. H. Fisch.

Dear Rabbi Lamm, To my regret, I understand there have been difficulties in the way of your nomination as president. I do hope things will straighten out after all. As you know, I have been a staunch believer in the need for a president and I shall not desist fighting for it. I am taking the liberty of enclosing a copy of a letter I sent Mr. Pershan in connection with our Science Institute. As you will gather from the context, we have met with a problem, and frankly, I am worried. We have taken upon ourselves a heavy responsibility and shall have great difficulty in meeting it. If you could help us in this, we would indeed appreciate it. With warmest regards and wishes, yours very sincerely, Y. Schachter.

Dear Rabbi Lamm: Many thanks for your letter of April 26th. It is indeed very kind of you to offer us your help and under the circumstances it is very badly needed. Mr. Jesselson contributed 7500 dollars last year, and this is the sum we are seeking. I should add that other donors were much less generous; in general, donations ranged from 1000-2000 dollars. Prof. Fisch and myself still hope you will be able to attend this year's Institute. We would be very happy to meet you again soon. We are rather concerned about the lack of progress in the matter of the Presidency. We still hope things will work out, but unfortunately matters have not been handled the way they should have been.With best wishes,Very cordially yours,Prof. Y. Schachter.YS/vescc: Prof. Fisch