Dear Rav Lamm: I hope this note finds you and yours in the best of health. You might recall the wonderful moments of “Chavrusas” of a few years ago. One of the moving spirits was Rabbi Jacobovits. I wish to recommend a reconvening of the group, but not for just another Tzaychem L’Shalom. During his tenure on these shores, Rabbi Jacobovits undoubtedly drew some impressions which he would be interested in sharing with a few yichedey segulah, outside the rigidity of the established organizations. (I base this remark not on knowledge but on assumption.) Should you and he be interested, I would be happy to forward the “Chavrusas” list. I leave this matter to your respected judgement. Looking forward to good news on all fronts, I remain Sincerely yours, Elkanah Schwartz

Dear Rabbi Lamm – I trust this note finds all well. This letter is a solicitation – for advice. If you can give it a little thought, it would be most appreciated. The next few years, with the immediate next one most especially, have to show a very marked spurt in the specific area of scholarly writing, and its application. For want of which we all miss one of the main facets of achievement. I look back and see publication of works of value – such as encyclopedias, half a dozen first rate books, major halakhic works, and much more, still unmade where they should be made. Doubtlessly, writing and publishing are nearly a mushroom that must proceed. Individual major non-Torah writers who might have tried, had there been any stimulation, no doubt were not induced but rather gently eased to the sphere, while “scholarly” Orthodox ecology remained limited and unformed. Much rabbinic material is published, but of the above, who authored or who helped in each other’s writings? It must still be seen. The purpose of this communication is to discover more of the climate at the time in a given point like this, to stimulate the idea that it is now workable to organize and intensify activity in one particular sphere – namely, to gather and collate the many and distinguished rabbinic scholars in a more professional dimension for the further achievement that our times demand. At one time I mentioned a dream of a writers’ bureau – I now still dream of it. But this letter is the first formalization of one kernel projected in the light of a specific theme. I am interested (re: the mode of building it) in publishing a symposium volume on “Writing in Orthodoxy.” It should be meant as a collection of statements from important Orthodox writers, describing their specific work, and putting it into a perspective of the content and of the sphere of application and future. Each person would be solicited to write a concise statement (300–500 words) with a sample or excerpt attached. These, in t…

Dear Rav Lamm – I hope this note finds you and yours well, and at the beginning of a happy, healthy, and fruitful year. Your remarks about my pamphlet project to encourage new writers are much appreciated, both for your having taken the time to respond and for the guidance. The outline has meanwhile been returned to my “ideas” file. Again I ask you for the benefit of your thinking, and hope you will similarly respond. Two summers ago, I organized and chaired a symposium at the Rabbinical Alliance convention on the theme of “New Currents on the Orthodox Scene.” Participants were Irving Glick for AOJS, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin for Yavneh, R. Yitzhak Gilat for Bar Ilan, and (by default) for COLPA, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman. Rackman prepared the paper for publication and then shortly left both YU and the OU. Saul Bernstein then took it in hand to publish it, although he had to cut and shorten my suggestions to him in order to reduce the length to fit their format. At the Glouster session, I met with Marvin Schick, including him in my remarks. He offered this suggestion – that if additional papers are prepared on other important new currents on the Orthodox scene, the project itself will acquire stature and usefulness. Such papers, if in mimeograph form, would in effect serve as “position papers” on these various trends. I have therefore prepared additional essays on the “Jewish Catalog Challenge” and “Outreach and the Traditional Community.” As such, if these were published as a pamphlet, they could assume some stature in themselves. It occurred that COLPA could sponsor such a project. Enclosed are the papers (which could be easily updated) and I return your envelope. Your thoughts and comments will be much appreciated. Sincerely, Elkanah Schwartz

Dear Elkanah: I hope that my corrections for the "Who Is A Jew" article were acceptable and entered as we had discussed. I look forward to its publication in the near future. My brother has apprised me of the “gilgulim” of his rejoinder to Bleich's review of his book. I must say that I totally and completely fail to understand the editorial policy of Jewish Life. It is inconsistent, self-defeating, and utterly unworthy. I am deeply chagrined at this fearful and self-contradictory attitude which will allow a halakhic critique of a book and then not permit a halakhic rejoinder on the grounds that *Jewish Life* shies away from halakhic issues. If this is to be the considered and final view of the authorities at *Jewish Life*, then I must have been profoundly mistaken in my assessment of its nature and quality.I hope that, simply on the basis of fairness and consistency, the editorial committee will review its decision and thereby allow those of us who have been advocates of and contributors to it to continue their positive support of the magazine.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMMNL/

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Thank you for your note of June 5. Some members of the Editorial Committee felt as you did, and the matter surrounding your brother's rejoinder to the review by Rabbi Bleich was reconsidered. Their decision was to publish the rejoinder in this May-June issue. As you will be sent a copy immediately because of your own article therein, you will have opportunity to read the rejoinder. Thank you for your interest. Best Chag Sameach greetings.Sincerely,Elkanah Schwartz

Dear Rabbi Karasick, On behalf of the New York Conference on Soviet Jewry, I wish to thank you for your contribution of $200.00. Your assistance will help us continue our efforts to sensitize and mobilize public opinion in this country to the injustices being committed against our people in the Soviet Union. Thank you again. Sincerely, David Geller, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Coordinator, Chairman. cc: Rabbi Louis Ginsburg, Rabbi Elkanah Schwartz