In attendance: Rabbi L. Jung, Rabbi J. H. Moistein, Rabbi H. Lookstein, Rabbi R. Oettinger, Rabbi I. Jakobovits, Rabbi R. Reichel, Rabbi N. Lamm. The meeting was devoted exclusively to the question of the eruv. Rabbi Lamm reported on his contacts with Rabbi Teitz, who entered the picture on behalf of the Agudath Harabbanim as a result of an editorial in Hapardes. The gist of the report was as follows: Rabbi Henkin and Rabbi Feinstein both seemed to be wavering. Rabbi Henkin is completely determined to qualify his consent with the provision of be-sha’at ha-dechak. This is to be accompanied, according to Rabbi Henkin, by a number of items spelling out the nature of the provision. On the day before the meeting, Rabbi Lamm, in the company of Rabbi Y. Besser and Mr. Abba Finkelstein, met with Rabbi Teitz, who implied that it would be unfortunate for the whole question to become involved in politics and that it would have been better to have announced the eruv without any consultation with his organization. Rabbi Teitz said that he did not know what had transpired at the Agudath Harabbanim meeting and that he would have to see the minutes later on. It was agreed that Rabbi Lamm would contact him and thus determine the course of future events concerning the eruv. After the report, Rabbi Moskowitz joined the meeting and answered the questions of the various rabbis. He indicated the desire to have at least ten rabbis of Manhattan – including those of our group – sign a statement of co-responsibility with him. This is primarily a moral issue, as he does not want to act solely in his individual capacity but desires the moral participation of others. It was decided that we would accede to his request. After discussion, it was decided to proceed on our own, announcing the eruv during the third week of June. The Hebrew announcement – which Rabbi Lamm read to the group from galleys corrected by Rabbi Kasher – would be printed and distributed to rabbis. In the Yiddish press, a st…

Present at the meeting: Rabbi Jung presiding; Rabbis Adams, Gettinger, Jakobovits, Langer, Lookstein, Reichel, Serebrenik, Schneier, and Lamm. Guest: Rabbi Kasher. The meeting was devoted completely to the eruv problem. Rabbi Kasher presented a résumé of the history of eruv and asked us to decide one way or the other, since continuation of the present situation may prove to be detrimental to Shabbat rather than helpful – the eruv may lapse and certain people may continue to carry. Rabbi Jakobovits maintained that our objections were not halakhic. The question is whether or not to publicize the eruv. The Agudath Harabbanim has never given us its answer after our meeting quite some time ago. There are no older rabbis – acknowledged authorities – who live in the area affected by the eruv and who are willing to publicly commit themselves to it. Rabbi Langer agreed with this analysis. Both felt that the controversy occasioned by the proclamation of the eruv would nullify any benefits that might derive from it. Rabbi Kasher replied that there is no need for wide publicity. It is sufficient to accept the advice of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and institute the eruv quietly. However, we must make sure to establish firmly the board of mashgichim and promise to provide for it. Rabbi Lookstein urged a public declaration of the eruv. He maintained that since it was halakhically feasible, we ought not consider any other elements. Rabbi Jung and Rabbi Lamm similarly pleaded for a public announcement of the eruv despite the risk of controversy. Rabbi Adams emphasized that the major problem was one of continuity – i.e., that of paying for the mashgichim in the future after enthusiasm has waned. We need, he said, a foundation of $25,000 in perpetuity, its income to be used for paying the mashgichim plus other expenses. He expressed a readiness to raise $5,000 toward this foundation. Rabbi Lookstein said he preferred that the congregations undertake a certain stipend to be paid every year…

A meeting of the Mid-Manhattan Rabbis’ Group was held at the Zichron Ephraim Congregation on February 16, 1965, at 3 p.m. Those present were Rabbis Gettinger, Jakobovits, Lamm, Langer, and Schneier (presiding). Regarding the eruv, Rabbi Lamm read a letter from Rabbi Kasher urging the group to decide on generous terms of payment to the three mashgichim and suggesting the sum of $1,600 per annum as a minimum commitment to be undertaken. It was decided to reconfirm our earlier decision to disburse $2,000 to the three mashgichim for the current year, $1,200 to two mashgichim for the following year, and to review the matter thereafter. Rabbi Gettinger urged that we use the present situation for a quiet campaign to enlist the personal support of other local rabbis with a view to eventually establishing the eruv publicly on a proper communal basis, and it was suggested to ask one of the mashgichim to devote himself to this task. Rabbi Lamm reported on a series of irregularities that had recently occurred at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, and it was decided to ask one or more directors to meet with the group at its next meeting for the purpose of securing adequate arrangements to safeguard all halakhic requirements in the future. On the suggestion of Rabbi Lamm, Rabbi Schneier undertook to draft a “checklist” for our use in making funeral arrangements and advising mourners on the requisite preparations. In a brief discussion on the mikvah project, Rabbi Schneier stated that he had committed himself to a contribution of $5,000 and that he would make every effort to remit at least part of this pledge in the near future. A report on a recent meeting of the R.C.A. Kashruth Committee regarding Grossinger’s was given by Rabbi Lamm. The arrangements were satisfactory at the moment, and plans to change them had been tabled pending new recommendations to be made by the R.C.A. officers within the next few months. Regarding the sad and sudden passing of our colleague, Rabbi Robert Se…