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.

Dear Haham Gaon, I sincerely regret that because of our different schedules it was impossible for me to meet you personally in England to carry on the conversation we had begun in New York on the problems of Indian Jewry. I do hope, however, that as soon as my reports are written up after my return to New York please G-d, copies will be made available to you. Meanwhile I am turning to you on a problem of immediate importance. I have just returned to Bombay from Calcutta where the community is now paralysed because of controversies precipitated by Beth Din policies and by personality problems with Rabbi [redacted].As of this past week the Jewish Association has terminal the contract of [redacted]. Two factions, pro and anti-Rabbi, are stubbornly opposed to each other. The straw that broke the camel's back was the problem of how strict to be in accepting converts. The Beth Din had adopted a policy which was almost absolutely exclusivist. [redacted] favoured a more liberal attitude. The latter thereupon proceeded to perform his own conversion withoutBeth Din’s authorisation and the entire Beth Din resigned. Since then the local Hazanim have undertaken to perform conversions upon their own authority, but this has largely been stopped due to the exertions of [redacted] and others. The Jewish Association has publicly called for elections to the Beth Din in about two weeks.At a conversation with all factions – and I shall give you many more details at some later date – I have got their agreement to postpone elections to Beth Din, to organise synagogues under the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India and to have the Union be the sponsoring agency of the Beth Din. All factions agreed to submit to the discipline of the Beth Din provided that all members of the Beth Din will subscribe to the general principles I have proposed pending your approval.I have told them that I will not give them the exact talks of my proposals, but that it will officially have to come fro…

לכבוד הרב הגאון רבי איסר יהודה אונטרמן שליט״א, הרב הראשי לתל־אביב־יפו והמחוז. נראה לי להזכיר את מעמדי לפני כחודשיים: אני הוא הרב הצעיר אשר זכה לבקר את כבוד תורתו בעת ביקורך בהודו מטעם איגוד הקהילות האורתודוקסיות בארה״ב, לפני כארבעה חודשים. אז ביקשתי לשוחח עימך בענייני בני הקהילה היהודית בהודו, אשר זכיתי להכירם. קהילה זו קטנה ונידחת, מבודדת בים האלילות, ואף שאין בה אלא רב אחד ובני עלייה מועטים, הרי הם נאמנים לדתנו, לתורתנו ולעמנו, ומקיימים מצוות כפי יכולתם. סיפרתי אז לכבודו כיצד הרפורמים והקונסרבטיבים למיניהם עושים כל מאמץ לחדור אל תוך אותה קהילה, ואיך הצלחתי להבהיר, על סמך חותמות ומסמכים, כי רוב הקהילה מזדהה עם מתנת התורה ודרך האורתודוקסיה. הסברתי אז שלמיטב ידיעותיי, קהילת בומביי עומדת בפני מאבק חמור מאוד. כמעט שהפתרון היחיד הוא להעלותם ארצה, אך קשה מאוד לעודדם לכך, ובייחוד בגלל בעיית הגירותם לישראל. ידוע היטב לכבודו פרשת הדברים והתפתחותם מסביב להטלת ספק ממזרות עליהם מטעם יוצאי בגדד. עתה נעשה הדבר חמור וריאלי יותר, שכן הנושא עומד בפני כמה בתי דין, למיטב ידיעתי. עפ״י הידיעות האחרונות – הן שפורסמו בעתונות כאן והן שקיבלתי מהודו – הועלתה השאלה שוב על הפרק בארץ, והעניין מעסיק גם כאן. ראשי העדה ההודית מתמרמרים משמועות אלו, רואים בהן בזיון, וכתבו דברי מחאה חריפים. אזכיר בקצרה את מרוצת הדברים: התעודות שנמסרו עד כה נוטות ברובן להחמיר, אך הרב נסים שליט״א אמר שיש הכרח בפסק ברור. הרב נסים עומד בסירובו להתערב בעניין ולהכיר בנישואין שנערכו מטעם בית דין כלשהו בארץ, ואף בתשובות שהזכרתי, אך המליץ על פנייה לרב שמואל רוזובסקי שליט״א, ר״ם בישיבת פוניבז׳. הרב נסים הבטיח שאם תתפרסם חוות־דעת זו, וגדולי הרבנים יגיבו עליה ויתירו, יסכים גם הוא. פנינו אפוא לרב רוזובסקי פעמיים ושלוש, ואף ערכתי ביקור אצלו ונגשתי אליו בהשתדלות הרב כהנמן שליט״א, אך העלינו חרס בידינו – אין קול ואין עונה. ומה יועיל לנו אם לאחר שנים של סחבת ודיחוי יוחלט סוף־סוף להיתר, ובינתיים ח״ו תתייאש העדה הזאת, וכל עבודתנו ומאמצינו להשיבם לחיק היהדות המסורתית ירדו לטמיון. לכן, בשמי, בשמם ובשם חבריי מהסתדרות הרבנים ואיגוד הקהילות החרדיות של ארה״ב, הנני פונה עוד פעם אל כבודו לבל יחמיץ את השעה, ולהוציא פסק ברור וקים – אם להיתר ואם…

Dear Mr. Manasseh: A puzzling misunderstanding seems to have developed here in New York concerning the confidential information I gave you about the Joint Distribution Committee's $2500 grant to the Sassoon School. I was under the impression that [redacted] gave ne this information, and [redacted] in turn does not recall where he got it from and believes that his was [redacted]. [redacted] in turn, remembers only that I told him about it.Whatever the case may be it is by now irrelevant. [redacted] has just informed me that the Joint has decided to give much more than $2500 to the school. They are to receive, at least for this year, $500 per month. An equal amount is to be given to the Kadoorie School, and another sum is to be allocated for the orphan asylum, etc. The total of $6000 per year should give considerable impetus to the school.Meanwhile I have been in contact with [redacted] and the impression I get is that he would like as much as possible not to be involved in the local controversies. He also said it is not up to him to choose the members of the committee, but that he would see what he could do about recommending the names I submitted to him and which I received from you.I do hope things will work out and that you will be able to rally community support to the cause which unites us and for the organizations in Bombay which are working towards the achievement of our ideals.Sincerely,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Rabbi, I acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter of May 25, and I hasten to explain the circumstances that led us to the action resorted to. I have absolutely no doubt that the entire World Jewry (except of course those who issued such prohibition) must be appalled at such atrocity. You could imagine our feelings on learning the news and especially when our non-Jewish friends and acquaintances taunted and ridiculed us. There were fortunately no mass protect meetings but every person of Jewish faith, we met, pestered us with the questioned us ״what is the orthodox Union doing about this affair?״ The day the reports appeared in the Press, I got in touch with Mr. Kelman and through him requested the Consul to issue a statement immediately to the Press, denying the facts as far as the Government of Israel was concerned and that he would investigate the matter. Had this been done, there would have appeared very few or no letters in the Press, condemning the decision and the silence of the Government, over such a touching issue. He did issue one after eight days, which slightly worsened matters (copy enclosed).A meeting of the Executive was convened and a resolution adopted, which was released to the Local Press with the solo intention of toning down the agitation of the masses. Fortunately, Rabbi Gotthold sent me the following telegram, which though vague, somewhat relaxed the tension on being released to the Press."Resolution of the Union Orthodox Jew Congregations of May Seventeenth based on unfounded misleading information stop allegations about Israel Jewish religious authorities decision vicious and dangerous fabrication please correct you misinformation shalom Gotthold Ministry for Religious Affairs."The report appeared in the French trees in the first instance and was earned by the Press Trust of India in the Indian Express (not the Times of India). But the French papers appear to have picked up the news from the Israeli papers like the 'Haaretz' and …

Dear Sir, In view of the recent article in the press about the Benei-Israel community who have emigrated to Israel, and further to our letter of 15-5-1961 in this connection, I wish to bring to your notice the following facts: Members of the Benei Israel community in Israel are, and have always been regarded as jews by both the Government of Israel and the Rabbinical Authorities, nor is there any question of their purity. Moreover, the very fact that they are enjoying the right to emigrate to Israel under the provision of Law of Return, as any other jew elsewhere, proves their unquestionable jewishness.In Israel as in many other countries marriage ceremonies of members of various communities are performed by their Religious Authorities. The Government having no jurisdiction, has no authority to decide on this matter. The Benei Israel community in Israel, as other communities, is also subjected to the Jewish Religious Authorities, as far as religious ceremonies are concerned, a fact which again proves undoubtedly their jewishness.In their country of origin there was little encouragement given to marriages between members of Benei Israel communities and other jewish communities. In fact such marriages rarely took place. This custom was imported to Israel and whilst a few Rabbis have seen fit to follow this tradition, the others have not, and for that reason marriages of Benei Israel jews with jews of other communities are performed.With the election of a new Chief Rabbinate it is hoped that the problem will be brought to its attention.I am authorised by my Government to state that there is no, there has never been, and never will be, any question of discrimination of any community in Israel.Yours sincerely,Y. Yalit(Michael Th. Michael)Consul General of Israel

Dear Sir(s), I am directed to forward herewith a copy of resolution adopted by the Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India at their meeting held on Wednesday the 17th May 1961 for information. Yours faithfully, A.D Jhirad, Jt. Hon. Secretary. True Copy of Resolution Adopted by the Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish congregations of India on 17th May 1961: "The Executive of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of India views with grave concern and horror the news item appearing in the Local Press regarding the origin of the Indian Jews, especially of Bombay region and expresses its great resentment at the decision of the Israel Jewish Religious Authorities to brand the Indian Jews as Impure Jews and refusing to grant them licences for marriage with other Jewish Communities in Israel.The Executive is convinced that it is the faithful observance of religious precepts and not any organised Indian Council of Rabbis which constitutes a pure Jew.The executive hopes that the Government of Israel will initiate steps to remove the stigma on Indian Jews forthwith both in the interest of truth and also maintenance of cordial relations between the Jews of India and Israel" .President of Israel.Prime Minister of Israel.Minister of Religions.Consul General of Israel in India.Chief Rabbi of England.Haham S. Gaon, London.Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.President, Rabbinical Council of America.Central Jewish Board, Bombay – with a request that a general meeting of the Community to register mass protest be convened immediately.Prof. Haim Ezekiel, Israel.All Local News Papers.Rabbi N. LammRabbi Charles Weinberg.All Synagogues.

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. It has been quite some time since you left Bombay but we enjoyed your short visit very much and you have certainly left a fresh impact upon us here. We hope to see you once again with us in the near future. Mr. Manasseh has conveyed to me the contents of your letter urging the necessity of forming a Bethdin in Bombay. I quite agree with the necessity of this move, as it will definitely help to consolidate and establish our work in Bombay. This question was discussed at a meeting held on Wednesday the 17th instant but was shelved for the next meeting. I hope very soon this body becomes a reality and a force in Bombay Jewry. Now coming to the question of the O.R.T. and Joint Committee in Bombay, I am sure you must have received a copy of the letter addressed to Mr. [redacted] by Mr. Jhiradas Secretary of our organisation, analysing as briefly as possible the selection of tlie o.r,t» & JOINT Committee and its workings as well as the adverse effect it will liave on our organisation in time to come. The reason is simple, as Mr. Jhirad has rightly put it that the person who controls the purse controls the community. If the present trend of events taking place in the community today is not nipped in its bua, I am afraid, Orthodoxy will be well overshadowed ana outnumbered. The aay will come when we will regret our failure to take early ana decisive steps against this threatening •na real danger. This matter shoula be takenup absolutely immediately and Jr. Jhirad‘s letter should be considered as a genuine and real fact and treated as such if we are truly interested and concerned with conse-quences. You liave already been informed by Jr. J’anasseh about the 500 dollars per month sanctioned for the school along with 500 each to the Elly Kadoorie school ana tlie Orphanage. The latter amounts were paid but the Jacob Sassoon school money was withheld even upto last week. I understand that Jr. Gilb…

Dear Norman, I read with great interest your letter of May 25th which covers the situation that is so sensitive. The remaining correspondence, which has been forwarded to me, indicates a situation that will require continuing attention and I am most appreciative, personally as well as on behalf of the officers and directors of the Union, for the time and effort which you are able to give to this very important area.There was a reference to cemeteries which I did not understand because part of a letter was deleted. If this is of any importance, I shall appreciate some information from you in this regard.The importance of getting a part-time man for this work is greater than ever. I am sure you are giving this careful consideration.With kindest personal regards, I remainSincerely yours,Moses I. FeuersteinMIF / eocRabbi Norman LammThe Jewish Center 131 West 86th Street New York, New York

Dear Rabbi Lamm: Last Thursday [redacted] arrived in Israel. On Friday morning I went to see him at the Kol Torah Yeshivah and to confer with him and the leaders of the Yeshivah. I do not have to tell you that he makes a very fine impression. However, his background and knowledge are so far below the standard of the Yeshivah that we can hope until the holidays he will merely benefit from the atmosphere of the institution and make friends with his fellow-students. His Hebrew is not developed enough to permit him profitably to participate in classes. He will need private tutoring from Siddur and Chumash to intensive Hebrew language training to prepare him to enter the Yeshivah for the winter term. The administration of the Yeshivah is ready to maintain him as far as room and board is concerned. Other arrangements have not been clarified when you at Max Stern discussed the project with him. I must suggest that you investigate this point. They plan to assign one of their students as tutor, but for his language studies he needs a good professional teacher. Furthermore, he needs clothing and books. Iconic boys of the Yeshivah will not provide it as if he were a regular student. You know that in consideration of his sensitivity we cannot hand him out second-hand clothing. He will need a clothing-budget of about IL 250. As far as books are concerned, including Tefillin and paraphernalia, we shall try to meet the needs between our Ministry and the Jewish Agency.