Dear Rabbi Lamm, I am now writing to take advantage of your kind offer to help in our nomination of significant books published since the establishment of the State of Israel. I am enclosing a clipping of the first nomination by the Chief Rabbi and the conditions of the scheme are there outlined. Subsequently, we have approached Rabbi Yitzchak Kolitz of the Tel-Aviv Beth Din who nominated in the field of Talmud and Poskim the following: – 1. Toldot Adam VeChava by Rabbi Yerucham Ben Meshulam (pupil of the Rosh), 2. The Responsa of Mahrit 3. Chazan Ish 4. Even HaAzel 5. Otzer HaPoskim; and Rev. J. Halpern who concentrated in the field of Bible study and nominated: – 1. Torah Temima 2. Notes on the Sedra by Dr. Nechama Leibovitz 3. Otzar Leshon Hamikra 4. Publications of the Hebrew Language Academy 5. Publications of the Society for Biblical Research (with qualifications on the selections of articles in the last two publications). I do not want to restrict you in any way, but if you would be able to devote more attention to American publications, this would be particularly useful from our point of view since we have little expert knowledge in this field.I am not sure whether you read the Jewish Chronicle regularly, but you will undoubtedly have learned that the struggle with Conservative Judaism is intensifying and big guns (Rabbi Finklestein himself) have been brought in to play their part. Any assistance which you might be able to recommend on the other side would be most welcome.With kind regards and best wishes for a גמר חתימה טובה,Yours sincerelyProfessor Cyril Domb,

Dear Rabbi Lamm, I am sure you have not quite forgotten yet the nice little dinner party we had prior to your trip to India in London at the Kedassia Restaurant together with my brother-in-law, Rabbi S. D. Sassoon, and Mr. v. Carnell. This is mainly to place myself in your memory. No doubt you have since heard that last Thursday the Israeli Chief Rabbinate decided that the “B’ne Israel” and all other Jews are allowed to inter-marry now. This long awaited and most important decision will of course greatly help towards the consummation of the academic work of your visit to India. When I read your report of what you had been doing I found it a most lucid and constructive document. What I have written up to now was meant to bring our personal relationship up to date. The reason of my writing to you today is, however, as follows: You most likely know that Dr. I. Epstein retired as Principal of Jews’ College at the end of the summer term. As no full scale successor could be found in the Commonwealth, the Senior Lecturer, Dr. E. Zimmels, has been appointed Director of Studies, whereas the Chief Rabbi’s plans are obviously centered on finding a permanent Principal. It is widely recognized that the retirement of Dr. Epstein created the necessity of appointing a person fully qualified to occupy such a position. The last few months have seen the subject debated in public discussion and the Chief Rabbi has not concealed that he has had his eye on you, Dr. Lamm. Especially after your latest publication in “Tradition” I attended one of your talks to the Council, and the couple of very able and talented speeches you gave created quite a stir. The Chief Rabbi has specifically asked me, as one who has the privilege of knowing you personally, to convey to you on his behalf that he would very much like to know whether you would be prepared to consider occupying the position of Principal of Jews’ College on being officially invited to do so. Personally speaking I would add that there…

Dear Dr. Gaon: I had hoped that by now we would have the opportunity of meeting again, a prospect which delighted me and which I looked forward to most eagerly. I truly regret that, so far, this has not come to pass. Allow me to encroach upon your precious time and make a request of you in complete confidence. I know the matter shall be kept in utter privacy. Chief Rabbi Brodie has, through Rabbi O. Feuchtwanger, asked me whether I am prepared to consider occupying the position of Principal of Jews' College if I were invited to do so.I believe that you know more about The Jewish Center than I do about Jews' College. I am quite happy here, whereas the situation in England is something of which I am quite ignorant. The problems, prospects, challenges, difficulties these are all unknowns for me. Add to this the fact that I have no personal knowledge of the people with whom I would have to work, and you will appreciate my dilemma. Had I known that this invitation would be forthcoming, I would have lengthened my stay in London considerably in order to acquire some first hand knowledge of the situation.As you may gather, I have deep respect for your own judgment. I will be most grateful to you for your comments, advise, and suggestions.With all good wishes,Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman LammNL:ff

To: Mr. Max Stern, Chairman, Joint Overseas Commission; From: Dr. Samson R. Weiss; Subject: London Meetings. In keeping with our discussion of Tuesday, May 15th, I set up a series of meetings in London. Haham Dr. Solomon Gaon checked with Chief Rabbi Brodie as to the best available dates. It was determined that my presence in London at the occasion of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Chief Rabbis' Conference would be advisable and should be combined with the purpose of my trip. Accordingly, I left for London on Saturday night, May 26th and arrived in time to participate in the afternoon session of the Standing Committee. This committee is in charge of carrying out the resolutions adopted at the Bionnial Chief Rabbis' Conferences which Dr. Brodie initiated six years ago. Three of these conferences have taken place. The fourth one is scheduled for May, 1963 in Basel, Switzerland.Participants in this conference were: Dr, Brodie, Dr, Gaon, Rabbi Grunwald (Hamburg), Dayan Dr. Lew (London), Grand Rabbin Schilli (Paris), Chief Rabbi Schuster (Amsterdam), Oberrabbiner Taubes (Zurich), Chief Rabbi Toaff (Rome), and Rabbi Rose, the Secretary of Chief Rabbi Brodie.Of interest to us are the following issues, given here in condensed form(A) Calendar ReformIn view of a recent statement in the Osservatore Romano that the Pope favors Calendar Reform among other reasons for the purpose of obtaining a fixed day for Easter, there is great danger that such a reform may be introduced through the United Nations. When Calendar Reform proposals earn up last in 1954, it was the resistance of the Catholic Church which played a great role in the defeat of these proposals.The Pope now agrees to a reform which would divide the year in four equal quarters of 91 days each, a total of 364 days. The last day of the year, and in Leap Years the two last days, would be uncounted, unnamed "blank days." Thus, each year would begin with a Sunday as would each quarter. Accordingly, the Shabbo…

Dear Marvin: Not having corresponded with you in a long time, I should probably begin with the usual social amenities. Please, therefore, consider them exchanged, executed, and done with. The reason for my writing is to make a confidential inquiry of you. You know the complicated situation that prevails in England with regard to the Principalship of Jews College. The situation is quite critical, and the right man in that position can, by a kind of chain reaction, have a profound effect on the future course of Anglo-Jewry. I am anxious to make a recommendation to Chief Rabbi Brodie who, I know, will give my proposal very serious consideration. The search seems to center on you. You have, to my mind, all the necessary qualifications for the position, and I think it will give you the kind of forum which will be proper for your own talents, ambitions, and principles. I need not, and perhaps cannot, elaborate to any greater extent at this time. I do think that it is a tremendous opportunity in a situation which can have historic consequences. I would want your agreement in writing that you would be willing to consider an invitation. This, of course, does not bind you to any eventual agreement. If I can receive your consent to this point by return mail, I will feel free in contacting Rabbi Brodie immediately.Of course, all these negotiations will be held in strictest confidence by me and by the people in England, as I know it will be by you.All best regards to June and the children.Cordially yours,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

I am sorry that I did not write to you before, but I just cannot describe the amount of work I found when I returned to my office. It seems to me that it will take me another year before I can catch up with it all. Now, I want to take this opportunity of sending you and Mrs. Lamm and all your family our best wishes for a very happy Passover. Your kindness to me during my stay in New York is one of my brightest memories which I have in connection with the three months that I spent in your hospitable City. I would like to hear from you as to how things are developing, not only in general, but, also in your private domain. The Community here is still restive after the events which took place last year, and in my opinion, it will take some time before things will assume their natural course. Jews' College will have to find a new Principal, if we are to be able to give direction to the Anglo-Jewish Community.With all best wishes to you and Mrs. Lamm and all your family in which all my family joins.

Dear Rabbi Munk: Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the copy of your book, "La Justice Sociale en Israel" which I received early this week. I have glanced at the Table of Contents and read Several passages, and I can see immediately that the remains in full forces: I am anxiously looking forward to being able to read your works with much greater care and comprehensiveness in the very near future. I plan to be in Paris for several hours on February 2nd, please G-d, where I will be stopping at the Leteia Hotel, 43 Boulevard Raspail, on my way to South Africa. If my flight plans go according to schedule, I hope to be able to call you up and speak with you. Fondest regards to Mrs. Munk from Mrs. Lamm and myself. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.

Dear Sir Isaac: I noted your letter to the editor in the June 19th issue of the Jewish Chronicle, and I am taking this opportunity to compliment you about how well you have handled all of the very difficult problems involved in the Jacobs issue. Often in the course of the turbulent events out of which history is made, we tend to forget the forest because of the trees. In this particular case, we in America have the opportunity of viewing the entire episode from the distance. It is my considered opinion, also shared by many of my associates, that your contribution has been a historic one. Had you not been at the helm, we would have far less grounds for the feelings of optimism that we now share as a result.The historic shake-down which the English/Jewish community received as a result of this affair can have many happy implications. It moved the community from its complacency. Orthodoxy found that it could enter into a tumble-down fight, got bruised and dirty, and still rise up, dust off its trousers and shirt, and get on to the work at hand. This is the virility upon which the creative strength of a community is based.Now that Dr. Jacobs has decided to exclude himself from the community, so to speak, the way is now open for the development of a program which will capture the imagination of the community. By making it aware of the relevance of Orthodox Judaism to modern times and their problems, we can move on to new strength.We shall be happy to share with you any of our resources, programs, and ideas. Our top men are available to meet either here or in London. Likewise, any thoughts you may have as to the strengthening of our community in this country or overseas would be greatly appreciated.Mrs. Feuerstein joins with me in sending to you and to Lady Wolfson our kindest personal regards.With all good wishes, I remainSincerely yours,Moses X. FeuersteinSir Isaac WolfsonWoburn HouseUpper Woburn Place, W\.C.1.London, England

My dear Lamm, I knew that I would not have to appeal to you in vain, though the result is not entirely satisfactory. Simultaneously with writing to you I sent a last desperate appeal to Wurzburger. I received a letter from him full of apologies, and that he had instructed them to send me both the journal and a check for the article (which I had not mentioned). This week a copy of the journal arrived by Air Mail without any accompanying letter of explanation, or reference to my request for offprints — or check! I still therefore do not know where I stand with regard to the offprints. If I was absolutely sure that I am not getting them, I would involve myself in the not inconsiderable expense of having it reproduced here, but naturally I do not want to involve myself in this expenditure if it can be avoided. Could you please ascertain if there is any chance of my getting them?By a peculiar coincidence, on the same day as I receive your letter wishing me "good luck" with regard to England, there appeared No. 898 of *Panim el Panim* (22/10/65), and in the "gossip column", "Al Tufta Im" appeared an item to the effect that the leaders of the United Synagogue have decided to offer you the position. It ties up with a statement in *Haboker* from their London correspondent that they will definitely turn to the U.S.A. I know that this can only be kite flying since the first meeting, at which only preliminary steps will be taken, takes place only tomorrowNevertheless I want to express my considered opinion to you that you would be an ideal choice, and that should the approach be made to you, to give it your favourable consideration. I want to be quite frank with you, on the basis of the very real and valued friendship and esteem which exists between us. I regard my chances as minimal. Wolfson has been here for a fortnight and returns to London today and has made no effort whatsoever to contact me, despite the fact that he was pressed to by my friends before he left England. Wh…

My dear Rabbi Lamm, I was very glad to receive your letter of March 20th. I wanted to give you some news before I wrote to you and for that reason I delayed a little with my reply. I really do not know who told Rabbi Itamar of the plans in Jews’ College. I am however glad that you were quite frank with him. I do not know what plans his son-in-law had which would be affected by your coming. I would have thought that any new spirit which could be introduced into the College would be of benefit to the College and in consequence, to his son-in-law. In strict confidence, the feeling among the leaders of the College is growing that in any case, Dr. Ross (Rabbi Itamar’s son-in-law) does not seem to be very keen to stay in the College. I will tell you all about it when I see you in New York. In the meantime, our plans for the College are slowly taking shape. The whole movement is slow, but I hope it will succeed. The main problem is finance but it now seems that the Wolfson's may be able to do something concrete if a blue-print is presented to them.Your coming here has already been discussed and it is part of a larger plan. Again, I hope to have some more definite news when I come to New York.You do not need, in any way, to disturb yourself about the fact that you spoke to Rabbi Itamar, I am never afraid of the truth and if I kept the whole thing confidential, it was only to safeguard you more than to safeguard the College. As, as far as Jews' College is concerned, it would only be to their credit if you were to come here, even for a short time, to lecture to the students.Now I want to write concerning the Eruv in Manhattan. This week I received a letter from the President, of Shearith Israel, in which he informed me that they have now withdrawn the offer to pay $500 as they originally thought they would do. The reason for this was the letter which was sent to the Congregation. Even our religious people like Robert Salomon and Charlie Bendheim, were apparently very upset b…