I hope this letter finds you and your family in the very best of health. I suppose that the weather in your part of the world during this season is quite uncomfortable, and so I am sorry to have to burden you with this request. However, I am confident you will appreciate the gravity of the issue which causes me to approach you at this time. I am sure you are acquainted with the dreadful condition of our fellow Jews behind the Iron Curtain. Russian Jewry, which numbers in the millions, is sustaining a wave of virulent anti-Semitism which is all the more pernicious because it is hypocritically denied by Soviet officials. I know that as a responsible leader of your own Jewish community, you sense, as I do, the obligation to do whatever is possible to help our co-religionists.I have thought of this for a long time, as I am sure many others have, and I knew that there are no quick and easy solutions. Yet I feel strongly that we at least something could be done towards alleviating the conditions of Russian Jewry if public opinion were aroused throughout the world I kiiw that Js one who is close to the highest levels of government in India, your voice will be heard and given careful consideration. I believe that you are in a position to do more than most ordinary Jews can. None of us dare be silent at such crucial times in our history when the lives and liberty of so many Jews are at stake. I implore you to make representations to the government to communicate directly to the Soviets their distress at what is happening Further, I most urgently recommend that the outstanding dignitaries of Indian cultural life be alerted to the problem. Poets, philosophers, humanitarians, writers and journalists should make their voices heard publicly. You are He doubt- aware of the fact that Indian public opinion counts very much throughout the world I know that the task will not be easy; but neither will it be easy to avoid the adverse judgment of history if we fail to rise to the occasi…

Dear Senator: First, let me say that it was a pleasure meeting with you on Wednesday in the presence of Mr. Wolfson. Enclosed you will find a copy of a letter I am having sent out to all my colleagues in the State of Indiana. I want to emphasize that it represents my genuine feelings of gratitude and appreciation for all the splendid work you have been doing, and, I am confident, you will yet do on behalf of American citizens of the Jewish faith and their co-religionists the world over.With all best wishes,Sincerely,RABBI NORMAN LAMM

Dear Norman, Please excuse my delayed reply to your two letters, for which I thank you. Frankly, I have been preoccupied with the matter I discussed with you, at the expense of all my other duties and interests. I am sending to you a photostatic copy of the memorandum which you already read and other enclosures by the same people, as well as a memorandum in Yiddish which is of particular importance. These papers, together with the Saturday Evening Post article, should give you the necessary background. I think you should particularly stress the point that religious observance should not be associated with political activity. This is of particular importance, as every kind of evil is being attributed to the synagogues in Russia. Specific requests should be made for all the necessary religious services and should be specified in detail.We should also bear in mind the memorandum to Senator Cooper. I am sending your suggested letters to the Department of Defense to Bernie Levmore, although I think he has already sent thank-you letters by himself.As to the letter to the rabbis in Indiana, I think it may be useful to wait until next week when Moe comes back, so that perhaps the letter may be signed jointly.I hope to talk to you after you prepare the suggested paper.Regards, ZWW

Dear Norman: Enclosed please find final copy of the speech you have prepared for Capehart. I have made a few minor changes on the final draft to which I hope you will not object. I have known that you write and deliver excellent sermons. However, I did not know how excellent your talents are in political speech writing. Perhaps we ought to suggest to someone to put you on Kennedy’s ghostwriting staff. (He doesn’t write any of them himself.) Regards.In the last few years we have become accustomed to hearing periodic reports of a "thaw" in the Soviet Union. No doubt changes have been, and possibly are, taking place. But if we want to take the long view, and test the depth and genuineness of these reports, we might profitably examine the current treatment of Russian Jews by the Communist government.Throughout the history of civilization, the attitudes of the prevailing power to the Jewish minority have often been an indicator of the whole nature of that government. If the Jews were treated equally with the rest of the citizens of that country, no better and no worse; if they were given the basic rights necessary for survival both physically and spiritually; if they were treated, in other words, as human beings; then the general nature of the government was civilized. But if the policy towards the exposed Jewish minority was sinister; if it were singled out for discriminatory action; then any attempts by that government to appear as otherwise humane and honorable were a mere façade and utterly unconvincing.Last winter there took place the arrest, trial, and conviction of Sedalia R. Pechersky, the religious lay leader of the Jewish community of Leningrad. Shortly afterwards followed government action against the lay leaders of five other Jewish congregations, and the closing of synagogues in a dozen other Russian cities. Then, in early spring, came the reports of the difficulties that Communist authorities were placing in the way of Jews desirous of obtaining Matzohs, o…

Dear Rabbi Magnes: As a Rabbi interested in serving in the State of Indiana, you may be interested in our reactions, both as Jews and as Americans, as a result of many trips to Washington, D.C., on problems affecting the Jewish community. Our greatest surprise was learning of the unusual and deepest concern of Senator Homer E. Capehart in matters of public image to us. Our previous impressions of the Senator had not prepared us for meeting a true "ohev Yisrael." His genuine friendship and sympathy for Jewry, including the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and others in the government, deserve to be known amongst our people.Cordially yours,Moses I. FeuersteinRabbi Norman LammRabbi M. M. Magnes908 Union StreetIndianapolis, Indiana267) My dear Cardinal: On behalf of my colleague Rabbi Norman Lamm and myself I beg to express to Your Grace once again our profound appreciation for the gracious reception accorded to us yesterday when we had the pleasure and privilege to call upon you. We are confident that through the understanding created by this and similar meetings to explore common problems in the light of the new challenges of our time, we may succeed in strengthening our religious ramparts against the threatening inroads of communism from without and secularism from within and in promoting the blessings of harmony and cooperation among those who cherish the supremacy of religion in life.With cordial greetings, I am,Yours very sincerely,Dr. I. JakobovitsRabbi

Dear Norman: I have received your corrected draft, for which I thank you. I have also returned your call, but you were not in. I should like to clarify that I did not send the rough draft to you – part of which I did not even read before it was sent to you – for correction, but rather to help Moe and myself with whatever ideas you might be able to contribute. I do realize that you are very preoccupied and I have resolved, therefore, not to impose upon you with these letters, however important they might be, unless you specifically express a desire to be of assistance. A good Shabos.ZWW/mmRabbi Norman LammThe Jewish Center131 West 86th StreetNew York 24, New YorkThe fact mentioned above completely refutes the standard answers on the Jewish question the Soviet leaders usually give when inquiries are made about the subject.**The Honorable John F. Kennedy**President of the United StatesThe White HouseWashington, D.C.Dear Mr. President:As one who has a large constituency of citizens of the Jewish faith, I have become keenly aware of their distress at the unendurable anguish of Russian Jewry. As the President of the country which contains the largest population of Jews in the world today, and in view of the new orientation in Soviet-American relationships, you are the only person in the world today who can effectively broach this topic to Mr. Krushchev in a manner which will assure you a unique place in history.Parenthetically, I hear that your comment about the closing of synagogues, in your recent address at the U.N., evoked much enthusiasm amongst American Jews.Soviet Jewry, numbering some three million, is next to American Jewry the largest Jewish community in the world. It is being crushed by an official policy of attrition which seeks gradually to pulverize and ultimately to eliminate Jewish identity. Yet, despite all the hardships, there are large masses of Soviet Jews who profoundly desire to maintain their Jewish identity.It is tragic, from a purely human point…

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Many thanks for the $100 check for which I enclose this receipt. In the 2 weeks from the 26th of April to May 11th, we have pulled off three major achievements. The development of the organization within this time has been fantastic. By the end of the month we hope אי״ה to have achieved a broadly conceived fast near the Soviet museum, lasting a week with every college represented as well as some of the main ישיבות גדולות

Dear Rabbi Lamm, It is now time I let you have a short report of what has been happening here since our Lower East Side Rally, which was our fifteenth “action” (Oct. 18). We have sponsored an all-New York campus course, two big campus rallies, given several lectures, are in the process of setting up an important spearhead in Boro Park, and are preparing for several more campus meetings in the next few weeks. Practically all the campus leaders have been trained by me. I am frequently asked for guidance and materials from all over the country. I have just spent a few days in an important region outside N.Y. where I outlined a systematic program for the coming months culminating in a community-wide effort at the beginning of May. My efforts were concentrated in three directions: the adult community, the universities, and the youth groups, for each of whom I shaped up programs.If I had the means and the time, I could do this in many other areas. But I am tied down by the most elementary chores. True, small monies are coming in, and by saving on an office and secretarial assistance, expenditure is covered with a little left over. This is a ridiculous situation considering our great potential as a movement of awakening, particularly among young people. Despite all the talk, the alienation of the campus from Judaism is very great, yet my experience around the world in recent years has proven to me that there is now present an underlying potential which can be roused, shaped, and crystallized.Both in the case of our young people and even more in regard to Russian Jewry, opportunities have now opened up before us which will leave us with a great burden of guilt if we pass them by.I wrote to Rabbi Tibor Stern of Florida asking him to become an Honorary Patron with a view to getting some help from his wealthy contacts at a later stage, but there was no reply. Perhaps you could talk to him. In a phone conversation a couple of weeks ago, you were good enough to promise to look …

Dear Mr. Birnbaum: The enclosed is the check I told you about. Please accept it with my most genuine respects for all your selfless efforts in a task which should be the common concern of each and every one of us. I certainly hope that this will not be the last opportunity I have to assist you. I am now pursuing the question of competent help for you on a part-time basis. The enclosed check is from Mr. Leonard Stern at the address mentioned on the check. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm

Western Union Telegram: Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry cordially invites your participation in Jericho March around Soviet Mission, Sunday, April 4th, 1:00 PM. Assembly: 67th and Lexington, 2:20. Procession to United Nations for rally: Hammarskjöld Plaza, East 47. May we expect you or representative and receive message? Jacob Birnbaum, 44 Whitehall, Room 205.