We — like our forefathers of old — must "rebuild the Temple." Long have we thought about it. The day for action has come! KODIMOH means FORWARD! When Kodimoh was built only a generation ago, the founders chose her name well. It represented their Faith, their Vision, their Loyalty to a long tradition of three thousand years. These founders were our grandfathers, our fathers — ourselves! They believed they were building for many years. But progress, growth and change have swept over the world, and over our beloved country, like a mighty tide. KODIMOH can no longer contain all her sons and daughters. It cannot welcome “the stranger within our gates.”What shall we do? — We have decided! We shall again, in this year 5718, prove ourselves worthy of our great heritage, as the founders of our Congregation did in 5684. To strengthen that heritage we shall build a new and greater Synagogue — worthy of ourselves, of our great and growing community, of our centuries of unbroken Jewish tradition, of our eternal Torah.We shall make it a true “Mishkan” or Tabernacle where our growing families — and families yet unreached — shall gather together as one great Kodimoh family, to work, to study Torah, and to “worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.”In a world torn by doubts and fears, we shall prove ourselves worthy of our firm Orthodox tradition — by building on that firm foundation a noble House of God that shall daily be witness to our faith in the Creator and Father of us all.The Founding of A CongregationOne of our KODIMOH families lives in what is believed to be the oldest house in one section of Forest Park — and it is only 45 years old! So, our founders of 34 years ago were pioneers. A small, but dedicated, group of Orthodox Jews who had early settled in this section of Springfield gathered together and decided that they should have their own Synagogue. Already there were relatively large groups of Jews in other parts of the city — but that was not enough. They wished to …

Tuesday, 17-1-1961: Arrival at Santa Cruz Airport, 9.30 A.M.; Welcome representatives of various institutions (at Sir Elly Kadoorie School), 7.30 P.M. Wednesday, 18-1-1961: Leave Bombay (V.T.) By Deccan Express, 7.10 A.M.; Arrive Poona, 11.20 A.M.; Visit to Succath Shelomo Synagogue (Prayers and Sermon), 6.30 P.M. Thursday, 19-1-1961: Leave Poona by Deccan Queen, 7.25 A.M.; Arrive Bombay V.T., 10.30 A.M.

My Dear Dr. Weiss: I am here now three days. I can’t begin to tell you the story of India, I could already fill volumes. I am somewhat depressed by the general scene in Bombay, but the Jewish community is a very painful experience to behold. They are really a darling community. Enthusiastic, warm and possessed with a tremendous thirst for knowledge. Since I have arrived I have been working 18 hours a day. I have had about six committee meetings, 4 private sessions and I delivered lectures at 4 public gatherings. Thank G-d in the public gatherings I have made quite an impression on them. In the private meetings and committee sessions, and they are long, I am attempting to lay the ground work for a formal organization of a U.O.J.C.I. I have brought together the Iraqi leadership and the B’nai Israel and thank G-d succeeded in having them agree to a Union which will take in the Iraqi congregations and the B’nai Israel. Also a council of 5 men will be established to whom all matters involving ? and מקוה will be referred for them to contact either the Rabbinate of Israel, or the Chief Rabbinate of England or us in America.So far 9 congregations have agreed to join representing about 10,000 of Bombay’s 15,000 Jews. One of Mr. Benjamin’s friends attended one of my lectures and when it was through he said "it looks as though you have begun to scrap the United Synagogues of India". If these congregations go through with what we have planned Mr. Benjamin will be left with a few small prayer halls.Now comes the real problem. These people are suffering of the worst poverty I have ever seen. Families of 7 and 8 live in one room. It’s simply heartbreaking. Religiously they are very enthusiastic but are completely ignorant. It’s a terrible situation. We must find someone at least a teacher to come over here, at all costs, this is a real need. 15,000 Jews without a rabbi and without a teacher.To combat the influence of the Conservatives and Reform, we must help them organize and th…

Dear Dr. Weiss: Things are going at a quick pace. I have addressed about 12 public meetings and have four more to go. The Conservatives have attempted to upset things numerous times but thank G-d to no avail. There is a great deal of inner conflict going on but much of it is slowly being solved. Really, this is a darling Jewish community and we must help them. The people simply are thirsty for the word of Torah. The poverty as I told you is shocking.I am still hoping that you were able to wire me the thousand dollars. It isn’t a great deal of money but it can go a long way. We want to rent quarters and it isn’t too expensive. Also I would like to buy at least 200 pair of Tefilin. Most of the B’nai Israel do not have Tefilin and they are now willing to put them on. We can buy them from Cochin for about $2.50 a pair.If you haven’t been able to wire the money until now then please wait till I return.Please have Moses Feuerstein read this letter.Best personal regards.Sincerely(signed) Charles WeinbergP.S. By the time you receive this letter I will probably be in Israel.

Dear Norman: I’m sorry I wasn’t in when you returned my call yesterday. I phoned you because I am running a news paragraph in World Over on the Union’s decision to send visiting rabbis to India. Since you will be the first incumbent, it struck me that you might be interested in serving as a free lance observer for World Over, one article, or several short ones on various aspects of Jewish life in India would make fascinating material for World Over. I do not mean an overall piece on the Bene Israel: we’ve had that. I am thinking about the things which only an on-the-scene participant could describe. I am as much concerned about photos as I am about the text. Good, glossy photographs of Jewish interest – faces, places, and things – would be very much in order. I enclose a recent issue of World Over in case you haven’t seen it lately, and I hope that you will find the proposal attractive. I look forward to hearing from you. With kind personal regards, Sincerely yoursDr. Morris Epstein EditorPublished by the JEWISH EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF NEW YORK, INC.426 West 58th Street, New York 19, N. Y. • Circle 5-8200

My dear Mr. Frank: I recently acceded to the request of U.O.J.C.A. to make a visit to India in order to speak to and help organize the Indian Jewish community. I wonder if I might impose upon you to volunteer year own services in some measure towards the reviving of traditional Judaism in a Jewish community neglected for over 2,000 years by their brethren of the West.Specifically, I would lite to haws fashioned for them a "Luach containing the following: the time for candle lighting and the time for Matzoa Shabbat, and the times for the beginning and end of the Yom Kippur Fast for several years to come. This has to be constructed especially for Bombay, but also for Calcutta, Delhi and Cochin.Do you think I can count upon your assistance in this matter? I hope to be leaving in January, please G-d. I am sure that both the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations and the Indian Jews will Join me in an expression of gratitude to you for your help.Sincerely yours,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Dear Jack: As you probably know I intend to leave for India in a few weeks, please God. I wonder if I can count on your assistance in one particular matter. I am interested in learning whatever historical material exists on the Bene Israel community. I know that not much has been written about them, but I would deeply appreciate your supplying me with whatever you can find at your earliest possible convenience.With warmest personal regards,Cordially,Rabbi Norman Lamm

Rabbi Norman Lamm is expected to visit India some time in January 1961 on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. Rabbi Lamm is an Associate Rabbi of the famous Jewish Centre in New York City together with Rabbi Leo Jung. He is the Editor of TRADITION, a scholarly publication of the Rabbinical Council of America. Rabbi Lamm is an outstanding orator and lecturer on Jewish Law and Jewish Philosophy. He is one of America’s leading young orthodox Rabbis.

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 Dr. Weiss: I imagine you will receive this letter when I am already across the Atlantic, but I do want you to know how deeply I appreciate all your efforts in preparing my tour. It is so infrequent that a man in community work receives his due recognition that I don’t want to miss the opportunity to express my gratitude to one who so richly deserves commendation. Every aspect of the trip was handled with efficiency, courtesy, and dignity. Thank you, therefore, and please be assured of my lasting admiration. Sincerely yours, Rabbi Norman Lamm.