Correspondence from J. M. Lewin, Warsaw, 1936

In the name of Heaven, Tishrei 5696 (1935) To Mr. J. M. Lewin Marianska 2 Warsaw Dear esteemed friend, the honorable and respected Mr. Lewin, Your letter has reached me, and I am writing to inform you about the situation regarding Mr. Rosenheim. Mr. D. mentioned that Rabbi Dr. Lewinstein recorded the names of three trustworthy individuals who are familiar with the situation. In Germany, the situation is very serious, and they are Mr. Hallander, Nosbaum, and Lilienfeld. It is necessary to send them something important, and he wishes to communicate with them as soon as possible. They will find a way to Switzerland, but not to Germany, as he does not wish to set foot on its soil. Mr. Hallander was in Strasbourg and the rabbi traveled to him. Mr. H. provided various excuses that Mr. R. does not know how the trade is at the edge, and advice but not even a single penny. Therefore, Rabbi Lewin said that if it is impossible to negotiate such amounts, there is no more to discuss. Regarding the general situation, I sent my concerns today from the central office to Rabbi Dr. Lewinstein, because under such conditions, individuals are being expelled who have no part in any leadership of the association, as they are simple members. The committee has violated a tactic that disturbed Rabbi Kook during the eulogy for the esteemed Rabbi Chafetz Chaim, may his memory be blessed, and I took it upon myself. If individuals who have no blemish have a part in the leadership, then certainly I, who am involved in the leadership, have the obligation to be removed from the association, because the Jewish community is becoming responsible and accountable for all the private actions of its members, and as a member with significant influence, I judge myself on this matter. After all, as long as I stood only on my own two feet, the work was not difficult for me to recover, and Mr. Rosenheim's mother did not demand that I receive from him in confrontation and urgency as at the time regarding the "Shomrei Shvach," where no one asked him to be responsible and accountable for anything, and also to remove me from the association's funds, I believe he will not be able to do so, because I will take it upon myself to leave. It is a disgrace that in Germany, individuals who eat at non-Jewish tables can be members of the World Association, while those who disturbed Rabbi Kook during his eulogy cannot even be simple members. Every word and every letter from the left makes a strong impression on the leadership of Agudat Yisrael. And all the strength of the Mizrachi is to take revenge on the right. I await your response today regarding the matter.