By the Grace of G-d
3 Elul, 5737
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dr. Meir Schick
Department of Political Science
New School for Social Research
66 W. 12th Street
New York, N.Y. 10011
Greeting and Blessing:
I just received your letter of Aug. 16 and hasten to reply to it by reason of its subject matter, and having been briefed by Rabbi Hodakov on his conversation with you; the subject matter being the earliest possible publication by COLPA of the legal battles it has won in defense of the rights of Torah-observant Jews in matters of employment, etc.
Dr. Meir (Marvin) Schick (5694–5780 / 1934–2020) was an orthodox Jewish activist with a particular interest in Jewish education and professor of political science and constitutional law at Hunter College and The New School for Social Research. In 1965, he founded the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (see following note) and served as its first president. In the early 1970s, he served as a liaison to the Jewish community and as an assistant for intergroup relations for Mayor John V. Lindsay of New York.
The National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs. Founded in 1965, COLPA is a voluntary association of attorneys whose purpose is to represent the observant Jewish community on legal, legislative, and public affairs matters. Over the years COLPA has represented, without fee, thousands of individuals and institutions in appearances before Federal and State courts and regulatory agencies throughout the United States. Of the many areas in which they have given assistance, is employment for Shabbos observant individuals.
I am gratified to note that you have undertaken the first steps towards the implementation of this idea. You also express confidence that “within the next year” there will be publications along the lines I suggested. I understand from Rabbi Hodakov that one of the reasons it has taken time is the desire to obtain articles by experts in the field to be included in the publications for greater impact, etc.
You will bear with me if I go over some of the points I made during our conversation about the urgency of the matter, as I see it. It is well known that even in New York City and more so in provincial towns, observant Jews encounter serious difficulties in getting or holding on to jobs and promotions on account of their observance of Shabbos and Yom Tov, beard (×Ý×ÕÝ ×çß), etc. Though the cases that come to public attention may not be numerous, they are not isolated cases and clearly are the “tip of the iceberg.” Consequently, if the publication of the said material could be advanced even by a single day, it would help safeguard many Jews in their Parnosso who, otherwise, for lack of knowledge of their legal rights, do not know how to protect themselves against being victimized in one way or another.
Of course, given more time, the publications could appear in a more perfected and effective format. However, since time is of the essence, I believe it is advisable to forgo for the moment this “luxury.” Besides, since a second edition would in any case be forthcoming, it would be possible to incorporate the complementary material in an improved second edition or even before that—as a Supplement to the first. Indeed, this has been the procedure also in regard even to many Rabbinic and halachic works, where the publication of a first edition was not delayed—out of consideration of the time element—until it could be perfected, and later on a second, perfected, edition was published.
Incidentally, there is even a certain additional advantage in following this procedure, in that the publication of the first edition often generates constructive criticism and useful suggestions that could be included in the second edition and it would, moreover, make it easier to enlist the desired cooperation in the form of articles by prominent persons, which you have in mind.
I will take the liberty of adding a personal note—in connection with the forthcoming Primaries.
A good thing that can be a “segula” in the Primaries should not be left for later. Even if the publication could not be concluded before the date, a significant beginning in that direction, especially by a running candidate, could also have a salutary effect.
I would not normally be so insistent, especially since we have met only once. But because I do regard this matter of the utmost urgency, particularly in light of the problems that come to my attention from different parts of the country, I feel impelled to emphasize the matter even at the risk of repetitiousness.
With personal regards, and with prayerful wishes for good tidings in all above, and wishing you and yours a Kesivo vachasimo toivo,
With esteem and blessings,
