Letter from Rabbi Herman Abramowitz to Dr. Louis Finkelstein, August 1944

A letter from Rabbi Herman Abramowitz to Dr. Louis Finkelstein, (August 29, 1944) regarding the potential appointment of Rabbi Wilfred Shuchat as an army chaplain. Rabbi Shuchat was not accepted due to the fact he was not yet old enough to serve as a chaplain.

Transcription:

August 29th, 1944.
Dr. Louis  Finkelstein,
Jewish Theological Seminary,
3080 Broadway
New York City

Dear Dr. Finkelstein,

I regret to have to inform you that Rabbi Wilfrid Shuchat has been disqualified for the chaplaincy on account of age. The minimum age for that position has to be twenty-six years and he is only twenty-four years old. Whilst I knew of this regulation before-hand, yet in as much as they had made exceptions for us in other respects, I thought they might do so also in this.

I have in correspondence urged the fact that Rabbi Shuchat is mature beyond his years but so far have not been able to persuade them to make the appointment. Under the circumstances I again have to appeal to you to submit some other candidates who might be interested in joining and who can meet our requirements with respect to age and ordination.

Rabbi Mandelcorn has made several medical tests since he was first rejected and has obtained a better classification. There is a possibility of his being appointed for home service only. But at the present writing it is far from certain. I thought you would be interested to know the present prospects of these two candidates.

I trust you have had a good summer and are keeping in good health. With kindest regards, I remain

Yours sincerely,

H. ABRAMOWITZ
Rabbi