THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
8
Pleas of Jews Are of No Avail
Boston School Board Refuses to Discontinue Singing of
Christmas Hymns in Public Schools
The Boston School I loard has de-
clined to forbid the singing of
Christmas hymns and carols in the
public schools as requested by a
number of citizens who claimed to
represent the sentiments of the
Jewish residents in Boston.
The hoard based its action on the
opinion of the corporation counsel
of the city and on the belief that the
singing of Christmas carols and
hymns did not tend to undermine
the faith of the Jewish children in
the public schools.
schools of this city with respect to
affording opportunity to the pupils
of Jewish faith to observe their
holiday's with as little interference
tvith their school progress as may
be possible.
Not Confessions of Faith.
"In the particular matter to which
this petition relates the board feels
that a reasonable consideration on
the part of the signers thereof
toward other members of the com-
munity should reconcile them to the
use in the public schools of songs
Not for Sectarian Purpose
that have appealed and do appeal to
The board gave a hearing on the the poetic and musical tastes of
matter on March 20, when Attorney many people in many lands. . •
Philip J. Sondheitu appeared as
"It seems to the board that the
counsel for those who sought to ex- singing of a song is in no way to be
clude the hymns and carols from construed as a confession of faith,
the school song books. Mr. Sond- nor does it seem to the board that
heini claimed that the singing of the the singing of the songs to which
Carols was in violation of the stat- objection is made tends to prosely-
utes forbidding the teaching of any type children from one faith to an-
special religion in the public schools. other.
The opinion of the corporation
"If all references to Christmas
counsel is as follows:
are to be forbidden in the public
"1 am of the opinion that you schools, it would be necessary to
have a right to continue the use of discontinue th..t.tse of many master-
the songs, as they are used merely pieces of EnOsh literature, which
for vocal exercise. -
presumably the people of Jewish
"I have read the decision in the faith, as well as others, read with
case of State of Nebraska vs. Free- interest and innocent enjoyment,
man, 59 L. R. A. 927, cited in Mr. and without especial thought of
Sondheinfs brief. The decision in such religious significance as such
the case does not support Mr. Sond- works may possibly contain. If the
heim's view of the law. The court, reading of such literature, and the
when referring to the singing of singing of such songs are to be re-
hymns, said that its decision did not garded as an insidous influence to
go to the extent of entirely exclud- undermine the faith of the followers
ing the singing of hymns, it only of one of the oldest religions in the
went to the extent of denying the world, it is, of course, a matter to
right to have hymns sung for the NY111C11 exception might fairly be
purpose of imparting sectarian in- taken, but the board assumes that
struction. It therefore seems per- no one would seriously claim that
fectly plain that, these songs not such is the case.
being used for the purpose of im-
"The board, therefore, places the
parting sectarian instruction, you petition on file, and directs that the
have the right to continue their use." petitioners be informed of this
action and of the reasons which
Tolerance Toward Others.
have governed it in this disposition
The board expressed its views on of the matter."
the matter as follows:
"The members of the board trust
that it is unnecessary to say that COXSWAIN OF COLUMBIA
none of them would, either person-
CREW IS SON OF NOTED
ally or officially, willingly offend the
JEWISH ACTOR.
religious or racial feelings of any
The Columbia crew has discov-
portion of the community. They do,
however, believe that their fellow ered that it has the son of a great
citizens, of whatever faith, should actor in the first boat. His name is
exercise a broad tolerance toward Milton Thomas, and he is the son
one another, and should, so far as of Boris Thomasheffsky, the great
possible, avoid raising questions that Jewish actor.
Thomas is not ashamed of his
are calculated to foster sentiments
race
or his parentage, and says lie
prejudicial to the peace and har-
mony of a cosmopolitan population. only goes by the name of Thomas
"The board desires also, as evi- because it is easier to handle. He
dence of its consideration for and is a sophomore, and was the 1915
deference to the religious views of freshman coxswain. Thomas is
a large, respected and important popular with the crew men, as he
part of the community, to call at- is full of "pep" when he is on the
tention to the instructions issued an- river and keeps the boat moving all
nually to the principals of public the time.
Second Hand Cash
Registers For Sale
On Long Time Payments.
Cad. 2253, Cad. 7229-R
61 West Fort Street
JOSEPH GELLER
CLOTHING, HATS, CAPS AND
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
537 Hastings Street
Cor. Wilkins
POTTS DRUG COMPANY
Prescription Druggists
Phones Cad. 1338 and Cad. 5552.
525 Woodward Ave., cor. Charlotte
Orders Called For and Deliv-
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You will find the most complete line
in the city of
Dry Goods, Notions and Furnishings
AT
M. ROSINSKEY'S
351-355 Hastings St.
Detroit, Mich. '
"Quality ll'hich if Unexcelled at Wholvale Price.,"
CADILLAC 5584
tutrirr 15. Nittltri
Arrilitert
EHRLICH BUILDING
DETROIT, MICH.
GRATIOT & HASTINGS
Notary Public
Phone Cedar 183•M
Ridge 949-.1
David B. Musicus
European Graduate
J. DUSCHINSKY
Foreign Exchange Bank
Steamship Ticket Agency
Violin Instructor and
Musical Director
210 E. Hancock Ave.
Detroit
Detroit, Mich.
2160Jefferson Ave. W.
H. RUDA
634 HASTINGS STREET
(Near Rowena Street)
High. Grade Furnishings
OD
BLACKS
AND SUPPLIES
;
ESTB 1050
For Ladies and Gentlemen
For Your Health's Sake Deal with a Reliable Druggist
MARK D.
MITSHKUN, PH. G.
576 Hastings Street, cor. Erskine
Prescriptions are called for and delivered. A full line of Fresh Candies,
Wines, Baby Necessities, etc. Also Camera Supplies,
Developing and Printing.
Phones: Ridge 3763 and Cadillac 3227.
A SMOKER'S CREDIT
iElic nut
FOR
ftirr
Clothes and Men's Furnishings
RC•D
lo •:
CIGAR
A. EPSTEIN, Prop.
We are the originators on the East Side
of clothing possessing style and quality
402 Hastings Street.
DRESS SUITS
TO RENT
SCHAFFNER'S
STATE & GRISWOLD
4th. Fl Peter Smith Bldg.
TA. Cd. 1297
S. E. LANGERMAN, Loc. Mgr.
I. BERKOWITZ
Dress Trimmings and Supplies
Onyx Hosiery and
Merode Underwear
Kayser Silk Gloves
396 HASTINGS ST., DETROIT
' The Gorham Shop"
GRAINGER-IIANNAN-KAY CO.
DIAMOND IMPORTERS, JEWELERS & SILVERSMITHS
238 & 240 WOODWARD AVENUE
DETROIT, MICH.
the #tar Drug gliort
M. SCHECHTER, Ph. G.
Prescription Druggist
475 Hastings St., Cor. Division
DETROIT, MICR.
Phone Cadillac 3299
WEINBERGER & ZIEGLER
240 GRATIOT AVE., DETROIT
Money Orders, Drafts and Steam
ship Tickets to all parts of
Thomas will steer the Columbia
crew to many a victory, before he
has finished his course, and even if
he is an actor's son he is steady and
reliable.
the world
Prompt and courteous service