"'""="
•••••• ■ •.

-

February 21, 1941

• DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and the Legal Chronicle

I0

Campaign Endorsed by Judge Harry B. Keidan The Yeshivah—A

I heartily approve the move-
ment to raise funds for a build-
ing to house the activities of the
Yeshivath Beth Yehudah and to
make possible the broadening of
the educational program under-
taken by the school under the

gram of the Yeshivath Beth Ye-
hudah, Detroit Jews will also have
the privilege of paying full honor
to the memory of the man whose
name the Yeshivah bears. The
late Rabbi Yehudah L. Levin was
a man who typified the Jewish
spirit at its highest and at its
best. He was not only a profound
scholar but a saintly man whose
every thought and act sought to
attain the religious ideal of the
Prophet Micah. For Rabbi Levin,
whom I knew for many years and
the recollection of whose friend-
ship I reverently cherish, always
acted justly, loved mercy and
walked humbly with his God.

Community Asset

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF
YESHIVATH BETH YEHUDAH

By PROF. SAMUEL M. LEVIN

Of Wayne University

By RABBI MAX J. WOHLGELERNTER
Chairman, Board of Education

a heirs to
American Yes hi th re
The Hebrew Talmudical Aced-
emy
Yeshivath
Beth
Yehudah
the
historical
institution—the
long
A quarter of a century has
aims
to
give
its
students
an
in-
passed since the institution now
tensive training in Torah, and
known as the Yeshivath Beth Ye- to prepare them for Jewish living
hudah began, in a modest way, in conformity with its Law. Ye-
its vital program of Jewish edu- shiva education, therefore, has a
cation. Despite the limited re- two-fold purpose: to impart the
knowledge of Bible and Talmud,
sources at its disposal, it has car- and to develop a healthy Jewish
personality. These objectives are
realized by means of a thoroughly
integrated curriculum and of ex-
tra-curricular activities in a max-
imum number of hours.
Instruction at the Yeshiva is
closely related to Jewish religious
and communal life and to the
problems confronting American
Jewish youth. The pupil enter-
ing the school is immediately in-
By LEON GELLMAN
troduced to such questions of prac-
President, Mizrachi Organization
tice as the ritual of the synagogue,
of A m erica
the laws of the Sabbath and the
festivals, the ethical demands Ju-
I am doubly happy to learn
daism makes upon individual con-
that the Yeshivath Beth Yehudah
duct, and his intellectual curiosity
is preparing to erect its own build-
is aroused to hold his interest
term course
ing. At this time, when destruc-
h long-term
1
continuously. T
tion has beset our great houses of
study at the Yeshiva, in an RABBI M. WOHLGELERNTER
Torah, it is our duty—in the
atmosphere conducive to the cre- unbroken chain of Torah-acad-
only land wherein Jews now en-
ation of a "felt need" for the sub-
joy full freedom and justice—
jects taught, makes a high degree emies from Yavne through Purn-
JUDGE HARRY B. KEIDAN
to replace these abiding places of
of educational achievement pos- beditha, Volozin and Slabodka-
leadership of Dr, Samson R. the Lord.
sible.
which, more than any other single
The enemies of all mankind
Yeshivoth are not preparatory factor, has been responsible for
Weiss, its new director.
schools for the rabbinate or other
Learning is an historic ideal have determined not alone to de-
stroy Israel's economic and po-
religious callings, although their the perpetuation of our people
of the Jewish people. Everyone litical existence, but particularly
graduates are equipped to pursue and its ideals. The establishment
interested in spreading a knowl- to break up our spiritual life.
such professional courses. The of these centers in many Jewish
motivating principle of these aced- communities of the United States
edge of and love for Judaism and Our only answer is, Back to
for the sacred literature created Judaism, to Torah.
ered on zealously and unswerv- emies has always been that
an and Canada is evidence to the
Mitz-
But the Detroit project has for ingly, bringing more and more introduction to Torah and Mitz-
'by the Jewish religious genius
eternity of Israel. Not the least of
vah is the natural right of every their achievements is the provision
should welcome a part in the me a further significance. For it
of Jewish child, and that this "learn- of new homes for the exiled schol-
peda-
campaign which the Yeshivath has bears the name of the distinguish- students within the compass
ing" is a life-long process which ars and students of war-torn
ed rabbi we all so highly es- its activities, improving its
inaugurated.
d a founder of American gogical techniques, and retaining must be 'continued through the Yeshivoth.
Every large Jewish community
should consider it a duty not only Mizrachi, Rabbi Yehudah L. Levin. the services of a staff of schol- years, even after graduation.
to offer a minimal religious edu- This is the most suitable monu-
cation for every Jewish child but ment to his memory—for his en- arly and devoted instructors. So
also to provide facilities for those tire life was bound up with To•- marked has the demand for the
Yeshivah's services become, that
(Continued from Preceding Page)
who would pursue higher Jewish ah in its highest sense.
May you go from strength to
studies. Detroit should at least be
a more than 100 per cent in-
institutions
of learning will prove
on a par with other communities strength, and serve as exemplar
crease in the present enrollment
that almost all of the leading
in this highly important espect. for all the orthodox communities
personalities, whose names add
of 115 students is anticipated by
In helping to realize the pro- of America.
lustre to the glory of our people
June, 1942, provided the proposed
and whose intellectual activity as-
construction program for a new
sures the continuity of Jewish
and up-to-date building with the
thought, are alumni of institutions
whose program is in essence simi-
other accompanying requirements
By RABBI MOSES FISCHER
important communal leaders for
m o re aspirin
er a
The reorganization and enlarge- in all the great centers of Jewish for a largnd
Detroit and elsewhere. A number
firing
sfull
esy
succ
institution, are
of its graduates have completed
meat of Yeshivah Beth Yehudah— life with the manifestation of h the
a high school for the study of greatest sacred, sacrificial joy ced.
their studies in the theological
The very success of the Ye-
seminaries of Chicago and New
the Bible, the Talmud and affil- on the part of th e great ew is
York and are now serving as rab-
shivah up to this point is a signal
sacred literature, will not -masses.
—
an rmation of its signific cant t role
bis or teachers. A glance at the
fail to call forth the greatest joy It is to be expected that in the affirmation
list of our alumni, and of the
and satisfaction in the hearts of future history of Jewish educe- in the life of the Detroit Jewish
graduates who are at present en-
all the lovers of the Torah and tion in Detroit there shall prevail community. The benefits to hun-
reus of
of our young people are
rolled in rabbinical colleges, will
of traditional Jewish' education, the most hearty co-operation and deeds
illustrate the importance and ef-
further, in the hearts of all loyal collaboration between the two obvious. The Yeshivah enables
fectiveness of the work (lone by
adherents and observers of the great educational systems; be- them to associate themselves with
the United Hebrew Schools that rich heritage of Jewish learn-
Yeshivath Beth Yehudah.
tween
"Jewish Way and Discipline of
Life." and the Yeshivah, both of which ing, ideals,
and creativeness,
i
III
It is indeed true—and none have a rich and promising field which, through generations of
Pare of Scholarship in American
time, has kept the Jewish spirit
Jewish Life.
shall dare to deny and to ques- for their activities.
The U. H. S. appeals firstly to alive. It offers them an opportun-
A survey of American Jewish
tion the verity of it—that the
its'
to
acquire
a
knowledge
of
the
of
United Hebrew Schools with its the thousands of thousands
lair to that of Yeshivath Beth Ye-
and
ethical
and
spiritual
branches planted in all the re- Jewish children—in fact the great thought
RABBI YEHUDAH L. LEVIN hudah. A large percentage of the
gions of Jewish population, have majority of the future generation contributions that constitute the
leading figures in all fields of
of
the
Jewish
religion
earned never-to-be-forgotten credit —who would not give up and essence
Rabbi Yehudah L. Levin, foun- Jewish culture comes from Lith-
and
culture.
In
doing
this,
it
is,
also devote daily 3-4 hours to their moreover, helping to imbue the der of Yeshivath Beth Yehudah, unanian and Polish Yeshivoth.
in and round the field it of is Jewish
Hebrew studies, whose parents—
Quite a number of the younger
education in Detroit;
who may be loyal and devoted minds of our young people with was one of the most active and generation of Jewish scholars and
Jews otherwise—do not care and a better understanding of their most influential rabbis of Ameri- thinkers were educated in Ameri-
and dignity as Jews (espe-
do not desire that their children worth important in this period of can Jewry. He was instrumental can Yeshivoth.
shall study the Talmud, the legal cially
The perpetuation of scholarship
Jewish literature, but who are savage onslaught against Jewish in the organization of the Ameri- is one of the noblest aims of
can
Mizrachi
and
the
Union
of
eager and desire with all their life and values), with a feeling
Jewish communal life. The guar-
hearts, that their children shall of self respect and belonging- Orthodox Rabbis of United States antee that American Jewish com-
ness,
and
a
more
telling
recogni-
have a fundamental knowledge of
munities will continue their nor-
the Bible, the Hebrew language, tion of the responsibilities that and Canada.
In Detroit he was among the mal development in years to come,
the history of Israel and that their face them as Jews and as citi-
rests upon their ability to pro-
first to promote the idea of the duce men who are interested in
'hilfiren be saturated with noble zens of this country.
Though
the
Yeshivah
is
ortho-
Jewish pride and sacrificial love
United Hebrew Schools. He was and willing to devote their time
to Palestine--this great host of dox in its outlook and approach, it recognized as the leader of De- to advanced Jewish learning, in
Jewish disciples will find in the is in truth, a community asset. troit Orthodox Jewry. His book the widest application of the
United Hebrew Schools and only The
T ne learning and scholarship that
in the United Hebrew Schools the . tion, marked the orthodox tradi- "Aderedt Ve'Emunah" in two vol- term.
IV
rich, modern pedagogic supply of on, cannot be separated from umes, is widely used by rabbis and Community Responsibility for the
Jewish knowledge and Jewish the rest of Jewish life. Nor can cholars. After his death, the Ye-
Yeshivah
ideals of which they are in dire the community ignore the fact s
Notwithstanding the fact that
hivah was called Beth Yehudah
that
the
Yeshivah
is
a
potent
in-
e d
(' House of Yehudah") to per- within the Jewish community of
The Yeshivah, in turn, shall flumes for the continuity of the
Detroit, as in the case in other
appeal—if permitted to express my- Jewish tradition, and a significant petiole
te his memory.
cities, there are various shades
self that way—to the "elect" of our factor in the training of future
of adherence to Jewish tradition,
at teachers, ra bbis and communal
no one will isp
dute the fact th at
youth, who would de vote
part of the day—after passing leaders. (Some
of its
graduates
udieorpat,
Estonia. an institution producing men of
d
holding
teaching
and
t•T
University
D
.
t are a already
curr
Talmudical sts at the Ye-
their secular general curriculum
i . rabbinical positions.)
shivas of Mir, Poland. Rabbinical character and knowledge
year
e
ora
orah
with
,ded
as
T
RABBI MOSES FISCHE R
dy
of
the
—to the study
To
be
able
to
reach
its
goal
ordination from the Talmudical 'Ind. year, must be regar
i
all that this word implies,
whose
Chairman, Detroit Council of
parents—like Hanna—pray that of wider service to the commun- Academies of Mir, Bratislava and valuable
one of the
essential
and most
assets
to -.Jewish
tom
Orthodox Rabbis
it h•ldren shall be versed in ity, the Yeshivah needs the finan- the Rabbinical Seminary of Ber- munal
the
undeniably true that thousands the golden wisdom of Hillel, Jo- cial support of all c asses
gin. Descendant of old rabbinical
As a center of learning and a
and thousands of our best Jewish chanan ben Zakkai and Akiba, be troit Jewry. I sincerely hope the family. Grandson o. f the famous home for the development of fu-
youth—yea, of our young man- learned in the discussion of Abaia co-operation will be wholehearted Rabbi Isaac Schweiger, known as tare Hebrew scholars and com-
hood and womanhood in Detroit, and Raba, through whom the an- and generous,
the author of "Birchath Yizchak." munal leaders, Yeshivath Beth
have drawn their Jewish consci- dent Jewish lore shall bud and
Accepted at the age of 24 the Yehudah deserves the utmost sup-
ousness, their Jewish inspiration blossom forth in free America,
call to head the Wuerzburg Or- port from the community. Recog-
and knowledge from the rich wells and strengthen, renew an d re-
i I
thodox Teachers' Seminary, the nition by the heads of organize
of the U. H. Schools —yet, on the build the fiber of Israel.
only educational institution left Jewry of their paramount duty
other hand, it is no less true,
by the Nazi regime for the entire in developing a group of succes-
May the rejuvenated Yeshivah
that the movement to re-establish and the United Hebrew Schools,
German Jewry, and held this posi- sors to the leaders of today and
Rabbi
Dr.
Samson
R.
Weiss,
the ancient and truly original in- like the golden Cherubim in the
tion till the destruction of the of their desponsibility in pi ovid-
dean
of
Yeshivath
Beth
Yehudah,
't tions of learning; the Ye- Sanctuary turn their faces with was born in 1910 in Emden, Ger- seminary in November, 1938. ing for the furtherance of Jewish
f both
shivoth
for and
the oral
study
o with brotherly love toward each other, many. High school and college Many of his pupils are now culture and Jewish contributions
the written
law,
s preading their luminous wings education in Breslau and Berlin. serving in this country as teach- to civilization, should motivate
its
trict
disipline
of an
ands
c Jewish
genuine
life austere
and the over the sacred ark of Jewish Germany. Bachelor of Law and ers and spiritual leaders. Comes them to provide Yeshivath Beth
ise an
Economics, University of Zurich, to Detroit from Baltimore, Md., Yehudah with adequate physical
practice of the law and command- education a nd ra ise shall
where he served as professor at facilities and the means for effi-
Switzerland; M. A. in Philosophy
fact that the re-establish- know God, love Israel and serve and Doctor of Hebrew Science of the Rabbinical College Ner Israel. cient operation.
ruable
ment of the Yeshivoth was met mankind.

A Message from
Head of Mizrachi

Yeshivah s Founder

"YESHIVATH BETH YEHUDAH"

Dean of Yeshivah

WEISS