American Apish Periodical Carter

CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO

March 5, 1943

EDUCATION FOR GOOD WILL

Intercultural Education in Public Schools

By WILLARD JOHNSON

1

3

9

DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle

Rabbi Bender in Detroit
For Isaac Elchanan
Seminary and College

ON THE HOME FRONT

By BENJAMIN KAUFMAN

Rabbi Abraham Bender is now
Congressional Medal of Honor
One of the most significant
There is the National Educa-
•
developments in the undergirding tion Association whose case book visiting Detroit in the interests
of American democracy has oc- "Americans All" with detailed of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theo-
National
Commander
curred largely within the last two accounts of 20 projects in inter- logical Seminary and Yeshivah
Jewish War Veterans of the U. S.
decades, though it is actually just cultural education, summaries of College, New York. Rabbi Ben-
now gathering momentum. It is others and aids of many types der, a distinguished scholar, at
the educational process of teach- constitutes a landmark in its one time supervisor of Yeshivah
ing new concepts of citizenship field.
On my recent swing-around- one died and left you a million
and group relationships which is
the-country for Jewish War Vet- so you don't have to work?"
The Council Against Intoler-
sweeping through the text book ance is doing significant work
"Work! I sell insurance, Ben,
erans, I stopped off at New Bri-
materials and subject matter now with manuals, study units, and
taro and thought I'd try and find didn't you know."
being universally adopted in periodical material for teachers.
a few minutes in between recep-
I never did get to see Martin.
American schools. This writer
The National Conference of
tions, dinners, and breakfasts But I did hear a good story about
has seen these ideas in well Christians and Jews conducts a
and so forth for a chat with him. One Friday evening he came
printed and gaily colored text year-round program in many
an old J. W. V. member, Martin home, and the family pulled out
books in small town schools in schools of the nation to encour-
Horwitz. Martin is a Past De- a big streamer and waved it at
Nebraska and Kansas and Mis- age good will and understanding
partment Commander.
him. It said, "Welcome home,
souri, as well as in schools of among Protestants, Catholics and
I called him up and was told Daddy!"
large cities.
Jews. Its Brotherhood Week pro-
that he was out. When would he
Martin isn't the only member
be in? Nobody knew; they said of Jewish War Veterans who puts
The new concept of American gram stimulates continuous inter-
he'd call me.
citizenship now becoming more cultural education in thousands
in all his time on war activities
and more common is that Amer- of the country's schools. Its
About one o'clock next night, and JWV, and earns a living in
Workshops
for
teachers
sponsored
ica is not a melting pot but an
just as I was getting into the his spare time.
ensemble of diverse groups each in cooperation with the Service
hay, my phone rang, and it was
Bill Unger of Pittsburgh is
of which has a contribution to Bureau for Intercultural Educa-
Martin.
make, characteristics and a his- tion, conducted for several sum-
"Hello,
feller,
I
said.
"Drop
Deputy
District
Commander
for
around and see me. Let's say his American
Legion
district, cov-
tory of which to be proud, and mers and to be held this year at
ering
thirteen
posts
and
500
an obligation to respect and work Columbia and Harvard train
tomorrow night, Monday.'
"Sorry, pal," said Martin. members.
is Americanism
with other groups for the com- teachers and develop teaching
Chairman He
for his
Legion post and
mon good. Americans come from materials.
"Mondays and Fridays, the Ap-
peal
Board
for Hartford
JWV
post 49, Jack
and an
active
many nations, yet are one; many
This raises an important point.
meets
all day
for about County
ten Air for
Raid
Warden.
Shapiro
races, yet are all brothers; many Text books, no matter how ade-
hours." if Reading, Aaron Franklin of
creeds, yet all seek the same so- quate, are rendered worthless if
"0. K., I always go to bed Boston, Al Reich of Hartford,
cial objectives. America is E biased teachers use them and
Danny Cohen of Wyandotte, Iz
Pluribus Unum, one out of many. warp their content to conform to
late.
Come I after
"Well,
can't the
do meeting."
that, Ben. Ginsberg of Queens, Ben Levin
Totalitarianism demands uniform- their own prejudices. Training of
RABBI ABRAHAM BENDER
who's a mail-carrier from 6 a. m.
ity. Democracy welcomes people, teachers in intercultural appre-
The New Britain Ration Board
,,p . . m. and works at National
of
Slonim,
is
well
known
in
Jew-
meets
Monday,
Wednesday
and
Ili
2
irrespective of their differences, ciation, in many ways, is more
ish
learned
circles
by
his
con-
Friday nights till midnight, and
Q. are
from
2:30
to 6 p. m.,—
as people. important than text book re-
they
just
a few.
This concept is finding more vision. That training can' be ac- nection with the Rabbi Isaac El- I'm on it."
This
ought
to
give
people an
chanan
Seminary
for
the
past
23
Well, make it Tuesday some
"Well,
and more general expression in compilshed only through the cus-
idea of the kind of men who
time."
public school text books. toniary educational system. Such years.
"But I'm Deputy Chief Ob- make up JWV, and the part they
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Seminary
The new partner principle of training is part of the program
group relations is that expressed of all the groups mentioned in is well known as the largest in- server in charge of maintenance are taking in the war effort. The
stitution of higher Jewish learn- for Aircraft Warning Service," organization as a whole is acting
by the social scientists (it is this and previous articles.
ing in America. It maintains a
also a relgious ideal) who insist
Martin,
"and I'll be On
scale things
proportionately
great-
Nothing has been said here of rabbinical department of some explained
the job over
there
tomorrow."
er. on
A a few
we did since
that there is no evidence to sup- the college field but substantially
evening all right?" Pearl Harbor include selling
750 students, and in addition, a
"Tuesday
port the theory that one race is the same story can be told. Much teachers' institute, a preparatory
inherently better than any other. more remains to be (lone, es-
"Gee, I'm
Ben, but
I'm $30,000,000
in war as bonds;
of sorry
the United
Parents
senting $150,000
a cash gift
school, a full-time day high President of
Individuals and groups differ but pecially by teachers' colleges, but school, and the famous Yeshivah and Teachers Association." to the government to buy pursuit
all groups can rise to the same the findings of college anthro-
still be in town planes; "adopting" many soldiers,
levels of ability and achievement pologists and social scientists College leading to the degrees
"Well, I'll
regardless of creed, and supply-
if given equal opportunities. have given substance and body of A. B. and B. S.
'
How about—"
their needs; giving pianos,
'
Many graduates of the Yeshi- Wednesday.
These social scientists further to the whole field of intercultural
"I sure would come if I could, games,
comfort kits, etc. to the
vah
and
the
teachers'
institute
point out that society is a unit education.
but I'm Executive Director of the men in the service; furnishing
and that what injures one part of
are serving now as rabbis or USO and Chairman of the March recreation rooms, and a dozen
As we have indicated previous- teachers in Jewish communities alt
society does harm to all of so-
Dimes."
other forms of needed aid to the
Y,
no
one
should
gain
the
im-
over the United States and Can- lf of
ciety, to all its parts. Therefore 1
"Oh, yeah? Maybe you're the Army, Navy and Marines.
from
this
series
of
ads.
There
are
many
prominent
if one group,—racial, religious or ar-
Sheriff, too?"
class,
class, wants security or freedom tides that the writer believes Detroiters who, at one time or
just Deputy Sheriff.
"No
for itself it must assume its obli- that everything is as it should be. another, attended one of the Sometimes I fill in as Court 0111-
NEWCOMERS NIGHT
gations to help make all society We have too many outmoded text various departments of the Yeshi- cer at the Court of Common
Public Speaking Group will
I
secure and free. Men and groups books and materials which, al- vah.
hold a newcomers night at their
Rabbi Bender's visit has been Pleas—"
of men are interdependent in though they may not contain a
"Say,
Martin," I said, "just next meeting, for the benefit of
our closely knit world and nation. great number of prejudiced pas- scheduled by the Vaad Hayeshi- tell me one thing. What do you anyone desiring to visit or take
These ideas are to be found in sages, still do not contribute to voth (Michigan Committee for
part in this group. Meetings are
in your spare time?"
school text books at all age ley- the positive program of inter- the Support of Yeshivoth and Re- do "Oh,
sell war bonds and held on Thursday, at 9 p. m.,
ligious
Charitable
Institutions).
els. (It is unfortunate that the cultural education we need so ur-
in the library of the . Jewish
use of these newer texts and gently. We still have too many Mail contributions may be sent to stamps."
Center.
"Why
didn't
you
tell
me
some-
f
th
V
d
Ha
eshi-
materials is limited by racial bias intolerent and biased teachers the office o the Vaad
in some sections of the country, and clergymen who prejudice the voth, 10205 Dexter, Tyler 4-9363.
but even there significant prog- children they teach. We still have
ress has been made). For ex- too many timid educators who
ample, the writer picked up an fear to launch a program of edu- Contribuitions to the
elementary grade reader recently cation in intergroup relations be-
ENTERING OUR FIFTY-FIRST YEAR
and discovered equally favorable cause they are afraid of disturb- Jewish Home for Aged
pictures of representatives of all ing the status quo of their corn-
The following have made con-
th races of the world accompan- munities.
to the Home:
Anyone interested in lending tributions
ied by the statement, "Groups of
Mr. and Mrs. Abe Goldman, in
people in the world are different assistance to these broad pro- memory of Emma Krandall; Mrs.
but no one group is better than grams of intercultural education Chas. Brussell, in memory of hus-
should cooperate with those band, Charles; Mrs. Herman R.
any other."
Educational materials are corn- groups which have the experi- Sable, Mrs. Fred Faber and Mrs.
ing to be more and more con- ence, personnel and associations David Lefko, in memory of their
cerned with the building of good with educational leaders which 'parents, Morris S. and Ida M.
During 1942 more new insurance was placed in
will and respect based on knowl- guarantee that their efforts will Epstein; the Finley family, in
force with the Great-West Life than in any year in
edge and mutual appreciation of conform to the facts of the situ- memory of Morris Goodman; Mr.
its history . . . assets reached an all-time high . . .
the characteristics of various ra- ation and be consistent with basic and Mrs. David H. J. Feinberg,
insurance in force' almost $700,000,000. This has been
cial, ethnic and religious groups educational procedures. Such as- in memory of Sara Lee; Mrs. Ju-
accomplished in the face of unusual conditions and
which comprise our America. The sistance will be appreciated by lius E. Wartell, in memory of \
with more than one-quarter of its male employees in
process has gone beyond the any organization mentioned in parents, Charles and Betty Marks,
the armed forces of the United States and Canada.
stage of picking out passages these articles.
and brother, Leon Marks; H. E.
Friedman, Tawas City, Mich., in
here and there which may be anti-
memory of father, Moyshe-Elyhou;
this-group-or-that. As a matter
The Company's Position at the End of 1942
WISE
Mrs. Esther Grossman, donation;
of fact the text books used in
Insurances and Annuities in Force $698,010,493
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle H. Rogers, in
schools of America are so gen-
(Continued from Page 1)
memory of Joseph Alexander;
Providing protection to. policy-
erally free from prejudice-creat-
holders and their dependents
ing material that the agencies sum we could save thousands of Mitchell Feldman, donation; Alex
Schwartz, donation; Mrs. D. W.
numbering more than a million.
which would receive such com- human lives."
Simons, in memory of son, George
plaints report little activity of Taft Warns—
New Business Placed - - - - 78,910,662
this nature. (Again an exception
Taft warned that unbridled hate Simons.
New protection added by men
must be made in some sections after a United Nations' victory
and women to provide for their
concerning Negroes.) American might create a "Solid Axis" as Zhitomerer Verein
future.
educators are now involved in the hate during the Civil War created
far more important task of de- a "Solid South."
Payments
to Policyholders
To Hold Symposium
15,178,088
veloping the materials and meth-
"We must exterminate every
- and Beneficiaries - -
ods which will foster intergroup last vestige of the German and
$5,000,000 was paid to benefici-
A symposium- sponsored by the
good will and respect. And the Japanese military machines, but Zhitomerer Verein will be held
aries of deceased policyholders
job is being done by experienced we must deal intelligently and Wednesday, March 10, at their
—living policyholders receiving
and capable people and organiza- understangingly with the civilians meeting place, Jericho Temple,
$10,000,000.
of those nations," he said.
tions.
Joy Rd. and Linwood.
189,297,807
Assets
Describing the cancer of the
For example, there is the Serv-
The subject of the discussion
Made up of well diversified and
ice Bureau for Intercultural Edu- Axis as bred through an 'inferi- will be: "How To Unite American
sound investments-64.7% are in
cation with an imposing array of ority complex," he declared that Jewry".
Bonds.
tested and proven materials now we must make Axis civilians part-
The
speakers
will
be
Rabbi
being used by many schools at ners in postwar planning for the Joshua Sperka, president of De-
181,995,71)4
Liabilities
various age levels. Its new vol- security and peace of all. He troit Chapter, American Jewish
Almost
entirely
made
up
of
ume "Intercultural Education in called for a long-range rehabilita- Congress; William Hordes, presi-
policy reserves and other funds
American Schools" by Dr. Vick- tion plan that would include the dent, Jewish National Fund (De-
set aside to fulfil obligations to
feeding
and
housing
of
enemy
and
ery and Dr. Cole of the Service
troit chapter) • Lewis R. Levine,
policyholders and their
Bureau, is a guide for any school friend Siike.
executive of the National Work-
dependents.
Chester
A.
Kozdroj,
chairman
administrator or teacher. The Bu-
ers Alliance, and Nathan Siegel,
reau has a half dozen new teach- of the Polish Central Citizens' executive of the Berditchever
HARRY HIMELSTEIN, Representative
ing units in final stages of prepa- Committee here, opened the rally Verein.
with a vow that Poland would
3146 PENOBSCOT BLDG.
ration.
Harry Kaminer, educational
Or one may note the efforts of rise again despite the worst de- chairman of the Zhitomerer Ve-
vastation
it
has
ever
known.
the Progressive Education Asso-
"Even the miserably oppressed rein, will preside. The public is
ciation with its notable projects,
Poles
shed a tear of sympathy for invited.
and the Education Policies Com- the downtrodden
whom Hit-
NEAD WINCE • WINNIPE11. CANADA
mittee with its community cen- ler has vowed to Jews
All things are predestined, but
exterminate,"
tered program for "learning the
the
human
will
is
free
to
act!
he declared.
ways of democracy."

.

102 aid
the GREAT-WEST LIFE

II

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REAT-WEST LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY

