Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
The Improving Percentage of Children in Jewish Schools
A national Jewish leader, speaking here recently, advanced
the claim that of the 1,200,000 American Jewish children of school
age only 300,000 are attending any type of Jewish school, including
the Sunday Schools.
This Commentator has checked on the available figures and
has secured important information from Dr. Judah Pilch, exec-
utive director, and Dr. Uriah Z. Engelman, head of the research
department, of the American Association for Jewish Education.
The facts, as given by Dr. Pilch, are:
"In the spring of 1954, 399,818 children attended the various
types of schools in this country. This figure is based on reports
of actual enrollment in 197 communities (including all middle-
sized and large cities). Dr. Engelman maintains that it may be
possible that this enrollment figure is even higher.
"The percentage of Jewish children attending schools in a
given year is very difficult to ascertain. We have no knowledge of
the number of children of elementary and junior high school age.
No scientific study of the Jewish population and its age distribu-
tion was conducted in recent years.
"On the basis of studies that we have undertaken in smaller
communities, where a census of the child population was made,'
we belieVe that the percentage of children attending - schools at
a given time is a little more than 40."
We recall that it was not so very long ago that we deplored
the tragic fact that only about 18 per cent of our children attended
any type of Jewish school. The number of children who are re-
ceiving some sort of Jewish education has doubled in the last 20
years. It is not an altogether happy figure, but there are im-
provements in the educational field and we should be encouraged
rather than pessimistic.
One thing to be remembered by all is that blame is not limited
to a single group. All of us are responsible for the existing situa-
tion and all of us can help solve it. Therefore, the approach must
be not in a spirit of abuse one for another, but with a sense of
responsibility. If we work together and strive to improve the
educational standards and to encourage young people to enter the
teaching field, we will thereby inspire parents to send their chil-
dren to Jewish schools and to teach them the values of their
heritage. The progress we have made in this direction offers the
assurance that the situation is not hopeless.
Tercentenary Story Portrays Michigan Jewry's History
In Women's Pageant, A Pair o Sliver Candlesticks'
A capacity audience. at Tem-
ple Israel Auditorium, on Mon-
day afternoon witnessed the dra-
matic portrayal of the Tercen-
tenary story, with emphasis on
Michigan Jewish history.
The occasion was the presen-
tation of the pageant, "A Pair
of Silver Candlesticks," by the
Women's Tercentenary Commit-
tee. The impressive text was
written by Mrs. Joshua S. Sperka
and the pageant was directed by
Harry Goldstein, with the able
assistance of Mrs. Philip Bern-
stein, coordinator.
Due to injuries suffered re-
cently by the president of the
League of Jewish Women's Or-
ganizations, Mrs. Irving Small,
Mrs. Nathan Spevakow, chair-
man of the League's program
committee, presided at the
opening ceremonies. Mrs.
Small had improved suffici-
ently to be able to attend the
performance and to watch the
splendid results of the efforts
of her committee from a front
seat in the auditorium.
Brown Dorsett was the organ-
ist.
In the cast were: Mesdames
William P. Greenberg, Julian
Tobias, Ben Bayer, Irvin Weisen-
thal, Harry Sand, Sam Isaacs,
Harry Portnoy, Irwin Natinsky,
Elias Goldberg, Earl Gould, Mar-
vin Edelson, David Shingles, Max
Littky, Isaac Banaim, BesS
Greenwald, and Miss Barbara
Bradman.
Children who participated in-
eluded Pearl Portnoy, Steve
Bayer and Karen Isaacs.
(Personnel of the large par-
ticipating choir was announced
last week).
Cantor Judah Goldring was
the only male member of the
cast, appearing as the Cantor.
Members of a sextet were Mes-
dames Manley Berman, A. Victor
Bizer, Harry Kauffman, Jack
Marrich, Harry Pernick and Ar-
thur Schubiner.
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1955, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)
Jewish Trends
What type of a Jew are you? . • . Prof. John P. Dean, who
conducted a study for Cornell University on the relations between
Jews and non-Jews in middle-sized U. S. cities, classifies nine types
of Jews in this country as follows: 1. The "Comfortable In-Group
Jew" who does not care what Gentiles think of him . . . He is sus-
tained by the life of the Jewish community and has strong attach-
ment to Jewish traditions . . He is more likely to be Orthodox
than Reform . .. 2. The "Comfortable Participator" who desires
status in both the Gentile and Jewish group and feels that he has
won the respect of both groups . . Any socializing he does with
Gentiles is largely selective in a way that protects him from direct
encounters with anti-Semitism . . . 3. The "Comfortable Assim-
ilator" who is not concerned with what the Jewish community
thinks of him . . . He doesn't necessarily deny being Jewish but he
has disassociated himself from the Jewish . community . . . He has
found a role in the Gentile group where he is accepted, but his
participation in this group also tends to be selective . .. 4. The
"Self-Sustainer" whose self-esteem is based not :on what the
Gentile and Jewish groups think of him but one something else,
such as a career in the arts, in science, or in some other occupa-
tion that places him in a group where he need not be confronted
with decisions on "Jewishness" . 5. The "Pneasy Assimilator"
who wants to be accepted by both Gentile and Jew, but for some
reason feels rejected by the Jewish community . . . 6. The "Self-
Conscious Participator" who wants to be accepted by both groups
and has succeeded in gaining the respect of the Jewish community.
... 7. The "Disowned Jew" who cares only for status in the Jewish
community, but has been rejected by the Jews because of an ex-
aggerated or ill-becoming expression of his Jewishness that makes
other Jews ashamed of him ... 8. The "Frustrated. Assimilator"
who wants acceptance only in the Gentile group, but is burdened
with the feeling that he is looked down on by Gentiles because he
is a Jew . . . 9. The Jew who wants acceptance from both groups
but feels rejected by both groups . This type of Jew is the most
marginal of any of the types and is probably in the most difficult
psychological situation . . . He is deeply ambivalent and in con-
flict about having left the fold but not having found acceptance
in the Gentile group.
Mrs. Spevakow outlined the
activities of the Tercentenary
women's committee and ex-
pressed thanks to the cooperat-
ing committees.
The audience was led in the
singing of the national anthem
by Mrs. Joseph Markle, with Mrs.
Julius Pliskow at the piano. Mrs.
Joseph H. Ehrlich gave the pray-
er. Greetings were extended to
the gathering in behalf of the
Detroit Tercentenary Committee
The Irresponsible 'Orthodox' Fanatics
The very term "Orthodox" was abused and misrepresented of 300 by its chairman, Philip
when a group of fanatics demonstrated against Israel and created Slomovitz.
In an address in behalf of
a near-riot in New York last week.
Adopting the name "United Orthodox Jewish Congregations the Jewish Welfare Federa-
and Organizations," the rioters created a sad spectacle. The tion, whose grant has made
possible the Tercentenary cel-
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, whose name
ebrations in Detroit, Isidore
may be mistaken for the group that sponsored the ungodly
Sobeloff _ suggested that all
demonstration, was compelled to issue a statement in which it
Detroiters should adopt the
declared:
slogan, "I want a good com-
"The use by the group designating itself the 'United Orthodox
munity for my child." He out-
Jewish Congregations and Organizations of America' of that name
lined the balanced program of
has confused the general public into erroneously believing that
Detroit's organized Jewish
our organization has sponsored the Feb. 6 demonstration in
community and invited the
Manhattan Center. It is therefore necessary to state that the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America was in no united cooperation of the
way connected with the demonstration. Action is now being taken women in the 1955 Allied Jew-
ish Campaign.
to enjoin the 'United Orthodox Jewish Congregations and Organi-
The pageant, a dramatic com-
zations of America' from further use of this misleading name. The
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America takes a very pilation of facts, leads the audi- U.S. Views
serious view concerning the occurrences in the Mea Shearim sec- ence to the day, in September
The background report on Israel issued by the State Depart-
tion in Jerusalem and the harm that has befallen the religious 1654, of the arrival of the ment last month contains quite a number of flaws . . . They would,
Jews in that area. The matter is at present under very careful first organized group of Jewish perhaps, have passed unnoticed if the report were not an official
investigation. However, mass demonstrations such as the one held settlers in this country. It pro- document issued by the U. S. Government ... However, as a review
at the Manhattan Center are contrary to the policy of the Union ceeds to relate the fate of a pair presented by the State Department, its inaccuracies have attracted
of candlesticks that were brought attention in Israel . . . Thus, the report speaks about "fighting
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America."
Thus, an irresponsible group stands condemned and repudi- to this country by one of the that broke out" when Israel came into existence, whereas the basic
ated. It has unfortunately attracted wide attention among first settlers. The pageant links fact that the Arabs declared war on and attacked Israel is missing
non-Jews who may be led to believe that Israel is truly in danger the candlesticks to various phas- . . . It says that the U. S. would like Israel to look upon herself as
of becoming a theocracy under pressure from the Mea Shearim es of Michigan Jewish history. part of the Middle East, "mapping her future progress within the
and New York fanatics. Most Jews, however, will retain confidence Interwoven in the story is the framework of the Middle Eastern community" . . . This may be
that the better judgment of rational and self-controlled people development of the Detroit Jew- interpreted as implying that Israel does not wish it, or that Israel
will keep Israel within democratic boundaries and that Israel's ish community, the activities of is in any way to blame for the lack of friendly relations between
friends everywhere will refrain from besmirching the young Jewish women in Detroit, their her and the Arab countries . The report states that "the exact
state's good name with nonsensical intrusions in hc.: policies or share in various communal boundaries of the new nation have not yet been fully defined,"
with disgraceful demonstrations.
movements, their philanthropic and this is definitely misleading , . . The general armistice agree-
*
*
work, their work with children ments clearly stipulate that no changes in the boundaries can be
and the aged and infirm, their effected without the consent of both parties concerned
Maurice H...Zackheim: Detroit's Distinguished Jewish Scholar
The
There are times, when birthdays of individuals become impor- synagogue activities, their con- report asserts that Tel Aviv "became Israel's first capital" . .
tant events of the entire community. This is the case with the tributions to all civic causes and This is inaccurate, since Tel Aviv was never proclaimed the capital
attainment of the 75th year by Maurice H. Zackheim, whom many their links with Jewry every- of the Jewish State . . Similarly inacurate is the assertion in
of us recognize as Detroit's most where.
the report that when a Jew receives a visa which admits him as
Assisting in the preparation an immigrant to Israel, he automatically becomes a citizen of the
distinguished scholar among Jewish
of the script were Mesdames Jewish State fact is that a Jew becomes a citizen only when
laymen.
As a Talmudist and a Hebraist; as Harry L. Jackson, George Rubin, he enters Israel, provided he does not declare his desire not to be-
a community leader and as a well Irving Small, Nathan Spevakow come an Israel citizen . . Describing. the events preceding the
informed citizen, Mr. Zackheim has and Philip Bernstein,• Assisting wresting of Palestine from the Turks and the establishment of a
created important precedents in our in the production's various as- mandatory regime, the State Department's 1 - ackground report
community. . As chairman of the pects were: Mesdames David omits the participation of the Jewish Legion in the conquest of
Board of Education of the United Newman, I. S. Katzman, Carl Palestine . . . It also fails to mention the agreement concluded
Hebrew Schools, he- has aimed to keep Murry, Jules Kamen, Abe Fine, between King Feizal and Dr. Chaim Weizmann with regard to the
our communal school system on the Carl Brawl, Julius Ring, Herman establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine ... There
highest plane in adherence to tradi- Prady, Edith Goodman, Marvin are other omissions and inaccuracies in the report which empha-
tions. As a Zionist, he has been a Levy.
sizes, however, that the U. S. has asked the Arab nations to accept
Shekel-holder from the earliest days
Karl Haas was the musical the State of Israel as a member of the Middle East community*
of the movement, has served as presi- director. Dan Greenberg was
* *
dent of the Zionist Organization of the production manager. Lois
Fact and Figures
Detroit and has attended most of the
A private report circulated by the Israel Bond Organization,
'tuft,
ZOA conventions. As a man of faith,
among
its officers, reveals that more bonds were sold in about 60
Official
French
Zionist
M. H. Zackheim
his presidency of Congregation Shaarey
cities
in
1954 than in the previous year . . . In Chicago the sale of
Zedek gave that synagogue prestige and high standing in our Withdraws Resignation
bonds netted $2,162,400 in cash last year as compared with less
Direct JTA Teletype Wire
community.
than $2,000,000 the year before . . . Los Angeles brought in
to The Jewish News
Mr. Zackheim's attainments could be multiplied many-fold.
$968,000 the
PARIS, Andre Blumel, secre- $1,500,000 in cash for bonds in 1954 as compared with
Suffice it to say that he is not only a man of great learning, but
previous
year
...
The
sale
of
bonds
also
increased
in
Baltimore,
also that he applies his erudition well, that he serves his people tary general of the Zionist Fed-
Columbus,
well, that he is a generous and a devoted man. We heartily acclaim eration of France who submitted Detroit, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Utica,
him on his 75th birthday as one of our most distinguished citizens. his resignation last month, has Houston, Miami and other smaller communities . . . In Wilkes-
agreed to withdraw the resigna- Bare, Pa., it jumped from $88,000 to $201,000 • .. The report re-
tion and resume his duties, the veals, however, that in Philadelphia a city with 275,000 Jews—only
sold in
India Does Not Rack Calendar Reform
Federation announced Tuesday. 2,497 Israel bonds amounting to a little over $1,000,000 Were
has 50,000
1954
.
.
.
In
Washington
and
Pittsburgh,
each
of
which
LONDON, (JTA)—The govern- Chief Rabbi revealed. The Jews The resignation was submitted
Jews, only 1,064 bonds for about $500,000 were sold in each city
ment of India has not lent its have opposed the "blank day" following criticism of M. Blum- In Newark and Cleveland—cities with 90,000 Jews each-1,969 and
device because it would unfix el's participation in a meeting 1,143 bonds, respectively, were sold, netting $790,000 for Newark and
support to the World Calendar the position of the Sabbath and opposing ratification of the Par-
Association's plan for reforming interfere with religious observ- is agreement providing for re- $587,000 for Cleveland . . These and similar figures from other
arming Germany. The executive cities aim to indicate the very wide gap between the potential of
the world calendar through the anc es.
of the Federation had .unani- the community and its bond sales ...They also aim to show that
"blank day" device, Indian Prime
mously
adopted a resolution re- the sale. of bonds does not affect contributions to the local Jewielt
2—DETROIT
JEWISH
NEWS
Minister Nehru told British
federations and welfare funds.
jecting
the
resignation.
1955
Friday, February 18,
.
Chief Rabbi Israel Brodie, the