Purely Commentary By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ Interesting Evaluation of Jewish Education In his illuminating book," "Elementary Education in Ancient Israel," (published by Bloch), Dr. Eliezer Ebner offers an in- teresting evaluation of the Rabbis' views of the religious-ethical aspects of Jewish teaching. These are the concluding two para- graph& in Dr. Ebner's book: "The following Boraita with which we bring our treatise to a close is an idealistic account of all the qualificatons, which according to the Rabbis are necessary to a greater or lesser degree for the acquistion of Torah knowledge. It presents at the same time an index of the aims to which Jewish education in tannaitic times was dedicated. Entirely in keeping with the religious-ethical aspect of Jewish teachings is the faCt, that nearly two-thirds of the 48 virtues enumerated here are of that nature: "The Torah is greater than priesthood and royalty; for royalty is acquired with 30 virtues and priesthood with 24, but Torah is acquired with 48 qualifications. And these are: study, attentive listening, distinctive pronunciation, emotional discernment, intui- tive grasp, awe, reverence, humility, cheerfulness, attendance on scholars, attachment to colleagues, discussion with students, sedateness, study of Scriptures and Mishnah, moderation in business, moderation in worldly affairs, moderation in pleasure, moderation in sleep, moderation in conversation, moderation in laughter, patience, a good heart, faith in the sages, resignation under chastisement, recognizing one's place, being content with one's portion, guarding one's words, claiming no merit for oneself, being beloved, loving God, loving people, loving righteousness, loving reproof, shunning honor, not boasting- of one's learning, not delighting in giving decisions, bearing the yoke with one's colleague, judging him favorably, leading. him to truth and peace, being composed in one's study, asking and answering, listening and adding to one's knowledge, learning with the intention to teach, learning with the intention to practise, making one's teacher wiser, being accurate in one's learning and quoting a thing in the name of the person who said it'." This is a most interesting code. It sets forth so many valuable principles, involving human behavior, every day living and cultural aspirations, that we consider it a worthwhile message for our Annual Education Month. It is especially valuable as a guide for those concerning themselves with adult Jewish education. It encourages learning, teaching, accuracy in approach- ing Jewish cultural measures. Observance of Education Month must not be limited to dealing with problevis: let us also concern ourselves with principles. The above quotation offers the "idealistic account" in dealing with the desired principles. Jewish War Veterans Plan One-Time Fund Drive; Movement's Activities Reviewed by Ben Kaufman In a full day's leadership con- ference, held Sunday, at the Jewish War Veterans' Memorial Building, - JWV leaders re- viewed current Jewish needs and set forth a platform for action during the coming year. Under the chairmanship of Lawrence Gubow, Michigan Department commander, the issues were reviewed at sev- eral workshops, and a decision was reached for a one-time fund-raising effort to secure means with which to carry on the JWV program for the de- fense of Jewish rights in Michigan. Features of the conference were the address, at the morn- ing session, by Ben Kaufman, Unified Schools or Individualism? JWV national executive direc- tor, and the presentation of an emblem to Leonard N. Simons signifying his recent election to honorary membership in JWV. Gubow made the presentation. Participants in the meeting included Lt. Gov. Philip Hart, who welcomed Mr. Kaufman, holder of a Congressional Medal of Honor, to. Michigan; Samuel J. Rhodes, president of the Jew- ish Community Council; Mrs. Jack Schwartz, president of the Ladies' JWV Department; Ben Shiffman, Spanish - American War veteran, who gave the opening prayer; I. L. Feuer, of Youngstown; Fred Tourkow, Henny Littman, Sol M. Hober- man, Ralph Epstein, Carl Poll, Sam . Spolan, and other Michi- gan JWV leaders. Establishment of a national museum to honor the memory of the 20,00 Jews who died in the wars of the U.S. was urged by Mr. Kaufman. Reviewing JWV activities. in this country, Mr. Kaufman told of the veterans' efforts against the McCarran-Walter Act, the organization's intercessions in defense of Israel, work among veterans in hospitals, activities of anti-Semites in the Mon- Mouth case and in unfair se- curity investigations. LEONARD N. SIMONS re- ceives Honorary JWV Mem- bership Pin from LAW- RENCE GUBOW. By RABBI JOSEPH ELIAS Principal, Yeshivath Beth Yehudah Two tendencies are always noticeable in the life of a com- munity: the striving for indi- vidual self-expression, and the desire for unified effort. A great deal of thought is given these days to the con- Yes, there certainly is a prescription for cept of a unified "community school" system; but what does Better Schools — and it's utterly painless. All this idea mean? Do we want you have to do is clip the coupon attached and a school teaching only what all send today for free booklet, "How Can Cit4ens Help sections of the community have Their Schools?". Address your card or letter to The National in. common? That would surely Citizens Commission for the Public Schools, 2 West be a very watered-down and meaningless type of education. 45th Street, New York 36, N. Y. Do it today! Those of us associated with the effort of Yeshivath Beth Ye- .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • Bettor Schools hudah to provide an intensive * * education, along traditional 2 West 45th Street, New York 36, N. Y. • • lines, feel very strongly that A Million Dollars °a Year for Education send me free booklet, "How Can Citizens. • Please Abe Kasle, president of the United Hebrew Schools, who has there should be no interference, • Help Their Schools?". • dedicated himself to the cause of Jewish education, estimates but rather full support, for an • that Detroit Jewry spends in excess of a million dollars a year autonomous educational effort. • • Name as well as new We are conscious of the he niir children—in the communal -0, + Address congregational schools. demands made on traditional • City Such an expenditure represents another i.iuuie tc the gen- Jewish education by the move Zone_State • erosity of our community and to the realization of a major need. to suburbia and the upsurge of It indicates a recognition of the priority of educational needs public interest in religion. The campaign for better schools is being sponsored by the to nearly all other communal causes. One of the problems that, in National Citizens Committee for the Public Schools, in co- The million dollars may not be all we need, but it is proof this connection, gains increasing Of the magnitude of the obligation we owe our children and it is urgency, is that of Federation operation with the Advertising Council of America. The Detroit an encouragement that if more money is needed it will—as it Support for all services rendered Jewish News is indebted to the two co-sponsors for the illus- should—be forthcoming. If we do not train a well-informed by the Yeshivah. While its trations accompanying our Annual Jewish Education Month youth, we may lose our next generation as a participant in our afternoon students receive a Issue. community's affairs. Our fulfillment of obligations to our com- share of the community's edu- ■ ■■■■■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ munity needs is one of the most heartening developments in cational spending, its 530 day Detroit Jewry's communal life. school students do not enjoy * * * Boris Smolar's • any community support what- In 1829: A High School Education for $13.50 a Year soever. Obtaining a more com- If there are any among us who think we are spending too prehensive Jewish educational much money for education, we are prepared to hearten them, than afternoon students, should too, with an historical item. they not at least receive the F. Clever Bald, assistant director of the University of same encouragement and sup- Michigan Historical Collections, pointed out this week that a port as these? high school education was offered in Ann Arbor 126 years ago (Copyright I956,. Questions such as these for $13.50 a year. The U. of M. historian calls attention to should be given full consider- Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.) this advertisement in the first number—Nov. 18, 1829—of "The ation. By common positive Emigrant"—Ann Arbor's first newspaper—by Merrill's Select thinking, and by sincere encour- Jewish Affairs: School, which was started by Thomas W. and Moses Merrill: agement of all constructive With the return of Dr. Nahum Goldmann to the United "Select school for young gentlemen and ladies in Ann forces in our midst, new heights Arbor Village. Reading, spelling, mental arithmetic, modern of achievement can be reached States, after an absence of six months, internal Jewish life in this country will be intensified . . . Dr. Goldmann will attempt geography, and English grammar at $2.50 per quarter (three by our community. to reorganize the American Zionist movement so as to bring months); including writing, practical arithmetic, ancient about the formation of an American Zionist Federation .. This geography, history, philosophy, chemistry, logic, astronomy, the will require plenty of negotiations with Zionist groups which higher branches of mathematics, composition and declamation at Maximum of Jewish would join this territorial federation . . . Dr. Goldmann will $3.00; including the Latin and Greek languages, $4.50. make determined efforts to bring some non-Zionist personalities "The instructors pledge themselves to take a lively interest Education Is Needed Dr. Goldmann intends in their pupils' advancement and knowledge, in good habits and By Rabbi ISRAEL L HALPERN into the Jewish Agency executive ... Then, to approach important Jewish groups in this country—Zionist, amiable deportment; (etc.). "Boarding may be obtained at $1.00 ' A maximum of Jewish educa- non-Zionist, religious and secular alike—with a proposal to send per week." tion is needed. Sunday Schools, 4We are informed that in spite of all the advantages offered and even three - day - a - week to Moscow a joint representative delegation, in which Jewish by this school, it lasted for only two years, that Thomas Merrill schools, cannot deliver the communities in other countries will be represented, to clarify moved to Kalamazoo, opened the Michigan and Huron Institute necessary well-rounded training with the Soviet government many issues affecting Jewish life there in 1836 and that this academy later became Kalamazoo for modern Jewish living. By in the U.S.S.R. *1/4 * * College. If tuition was cheap at that time, look at the boarding maximum is meant a seven- a week; cost: $1 day-a-week program, which Things to Come: * * • How will American Jewry appear 50 years from today? .. . will include Sabbath youth ser- Honors for Schumer in Acco—and an Israeli Story vices and a good Sunday pro- Dr. Jacob R. Marcus, historian, predicts the Jews will be native Harry Schumer, one of the mainstays in the Detroit Labor gram to supplement the five- Americans by that time, living primarily in six large cities . . . Zionist movement, will be honored by having a cultural center day formal school training. The Jewish children will resemble their neighbors even in a physical established by Histadrut, in Acco, Israel, in his name, on the Synagogue a n d community sense . • . Thousands of Gentile converts who marry into Juda- occasion of his 60th birthday. afternoon school, as well as the ism will produce an American Jew who will be ethnically and It is a well-deserved honor for a man who is generous, who Yeshivah Day School, can con- anthropologically no different from a Gentile . . . The percentage is untiring in- his efforts for Israel, who is a dedicated leader in duct such a program, together of Jews who will observe Kashruth away from home will be the cause of the Israeli labor movement. with the Synagogue. minimal, but kosher-style food will still be relished by Jews This honor reminds this Commentator of a good story he In the Sunday School, and in and non-Jews . . . It will be increasingly difficult to distinguish had heard in Israel. A group of tourists, visiting Acco, (also the weekday schools, we must a Jew by his name . . . The typical Jew will be a college grad- spelled Accho), formerly better known as Acre, learned about get away from the study about uate, a white-collar worker, preferably self-employed; frequently Israel's successes in the War of Liberation, and the capture of Judaism to the study of Juda- a successful professional practioner . . . In suburban districts the city by Israel's forces. They then recalled that Napoleon ism straight from the sacred Jewish centers will become clubs for the middle class, and in Bonaparte, in his Middle Eastern aspirations, was unable to take Jewish sources — Prayer Book, smaller towns the country club will emerge as a community the fortress of Acre. One of the tourists asked a child in that city Bible, Talmud and Codes. agency . . . A new fusion type of religion, amalgamating the More girls must 'be given a Orthodox, Conservative and Reform denominations, will be in whether he knew anything about Napoleon. thorough Jewish education. It "Who was Napoleon?", the child countered. the making . . . Most Jews will be members of a religious society, "Haven't you heard about the great general of the early part would be catastrophic if half because that is part of the American concept of respectability ... the Jewish community remained Some Jewish communities will introduce a form of overall taxa- of the last century?", asked the tourist. "0," the Israeli youngster then said, "you mean the French ignorant of Jewish values, prin- tion to include even membership in the synagogue. ciples and observances. general who couldn't take Acre." For Better Schools? • • 1...0 04•1111.1 4141M414 . .01•111.1111.H11 4141 41 11,14)411M04.1.14.1 'Between You ... and Me' - 011 41 1)411•11414111 0411M00.1.