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Olto Vadis, Suburbia?

THE JEWISH NEWS

1951
Incorporating the Detroit Jewish Chronicle commencing with issue of July 20,

Member American Association of English—Jewish Newspapers, Michigan Press Association, National
Editorial
Association.
Published
every Friday by The Jewish News Publishing Co:, 17100 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 35,

Mich., VE 8-9364. Subscription $5 a year. Foreign $6.
Entered as second class matter Aug. 6, 1942 at Post Office, Detroit, Mich. under act of Congress of March
8, 1879.
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ SIDNEY SHMARAK CARMI M. SLOMOVITZ HARVEY ZUCKERBERG
City Editor
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
Editor and Publisher

Sabbath Scriptural Selections

This Sabbath, the twenty-first day of Elul, 5721, the following Scriptural selections will be read
in our synagogues:
Deut. 26:1-29:8. Prophetical portion, Isaiah 60:1-22.
Pentateuchal portion, Ki. Tavo,
Licht Benshen, Friday, Sept. 1, 6:48 p.m.

VOL. XL. No. 1

Page Four

i ttAC

September 1, 1961

Search For Proper Educational Goals

A statement issued by the National
Curriculum Research Institute sponsored
by the American Association for Jewish
Education Merits attention and discus-
sion by all who are interested in the
advancement of Jewish education.
Tentative "propositions" formulated
by the curriculum researchers is based on
the need for "a new orientation as to the
role and goals of present day educa-
tional institutions"; the re-examination
of the Jewish school program and a criti-
cal evaluation of goals and curricula, in
view of the changes that have taken place
in the world Jewish community as a
result of the destruction of large Jewish
European centers and the emergence of
the State of Israel; the aims of the cur-
rent school program which "emphasize
the transmission of our cultural heritage
while minimizing, even disregarding, the
needs inherent in our current Jewish
life"; the importance for Jewish schools
to "provide learning experiences that will
give our youth perspective and insight
into our contemporary world"; and
achievement of "proper understanding of.
our Jewish community," implying. appre-
ciation of the pluralistic character of the
democratic setting of American society
of which the Jewish community is an
integral part."
It is in consideration of these needs
that the research institute suggests the
following:

1. Jewish education is charged with the
task of keeping alive the .story of our
people's past and rendering it meaningful
for Jewish life today. Study of this her-
itage should help our children feel that
they are part of an historic community
which continues to play an important role
in human history.
.
2. Jewish education should foster the
concept of "Klal Yisrael." Each group
within the Jewish community should rec-
ognize its part in the totality. of the Jewish
people and live accordingly. Loyalty to a
given synagogue or ideology should not be
developed at the expense of loyalty to the
Jewish community as a whole: its religious,
civic, cultural, fraternal and philanthropic
institutions.
3. Jewish education should stimulate
the Jewish child to an appreciation of the
role of historic Jewish ideals which are
expressed in the State of Israel and to a
sense of obligation to assist its people in
efforts to develop a viable State based on
prophetic ideals and democratic principles.
4. Jewish education must not be limited
to the communication of information. It
must create opportunities for experiences
which will nurture a lasting interest in
active participation in Jewish life and its
creative expressions. The pupil's involve-
ment in concrete Jewish activities in school
and home, in synagogue, center and other
communal institutions comprises an inte-
gral part of the educational program. .
5. Differences of interpretation, em-
phasis and practice with regard to Judaism

have always existed and are probably inev-
itable within the Jewish community. The
Jewish school must foster an understanding
of these differences, so that we may live
and work fruitfully in peace and freedom.
6. Though-striving to extend the weekly
hours of instruction and years of attendance
and holding fast to the idea that Jewish
education is a life-long process, our schools
must reckon with the fact that they have
insufficient time available to them. It is
imperative, therefore, that the most ra-
tional planning should guide the use of
the hours spent in the Jewish school.
7. The N.C.R.I. shall direct its efforts
to the preparation of several patterns of
curricula. All these curricula shall include
those elements of our religio-cultural her-
itage which can serve as living sources of
Jewish being; and they shall also include
Harold Arlen is one of the most distinguished composers
materials and activities that will make for
more intelligent participation in Jewish of our time. His songs have won wide acclaim. He has written
life and foster commitment to meeting the the music for some of the best known tunes, such as "I Love.a
Parade," "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," "Over
challenge of our epoch in human history.
and many others.
While these are primarily matters for the Rainbow"
He has composed songs for a number of Broadway plays
the concern of educators, it is imperative with long-run records. He is the famous composer of "Storiny"
that the entire community should take a Weather."
The list of works by Arlen, from 1924 to 1960, occupies
deep interest in the Jewish community's
educational needs, in order that a policy 19 pages in the biographical work of this composer, "HarOld
should be evolved for practical applica- Arlen: • Happy with the Blues," by Edward Jablonski, pub-
lished by Doubleday. In addition, the selected discography
tion to all elements in our midst.
listed at the back of this study of the life and works of Arlen
The approach of the Holy Days also occupies another 12 pages.
marks the beginning of , another school
In spite of his fame, Arlen's name is not as well known as
year. While the suggested plans can not one would surmise. In a prologue to this biography, Jablonski
possibly be applied immediately to cur- tells about an experience Arlen had during a 1rlanhattan cross-
rent needs, we must take into considera- town taxi ride. The cabby was whistling "Stormy Weather,"
tion the variety of schools that are func- one of Arlen's most popular songs that dates back to the 1930s.
tioning in our midst and the conflicts He experimented to inquire if the whistler knew whose song
Jablonski reports:
that frequently arise, and we must think he was humming.
"Do you know who wrote that song?" he asked.
in terms of establishing centrality in our
"Sure—Irving Berlin."
aims, in order that unnecessary strife
"Wrong," Arlen informed him, "but I'll give you two
and controversy should be averted.
more guesses."
In our own community we have the
The cabby thought hard, and at times audibly if not
overall United Hebrew School system, understandably explaining that the name of the composer
and alongside with it there function the was on the tip of his tongue but he just couldn't come up
it. Arlen prompted him: "Richard Rodgers?"
yeshivot, Yiddish and congregational with "That's
the name I was thinking of," the cabby admitted.
schools. Are all of them prepared to sub-
"But
he's
not the one. How about Cole. Porter?"
mit to the rational planning proposed in
. "That's who!"
the outline we have just quoted? Can all
"No, wrong again," Arlen told him. "I wrote the song."
of the conflicting school systems work
"Who are you?"
together for the advancement of common
"Harold Arlen."
At this the cabby turned around in his seat and asked,
goals and curricula?
There are technical issues involved, "Who?"
This may be part of the disappointment that often comes
and only the trained pedagogues should
be charged with adopting programs of to creative musicians, but in the well informed circles the name
Arlen is among the great.
action for all of our schools. But adapta- Harold
Jablonski's story traces the background of the noted_ corn-
tion by lay leaders, an interest by parents poser, the influence of his father, Samuel. Arluck, who was an
and the lay community, can serve as orthodox cantor in Louisville. The future composer grew up as
valuable assets in the enforcement of the Hyman Arluck before he adopted the name Harold Arlen. He
most effective educational programs.
had his training in a Hebrew school, and imbibed the influence
It is an accepted fact that the intro- that comes from a singing father. Then he became restless.
duction of proper educational media into School did not interest him. He wanted to be a musician.
The evolution of a young Jewish boy; his adventures, his
our communal functions is the most vital
search for an outlet in life, until he got a job in a movie
need in Jewish life today. The recogni- house,
singing and piano-playing. From there he moved on to
tion of this fact, linked with the serious the heights
he reached in the world of music.
efforts of the National Curriculum Re-
Arlen's intermarriage is related, his family accepting it as
search Institute, may, in the course of inevitable. The composer's. association with many greats in the
time, serve to attain the objectives we musical spheres is a major factor in this fine biography. Not
seek for educational advancement in only those interested in music, but all lovers of good biographical
writing will be pleased with Jablonski' work.
Jewish communities.

Biography of Noted Composer
Harold Arlen, Son of Cantor

Labor Day Glorifies Workers' Dignity

"Judaism has always assigned high
dignity and worth to those who, by the
`sweat of the brow,' the skill of their
hands and the exertion of their minds,
produce the goods and services for the
betterment and happiness of their fellow
men," Rabbi Julius Mark, president of
the Synagogue Council of America, stated
in a Labor Day message.
While emphasizing the importance of
a "cooperative partnership" between
management and labor, viewing the two
as "both equally vital forces" in our life,
Dr. Mark pointed to the Hebraic tradition
of glorifying labor. He referred to the
fact that many Talmudic scholars were
artisans and laborers who "persistently

advocated laws for the protection and
enhancement of the status of the conse-
crated toilers and dedicated laborers."
The productive efforts of Jewish com-
munities throughbut the world, spurred
in many lands by the vocational guidance
programs of ORT, the creativity of Israel,
the scientific attainments of many Jewish
scholars—these and many other evidences
point to the fulfillment of the ideals in-
herent in Jewish teachings which place
a moral premium on labor.
It is in the realization of this high
goal that we prepare proudly for the
observance of the great American Labor
Day holiday.

French-Style Resort in Israel-

A few miles north of Nahariya, another popular resort,
Achziv is open from May through October, to club members
French, Belgian, British, Irish, Swiss, American and Italian.
This unusual international settlement is a kibbutz (of
sorts) ! Instead of being aimed at work, like other Israeli vil-
lages, this haven is dedicated to complete rest and carefree
living. The members can enjoy a program of nightly entertain-
ment, concerts, folk-lore and dancing, lectures of religious
subjects by visiting clergy-men, and tours of the country on
chartered buses. All the members eat in a comon dining hall,
and there is even a community watch tower as in other kibbut-
zim. However, the one at Achziv is for the life guard!
Achziv is the 12th holiday outpost of the 11-year old Club
Mediterranee, an organization comprised of 18,000 members.
At present, the new establishment at Achziv accommodates 650
people in its two- or, three-bedded hexagonal, bamboo bungalows.
A staff of 50, from France, includes an entertainer, dance
bands, chefs and sports instructors.

