▪
Seek End to Holiday Observance in Schools
(Continued from Page 1)
there shall be separation of the
institutions and functions of the
state and church."
The Anti-Defamation League
of Bnai Brith called the ruling
"a splendid reaffirmation of
a basic American principle. The
ruling adds another safeguard
for freedom of religion in the
United States. It will preserve
public schools from involve-
ment in religious conflicts and
competition, and will encour-
age religious education and com-
mitment in the home. church
or synagogue."
The American Jewish Con-
gress termed the decision one
"consistent with the prior de-
cisions of the Supreme Court,
declaring that the Constitution
requires the absolute separation
of church and state and a secu-
lar school system." The state-
ment added that "all persons
committed to full religious free-
dom should hail this decision
as a great milestone in the
struggle for religious freedom."
Dr. Leo Pfeiffer, American
Jewish Congress general coun-
sel, said that the decision might
lead to the discontinuance of
Christmas. Easter, Purim and
Hanukah observances in public
schools.
Nearly half of all United
States public schools practice prayer." But, he d e c I a r ed, this week, the Detroit Board
Former Presidents- Hoover
Bible reading and about 20 per- "nothing could be more wrong." of Education in 1955 rejected and Eisenhower condemned the
cent of the 35,000 school dis-
decision, while former Presi-
Justice Black emphasized that a request of a religious group
tricts in the United States re- "by using its public school sys- to distribute copies of the dent Truman condoned it.
quire some teaching "about,- re- tem to encourage recitation of Ten Commandments and the
The New York Times and the
ligion."
the Regents' Prayers, the State Lord's Prayer in local
New York Herald Tribune
A flood of court tests was of New York had adopted a schools, and earlier the board editorially endorsed the both
Su-
expected as friends and foes practice who inconsistent banned the distribution of preme Court ruling.
of such practices in public with the establishment clause
Gideon Bibles in the schools.
schools set about testing the (of the First Amendment)." He However, the Brady school
general impact of the de- said the court agreed with the has a program of teaching "rev-
cision, dealing with a New contention of the objecting par- erance and worship," and some
York case, on the country's ents that the clause was vio- 1 schools have had joint Hanu-
- schools generally.
lated because the prayer "was kah-Christmas programs.
While there is pressure in
The text of the banned prayer composed 'by Governmental of-
is: "Almighty God, we acknowl- ficials as part of a governmen- Congress for the adoption of a
Constitutional
edge our dependence on Thee tal program to further religious
Amendment that
and we beg Thy blessing upon beliefs." He referred to tradi- would make religious studies in
us, our parents, our teachers tions of 'American democracy public schools a possibility.
Senator
Daimrkesnednhnats
has litth
little
and our country." - in connection with separation
such
an me
talet
The Supreme Court ruling on of church and state.
He rebuffed an argument that chance of passing. Congressman
Monday was by a vote of 6 to 1
— Justice Potter Stewart dis- constitutionality was retained Celler was the only member of
because
the children were not the .Lower House of Congress
senting, with Justices Felix
Frankfurter and Byron R. White legally obliged to repeat the publicly to approve of the Su
not participating. The majority prayer orally. He said "the preme Court decision.
opinion was written by Justice establishment clause, unlike the
free exercise clause, does not
Hugo L. Black.
SHORE CHEV. PREFERRED CUSTOMER
The dispute the court de- depend upon any showing of
-
PURCHASE PLAN
cided arose in New Hyde Park, direct governmental compulsion
N.Y., in 1958 when the Board and is violated by the enact-
Your Savings
of Education voted to have a ment of laws which establish
so-called "Regents Prayer" fol- an official religion whether
Will Be Substantial
low the salute to the flag each those laws operate directly to
morning. After objecting par- coerce non-observing individ-
ents filed suit, 16 other parents uals or not."
Furthermore. "a direct, co-
were allowed to intervene in
FLEET MGR.
support of the School Board. ercive pressure" exists when
SHORE CHEVROLET CO.
1 The School Board contended the "power, prestige and finan-
the prayer was appropriately cial support of Government is
1
12240 Jos. Campau
1 "non-sectarian." placed behind a particular re-
1W
1-0600
— Res. UN 4-9039
1
ligious belief," said Justice
1 The decision ruled that New
York school authorities had• in Black. :,`The establishment
1
effect, established an official clause thus stands as an expres-
1
sion of principle on the part of
1 state religion "wholly incon- the
founders of our Constitu-
sistent" with the First Amend-
I
I ment. An atmosphere of rapt tion that religion is top per-
1
attention existed in the cham- sonal, too sacred, too holy. to
ber when the dramatic and mo- permit its •unhallowed perver-
I
I mentous decision was handed sion' by civil magistrate."
"Who does not see that the
down.
Parents of children in four same authority which can estab-
schools challenged the prayer. lish Christianity, in exclusion of
The case was pursued through all other religions, may estab-
the courts, leading to the mo- lish with the same ease any
mentous decision by the Su- particular sect of Christians, in
preme Court. Included among exclusion of all other sects?"
I
parents bringing the action , he asked.
I
(The conventions of the
were Jews, Unitarians. mem-
National Community Rela-
bers of the Ethical Culture So-
tions Advisory Council and
ciety, and non-believers.
the Central Conference of
In writing the court's de-
American Rabbils went on
cision, Justice Black stressed
I
record last week against
that "it is neither sacrilege
"Shared Time" proposals for
I
nor anti-religious to say that
religious teachings in the
each
separate
government
in
I
public schools. Detailed
this country should stay out
stories on Pages 7 and 32).
of the business of writing or
*
I sanctioning official prayers
The Supreme Court decision
I and leave that purely religi- may
have little effect on Mich-
ous function to the people
themselves and to those the igan school practices. although
OPEN OR ADD TO
I Nothing that will throw you.
people choose to look to for it may force the abandonment
YOUR ACCOUNT
I Just buy a pound box of your
of the religious prayer intro-
religious guidance."
favorite Barton's chocolates I
He said it had been argued duced recently in the Bloom-
EARN FROM THE
I (from our 8 most popular as- I that to apply the Federal con- field Hills and several other
stitution to state or local laws school areas.
sortments at $1.95 and $2.00).
1ST
As Dr. Norman Drachler,
Then open your hands for a I respecting religion in schools
would
indicate
-a
h
o
s
til
i
t
y
assistant
superintendent
of
free one pound bag of fruit I I
toward religion or toward Detroit's schools, indicated
I drops, regularly 79c. Better I
Is FABER
One
pound
of free
candy!
WE POINT THE WAY TO
ABOVE AVERAGE EARNINGS
plus
1
1
1
10
EXTRA
BONUS DAYS
Every Month
What's
I the catch?
I catch us soon, while we're still
mood.
in this extravagant
'Through July 3rd only.
I
_ ,
. BART....0 0Z'
'I
New York • Lerma. Switzerland
•
24711 Coolidge
I
I
I
At 10 Mile Rd.
Across from
Dexter Davison Mkt.
I 18309 Wyoming nr. Curtis
•
Barton's Confections and
I Baked Delicacies Are Also
Available at Crowley's
I Street
11
Floor.
Open Sundays
and Evenings
ICE
United States Ends Technical
Assistance to Israel Saturday
JERUSALEM, (JTA)—United as well as 640 fellowships to
States technical assistance to Israelis who went abroad to
Israel will end on June 30, learn "know-how" in a variety
Prime Minister David Ben- of fields.
Gurion's office announced.
At a news conference on the
The assistance, given over a eve of USOM's termination, the
period of ten-and-a-half years American director of opera-
by the U.S. Operations Mission, tions. Henry Chalfant. said Is-
indicates that, in the American rael "repaid" some of the Amer-
view, Israel is no longer regard- ican aid by receiving here
ed as an underdeveloped coun- trainees sent to Israel by the
try needing such aid.
USOM.
The U.S. technical aid, on
He stated that Israel and the
some 150 projects, has amount- United States had agreed that
ed to about $17,000,000, and has Israel no longer requires direct
included demonstrations, equip- technical assistance. An official
ment, the services of 350 Amer- farewell was tendered by the
ican experts in various fields government at the Hebrew Uni-
who came here to help Israel, versity to Chalfant and his staff.
COMPOUNDED QUARTERLY
Get the most from your savings
a higher than average 4%
current rate. Come in or save-
by-mail. We pay the postage
both ways.
Both offices
ewish National Fund
UN 4-2767 • CALL UN 4-2767 • CALL UN 4-2767
Downtown: CADILLAC SQUARE Corner RANDOLPH
Northwest: 13646 WEST 7 MILE Corner TRACEY
open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Northwest office open Thursday Night till 9
Downtown Friday till 6
Friday
I
FOR ALL
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