Friday, February 14, 19 64—THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS-2
Purely Commentary
The Day School—in the North and in the South
Day Schools reportedly are making progress in many Jewish
communities, and some of our leading educators have begun to
propagate them.
In their "designs for Jewish education" presented to the
Council of Jewish Federation and Welfare Funds, Dr. Azriel
Eisenberg, executive vice president of the Jewish Education
Committee of New York, and Isaac Toubin, executive director
of the American Association for Jewish Education, took strong
positions in support of Day Schools.
"The Day School is solidifying its role as an instrument of
intensive Jewish education," said Toubin.
Dr. Eisenberg stated: "The Day School is entitled to sub-
ventions from welfare funds and should become a member of
its family. Its autonomy guaranteed, it should be subject to the
type of budgetary control and educational consultation and guid-
ance that it may invite . . . Such schools assure adequate time
for transmitting the many-centuried Jewish heritage to our
future generations . . . The Day Schools insure a reservoir of
knowledgeable leadership on the American Jewish scene."
In a sense, these are generalizations. After all, there are
different types of Day Schools. Some are religious and therefore
must be classed as parochial. Detroit's Beth Yehudah Day School
is in that category. On the other hand, there are many progres-
size Jewish Day Schools. Detroit's Hillel Day School, which re-
ceived high praise from many educators, including former Israel
Prime Minister Moshe Sharett, is, in a sense, a progressive
school—although it follows traditional lines, the children wear
yarmulkas during the Hebrew study periods and their food is
strictly kosher. But these children are in the main hatless dur-
ing their English and secular study periods and there are no
religious pressures upon them other than what they learn from
traditional teachings during the Hebrew periods.
Such generally are the conditions of Day Schools in the
North and East and in the Middle West (if we are to he classed
as midwesterners). There are the parochial schools and there
are the progressive ones.
There are a number of Day Schools in the South and the
situation there provides interesting material for review. Rabbi
Jack Goldman of Memphis. Tenn., has an approach all his own.
In an article he had written under the title "Kol Daroma—The
Voice of Southern Jewry," he refers to his community as
"Tshuva City, U.S.A.," and he speaks of it as "a city whose ba'al
Tshuva element has virtually dominated the Orthodox Jewish
scene for more than a decade." Describing the growth of that
city's Day School which came into being 14 years ago. hr states
that "not all Memphians took kindly to the idea of establishing
a 'Jewish parochial school' in the heart of Dixie . . . But a few
of the faithful remained to toil in the vineyard of the Lord and
to care for the tender needs of what later became the Memphis
Hebrew Academy."
The Memphis rabbi calls this school a "Yeshiva ktana," a
small yeshiva, and he views its emergence as having triumphed
"against overwhelming odds . . . the Almighty favored the weak
against the strong, the few against the many, the pure against
the impure, and the righteous against the indifferent . _ ." He
describes the opposition, those who had not observed the Sab-
bath "Some had kosher homes, but treife stomachs; but they sent
their children nevertheless to the Acadmy, in greater numbers."
Was this occurrence strictly a Southern phenomenon? Giv-
ing his views on the subject: he told of the influence of the
Memphis school, describing it and the status of "the Southern
child" and its parents as follows:
In order to measure this influence, one must carefully understand
the southern Jewish child. He's not raised by his Momie but by his
Mamie. Household servants cater to his every whim and call him "Alas- -
ter Yankeleh" in the really aristocratic Southern home.
Today, Memphis is a city of ba'alei Tshuva. It is fashionable in
Memphis to keep a kosher home. The "thing to do" is to send your -
child to the Academy for his education. And one of the liveliest, most
spirited groups in the city is comprised of the men and women whose
body and soul is intertwined with that of the Memphis Hebrew Academy.
No group works harder or accomplished more for itself or for the ideals
of Torah education than the Academy.
And yet, perhaps, there is another area where credit is due for the
strong atmosphere of Yiddishkeit that prevails at the Bluff City. There
is something fortunately peculiar about the city of Memphis, Tennessee.
At the turn of the century, perhaps a meshulach was here who was
treated nicely and -in gratitude, he blessed this city. Perhaps God heard
that blessing and smiled upon the broad, high, flat plateau, giving it
His blessings.
Quite apart from the influence of the Memphis Hebrew Academy,
and years before its inception, a wealthy Memphis Jew built himself
a Shabbos house. The affluent American family gets itself a second
car. The affluent observant Jewish family in Memphis got itself a
second home—one for exclusive use on Shabbos and Yom Tov. This
home, built a stone's throw from the synagogue was built in order
that this family could observe the Sabbath without inconvenience..
Today, Memphis has three such Shabbos houses, with others in the
offing. When the beautiful festival of Sukkos comes to Memphis, the
city is dotted with hundreds of Sukkos, and one bearded Memphian
sees that every Jew in the local hospitals is brought lulav and essrog
so as not to forfeit this mitzvah.
It is commonplace to see Jewish children running in the streets with
Yarmulkas. Several homes built in Memphis contain private mikvohs.
Yiddish is spoken here with a southern accent-and not exclusively by
elderly Europeans, but by young Jewish men and women, natives of
Memphis. Three kosher restaurants are closed every Shabbos and Yom
Tov (from sunset of the night before). The two kosher bakeries are
run by Shomrei Shabbos, and Challah is taken there in accordance
with the Law. We even boast the only dentist in the state of Tennessee
who closes his office on Saturday in observance of the Sabbath.
Peculiar places like auto supply stores, fish stores, drug stores,
carpenter shops, lawyer's and doctor's offices, builders' suppliers and
real estate offices are also closed on the Sabbath, along with Memphis'
three kosher butcher shops. And this "sure 'nough" isn't Williamsburg.
It's Memphis, Tennessee.
Know Ye All the Day
School's Southern
'Master Yankele'
By Philip
aromovitz
U.S. Approves Land
for Hebrew School
NEW YORK (JTA) — The
Hebrew Academy of Nassau
County, an all-day school, an-
nounced that its application for
five acres of the deactivated
Mitchel Field Properties in
Hempstead, N. Y., for an expan-
sion program had been ap-
proved by the U. S. Department
all religious views.
of Health, Education and Wel-
But viewing the current situation realistically, those who fare.
would impose the yarmulka on all might eventually remove
School officials said this
it even from the minority who still wear it in public. What a
was the first such award by
triumph it would be for tradition if the yarmulka could be re-
the federal government to a
spected during the most appropriate observances. But nothing
Jewish instiutition.
succeeds through force, and the Memphis rabbi merely creates
amazement with his extremism.
Moses Hornstein, president,
Because it is so necessary that the progressive Day Schools, said the transfer to title to the
which are gaining adherents, whose pupils are showing good property would take place next
results in their studies, should not be misunderstood, the "ba'al week. He said the grant "re-
Tshuva" city extremism must not be confused as being applicable flects recognition of the county-
to all. It is, after all. so urgent that those who are being enrolled wide role of the Hebrew
in support of maximum Jewish education should not be driven Academy and of the education-
al excellence it has achieved."
away from it.
With all the blessings he may have earned for his own
The school, founded in 1953,
achievements in the extremist direction, Memphis Rabbi Gold- now has 560 students at its
man's interpretations must be viewed as unique only in applica- campuses in West Hempstead
and Bethpage, site of its affili-
tion to his own bailiwick.
As for his objectives, we are tempted to greet him with the ate, the Mid-Island Hebrew
Day School.
phrase from Genesis 37:19: "Behold, this dreamer comes!"
exceptions—and their numbers declined rather than multiplied.
One should respect the yarmulka. It is inconceivable that any
merchant or a director of public institution, would be so foolish
as to ban from his premises a potential customer or a visitor in
Hindu or Arab or any other native attire—which some indeed
wear in public, and many of them with pride. There is no reason
wh y this should not apply to the yarmulka which represents a
religious conviction—and the American idea demands respect for
There is no doubt that many will gasp and will remain in
state
of amazement upon reading this dissertation by the Mem-
a
phis rabbi.
When Dr. Erich Rosenthal, the distinguished sociologist, was
asked, after his lecture here on intermarriage, what solution he
offered, he replied: "Go to Williamsburg!" Will he now add to
it. also "go to Memphis?" Where else will he find a "Shabbos
house?"
In every sizable community, whose Jewish population now
moves towards the suburbs, not only the Reform and Conserva-
tive but also the Orthodox congregations have parking lots for
their congregants. Is Memphis different—or, do three "Shabbos
houses" change_ the picture?
Then there is the demonstration of the yarmulka. There are
some, everywhere, who are never without it. When Central High
School and its allied elementary schools here had predominantly
Jewish student populations, there were children from ultra
Orthodox homes who wore their yarmulkas. But they were such
UJA Conference in New York Marked
by $17.8 Million in Initial Contributions
WASHINGTON (JTA) —
"Every Jew, who, through the
United Jewish Appeal and other-
wise, aids in advancing Israel is
a better man and a better Am-
erican for doing so," Associate
Justice Arthur Goldberg of the
U.S. Supreme Court told more
than 200 key leaders from Jew-
ish communities throughout the
country assembled here at the
two-day National Inaugural Con-
ference of the UJA.
He spOke at a dinner at the
Mayflower Hotel where the
conference opened Sunday to
launch the 1964 UJA campaign.
It seeks to raise this year a
total of $105 million, of which
$69 million will be for the reg-
ular budget and $36 million for
a special fund devoted entirely
Noting the importance of mobilizing the generosity of
Israel especially to those to Jews and non-Jews in support
whom freedom is yet a dream, of these esential efforts."
In addition to the main ad-
Justice Goldberg said: "Al-
though Israel's self-reliance in- dress delivered at the dinner
creases day by day, it will need by Justice Goldberg, the 200
help and support for many years American Jewish community
leaders were addressed by Jo-
to come.
Millions of Jews still live be- seph Meyerhoff of Baltimore,
hind an Iron Curtain of anti- the UJA general chairman;
Semitism and oppression, he Fisher, associate general chair-
said. "Their liberation is in man; Edward Ginsberg of
your hands—their emigration to Cleveland, a national chairman;
Israel and the few other count- and Rabbi Herbert A. Fried-
ries who will admit them their man of New York. UJA execu-
only salvation. Jewish institu- tive vice-chairman.
In their addresses the four
tions here and elsewhere need
increasing aid and assistance, if leaders stressed the major needs
Jewish communities are to ful- for which American Jews must
fill their proud tradition of assume primary responsibilities
maintaining Jewish spiritual and in 1964:
cultural life and of taking care
1. Assistance to thousands of
Jews on the move to Israel and
to aiding the continued large of their own."
Justice Goldberg pointed out in other countries for perman-
movement of immigrants to
Israel and their absorption that "in rescuing Jews from ent resettlement.
2. Elimination of the massive
anti-Semitism and discrimina-
there.
tion, and in enabling them to backlog of unmet needs for the
Detroit leaders who attend- breathe the free air of Israel, thousands of Jewish immigrants
ed the conference included:
the UJA is acknowledging the who are not yet absorbed in
Max M. Fisher, Abraham Bor-
most ancient of Judaic Christian Israel's social and economic life.
man, Sol Eisenberg, Irwin
3. The sustenance of a record
teaching that each man is truly
Green, Mr. and Mrs. Louis,
number of Jews — refugees,
his
brother's
geeper.
Hamburger and Charles -H.
"The burden of the UJA is a those in transit, thousands liv-
Gershenson.
heavy but a proud one," the ing in Europe and North Afria
Contributions totaling $17,- Supreme Court justice said. —whose survival- hinges on the
850,000 were announced in ini- "Year after year it must dis- continuance of UJA's largescale
tial gifts. A gift of $100,000 to charge the never-ending task of assistance programs.
the women's Division of the
UJA of Greater New York was
announced by Mrs. Herbert H.
Lehman, in memory of her
husband, the late governor and
U.S. senator from New York.
TEL AVIV (JTA) — Foreign Israel, South Africa and newly
In her message to the con-
press
correspondents stationed independent African republics
ference. Mrs. Lehman pointed
here indicated that the flow of from the Commonwealth rate
out that her husband "had been
system, establishing a $0.055
associated with the Joint Dis- news from this country to Bri-
rate from London to Israel.
tain,
the
United
States
and
tribution Commitee, a benefici-
other
overseas
points
may
be
The Israel authorities re-
ary agency of he UJA, since its
tained the penny a word basic
inception and was deeply in- sharply curtailed as a result of
rate to London, reduced,
volved and concerned with its a seven-fold increase in the
humanitarian work." She ex- basic press cable rate an-
through the Israel pound de-
pressed the hope that her 1964 nounced by the I s r a el Post
valuation, to $0.007.
gift 'would help the UJA carry Office.
In the general revision of
on its splendid work."
The new rates, which took rates which followed the, de-
Emphasizing that Israel "seeks effect as of the first of this valuation, the authorities, in-
to live in peace and freedom," month, increase the press rate stead of maintaining the low
and pointing out that the goal from Israel to London from the rate to encourage a flow of
of the United States is similarly equivalent of $0.007 per word news, raised the rate to con-
"peace in freedom," Justice to the equivalent of $0.525 per form with the higher London-
word.
Goldberg declared:
Tel Aviv charge. The higher
International Telex rates— Telex rate offsets the devalua-
"These are Israel's goals
and these are America's goals.
system used by many news- tion of the Israel pound.
papers to transmit their news
It is for this reason that
(In London, the Jewish
every Jew, who, through the
dispatches from Israel—were
Chronicle
protested strongly
UJA and otherwise laids in ad-
increased by about 50 per
against the Israel Post Office
vancing Israel is a better man,
cent.
action. It noted editorially that
and a better American for
Most correspondents here "with the Arabs working hard
doing so. It is for this reason
have transmitted their news to get their point of view over
that no American, whether in
copy by way of London to take in the Western press and com-
or out of public office, need
advantage of the continuing munications media," the Israeli
be restrained from reaffirm-
Commonwealth preference rate decision was "ill advised and
ing the traditional American
that had prevailed until this short-sighted."
policy of support for the in-
month. This was the old British
(The paper said the action
tegrity of Israel and for its
rate of "a penny a word, any- will not increase Post Office
peaceful development — sup-
where in the Commonwealth." revenue, "it will merely cut
port which America, in equal
Eighteen months ago, the down cabling from Israel to a
measure, offers to every other
British authorities eliminated trickle.")
country in the Middle East."
Curb Feared on News From Israel
as Post Office Hikes Cable Rates