Siiidents Take Look at Campus 'Crisis in Faith'
By CHARLOTTE HYAMS
God leaving the campus? No, I uioilldn't say that at all.
I would say that a lot of nonsense aliout God is leaving the
Canipus—James Lyons, assistant counselor of religious affairs,
Wayne State University.
While a community of 6,000,00 wrings its hands over
the number of young people divorFed from Jewish life,
millions mare of every faith are _pondering the same inponder-
able, conducting studies and polls, holding seminars, writing
articles. And, just as among Jews, for every two persons
there are three opinions.
Jewish."
MeanWhile, back at the temple just to feel 19-year-old
Dave
Like Abramsky,
campus, what are the young Cohen,
a Monteith sophomore at
people talking about in their Waynee State, finds fault with a
student centers. and fraternity „ Jewish
ish congregation built around
houses? Po' tics, Viet Nam. a social situation. If I could find
civil rights. ban the bomb, one that wasn't. I could be an
tonight's date.
' active worshiper." Cohen, who
Erich Rosenthal's disturbing in- went to Hebrew school until Bar
termarriage figures fail to disturb Mitzvah. believes in "certain parts"
them. They might agree with the of Jewish tradition. His family ob-
national Hillel Foundation director serves the holidays, he said, and
that Jewish students today take while "I'm a poor member of a
their Jewishness for granted. But religion," history "ties me to my
they are likely to scoff at the sug- fellow Jews."
gestion more. funds be spent on
education; however, "We discuss amine and ask questions. If stu- Israel of Northwest Detroit, calls
religion at home, and we keep dents don't ask question s, the the entire Young Israel movement
kosher. I feel little bond with heri- danger is greater that they'll be young-people centered, "a maxi-
mum Jewish program related to a
tage and tradition, but I would lost."
Chaplain Malcolm Boyd, the con- life pattern." He is aware that
want my children to have • more
troversial Episcopal lea der on "Yavneh reaches a small percent-
Jewish education than I have."
Wayne's campus, has drawn some age of Jewish kids on campus, but
JUDAISM TOO RELEVANT?
, from his own community a good proportion of our young
A young PhD candidate on the brickbats
for his "liberal approach" to reli- people with good education are
faculty
voiced
an
appreciation
for
Jewish tradition, but not when it's gion. But the students like it Two still with us. I think the proportion
binding. Why can't I design it for respondents to The Jewish News will go up; but we've got to wait a
h et brought, up his name as "just what decade."
myself . . On a yne s cam p
the Jews need."
Rabbi Jacob Segal admits that
' found, "Judaism isn't irrelevant;
.
it's too relevant. Take the Jews on
most of the 3040 students in
Atid are either committed or are
"searching for commitment`" He
added that, with regard to the
"campus crisis, our awareness of
the danger of intermarriage is
part of the answer to our prob-
lem."
What about intermarriage as
viewed by the students themselves ?
CONCERN FOR MORALITY
faculties. for example. The deci- Rev. Boyd said that "the problem
sions I make on my friends and of alienation of young people from
academic associates — though they traditional religious forms and ob-
be non-Jews—are based on Jewish servances ... does not mean (they)
values. Judaism puts itself into the are more or less immoral than their
mainstream of the university in the elders. In fact, one frequently finds
best way." , . in such young people a greater
Linking human rights and re- concern about fundamental moral-
ligion has been suggested by both ity than in some of their elders
rabbis and clergymen as a way of who .outwardly practice religious
illustrating to young people the observances but have long since ac-
relevancy of religion in a modern cepted a double-standard morality
world. A series of luncheon lec- in their way of life."
In seeking a faith "which can be
tures dealing with integration
drew an average of 30 students to related dynamically to the totality
WSU's Hillel . Houie last year. of life," Chaplain Boyd said. "stu-
President Janet Kellerman hopes dents reject not authentic religion.
to have "more of it." but a perversion of religion . . .
When a total of 30 students "I find that it is necessary for
turns out for a Hillel lecture at
me to meet students where they
Wayne, it is considered a success. are if I waited for them to come
Yet, that 30 represents one-sixtieth to me, I should miss ever having
of the Jewish students who fill out contact with hundreds of them.
religious preference cards at the
“So I have made a point of visit-
beginning of the term.
ing student centers, coffee houses.
Hillel Director Rabbi Max Ka- bars near the campus — anywhere
pustin explained the figures he
students - congregate. Here, I may
has to work with: "Eighty to 85 enter into an honest dialogue with
With one exception, and with vary-
ing de g r e e s of conviction, all
agreed with 19-year-old Mark Gor-
don, a Wayne State sophomore in
business administration: "Uh, uh,
not for me."
Gordon comes from a Conserva:
tive religious family. He is among
what Rabbi Segal would call "the
committed ones": he went to He-
brew - speaking Camp Ramah, at-
• NO BASKETBALL
One student with Zionist lean-
_
'Hillel? No, I never go to Hillel. ng.s
who considers himself an ag-
I don't know why; they have some nostic, looked at the synagogue
good programs. think. No time, more ,benevolently. "It's the focal
I guess, or maybe I'm just apa- point of the Jewish community,"
thetic. Apathy is characteristic of : he said, "and I think communal
tends the synagogue regularly and
my generation. you know." affairs—not basketbell and base-
belongs to several Jewish organiza-
A fraternity president calls it ball—have a definite place there.
tions, including Hillel. But others.
apathy. A senior in philosophy I would be willing to take part."
calls it a "transition period
less religiously oriented, felt the
Stating that he considers him-
same way.
Both their parents are likely' to self a good Jew "from the na-
call it "rebellion." But whether tionalistic standpoint." the respond-
DATES, YES; MARRIAGE, NO
this crisis on the campus is real
ent. who attended Hebrew school
One stud en t, who "wouldn't
or imagined, it has stirred the through age 17. said a full Jewish
readily admit to. being . Jewish." re-
leaders of every denomination life could not be realized in per cent of the Jewish students them about their concerns, ideas fuses to date Jewish girls (..rd
to ask questions of themselves America, and "if it were eco- fill out religio ds preference " and feelings.
rather not be used as a means to
and of their institutions: Whose
nomically possible for me, I would
cards. Of these, 30-35 per cent
"In this way," Rev. Boyd con- social climb"), but "I'll marry a
fault is it? Can we win them
live in Israel."
`affiliate' with Hillel. Of these, tinned, we may discuss religion in Jewish girl."
back? Win them back to what?
To some extent, David Wasser-
He explained: "I'd like my chil
50 per cent participate on a an open and honest way. without
And in Jewish circles: an old man, 24 ; agreed. Being a "total
more regular basis." Over the playing roles with each other or dren to have something they can
answer takes on a new urgency:
Jew" is impossible in America,
year, he has "contact" with 1,000 perpetuating any kind of a charade , believe in. something to structure
educatiim.
he believes, but "There's some-
Jewish students --, ranging any which always prevents a true meet- their moral and ethical values
"Those kids who have had some-
thing permanent, lasting in Juda-
where from a regular class to ing of persons.. Martin Buber has around. Every family should have
thing beyond the magic barrier of
ism that stands outside any way
"answering just one question." influenced me in this connection; tradition. You can't lock a kid in
Bar Mitzvah gain an insight into
of life .. . We're too intent on
Rabbi Kapustin, who has headed ' his emphasis on "I-thou" calls for 1 and let him go at 13."
the relevancy of Judaism to the
preserving institutions and not Wayne Hillel for 16 years, said a u t h en tic relationship as over
Michael Abramsky said: "I sup-
modern. world. They've got some
enough on lasting values."
pose it depends. onpersona Mies ,
religious counseling is the fastest- . against a phony imitation of it." •
° linswers, not just puzzled ques-
A graduate histgry student, Was- growing area. "I don't see a re- I
even the neighborhood you ve
.
PATRONIZING
PARENTS
tions." (Rabbi Jacob E. Segal, serman teaches at the Hayim
' known all your life. I'd want to
ligious revival," he said but there
The student's "problem of how bring up my children with very
Cong. Adas Shalom).
Greenberg Center. With a "heder" is more awareness of religion. I
to preserve personal integrity
But what of the fruits of the education until age 13, he "was
.religious
. tvlry g ran -
"lost generation." those now sitting never keen on traditions and cus- get faculty members, typical Jew- within the context of (religious) strong
on Friday
ish
intellectuals
with
no
tradition,
commitment" has occurred to a parents lit the
candles
in student centers and shrugging toms." However. "I've studied on
I never
knew why. I've
who
just
'want
to
talk'."
young Jewish spiritual leader as nights,
but why. I guess I'll have
off the "illogic" of religion? Must my own. Now I'm in a period -of
g to know
Religious organizations at the well. Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, of got
we write them off as we would formulation."
to learn along with my children."
weaning them back to the fold.
.
-
void a had check?
He believes that college con-
tributes to the indecisiveness of
Ten young cotlegians from the the young person, "but don't blame
community were asked by The it on college. There has to be
Jewish News to consider, from per- something in a student to look
sonal experience. this so-called below the surface. ;If he doesn't.
"alienation of -affections." 'Their how much of a Jew' was he before
Jewish backgrounds varied as he got to college?" .?
widely as "Next to none—I found
I'M PROUp OF IT
out what I am on my own" and
Wasserman, who attributes much
".My family considers thernselves of his feeling for Judaism to early
Reform. but I don't know if I really membership in Habonim Zionist
am a Jew" and "I think I'm .a good Youth, shares a common experi-
Jew though I don't believe in ence with Warren Brandwine, 18,
God."
a pre-med sophomore at Michigan
In addition to answering ques- State University. Both have spent
tions dealing with family affilia- some time in Israel; both have
tions and ties with Jewish life.
thought about settling there.
each student was requested to state .
Brandwine's family is affiliated
his or her feeling••on Jewish val- with an Orthodox synagogue, where
ues and institutions, campus re-
he was an officer in the youth
ligious organizations. Israel and
group. He attended three Yeshiva
intermarriage.
University seminars and attended
Although a few said they hadn't
school for seven years.
been "Jewish lenough • to be called Hebrew
"I'm -proud to be a Jew,"
a Jew." all admitted they feel a
Brandwine said. "I've studied
certain bond with the Jewish
about kashrut, history, customs
people.
AM I A JEW?
and ceremonies. I know why
Michael Abramsky, 21, is presi-
they're (14ne. If kids are taught
dent of the Wayne State chap-
at home,- they won't lose any-
ter of Sigma Alpha Mu Fratern-
thing in college; if they're not
ity. ' He went to a temple Sun-
taught at home, they won't gain
day school through age 15. The
anything. in college."
family considers itself Reform.
Nineteen-year-old Janet Keller-
"1 don't think my generation is
familiar enough with Judaism man, president of Hillel Founda-
at Wayne State, took excep-
to know if they are Jews," he tion
tion to this predominant view.
said. "Being a Jew is more than
being born one; you have to - Although she went to a temple
Sunday school almost through high
believe strongly that you're a
Jew and adhere to its traditions." school, "college has given me a
better understanding and a deeper
Abramsky did say he feels "more
comfortable" being with fellow ; feeling for Judaism." Like the ma-
jority of the respondents, she ad-
Jews.
He condemned what he called mires Israel but considers America
the "superficiality" of synogogue home.
Another argument for family
congregants "who must go to the
ties was presented by Rosalie Jae-
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS obs, 19, a WSU sophomore. She ad-
80 Friday. September 4, 1964 mitted she had no formal Jewish
.
University of Michigan put out a the Birmingham Temple, eondemns
glossy brochure on services they those "patronizing parents" who In contrast to those speaking
out against intermarriage was
offer. Under Bnai Brith Hillel would call " 'college atheism' a
the young f a c u 1 t y member.
Foundation are listed classes in `phase which all kids pass through.'
"Intermarriage for me is a dis-
Jewish studies, Midrasha, work-
truth of the matter is more
shop groups, 's o c i a 1 programs, frightening. People are never more I t i nct possibility; also -a threat.
kosher meals and personal coun- honest or less cyniCal than when ening thing to think about .... .
seling.
they are enjoying the irresponsi- But it is for the families con-
But, like Wayne Hillel, the foun- bility of college life. The university seirned to work out, not the com-
dation at U. of M. is plagued by atmosphere u s u a 1 1 y encourages mumly. As a Jew who interwar-
ries, I can still retain my idea-
the tyranny of numbers.
them to say what they truly believe.
tlty. and the community must
BARRIER: IT'S JEWISH
"It is the affiliated parents
accept• it Judaism has viability
Other campus religious leaders
that are in the throes of imma-
built into its tradition."
have echoed Janet Kellerman:
turity. Many of them have ac-
He added: "The problem -it: not
What some students have
cepted the conformity of belong-
against Hillel is that it's a Jewish
ing without any firm religious intermarriage, but the survival of
commitment, because it is so- the community. It hisn't lost those
organization. Hillel could offer
cially painful to be different." who intermarry; it just hasn't ac-
ways_ of answering the questions
students can't cope with, but they
Rabbi Wine believes the "obses- cepted them and worked with
won't come because they're sus- sion of Jewish organizations, -in- them. Why ask them to come back
picious of organizations. Any other eluding Hillel, with the question of when we haven't lost them?"
David. Wasserman r e p 1 i e d in
group coming on campus would group survival" is unpalatable_ to
have the same problem."
the sensitive students. In a setting somewhat the same vein. When I
allows
and
encourages
the
marry,"
he'said, "I will take those
Father John Kirvan, assistant that
-
tearing down of human•barriers, a things out of Judaism that hold the
strident summons to denomina- most value to me. Anything posi-
tional pride and Jewish lOyalty tive and of' real value is -worth
above all is incongruous." . passing on. People in. their 30s and
;What they want to know, Rabbi 40s look to Judaism as a means-Of
Wine said, "is what Judaism and salvation; I look to it as • a means
in the city, our students are mem- Jewish culture have to say to them to create."
bers of parishes and have other as individuals . . . The existence of
TAKE A GOOD LOOK
religious contact."
Hillel on the camptis does more to
Has the Jewish community a
However, he added, "Students assuage the guilt feelings of be- crisis on its hands?. If it does, one
wildered' parents than to serve the student advised, it might be well
today have a general feeling of
religious or culturarneeds of their for the community to look inward
the irrelevancy of religion to to-
children."
day's life and education. All of
first..At I the same tithe, .it should
director of WSU's Catholic student
association, Newman Hall, admits
to this dubious interfaith bond.
"We don't see the majority of our
7,000 Catholic students. True, we're
not that concerned because, being
-
the students we see recognize the
WE'VE GOT TO WAIT
need for religion but aren't sure
In the past few years, college-age
of their direction. So, our entire groups have mushroomed with
program is directed toward mak-
the loving care of synagogue
ing faith relevant. Our job is to
"youth commissions." The Union
get adult commitment."
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Young (32) Fr. Kirvan, a former of America has created "Yavneh."
English teacher, calls the "crisis United Synagogue Youth (Conserv-
of faith" a European phenomenon ative) has brought "Atid" into
that "doesn't happen because of being.
Their effect? Rabbi Samu el
the 'university. And I don't think
it's a bad thing. - Kids should' ex- Ptero, spiritual leader of Young
take a near-sighted view of its
children's needs. -
The result could prove to be in-
deed far-sighted.
-"My - father says that religion
must have two things: knowledge
and the love that comes at home.
"What do I think of what my
father says?" Warren Brandwine
went on; "I think I would do for
my children what my parents did
for me."
-