Detroit Reform Rabbis Ponder New Role
* * *
Religious School Course, Proselytization Brought Up at Assembly
By CHARLOTTE HYAMS
o
"Daddy, how did Adam and
Eve get so many grandchildren?"
If he's like most fathers, daddy
probably ahems a bit and replies,
"I'll tell you later." And he thinks,
That's one for the rabbi.
More and more, "That's one for
the rabbi" is the accepted solution
to many a nagging problem that
can't — or won't — be solved in
the home. Sex education is one;
intermarriage — and conversion —
is another. Both vital issues, direct-
ly or indirectly, came before the
biennial assembly of the Union
of America Hebrew Congregations
in San Francisco last month.
Instruction in sex education,
marriage and family life, dele-
gates agreed, has fallen into
the lap of the religious school.
And Reform temples that have
not already made such cur-
riculum plans will be seriously
considering whether to join the
nationwide trend.
* * *
0
In Detroit, at least one such
program is under way.
Rabbi Morton M. Kanter of
Temple Beth El said the Beth El
religious school is already using
in the classroom the textbook
"Consecrated Unto Me" by Rabbi
Roland B. Gittelsohn. (See review
below.)
"Beth El always had lectures by
competent people in the field,"
Rabbi Kanter said, "but this is the
first time we're devoting an entire
year to the subject." It's too early
to tell about the success of such
a course among senior high school
students, "but they've found the
book excellent." He conceded that
"a few parents are more question-
ing."
Although sex education belongs,
first, in the home, many children
felt their parents were not doing
a sufficient job of instruction,
Rabbi Kanter said. On the other
hand, "the religious school is a
good place because we have a re-
latively homogeneous student body,
and the students feel they can
talk to us."
Praise for such a course also
came from Temple Israel's Rab-
bi Leon Fram. He, together with
Rabbi M. Robert Syme, "are,
most likely, to endorse" Rabbi
Gittelsohn's book and "to make it
a regular course of study in
Temple Israel High School."
Rabbi Fram said the book came
to his attention when it was still
in manuscript form. Serving as
chairman of . the editorial commit-
tee of the Commission on Jewish
Education, -"I felt as I read it
that this was the kind of approach
to the subject that our young peo-
ple needed, and which it was the
duty of our congregations to offer
them . . . We must speak to the
young people in their own lan-
guage, and speak to them frankly
and objectively."
He points out that "We have
discussed all the problems related
Moscow Jewish Editor
Favors Closing of
Synagogues in USSR
0
LONDON (JTA)—Aaron Verge-
lis, editor of the monthly Sovietish
Heimland, the only Yiddish-langu-
age magazine published in the
Soviet Union, told a Moscow press
conference that there would be
more social progress in the USSR
if synagogues were closed down,
it was reported here from the
Soviet capital.
Asserting that no synagogues
1- ave been closed in the Soviet
I 'Ilion in places where they are
.eeded, Vergelis said that if a syna-
gogue is closed "we think this
strengthens the progressive Social-
ist position of the people."
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
56—Friday, December 17, 1965
to marriage with our high school
youth now for many years. The
only thing that is new is this text-
book which will render our dis-
cussions more effective than ever.
Members of Temple Israel and par-
ents of our youth have long ago
accepted the idea that the youth
need instruction and counseling
in this area from their rabbis and
from qualified temple high school
teachers."
Rabbi Ernst J. Conrad of
Temple Beth Jacob, Pontiac, said
he would "urge young people of
the confirmation class and above
to read this (Gittelsohn's) book
and, if they are so inclined, to
discuss its contents with parents,
the rabbi or any other person in
whose competence they confide."
On the other hand, "The mater-
ial does not lend itself to group
presentation, for conditions would
be so severely controlled that
free inquiry and exchange of
views and of information would
be limited," he said.
Although Rabbi David Jessel of
Livonia's Temple Beth Am agreed
that children could use such a
course, "I • question whether it
should fall upon the synagogues
to carry it out."
Rabbi Jessel believes, he said,
that his own congregants would
be "receptive to a course of this
nature for their children," but
other resource people, in addition
to the rabbi, should be called in.
"Our parents could probably use
such a course themselves for their
own self-edification, or at least to
teach them how to teach the sub-
ject material to their own chil-
dren in a clear and uninhibited
manner."
A father of three, Rabbi Milton
Rosenbaum of Temple Emanu-El,
Oak Park, said "It isn't the amount
of education that interests me here,
but the attitudes of children toward
sex and marriage."
Rabbi Rosenbaum said he
would like to see his congrega-
tion take on a course of this
nature, "now that Rabbi Git-
telsohn has provided us with a
good Jewish text to use." While
he didn't wish to minimize the
role of the public school in
transmitting such knowledge,
"there are certain values, certain
ethical, psychological elements
we want to inject in the religious
school. The problems of inter-
marriage, for example, can't be
discussed as freely in a public
school. Special concerns can be
voiced more directly in the
synagogue."
an active conversion program
among the "unsynagogued and un-
churched." But delegates, turning
down this suggestion of UAHC
President Dr. Maurice N. Eisend-
rath, chose instead to welcome only
"those who seek us" among "the
unaffiliated."
Nevertheless, Rabbi Eisendrath
has his backers in the Reform
rabbinate for whom the pendulum
of historic separateness has been
swinging too long in one direction.
"It is a new and ecumenical
world in which we are now living,
Dr. Fram said. "He (Rabbi Eisen-
.1rath) did not propose that we
shall try to take Christians away
from their churches and to convert
them to Judaism. His proposal was
limited to the field of the unaffi-
liated, both Jewish and non-Jew-
ish. His theme was that affiliation
with a house of worship is an im-
portant and beneficent factor in
the life of every human being. We
should seek to bring in all who are
unaffiliated regardless of whether
they have been born into the Jew-
ish faith or not.
"It appears certain that ... steps
will finally be taken to adjust the
old Jewish practice to the new
conditions of the modern world,
Dr. Fram said.
Rabbi Rosenbaum pointed out
In his role as counselor, Rabbi
Rosenbaum said, "I have come to
believe that a great deal of un-
happiness in marriage is due to a
lack of praparation for it.
"We live in a society where
a boy need merely be of age
and look worldly wise to get
married with absolutely no qual-
ifications for marriage. What a
foolish kind of idea. Then I've
had people who are by every
standard intelligent yet hardly
know the person they're marrying. that he has "no theoretical op-
The tragedy will be inflicted on position to bringing people into
some blameless infant.
Judaism," but "you can't ignore
"In few primitive tribes does a the history of the past 1,600
girl have to sit down with an years, when it has been both ex-
elder to discuss such things. But pensive and dangerous to con-
we're a modern society. Isn't it vert. I'd prefer to 'convert' those
wonderful?"
within a group who are at
* * *
least nominally Jews."
He added that he does not con-
A second controversial assembly
issue — among several that re- duct mixed marriages, but insists
flected new thinking among the Re- that the non-Jewish partner under-
form clergy .— was concerned with go a "considerable body of train-
Rabbi Gittelsohn Makes Great Contribution
to Sex Education in 'Consecrated Unto Me'
There is a growing interest in
the normali t y of sex education in
the schools. While there are rad-
ical differences of opinion where
to begin — whether it should be
in the fifth grade, or earlier, pos-
sibly in kindergarten, or should
he postponed until the eighth or
high school grades — it is accepted
that sex problems should be dis-
cussed and sex education dis-
seminated.
Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn of
Temple Israel, Boston, may well
be considered a pioneer in this
field of educational endeavor. The
Union of American Hebrew Con-
gregations has just published his
"Consecrated Unto Me: A Jewish
View of Love and Marriage," a
volume based on instruction he
already has given to his classes.
Abandoning the sensationalism
that often goes with such subjects
and with such evolutionary trends
in schools, Rabbi Gittelsohn's ap-
roach must be commended and
should be welcomed as a vital
contribution, to school programs.
It is a wholesome work, and
it should be acquired by all
parents to assist them in sup-
plementing and implementing
whatever instruction may be
given in the schools. Rabbi Git-
telsohn touches upon every
angle related to marriage, love,
dating, boy-girl relations. He
does not pull punches. He uses
the terminology of sex, does
not hesitate to call attention to
organs and orgasms, speaks
firmly on the problems involved
with the "why wait?" question
that arises when the two sexes
are tempted and gives the an-
swers that are so necessary as
warnings for preparation to
happy marriages that can be
spoiled by pathetically unsatis-
factory experiences. Of course,
Rabbi Gittelsohn resorts to Scrip-
tures, to Talmudic and rabbinic
teachings, to traditional Jewish
obligations.
Rabbi Gittelsohn is emphatic
in his insistence that sexual and
behavioral problems must be dealt
with in the moral education of our
youngsters. He points to religious
schools' grave responsibilities to
deal with perplexing questions
which plague teen-agers.
There are important charts and
illustrations by William Steinel
that properly accompany the 14
chapters in this valuable book.
bands and wives who treat each
other with the tenderness and com-
passion recommended by Judaism
will have a far sweeter, more loving
life together than those who, though
born Jews, know nothing of these
values."
Concerning divorce, Rabbi Git-
telsohn states:
"Judaism agrees that marriage
is a sacred enterprise, one into
which we should not enter lightly
nor with the idea that it can be
easily dissolve d. The Talmud
stipulates that a 'man should not
marry a woman with the thought
in mind that he may divorce her.'
In our tradition divorce has al-
The author opposes intermar- ways been looked upon as a
riage. He advises strictest in- pathetic tragedy . . . Yet our tradi-
vestigation "over a protracted tion does not prohibit divorce. It
period of time" before any step recognizes that even more tragic
is taken towards mixed mar- than the separation of husband
riage. He advocates conversion and wife is their living a life of
of the non-Jew to Judaism pretense and deceit."
Pros and cons of many subjects,
through vigorous study of Juda-
ism and truthful acceptance of contraception, pre-marital rela-
our faith • if and when a non- tion does not prohibit divorce. It
lated to the issues dealt with in
Jew decides to marry a Jew.
On this score, Dr. Gittelsohn this volume are frankly discussed.
On the question of petting and
states:
dating behaviors, he declares:
"A marriage undertaken as a
ing and show a real desire to bem,
Jewish."
The alternative? "A civil cer
mony."
"I think the unchurched of this
country can be churched," said
Rabbi Kanter. "Judaism has a lot
to offer."
"Dr. Eisendrath may be on the
right track," he went on, "but I
doubt the trend will be toward
his suggestion because of historic
factors. We haven't competed for
1,000 years or more, and there's
this historic distrust.
'
"No one can be converted on
the spot," Rabbi Kanter said.
"After prolonged discussion, if
the potential convert shows a
great interest in becoming a
Jew, I will encourage it. Inter-
marriage is the most trying ques-
tion I face daily, and I can only
say that each situation must be
judged on its own merit."
Rabbi Jessel conceded that he
has found the sincere convert to
Judaism "for the most part to be
a great asset. Nor do I wish to
deny the serious and conscientious
aspirant the opportunity to seek
us out. Rather, it is an active pro-
gram of missionizing (as opposed
to information giving) that rubs
me the wrong way."
He suggested "a large-scale pro-
gram of the nature of the Jewish
Information Society — running
across Jewish ecumenical lines—
accompanied by a good public re-
lations campaign (to) bring our
message to those who wish to seek
us out, as well as those who merely
wish to become more acquainted
with our heritage . . . The informa-
tion should be made available for
those who wish it, without any ac-
companying arm-twisting. An
altruistic approach—if this is pos-
sible—in a comfortable atmosphere
conducive to reading and dis-
cussion would certainly go a long
way in transmitting our message
to both the "unsynagogued" and
the "unchurched."
Rabbi Jessel said, however,
that "if we are to practice any
type of missionizing, I believe
that we should try to clean up
our own backyard first; namely,
the 50 per cent of our Jewish
population who are unaffiliated
with any congregation. In other
words, this means convertinr— '\--
Jews to Judaism; otherwise w \
may find ourselves further down'
the road to assimilation.
"It is for this reason," he
"that when a prospective convert
(contemplating marriage) .studies
with me for a period of six months
to a year, I also require the Jew-
ish partner to do likewise. I find
that the latter often needs the
education more."
Rabbi Conrad, who said he has
"no intention actively to seek the
unaffiliated," put the problem an-
other way:
"I am kept busy enough to
teach our Jews more Yiddishkeit."
.
weapon to punish a parent, or to
strike back at an unkind fate, or to
achieve a spurious sense of superior-
ity is almost certainly bound to
fail.
"Why do we suggest that the non-
Jew consider conversion to Juda-
ism? First of all, because we are
Jews, anxious and concerned for the
survival of Judaism. Second, be-
cause most intermarried couples find
whether they plan it or not, that
they are accepted more warmly by
their Jewish than their Gentile
friends. A majority of these cou-
ples seem to end up as Jews social-
ly, even if not religiously. As far
as anti-Semites are concerned, the
couple and their children are con-
sidered Jews even if they prefer not
to be. How much better then, es-
pecially for the children, to be Jews
because they want to be, because
they feel gratification and pride in
following the Jewish way of life.
"This way of life can affect the
daily lives of husbands and wives in
two ways. First, if they are aware
of the ideals of sex, love and mar-
riage which our people and faith
have evolved, they can enrich their
relationship by undertaking these
ideals in their own lives. Hus-
"It is almost unfair of our society
to blame young people for what
seems to be an increase in petting.
They are given more freedom and
temptation than some of them can
contro 1. Newspapers, magazines,
television, movies, sex appeal in ad-
vertising — all these stimulate the
sexual desires of high school and
college students far beyond anything
experienced a generation ago by
their parents. The automobile and
the demise of the chaperone have
conspired to open up opportunities
which are difficult to resist. But
if the opportunities are greater than
they once were, so is the danger
. . . One of the tragedies of our
culture is that so much petting oc-
curs before marriage and so little
occurs afterward."
"Consecrated Unto Me' is a
most valuable work. It is part of a
new and very significant approach
to sex education and should be
treated with the respect this work
has earned.
P. S.
—
NJ. Rabbinical Council
-Labels Interdating 'Sinful'
LONG BRANCH, N. J. (JTA)—
The Rabbinital Council of New
Jersey condemned as "sinful" the
practice of interdating between
Jews and non-Jews.
In a resolution adopted at the
Council's annual conference here,
the Orthodox rabbis, from 25 com_
munities in the state, said that
"the road that ultimately leads to
intermarriage begins with inter-
dating. Jewish parents cannot
abandon their responsibility in this
matter."
Rabbi Leon Katz, of Passaic,
president of the Council, said that
the current emphasis on cultural
exchange and communal affilia-
tions does not contradict the pro-
hibition against interdating. He
said the resolution would be for-
warded to the Synagogue Council
of America.
J