hicrease in Arnerican Universities' Judaic Studies Citeti in Year Book

Judaic studies in non-denomina- Hebrew literature, and Jewish
tionel American colleges and uni- philosophy, mysticism and ethics.
lersities have increased sevenfold The current edition of the Amer-
in the 20 years since the end of ican Jewish Year Book is a 618-
World War II, possibly opening the page compendium of events and
way to "a major upsurge of Jewish trends in Jewish life, including ar-
scholarship -
in the U.S., according ticles on Jewish population data,
to the lead article
in the 67th an- civil and political issues, corn-
nual edition of the American Jew- munal affairs, adult education and
ish Year Book. Jewish affairs throughout the
In 1945. Judaic studies were. world. Prepared by the American
found in only a few American col- Jewish Committee, it is published
leges and universities — generally jointly with the Jewish Publication
the major schools with Semitic- Society of America. The Year Book
language programs left over from editors are Morris Fine and Milton
the 19th Century, and some schools Ilimmelfarb, with Martha Jelenko
in the New York City area—while associate editor.
the current report lists courses to-
Prof. Band's study, based in
day at 92 colleges and universities,
large part on material supplied
including most of the top-ranking
to him in response to a detailed
schools in the country. Excluded
questionnaire sent to the 92 U.S.
from the report are denominational
colleges and universities, points
schools. Christian and Jewish sem-
out that "the increase in posi-
inaries. and Hebrew teachers' col-
tions and programs (in Judaic
leges. studies) is out of proportion to
The report, believed to be the the increase in college population
most comprehensive available, was since 1945-46."
Among the reasons for this
written by Arnold J. Band, associ-
ate professor of Hebrew at the Uni- growth are:
versify
The
inspiration of the State of
sify of California, Los Angeles,
nriees
who
Judaic studies as "the Israel, the impact of the holocaust,
discipline which deals with the his- i the awakening of religious yearn-
torical experiences, in the intellec- ngs.
Prof. Band says the rise in Ju-
teal, religious. and social spheres,
of the Jewish people in all cen- daic studies has had "a profound
effect" on the teaching profession:
turies and countries."
We have not yet seen a major up-
Where previous reports on surge of Jewish scholarship in this
Jewish studies in U.S. colleges country, but the prospects are en-
and universities tended to con- couraging. With two or three new
centrate on the status of Hebrew posts created every year, the avail-
in the curriculum, Prof. Band ability of positions attracts young
points out that Hebrew is no men and enhances the security of
longer "the totality of Judaic more mature scholars .. . Indeed,
studies" even though it remains the one.clear conclusion we arrive
an integral part of most courses . at, after examining the frag,men-
in this area. Other subjects in- tary and complicated welter of
chided within Judaic studies to- facts that emerged from our study,
day are Bible, Jewish history, is that we are on the threshold of

a new and promising period in
Jewish scholarship in America..."
Other special articles in the
Year Book include "The Church
and the Jews: The Struggle at
Vatican Council II," by Judith
Hershcopf of the American Jewish
Committee staff, a follow-up to an
article in the previous Year Book
on events at the Vatican Council of
the Roman Catholic Church deal-
ing with the declaration on Jews
and Judaism; and appreciations of
the late Supreme Court Justice
Felix Frankfurter by Prof. Paul
A. Freund of Harvard Law School,
and of the late philosopher Martin
Buber by Prof. Seymour Siegel of
the Jewish Theological Seminary.
The Year Book answers basic
questions about Jews in America
and the world as to population, ge-
ographic distribution, f e r t i l i t y
rates, status in relation to non-
Jews, and trends in religion, educa-
tion, and social service.

Among interesting population
New York and in the neighbor-
figures reported are:
ing counties of New York State
The estimated world Jewish
and New Jersey.
population at the end of 1965
A total of 2.486.000 Jews were
was 13,400,000. The three largest
estestimated to be in the Soviet
Jewish communities were in the Union, and another 261.000 else-
U.S., Soviet Union, and Israel.
where in the Soviet bloc.
together accounting for more
Israel's population at the end of
than 78 per cent of the world
1964 was 2,599,000--.Jews number-
total. Only four other countries ing 2,299.000. with others, notably
had Jewish populations of more Arabs. Christians. and Druses,
than 200,000: France, Great Brit-
numbering 300.000.
ain,-Argentina, and Canada,
South America's 690.200 .Jews
The Jewish population in the
include 450,000 in Argentina (with
U.S., estimated at 5,720,000, in- 380.000 in greater Buenos Aires),
eludes 2,518,495 in New York 130.000 in Brazil 50.000 in Um-
State. New York City has a Jew- guay. and 30,000 in Chile.
ish population of 1,836,000, Nas-
Other large concentrations of
sau County 373,000, Westchester
Jews were: France. 520.000; Great
131,000, and Suffolk 42,000, for a
Britain, 450,000; Canada. 275.000 -
total Jewish population in Great- Romania. 120,000; Soutth Africa,
er New York of 2,383,000. Al-
116,000: Hungary, 80.000; Iran. 80,-
most half of all the Jews in the 000; Morocco, 70.000; Australia,
U.S.-2,690,155--live in Greater 67.000.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Friday, December 9, 1966-11

Come to Phillips Northland
Men's Shoe Shop and
get yourself a new pair
of Florsheims for
Hanuka.

That leaves you seren days

to try and find 115.

We don't really have anything special for Hanuka,
but we think you'll like our year-round collection.

In the first place, Phillips is the first place to look for more
Florsheims than you'll see in any second place.

The only thing to be concerned about is whether or not you'll have
any trouble finding us. (It's really easy .. . just park in Lots "G"
or "H" on the south end of the center, and walk past Best & Co.
to Bldg. "G.")

So start looking for us now, before Hanuka comes and goes.

Israel President Zalman Shazar (right), tells American Jewish
Committee President Morris B. Abram that he has a complete set
of the American Jewish Year Book and finds it "invaluable." Abram
showed advance copy of the 1966 Year Book, published jointly by
the committee and the Jewish Publication Society of America, to
Shazar on his New York visit. Lead article in 67th annual edition,
out this week, reports that Judaic studies in non-denominational
American colleges and universities have increased sevenfold in the
20 years since World War II.

New $640,000 Center to Be Built in Pittsburgh

Or you might not open your Hanuka present until Christmas.

All Phillips stores open every evening until 9 p.m.

PH I L S

I

(.JTA) — Ground- will house a meeting room for soc-
breaking ceremonies for the con- ial and community affairs, a sen-
struction of the Irene Kaufmann for citizens lounge, an expanded
Center building of East End, was Nursery School facility, a Music
held here following the signing of School, lounges and game rooms
contracts for the erection of the for high school boys and girls, a
$640,000 community center.
- gymnasium with showers and
The building. expected to be dressing rooms, meeting rooms, a
completed by the summer of 1967, cultural arts studio and offices.

NORTHLAND CENTER

Uhe Lot, ••(:- or "If" at the south end of the Center
Right near The Detroit Bank

eC

18414 WYOMING Phone UN 4-2767

"JNF offers The Unbreak-
Link with The Land Of
Our Ancestors". Say it with
000 TREES . ForAll Occasions.

OFFICE HOURS: MON. THRU THURS., 9 to 5; FRIDAY, 9-4; SUNDAY, 10 A.M. to 1 P.M.

UN 4-2767

