The first Jewish Education Cita- tion was awarded by Detroit's Hebrew teachers to Philip Slomo- vitz, editor and publisher of The Jewish News, at the second annual Jewish Education Dinner Monday evening at Cong. Bnai Moshe. The citation, presented to Slomo- vitz by Menachem Glaser, presi- dent of the Association of Hebrew Teachers of Metropolitan Detroit, recognizes "his deep interest and profound effect in commencing a new era of greater communal in- volvement in the affairs of Jewish education." Communal involvement also was Urged in the speech by Rabbi Charles Rosenzweig, chairman of the awards committee. Rabbi Ro- senzveig stressed that there is much progress to be achieved in making Hebrew teaching a respect- ed profession in the eyes of lay- men. The Hebrew teacher is "no longer an isolated unit," said Rabbi Rosenzveig. "We propose that means be established for teachers to improve their stand- ing; gear all machinery and abi- lities and public relations instru- ments to focus community at- tention on Jewish education. Youth Admits Setting Jewish Center Fire Improved Status for Educator Urged Teachers Present Citation to Editor; "The position of the Hebrew teacher," he said, "should be sec- ond to none in material rewards and position." Only in this way, Rabbi Rosenzveig pointed out, will young people be encouraged to enter the field of Jewish education. The teacher is going to change the ''structure, needs and priori- ties in Jewish education," said the speaker, "because the survival of our people depends on it." In accepting the citation, Slomo- vitz emphasized to the 250 persons present, "You are as much in the field of Jewish communications as I am—in as far as our children are concerned. "The basic need," he said, "is to give the teacher dignity. If the assurance of dignity for the teacher is the attainment of to- night's gathering, then we have succeeded . . . It will assure re- spect and dignity for the entire Jewish community." George M. Zeltzer,, president of the United Hebrew Schools, quot- ed Abraham Heschel's "Insecurity of Freedom" on the subject of Jewish education: "What we need more than anything else is not textbooks but text people." He urged that the "teacher will con- tinue his own education." The parallel between the un- at Cong. Shaarey edek, presided. known soldier as national hero and Harry Cohen and Hugo Apt also the teacher who serves the Jewish participated. community was drawn by Albert Elazar, superintendent of the Unit- Jewish Educators Plan ed Hebrew Schools. However, the community is beginning to take Atlantic City Conference note of the teachers' role as those NEW YORK—Jewish educators who lay the foundations, said Ela- from all regions in the United zar. Greetings also were extended by States, Canada and Mexico will Robert Kasle, chairman of the per- meet at the Mayflower Hotel, At- sonnel committee of the UHS lantic City, May 25, it was an- board, who led negotiations lead- nounced by Dr. Elijah Bortniker, ing • to the historic contract with president of the National Council the teachers. Mrs. Sadie Goren spoke on behalf of the UHS for Jewish Education. Woman's Auxiliary, of which she The National Council for Jewish Education is the professional body is president. Attorney George L. Downing of Jewish educators. received recognition for his work Major theme of the conference on behalf of the teachers dur- sessions will be "New Approaches Jewish Education of the Oncom- ing their negotiations with the in ing Generation." schools. At an oneg Shabat, held jointly Cantor Louis Klein and Mrs. Ilse with the department of education Robert presented musical selec- and culture of the Jewish Agency, tions, accompanied by Bella Gold- Dr. S. Yizhar will address the berg, and Harriet Berg's Young conference. Dr. Yizhar was a for- Dancers Guild of the Jewish Cen- mer member of the Israeli Knesset ter performed Israeli dances. Mar- and now is connected with the tin Berg was narrator for the Center for International Affairs of dance program. Harvard University. Dov Parshan, president of the Association of Hebrew Teachers THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (JTA)— An 18-year-old Yonkers youth ac- cused of having set the fire at the Yonkers Jewish Community Center in December 1965, resulting in the deaths of 12 persons, had admitted that he was "responsible for the fire," Assistant District Attorney Thomas Facella charged. The de- fendant, Thomas A. Ruppert, is being tried on 24 counts of murder and one count of arson. Facella charged Ruppert made his virtual confession to Zvi Almog, who was, at the time of the fire, director of the Jewish center. The youth's voluntary defense counsel, Mrs. Eleanor Jackson Piel, told the court Ruppert has been "psycho- logically coerced" into making his statement of guilt. The prosecutor told the court that he would prove that the fire was "deliberately set and was incendiary in origin." He declared that, in confessing to Almog, the youth had stated he wanted to 'go to the police and "get everything off his chest." ' Charity Best men are often moulded out —Shakespeare. of faults. Friday, May 12, 1967-5 The Detroit Israel Bond Committee invites you to a TRIBUTE DINNER. In Honor of the 25th Anniversary of THE JEWISH NEWS Marking the Presentation of the ISRAEL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD To Editor and Publisher PHILIP SI,OMOVITZ By AMBASSADOR ARIEH ESHEL For Reservations CALL DI 1-5707 Monday, June 12, 1967-6:30 p.m. Grand Ballroom—Sheraton-Cadillac Dinner Chairman PHILLIP STOIA,M1A Reserved seating for 1967 Israel Bond Purchasers Convert: $7.50 Per Person Dietary Laws Observed .