* Boris Smolar's `Between You • . . and Me' Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, JTA (Copyright 1980, JTA, Inc.) THE JEWISH SCHOOL SEASON: The Jewish schools in the United States-. which began their current semester last month have an enrollment of approximately 350,000 pupils. Five years ago the number of pupils in Jewish schools was 400,000. Ten years ago the enrollment was 450,000. In 1961, there were 600,000 pupils registered in the Jewish schools. It is estimated that more than 1,300,000 Jewish chil- dren up to the age of 17 are eligible for Jewish education. They represent a substantial proportion of the entire Jewish population of close to 5,840,000. If only 350,000 of them are enrolled now in Jewish schools, how many pupils will be found in the Jewish school system by the end of this century? REASONS FOR DECLINE: Many reasons are given for the continuous decline in the Jewish school system. But the primary cause is the prevailing apathy among thousands of parents toward Jewish education of their chil- dren. Other reasons include: • The low birth rate among Jews. • The economic pressures that have become increas- ingly prevalent within the Jewish community. Many par- ents find themselves unable to pay tuition which is being raised every year.. • Inflation: congregational schools have, due to the sprialing inflation, merged into inter-denominational or communal schools. • The demographic patterns: many families are now moving from one city to another, and do not look for a Jewish school for their children in the new surroundings. • Intermarriage: few intermarried parents send their children to a Jewish school. There are also other reasons which lead to the drop in the number of pupils in Jewish schools. The escalating number of Jewish divorces; the "one-parent family" where the mother has to care for the child while busy trying to earn a living. Parents in these categories neglect. the Jewish education of their children. They satisfy themselves with the education the children receive in public schools where there is no tuition. MODERN METHODS NEEDED: Even with the de- cline in the number of supplementary Jewish schools and of pupils in the Jewish school system, Jewish education is still a "big business." It is estimated that about $300 million will be spent this year on Jewish education which struggles under constant deficits. Any enterprise spending $300 million a year uses modern aggressive methods of publicity to popularize its product. The Jewish school system cannot afford the luxury of the cost of such methods. It cannot even spend a million dollars a year — a third of one percent of its budget — for modern public relations. It still maintains the old- fashioned propaganda methods with regard to stimulating Jewish parents to send their children to a Jewish school. These methods are to a very great extent obsolete in modern times. They are not strong enough to combat the mass indifference of parents and awaken in them the necessity of giving their children a Jewish education. A more massive and aggressive approach is needed to influ- ence parents who ignore the existence of Jewish schools. Federation Annual Meeting The Jewish Welfare Fed- eration will hold its 1980 annual meeting Monday at Cong. Bnai David. The Fred M. - Butzel Memorial Award for distin- guished community leader- ship will be presented jointly to Phillip Stollman and Mrs. Max (Frieda) Stollman. Also on the agenda are Jewish Welfare Federation President George M. Zelt- zer's annual report and the election of nine members- at-large to the Board of Governors. The Bnai Brith Hillel Foundation on the Wayne State University campus has arranged several activi- ties for college-age indi- viduals. The foundation will spon- sor a talk by Stephen Bryen, executive director of the Jewish Institute for Na- tional Security Affairs, 11 a.m. Monday in the Hillel lounge. He will speak on "America's Options in the Middle East." At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Charles Silow, head of CHAIM — Children of Holocaust Survivors As- sociation in Michigan, will discuss his experiences. At noon, Russ Bellant president of the Student- Faculty Senate, will speak on behalf of CARD, an organization which opposes peacetime draft registra- tion. Friday, October 3, 1980 29 NEW Teen Center . Baby World's BEDROOM FURNITURE FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES by FAMOUS brands like . . . (4,1310141ii Schoolfield %Weft , sot - ‘44 •• •••••••• • a • 1111111 1111M. PAY 11... • 44/44twoosm • altlagagEONI ■ B41BY WORbB TEENS Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. 126 E. 14 MILE RD, CLAWSON 1 MI. W. OAKLAND MALL 388-2333 34520 FORD RD., WESTLAND 2 BLKS. E. WAYNE RD. 326 6110 - THE FIFTH ANNUAL Intercongregational Adult Education Institute 1980 5741 Seven Tuesday Evenings October 14-November 25 AND THE BUSH WAS 31.? NOT - CONSUMED The Conservative Rabbis of Metropolitan Detroit present A Cooperative Study Program For the Jeugsh Community The 1980 Intercongregational Adult Education Institute • REGISTRATION FORM This form may be used for two people. Indicate first and second choice each hour for each registrant. p_ Re istrants1 Registrants A B FIRST HOUR CLASSES : 111 The Five Megillot 211 Exodus According to the Midrash-II A SECOND HOUR CLASSES B Mishiei (Proverbs) A Biblical Guide to Sensible Living 121 , 221 The Mishna — The Oral Law of Judaism - II • 311 • WSU Hillel Plans Activities Max Gill of the Ameri- can Society for Technion will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday on study programs available at the Technion. Israeli dancing will be led by Betty Appleton 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Hillel lounge. At 8 p.m. Oct. 12, the Hillel Foundation will sponsor a program, "From Groucho Marx to Woody Al- len: What's Jewish About Jewish Humor." Guest speaker will be Alan Gould, comedy writer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Refreshments will be served, and there is a charge. The program will be held at Cong. Shaarey Zedek. Kosher luncheon is avail- able 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Hillel lounge. Lunch is served at a nominal charge. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS Turning Points in Jewish Intellectual History 321 Great Conservative Jews 411 Maimonides — The Man and His Ideas 322 An Introduction to Modern European Jewish History 51 ' • Understanding the Si dd ur 421 Understanding American Judaism Reform Orthodoxy and Conservatism 61 1 The Jewish Family in Transition 521 Understanding the Mitzvot 612 Between Man and Man. An Introduction to Jewish Ethics 621 J Jewish Bioethics 711 Hebrew — Beginners 721 Hebrew :— Beginners 712 Hebrew — Intermediate 722 Hebrew — Intermediate 713 Hebrew — Advanced 723 Hebrew — Advanced 821 The Great Cantors. Innovators & Interpreters REGISTRANT A • $ $ ❑ ❑ [1] ❑ Synagogue or Temple members 6i $6.00 per person Non-affiliated 0/ $12.00 per person Hebrew class (a $4.00 additional per person Senior citizens or full-time students — no charge REGISTRANT B $ 0 $ (Note: There is no additional regular charge for courses taken.) ❑ ❑ Total $ Transportation assistance needed, liopossible Can offer transportation from my area Total $ per person Name Name City Address Phone ❑ Home Congregational affiliation Work Zip City Address Phone Home Congregational affiliation Checks should be made payable to Congregation B'nai Moshe. Return to: Intercongregational Adult Education Institute c✓ o Congregation B'nai Moshe 14390 West Ten Mile Road Oak Park, Michigan 48237 Work Zip