American Association for Jewish Education to Propose Creation of ‘think Tank’

The American Association for Jewish Education will propose next month the creation of a “think tank” of experts on Judaism to oversee continuing changes in educational curricula “in harmony with changing thought, social conditions and technical advances.” It will also recommend a national research and statistic center, open to the public; a program to coordinate Jewish education at home and formal scholastic studies, and a school-and-field study program in community social action for youngsters. The association, which coordinates United States and Canadian Jewish education, will make its proposals at a May 14-17 convention at Grossinger’s. It will also discuss a $700,000 program for Jewish social studies, a $300,000 day-school study, the establishment of the first Jewish preparatory school and other experimental schools, better use of technological advances and the creation of more Jewish camps. The participating educators also plan to decry the lack of sufficient social-action textbooks.

The “alarming status of Jewish education”–heavy percentages of what might be called Jewish “dropouts”–will be discussed by Philip M. Klutznick, former international president of B’nai B’rith and former United States ambassador to the UN; association president Isadore Breslau, and association executive vice president Isaac Toubin. Israel’s role in Diaspora education and community life will be discussed by Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg of Columbia University and Robert Arnow, president of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Rabbi Wolfe Kelman, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly, will lead a debate on the creation of a National Jewish Education Fund and on the question of public aid to private education.