A decision to launch a movement for the introduction of Yiddish as a subject in the American schools was adopted yesterday at a meeting of progressive Jewish organizations at the Pennsylvania Hotel.
Representatives of nearly fifty branches of the Workmen’s Circle, Jewish National Workers’ Alliance, Jewish Culture Society, Poale Zion and various types of Yiddish schools participated.
The conference issued a call to the Jewish population throughout the country to carry on the movement to a successful end, emphasizing that the time is ripe for this national undertaking.
Most of the speakers indicated that the question of the study of Yiddish in the American schools is important not only for itself, but even more as an aid in the upkeep of Jewish nationalism and in the combating of assimilation.
Dr. Chaim Zhitlowsky delivered a lengthy address in which he declared that the knowledge of Yiddish would help prepare the American Jewish youth to meet all possible discriminations. He cited the tragic situation in Germany as an example of the necessity to unite Jewish children with the Jewish people through their language, history, culture and literature.
Among the other speakers were David Pinski, Meyer Brown, L. Siegal, Jacob Levine, M. Chanin, and Leibush Lehrer. J. Mendelson presided.
The conference elected an executive committee of twenty-five members, which constituted itself as a permanent body to carry on the movement for the study of Yiddish in the American schools.
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