College Studies Program Launched by American Association for Jewish Education

A project to develop materials in Jewish studies to be used in public high schools and colleges throughout the United States has been undertaken by the American Association for Jewish Education, the national coordinating agency for Jewish education in the U.S. The project was announced by Robert H. Arnow, president of the AAJE, following authorization by its national executive committee. Mr. Arnow, who is also president of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, said the initial stage of the three year project was made possible by a grant from the Herman and Gertrude Gross Education Foundation. He said that Dr. Sara Feinstein, recently appointed to the staff of the AAJE, will direct the program conducted under the guidance of the AAJE’s national curriculum research institute. Mr. Arnow announced the appointment of Herbert Berman, a member of the New York City Board of Higher Education, as chairman of the AAJE’s national committee for the undertaking.

Mr. Arnow noted that “A distinctive trend in American education in recent years has been the introduction into the school curriculum of materials relating to the cultural background, ideas and aspirations of the ethnic components of American society.” He foresaw the enrichment of secondary school and college curricula through the introduction of texts and material that would accurately describe the nature of Jewish contributions to Western civilization. “We will not seek to embellish the role of the Jew, nor will materials be doctrinal or propagandistic.” Mr. Arnow said. “On the other hand, Jews and non-Jews at last will be able to obtain a more balanced picture of Western history than has heretofore been available in traditional texts and courses.” He stressed that in its capacity as the national coordinating agency for Jewish education in the United States, the AAJE is the logical agency to help plan, research and prepare required materials.