Convention of Hebrew All-day Schools Asks for More Community Aid

The 13th annual convention of delegates from 150 Hebrew Day Schools concluded here today with a resolution asking Jewish federations and welfare funds throughout the country to increase their financial assistance to the Jewish day schools. Otherwise, the delegates indicated that they will be forced to seek financial aid from governmental sources “which the federations vehemently discourage.”

At the same time, the convention adopted another resolution in which they noted “with great interest” the fact that Hebrew day schools throughout the United States “have received almost $300,000 in loans from the Federal Government under the National Defense Education Act.” The convention urged all constituent schools to seek continuation of the act and its extension “beyond the present closing date of 1962.”

In another resolution, the delegates took note of the widespread opposition among Jewish communal groups to any state aid to Jewish education. They urged that “all local and national” Jewish groups and organizations “be invited to consult with the National Association of Day School PTA’s and Torah Umesorah before making decisions on Jewish national programs and legislative matters pertaining to Jewish education and the Day School movement.” Torah Umesorah is the National Society for Orthodox-oriented Jewish Day Schools throughout the United States.

The delegates warned, in another resolution, that parents must not shirk their responsibilities in making certain that television programs watched by their children did not conflict with the moral values sought jointly by the Jewish home and the Jewish school for their children. “Despite the constant assurances of the television industry to provide better programs for children, we continue to note with dismay the staggering amount of violence and questionable values which constitute television fare for children,” the delegates charged.