News Brief

Executive Director

Board of Jewish Education, Chicago

The fallacy of thinking of community child care merely from the standpoint of the economically maladjusted child has been the natural expression of the American social philosophy which emphasized equality of opportunity on the one hand, and rugged individualism and governmental restraint on the other.

The government-the group-was to help only those who could not help themselves, and was to refrain from paternalistic interference into the affairs of the normal individual. The group’s social duty was to provide equality of opportunity for the subnormal who could not themselves provide for the needs of their lives. It is clear, however, that from the earliest days of the frontier to our day of complex technological depression, this attitude has been undergoing constant and very far-reaching changes. These changes have been in a two-fold direction: (1) we have modified our evaluation of normal and subnormal, and (2) there has been a change in our concept of the character and responsibility of the group.

If we are to continue to think of a community program for our children in the broadest possible manner, it would be well for the social workers to draw up a Jewish children’s charter similar to the Children’s Charter of the White House Conference. I suggest that a committee be appointed which should seek to present such a charter at our next conference. In all humility I propose the following few paragraphs (in the phraseology of the general children’s charter) as a very meager beginning toward such a document:

For every Jewish child those benefits of educational opportunity, health and social welfare, physical security, economic protection, mental and moral guidance, personal freedom and social equality, which the American people has achieved or seeks to achieve on behalf of all its children.

For every Jewish child sympathetic direction to prepare him for his status as American citizen, and also for the special problems which will confront him as a Jew in America.

For every Jewish child the maximum training in the religious-national culture of his people, compatible with his individual abilities and with the Jewish viewpoints of his parents.

For every Jewish child social-recreational facilities to meet his individual needs for association and self-expression and to affiliate him into the institutional life of his historic community.

For every Jewish child parental care in homes, foster homes or institutions which are Jewish, in an atmosphere which is sympathetic to the preservation and development of Jewish life.

For every Jewish child vocational guidance to focus his attention on worthwhile, productive occupations, and community help in securing employment where he is confronted with vocational discrimination.

For every Jewish child a dignified, well-ordered and purposive Jewish community in which he might grow with security and with pride.