Hebrew Union College Institution Opened in Israel; Ben-gurion Speaks

Despite the refusal of President Izhak Ben-Zvi to attend, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion participated in a formal convocation here today, opening the Hebrew Union College Biblical and Archaeological School, first institution of its kind in Israel under Reform auspices. Mr. Ben Zvi’s refusal and that of the Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Zorah Warhaftig, were announced yesterday.

Observing that he was not expressing the view of the Israel Government, Mr. Ben-Gurion hailed the school, saying it could serve as a center “not only for great archaeologists of all faiths, but for tens of thousands of Jews affiliated with the Hebrew Union College.” He himself, said Mr. Ben-Gurion, is “neither Reform nor Conservative.” He said he believes in “the tenet of Jewish solidarity, which demands mutual respect on the part of all Jews.”

“Two great problems,” he declared, “confront the Jewish people: survival of Israel and survival of Jewry.” Emphasizing “the danger of assimilation” in lands outside Israel, he urged development of Jewish content “which means, first and foremost, the use of the Hebrew language as a second tongue by Jewish youth.”

A message was received here by Dr. Nelson Glueck, president of Hebrew Union College, from President Kennedy, who hailed the establishment of the school as a “laudable act of confidence in the international importance of scholarship and an eloquent expression of support Americans are willing to give it.”

Among the guests at the convocation was U. S. Ambassador Walworth Barbour, who announced an American Government grant of $213,000 to assist the operation of the school during its first year. The funds will also aid three research scholars at the school as well as 25 participants in this summer’s Institute for Near Eastern Civilization.

Outlining the aims of the school, Dr. Glueck said in his address that the institution will be open to scientists of all faiths, and serve as a base for H.U.C. professors who will come here to conduct year-long seminars for students from American colleges. It will also, he said, serve American institutes engaged in research connected with the Middle East.

Referring to the Reform chapel which is part of the school. Dr. Glueck said it has not been organized for the general community here and “is not aimed at any specific segment of Israel’s population.”

Honorary degrees were conferred during the ceremonies on Prof. Yigael Yadin, the famous Israeli archaeologist and former chief of staff of the Israeli armed forces; and upon Dr. Carl William Blegen, professor emeritus at the University of Cincinnati and director emeritus of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Greece.