Jewish Communities in U.S. Warned on Shortage of Educators

The shortage of qualified teachers is the major problem confronting the communities in developing adequate Jewish education programs, Philip W. Lown, president of the American Association for Jewish Education, declared in a statement issued today through the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds.

Mr. Lown warned that the problem is becoming “increasingly grave and complex” as the Jewish school population continues to rise while the number of teachers continues to shrink. “During the past two decades we have witnessed an awakened interest in religion and Jewish education.” Mr. Lown reported. “Reform and Conservative, as well as the Orthodox movement, are rapidly increasing their ranks. The number of new temples and synagogues has more than doubled during that period and the number of children attending Jewish schools has similarly grown.

“Yet the supply of educational personnel has not only failed to keep pace with the rising enrollment in the Jewish school, but there are even indications of a decline of interest on the part of Jewish youth to enter Jewish education as a profession.” Schools for Jewish educators are “not graduating even one-third of the number of teachers required to meet the growing needs of the Jewish school movement.” he added.

Mr. Lown reported that a survey undertaken by the American Association for Jewish Education had revealed that the total annual graduates of Hebrew teachers colleges yielded only 20-25 per cent of the number needed and that the unmet need was filled largely by sub-standard teachers. “Many Jewish communities have spent millions of dollars in recent years to erect up-to-date school buildings, with all the necessary facilities. But what benefits can be derived from these splendid structures if there isn’t an adequate supply of qualified teachers. Mr. Lown strongly urged community leaders to look into the reasons for failure to attract more teachers for Jewish schools and take remedial measures. He listed as some possible causes for the lack of sufficient interest in Jewish education as a career: inadequate remuneration lack of security, tenure or fringe benefits; insufficient challenge or opportunities for creative expression; and failure of the community to attach the same status and prestige to Jewish educators that are accorded other professions.

As a primary measure to correct the situation the American Association for Jewish Education has called for frank and open meetings in all communities to bring home to our people the clear and present danger that imperils the fut are of Jewish life in America. “Mr. Lown reported that the Association has also held a series of regional conferences to air the problem on a broader scale and that more are planned. Climaxing the community and regional meetings will be a national conference in Washington, early in November.