Jewish Education Seen As Burning Problem of South African Jewry

(J. T. A. Mail Service)

More than 140 delegates from all parts of the Union attended the Seventh Biennial Congress just held in the Jewish Guild War Memorial Hall here.

The proceedings were opened by a prayer delivered by Chief Rabbi Dr. J. L. Landau, after which the Mayor of Johannesburg. Councillor A. Law Palmer, welcomed the Congress. Mr. Palmer said that he welcomed the representatives of South African Jewry at their Congress and trusted that their endeavors would be in the direction of working for the common good of humanity.

The mayor paid a tribute to Jewish achievement, declaring that the Jewish people were fine citizens. Referring to the mention made in the report of the Executive Committee to the anti-Semitic League of Gentiles, he declared that no such organization could succeed in the British Commonwealth of Nations and should not succeed elsewhere. He looked forward to the time when Palestine would be a nation again.

Chief Rabbi. Dr. Landau urged the Congress to take up the question of Jewish education in South Africa. He complained that even Orthodox parents were indifferent to the problem, sending their children to Catholic schools. It is true, he said, that our children are treated kindly in the Catholic schools, but they are imbred with the spirit of an alien religion and where they violate the Mosaic dietary laws.

“We have given hundreds of thousands of pounds for our suffering brethren overseas and to the Zionist funds, but we can find nothing for our own children.”

Dr. Landau went on to refer to numerous mixed marriages that were taking place. He urged the Congress to make an earnest effort to solve the problem of Jewish education in South Africa.

Mr. S. Raphaely was elected president of the Board.