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Number of Students in Jewish Schools in U.S. Increasing; Shortage of Teachers Reported

September 29, 1948
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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Enrollment In all Jewish religious schools in the United States during the past school year increased 2.1 percent from 232,348 pupils to 237,285, it was disclosed today In an annual survey of Jewish education activities made public by Michael A. Stavitsky, president of the American Association for Jewish Education. The majority of the pupils–121,466–were enrolled in Sunday schools, while 115,819 attended week-day schools.

A considerable again in enrollment was recorded last year by Hebrew classes in the public high schools of New York City, the survey said. More than 3,250 students are enrolled in these classes to date, representing an increase of 9.4 percent for the year, there are at present 26 junior and senior high schools in this city offering courses in Hebrew as part of their regular curriculum. While Hebrew language courses will be introduced in high schools in Pittsburgh and Buffalo next years.

“The Jewish educational program last year continued to expand despite the acute shortage of trained teachers and executive personnel,” Stavitsky said. The teacher shortage, the survey establishes, is still “very grave” throughout the country. A recent poll of ten teacher training institutes showed that 83 Hebrew teachers graduated last year. These schools reported a combined enrollment of 1,326 students. An estimated by the heads of the ten schools indicates that the number of teacher graduates for 1949-50 will be between 185 and 200.

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