Prof. Einstein Urges U.S. Jewish Youth to Study Hebrew in Secondary Schools, Colleges

Jewish youth in America was urged today by Prof. Albert Einstein to take advantage of the fact that high schools and universities are offering courses in Hebrew language and literature and to register for these courses “in order to keep abreast with the development of our re-born civilization.”

The Jewish scientist’s message was read at a festival held in the auditorium of the School of Education of New York University in honor of 100 prize students of Hebrew language and literature in the High Schools of the City of New York and in the Hebrew Department of New York University. Each of the students received an award consisting of a gold pin bearing the Hebrew letter “Ayin,” the first letter of the word for Hebrew.

Pointing out that “the fate of the Jewish world is at stake today when large centers of Jewish life in Eastern Europe have been cruelly destroyed,” Prof. Einstein expressed the hope that America will help to recreate some of the cultural values which have been lost in Europe.

The prize students, their parents and friends were welcomed by Prof. Henri Olinger, chairman of the New York University Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and addresses were delivered by Dr. Israel S. Chipkin, associate director of the Jewish Education Committee of New York, and Dr. Abraham I. Katsch, director of the Jewish Culture Foundation of New York University. The prizes were distributed by Mr. Judah Lapson, director of the Jewish Culture Council. The Mitchell N. Kaplan prize for the best essay on Hebrew culture was awarded to Therese Farber of the School of Education of New York University. Walter John Blaile, Abraham Kulick and Libby Lazason of New York University, received 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.