Religious Education Can Act As Crime Deterrent, Lt.-gov. Lehman Tells I.o.b.b. Parley

Religious education can act as as a deterent to crime was the statement made by Lieutenant Governor Herbert H. Lehman on Sunday, speaking before 1,000 members of the Independent Order Brith Abraham at Washington Irving High School on the question of child welfare.

“Forty years ago we Jews, as a community, had no gangsters, no criminals, in our midst,” said Lieutenant Governor Lehman. “We cannot say the same today. It is because in those days Jewish life centered around the synagogue. But today, with the age of industry, the young people have greater leisure and greater temptations.

“I feel that if we are to combat this situation we must build up spiritual influence through religious education. By which I don’t mean regular attendance at the synagogue, but teaching of the rules of good citizenship. Our religion lends itself particularly as a guide to young people. There are few ceremonies. It is based on tradition and a code of morals and ethics.”

Sunday’s meeting was the first of a series of a “Fraternal Institute” which the Independent Order Brith Abraham is holding for its members once a month in various parts of the city for the discussion of public affairs. Similar meetings will be held in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and other cities. Mrs. Fannie Gruner, chairman of the Intellectual Advancement Committee of the I.O.B.A., presided.

“We need more Y.M.H.A.’s, centers, playgrounds, recreational and educational facilities, and we need more understanding between parents and children, between those who lead and those who are to be led,” declared Lieutenant Governor Lehman at the conclusion of his talk.