Sachar Stirs St. Louis with Jewish Courses About Our History

During the sweltering St. Louis hot weather, an unusual cultural event was carried on by the Y.M.H.A.-Y.W.H.A., in cooperation with a number of the younger set. Dr. Abraham Sachar, national director of the Hillel Foundation, formerly professor of History at the University of Illinois, a native son, conducted a series of courses that attracted more than 1,000 people. The skeptics who doubted the possibility of such a gigantic cultural event now acclaim the summer course as a “cultural renaissance.”

Prof. Sachar gave 16 lectures divided into two parts. “The Romance of a People,” apparently inspired by the Jewish Pageant, dealt with cultural trends and Jewish life from the beginning of the Bible to the present time. Hundreds of young people who have never before taken courses in Jewish History flocked to the Roof Garden of the Y.M.H.A. to listen to Dr. Sachar. Among the subjects discussed in this course were Hellenism and Hebraism, and the development of ancient Judaism up to the completion of the formation of the Talmud. The second part of the course that has just been completed, consisted of “Religions of Mankind,” in which Judaism and Christianity, and the allied creeds were objectively dealt with by the brilliant young scholar whose “History of the Jews” gave him national reputation. A discussion followed every lecture in which the audience participated. This is the first time such a systematic course was given in the summer months. At the conclusion of the course the audience expressed appreciation to Dr. Sachar as well as a desire that he continue the work. As a result, another series is being planned for the coming fall and winter months.

The long and bitter controversy within the ranks of orthodox Jewry is about to be healed. Rabbi Jacob Grodsky, who had been ousted by the Vaad Oeir, the organized Orthodox community responsible for kashruths, for defying the authority of the Board supervising the Kosher meat business, may be taken back, it is rumored. If this should take place, as is expected, a complete united front will have been established in St. Louis. There is some opposition to the plan. The more extreme elements are still insisting that Rabbi Grodsky has no place in the ranks of organized Orthodoxy, but it is believed that no peace will be achieved unless some understanding is reached with him. Several kosher butchers have taken advantage of the division. President Louis Goodman has thus far made no definite statement as to the attitude of the Vaad Oeir, but some of his associates have said that peace is inevitable.

“The Romance of a People,” the pageant to be presented at the Polo Grounds. Sept. 14, has been invited to St. Louis during the week of Chanukah. Negotiations have been under way with Meyer W. Weisgal, Executive Director, to bring the spectacle to St. Louis. A meeting presided over by Prof. Gustave Klausner, was held the other night when the entire problem was discussed. It was voted by the American Palestine Campaign of the Jewish Agency for Palestine to extend an invitation to the management of the pageant to come to St. Louis, which may be the third city where this remarkable spectacle will be presented. A large number of leaders have pledged their cooperation in advance and are ready to back the performance to the limit.