(J. T. A. Mail Service)
An organization for the promotion and coordination of Jewish educational activities in South Africa has been formed at a Conference which has been held at Bloemfontein, attended by sixty-one delegates. The organization, which is to be known as the South African Jewish Board of Education, has as its aim to see that every Jewish boy and girl in South Africa shall receive adequate Jewish education.
Announcing its purposes, its organization states it will promote the formation of organizations fostering Jewish education. will tender advice to committees in control of Jewish schools and educational institutions; secure adequate inspection of such schools and institutions; further the training of teachers of Hebrew and religion; arrange for educational courses, lectures and examinations; further the preparation and publication of suitable text-books; and establish an education fund for the purpose of carrying out these objects.
The Board will consist of representatives of affiliated congregations and Hebrew schools throughout the country. The presidents of the South African Zionist Federation and of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies will be ex-officio members of the Executive.
Dr. J. L. Landau and Rev. A. P. Bender were elected honorary presidents and H. Lurie, president.
Dr. Landau, who opened the Conference, said that they aimed to save the Jewish past for the coming Jewish generation and to save the next generation from complete alienation from Judaism. The one was impossible without the other. Education was the most important factor for the salvation of the Jew. Difficulties arising out of their social conditions were prevalent in South Africa. Both teachers and pupils demanded closer attention, advice and guidance, not only in small scattered congregations far removed from larger centres and communal activities, but in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The task which they were starting was not impossible if they had the united support of South African Jewry, he declared.
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