Soviet Government Would Permit Hebrew Schools, Lunatcharsky Says

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Soviet government would permit the establishment of state schools with Hebrew as the language of instruction, in accordance with the Soviet law, provided the Jews would agree among themselves, declared Soviet Commissar of Education Lunatcharsky in an interview granted Israel Chipkin of the Jewish Education Association of New York, who is now on a visit here. The chief obstacle, Lunatcharsky continued, is the difference of opinion that prevails among the Jews. He is confident, however, that the Jews will solve the problem to their own satisfaction.

The Soviet law permits religious worship and instruction in supplementary schools provided the children have previously completed the prescribed two years attendance at the state schools. Parochial schools are, however, forbidden.

A complaint that Chedorim and Yeshivas flourish in Soviet Russia is contained in an article published by the “Emes,” Yiddish Communist paper cites instances in a dozen cities where there are Chedorim and Yeshivas. The Yeshiva in Nevel has three hundred students; in Smolovitch there are five Chedorim, Talmud Torahs and a Yeshiva, the paper declares. The Chedorim flourish frequently at the expense of the government Yiddish schools because the workers send their children to the traditional Jewish relgious schools.

The paper alleges that the Melamdim, teachers in the Chedorim, “whip the children regularly twice a month.” It charges that many teachers in the government Yiddish schools observe Jewish rites and have their children circumcised although they are Communists.