News Brief

That the Jewish families of the Hill district in this city are leaving the section for more attractive places such as Squirrel Hill and East End, and that the Jewish population in the Hill district will be almost negligible within ten years has been found by Professor Israel A. Abrams, principal of the Hebrew Institute which takes an annual census of the Jewish public school children in an eeffort to gain information for planning the Jewish educational program in this city and surrounding communities. There is a decrease of 350 every year in the Hill population whereas the other sections of the city all show an increase. The Hebrew Institute, located in the heart of the Hill district, can exist in its present location for but ten more years, although at present the Institute has the largest enrollment of boys and girls in its history.

“The neighborhood is undoubtedly changing its complexion,” comments Professor Abrams. “Restricted immigration has halted the influx, and the natural tendency of Jewish families, particularly when children reach a mature age, is to seek more modern homes in better residential sections. There can be but one answer–the Hill district, as far as Jews are concerned is doomed.”

There is a total of 9,211 Jewish children enrolled in the Pittsburgh elementary, Junior and Senior High schools. The registration in the Institute at present is 800, and there are 26 classes and 15 instructors.