Time Ripe for Nationwide Program of Jewish Education, Speakers Declare

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

The time is now ripe for American Jews to undertake a nationwide program to deal with the problem of Jewish education in the United States. The Jews of America must deal with this problem in the same manner in which they have dealt with the problem of foreign relief, Louis Marshall, president of the American Jewish Committee, declared last night at the ninetieth anniversary celebration of the Hebrew Sunday School held at Mikve Israel Synagogue.

Dr. Cyrus Adler, who presided over the exercises, told of a pledge he and Mr. Marshall had given each other nine years ago at the time the peace treaties were being signed that thenceforth they would dedicate themselves to the furtherance of Jewish education.

What has happened since in world Jewry prevented the carrying out of such a program up to this time, Mr. Marshall explained. “This is the sacred duty of the Jews of this country,” Mr. Marshall continued. “We must not temporize any longer. We are either for God or for ‘Baal’. Much as I favor States’ rights in American politics, in the matter of Jewish education it is our duty to the entire household of Israel, and should therefore not be handled locally but for the country as a whole,” he said, “This should also include the Jewsih Theological Seminary, the Jewish Publication Society and similar institutions.”

Other speakers at the exercises included Dr. Solomon Solis-Cohen, Louis Block and Rabbi A. A. Neuman, who delivered the benediction.

Earlier in the day exercises were held at the grave of Rebecca Gratz, founder of the society, on the old cemetery of Mikve Israel Congregation, the occasion marking the 147th anniversary of her birth. Rabbi Leon H. Elmaleh conducted the services. A wreath was placed on the grave by Mrs. Ephraim Lederer, honorary president of the society.