Jews of Waterbury Ask That Religious Instruction Plan Be Reconsidered by Board

The Waterbury Hebrew Institute, representing the Jewish community of this city, has sent a letter to the local board of education in which it asks for a reconsideration of the plan which the board recently adopted providing for religious instruction during school hours. In its letter the Hebrew Institute expresses the opinion that the problem of religious instruction may be better solved by providing such instruction after regular school hours, and characterizes the plan which the school board odopted as a “drastic departure from our traditional school policy”.

It is expected that the Board of Education will soon hold a hearing with regard this plan. Commissioner Martin Scully at a meeting of the board which was held this week urged that an opportunity to voice their grievances be given to all who have objections to the plan which was adopted. Dr. Michael C. Donovan, superintendent of schools, expressed his admiration of the Jewish children for their loyalty to their faith in their observance of the Jewish holidays.