Protesting the universal assault on democracy, the annual luncheon of the Jewish Teachers Association of New York at the Hotel Pennsylvania yesterday concerned itself principally with the rising tide of Fascism.
Dr. Harold G. Campbell, superintendent of city schools, paid tribute to approximately 1,000 at tendent of city schools, teachers when he said in his address, “We should have little fear for the overthrow of our democracy, if every teacher had a religion such as you have to which he might hold fast.”
He declared that it is the duty of all teachers to expound the principles of simple morality to their pupils, and he stated that “had the leaders of the government absorbed the lessons in morality taucht them in schools, the country today would not find its struggie against the forces of depression so fruitless.”
Embedded in Campbell’s speech were barbs designed to cut into governmental administrations since1929.
“Since 1929,” he said, “the leaders of this nation have proven themselves false prophets. The most disturbing factor of the condition in which the country now finds itself is the fact that none of he so-called leaders have any program with which they might lead us out of the depression.”
Taking a significant sedeswipe at the economic system of the country, the superintendent of schools decared, “Today we find it necessary to create NRA codes to force people to observe the principle of that simple morality which we, their education had been effective, such codes and laws would be unnecessary. It is our duty to drive into the minds and hearts of our pupils and understanding of simple morals, which in the future may make government coercions toward a kindly and fair attitude in all persons unnecessary.”
Education, Dr. Campbell observed, “is not possible without religion. For obvious reasons we cannot teach religion in our schools. However, we should have little fear for the future of the country if basic religious principles could be successfully taught our students.”
NOTE DESTRUCTIVE TREND
Other speakers, Rabbi Louis I, Newman and Joeph Newman, president of the association, devoted their addresses to the subject of current perils to world democracy, and they remarked with regreat the trend toward the destruction of human liberity.
Fabbi Newman attempted to answer in his discourse two questions: is it possible to be free in this industial age? And can teaching be free and honest?
“Some believe,” Rabbi Newman began, “that our democracy and the democracy of other nations cannot endure. Whether or not their beliefs are sound is a matter for speculation, but during recent weeks we have seen considerable avidence of their ralization.” He noted the trend in France recently.
“We members of the Jewish faith,” he said, “know full well how necessary it is for us to cling to the pristine concepts of liberty-liberty of speech, freedom of press, and liberity of expression.” He continued: “Now it appears that the time is coming when we shall again have to strive for these inheront rights. We are becoming more certain of the fact that only in democratic and liberal principles lies our safety. We know full well that the rights of minorities are safe only in a democratic system of government.”
Teachers, he asserted, must convey to their pupils “a correct weitanschauung,’ or a proper feeling toward the world in which wer live. We must gain through education a poper approach to life, and put forth our most earnest efforts to release from economic slavery the masses, which are now being trodden under the iron heels of undemocratic and unscrupulous persons.”
URGES PEACE IDEAL
He concluded by charging the teaching the teachers, “We may wake up tomorrow to learn that war has broken out in Europe. It is our duty to teach our pupils the value of peace, kindness and tranquility. We must conserve the idea of liberty in this commonwealth and prserve the right to practice religion as we will. Our boys and girls must never become pawns in the games of the privileged few. We must make them Americans, ready to suffer and die for American democratic rights.”
Joseph Newman’s address also cncerned itself with democracy. He stressed his belief that “the many who declaim that the death knell of democracy has sounded are false prophets. Great men are not dictators. They are rulers as fathers might guide their children.”
200 ATTEND BENDFIT FOR HOME
A supper dance and bridge bridge was held last night at the Level Club for the benefit of the Hebrew Home fo Chronic Incalids under the auspices of the Service League, auxiliary association. More than 200 guests attended teh party.
PASSOVER RELIEF BODY SEEKING FUNDS TO AID CITY’S NEED JEWS
With the Passover holidays growing near and the plight of needy Jewish families reported to be assuming a more acute aspect, the Joint Passover Relief Association of New York through the efforts of its four regional branches is gaining momentum in its annual campaign to raise funds and solicit members so that it may alleviate the Passover burden of the city’s destitute Jews.
Sattistics compled after Passover relief had been disspensed last year revealed that 2,452 families living in the EAst Side, Harlem, Yorkville, the Bronx and Washington. 1,009 of the Home Relief.
Mrs. Moses Hyamson is president of the organization.
BENSONHURST IVRIAH
Sam Redlich, Dr. Rebecca Lisswood, Dr. William Shapiro, Mrs. Shoni-Levi and Mrs. Dina Rosen blatt have been speakers at recent Saturday cultural metings of the Bensonhurst group of Ivriah.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
