Reform Jewry Urged to Establish Network of Six Jewish Day Schools

The Union of American Hebrew Congregations was called upon by a Reform rabbi today to study and implement plans for the establishment under Reform auspices of six Jewish day schools on the elementary and high school levels in metropolitan centers in this country. The proposal was made by Rabbi Alvan Rubin, spiritual leader of Temple Sinai, Roslyn Heights, L.I., during a symposium on Jewish education at the annual assembly of delegates of the New York Federation of Reform Synagogues.

Rabbi Rubin called upon American Reform Judaism to continue as the “experimental and creative branch of Judaism” by founding a network of Jewish day schools in six major cities. He asked that this be carried out by the UAHC to “bring fresh energy and renewed vitality for a vibrant positive Jewish community.”

Taking issue with Rabbi Rubin’s proposal. Rabbi Paul M. Steinberg, executive dean of the New York school of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, said he was “unalterably opposed to the establishment of day schools by the Reform movement. ” Another Reform leader. Dr. Julius Mark, senior rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, criticized Reform Jews who advocate the establishment of parochial schools. Addressing the dedication ceremonies of the Temple’s new religious school and auditorium. Dr. Mark said that “parochial education means the segregation of our children according to religious beliefs.”

The six story structure, which was built at a cost of $5,000,000 contains 33 classrooms for the Temple’s religious and nursery schools, and a 1,000 seat auditorium named for Leon Lowenstein, industrialist and philanthropist, who financed the facility.