Social Workers Call on Federations Not to Ignore Jewish Education Needs

A prospective organization to champion the economic and professional interests of social workers was advocated by the New York delegation at the general session of the National Council of Jewish Social Service this afternoon. Discussing the feasibility of a national protective organization, a report on the subject, presented at the session, recommended that a committee of Jews and non-Jews lay the groundwork for such a movement.

At a joint session of the National Association of Jewish Center Executives and the National Council for Jewish Education, both of which are holding their annual meetings jointly with the National Council of Jewish Social Service, emphasis on adult education in the programs of both bodies was strongly urged. Albert Schoolman, president of the educational group, decried the indifference of the Federations to Jewish education.

A call to Jewish Federations to view their programs on a basis broader than philanthropy, and to include Jewish education in Federation programs on a status of equality with other phases of a communal endeavor, as a matter of right and not toleration, was sounded by the National Council for Jewish Education.

JEWISH SCHOOL A BAROMETER

This demand was explained in a statement prepared in behalf of the National Council by Dr. Alexander M. Dushkin and Dr. Leo L. Honor of Chicago. Pointing out that “the flux in American Jewish life is reflected in the Jewish school,” it says in part:

“We consider the Federations of Jewish Charities and the Jewish Welfare Federations as the most effective available bodies to deal with the central needs in education. But we would posit two essentials in the relation between such Federations and Jewish education:

“1. The Federations must view their programs as broader than philanthropy in the specific sense of that term, and must recognize that the Jewish differential in all of their work makes education, both in the specific and general connotations, an integral element of their program.

RIGHT, NOT TOLERATION

“2. Jewish education must be included in the Federation programs on a status of equality both in principle and in affiliation with all other phases of communal endeavor; it must be in those programs as a matter of right and not of toleration, and there must be no discrimination against it in theory or in practice. The recognition of the necessary place of education in the community program and its adequate support, will redound not only to the welfare of the school system, but will also give purposefulness to the work of the Federations themselves.”

The National Council’s statement also makes definite declarations on the question of synagogues sponsoring schools of their own.

The statement declares that “each congregation and institution must be responsible for the maintenance of its own school, and should be the final authority regarding the curriculum and spirit of instruction for its children. The central educational agency should do those things which the local schools are unable to do. It is through a co-operative partnership of parents, congregations and community that we may hope to achieve an adequate and worthy American Jewish school.”

VIEWS EXCHANGED AT DINNER

The third day of the conference ended tonight with a joint session at dinner in the social hall of Temple Beth El.

Members of the National Conference of Jewish Social Service and the National Association of Jewish Center executives exchanged views over the dinner table in a discussion on Programs of Jewish Community Organization in the Light of Changing Trends.

With Fred M. Butzel, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Welfare Federation, Detroit, in the chair, Dr. Solomon Lowenstein, Executive Director of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, New York, led in an exhaustive review of the topic.

OTHERS IN DISCUSSION

Others who took part in tonight’s discussions were Dr. Alexander M. Dushkin, Director of the Board of Jewish Education, Chicago; Jacob Kepecs, Superintendent of the Jewish Home Finding Society, Chicago; William J. Shroder, of the Cincinnati Community Chest; and Mrs. Henry Wineman, Commissioner of Public Welfare, Detroit.

The social service conference Friday afternoon, adopted a resolution endorsing the $2,000,000 campaign of the Joint Distribution Committee for the relief of German Jewry.

Dr. Maurice J. Karpf presided at this session and the relief action followed an address by Dr. Jonah B. Wise who described recent developments in Jewish life in Germany as “bleak and hopeless.”