The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-25
FOUNDING A JEWISH COLLEGE.
Urgent Want Of Rabbis Educated In America
Chief Justice Days Contribution.

A convention OF delegates from leading
Jewish congregations OF the United States as
semhled yesterday afternoon at the Howard
rooms at Sixth avenue and Forty econd street,
to consider the establishment Of . seminary Or
college In which The Hebrew language and
literature and Jewish history and philosophy
may be taught, and rabbis may be educated for
American synagogues and teachers for Jewish
schools. The call for the convention proce ed ed
from the eight principal congregations Of this
city, at the instance OF the Emanuel Seminary
Association" society which was formed by
members Of the Fifth Avenue CONGREGATION
Chen located In Twelfth street, ten years or
more ago.
The Invitation to take part In the convention
was accompanied bV an address. whicu says thnt
"nOtwi outstanding the Increase OF costly houses
OF worship and the accession to Jewish pupts
OF men Uf learning ana eloquence, judaism has
not proportion lly rainoJ ground IN he hearts
OF the jewish peonle, nd especially of the
younger generation" To remedy this. Jewish
theuioHians trained In on American Institution
are n eded, as well IA an opportunity for our
young men who devote themselves to the
sciences, the learned professions. ana the higher
branches OF commerce, to become acQu inted
with the history, literature, ana philosophy OF
Judaism. These Young me y are destined to be-
come oar representatives among the intellectual
classes OF the countrv, and We must prevent
their esiraDrement from US during the period Of
their early studies. Our congregational schools
are inadequate Tor this purpOse."
. he want - rtbbis who-s native language is
en- in-titutions and social customs, aud can in
t.rest and attract the Dung generation that has
grown up on American soil (whcn the present
rahpis ot German birth and training, though
aUle scholars, cannot dU), has iong been topic OF
discussion in the United States, and its urgency
has been growing moro apparent evcrv year
10 mCetit The Emanuel Seminary Association
WIS founued. Other associations Of a similar
character have been organized In other cIties
but they have iailed to accomplish their
purpose. Very few candidates for rabbinlcal
bunOrs came forward to embrace the opportu-
% Al al
Tered 10y these societies. and OF those who did
begin cour.e Of theOlorical study under their
auspices, none ever completed IT, Either tho
attractions furnished by them were not sum
Client. nr there nave been no Young men IN Amer
lea Will ling 10 study Tor positions IN jewish pull
ptls. IL IA said that only one native OF tho
United States, at least of German descent, Is
STUDY in Jewish theology, and then to have
taken position as rsuoi; and ne uId not make
mark. some who nnlshed a regular course of
study turned away when about reauy for prac-
tira work, ana took TO other vOcations. the
present convention Is expected to result,throuRh
a combination of the means Of mauy congre1a-
tiUns, In the establishment VI a college that viii
present ample attractions aud trger opportuni-
ties for theol, gicL study than bavs existed
heretofore.
About fifteen congregations were represented
yesterday by d.lee 'iions. aud otneis from all
pa'ts of the country sent communications ex.
pressing their readiness to renuer their quota I
assis ,ance. Mr.. Lewis " ay the banker, Pr, al
dent ~ tho Fifth Ave ne Cong egatioD, was
chosen rs Chairman. Letters were read from
the Nabbis vi New York, Phtiadelphi Chica o.
anu Olhei cues, IN relation 10 various questions
upon winch their views mad been asked. Ihe
prevailing ssntiment was d verse to the estaU
nshment OF an indcPen ent jewish college to
give a regular course OF secular
well as theological educ ton. The tounuirg of
professional cnsiis In cOnnt elton with some
American secul college 4 established reputa
tiun was recommended as preferable, for the
re son that It wOUlu not be 50 rscly To exert d
narrowing Influence and would oe less expen-
sivc Mr.. May annOunc, tnat there hid Ueen
c lmmunicatiOn Win rious American COLLEGES
nd tney had sent Assurances Of heir readiness
70 cooperate. lie reported that the Temule
Emanuel had voted to contribute s2uJ
year, and tnat Cnief Justice DAILY # the Court
OF Common lleas, h I'D onei ed IA "a contribution
he luaDle right Of his History OF the Jews
In America" Comuiittees were appointed to
prepare resolutions. AMI for other purposes. and
theD the convention adjourned TO take "A dinner
ia the Harmonic Club rooms, aud hfterwurd to
I o'clock this evening.