New-York tribune., 1901-06-17
JEWISH UNIVERSITY PLANS.
DIR. SINGER ANSWERS CRITICISMS OF
TWO HEBREW PAPERS.

The announcement by DR. Isidor Singer Of
plans for the establishment Of the New-York
University for Jewish Theology History and
Literature was made at q dinner in this city
on the evening Of May 81 and has called out
criticism in The Jewish Review and Observer
and The Jewish Comment" One saws that .sin
view Of the well known fact that the orthodox
Jews have no great institution of learning. il
would seem that college at which the lines in
regard 70 shades Of religious beliefs are not too
strongly drawn might succeed" The other says
that only as theological institution can such
q university fill true want: for all other pur-
poses il is a more or less magnificent luxury"
u declare emphatically that il is not our in
tention 10 create a denominational college" DR.
Singer said yesterday TO a Tribune reporter
Nor do we want Jewish university on the
pan Of Harvard or Yale. We are 10 have
university open not only 10 Jews hut also to
Students of all religious denominations All who
desire 10 eat at the table Of Hebrew lore may
sit down and be welcome. The ideal purpose of
the university is TO cultivate Jewish science for
itself. its practical aim is 70 prepare readers
rabbs and Sunday school teachers for their re-
spective vocations, TO equip them with
thorough knowledge Of the special brsnches. 10
inspire them with lofty ideals and love for the
higher interests OF Judaism. The course Of
study for Sunday school teachers will be two
years; for readers. three years for rabbis five
years, and for future professors, seven years.
In order 10 make the university real spirit
ual centre Of universal Judaism we have the
Intention TO join with il in due time a museum
of Jewish art and antiquities, TO contain a col
lection Of all objects pertaining 10 the artistic.
poetical. social and religious life q the Jews Of
the past and present. There Will be established,
TOO a Jewish library. unique in its way. that
will contain department Of Hebrew literature
as complete possible. and copies Of books
written by Jews in all ages and countries classi-
fed according 70 the various branches Of science
and literature. A visitor at the library viii be
able TO see readily what the Jews have con-
tributed to this or that branch Of knowledge
Temporary offices for the university will be
opened on July 1. Lectures IN the university
will be delivered in English, Hebrew. German
and Russian. There viii be four faculties, each
headed by dean. one for conservative theology.
one for progressive theology. cne for history
and for literature. The head Of the univer-
sity viii be the rector magnihcus elected for
three years by majority Of the professors and
confirmed by the board of governors. In the
board Of governors will be eighteen Jews. ten of
whom must be residents Of this city. There will
be six honorary members. who may be Chris
tians and not residents of the city.
Support for the university viii not be lack
ing. ] know OF about twenty rich Jews in
America and Europe who will be ready at the
proper time 10 endow chairs in the university.
The American Jews understand that the uni
versity is destined 10 become for higher educa-
tion what the Educational Alliance in East
Broadway is for elementary education"