The Washington herald., 1907-09-10
MANY SCHOOLS IDLE
Hebrew Holiday Has Queer
Effect in New York.
EAST SIDE MOST AFFECTED
Strict Observance of Jewish New
Year Festival Results in Unpre-
pected To Delay Real Opening I'm
til October-Discuss Experiences.

New York. Sept. 9.-Despite the fact
that this was the opening day Of the
public school year there were in many
sections Of the city more children in the
streets than in the schoolrooms. The
unusual situation was caused by the fact
that, for the first time since the jews
have become an important element in
the city's population. the Jewish New
Year and the school opening fell on the
same day
For several years the series Of Jewish
holidays scattered along through the first
month OF the school year. has presented
au increasingly difficult problem for the
school authorities 10 solve. In the lower
East Side, where the Jews are practically
ell Orthodox. who observe the holidays
with great stricmess. the effect is an alb
solute paralysis Of the whole school sys-
TEN. which does not recover until after
the first OF October. But never before
has the problem presented exactly the
difficulties with which the schools were
brought face 10 face to-day.
In many Of the schools In the lower part
Of the city the classroOms might almost
as well have been locked 10 to-day. In
some Of them the percentage Of Jewish
pupils runs over 30 per cent Of the total
enrolment. while a large percentage OF
The teachers themselves are Of that race
Thus, many or the schoolrooms were
without a single teacher this morning.
while out Of some classes with half a
hundred registered from one TO three
pupils presented themselves.
The school authorities are powerless TO
remedy the difficulty; the teachers who
do not put in an appearance lose their
salaries for the days they are absent. but
no penalty can be exacted from pupils for
observing tho tenets Of their religion
rather than the rules Of the school board.
Tenchers Take Il Easy.
So. while in the streets thousands Of
Jewish children in holiday garb play their
games, or follow their parents to the svn-
agogues, groups of Gentle teachers stand
and sit about in groups with little or
nothing 10 do but talk about what they
DID on their vacations or watch children
az play outside the windows. II Is useless
10 attempt 20 organize the classes Oh. as
sign lessons 10 the few pupils who do re-
port Tor work But the teachers have no
authority 10 dismiss the few or 10 go
They seek. therefore. to find something
TO amuse OF occupy the time of their few
charges Some of the children are set 10
work arranging school books. sorting
registration cards. or doing similar work
that has 10 be done soon ar late. Some
are allowed to read story books I'm the
school Libraries, or sit listening TO the
reading Of a teacher. Part Of the day is
used for playing such games as have in
structive features. Bat nowhere in the
Jewish quarters Of the city is any work. OF
study attempted
Realizing what this conjunction Of the
Jewish New Year and the school opening
would mean. number Of Orthodox He
brews peutioned Supt Maxwell some
time ago 20 change the day Of opening
10 the. middle Of the week. IN order that
there wight be no conflict The superin-
tendent. however, was powerless to do
anything, as the matter was determined
by the bylaws OF the board of education.
Not Confined TO East side.
While the schools Of the East Side were
more seriously affected than any others.
the scattering Of the Jewish population
IN recent years has caused difficulty in
almost every part Of the city. In some
sections, Of course. the Reform Jews pre-
dominate, and they arc not so strict I'm
their observance Of the feasts The chill
dren Of these families. as q rule, ap-
peaTed to-day for assignment TO seats.
and then went home. Others STAYED az
the scboolhouses and announced them
selves willing 70 take part in all school
exercises. except writing. which. as it
IS considered in the nature Of manual
labor, they are not allowed 10 do