New-York tribune., 1908-09-25
DEFENDS SETTLEMENTS
RepIy to Critics Who Charged
Proselytizing.

Charles s. Bernheimer, assistant head works>
Of the University Settlement, discussing the charge
that Settlements prOseiytize IN the current issue
of Charities and the Commons" says:
The criticisms insinuate and imply that the Set
Elements lure children BY means OF bribes for the
purpose OF converting them from their faith Such
ton of the purposes of the settlements and misln-
formation TO their results II a settlement is
guilty of the slightest act repugnant 10 the re-
lgtous scruples Of those VINO attend tne> atten-
should be called to the matter. charge Set
tiements with Vaccinations against The TeIigious @
convictions OF the young people VITA Whcnl they
come in contact is to mallsn thelr principles anu
1t is just as consderate to issue daribes against
the modern forces OF education and culture as
eeeges and n1iyersities the inbraries and mu-
seums, the newspapers and magazines. the art and
tbs ideas of T5a odsr ra1ersTion The Settlements
are willing TO stand the test IN this company
Numbers Of the immigrant population. placed IN
their children properly because of strange language
and habits, the necessities OF employment ana
cial agencies such as the Settlements, as well as
RuIlf H & eo4catQha 1t @ agegis g f f arents is often
weakened by those influences with Wnicn tne
younger generation comes IN contact Dut tHa' y
The youth in gaining knowledge in the ssrp public
his life vocation undoubtedly breaks shaekies OF
parentaI control out ne mas IN srie III Lras5T6
of view which should make him a parent 2s DsI.sL
The whirl and turmoil Of the life Of the lower
East Side are such that Settlements can toucn
but portions here and there To expect them 70
show that they have improved all phases OF tne
Life Is asking too mucn- Even 20 sp4T. p+CrGT 1at
bad effects they have prevented Is dlIlcOIt- bus
the young people who have gone through the
Settlements must be convinced that the young
men and women are splendid products, cornparaOIe
Vong 5eope agYWbere aa Thev BRING 1t is ad
m1itta6 p pstfya Urine with thsnl@fhe morality
of the fathers and mothers in Israel is positive
asset to start with Transmitted in the Settlenent
it makes for the genteel, decent, honorable young
one needs but look around the lower East Side
to see some of the crude institutions the people
suit if the population left entirely its own
devices Take. for instance. the dance balls and
people must have some social life which is not
afforded in the homes. The theatre IS toe expen-
sve for many, and it must in any event be inter.
mingled with other pleasures Dancing Is one OF
dance haH unTestricted and unguarded. or the
Settlement with its care for the niceties OF con-
The Settlement affords opportunity for whole
ties. the entertainments. the concerts the deoaes
the dances, the games, the gymnastics. Inc Last
gymnasium. with the fine opportunity Ior PaySlcaI sea-
development of which many young people nave
East Side youth becomes different being as the
G5 aus ceres and tbe eteents To deny
the value of these social influences in this respect
training based upon the study of The physical and
moral needs of the individual -
part Of the direct benefit from the Settlements OF
the lower East Side, there are TeaIuTeS Eutl dS
concerts receptions and parents meetings, Wnere-
by parents are brought into contact with the set
tlernent House and their cooperation Is OBTAINED
At such parents or mothers gatherings the IAN
guage which the older people best understand
Yfddfsh is often used in the talks and recitatons
which given in addition TO the social features
OF an evenings entertainment. Attempt IS made
to strengthen the hands of the parents IN every
way possible. The Settlements stand in neighboTly
relationship to many parents, visiting them and De-
ing visited by them. -.
Movements for the improvement Of the . health
the tenements. the streets of the East Slde have
at times received their impetus from SetIielnents
and have usually had their assistance; all TINS BE-
cause the people themselves have not had the
necessary initiative and understanding to ask Tor
civic Improvement
In the University Settlement, for example there
are about one hundred clubs and classes meeting
once a week. Each OF these, for the most part
has a club director adviSer-a student. a teach-
er or other professional person; man OF woman
of education. possibly former club member
with the necessary knowledge, experience and
breadth of view. Such may teach sewing
or raia work or aid the club in an athletic liter
srv or social way; there are dancing classes.
dramatic performances, choruseS or basketball
teams coached by such volunteers
A majority OF these club directors and helpers
in this Settlement Jews II they proselytlze.
II is case of Jews proselytizing Jews. In this
and other Settlements stories essays and lectures
on Jewish subjects at times features Ihey
are presented by Jews in a sympathetic manner.