Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-14
Discrimination by Patrons.

II shall state fairly the stand of the
principals Of these schools: Personally,
I have no ingrained prejudice against
girls because Of their religion. They are
equal to the average Of their Christian
sisters. 1t is the Christian girls them
selves and their mothers who raise the
objections. The Christian girls would
shun my school If they knew that Jewish
girls were admitted on the same level Of
equality. 1t is their impression that the
acceptance of the Jewish girls lowers the
the school Besides. liberation may be
in the Constitution Of the United States
but 1t is not part Of our curriculum to
teach 1t as cultural and educational.
win crown Of martyrdom. This is a
private, not public enterprise.
This argument is very much allied to
what local hotel proprietors and real es-
tate dealers tell you when on inquiry
and refusal of accommodations you are
informed that they must maintain their
reign of exclusiveness.
'As a matter of fact. finishing schools
for girls have not yet won an undis-
lodgable place in the educational neces-
get all the necessary schooling at their
local universities. 1t is the city of Wash
ington which is the great attraction. And
when the social glamour Of our great city
DaSS6O
upon our educational uniqueness has lost
its keen edge of appreciation. The finish
Of education is not the end of wisdom.
do not belabor these or similar schools
which doubtless have their field and
function. but am jealous Of the fair
name Of Washington and of the defini-
ton of genuine culture.
I'm view of the narrowness and preju-
dice manifested. our definition of culture
will have to undergo similar contrac tion.
And l refuse to limit education to an in
ventory Of facts, languages, articles OF
creed and polish"
Would Advise Girls to Stay Away.
ION the other hand. do not hesitate to
advise girls to stay away from schools
where they are merely tolerated. 1t is
their gain to do So Such bottling Of
pride has often been done by them to
their own sweet self-respect.
rs the history Of progressive culture
one of nerveless acquiescence, back
homeless passivity and stupid non-re-
sistance? / need not pause for a re-
ply. Many an individual, nation and
school learned only too late how he dug
his own grave. I make bold the as
sertion that. compare them. girl with
girl. stripped Of all the accretions of
UNCONVENTIONAL bias and washable We
neer, I would not be ashamed of the
per cent WHICH our jewish women
would attain in an examination Of the
arts and accomplishments of the higher
life. And I would be willing to wager.
without making any comparisons, that
If the daily habits of our Jewish girls
were watched the results would disclose
that they possess much self-restraint,
allow very few liberties and carry the
evidences of good home life and good
breeding about them.
These Jewish girls. with fair excep-
lions, are unpopular. The conditions Of
entrance are often CALLING. Jewish girls
know In advance that they must conform
to the religious practices of the school
in question:; and If, upon the refusal of
the principal to allow them any liberties
in this matter. they still remain there.
they must accept all the involved con-
sequences. When the Jewish girls. in ad
dition to conforming to the rites of the
school, ask for the right Of performing
their own religious duties, they meet with
derision from those Of finished culture.
Quite a number of Jewish seminary girls
attended my services at the temple. re-
ceiving encouragement from the princi-
pals of two schools.
lone girl of another school paid her
chaperon 81 for each visit to the temple.
In this difference Of faith lies the crux
Of the problem. How wabbly and mushy
lis the culture of that girl who measures
it's value in proportion to her distance
from girl of another God! What Is
education il it be not . hospitable enter