New-York tribune., 1915-12-27

form rabbs gathered at the home OF
Miss Olivia Levontritt, Commissioner
of Education, TO hear Superintendent
William Writ explain the Gary plan
and the possibilities offered by this
plan for religious instruction outside Of
the school during week days.
Orthodox Rabbis First introduced Re-
ligious Feature in Gary Plan.
Mr.. Writ explained that the religious
feature was in no sense an essential Of
the plan, that the Writ plan had been
in operation for many years before the
religious feature WAS introduced, and
that it was finally introduced at the
request Of the orthodox rabbis in Gary
that the Jewish children be excused for
religious instruction in the Jewish
synagogue on the way 20 and from
school.
It was made clear that the Gary pro
gramme is so arranged as TO take care
Of all children all day provided that
no parents wish their children excused
for any outside activities. If, however
any parents wish their children to stay
at home for private music lessons or TO
attend religious instruction, such an
arrangement can be made II the parents
write note 20 the principal stating
that they do not wish their children 10
come to school until the second period
in the morning that is, 9:lO or 9:2O-
or that they wish the children 70 leave
school an hour earlier in the afternoon.
In that case the child, instead Of TAX
ing auditorium or play the first hour IN
the morning or the last hour in the
afternoon, or just before or after lunch,
would simply omit that activity; he
would in no case miss the academic
shop or auditorium work.
No record IS made by the school or
the church which the child attends,
nor is the school responsible for such
attendance; that matter rests entirely
with the church and parents. The enid
IL simply counted as out Of school dur
ing such period. Owing TO the feXl-
bility of the Gary programme. parents
may have any kind Of school that they
want for their children. II they wish
them excused for outside activities
during the day, such as private music
lessons or art lessons or religious IN
struction. the child is given such an
out-of-school hour. On the other hand,
if the parents do not wish them 20 en-
gage in any outside activities during
the day, the child is kept wholesomely
busy at work-study- y-and-play IN the
school all the day.
Meeting Generally Favorable to the
Plan.
Il is evident that at least three
ffths Of the rabbis present were
strongly in favor Of the plan and en-
thusiastic about the opportunities that
il offered for religious instruction OF
Jewish children. The meeting was I'M
portant i'm that IL showed clearly that
the sweeping statement sometimes
made that the Jewish rabbis are op-
posed TO the plan has no foundation IN
fact. Another evidence of the indorse-
ment by the rabbis Of this religious
feature of the Gary plan is an able
article contributed by Rabbi Schulman
TO "The Union Bulletin" Jewish pub
lication issued monthly by the Union
OF American Hebrew Congregations.
In discussing "Bible Reading in the
Public Schools and the Ethical and
Religious Education of the American
People" Rabbi Schulman writes:
Rabbi Schulman Supports Plan.
"The best plan, which offers the
greatest promise, and which ! permit
myself TO greet most enthusiastically,
is the Gary plan, because IT seems TO
me to meet most effectively all the
circum stances Of our unique American
situation. The Gary plan, rs is well
known, is large, general plan for in
croasing the length Of the school day.
The schoolday for the child is to cover
not only study, but work and play.
All possible aspects of the child life
are in some way 70 be reached by the
school. stimulated, watched over and
accounted for. Within this large
scheme, opportunity is 20 be offered
to such children whose parents desire
them 70 obtain religious instruction
70 take the hours in the day necessary
for such instruction.
Religious Instruction Not Given in
School.
"The instruction is not TO be given
in the school IL is not 70 be paid for
by school authorities. II Is not even
10 be credited I'm school grading. All
that the school is TO do In connection
with il Is 20 obtain records from the
teachers that impart religious instruc-
tion Of the presence of the children
for that purpose And thus a record
is kept of the time in which the child
is absent from the school. In other
words, the child uses an hour that
might be given, say, 20 amusement,
for the purpose Of receiving moral and
religious instruction. Its absence -
accounted for and il cannot be con-
| sidered q truant.
Plan Does Not Emphasize Religious
Differences.
"The great value of this plan con-
sists in a number Of things. In the
first place. 10 meets all objections of
those who hold that IL is not the bust
ness Of the school. supported by the
taxes Of all citizens, TO impart religious
instruction. IL does not emphasize re-
ligiOus differences among the children
within the school building, as would
be the case IL the school were divided
for religious instruction among various
denominational teachers. The school
remains secular Al the same time the
school. representing the nation. gives
its moral support 20 religious instruc
, ticl, IN the sense that il considers the
tin spent on IL well spent and ncces-
sary for the child's welfare The i'm
agination Of the child will be impressed
with the fact that religion Is serious
matter. that II Is as important for life