The Jewish monitor. (Fort Worth-Dallas, Tex.) 191?-1921, 1920-12-03
Page Six
EDUCATION FOR JUDAISM.
An Address at Temple BETHEL, Fort
Worth, Texas, by Prof. H. A. Et-
linger, University Of Texas,

worm, IexaS, Dy fr0I. II. "A. En-
linger, University Of Texas,
Austin, Texas.
The role of the Jew in history as
an educator is well known. Any study
Of the development of human thought
and it's propagation from generation
to generation begins perforce with
tat Of the ancient Israelite. The His
tory Of Education takes its first chap
tiers from the methods and materials
Of the Palestinian school room and
synagogue of old. Even as now in
trial and tribulation when all was lost,
save the soul, the Jew chung to his
schools.
Among the many ideals adopted by
the early settlers of New England
from the pages of the Old Testament
and the mode Of life of the ancient
Jew were those Of religious education.
The Pilgrim Fathers having found
a safe refuge from persecution for
themselves on the south shores Of the
North Sea, soon realized that unless an
opportunity were provided for the re-
ligoius training of their children, their
search for freedom was in vain. There
fore the Mayflower turned it's course
westward. Shortly after their settle
ment in New England, Harvard Col
lege was founded to train leaders to
perpetuate their own faith.
In 1875 American and Hebraic ira
dition Joined hands in establishing the
Hebrew Union College in the city Of
Cincinnati by another band of Pill
grims, devout and fired with modern
zeal for an ancient faith. The leader
of this band was Rabbi Isaac M. Wise,
a seer in his own time. He above AN
others, recognized the vital need of
such an institution, for the upbuilding
of Judaism in America. Leaders must
be trained who should combine with
the traditional viewpoint-the mod
ern conception Of Judaism. In its forty
five years Of existence the college has
sent forth over the length and
breadth of this country, even to for
eign shores, men who have carried
forward the banner of Progressive Ju-
daism. We today partake of the fruit
Of this planting Of half century ago.
The high type Of leader with which
this congregation is blessed, the source
and inspiration of his learning and
wisdom, of your rabbi, and wisdom is
to be found in the small group az
savants and scholars which compose
the faculty of the Hebrew Union Col
lege.
Influence emanating from the pull
pits Of our synagogues has welded
incalculable benefits in our lives and
of those about US. Much has been ac-
complished, but we must not shut our
eyes to the fact that the task that lies
before US is Of Herculean proportions
compared to what has been done. We
are today dedicating ourselves to
greater and nobler things. We have
made great strides forward in our aim
to transplant on this fertile soil, "the
good, the true and the beautiful" Of
our faith. Shall we, however, rest on
the laurels of that which we have al
ready accomplished when we realize
that we have but begun to perform
a duty which cannot be shirked.
In furthering this task, the plans Of
the Union Of American Hebrew Con-
gregations calls for an appropriation
Of $500 for each of the next ten
years. Alongside Of the training Of
leaders, there have been created var
ious agencies calculated to Strengthen
tn hands of our religious standard
bearers. Too long have they been COM
pelled to shoulder the burden alone.
day Renaissance which should foster
work thus undertaken it is "Educa-
ton for Judaism In scope, the plan
is all inclusive. Every Jewish man,
woman and child is to have placed
within his or her reach the opportuni.
ty to be lifted up by the spiritual sus-
tenance which is his own by birth
right. The training Of religious teach
ers, the various forms Of extension
work, the publication Of religious lit
erature, the auxiliary organizations Of
lad;as and younor naon1a hava In c0un-