The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1922-02-01
WHAT YOUNG JUDAEA MEANS
TO THE AMERICAN BOY AND
GIRL

WHAT YOUNG JUDAEA MEANS
TO THE AMERICAN BOY AND
GIRL.
One of the most vexing problems
which the Jews of America have to
face today is that of the proper train
ing of the younger generation. The
parents who have probably come from
A foreign land have established them
selves here in security and comfort
after undergoing privations, hardships.
and even danger. Their sufferings
have been very intense. They have
looked hunger and brutality in the
face. They have fed from land
which they loved and yet which is
bound up in their memories with
scenes of horror and alright.
They naturally desire to spare their
children the bardships and sufferings
which they themselves lave eSperienc-
cd. They are mostly in position of
material prosperity and can well af-
ford TO crafty every whim of the
child. They feel that in gratifying the
wishes of their child they are giving
it the pleasures which they them
selves missed. The delight of the child
recompenses them for all the hard
Sims which they have undergone.
Thus it is that large proportion
of orr American born children re-
ceive not SO much moral training and
earnest discipline in line with jew
ish law and tradition rs an overland
indulgence and qualification of their
every wish. The parent means by this
TO lavish his love upon his child and
he expects in return the gratitude of
the child and thinks that the child
benefits from his misplaced kindness.
The result. however. is usually to give
the child the outer luXuries and re-
frements of American life and its sup
CRITICAL pleasures. The effect is not
to bridge the gap between himself and
the child but curiouSly enough TO
widen the gap instead of creating in
the mind and heart of the child
svmpathy and understanding for jew
lgh customs and for his own outlook
on life and an appreciation of what
Il, has gone through before reaching
his present position. He merely gives
the child the superficial benefits of his
hard experience which serve to ac-
ccntuate and increase the differences
between himself and the child. The
result is that the parent sees to his
engagement that the child instead of
icing grateful and observant in his
Jewish duties often grows up to be
peevish, spoilt. and quite lacking in
an understanding of sympathy for
Jewish law and custom and unwilling
10 observe its precepts.
1t. is here that Young Judaea steps
in and by providing the child with
AN interesting club activity in jew.
ish atmosphere along Jewish lines
stimulates in the child Il desire TO I'M
derstand more of Jewish life in the
past and in the present. it gives the
child n. certain pride in his race and
thereby n deep respect for his parents.
II is in this way that Young Judaea
sets in motion those dynamic forces
which lead eventually TO the upbring-
ing of citizens who are really Ameri-
can and really Jewish, understanding
their parents and who realize the sig
niiicance of Judaism. Instances could
he multiplied of the harmony and hap
riness which in this way Young .Iu'
daea has been instrumental in bring
ing into so may Jewish homes.
During the past few weeks n splen
did revival in New York activity has
taken place through the entire city of
New York. In almost every section
Of tile city there have been held raj
lies of Young Judaea centers. Def
mite plans for reorganization ana
work have been formulated and the
leaders have at once set about Their
practical Young Judaca duties.