Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-11-18

has introduced new standards into
childunderstan1ing.-THE EDlTOl
She is not n professional Jewess-
despite the many years that she has
been affiliated with Jewish interests
She is not one Of those who occupy
high posts in Jewish life, but who
would be just as capable on the ros-
ter Of the Salvation Army. the w. C,
T. u, or Ladies' of the Eastern Star,
and who would display the same
amount of interest in their work.
This gentle little lady in the SIM
pie, green-smocked pongee has carved
out her own niche, and not merely
filled in.
Elsa Weihl, editor of young Is
rael," has been in newspaper work
for long time, but strangely
enough she has never been inter-
viewed. My questions took on an
unusually person note, therefore;
they offered Miss Weihl an oppor-
tunity to reminesce which she had
rarely had before. The brown-fiecked
gray eyes in the youthful face un-
der the prematurely white hair con-
tanned far-away, ETHEREAL shoulder
difficult 10 identify with an office.
For ten years she has merged her
self with "Young Israel" the mag.
azine for children, published by the
Union of American Hebrew Congre-
cations. She has controlled the des-
tiny Of certain circle of children to
an unimaginable extent. Since 1916
youngsters between five and twelve
have been indebted to Miss Meihl
for their conception of Jewish heroes
and heroines, their idea of Jewish
ethics, and their knowledge of gen.
eral Jewish life.
An onerous duty, assuredly. To be
q master Of general psychology, to
be specially adept at Jewish psychol.
ogy, and, to top it all. be an accu.
rate judge Of what constitutes the
best adolescent Judaism.
Another editor of young Israel
might have catered to what is usual
ly referred to as the reform" ele,
ment, inasmuch as this magazine fol
Juveniles is subventioned by a re-
form Jewish organization. But any
one glancing over the pages of Mis-.
Weihl's monthly can vouch for theil
general Jewish interest. The storie.
Of Jewish life, whether dealing with
Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai, Solomon
ibn Gabirol or Jacob Schiff reflect 6
studied aversion to partisan Juda
ism; what is more important, they
mirror their editors horror of ex
plicit morals and kindred evils.
A magazine can undoubtedly be ar
important educational factor. On,
devoted to the interests of children
can certainly mould principles ant
ideals. Accordingly l was more thar
journalistically interested in what the
arbiter of Jewish. children's storie!
had to say on her method of editing
What do Jewish children read
Who writes the stories that go int
"Young Israeli? What are the re
quirements of good story, for chill
dren, which satisfies literary prin
ciples and also conforms to the need
of youngsters being sent to Sunda!
School specifically to acquire som,
sort of Jewish education, and to &C
quire an interest for the future il
Jewish life?
1T was once thought that anyon
who had even the remotest connec
ton with children was capable o
writing stories for them. This cate
CORY included anybody from a schoo
teacher to fond mother. But al
increasing knowledge of and respec
for psychology has taught US quit
the contrary. 1t takes more skill
to write a good story for children
than for adults.
1--WE receive innumerable manu-
scripts, most of which we cannot US,
of course. 1t may interest you tt
know that my requirements for {
good story are limited merely by tn,
product. Non-Jews send as man!
stories as do Jews. 1t is peculiar
however, that great many of the
stories are set in one mould: they
emphasize only the material thing.
of life: thrift, how to be successful
and efficient, the outward etiquette
of good conduct.
81 think one can do nothing great
er for a Jewish child than to insti
into him or her an appreciation Of
the creative artist. Therefore the
stories in "Young Israel" are select
ed with as little possible emphasi.