Put your thinking caps on! It's time to learn about Jewish culture and education!
“From September 1939 until victorian Europe was finally won in May 1945, Britain was in a state of complete involvement in the priorities of ''war.” ( Bernard Stienburg 1) Great Britian would take all the help they could get. No matter what religion you were. Since countries were so preoccupied on stopping the Axis Powers, they focused less on
education. At this time Jewish education was already a struggling practice. It was hard to find a place Jews could learn about their heritage and the Torah. In fact many Jews made their way to Israel to better connect with their roots because they couldn’t where
they were at that time. Since Jewish education was struggling, many Jews felt there needed
to be a change.
Many people sought to make a difference but few did. One man stands above all. Louis Hurwich was a teacher in Indianapolis. He conducted a survey in Boston
Massachusetts on Jewish schools. He found that they couldn't get the proper education mostly because of funds. Because of the lack of funds, there was non-certified teachers,
and poor learning environment. He was great because he wanted a change and he made
it happen.
Many people also aspired to make a change like Louis. People raised awareness and started organizations like “The Bureau of Jewish Education”, or “The Jewish Education Organization” ( Bureau of Jewish Education records 2). Jews In concentration camps got no education at all. They weren’t even allowed to read the Torah. Many Jews felt they had lost their religion.
Today Jewish education businesses are booming. Nearly every kid must attend sunday school to learn about scripture. They call this class Hebrew school.
Hebrew school is the equivalent of Sunday school. Its educational regimen focusing on topics of Jewish history and learning the
Hebrew language. At around the age my classmates and I are at now, we would have a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This is one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish culture. It welcomes youth into the Jewish community. They must be fluent in Hebrew and know several scriptures. They take a class usually taught by a Rabbi ( a jewish priest) and then they have the ceremony.
Although Jewish culture has changed over the years, you will find many have the same Ideals. They just want what is best for their religion. Personally, I think that is something money can not buy.
12 INTO THE NIGHT / January, 2015