GRATZ COLLEGE PHILADELPHIA STATISTICAL DATA OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS OF PHILADELPHIA FOR 1906-1907 Collected by Julius H. Greenstone, Ph.D. Instructor in Pedagogics, Gratz College PHILADELPHIA 1907 GRATZ COLLEGE PHILADELPHIA STATISTICAL DATA OF THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS OF PHILADELPHIA FOR 1906-1907 Collected by Julius H. Greenstone, Ph.D. Instructor in Pedagogics, Gratz College PHILADELPHIA 1907 0.op«-4 2 — 'i? ^ Statistical Data of the Jewish Religious Schools of Philadelphia FOR 1906-1907. One of the important objects of Gratz College is the fitting of its students for the position of teachers in Jewish religious schools. It is ac- cordingly within the purview of the College to encourage the collection of information relating to the Jewish religious schools in this country, and it seemed that the most appropriate method of stimulating such an inquiry was to collect, as far as possible, the statistics relating to such schools in Philadel- phia. There have been included within the inquiries all schools where Jewish children are taught Hebrew, Jewish history and Jewish religious institutions. No attempt was made to obtain data from teachers who have no established schools, and impart instruction to their pupils at their homes. The data ob- tained from private schools are rather meagre and inadequate, many not hav- ing replied to the inquiries sent, whilst others could not be reached at all, so that the information presented in the accompanying tables lacks completeness and accuracy. As a first attempt, however, such deficiencies must be ex- pected, and it is hoped that even in its present state, the information will be of value and interest, and will lead to similar inquiries in other cities. DIVISION OF SCHOOLS. For the sake of convenience the thirty-nine schools which replied to the queries propounded are divided into the following seven groups: 1. Congregational Schools (5). 2. Hebrew Sunday School Society Schools (8). 3. Hebrew Education Society Schools (4). 4. Orphan Asylums (2). 5. Talmud Torahs (4). 6. Other Schools managed by Societies (4). 7. Private Schools (Hadarim) (12). Numbers 1, 4 and 6 stand by themselves, while number 2 is in a measure a complement to Nos. 3, 5 and 7, that is to say, the children attend- ing schools under i, 4 and 6 probably receive no other religious instruction, while many of the children attending the Hebrew Sunday School Society schools probably also attend schools of groups 3, 5 and 7. This Is an Im- portant point to consider in considering these tables, as will be shown under the headings of "Pupils" and "Subjects of Instruction." The five congregational schools are maintained by congregations whose members are more or less of the older Jewish settlers. The numerous con- gregations in the southern portion of the city as well as those which are con- stantly being established In the northeastern section, whose members are more recent Immigrants, do not deem it necessary to combine the religious in- struction of their children with the synagogue. The children of the mem- bers of these congregations constitute the main contingent of all the other schools. The Hebrew Sunday School Society has Its eight schools In various por- tions of the city. It is one of the oldest Jewish organizations In the city, and still is alive to the changed conditions and the requirements of the time. Within the last few years, the number of Its schools was doubled as the in- creased population demanded. The Hebrew Education Society conducts four schools where Hebrew forms the main subject of instruction. The sessions are held four times a week. Within the past year a new school was established by the Society at the Zion Institute, thus increasing the usefulness of its work. There are three Talmud Torahs and one Yeshibah. In these, also, Hebrew is the main subject of instruction. The Talmud Torahs are more elementary In character, while In the Yeshibah, Bible and Talmud are taught to grown boys. The Northeastern Talmud To rah has just moved to a new home of Its own and expects to extend its work greatly during the coming season. During the past few years a laudable movement was Inaugurated by some Jews living in the northwestern section of the city to establish a Jewish religious school In that neighborhood. The remarkable success of this school gave an impetus to Jews living in other parts of the city, removed from any synagogue, to do Hkewise. A number of schools of that kind was estab- lished during this year and others are now In the process of organization. These schools are independent of any synagogue, although they may, in the course of time, be the means of the organization of new synagogues. The number of Hadarim or private schools is very large and It is to be regretted a larger proportion of these could not be reached. They hold ses- sions daily and Hebrew Is the main subject of Instruction. The Heder Is, however, falling into desuetude and the Itinerant or visiting teacher is con- stantly taking Its place. This is due to the fact that parents who do not care about the study of Hebrew, still wish their children to be able to recite the blessing over the Torah, or perhaps read a few verses therefrom when they reach the age of Bar MItzvah. When the boy reaches the age of twelve the mother or the father begins to look around for a teacher. The boy could then learn very little in a Heder and private, Individual instruction becomes necessary. Thus a teacher is engaged to visit the boy at his home and teach him just as much as Is necessary to know for "Bar MItzvah" ; I. e. the recital of the Berachah, Maftir and perhaps, also, the Haftarah, and an address in Yiddish or English. Even those teachers who have established schools spend their evening hours In giving lessons to prospective Bar MItzvah boys, while a large number of young men support themselves from the income derived from such instruction. It should be added that quite a number of parents engage private tutors for their children with the sole purpose of having them taught Hebrew, the Bible and also the Talmud. The schools conducted by the Orphan Asylum form a class by themselves, since they are only for the inmates of these homes. PUPILS. Regarding the data in Table I, we must first take into consideration the fact that there are quite a number of duplicate students. Many of the chil- dren that attend the Hebrew Sunday School Society schools, especially the boys, are probably included in the number of pupils in the Talmud Torahs, the Hebrew Education Society schools, and the private schools, where they obtain their Hebrew instruction. Some children attend one school of the Hebrew Sunday School Society on Sunday morning and another in the after- noon. We shall therefore have to make quite a considerable deduction from the total number of children as given in this table. While in the congregational schools the proportion of girls and boys is about even, five-eights of the total enrollment in the schools of the Hebrew Sunday School Society are girls, while in the Hebrew Education Society schools, the number of girls is more than double the number of boys. On the other hand, in the Talmud Torahs and in the private schools, girls form but a very small proportion. In "Other Schools" the proportion of girls and boys is about even. i j- -i The proportion of the average attendance to the number of pupils en- rolled is fair in all the schools. In those of the Hebrew Sunday School So- ciety where the average attendance is apparently less than one-half of the pupils enrolled, the average attendance during the regular sessions, from September to June, nearly reaches the standard of the other schools. The average age of pupils entering the various schools is six, and of graduation or confirmation is fifteen. In the Talmud Torahs and private schools the pupils usually leave the schools at the age of 13, i. e. after a boy has passed the age of Bar Mitzvah his Hebrew education comes to a close, since there is no formal graduation in these schools. Some of the congre- gational schools as well as the schools of the Hebrew Sunday School Society maintain post-graduate or post-confirmation classes, and also Alumni or- ganizations. TEACHERS. The inadequate means at the disposal of Jewish Religious Schools ne- cessitates, in most cases, the employment of volunteer teachers. This is a system which grew up because of lack of funds, and while useful results have been obtained, it has disadvantages too apparent to require enumeration. It has also had the effect of discouraging able men and women from taking up the work of teaching in religious schools as a profession. _ It is gratifying to notice that the congregations are beginning to realize their duty to educa- tion, and considerable sums are set aside annually to be expended in the general management of the school. Of the 47 teachers employed inthe five congregational schools of this city, 38 receive remuneration for their work. In the Hebrew Education Society schools, in the Talmud Torahs and in the private schools, where instruction is given daily, all the teachers receive salaries. In the Hebrew Sunday School Society schools, few teachers are paid, which is also true in the case of the schools styled in the Table as "Other Schools." SUBJECTS OF INSTRUCTION AND MEETINGS. The Hebrew Sunday School Society schools, which meet only once a week, on Sundays, include in their curriculum only Bible History and Re- ligion. In the Talmud Torahs, the private schools and the schools of the Hebrew Education Society, Hebrew is the main subject of instruction and Bible History and Religion are only incidentally taught. These have ses- sions three or four times a week. In somie of the congregational schools, additional sessions, besides the Sunday session, are held, mainly for the pur- pose of teaching Hebrew. The study of Hebrew is being introduced little by little, also in the schools managed by private organizations, and it may be hoped that after these are better equipped, special sessions will be devoted to the study of Hebrew. The study of Hebrew is made compulsory in most schools where Hebrew is taught. The language em.ployed in most of the schools is English, although in some of the Talmud Torahs and private schools, Yiddish is still the language in which instruction is imparted. INTERNAL ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS Generally the number of children in the lower grades is larger than in the upper grades. Exact data about the number of children in each class were not given by most schools. It will be noticed that in the Talmud Torahs especially, the average number of children in each class is very large, contrary to the Talmudic precept that there should be no more than twenty-five chil- dren under the care of one teacher. This may be due either to the scarcity of teachers or to the lack of room. The separation of classes in separate rooms should be considered es- sential, and still in many schools various classes meet in one room. This is unfortunate both because the discipline cannot be maintained and dis- turbances must occur. Almost all the schools have a School Board or Committee whose duty it is to arrange the curriculum and have general supervision of the school. In the congregational schools the Rabbi either acts as superintendent of the school or assists the superintendent with his counsel and co-operation. All the congregational schools have libraries as adjuncts to the school. In these, Jewish books form but a small proportion and are probably little in demand by the children. In the other schools, with the exception of the schools of the Hebrew Sunday School Society and the Jewish Foster Home there are no libraries. The Hebrew Education Society allows the use of its circulating library at Touro Hall to the children attending its schools. Table I—] PUPILS SCHOOLS Boys Girls Total Average Attend- ance I— Congregational 70 80 317 39 118 624 296 225 282 162 55 30 34 82 118 311 46 93 152 198 628 85 211 130 172 571 50 Rodeph Shalom 170 II— Hebrew Sunday School Society Schools 650 444 580 405 300 50 40 6 1274 740 805 687 462 105 70 40 1093 313 350 Isaac Leaser School Ellen Phillips School 260 198 55 52 House of Refuge Schools 30 Ill— Hebrew Education Society Schools School No 1 1084 21 30 15 20 1825 43 38 48 30 2909 64 68 63 50 1258* 45 School No. 2 School No. 4 50 45 50 IV— Orphan Asylum Schools 86 80 70 159 60 17 245 140 87 190 140 Home for Hebrew Orphans ....... 87 V— Talmud Torahs Hebrew Free School Independent Talmud Torah Northeastern Talmud Torah Yeshibah Mishkan Israel 150 400 350 125 60 77 50 227 400 400 125 60 227 380 325 110 60 VI— Other Schools N.W. Religious School Montefiore School Ethical Sunday School Germantown Hebrew School 935 122 53 97 24 50 180 77 147 7 985 302 130 244 31 875 225 110 170 30 VII— Private Schools Mr. L. Fine 296 20 20 45 50 20 17 30 25 15 60 20 40 411 5 707 20 20 50 50 20 17 30 25 15 60 20 40 535 20 Mr. Freedman 18 Mr. Griver 35 Mr. P. Grossman Mr. Harkowitz 45 20 Mr. Koplowitz 15 Mr. Krieger Mr. Preshansky Mr. Rich Mr. Rosen 25 25 14 50 Mr. Shultz 20 Mr. Yoflfe 40 362 5 367 327 Grand Total ,..-... 3537 3177 6714 4505 * The small proportion of the average attendance to the total enrollment in this case is due to the fact that the attendance during the summer months, which is very small, is included in making up the average. Table II— TEACHERS. SCHOOLS Male Female Total Paid I— Congregational Adath Jeshurun 4 4 2 3 1 3 4 14 3 9 7 8 16 6 10 6 Beth Israel 6 16 Rodeph Shalom 10 II— Hebrew Sunday School Society Schools Northern School 14 7 12 1 3 1 3 1 33 15 12 16 9 4 3 1 47 22 24 17 12 5 6 2 38 1 Southern School Isaac Leeser School Ellen Phillips School Morals School Love of Israel School House of Refuge Schools ........ 2 Ill— Hebrew Education Society Schools School No. 1 School No. 2 School No. 4 28 1 1 1 60 1 1 88 1 1 1 2 3* 1 1 1 2 IV— Orphan Asylum Schools Jewish Foster Home 3 2 2 2 1 5 3 2 5 3 Home for Hebrew Orphans 2 V— Talmud Torahs Hebrew Free School 4 8 9 3 3 1 5 8 9 3 3 5 8 Independent Talmud Torah Northeastern Talmud Torah Yeshibah Mishkan Israel 9 3 3 VI— Other Schools N.W. Religious School Montefiore School Ethical Sunday School Germantown Hebrew School 23 6 3 5 1 15 1 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 2 9 8 2 23 15 11 7 1 23 0* 1 VII— Private Schools Mr. L. Fine 05 OOOOOOOOOOOO I— 1 34 1 1 2 3 1 I 1 1 1 4 2 2 1 1 Mr. Freedman 1 Mr. Griver 2 Mr. P. Grossman Mr. Harkowitz Mr. Koplowitz 3 1 1 Mr. Krieger , Mr. Preshansky Mr. Rich Mr. Rosen 1 1 1 4 Mr. Shultz Mr. Yoffe 2 2 20 20 20 Grand Total 107 115 222 95 *The Superintendents, who are not included in the number are paid. Table HI Meetings and Subjects of Instruction Abbreviations Used in this Table. B.— Bible; Ba.— Baar Bible Lessons (Bloch Publish- ing Co., New York) ; B. J. — Ben Jacob, Primary Bible History (Bloch Publishing Co., New York) ; D.— Deutsch, Biblical History (published hy author) ; G. — Greenstone, The Religion of Israel (Hebrew Sunday School Society, Philadelphia) ; H.— Harris, The People of the Book, 3 volumes (published by the author. New York) ; Hm.— Ham- mechin (Hebrew Publishing Co., New York): J. — Joseph, Judaism as Creed and Life (Macmillan, New York) • L. — Levi, Hebrew Course Book I (Jewish Chautauqua Society, Philadelphia); M. — Mendes, Child's First Bible (pub- lished by the author, New York ) ; Ma.— Mannheimer, Hebrew Keader and Grammar(Bloch Publishing Co., New York) ; P— Polano, Hebrew Speller (Bloch Publishing Co., New York) ; P.B.— Prayer Book; S. H.— Safah Hayyah (HebrewPublishingCo., New York); Sh. A.— Shulhan Aruch; Ta.— Talmud ; T. Y.—Toledot Yeshurun (Hebrew Publishing Co., New York) U— Krauskopf and Berkowitz, Union Hebrew Reader (Bloch Publishing Co., New York) ; Y — Yawitz, Toledot Am Israel. ^^^^^^^^^^_^^ Ii the study of Hebrew Compulsory SCHOOLS Meetings I— Congregational. Adath Jeshurun . . . Beth Israel Keneseth Israel . . . Mikve Israel Rodeph Shalom. . . . II— Hebrew Sunday School Society Schools Southern School . . Northern School . . Isaac Leeser School . Morais School . . . Ellen Phillips School Love of Israel School House of Refuge, Boys House of Refuge, Girls III— Hebrew Education Society Schools School No. 1 School No. 2 School No. 3 . . . . School No. 4 . . . . IV— Orphan Asylums Jewish Foster Home. . Hebrew Orphans Home V— Talmud Torahs Hebrew Free School. . Indep. Talmud Torah Sunday Other Days 9.45-12 A.M. 2.30-4.30 p.M 9,30-12 A. M. 10-12 A. M. 10.15-12.15 A. M. 10.15-J2A.M 2.30-4.30 p.M 10.30-12 A.M 2.30-4 P.M. 2.30-4 P.M. Half hour in afternoon half hour in morning Sat. 9-10 A.M. Tues.,Thur., 4.30-5.30 P.M Sat,9-10A.M. Tues., Thur. 4.30-5.30 P.M Thu.4-6 P.M. Tues., P.M. Tue. 4 P. M. Daily 9-12 A. M. Text Books Hebrew Bible History j/^iYgjon L.; S. H,; T. Y.; B. U. P. L. B. J.; H. B. ; Lectures D. H. D. D.; M. D. D. M.; D. D.; B. B. B. Mon., Tues., Thu. 4.30-6 p. M., Sat. 2-3 p. M. Mon. Tues. Thu. 4.30-6 p. M., Sat. 2-3 P. M. Mon. Wed., Thu. 4.30-6 p. M., Sat. 2-3.30 p. M. Mon., Tues., Wed.,Thurs. 4-6 P. M. Mon., Thurs. Sat. DaiIy4-8 p.m. Daily except Friday 4-8 p. M. D'ly 9-4 p.M, ; P.B.; Ma. P.; P. B. P.; P. B. B; Ta. Sh. A G.; J. B.; Lectures B.; Talmud Tales Yes Yes' Yes Yes Ba.; D. Y. Y. Yes Yes Table III— Continued. Northeastern Talmud Torah Yeshibah Mishkan Israel VI— Other Schools N. W. Religious School Montefiore School . . Ethical Sunday School Germantown Hebrew School VII— Private Schools Mr. Fine . . Mr. Freedman Mr. Griver. . Mr. Grossman Mr. Harkowitz Mr. Koplowitz Mr. Krieger , Mr. Preshansky Mr. Rich . Mr. Rosen . Mr. Schultz Mr. YofFe . 2.30-4-30 p.M 2.45-4.30 p. M 10.15-12-15 A. M. Daily 2j^ hrs Daily 4-8.30 p. M. Wed. 4.30-6 P. M. Mon., Tues., Wed. 4.30-6 Daily 4-8.30 P. M. Daily 4-8 P,M Daily 4-6 P.M Daily 4-7 p.m Daily 4-8.30 p. m. Daily 4-7 p.M Daily 3 hrs. Daily 4-8.30 p. M. Daily 4-8 P.M Daily 4 hrs. Daily 4-7 P.M Daily 4-8 p m P.B.; B. B.; Ta. Hm. ; Mebo L Humesh Hm. P. B. ; P. B. B. Mebo L Humesh Hm.; P.B.; B. Hm. B.J.; H. H. Derech Emunah Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Only for Confirmation Class. 10 Table IV Internal Organization of Schools. SCHOOLS No. of Pupils Classes i" Each Class Haseac Class a Seperat Room ^ Is there a Schoo No. of Volumes in the Library ' Board Judaica General Literature I— Congregational Adath Jeshurun. .... . . . . 7 Av. 21 " 28 " 41 Varies Yes Yes Com. Yes 100 Being 369 Gratz 402 750 catalogued 5299 700 3100 Beth Israel . . . . 7 Keneseth Israel ... 15 Mickve Israel 6 Rodeph Shalom ... 9 II— Hebrew Sunday School Society Southern School Schools ... 19 Varies Av. 16 Varies ( 1 No chapel Y..C 780 900 Northern School .... Isaac Leeser School . . . ... 22 ... 17 . . 5 Morais School Just organized Ellen Phillips School . . . ... 12 ... 6 Love of Israel House of Refuge, Boys . . ... 1 ... 1 House of Refuge, Girls . . Ill— Hebrew Education Society Scl School No. 1 ools ... 5 Av. 11 " 20 " 16 " 32 No Yes Yes School No. 2 3 Use librar y atTouroHall School No. 3 ... 4 School No. 4 . . . . . . . ... 2 IV— Orphan Asylum Sch< Jewish Foster Home. . . . Home for Hebrew Orphans >ols ... 4 ... 2 35 40-47 Yes Com. Yes 300 1700 V— Talmud Torahs Hebrew Free School . . . . ... 8 ^. . . 9 b. . . 3 ... 3 50 45 40 Av. 20 Yes Yes Independent Talmud Tora Northeastern Talmud Tora Yeshibah Mishkan Israel . 200 VI— Other Schools N. W. Religious School . . ... 13 ... 11 . . . i 7 1. . . 2 . . . 3 Av. 19 " 12 " 33 " 15 No Yes Yes Montefiore School Ethical Sunday School. . . Germantown Hebrew Schoo VII— Private Schools Mr. L. Fine 6, 6,8 12,8 Av. 22 10, 25, 15 6, 6, 8 Av. 8 Not repli 6, 9, 10 iual Instr Av. 12 " 10 " 20 No Yes No sd No action No Yes No No No < < Mr. Freedman . . . 2 Mr. Griver . . . 2 Mr. P. Grossman . . . 3 . . . 3 Mr. Harkowitz Mr. Koplowitz . . . 2 Mr. Krieger . . 3 Mr. Preshansky . . . 3 Mr. Rich Mr. Rosen . . . 5 Mr. Shultz . . . 2 Mr. Yoffe . . . 2 -1 11 Table V Schools, Location and Superintendents Name of School 1 Adath Jeshurun School, . . . 2 Beth Israel Religious School . 3 Religious School of Reform Congreg. Kenesth Israel . 4 Milcve Israel Religious School 5 Rodeph Shalom Religious School 6 Southern Hebrew Sunday School 7 Northern School of Hebrew Sunday School Society . . 8 Isaac Leeser Sunday School . 9 Morais Hebrew Sunday School 10 Ellen Phillips Hebrew Sunday School 11 Love of Israel 12 Boys' House of Refuge . . . 13 Girls' House of Refuge . . . 14 Hebrew School, No. 1 . . . 15 " " " 2 . . . 16 ' 3 . . . 17 " " " 4 . . . 18 Jewish Foster Home and Orphan Asylum 19 Home for Hebrew Orphans . 20 Hebrew Free School 21 Independent Talmud Torah of Down Town 22 North-eastern Talmud Torah Association 23 Yeshibah Mishkan Israel . . 24 N. W. Jewish Religious School 25 Montefiore Hebrew Sunday School 26 Ethical Sunday School of the Hebrew Literature Society 27 Germantown Hebrew School . 28 Heder 29 Heder 30 Halberstam Hebrew School . 31 Heder 32 Heder 33 Bnai Israel 34 Heder 35 Heder 36 Heder ' 37 Beth Hasefer Haleumi .... 38 Sofoh Beruroh .... 39 Beth Sefer Ibri Address 7th St. & Columbia Ave, 8th below Jefferson St.. Broad St. & Columbia Ave 117 North 7th St. . . . 960 North 8th St.. . . 10th & Carpenter Sts. . Northeast corner 3d St. & Girard Ave. . 8th & South Sts. . . . 4039 Lancaster Ave. . 230 North 2nd St. . . 2304 Mascher St. . . . Gien Mills, Pa. . . . 23d & Girard Ave. . . 1204 Germantown Ave 10th & Carpenter Sts. . 2856 Weikel St. . . . 249 Pine St Superintendent Germantown 10th & Bainbridge Sts, 314 Catharine St. . . . 625 Dickinson St. . . 820 North 5th St. . . . 920 South 4th St. . . . Natrona St. & Columbia Ave 10th & Cambria Sts. . 310 Catharine St. . . . 5610 Germantown Ave. 2238 William St. . . . 414 Manton St. . . . . 611 North Marshall St. 242 Catharine St. . . . 2259 Jenny St 919 South 4th St. . . . 1220 South 7th St. . . 2231 William St. . . . 440 Manton St 916 South 5th St. . . . 931 North 7th St. . . . 1003 South 5th St. . . Rabbi J. H. Landau Rabbi Marvin Nathan Rabbi Isaac Landman Miss Mary M. Cohen Miss Corinne B. Arnold Miss Florence M. Newhouse Miss Amelia J. Allen Mr. Jerome J. Rothschild Mr. Robert Rosenberg Miss Miriam E. Newhouse Miss Charity S. Cohen Mr. Edward I. Nathan Miss Charity S. Cohen Miss Esther Brenner Mr. Marcus E. Lam Mr. Samuel Goldberger Mr. C. David Matt Rev. S. M. Fleischman Mr. Morris Gratz Mr. K. Pearlman Mr. M. I. Sadler Mr. B. Hanapolsky Mr. William Abrahams Mr. Samuel Peiper Miss Judith S. Cohen Mr. Abraham M. Rose Mr. L. Fine Mr. Freedman Rev. D. Griever Mr. P. Grossman Mr. H. Harkowitz Mr. B. Koplowitz Mr. H. Krieger Mr. Preshansky Mr. Rich Mr. Solomon S. Rosen Mr. Joshua Shultz Mr. Max Yoffe 12 1/ LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS