Exchange with K.J. Holland about Religion and State and Federal Aid to Parochial Schools (1963)

1. K.J. Holland to R. Lamm (March 22, 1963)

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Exchange with Moses Feuerstein about Interfaith Meeting with Vatican Officials and Religious Education in Public Schools (1963)

Enclosed is copy of minutes of a meeting of the Joint Advisory Committee of the Synagogue Council of America and the National Community Relations Advisory Council, together with a plan proposed by Rev. Charles L. Borgognoni, Chaplain of Catholic Students of Syracuse University, for religious education in the public schools. Please let me have your comments. M.I.F. Released time Proposal – Syracuse. The committee gave extended consideration to a proposal advanced by the Rev. Charles L. Borgognoni, on behalf of the Catholic community of Syracuse for a staggered released time program. Copies of the plan, attached to these minutes, had been mailed in advance to committee members. It was recognized at the outset that the JAC stands in opposition to released time. While this would not necessarily place us in opposition to the Borgognoni proposal, it was stressed that this proposal seems to be a dangerous extension of current released time arrangements, for reasons herein after expressed.A) The release of a student ”according to a schedule satisfactory to himself, the school, and the church” dur-ing any free study period of the week probably would create serious adninistrative and curriculum problems.B) Certainly we cannot and do not object to the er-ection of a released time religious center in the vicinity of a public school as recommended in the Borgognoni pro-posal. However, the ”principle" of parallel public and religious institutions suggested by the proposal might well affect both public school site selection and scheduling. Members of the committee considered this principle a dangerous departure.C) The teaching situation in the religious center would very likely be quite inadequate, so much so that it is reasonably certain the public school would soon be asked to rearrange its schedule to make the work of the reli-gious center more effective.D) Many reservations were expressed in regard to part III of the Bor-gognoni plan. It was recognized that this section of th…

Jewish Education Interfaith

Exchange with Superintendent about Conflict between Public School Desegregation Plan and Talmud Torah Education (1965)

I bring to your attention a matter of urgent importance to the New York City Jewish community. As you are aware, there is a new proposed integration plan for New York City. According to this plan almost all High Schools will go on a double or triple session. Many students and teachers will be assigned to late sessions which will end as late as 5:00 or 6:00 P.M. This is a direct threat to Shmiras Shabbos during the winter months. This is also a direct threat to Jewish Education on the Talmud Torah level in which the bulk of Jewish children receive their Jewish education. Your committee was represented at a meeting with Dr. Bernard Donovan, acting superintendent of schools, and brought this problem to his attention. One of our proposals was that the students and teachers be given a choice of selecting the early sessions. Dr. Donovan agreed to make a thorough study of the situation. We therefore request that you communicate immediately with Hon. James Donovan, President of the Board of Education, 110 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Dr. Bernard Donovan, Acting Superintendent of Schools, 110 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and the Hon. Mayor Robert F. Wagner, City Hall, New York, N.Y., indicating to them that we cannot approve or stand idly by at attempts to alleviate the problems of one minority group at the expense of another. Very truly yours, Rabbi Simon L. Konovitch, Co-chairman, Education Commission

Jewish Education