Page Sixteen
JEWISH   WESTERN BULLETIN
Friday, September 20, 1968
REFLECTIONS ON JEWISH EDUCATION
By PINCHOS BAK, Principal, Vancouver Talmud Torah
THE SCkOOL YEAR has begun at the Talmud Torah and over 200 students are busy
ac-
quiring the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enable them to become proud and edu-
THE PRESIDENT AND OFFICERS
of the
B'nai B'rith
Hillel Foundation
Extend cordial greetings to the Vancouver Jewish Community and to the Jewish students at the University of British Columbia. All Jewish undergraduates are invited and encouraged to participate in the religious, cultural and social program sponsored by Hillel.
THE ISRAEL HISTADRUT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Pacific Coast
Region
Extends lU Best Wishes to the Community for
A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR
'May the State of Israel con- { tinue to turn unskilled refu gees into productive and dig niffed citizens in a democratic society and thus derive
"Strength from our tHorts^'
NEW YEAR GREETINGS ...
National Council of Jewish Women of Canada
AND ALL BRANCHES
IN THE VANCOUVER SECTION
extend to their members and the community sincere wishes for
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR
An Excellent New Year Gift, The Council Cookbook!
temple shoiom
Extondt Beit WithM for a
from the Rabbi, President, Board and Congregation to all the members of the Jewish Community
cated Canadian Jews.
In the first weeks of school we have seen much about which the Vancouver Jewish community can be proud. Talmud Torah students display a high degree of proficiency in the Hebrew language and demonstrate great familiarity with history, laws, customs and traditions of our people. Above all, it is obvious that our students are excited about the dual educational challenge which faces them and are capable of coping with it.
In several areas, some related to classroom activity and some to an extra-curricular nature, we have seen the necessity for change and innovation. Some new material has been introduced into our classrooms and as the year progresses, a variety of extracurricular activities will be coordinated by Talmud Torah staff. In future articles we will discuss these innovations, their purpose and scope.
Today, however, we would like to discuss several more basic issues. Specifically, we would like to respond Xo questions which have been asked of us in the last several months and which probably reflect the thoughts of many parents.
The question is asked: What really is the purpose of our Hebrew studies? Is it necessary to spend so much time and effort in Hebrew studies?
Simply stated, the goal of our Hebrew curriculum is Jewish knowledge: knowledge of Hebrew language, knowledge of classical and modern literature, and knowledge of the history, laws, customs and traditions of our people.
However, when we say Jewish knowledge, we are not speaking of superficial acquaintance with folklore that often passes for a Jewish education. The ability to say, "Shalom Abba" plus several additional phrases does not indicate fluency in the Hebrew language. Similarly, a student whose knowledge of the Bible is limited to recollection of the stories of Joseph and Moses is obviously not well-versed in the most important document of his people. And finally, an understanding of our holidays and customs that is limited to familiarity with seasonal culinary practices and the singing of the "Mah Nishtanah" is not adequate.
When we speak of Jewish knowledge we mean more: 1) We mean the ability to communicate intelligently in Hebrew; 2) We mean familiarity and understanding of the Bible and the important   post-Biblical   texts them-
(Continued on Page 20)
See REFLECTIONS ON EDUCATION
MAY THE NEW YEAR 5729 BE A YEAR OF PEACE [N ISRAEL UNIVERSAL FREEDOM AND CONTENTMENT
NO NATION IN HISTORY HAS BEEN MORE DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE QUEST FOR PEACE, THAN ISRAEL. "SHALOM" HAS EVER BEEN THE WATCHWORD, THE CENTRAL THEME OF OUR PEOPLE.
YANCOUVER-ISRAEl BOND ORGANIZATION
5763 OAK STREET, SUITE 4, VANCOUVER 13, B.C.
Telephone 266-7210
MORRIS MILLER and MYER WINE
1968-69 Israel Sond Campaign Co-Chairmen MRS. MYER WINE, Choirman Women's Division
HARRY KOSITSKY
Western Regional Director
THE EXECUTIVE AND MEMBERS
of
Lions Gate Lodge B'nai B'rith 1716
Extend to the Community their sincerest wishes for Q Happy New Year
VANCOUVER CHAPHR
CANADIAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
wishes to extend
JVfW GREETINGS
to Its Members and the Jewish Community
PIONEER WOMEN'S ORGANIZATtON
extend
NEW YEAR GREETINGS
to the Vancouver Jewish Community
SENIOR CLUB KINNERET CLUB
GORDONIA CLUB KADIMA CLUB
NEW YEAR GREETINGS
To the Entire Jewish Community of Vancouver From the Residents, the Elxecutive, the Ladies' Auxiliary and the Members
of the
JEWISH HOME FOR THE AGE& OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
54th Avenue and Oak Street "Wdtch for Opening Date of New Home"
SCHARA TZEDECK
Extends to oil members, their families and the entire Jewish Community, sincere wishes for a most
Rabbi Marvin Hier Cantor Moshe Pries
The President, Executive, Staff
and Sisterhood
Schara Tzedeck Synagogue