School Curriculum in Spain

Report of communal activities in Madrid; Imperative to add in practical education of mitvos, teffilah, and holidays

By the Grace of G-d
15th of Elul 5733
Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Jewish Community of Madrid
Balmes 5
Madrid - 10

Greeting and Blessings

I was very gratified to receive, through Mr. Abraham Yitzchak Gluck of London, the report and memoranda about your communal activities in general, and in the area of Chinuch-education in particular.

Judging by the information and data, I am confident that you will not rest content with the accomplishments in the past, but, indeed, that every achievement will stimulate an even greater desire for further and more ambitious achievements. For, as our Sages of blessed memory point out, "He who has one hundred, desires 200; and he who achieved 200, desires 400." If such is the case in material things and in personal affairs, how much more should it be in spiritual and eternal things pertaining to a whole community, especially one that resides in the Capital City. There is no need to elaborate on the obvious.

It may be presumptuous for one to express an opinion from a distance to those who are on the spot. May I, nevertheless, be permitted to make at least a general observation in regard to the curriculum, which is an important part of the memorandum.

It is apparent from the curriculum that the number of hours devoted to Chinuch is rather limited, yet it is also clear from the general memorandum that it is at the school that the children must receive their essential Chinuch, since, for various reasons, the home is not, as yet, a very strong factor in Chinuch, and the street is certainly not conducive to it. These circumstances place a special responsibility on the school, and make it imperative that the curriculum should be used to the fullest advantage and effectiveness.

Consequently, the maximum time and maximum emphasis should be dedicated to the practical aspects of Chinuch and the deepening of the Jewish faith, so that the children should grow up to be faithful and loyal Jews in the utmost possible degree.

In this connection it is well to bear in mind the general rule, especially in regard to children, that any idea or knowledge, if it is to be truly absorbed and be of lasting benefit, it must not remain in the realm of thought or pure knowledge, but must be immediately related to and connected with actual experience in some tangible expression in the active life.

In this way it can be expected that the knowledge plus experience which the child attains in school will be lasting and effective also outside the walls of the school. Indeed, the time spent by the child outside of the school is the greater part of his life, not only in quantity, but also in quality, since it includes Shabbat and Yom Tov and various occasions and celebrations at home, etc.

In the light of the above considerations, I would suggest that the curriculum could be improved by allotting more time to the practical aspects of Yiddishkeit, in the knowledge and observance of the practical Mitzvoth, imbued with the true spirit of the Torah, even if this would mean curtailing other subjects.

In the same vein, with regard to the study of Hebrew, considering the limitations of time, I believe it would be more useful to devote less time to Dikduk, especially as Hebrew grammar is quite complicated, and more time to the practical knowledge of the language through a better acquaintance with the Nussch of Tefilah, translation of the prayers, the study of Chumash, Neviim, etc.

Finally, I would like to be more explicit on a point alluded to earlier, but which is most important and effective in Chinuch and beneficial influence, namely, to involve the children in actual projects. These can be related every week to the weekly Sidra, and to Shabbat in general, such as candle-lighting, Kiddush, etc., and to the special days in our Luach, particularly the festivals, etc. Of timely relevance, with the approach of the month of Tishrei, which is filled with so many festivals, Mitzvoth and customs, reflecting the most varied religious experience in Jewish life, there are excellent opportunities to make the fullest use of this most effective method of Chinuch.

I am sending a copy of this letter to your Rabbi and spiritual leader, and a copy also to Mr. Gluck who afforded me the pleasure of the said memoranda.

With prayerful wishes for Hatzlocho, and

With esteem and blessing,

P.S. Since we have no secretarial facilities for Spanish, the letter has been written in English. We can also offer you a choice of Hebrew or Yiddish, if you so prefer, and so indicate.