Because I attach considerable importance to your article, I take the liberty of making several additional unsolicited remarks, confident that you will accept them in the spirit in which they are given. I shall follow the order of your article, the first remark being in the nature of a general observation applicable to other articles and periodicals as well.
a) The Name of G-d in Print
The name of G-d is sacred even when written in other than the sacred tongue. Since periodicals and the like are not usually kept with particular care, it is the practice, in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch, to spell the Name hyphenated, to avoid desecration.
b) Exaggeration of Jewish Organizations’ Size
Several times you describe the Jewish organization opposing the Regents Prayer as “large” or “major.” Though they may claim such status and create that impression, I believe that this is exaggerated. It is only because they have almost unlimited financial resources for publicity which enables them to press issues often in conflict with the Torah, while Yeshivos and other organizations working for the cause of the Torah are necessarily limited to a “still small voice,” that a distorted impression may be created. And as the well known Iggeres haRamban laments, “the more sacred the thing the greater the degree of its ruination.”
c) Catholic Editorials and Antisemitism
With reference to the editorial in the magazine America which you mention in your article, more significant, unfortunately, is the fact that to-date the Catholic hierarchy has not dissociated itself from that outburst. True, another Catholic journal did so, but it is by far less influential and represents only the Catholic laity. In view of the fact that the Catholic Church is well organized and disciplined, the appearance of that editorial in the first place and the lack of disclaimer afterwards is especially “eloquent.” To be sure, this is nothing new for Jews, for as the Rashbi declared, עודיב בקעיל אנוש ושעש.
Nevertheless, it is shocking to contemplate that even in this democratic and liberal country anti-Jewish feeling is so deep-rooted and undisguised, as evidenced also in the Sunday Blue Laws, etc.
d) Federal Aid to Parochial Schools
In referring to Federal Aid to Parochial schools you fail to mention that the demand for such aid, at least in so far as Jews are concerned, is for aid to the secular departments. Without entering into the question whether Government aid should be given also to religious education, it is psychologically important to emphasize the fact that the demand is for the secular departments, since it will have the greater sympathy of public opinion, especially as this also corresponds to the actual issue.
e) Impact on Children with Religious Background
In mentioning the impact or influence on children with a religious background, minimizing such influence by other religious exercises, surely you will agree we cannot draw a parallel from students on the university level, for children in the public schools are certainly more susceptible.
f) Freedom of Choice Arguments and Religious Instruction
Finally a word about the argument used in some quarters to the effect that the child should be given the freedom to choose and decide in religious matters. I have heard this argument in Russia (communist) and its application led to the inevitable conclusion that the teacher must not use religious indoctrination, and since the teacher supplants the parent in education, it led to the further conclusion that parents should not be permitted to “force” their children to attend Talmud Torahs, Yeshivos, etc., which is but a small step to banning religious instruction altogether.
Nevertheless, for strategic purposes it is best to steer clear away from any side issues or arguments which might prejudice public opinion towards the main issue and cause.
