A Curriculum for Jewish Religious Schools

thus far). 4?To secure the attendance of parents at these meetings many devices may be used. One of the devices is to award a banner to the room that is represented at the Parent-teachers' meeting by most parents. VII. SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. The purpose of all education is adjustment to environment and not to abstract principles. If we want our children to acquire habits of right conduct we must give them an opportunity for religious work and self-activity. 1. The Children's Service. Children above the age of twelve should be encouraged to attend the regular service in the synagogue and to participate therein. a) Children below that age should be organized into a Junior congregation and have a service of their own. This service should approximate the service of the adults as much as possible, should contain the well-known musical responses and prayers which express what the child longs for and needs. b) This service should be conducted by the children themselves. They should have their own Hazzan and choir. The sermon should be delivered by the Rabbi or by a teacher. It should be adapted to the needs of young children, have a text which should fix the lesson, be clear and direct and "should heighten and refine the piety of children and send them back to their environmnets with an ideal". c) In order to make the work important and dignified, the Junior Congregation should have duly elected officers, a motto, a treasury and all other...