Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1888
- Title
- Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1888
- Date Created
- 19 July 1888
- Format
- 4 pages on 1 sheet
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 4, Folder 11
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3pr7nd34/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3pr7nd34
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx4FF11_12.xml
- content
-
To the President and Trustees of the Jewish Theological Seminary Association
Gentlemen
On Monday--June 25th-- a private examination of the students of our institution was held in Room 31 of Cooper Union.
Of the ten pupils in the Preparotory class only seven were present. I learnt with regret that Isidor Cohen had been to irregular as to warrant his being stricken from the roll; that Solomon Bernstein is nearly as irregular, and Raymond Rubenstein, though not so much at fault in his attendance, behaves badly.
The examination was conducted principally by myself in conjunction with Dr Kohut.
Emanuel and Joseph Hertz gave the best evidence of diligent appreciation to their to studies and of natural capacities to retain what is
taught them. They stood the highest in their average in all branches; viz, in 20 chapters of Genesis with Baslin; 50 psalms; history from Joshua to the death of David; Grammar; Mishnah Shabbath from chap 9 to 11 and Talmud Baba Mitzia, from p 8 to 11. Elias Barowsky, may be placed next to the David Wittenberg might rank with the two brothers aforenamed, as regard history, Mishna were it not that his and Ghemara English being very imperfect, he cannot express his thoughts intelligibly owing to his imperfect acquaintance with English. Elias Barowsky may be placed next as regard history, Mishnah and Ghemara, and Bernard Blankford stands somewhat below. The latter has a pleasing appearance, but evidently his looks betrayed excitement when he was under examination. Myer Levy and Arnold Greenfield were found less proficient than the rest.
I can never too strongly recommend the enforcing of Grammatical rules and diacritical marks in the reading of the Hebrew, and I would even suggest that whole chapters and psalms
be memorized weekly and recited distinctly aloud so as to render the pupils familiar with the original text, was about to and in the correct quotation of the text readily and correctly, qualifying them, in the Junior class, Levias, Fron Frohnsen and Iron are equal respecting the 16 chapters of Exodus with comments Hebrew Grammar and Ghemara Challin-8 pages-& Berachoth 106 but not equal respecting the capacity ability of expression. I was pleased to notice an improvement in the appearance and general address of Simpson, as I remembered how wanting he was in both when admitted into the seminary. Friedlander did not average as high Specker, or Speaker, is anxious to be en as the rest but he is anxious to rise up rolled among our students. He has often to the same standard. Speaker, or Specker has often applied to me and begged that he may be enrolled among our students. His address Clearly he has a good knowledge of Talmud and, I might add also, of Bible, but his English is very bad, and his appearance is not prepossessing. He may possibly be of service hereafter in the cap as teacher. I doubt his ability to as use the pulpit
with [?] to himself and with benefit to Judaism in America. I met for the first time at the private examination Halper. He is a young Talmudist, needing a better acquaintance with other branches of our literature, and our vernacular language. I believe he is simply a listener at the seminary Drs Drachman in the Preparatory class and Dr Lieberman in the Junior devote themselves with zeal to the performance fulfilment of their task, but it is natural to all who are engaged in the performance of so responsible an undertaking as theirs, to feel encouraged by the occasional visits of Directors and Trustees at the sessions. I crave for that en-couragement given by all who have united with me in the promotion of a holy cause. Yours faithfully S. Morais
Phila. July 19/88 - Identifier
- p3pr7nd34
- identifier
- SMBx4FF11_12
Part of Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1888
Morais, Sabato and Jewish Theological Seminary of America, “Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Philadelphia, PA; Jul 1888”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/88866