Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, PA; Mar 1889
- Title
- Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, PA; Mar 1889
- Date Created
- 19 March 1889
- Format
- 1 page on 1 sheet
- Language(s)
- English
- Source
- Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies
- Sabato Morais Collection, Box 5, Folder 2
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3f766s6d/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3f766s6d
- Provenance
- Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.
- Is Format Of
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx5FF2_8.xml
- content
-
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To the President and Board of Trustees of the Jewish Theological Seminary
Gentlemen
From the various reports periodically submitted to me by the two preceptors of the Seminary - Drs. Drachman and Lieberman--I understand that its scholastic condition affords general satisfaction.
I recently visited the institution several times, and I was gratified to hear a number of pupils answer well, questions relative to Biblical, historical and Rabbinical books, in such parts as are taught at present, suitably to our printed curriculum. Naturally, some are of a higher, others of a lower degree of intelligence. Some, again, who were admitted when already grown to manhood, or nearly reaching that stage, do not come up to the expectations formed. In fact, a few have already left, and, I regret to state, without giving any previous notice of their intention to withdraw,--a manner of proceedings obviously unbecoming.
This seems to warn us against allowing any outside pressure to cause the admission of youths, whose age and condition in life do not offer a fair prospect of their steadily pursuing a course of study in the Seminary and remaining till its completion.
Twice during my visits in inclemency of the weather affected the attendance. Absenticism is an evil of which complaint is made by the preceptors, and if allowed to go unchecked, it may greatly hamper the instruction, and demoralize the classes.
An important need is an occasional visitation at the pupils' residences, even at the secular schools which they frequent. That need ought to be attended to by the president of the Faculty, but as my twofold position precludes me from doing that part of my duty, I earnestly wish that some of my colleagues, living in New York would perform it in my stead.
Until we are in a position to have the scholars more immediate-ly under our supervision, the knowledge of their surroundings and of their habits is indispensable.
Recently some of the students have prepared essays, which I shall examine as soon as it lies in my power. Dr. Cyrus Adler delivered, not long ago, an archeological lecture in which the attendants at the Seminary were interested.
Though scarcely within the range of my obligations, I beg leave to call your attention to the necessity of communicating with the various congregations, by means of your Secretary, concerning the payment of dues. I learn that those in Philadelphia have not been addressed to that effect. Very essential it is also to foster the creation of branches of the Seminary Association, as in this city. On that subject, I have just written a letter to Baltimore, asking whether my presence, or exhortations might accomplish the same end.
Hoping that our strenuous endeavors may vastly promote the Jewish cause we have at heart, I subscribe myself Yours very r espectfully, S. MORAIS
Philadelphia
Adar Sheni 16th 5649
March 19th 1889 - Identifier
- p3f766s6d
- identifier
- SMBx5FF2_8
Part of Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, PA; Mar 1889
Morais, Sabato and Jewish Theological Seminary, “Letter from Morais, Sabato to Jewish Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, PA; Mar 1889”, Sabato Morais Digital Repository, accessed October 18, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/morais/item/88868