Education

There is a strong awakening among our people to the necessity of a better system of instruction than has hitherto been attainable; as <<60>>each day proves that not enough of religious instruction is afforded to young Israelites, and that they invariably imbibe doctrines and views inimical to our faith. Especially is this the case in the children sent to boarding-schools, where they are removed from parental control, and left entirely to the teaching of strangers to Judaism, who but too often employ their opportunities to warp the minds of their pupils, and to instil in them doctrines entirely hostile to our hopes and belief; not to mention what is evident of itself, that religious observance, for the time being, is entirely out of the question. We have long since wondered that Jewish parents could so far forget their duty, as to expose their offspring to such dangers, and then express surprise that they are not imbued with sufficient Jewish feelings. The whole proceeding appears almost too preposterous to demand any serious exposition, and still we see the same follies constantly committed by many a one who has for all this seen the evil effects of this pernicious proceeding in others. No doubt this was owing to the idea that as some children could not be well educated at home, they had to be sent abroad to obtain the proper training, and the religion of Israel being considered as of secondary importance, was sacrificed to the outward elegance of the child. Especially has all this been done with female children, with what practical benefit, let experience answer.

We are therefore pleased to observe that Israelitish women have, at length, in various portions of America, offered to undertake the task of education themselves, and we hope that they will be duly encouraged to persevere in their laborious enterprise. And in this connexion we are authorized to state, that a lady, thoroughly educated in Europe, residing a short distance from Philadelphia, near one of the main railroads, who has a teacher engaged to share with her the education of her own children, would be willing to receive from six to ten girls into her family, to treat them as her own, and to devote all her energy to their progress. Her. husband is a physician, and the pupils would thus have the advantage of a parental system of education, and a due care taken of their health, and could therefore be more safely confided there by their parents than almost under any circumstance which one could imagine. The charge would probably be for board and tuition, including Hebrew and French, two hundred dollars; and the lady herself would also give instruction in music, &c. She will begin as soon as six scholars from the tenth year and upwards are engaged.

For particulars, apply to the Editor of The Occident, who will, on application, communicate the name and residence of the above.