To the Editor:
Mr. Walter Goodman in his otherwise fairly interesting article “The Hasidim Come to Williamsburg” (March 1955) writes as follows: “The English instruction given at these yeshivas (presumably including Torah Vodaath) rarely satisfies the state completely, although the boys invariably manage to pass their regents examinations. Discipline and instruction tend to be minimal.” Mr. Goodman does not bother to cite evidence for this statement. The least that can be expected of one who undertakes to cast aspersions on the labor of scores of teachers and students is to go through the motions of presenting evidence. Perhaps Mr. Goodman would be interested in the following:
- On the current Dean’s List of Brooklyn College, out of 168 names, 10 are graduates of Torah Vodaath.
- Of 35 students graduating in the class of 1954, two were the winners of New York State scholarships.
- Of 16 students elected to Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Honorary Society of Evening Colleges) at Brooklyn College this term, three were graduates of Torah Vodaath.
To me this does not sound like the fruit of “minimal” instruction. But, of course, I am a graduate of Torah Vodaath who looks back on the years spent there with many good feelings. It may be that the “minimal” of Torah Vodaath is as good as the “maximal” of Mr. Goodman.
Michael Wyschogrod
The City College of New York
New York City
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