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This examination took place in the Sunday-school room attached to the
Hebrew Synagogue in Crosby Street [Shearith Israel], yesterday forenoon,
before a numerous auditory, comprising the élite of that
congregation, and of several of the other congregations, (among whom we
recognized the Rev. Mr. Isaacs,) and strangers.
The scholars appeared to be about thirty in number, consisting of
boys and girls, a large proportion being of the latter. The exercises
commenced about 10 o'clock, and continued without intermission until 12,
during which time the scholars underwent the severest scrutiny in their
various studies, and acquitted themselves greatly to the satisfaction of
their parents, (who were mostly present,) and to the admiration of a
numerous audience.
The pupils appeared to be divided into three classes. The first class
about eight to ten years of age, the second six to eight years, and the
third from four to six years; and where all seem so proficient, it would
be invidious to discriminate; yet a spectator cannot allow the
examination to pass without remarking on the attainments of the younger
class in the knowledge of the Hebrew, repeating from memory (one
particularly of only four years of age) as they did the Decalogue in the
ancient language, with an empressement not often heard by persons
of more mature years. In classes Nos. 1 and 2 were displayed the more
advanced state of acquirements, and whilst their Hebrew reading showed
great success in that branch of study, the translations in English given
to various questions put in Hebrew, gave strong indications at no
distant day of ability to accomplish the translating the entire law of
the Pentateuch. The whole of this branch of the exercises took place
under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Lyons [hazan of
Shearith Israel].
We noted with great gratification the critical examination generally
on Scripture, and the ready answers given to the various promiscuous
questions with an eagerness and alacrity which, whilst so pleasing to
the audience, must have been of the most gratifying character to the
ladies at the head of this institution, in witnessing the pleasure it
afforded the friends of the establishment by the ambition and zeal
displayed by the scholars.
In geography, arithmetic, ciphering, reading, spelling, &c., too
much praise cannot be bestowed on the very talented ladies who conduct
this institution in imparting to their charges the facilities and ease
to learn, and in "teaching their young ideas how to shoot."
SPECTATOR.
New York, May 28th, 1843. |
