Shershev
Yzkor Book Chapter 4
Section
5a
Ten
Years of the "Yavne" School in Shershev
While the school existed, two celebrations were held to mark the
graduation of the children in the seventh class. The first graduation was in
1929-1930. The second was in 1932-1933. The latter was especially remarkable
for its impressive celebration. More than a hundred people took part.
Representatives of all the institutions and local organizations greeted and
wished luck to the graduates in their lives. We were greeted warmly by our brothers
and sisters in America. We cite here the worthy text of the greetings which
shows the devotion of our American brethren to the town of their birth,
Shershev, and their intelligent grasp of modern education for the next
generation.
"Most respected
friends!
Fellow townspeople,
energetic upholders of the educational institute Yavneh in Shershev, and
great-great-grandchildren of Rebbe Yokhanen Ben Zokhai of blessed memory.
Worthy friends! I am
very, very happy to have the honor and pleasure of greeting you heartily and
joyously, in the name of Shershev landslait in New York, the Shershev support
society, the synogogue in Bronxville and the newly-founded Ladies Auxiliary. We
take this opportunity to tell you that our soul is ruled by the thought and
emotion which are now with you in our old hometown, Shershev.
On account of the great distance across the sea, and other
circumstances, we cannot visit you now. But with an expression to you of our
deep, heartfelt sympathies, we take part in your great celebration. We all wish
you a happy holiday which will, without doubt, fill everyone’s heart with fresh
energy, courage and spiritual resolve to continue the sacred work of educating
a future generation that will bring honor to its people and beauty to mankind.
We know quite well what you have gone through in the seven years of your
existence. We can imagine your struggle, your optimism, your disappointment and
all else. That is only to be expected,
given unforeseen causes and the eternal conflict between theory and
practice. They are always at odds, but
that should never hold us back, because the principle strength to which we owe
our resistance to all attacks, is our tragic but noble history. In the most difficult conditions and
terrible times, we never gave up. Persecutions have been unable to weaken our
spirit or stain our honor. Grief and pain have not made our soul petty. This is
our strength, with which we will overcome the present crisis and we will go
forward with victorious steps accompanied by courage and the perpetual optimism
of the Jews.
On this path, you and we
will continue the noble work of educating a generation which will bring honor
and raise the cultural level of its hometown Sherehev, and of Jewry everywhere.
Secretary: Dovid Gingold
New York, July 6,
1933"
32 Children – 21 boys and 11 girls
graduated from the school after having gone through 7 classes. According to
their present level, the qualification can be made. Apart from this, the number of children who attended our school
was 60-70. They are all in the organizations "Hashomer Hatsair" (or)
"Beytar". The most important part of them are occupied in cultural
organizational work. Most know a trade
STATISTICS OF THE GRADUATES OF THE YAVNE
SCHOOL
|
Without Occupation |
9 |
|
Merchants |
2 |
|
Craftsmen |
3 |
|
Finished Teacher’s Seminary |
4 |
|
Private Teacher |
2 |
|
Finished Hebrew Secondary School |
3 |
|
Private Children’s Teachers |
4 |
|
Attended Secondary School |
4 |
|
Finished Technical School |
1 |
|
Total Number of Students |
32 |