AUCKLAND HEBREW SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 374, 22 March 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND HEBREW SCHOOL.

The sixth anniversary of the above took place on Sundaj last, the 19th inst, at the synagogue, Emily Place, there being present a large number of ladies and gentlemen and. the parents of the pupils. The place whioh the committee and • the pupils occupied was yery neatly decorated, with flWera, evergreens, and

several Hebrew phrases beautifully written in I large letters for the oceasiou. At 3 p.m. the | proceedings commenced with prayer. Master S. Keesing in a very inipressive manner delivered a beautiful prayer in Hebrew and English. The Chaibmak then addressed the meeting. "Ladies and G-entlemen, —In presiding at this the sixth annual examination of our Sab-bath-school, allow me to congratulate you on the progress of the institution and the advancement manifested by its pupils. I can personally speak of its many advantages and the good it baa done for our community. Being frequently present to watch the proceedings of the pupils, and assisting in their examination prior to this distribution of prizes, especially on the la3t occasion, which gave me much pleasure in witnessing the evident improvement made in all the branches of Jewish education. To the grammar class especially I must allude, and say how much pleased I was to hear the ready responses made by all the pupils to the questions put to them. Having been myself a pupil in Mary School at home, where the branches of the Hebrew language have been imparted, I can safely say our school fully equals them, taking into consideration the time of its existence. As a proof of what the school has produced, I must draw your attention to a piece of poetry, consisting of nine verses, composed in Hebrew, and literally translated into English verse by Master Morris Kcesing, who only six months ago left this school, and now acts as one of our monitors. The Hebrew composition, aa also the English verse, I need scarcely tell you, is entirely the work of this young gentleman. I am sorry to report that a great want of assist- | ance is felt in the school. The head-master has almost alone to bear the burden of the institution, and unless willing hands will volunteer to the service of education the school must retrograde. We have monitors taken from the advanced pupils, who assist the juveniles, and to whom the committee must' tender their thanks. The conduct of the pupils is, with one or two exceptions, all that could be wished, and we must impress upon parents the necessity of assisting the j committee and head-master in carrying out the duties and management of the school in an efficient manner. It is the intention of the committee, however, to be present more frequently during schools hours, and in case of any want of proper behaviour by any of the pupils to remove them at once, rather than the harmony of the school should be affected. The school 13 only fully attended on Saturdays and Sundays ; Scripture history is imparted on Sabbaths and Hebi'ew on Sundays, the consequence is the pupils only have about 40 lessons in each branch during the year. Taking this into consideration, and the small assistance rendered to the head-master, we can confidently say the pupils have done wonders. If parents would send their children another day in the week besides, say Wednesday afternoons, more time could be devoted to Hebrew studies, and of course a greater advancement made. The translation of the Holy Bible is imparted from the original Hebrew, and the principal pupils have gone through the first part; they can translate from tho original text into literal meaning the words of Holy Writ, and thus correct the many errors in the popular version. The endeavours of the headmaster hare been to teach the pupils the boys are able to conjugate rerbs and decline nouns, in fact, treat the grammar masterly, taking words from roots and i*endering their proper meaning. The thanka of the school committee are due to the head-master for the efficient and energetic manner in which he performed his arduous duties, and to whom parents and pupils must be forever grateful. Until his arrival the Hebrew language among the youthful children of our community was almost a dead letter. lam sorry to report that during the last year 22 of our best pupils have left the colony, thereby decreasing the number in the higher classes. In conclusion, let me beg of you to gire every encouragement to our efforts in aid of this useful institution, and parenta to impress upon their children the duties of obedience and attention to their master." Master M. Marks recited " Mah Touvoo," Hebrew and English, which was followed by the hymn " Adone Olome," chanted by all the pupils.

The following pretty recitations were then very proficiently and eloquently delivered: —English poetry, " The Holy Bible," by Miss A. Levy ; 114 th Psalm, Hebrew and Englishj Master E.. Elkin ; pro9e, Hebrew and English, "All Hannissim," J. P. A. Philips ; do., do., " Ahavas Oulom," J. I. Phillips; do., do.i ■' Rachime Now," Miss Juliet Marks; English poetry, " The Temple of Solomon," Master B. Elkin; do. do., " Jerusalem," Miss B. Davis; prose, Hebrew and English, "Yismach Mousha," Miss A. Marks ; poetry, Hebrew and English, "Salvation of Israel," Miss H. Keesing; part of the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy, Hebrew and English, Miss A. G-oldwater. The distribution of prizes then took place. Master H. Keesing, Ist class, was awarded I with a very handsome prize for general knowledge in the Hebrew studies. 2nd class—lst prize, for translation and grammar, Master B. Elkin; 2nd prize, for translation and reading, Master S. Keesing; 2nd prize, for grammar, Master A. C. Gold water. 3rd class—lst prize, translation, Miss Juliet Marks; 2nd prize, do., Master R. Elkin. 4th class, Ist division —Ist prize, Hebrew reading, Master M. I Marks ; 2nd prize do., A. Asher. 2nd division —rlßt prize, Hebrew reading, Master Sydney Philips ; 2nd prize, do., Miss A. Levy. The Chairman gave an exhortation io his youDg friends in the following terms :— "Now the great event of the day being the distribution of prizes, allow me to impress upon my young friends, those especially who have been fortunate in gaining prizes, to still continue in their endeavours, not for the more sake of winning a prize, but of making themselves masters of their studies, more especially in; the knowledge of our holy, language, which will teach them the' duties they owe to their &od, their parents, and fellow men. To::the unsuccessful ones let me give a foV i words of encouragement, that is, to do what your playmates havejdone, and I am confident!of your future success. Before " Yigdol,"il have milch .pleasure in informing you that the Board of Management have provided some good things in the way of edibles, which I trust you will all enjoy." The hymn " Xigdol" was chanted by nil. The proceedings were brought to a conclu • sion by a hearty vote of; thanks to tho chairman; after which thttchildven >tere regaled with the best of cakes and other refreihments, and thus a very happy and pleasant afternoon was spent.