Henry Street Settlement (New York, N.Y.); Poor -- New York (State) -- New York
The leaders of the clubs meet regularly for inspiration and guidance.
Their conferences might be likened to serious faculty meetings, only here
the social aspects of life and individual problems are discussed. We ask
them to bear in mind the necessity of encouraging the altruistic impulses
inherent in normal human kind, but, like other faculties, needing to be
exercised. Where the material needs challenge the sympathies one must
be reminded that “where there is no vision the people perish.” In our
neighborhood there are traditions among the people that readily lend
themselves to the reaffirmation of this message.
[Illustration: ESTHER]
The girls’ and children’s department has long had the inspiration of a
gifted young woman who, though a non-resident, has contributed in equal
measure with those who have found it possible to detach themselves
sufficiently from their family obligations to reside in the settlement.
Among the leaders are young men and women who themselves have been
members of the clubs, some of them now occupying positions of trust and
authority in the city.
The classes have more definite educational programmes, but in the
settlement they are interrelated with the clubs and made to harmonize
with their purpose. For children attending school the manual training is
planned to demonstrate the value of new experiments or to supplement the
instruction the school system affords. The art classes are limited and
informal, and without studio equipment as yet, but interested teachers
have given their time to students who show inclination or ability,
and effort is made to bring out not conventional, imitative work, but
the power to see and to portray honestly the things about us. All the
settlement family felt that for this reason, if for no other, it was
fitting to have the story of “The House on Henry Street” illustrated by
one who had found his art expression there.
* * * * *
The dramatic instinct is very strong in the Jewish child, and musical
gifts are not uncommon. With encouragement a high degree of talent is
often developed. Perhaps the most impressive evidence of this has been
given in the cycle of Hebrew ritual festivals, poetical interpretations
of the ceremonies cherished by the Henry Street neighborhood. The
value of these is not limited to the educational effect upon the young
people. They interpret anew to the community the rich inheritance of
our neighbors, and the parents of those who participate give touching
evidence of their appreciation.
[Illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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