<HTML>Several contributors have pointed out that the problem of teachers'
salaries is particularly acute in the context of the Jewish community and
its high material (? materialistic) standards. This is true for all Jews
who are not in the highest earning brackets, and is true in every Jewish
community that I have ever known. Being Jewish today - particularly being
observant - is an occupation open only to the very affluent. The costs
start with housing, school fees etc., and continue through the social
pressures of 'religiously correct' clothing, and the appalling pressures
of s'machot, weddings etc. Many, many less affluent Jews simply vote with
their feet out of the community, or out of orthodoxy. Many of us have met
them. Who is responsible? I'm not going to presume to apportion blame, but
I believe that Rabbis and Roshei Yeshivah could do a great deal to
mitigate this problem.=20
Paul Shaviv, Headmaster
CHAT - Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto
200 Wilmington Avenue,
Downsview, Ont M3H 5J8</HTML>
