Stern College for Women - Kochaviah Yearbook (New York, NY)

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IN RETROSPECT 1954-55 Vol. I No. 3 DR. BELKIN SPEAKS AT ORIENTATION Dr. Samuel Belkin, President of the University, paid an informal visit to the Freshman orientation class at one of its first sessions of the Spring term. The purpose of his visit was to answer any questions the students may have had concerning the future curriculum of Stern College. Some of the answers by Dr. Belkin to questions posed were; sixty-four credits are needed in Hebrew for a Hebrew teacher ' s diploma; there will be no major in education; athletics will be started next year; we eventually will have a dorm of our own. Central Comes to Call On March 31, 1955, Stern College played hostess to the Senior class of Central Yeshiva High School. Upon arrival, the students and faculty members, who had accompanied them, were ushered into the school auditorium. Here they were broken up into five- groups and were taken on a guided tour through the building. Each group was composed of a Student Council member, two members of the Student Body, and twelve of the visiting seniors. After the tours, the various groups returned ro the auditorium at which time Dr. Shelley Saphire, head of Yeshiva Un- iversity High Schools, Dr. Isaac I.ewin, Principal of the Hebrew Department at Central, Rabbi Baruch Faivelson of Stern College and Dr. Samuel Belkin, President of Yeshiva University, each spoke to the girls about the opportunities thai Stern College otters. The visit was terminated after the serving ol refreshments in the dining room. Stern Makes Merry at Purim The first Stern College Purim Cele- bration took place on Saturday night, March 13, 1955, at the Jewish Center, New York City. Admission to the gath- ering was by invitation only, although a fee of $1.00 was charged. Upon arrival, one could not help but notice the room ' s arrangement, which was in night club style. The food was appetizingly displayed on a buffet table at a side of the room. During the early part of the evening, the guests enjoyed mingling with one another, and then took their seats for the planned show of the evening. Under the direction of the chairman, Renah Mescheloff, a delightful program was presented. Led by Professor Karl Adler, the school choir gave its rendition of some of our holiday songs. At different points audi- ence participation was stimulated as the guests were asked to join in the singing. Where there is singing, there is danc- ing and the next spot on the program was taken over by the Hebrew dance group. The future Pavlovas went grace- fully through the many difficult and intricate dance steps. As an added touch to the all-student program, Mrs. Samuel Belkin, the charm- ing wife of our University president, came to the spotlight to sing Yerushal- ayim. Anne Rosenbaum, Student Council president, was then called on to introduce our benefactor, Mr. Max Stern. Mr. Stern, in a brief adress, made note of the amazing growth and advancement of our college. Renah Mescheloff and Marcia Merkin next presented a pantomime of the song. My Baby Don ' t Love Me No More. Highlighting the program was ,t play entitled South Persia, in which the Pu- Goal Surpassed in Charity Drive One of the major projects of the Spring term was a Charity Drive in conjunc- tion with Yeshiva University. The drive was launched on February 7, and extend- ed over a period of ten weeks. A quota of S82.50 was set by a University Com- mittee. The drive was a success due to the splendid cooperation of the students, and the total intake slightly exceeded the or- iginal quota. Chairman of the drive was Audrey Katz. Choral Group Under Direction of Dr. Adler The Choral Group, one of the earliest extra-curricular activities organized in Stern College, is under the direction of Dr. Karl Adler, Professor of Music at Yeshiva University. The group, which consists of eleven girls, meets every Tuesday at noon. The chorus participated in the January 31st social, which was held at the Hotel Windermere, and the Purim affair of March 12. Most of the music taught is Hebraic and Israeli hut canons of many famous composers are also studied, rim story was portrayed in musical form, using the popular South Pacific songs. Both major and minor characters wen in true form and very humorous. The end of the play marked the conclusion of the entertainment, and the gathering came to a close about one half hour later

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IN RETROSPECT 1954-55 Vol. I No. 2 Foiled — by Finals! by DVORA ABRAMSON From the first moment that we entered Stern College, we observed our actions from the point of view of posterity. We carefully savored each event that occurred, not letting it slip by without notice, but changing every incident into one of his- torical moment by the magical phrase said in an awed, hushed tone — The first meal in the dining room, the first exam, the first failure. Yes, everything that happened was the first . . . and we who were blazing a straight path for those who would follow were prepared to tackle anything. We have carefully recorded the very moment that the first history professor sat up very straight in his seat, looked directly into 33 pairs of eyes, and shuffling his briefcase a bit uneasily, said quickly, Meet in the auditorium next Thursday for a written review. He couldn ' t fool us, though. We knew what he meant, and we were astonished. (Didn ' t pioneers get any privileges?) When the ten to bell rang, little groups huddled together discussing the thunder- bolt. Finally we decided that this was not .i case for revolution, and magnanimously elected to discover what the first exam would be like, (we had already been told that only by taking a test can one find out what it is like. ) The next Thursday finally dawned. It rained that day and the weather added its dampness to the spirit of the bleary- eyed girls that stumbled into the elevator clutching their soggy history notes, and finishing the last chapter on Tiberius. Our English teacher offered to take our minds off Pericles and Thucydides and help us relax by explaining to us The Intricate Mysteries of Footnotes and Their Place in a Freshman ' s First Term Paper as Related to his Final Grades, his College Average and the General Well-Being of his Nervous System. When we were at last seated in the auditorium, two seats apart (to remove- temptation — for we are honorable stu- dents; and the exams were handed our, 33 hearts did a horrified somersault. Now ili.it we fondly reminisce, we realize that Midyear Social Held at Windermere On January 31, the Stern College Stu- dent Body sponsored the second social gathering of the year. The affair took place in the solarium of the Hotel Win- dermere on 92 nd Street. No admission was charged; however, attendance was by invitation only. Most of the time was devoted to socialization, with a short program to highlight the evening. The school choir, under the leadership of Professor Karl Adler, sang several selections. This was followed by a panto- mime to the song, Sisters , executed by Renah Mescheloff and Marcia Merkin. The Hebrew dance group also per- formed, with Barbara Gross accompany- ing on the chalil. The entire program was under the direction of the chairman, Bryna Miller. Her committee consisted of Beatrice Cyperstein, Barbara Gardner, Ev- elyn Hertzberg, Debra Stitskin, and Bar- bara Gross. we should have known that Isocrates wrote Panegyricus. This exam soon set the proverbial ball rolling, and each day another teacher embarrassedly announced the date for an examination. They didn ' t tell us — but we knew. These were midterms. After a few days things got back to normal. The students stopped mumbling Raschi and Seforno as they walked from class to class, and the teachers stopped having I hate to do it, but expressions. Then the finals were announced and the mumbling began again. The Soncinos began to disappear from the library, and the Bulletin Board was never so popular as when it proclaimed in dainty little- letters the days and hours of our examin- ations. Again little groups huddled to- gether, but again we decided that this was not the time for revolution, for there is much we must learn of life, and we deeided that pioneers, such as we, must experience all phases of life and taking 3 finals a day would greatly enrich our store of experiences. (Not to mention the family doctor, the Edison Co. and the Stern-T.L Chanukah Celebration a Success The Stern College social season opened on Sunday night, December 19, 1954, with a Chanukah affair which was co- sponsored by the Teachers ' Institute for Women. The gathering took place in the green room of the Hotel Diplomat. Attendance was by invitation only and a large crowd was on hand to take part in the festivities. The greater part of the evening was devoted to meeting new people and re- newing old acquaintanceships. An entertainment program, most of which was supplied by the girls of Teach- ers ' Institute, was enjoyable and well done. Stern College was represented in this field by its chalil group. Helene Gardenberg of T.I. was Mistress of Ceremonies. The evening was closed with the sing- ing of Hatikva. No-Doze pill manufacturers.) There is an end to all things, however, and in the spare moments that we al- lowed for sleep one lovely thought com- forted us — just think, in twenty-five- years we won ' t even remember this. The results of the firsr final examina- tions of the first class of Stern College were duly recorded. They have ended with no major mishaps, we have not as yet planned a revolution, and we are still on good terms with the faculty.

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IN RETROSPECT 1954-55 Vol. I No. 4 Mrs Isaacs Appointed Student Advisor Student Advisor Appointed A very lovely lady has come into our lives. She is Mrs. Elizabeth Isaacs, who has been appointed Student Advisor by Dr. Samuel Belkin, President of Yeshiva University. At an Orientation meeting on April 26, Mrs. Isaacs was introduced to the Student Body. A graduate of Barnard College, Mrs. Isaacs has been associated with the teaching profession for many years. Our new Student Advisor will be available to the student body for advice and consultation concerning all phases of college and personal life. She will also act as consultant for the Student Council. Mr. Stern Honored at Mizrachi Dinner A dinner sponsored by Mizrachi Hat- zair was held in the Riverside Plaza Ho- tel on April 26. This year, on their third anniversary, the Mizrachi Hatzair hon- ored Mr. Max Stern. Unfortunately, because of illness, Mr. Stern was unable to attend the dinner. Mrs. Stern graciously accepted the plaque awarded to him by the Mizrachi Hatzair, in recognition of his contribution to higher Jewish Education. Mr. Stern ' s eld- est son spoke on behalf of his father in accepting the award. Other speakers on the program included former Mayor Shlomo Zalman Shragai of Jerusalem, Rabbi Zevi Tabory, Director of the Department of Torah, Culture, and Education in the Diaspora of the Jewish Agency, who gave the invocation, Mrs. Nachman Ebin, national President of Mizrachi Women, Karpol Bender, national President of Mizrachi Hatzair. and Rabbi Max Mordecai Kirsh- blum, President of Mizrachi Organization of America. Also on the program were Cantor David Kussevitsky, comedian Jer- ry Cutler, and the Mizrachi Hatzair dance quartet. Stern College was represented at the Farewell Gathering Held for Mrs. Feder A farewell party for Mrs. Cecile S. Feder. Registrar, was held in the cafe- teria on Monday afternoon. May 2. Among those present were Dr. Samuel Belkin, President of Yeshiva University, Dr. and Mrs. Feder, members of the faculty, and the student body. The pro- gram opened with Ruth Solomon pre- senting Mrs. Feder with a gift from the student body. Dr. Belkin then presented her with a lovely silver serving bowl with an inscription expressing deep grat- itude for her services. Dr. Belkin stated that a good school must have a firm foundation created by capable admin- istrators, and that Mrs. Feder had ful- filled all h is expectations. He remarked that her work will continue to have tremendous influence at Stern College. Mrs. Feder gave her farewell address, declaring that she had tried zealously to guard the uniqueness of Stern College and thanking all those who had coop eratively helped her. She said that she would want a daughter of hers to at- tend the school. Dr. Feder then closed the progrrm. bidding the students to go on to b;ttcr t lings and higher achievements. Dr. Bell ' s Book Published The first book to be published under the name of Stern College is Etude s ir le Songc d i Vieil Peleuin de Philippe de Mezieres (1327-1495) by Dr. Dora M. Bell, professor of Modern Languages at Stern College. It appeared in April, 1955. Dr. Bell attended Western Reserve University and the Sorbonne, where she received a Diplome de Professeur de francais a l ' etranger. At the present time she is working on the completion of another book. dinner by the Student Council and the editor of In Retrospect . Debating Group Under Way The debating society was organized on April 16, 1955. Mr. Nissan Shulman, graduate of Yeshiva University, and a membsr of the debating society there in his undergraduate years, was appointed its leader and advisor. On April 23, 1955, elections were held which resulted in Bryna Miller being elected president, Joanne Peltz vice-pres- ident, and Evelyn Hertzberg secretary and campus manager ( to arrange de- bates ) . The topic chosen for the first debate was: Resolved, that we should establish a federal board to supervise the equitable distribution of Salk polio vaccine. The debate took place on May 6. Anne Rosen- baum and Pearl Kidansky upheld the affirmative side and Renah Mescheloff and Faith Caplan advocated state super- vision. Some of the main issues discussed were: a) creeping socialism , b) states rights, c) equitable distribution, d ) black market. The affirmative side was declared the winner by the committee of judges con- sisting of Audrey Katz, Joanne Peltz, and Sura Schreiber. Mr. Shulman then gave the group pointers on good debating. Since final examinations are coming shortly, the debate was also the last meet- ing of the society. Mr. Shulman expressed the hope that the Stern College Debating Society would participate in intercolleg- iate debates next year.