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

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DECEMBER, 1955 Dear Diary, Tonight I acted as a hostess for the delegates to the convention of the Women ' s Branch of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. The women were given a guided tour of the building and were able to question their guides about the workings of Stern College. They were duly impressed with our newly remodeled build- ing of which we are so proud. Dottie Gewirtz spoke at the convention and her en- thusiasm for the school has elicited their approval of our students. JANUARY, 1956 Dear Diary, Today starts my last week-end before finals. What excitement! I made up a schedule for finals, when to study, and when to review. Only two things did I forget . . . only 24 hours to a day and allowing time for sleep(?) If I keep this schedule I should make out very well, but . . . I have three days before Monday — when I have two finals. But the only time that I ' m home on Friday, I have to help in the house. Shabbos, after lunch, I finally get down to study. I study my Siddui and Rambam. Shabbos night — why did I have to accept that date — I could study German now! Sunday morning, I take along my German books and notebook to study on the way to teaching. I don ' t get too much done and it ' s already nine o ' clock. Today of all days, when I ' m so nervous and upset about finals and studying — the ptincipal walks in for inspection! As a punishment for the little . . I make them sit still, without doing anything for ten minutes. At least I have ten minutes to study. I come home and study, then I eat and study some more. No wonder that during final week I gain weight. Stay up until one o ' clock and study for one of Wednesday ' s tests. I came to school and, well i t ' s after the first test — one down and six to go. The days ate getting quite monotonous, all we see are red-eyed girls walking around memorizing dozens of facts which they will forget the minute after the test. (It often happens that they forget them a minute before the test too.) As each final is finished the notes are carefully put away and saved for the blessed day of the last final when all the notes will be ceremoniously prepared for the big bonfire. This went on a whole week. I studied while I ate and ate while I studied (which was a strain on my figure), on the train, and then walking to school. Before a certain final, given by a certain teacher (who just recently got enga — oops, almost slipped) the entire class was tired and we all studied together. Then we started to dance a Hora. How we did it, I can ' t imagine, after a week of exhaustion. But that ' s how it is . . . 11

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OCTOBER, 1955 Dear Diar) ' , The time has now come to make a crucial decision with regard to my college life and particularly pertaining to my citizenship as a member of the freshman class. The notice for elections has been posted on the bulletin board; the offices open were President and Vice-President, ( who were to serve also as delegates to Student Council ) and the Secretary-Treasurer. Many girls spurred on by entrance to a new school and a desire to serve it, enthusiastically signed their names as candidates. As election day approached, the cafeteria, during lunch hour, filled with gay chatter and heated discussions as to the preferred candidate. The campaign was in progress. Finally the big day came! Ballots had been printed. All discussion was over. From the mixture of accents and new faces it was time for personalities to emerge. The girls are all excellent and the decision is not easy. As the votes were cast, the candidates were to be seen tensely pacing the floor and chewing their nails as they awaited the final outcome. They did not have long to wait! By mid-afternoon the results were known. Debby Kolitch of N. Y. C. became President. Effie Fink of Scranton, Pa. — Vice-President. Ginger Prager of New Britain, Conn. — Secretary-Treasurer. NOVEMBER, 1955 Dear Diary, Freshman orientation today was very interesting and informative. Dr. Meyer Schnall, a noted gynecologist from Forest Hills, Long Island, addressed the class, speaking from an Orthodox point of view. He explained to us many vital aspects of Jewish married life .... Dear Diary, Rabbi Morris Max, the eminent Jewish authority, was the guest speaker at today ' s meeting of Freshman orientation. He spoke on the topic of The Jewish Concept of Marriage . Our questions were competently answered by Rabbi Max during the lively question and answer period that followed .... NOVEMBER, 1955 Dear Diary, The first issue of our newspaper, Kocbaviah, came out today, and the freshmen are well represented on the staff. Rhoda Glyn, Marga Weinberg, Dottie Gewirtz, Elayne Morris, and Hannah Kalter are news reporters. The freshmen on the feature staff are Esther Holstein, Iolet Shapiro, and Geri Strulowitz. The typing staff consists of Ginger Prager and Roberta Daina. DECEMBER, 1955 Dear Diary, It was very peculiar to see boys walking around the school tonight. The occasion was our Chanukah Chagiga, the first affair of its kind ever held at Stern. After a short period of socializing, the program began with the singing of the National Anthem. The walls of the auditorium, unaccustomed to the reverberations of deep masculine voices, echoed the sounds. Martelle Berenson led the gathering in the singing of Chanu- kah and Israeli songs. The rest of the program consisted of a professional magician, and Aaron Dobin. Aaron, a student at Yeshiva University, sang and played on the guitar several Israeli and American folk songs. After the entertainment, everyone adjourned to the cafeteria for refreshments and a social hour. Stern College ' s first social attempt was a success! 10

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FEBRUARY, 1956 Dear Diary, The students of Stern College were very privileged to hear an address today given by the distinguished author, lecturer, and religious leader, Rabbi Dr. Leo Jung. The basis of his speech was the important role of Orthodox Jewish women in the American scene. This theme was incorporated with the timeliness of Purim. All the girls are now looking forward to attending Dr. Jung ' s course in Jewish Ethics, which will be given at Stern beginning next year. The assembly had an added attraction in the person of Martelle Berenson, whose singing of Ve ' Ulai and Love is Where You Find It thrilled us all. FEBRUARY, 1956 Dear Diary, It is now mid-year and Debby Kolitch, our very capable President, was forced to resign. Effie Fink succeeded her as President. The office of Vice-President was open and elections were held once again. All the candidates were excellent but the weight of the decision was alleviated somewhat by the fact that a half a year enabled us to become better acquainted with our classmates. Rhoda Glyn of Baltimore, Md. was elected Vice-President of the Freshman Class. Our leaders through this first difficult year were wonderful. We owe them a great deal of thanks. 12