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

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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

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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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FEBRUARY, 1956 Dear Diary, The Charity Drive is now in full swing. Yeshiva University, including Stern College, is co-operating in an attempt to raise money for Israel. The sum total will be used mainly for defense and educational purposes. The chairman for collection among the freshmen is Dorothy Gewirtz, who proudly announces that Stern is leading all other branches of Yeshiva University in contributions per student. MARCH, 1956 Dear Diary, I guess they don ' t teach boys to read up at Yeshiva. The sign outside the library said, Checking — 15c , yet every one asked How much is it to check? This was our Shushan Purim Chagiga. The freshman chairman of this affair, Elayne Morris, graciously welcomed the guests. The entertainment was provided by Jack Glickman, a magician, and Shimmy Gewirtz, a singer. Following on the program was a series of Israeli dances performed by the Israeli Dance Club, under the leadership of Mrs. Marvin Hershkowitz. Refreshments were served in the cafeteria which was appropriately decorated with Purim masks. A weary group combined efforts to restore the cafeteria to its natural order as the building slowly emptied of its 250 guests. A sense of satis- faction was felt for a job well done. APRIL, 1956 Dear Diary, The entire student body gathered in the auditorium to celebrate Israeli Indepen- dence Day. Martelle Berenson led the group in singing several Hebrew songs. Mr. Vogel spoke briefly, advocating that we deliberate upon the precariousness of Israel ' s situation as well as the joyous spirit of the occasion. Dr. Noah Rosenbloom conducted responsive reading of several Psalms and then delivered an inspiring talk, calling upon American Jewry to abandon their lethargic attitude towards the miracle of Israel and to lend full support to its rebuilding. The singing of Hatikvah was a meaningful con- clusion to the program. 13