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

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LIFE ' S DEMAND SELMA STILLMAN The child was small, with big brown eyes That stared in wonder at the sight Of starry skies and snowy walks. And autumn winds and planes in flight. The kind old man enjoyed his youthful Grandchild ' s wide-eyed look, As with the little hand in his They walked beside the brook. The questions from that small mouth flowed Like ripples in the stream. The sparkling voice of youth and awe Caused the old eyes to gleam. Oh, Grandpa, why does that tree Stand tall and straight and strong; While here is one that ' s weak and bent; What makes it so — what ' s wrong? Mv child, there ' s nothing wrong with age — It ' s natural for all — For you and me and even for That tree that ' s strong and tall. I am like those branches that Are withered from the snow, But I have had a full, rich life, And though my back bends low, It ' s proud and straight inside my heart ( If you can understand) Because I ' ve given to the world — And that is Life ' s demand. Why Grandpa, what did you give ■ — Did you once plant a tree? Yes, so I did - — and now its gift To Life walks here with me. 26

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of hoping for their confidence. She knew that growing up would be her own accom- plishment. Her inner conflicts, struggles, and eventual victories made of Anne a mature person whose maturity was not always outwardly manifested by her behavior. However, after more than a year of mutual dislike, Anne and Peter gradually entered into a new relationship, and Anne for the first time experienced love that was returned. Peter was the only person able to penetrate her outer shell and reach the real Anne. Never- theless, Anne was disappointed in his complete dependence on her and was unable to confide completely, even in Peter. Kitty was never to be dethroned. Another diary resulting from the Second World War was The Wall, kept by Noach Levinson during the German occupation of the Warsaw ghetto. The striking dissimilarity between the two is that Anne Frank ' s diary was kept by a real person, while Noach Levinson is a fictional creation. This realism necessarily imparts much more impact to the reading of Anne Frank ' s diary. When she began her diary, Anne did not expect it to have any other purpose than to be a great support and com- fort , while Noach Levinson attempted to write his observations with historical objectivity. Levinson, like Anne, was part of a group, and like Anne, was not sparing in his depiction of his family. Heroes, heroines, cowards — all were present within The Wall. Mr. Dussell and Mrs. Van Daan especially were mercilessly caricatured by Anne, who saw both the foibles and virtues of the inhabitants of the Secret Annex. Whereas Noach Levinson escaped from the ghetto to find freedom, Anne Frank was taken from the Secret Annex to find death. Amidst the grimness and terror of the circumstances under which she was living, Anne came to realize that comfort and solace could be found in G-d ' s natural beauties, and discovered that this was all necessary for happiness. Anne did not think of all the misery in the world, but thanked G-d for the beauty and good that still existed. She never lost faith in the ultimate triumph of right and the restoration of peace. Yet Anne Frank, who wanted so much to live, died in a concentration camp, ironically only two months before the liberation of Holland. Anne had had a goal: to work in the world for mankind, and she wrote in her diary: If G-d lets me live, ... I shall not remain insignificant. G-d did not let her live, yet she did not remain insignificant. Anne Frank wanted to go on living even after . . . death. Through her diary she does live. To the reader Anne Frank speaks still — of courage in the face of death, of humor in the face of terror, of faith in the face of disparagement. FORSAKEN HOUSE SELMA STIILMAN There stands a house empty, lifeless, void of joy; Its owner once lived in it and played as a little boy. Its garden blushed with roses and a great pear tree stood Where now there is but withered grass and rotting, wormy wood. Here ' s the spot where a babe once walked, slipped, then fell — Stood again, walked, ran, climbed trees, grew well. Went away, left the house that sheltered his young years, That stares through black, blind glassy eyes, dry of tears. There is no heart inside these walls to grieve from loneliness. Old house, rusty, dirty, think not of your ugliness! Those who dwelled within your walls were to you as food Which sustained them — then they left you just a house of wood. A hundred years you ' ve watched these mortals pass before your door. Stand until the bombs descend — until there is no more. 25

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GREETINGS We do not endorse or sanction the Kashruth of any products or restaurants advertised in this publication. 27