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

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DR. SAMUEL BELKIN President, Yeshiva University As you complete your educa- tion at Stern College for Women, I extend to you my sincerest congratulations and wish you ever success in your future endeavors. Your out- standing attainments reflect honor upon yourselves, your families, and your alma mater. Throughout history the Jew- ish woman has played a vital role in our tradition. She has been the first teacher of our youth, introducing them to the vast treasures of Jewish cul-

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It was Miriam whose merits gave the Jews water in the desert and Deborah the prophetess who led the Jews in battle against Sissera. Through active and passive deeds, the Jewish woman has enriched and improved, saved and nurtured our heritage. Stern College was created to enrich and deepen the lives of Jewish women and through this enrichment to fulfill the traditional role of the woman in Jewish life. It is to her that we dedicate this book.

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ture. Hers has been the respon- sibility of imbuing the home with the spirit of Godliness that is the sole foundation for the truly moral life. Because of her immense influence for good, the home has been characterized as a major sanctuary of our faith. Thus, the Jewish woman has made possible the continuation of our sacred heritage down through the ages. With the coming of modern times, a new dimension of ex- perience was added to the life of the Jewish woman. Now she was asked to broaden her sphere of influence in the gen- eral community, utilizing her special insights in an ever- wid- ening area of activities. Law, medicine, the physical sciences . . . these and many other fields offered her untold opportuni- ties for personal fulfillment and professional advancement. This occurrence brought the need for a special kind of edu- cation. Neither the religious training alone, usually acquired in the home, nor the usual gen- eral schooling could adequately prepare the Jewish woman for her new horizon. Rather, a unique harmonizing of the two was required. It was to make available this new kind of education that Stern College was established. Here the arts and sciences of the western culture are perpet- uated together with the time- honored practices and teach- ings of Judaism. Here the modern woman can devote her- self to the complete develop- ment of her capabilities as a Jewess and as a student of world thought. You who have benefited from this comprehensive training bear the obligation of carrying on the traditions of Torah even as you enter into your various chosen professions. I trust that you will meet this challenge with distinction, dedicating yourselves to a lifetime of serv- ice to the Jewish community and all humanity. Sincerely yours, Dr. Samuel Belkin