Yeshiva University High School For Boys - Elchanite Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 9 text:

A VOICE IN THE LAND - By MONROE STRICKBERGER From the mighty mountains To the mighty rivers To the giant oceans To the great wheat plains of Kansas And the Dakotas, ln the great vastness Of this flowering earth Wonders the soul of freedom. l hear its different voices Dinful sometimes, ln the throat of the big cities. Sometimes like the clanging roar Of ancient armies, ln the gigantic factories. Then, far in the plains lt dissolves into peaceful serenity Quiet and monotonous, Yet beautiful, Broken only by the seasons. By the beating of the night vvind in 'Winter By the patter of raindrops in Spring. By the rushing of fishing brooks amidst the si- lence of Summer. By the shifting of the fallen gaudy leaves in Autumn. Throughout all The mighty voice Battling hate and preiudice Sometimes triumphant Sometimes failing. Yet unconauerable forever ln the heart of this great land,- The Voice of Freedom. 5

Page 8 text:

Brhiraiinu Dedicated To The Translation Of The Four Freedoms Freedom Of Speech, Freedom Ol Worship, Free- dom From Want, Freedom From Fear, Into A Fuller And Richer Life For The Millions Of Decent, Hard-Working Men And Women In Ali Countries Who I-Iave Been The Vic- tims QI Poveriy, Ineoualiiy, Insecurity, Or IvVClI'. - DEDICATED TO WINNING THE PEACE -

Page 10 text:

- A MESSAGE TO THE CLASS OF JUNE, 1942 - My dear young friends: You, the graduates of the Talmudical Academy of 1942 are not for- tunate enough to commence your transition from boyhood into manhood in time of peace and tranquility. One of the most brutal and barbaric wars has broken out. A conflagration, unparalleled in the history of mankind, has spread throughout the four corners of the world. The flame and sword of paganism swept western civilization, and democracy is fighting its bat- tle for life. Still, you, the sons and pride of the Yeshiva, are the most for- tunate and the best prepared of the present younger generation. You were taught in the Yeshiva of the eternal struggle between brute force and spiritual ideals, between matter and spirit, between the everlasting Book of G-d and the sword. We, Jews, have always put our faith in the universal iustice of our Creator and in the final triumph of spiritual values over the materialistic conception of history. No sooner had the world lost its faith in the G-d of Israel and in the divine pinciples and universal truths of the Torah than it has also lost its humanitarian ideals, its faith in the dignity , in the infinite worth and free spirit of every man. Such ideals can exist as long as we believe in the divine origin of humanity and the divine Providence of the Almighty. ln the four walls of the Yeshiva you received together with your sec- ular education, a spiritual and religious interpretation of our history. You must remain steadfast in the religious beliefs, in the mode of living and in the ethical and spiritual convictions which are the essence and guiding principle of our lives. It is only by the immortal truths of the Torah and our sacred traditions, by being true to ourselves and our sacred heritage that we can best serve our fellowmen and help preserve the American democracy. Godliness as the foundation of our life, obedience to divine Law of the Torah and usefulness for the common good of our democratic form of government are fundamental parts of the training of a Yeshiva man. Samuel Belkin, Dean of the Yeshiva. 6