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

Page 16 text:

bt 'VX l 417 'X N NN I I f wav' Ulu vxxyx. l X x v r X x X. . XX Tx I Q. J ,, I, I . LE Lirityfwf -I-gn b- K . 3.0 L 1 , mil -Zgxexrs ,W - - for kia X., -, an ff if 7 V V34 XX X Zi-islet T g c ,I A V I '-'lexixqf N i I' X I TT 7' l . X rj X X. f X . of N rf' TLD- 4 I 'll D x X 'Ill' + '7 ,X ' i 1 2 D 1- 2. .J f W - I .g Wmqrn , 'fn :Q T 11 l T Cgiirst egnipressznons CHAPTER ONE: HE HALLS are dark. A bare electric bulb glares eerily over the stairway. The silence is broken only by a passing bus. The brakes groan and then stillness. I heave an in- audible sigh. The indecencies and discomfort a WALL in a school must suffer have ceased. I have received a respite for two months. Tonight. I witnessed the graduation of the class of 754. Next September, a new group of youngsters. bearing the same appearance as these graduates bore on a cool, crisp autumn ITlOI'D four hectic. happy years ago. will once more torment me. I was aroused that September morning in 1950 by a heart stirring eulogy lamenting the passing summer, accompanied by the wails of students who Finally realized that school had be- gun. Staring up at me with awe was a small group of students bedecked in blue serge Bar Mitzvah suits and brandishing enormous brief cases. They climbed the steps ceremoniously and walked cautiously through the halls as if tread- ing on holy ground. The look of bewilderment on their faces rendered them innocent prey to the 12 fiendish plots of insidious upper classmen. If only I could ll'tU'Il that chubby youngster not to buy that elerzltor 1ms.s'. Too late: well, lzclll know better next time. Some proceeded up the stairs towards their newly assigned classrooms. while others searched vainly for the much publicized swimming pool. The bell rang and the young explorers rushed to their respective classes. The new students separated into groups, cling- ing to old acquaintances. There was an expect- ant buzz in the air, which was halted by the entrance of the Rabbi. Under his arm. he carried varied literature which included last Sundays Times' Magazine Section, the Brooklyn Museum Report on Ancient Ethiopian Manuscripts. and the current edition of The Ladies Home Iournal. Everyone filed to his seat. The teacher began to speak in a strange language which vaguely resembled the language of each pupil's former rabbi. The rest of the morning flew by. each hour quicker than the last. Finally. at one olclock. the bell rang liberating the newcomers. They marched out of the class lunch bags in hand.

Page 15 text:

3 V '- , X : X The theme of this book is the class of 54's four year stay at Talmudical Academy. The WALLS of the school are employed as the means of expressing the theme. The literary material is compiled in the form of a novel. Within the framework of the previous paragraph lies the entire story of the 1954 Elchanite. The editors, working together with the literary staff, at the begin- ning of this year, decided to publish an Elchanite which would be new and strik- ingly different from Elchanites of prior years. Uhese were all essentially the same in their format and presentation of literary material.J We selected the basic sub- ject of any Senior class book, the experiences of the Senior class in their four years in school, and developed it as our own maior theme. Then, influenced by the reading of Thornton Wilder's play, Our Town , we sought a method whereby we could convey the theme throughout the entire book. This vehicle's purpose was to establish continuity while acting as a narrator of the book. We found it befitting and symbolic to employ the WALLS of our own school building, where all our experiences, both sad and ioyous, had taken place. Once we had established a theme and a means of presenting it, we took stock of our talents and decided to place the main emphasis on our literary ability, since it was our forte. Thus was born the idea of writing our book as close to novel form as possible, incorporating the pictures and art work as an integral part of the written material and not as separate entities. Within the chapters of the book the various occurrences that the class has experienced and the maior activities which they have participated in are related. When combined, they present a rich and meaningful portrayal of our four years in Talmudical Academy. One phase of our life draws to a close. The Elchanite, we believe, describes it. Ahead, lies the future. Joel H. Kaplan, Norman Palefski Co-Editors-In-Chief

Page 17 text:

Everyone rushed towards the 'ispacious , well decorated cafeteria where the famished student could sometimes lose his hunger but more often his appetite. Amid the soft music of exploding milk containers and loud remarks pertaining to the quality of the food. the young Freshmen fin- ished their large meals, and well satisfied, they waddled from the cafeteria and proceeded noisi- ly to the auditorium. Sterns Cafeteria As they arrived, the freshmen were attracted by a fiery, energetic speaker. He was pale and drawn but there was fire burning in his eyes, ignited by the ideals which consumed his soul. Comrades, we must unite. XVe must over- throw the bourgeois administration. Primarily, we must stand for equality of marks. Co-opera- tion in tests must be a basic principle of our doctrine of student rights. VVe must champion the cause of improving student life in this insti- tution. I have a brief program which would be a stepping stone in that direction: IQ In order to round out the education of the student, courses in ballet, social etiquette, and folk dancing should be established. 25 For a more lively atmosphere, a juke box should be installed in the study hall. Dr. Shapiro should have full control over selection of records. 82 1-1 ------ A hush fell over the auditorium. The young agitator scampered under a seat and all eyes turned to a diminutive but dignified figure who proceeded confidently down the aisle. He rose to the rostrum and, as the suspense mounted, he began to speak. Welcome to Talmudical Academy. I am glad to see so many bright, new faces eagerly await- ing their first day in high school. XVe here at Talmudical Academy are always willing to help you but you must reciprocate by showing your- selves as students worthy of this great institution. I would like to explain the bell system. At one-thiity, you hear a bell. This bell tells you that at one-forty you hear a bell which will sig- nify the beginning of the first period. At two olclock, you hear another bell. Disregard it. At two-eighteen, the period ends and you have until two-twenty to go to the second period. The next bell is at four minutes after three, or is it tl'11'E'S minutes after three? I'm not sure but some time after three you hear a bell signifying official class. You must report to your official class in order to be marked present for the day. You will be dismissed at three twelve from this class. Other bells are at three-eighteen, three-fifty six or is it seven? Uh, the bells will be explained by a mimeographed sheet to be passed around at four-fifty eight. I am sure you boys will enjoy your stay here at T.A. and we are glad to have you. You will now go to your first period classf' The mob pushed its way up the stairs and spilled out over the second Hoor. The Freshmen looked nervously for their classroom. tSeveral Freshmen were lost that day and no word has been heard from them since.j They finally found their class and entered timidly. The sun shined A -:ferret ' naar no 0 'D N2pf.AiRifFTAfri1l5 ' If Sai? fi W etf rg- as 'l qifatffffifi 5 y lfigfg .elif Qagblxya .gtg A5114 tfgtilllllp lllllxl if Hg. .1 v 1 25 -f' l lil E QW if eu ig Q QW li d f 0 A L J Sl 0 fo L j 67' 5' QW U 'MTNA I xl ' f 'tiff' f 1 f it I .tt Q t ie 6 I kk . JU f I X i W2 Mr. Abrams Before Assembly 1:3