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

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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

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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.

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brightly through the window and the room had a bright, shiny appearance. Within a few minutes, they proceeded to make themselves at home and the Hoof was soon littered with scraps of paper, chewing gum wrappers, and quick-tempered Freshmen. The chaotic scene was soon dispelled as the door opened and the teacher entered. Immediately, there was a sound of rushing feet and scraping chairs. A memorial has since been erected in honor of those trampled in the rush for a choice seat. VVhile the crowd surged towards the front of the room. Mel Simon and Sim Storch slipped quietly into seats located conveniently out of sight of the teacher and started a game of pinochle. As the class settled down, the teacher proceed- ed to introduce himself. Boys, I want you to fill out these cards I am going to hand out. Just follow the simple instruc- tions. Write your last name first, first name last. Immediately, a hand raised and a slender Freshman with blond hair and a body that grew too fast for his shoulders stated shakily, I dont understand. First name first, last name last?i' The teacher stiffened but then said kindly, No, son, just the opposite. Now please write this in ink and print clearlyf' The same young man again raised his hand and croaked bashfully. But I don't have a pen. The teacheris patience was beginning to crack as he handed the boy his own pen, which he gave with a request that it be used carefully as it was given to him on his Bar Mitzvah, The youngster promised to be careful and took the quill from the teacher. The rest of the afternoon, the students were absorbed in writing their names, laughing at the teachers' feeble attempts to be humorous, and making new friends. During the fourth period, they were told to go to the study hall. They headed for the base- ment and by following the odor coming from the garbage cans, they finally arrived. Upon entering, they were greeted with the sight of long rows of tables, scattered chairs, well-stocked book shelves and a smiling blonde, Mr. Schnipper, the study hall director. The walls were decorated with a large Rand McNally map, several pictures. and the sentiments of demented students. Outside, the sun began to sink. The tempo of the city slackened. Twilight gave way to the night which came stealthily and silently. Dark- ness moved in like an oppressive blanket. The lights flashed on in the huge office buildings and soon, the streets were filled with tired people walking quickly in the brisk autumn air. At this fkk Study Hall 14