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

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Then , of course, during the two periods a week when we had our stimulating Art course, everything was pretty much under our control. Once in a while Mr. Sobel suspended the class, flunked everyone for the midterm, or called down Napoleon, but as a rule his behavior was deserving of an S-. When the usual question who's Dick Hertz came around, After searching everywhere, Sam Feder was nowhere to be found, ' When every innocent soul promised that he didn't know, Then Mr. Sobel knew that we were nothing but a foe. As I recall, the second year of Art wasn't quite as much fun as the first. Now let's see, first of all Soble comprehended the fact that everyone rubbed out the U's which he had given, and did the assign- ment over. This simply meant that everyone had to waste an Art period or two doing some art work. Then there were some new Sophomores who came into the school who had never taken Art l. Well, course, How the ---- can you do the second year,' to quote the dialect of our teacher. However, there are really no complaints. All of those times, when we ran up to his desk asking him to help us out with the work, or the times we had those airplane fights, or the time we sat shivering in the office be- cause of suspension, will remain longer in my mind then anything we would have leraned in a regular high school art course. Our Secretary the future Dr. Eck continued, Phys, Ed. was taught by Mr. Sarachek and Mr. Wettsteinf' My muscles still hurt from Sarachek's workouts and dodging his flying basketballs. I can still see pudgy Merowitz straining to touch his toes. Gym proved one thing: that some of us were taller lying down than standing up. The more pleasant of the triumverate of minors was music taught by Mr. Emery Grossman. I would rather see his Double or Nothing Game on television than the 564,000 Question. The epitome of ignorance was displayed dur- ing the first test given to our class. needless to say, if you didn't take the first year 1 l I

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The following is a portrayal of an Alumni Reunion of the Class of '57 as seen through the eyes of one of its members. The atmosphere crackles with the electricity of anticipation. The room is filled with voices of gaiety and ioviality. Nostalgia and fond memories fill the room. Slowly but surely, everyone seems to be moving towards a seat. The reunion of our class is officially getting under way. The singing of the Hatikvah and the Star Spangled Banner brings back the memory of all of those glorious days when we stood in the Auditorium at the beginning of every assembly. The vivid picture of Mr. Lichtenberg stand- ing on the stage, his face shining with warmth and sincerity, Abusch, Adler and other ardent Zionists standing like stiff boards during the singing of the Hatikvah, the fear that someone will hear that you do not know all of the words to the Star Spangled Banner, everyone straining his eyes to see if Mr. Abrams had left the auditorium yet. Probably for the first time in History, T.A. stu- dents listened attentively to the secretary as he read the minutes of what went on during our last gather- ing, as he retold our four glorious years in T.A. ...On Sept. ll, 7953 the largest freshman class in the history of Talmudical Academy began at- tending classes. Dressed in their navy blue Bar- mitzvah suits, they managed to rid the seats and desks of the dust which had accumulated over the summer. Teachers, seniors, and Sam's cat seemed to perplex most of the students. Now, as I think back, my mind wanders into the past. Seems funny that there was actually a time when teachers gave us a rough time. Just about the only consolation is, that as stupid as we were as Freshmen, Mr. Wollman proved to be no match what- soever for our ever growing know how. He found favor in the eyes of Kreeger and Liebler by means of his 98-99 club. As a rule only those who belonged to the 80-9Ol5'Bj club could join his institution which was one Madrega higher. There is, however, one thing which cannot be taken away from him as a teacher. He sure knew how to give a great review for the final. Even the Talmidai Cachomim in Mr. Breinan's class were pleading for a peek at the all- inclusive chazorah. .. il' 3 QT' 1 S Egg -cl. AA , ti P A . . 'I J ' ' ' 1 R -, U E.f,1J,?,x sf :, ' - ,W , 5 ? We , x Y' ,i

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There were some students who actually got low marks because they did not know the work. After much debate the first unwritten law in the existence of our class was written. Lack of knowledge shalt not be an excuse for poor grades. Little did we know then, what great value the law contained. At first it was a bit difficult to get it in practice. There were some ethical students. How- ever, the boys from Salanter and Soloveitchik such as Schaffer and Perlmutter who got 95's and lOO's on the hardest of tests convinced them that a bit of rationalization could do the trick. Then, of course, there were some who were inexperienced and crav- en, but when they came to the conclusion that it was a matter of the survival of the fittest they became intrepid also. Brot and Korngold caught on quickly with the slide-away gyp sheet and the full-page reference notes. When it came to the Regents, there were some who felt that due to the declaration which had to be signed a line should be drawn. However, the en- vironment was so conducive lduring the examl that little bits of paper, always headed with the words Cram Sheets, just in case, started to crinkle and crackle. Only during examination were all quarrels forgotten, and the class merged into one united body in separable except by the Bronx Science prac- tors . . . Mr, Gendell taught us Art , the art of putting over your idea even if you didn't have one. This is necessary in order to be a success through life in general, and T.A. in particular. Merowitz excelled in his class. The potentiality of our class was first noted in the excellent attendence at intra-mural checker matches. Signs of growing politicians were seen when Baron and Parsons got appointed to the Committee to Investigate Water Fountains and the Lost and Found Committee. Finals were ap- proaching. , hgffjv I? gt Alf TES? 6.5.4-l fl V T mf-f . kg vf sf .K fjyf it ii to i I can still remember the agony the Yeshiva boys went through waiting to be called on by that iovial little man with the white beard who always happened to come around during the holiday season. Meanwhile, their counterparts in T.I. were sweating it out studying for their Bechinat Gemer. The week before T.I. finals, there was a mass migration to the dorm where out came the no-doz pills. After many sleepless hours learning a term's course in one night, the T.l. boys entered their exams with exams that had been given already, exams that were being given, and exams that were yet to be given and the always-handy reference sheets. A motion was made to adjourn for the summer. Passed unanimously. When attendance was taken after the sum- mer, quite a number of our friends were absent. Space Ship Waggerman, Ivy League Paley, Rocky Elburn and many more had left us. The first order of business was choosing a language. an 5. , 5 V 1. 5 Ti h