Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

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SENIOR CI.ASS HlSl ' ORY It was in September, 1932 that the present Senior Class began its college days. Forty enthusiastic youngsters, we registered for our first courses. To more than half of the class the surroundings were familiar and the environment not at all new; the others, newcomers from various high schools and strangers from distant states soon grew at home in their new surroundings and were one by one admitted into what came to be known later as the society of the Boys. Yet ere the strangers had had time to become acclimated to New York ways and ere the newcomers had really become acquainted with Yeshiva life, the urge for organization, already apparent in those days, grew strong and in one of the most tumultuous and exciting of class elections, Jacob Karsh was chosen president and William Kaufman was elected vice-president. Back in 1932 when social life at the college was almost nil and extra-curricular activities hadn ' t yet come into vogue, the classes were the source both of torment and of joy. As Freshmen, we were already introduced into the realm of infnify and told that for everything we do we receive credit — even negative credit. The Duke Landman to Rabbi Cohen relationship, the careful enunciation demanded by Erastus Palmer, and the welter of oratorical discord which began with Dr. Damon were all highlights for the beginners. The big event of the year was the march down to Madison Square Garden to protest against Germany ' s anti-Jewish program. Two of our boys carried the huge Yeshiva college banner, and we led the parade of all the other colleges. The Sophomore year, voted by the present Seniors as their most difficult one, brcJught with it besides such ordeals as Sunday night lab periods and memori- zation of four lines, many joys as well. The chemistry class became the Mecca of all types of discussions from politics to sports. And the class periods not to be outdone proved a constant source of diversion with the anti-Schmerler tirades. And what with the corridor formation of Schmerler to Muss and back, midnight lectures during pre-exam days, and experiments which always worked, Chem became the haven of even the most philosophical. It was in this year that the history boys brought the Duke down from his castle and made him mingle with his vassals. Of course, it took more than one brand of chewing gum, but that proletarian revolt staged by Leader Kasten against the quota of seven books was remuneration enough. The political horizon was quieter somewhat this year. Leo J. Usdan and Lou Muss were elected president and vice-president respectively. In addition the Sophomores began to rake an active interest in school affairs. Usdan became Head Librarian of the college library and business manager of the Masmid. Noveck broke into intercollegiate debating: Feuerstein became secretary of the Council; Kasten began his position as Athletic Manager; Theodore Adams organized the choral society; and Shamal gained fame by his note taking powers. With the coming of the Junior year the class found itself divided for the first time. Some began to take more courses in government and history while other; stuck to chemistry and physics and clamored for more sciences. However, all of us met In philosophy, psychology, and ethics. MASMID

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We were introduced for the first time to Dr. Litman and the realm of the Universal. Here we received stuff which has since served us in good stead. Dr. Litman, many times elected most popular faculty member, soon inaugurated each of us as one of the boys. Dr. Jung, gentleman of the faculty, gave us Social Ethics, a new view on Judaism, and one and three-quarter minutes per question. An ode should be written to the all night sessions of the boys in Quantitative Analysis. The hours during which the precipitates filtered were whiled away listening to the radio and munching sandwiches provided for the occasion. Politically speaking, Kaufman and Feuerstein maintained their hegemony. Kasten and Usdan continued as Athletic and Library dictators. And Werb got himself elected secretary of the school. Bernie Lander began his connection with the Mizrachi. Poupko became a chess stalwart. Noveck was elected president of the International Relations Club. Greenberg made everyone about the school drama and concert conscious with his fine work on the Concert Bureau. And Zolt started the Coop on its way. The Junior year saw the birth of the Commentator. Feuerstein with Feigon and Kaufman assisting soon made things much more lively and interesting about the school. Last year the class had its first social affair — a dance at the Peter Stuyvesant Hotel — and we lost money. Credit should be given to the thirty-two honest Juniors for having attempted to introduce the Honor System. Too bad so many upper classmen hadn ' t taken Chemistry yet. With the coming of the Senior year the Boys reached their Golden Age. After a heated campaign unprecedented in the annals of the college including the very generous flinging of epithets from all sides, Morris Dembowitz emerged as politician number one and president of the student body. Lou Muss came through without any difficulty as vice-president, and Simon Noveck, after many dire threats from certain strong men finally accepted the editorship. Werb con- tinued as secretary, Usdan as Librarian, and Kasten as Athletic Manager. Iz Marine did valuable work with the curriculum committee, and Zolt continued to keep his eye peeled for business. Aronoff was again the mainstay of the basket- ball team, while Feuerstein kept things lively with the Commentator. Billy Kaufman came into his own as sports critic and Walter Winchell of the Yeshiva. Bernard Lander started the social season in great style by arranging the spirited Poel Hamizrachi smoker. The big event of the season, however, was the Senior Prom at the Jewish Center. Climaxing the social season is the annual stag dinner given by the alumni in honor of the graduating class. In athletics the Seniors functioned well as a group, emerging victorious in the second half of the basketball intramurals, but bowed to the Sophomores in the playoff. It is too early to dote on our accomplishments. That we leave for Posterity. But as we graduate now, thirty-one of us, it is with a feeling of a job well done. The Boys have done their bit for Yeshiva. Thirty-two MASMID