Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

Text from Pages 1 - 108 of the 1949 volume:

EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MASMID MATTHEW KATZ EDITOR NORMAN LAMM BERNARD DUCOFF LITERARY EDITORS CY SHAVRICK BUSINESS MANAGER DAVID HALPERN TECHNICAL EDITOR ABRAHAM MORGENSTERN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR YESHIVA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK CITY JUNE 1949 DEDICATION To the noble descendants of Rav and Shmuel, to the bearers of the traditions of Sura and Pumpe- ditha, to those who perpetuate the living principles of Volozhin and Slobodka, to the Yeshiva Bachur of then and now, this yearbook is dedicated. Much in tinne, space and quality separates us of the class of ' 49 from those of the great academies in Lithuania and Poland; one would hardly identify the modern Yeshiva College Senior with the black- robed students in the various batei-midrashim of almost every town and hamlet in Galicia and Buko- vina. One would barely recognize any semblance of the Yeshiva Bachur, he with the earlocks and black hat, In the young fellow in the Study hiall at Yeshiva College. Yet the similarities are greater than the differ- ences; the continuity of tradition, principles and en- thusiasm from the days of the great Talmudic schol- ars remains unbroken. The thread of history, binding the class of ' 49 to the Saon of Vilna, through the ages to the Gaon of Sura, grows stronger as it grows longer. The heritage of our ancestors Is in our hands. We of the class of ' 49 are proud of this heritage. We are proud to be included as a link in the his- torical chain of Yeshivoth and Yeshiva Bachurim. We thank the Almighty that we have been privileged to become heirs to the intellectual piety and pious Intellectualism which were the mark of the Yeshiva Bachur. We are grateful that the spirit of the Torah, the fire of the Talmud, the ever-growing bril- liance of FHalacha, has been able to survive and thrive in our midst. To the Yeshiva Bachur we dedicate our year- book; to his principles we dedicate our lives. Fellow Graduates: ri :: First, may I express to you my heartiest congratulations on the successful completion of your College studies. During college days you acquired knowledge, but now you should develop the ability to reflect and grow in wisdom. Until now your minds were filled with theories and specula- tions as formulated by others but now, upon graduation, you should develop the capacity to think and inquire for your- selves. An educated person is one who possesses the great desire to gain fresher and sounder information and a thirst for creative thought. You must remember that you cannot for- ever entrust your thinking to others. The endless search after G-d ' s knowledge which helps us to orientate ourselves in the uncharted land of the spirit, and the continuous thirst to become acquainted with the discoveries of the human intellect create a harmonious perfection of one ' s personality. Remain firm in your convictions, and hold yourselves responsible for translating your ideals into realities. Above all, remember that being better men is of greater sig- nificance than being financially better off. I have abiding faith that you will govern your lives by the standards of the Torah, by the great principles of our American democracy, and that you will consider your education as a means towards a greater end — towards consecrated service to our fellowmen. May you, by your conduct, by your firmness to uphold the eternal tradition of Israel bring honor and glory to your- selves as well as to your Alma Mater. Samuel Belkin President June 1949 n n To The Graduates of 1949; Your Alma Mater bids you a fond farewell as you take your leave for the variety of activities and interests that you will engage in on leaving Yeshiva College Yeshiva College is this year in its twentieth year of instruction, which means that you are graduating at a mile- stone in the history of the institution. You are the eighteenth graduating class. With the present graduating class, the total number of graduates will be swelled to approximately 750. Graduates of previous years have set a very high standard of achievement for you to follow, and in wishing you equal success, all of us in Yeshiva College are looking forward to your future accomplishment and happiness. Yours truly, M. L. Isaacs Dean Mr. Morris Silverman Hisrory Acting Registrar Dr. Maurice E. Chernowitz French Romantic. Romantic Dr. Sidney D. Broun French Ah bien children, this is no (?) Kindergarten Dr. Louis F. Sas Spanish The Voice of the Tertuli Prof. Abraham B. Hurwitz Physical Education Director ct S-jde- ; C ' i : Dr. Solomon Joseph Chemistry The all-round man Abraham Tauber Speech en garde! Milton Arfa Hebrew In Arabic It v ould be Dr. Gershon Churgin Hebrew Willlamsburgh, Agudah, Mesifta, Chassidii Baltimore, Cheenuch, Bah! Dr. Alexander Litman Philosophy Surgartelian Or, Shelley R. Saphire Biology Semi-opaque, semi-translucent Dr. David Fleisher English Picks lollypops off almond trees Dr. Henry Lisman Mathematics Physicist and Lamdan Dr. Alexander Brody History To be sure Dr. Abraham Luchlns Psychology Everything must be done in the field Dr. Buno Z. Kisch Chemistry Mai ' Hodu Ve ' ad . . . Earl H. Ryan Speech Men., 10:00, WNEW Dr. Irving Linn English Eh-eh-eh-eh-Men! Dr. Meyer Atlas Biology W-n-e-l-n-l-n-n? Dr. Arnold N. Lowan Physics Dr. Bernard Floch Greek and Latin Never cuts any classics Dr. Eli M. Levlne Chemistry The Famous Hormonist of the Female Se Dr. Aaron M. Margalith Librarian You must be articulate Dry. Hyman B. Srinstein Jewish History Qoiet! or I ' lr lecture Dr. Kenneth F. Damon Speech well ' s Da Perez Posen Physics Daniel Block Mathematics Check your own papers! Dr. Karl Adler Music Corralled a choral group Jekuthiel Sinsburg Mathematics Ah, Life! Rabbi David Mlrsky Hebrew Just like pop! Dr. Nathan Savltsky Psychology New position i tf 5 ♦ ft f f . f f f t t .f,f t. ' ♦ f • t- Four years ago, one sunny morn, A Lower Freshman Class was born. A human birth ' s a time for celebration Except in this one field of Education : The coming of a child brings joy effusive; The entry of a class is unobtrusive. A year of college slowly passed And they were Sophomores at last. Survivors of a College Generation They viewed the future with anticipation: In only three more years, by computation. They ' d reach the cherished goal of Graduation. As Juniors, half their race was run ; A few terms more and they ' d be done! And here our class splits into sev ' ral sections According to its members ' predilections: Each student entering, with great elation. Into his special Field of Concentration. As Seniors, next, they basked in glory; We ' re near the ending of our story. Our heroes now regain their solidarity. For suddenly they realize the disparity Between the common, lower-class collegians And Senior dwellers in the Upper Regions. The peak at last: the final line — And now — THE CLASS OF ' 49! ! ! SENIORS CLASS OFFICERS CY SHAVRICK PRESIDENT NORMAN LAMM VICE-PRESIDENT Our sages tell us, ncyon Nt N np ' V cmon sy. Constanily guided by this basic credo, we of the class of ' 49 have brought our plans to fruition. We inaugurated the year with our Senior-Fresh- man Smoker . This gala affair, elaborately planned, was a tremendous success, and before long our some- what bewildered freshmen were put at ease and properly oriented into our renowned institution. Outstanding senior talent was displayed in making this a most enjoyable evening for all. Then followed our Senior-Faculty Mixer. This affair, conducted in a close and informal manner, brought about a harmonious union of student and professor — a unity vital in creating healthy and happy school relationships. Our culminating affair was the Senior banquet which preceded the Commencement exercises. Amidst an air of sentimentality and serenity, we gathered together with our family and friends to celebrate the completion of our college careers at Yeshiva University. Dr. Belkin honored us with his presence; and with him were other distinguished per- sonalities. In addition, our class has actively participated in all phases of Intramural activities. When we were freshmen, the then senior class wrote about us in the Masmid that we were a disgustingly average class . We beg to differ. Our record of four years of active participation in schol- astic and extra-curricular activities proves that we are far above average. In conclusion, let me take this occasion to person- ally thank every one of my classmates for their ex- cellent cooperation and to wish them nnS ' n in all their future endeavors. ARTHUR ABRAMSON Newark, N. J. Artie was one of the few Broun maiors In school. Also a veteran, Mike Korbman and he are as close as that! Artie worked hard at his French and was editor of Le Flambeau. Graduated In January, he Is attending Graduate School, studying education. Mike and he will probably end up teaching in the same school and even the same language: Mike ' s English sounding like Artie ' s French and Artie ' s French sounding like Mike ' s English. JACK ALSTER Brooklyn, N. Y. This volatile chemistry major is known about the office of Yeshlva. Having spent one year at City College, he was thankful to return to Yeshiva College, and can now be seen constantly in the laboratory. Jack attended T.A. and T.I. He also reported for the Commie. He hopes to enter the field of physical chemistry. MILTON AUGENSTEIN Philadelphia, Pa. Melech is the senior who is most popular for his outstanding feat of a triple-catch: one wife and two kids. Pappa Melech certainly Is leaving college with more than he had when he came in. His remark- able metamorphosis from bochur to chassan to man to tateh has not, however, detracted from his general amiability and friendli- ness. The class chassid hopes to get his smicha in the very near future, and all his classmates join in wishing him, his wife and his two little Augenstelns a happy and successful future. DONALD J. BERGER Bronx, N. Y. Donald Is one of our more studious graduates. He attended T.A. and has completed his studies in the Teachers Institute. A math major, he is also somewhat of an electrician, painter, carpenter and lock- smith. In short he embraces both the abstract and the concrete. Donald Is now teaching Hebrew and plans to study Math and teach it. SOLOMON BLUMENFELD Newark, N. J. This good looking trombone player from Newark arrived at Yeshiva, possessing all the attributes for a successful college life. Sol played on the basketball varsity for two years and then left the more active part of the sport for the exhortatory sidelines. As Com- mie ' s philosophic Sports Editor his words were keenly read for new trends in the Philosophy of Sport. Sol, after a brief love affair with Psych., settled down to a major in Biology and doing quite well, thank you. MORRIS A. COHEN Brooklyn, N. Y. This Chaim Berlin contribution to J.B., hiamevaser and Eranos is as productive as a soy bean. In fact, he has been a sec ' y-treas. of S.O.Y. Moish is an English major, and is also active on the business staffs of Masmid and Commie. An avid reader (of publications other than only Commie, Masmid and Hamevaser), he is a member of the Library staff. hHe wants to be a Rabbi, and is currently taking Lessons in Judaism. ABE DRAZIN Montreal, Canada A completely synthesized product, Abe found no conflict between managing the book store, being business manager of Commie, attend- ing Rabbi Burack ' s shiur and being an English major. A graduate of Canadian high schools, Abe learned to live in N.Y., influenced in the right direction by Jack Zuker and Joe Abelow. hHe expects to enter business and be a wealthy benefactor of Yeshiva U. BERNARD DUCOFF Union City, N. Y. Bernie found time during his senior year to major in English, take Ihree Goldberg courses, study for his final exams in T.L, teach out of town, be co-Literary Editor of Masmid, and to be engaged (a college course in itself). During his previous calmer years he wrote stories for the Jerome Robbins contest, debated for his class and the varsity, sent Commies to alumni and otherwise lounged around discussing the burning issues of Yeshiva life. Equipped with a teacher ' s diploma and a B.A., he hopes to enter the teaching field and study for the rabbinate with a dash of post-graduate Sociology. MAX FRANKEL Bronx, N. Y. One of our peace loving Commie editors, Max has maintained Commie ' s high standard. He attended T.A. and expects to have graduated from Teachers Institute by the time you read this. He was a member of the Placement Bureau of the University, and of the Faculty-Students Relations Committee. Max was a delight in the Junior class night performance and on Alumni Day. A History major, he probably will be a Hebrew teacher and would like to enter the field of journalism. Asa 1 DENNY SELLER New York, N. Y. Denny was the first one to prove that Dr. Luchin s Einstellung test is all wet. The test showed that he wasn ' t rigid at all; but, Denny, in direct contrast to the results of the exam has developed a rigid schedule in relation to wasteful Saturday evenings — one call to the Bronx every three weeks, one to Brooklyn also every third week, and free lance with Mr. Week-In-between. As vice president of the Stu- dent Council he did a tremendous amount of work and was trapped into attending two S.C. meetings, one of them by chance — as it was held in his buddy Sam Slaser ' s room upon whose bed he was passing his favorite pastime. Denny captained the basketball squad through a highly satisfying season and the cute one remained the team player throughout the season. Denny hopes to continue what he has been doing all along and remain just one great guy. SAMUEL Z. SLASER Brooklyn, N. Y. Sam could well be labeled as The Most Active President of Yeshiva College. Introducing concerts, dramatic shows, research journals, Sam set the school afire with his enthusiasm and encouragement of activities like: audio-visual shows, fireside chats, etc. One of Dr. Lu- chin ' s best students and still normal, Sam worked on several projects with him. He also minored in philosophy but was one of Dr. LItman ' s major keys. Sam burst upon us in his Junior year as president of his class and chairman of the Zionist Actions Committee. His future: guidance, both psychological and spiritual, especially of Denny Geller. JOSEPH J. GOLD Bedford Ave., USA A major In Math, and a minor in many things, Yussel regards as his greatest assets his active membership in the Math Club, editorship of the Physics section of the Science Publication, contributions t o Le Flambeau, loftier ambitions than the Rabbinate, big words and Mot- tel Lava. Joe is recognized by his friends as a great intellectual. In addition, he is a J.B.er with his Rebbl ' s disdain for convention. SEYMOUR HABER New York, N. Y. One of our geniuses In the Mafh. dept., Seymour is headed for great numbers. Vice President and lecturer of the active Math. Club he also participated in extra-mural debating and was an official mem- ber of the college Debating team (So they didn ' t have any debates on math). His majors were Math and Chemistry and being a T.I. boy he hopes to teach Math in Israel. DAVID HALPERN Brooklyn, N. Y. Dave, better known as Doody, migrated here from the Bedford Avenue Seminary. Having excelled in History, his major, he hopes to incorporate same and a graduate course into his well-planned rabbini- cal future. Confining his extra-curricular activities to the Co-op Store and to the Governing Board of Masmld, Dave has managed to succeed In both. Some day in the future, he hopes to move to Aretz and settle there. ABRAHAM HIRSCHSPRUNG Columbus, Ohio Abe finds that his feet aren ' t on speaking terms with each other since he became Manager of the Riding Team. This J.B. ' er has been making a Slyog La ' Torah as a captain of the Fencing Team, and also dabbles in Philosophy and Political Science besides Tennis. He expects to talk the Smicha Board into giving him Smicha. ALBERT HOLLANDER Brooklyn, N. Y. Al grew quickly during his four years In Y.U., in understanding and intelligence anyway. A disciple of Dr. Litman and a Brody major, Al has devoted his spare time to being chairman of the Curriculum Com- mittee. He also joined the Debating Society and Commie Staff. Sporting a moustache, Al is ready to woo the girls and be a high school teacher. ELIEZER HOROWITZ Brooklyn, N. Y. A resident of Brooklyn, something which should not be held against him, Ell attended Chalm Berlin and T. A. before entering Yeshlva Col- lege. He attends the Yeshlva in the morning and Is president of Rabbi Shatzkes ' s class. He went to N.Y.U. for a year but the magnetic pull of Yeshlva proved to be too much for him, and he returned to the fold. In the College he participated In Dramatics. He Is active In Y.I. of Eastern Parkway and is right now engaged in audio-visual work. MATTHEW KATZ Brooklyn, N. Y. This chem major Is a radio-whiz and incidentally, the All-Powerful and Omniscient Editor-in-Chief of this journal. Matty can always be seen dabbling with either test-tubes or radio tubes, and Is a masmid at Masmid. Somehow he manages to get things done, even though one sees his Do Not Disturb. Asleep sign on his dorm door four- teen hours a day. Matty can be seen In the Crown Heights Young Israel, the chem lab, Lamm ' s room, the Physics lab, or in most of the group pictures in this book. SAMUEL KENNER Sydney, Nova Scotia Riding in on the back of a Nova Scotia salmon, Sammy alighted and stayed to see the sights. He became basketball team manager in his Fresh and Soph years and rose to Athletic Manager in the Junior and Senior year. Sammy helped found the Y.U.A.A., became a mem- ber of Its executive council and Doc ' s assistant and gym supervisor. As a side line he was a language major. His plans are indefinite but include reallghting on his salmon and heading for Eretz. SIMEON KOBRINETZ Far Rockaway, N. Y. Simeon made a name for himself In Brooklyn College for two years and then came to Yeshlva College (Don ' t ask why — he just came.) At B.C., he was a member of the Student Council and President of B.C. Hlllel Foundation. He Is a philosophy major and was a delegate to the National Student Association Conference, and on the Yeshlva basketball team in ' 48. He Is a member of the National Zionist Ac- tions Committee, a member of the International Relations Club and Is on the Executive Committee of the National Jewish Youth Con- ference. Simeon attends the Yeshlva and aspires to the rabbinate. MEYER KORBMAN Newark, N. J. Our own Mike, with the captivating smile and bubbling wit has endeared himself to all and sundry. After two years in the M.P.I, branch of the Army, he came to Yeshiva College where he majored in Shakespeare and Political Science. As chairman of the Placement Service he placed and served many of us. He was also President of the Dramatics Society and a member of the French Club. Mike is now attending Yeshiva University Graduate School and expects to teach English in the foreign land of New Jersey. NORMAN LAMM Brooklyn, N. Y. Norm is Torah Vodaath ' s contribution to JIB! and Chemistry. With a background of high marks, mediocre Hebrew, poetry and two awards — Talmud and Junior class scholarship — he has become a Lit- erary Editor of this Masmid and vice-president of the senior class. He is a traditional opponent, dating from his soph year, of Dramatics and most of Commentator ' s policies. However, this does not exclude all extra-curricular activities. Norm wrote articles for Flambeau, for Masmid (3 years) and for the Science publication and was traditional Hebrew poet for the Yeshiva Chagigas. Whether in the chem labs or on Bedford Ave., however, his Moustache is a hopeless case. LEO LANDMAN New York, N. Y. Leo is R.J.J. ' s contribution to the Math department and J.B. These excellent conditions have enabled this taciturn masmid to drei mit dem gruben finger with mathematical precision. As a result, he is bein hashmashos, no longer a bochur, not yet a mentch — he was engaged to a wonderful young lady in his senior year. Mazel Tov, Leo, to you and your Rebbitzen. I STANLEY LEVIN Bronx, N. Y. Wherever Palestine is mentioned, Stanley is bound to appear. All right Stanley, so it ' s Israel. An Evander Child ' s High School graduate, he spent his freshman year in City College until he learned about the joys of attending Yeshiva College (in comparison, anyway). A history major, he spends most of his time outside the school. Active in Tnn IDIcy , he is P K ' NTof the East Bronx branch. Stanley ' s just itchin to get to Israel as a member of the Chalutziut movement. SOLOMON ROTHSTEIN Bronx, N. Y. Sol Is our Good Humor man — always ready with a smile and a friendly word. A S+uyvesant High School graduate and an ex-G.I., he Is majoring in psychology and Is a member of the Veterans Or- ganization and the Psychology Club. Sol is one of Rabbi Arnest ' s first row boys — those who listen. He hopes to continue occupying the front row until Smicha. uamM MEYER SANDEL Rochester, N. Y. Mike spent three years in the Air Force before coming to Yeshiva College. He is a Chemistry major but also Interested in Philosophy and English, or Dr. Lifman and Dr. Klein. He was vice president of the Veterans Organization. Mike expects to continue in the field of Chemistry. SY SCHORR Camden, N. J. Handsome, blond-haired Sy is Camden ' s gift to Yeshiva Col- lege. He attended T.A. and is now in Rabbi Shatzkes ' class In Yeshiva. He IS an English major and a member of the Chess Team. A swell guy with a deep singing voice and a good head for things that have to do with money, he Is on the business staff of Masmid. IRVING SHAPIRO Cleveland, Ohio Irving is one of our hard working French majors which Is an entire college course in Itself. He is also one of the better students in Rabbi Shatzkes ' class. He hopes to continue learning and to succeed In the educational field. iL SJ ' i CY SHAVRICK Baltimore, Md. Cy Pretty Boy Ronny Shavrick, though he doesn ' t particularly care for fishing is very versatile in using a line. But there are no strings attached when we say that Cy is one of the most dependable and honest fellows in this school. He probably is the only individual who can boast of the distinction of never having an argument with any of the fellows. As president of the Senior class and Business Manager of Masmid, Cy did extraordinary work. This Philosophy major from Baltimore wants to do some welfare work in Europe and study for the rabbinate. NAHUM B. SHULMAN Jersey City, N. J. Nahum is one of our few synthetic boys. A philosophy major, inter- ested in Psychology and Jewish Education, Nahum wants to continue learning in the Yeshiva. Spreading his activities over both institutions, he is president of his Yeshiva class, member of the Zionist Actions Committee (food drive) and responsible for our rings and keys. He expects to learn till Smicha, whereupon he will leave for Aretz to spread Torah. EL IHU SIMON Bronx, N. Y. Chiel is known for his wavy hair and his friendliness, if you don ' t insult his hair. A 1 . A! graduate, he has majored in sociology and minored on the varsity basketball team and in the bookstore. He did a good job with the bookstore this year — sold some books. He ex- pects to graduate T.I. with college and hopes to attend graduate school and eventually teach Physical Ed. and or Hebrew in a sec- ondary school. SAMUEL SKLAR Bronx, N. Y. Co.v down, you peasants! Down, I say! For the versatile Sammy has achieved the ultimate. He is the radiant owner of a shiiiy new Ford! In the not too distant past he was a student of the Salanter Yeshiva in the Bronx. From there he went to T.A. and T.I. He was recently graduated from T.I. In the college he organized and super- vised swimming under Doc Hurwitz and majored in Psychology, Education and extra-curricular activities on the side. He participated in many T.I. shows, and is a devoted apostle of Danny Kaye. He plans to be executive director of a community center. AL SOKOLOW Brooklyn, N. Y. A budding English Lit. professor, so he says, Al came to Yeshlva after exploring the lake districts of Colchester, Conn. A T.A. grad- uate, Al joined every organization In school, including the Culbertson Brigade. He finally settled down as the efficient manager of our expanding Co-op. Among his friends he numbers particularly Rhoda, Sylvia, Judy, Rita and Beverly (at this counting). THEODORE STEINBERG New Brilain, Conn. Ted has finally vindicated his stay In college by being an A student in statistics. This New Englander discovered that Yeshlva exerts Its Influence even In the Middle East and he returned from Lebanon to finish his college course. Ted was president of the Soph Class and circulation manager of Commie. He majored In English, minored In Bio and may yet be a statistical rabbi or a rabbinical statistician (In Israel, he hopes.) MURRAY TOBIAS Queens, N. Y. This veteran of Rabbi Jacob Joseph attends the Yeshlva In the morning and majors In Philosophy In the afternoon. He lives in Ja- maica, where he reads the Torah every Saturday morning, but during the week he sleeps In the Dorm. His goal Is the Rabbinate, and, in- cidentally, Professor LItman is a neighbor of his. MORRIS TWERSKY Boston, Mass. Although Twerp is short on height, he Is long on depth. His Gestaltic views on Zionism have caused him much grief at the hands of the Assoclationlsts, but a devoted and loyal Betar he is and ex- pects to remain. This Boston bred son of a famous rabbinical family has seen service on the Student Council as vice-president of the Soph Class and participated In other student activities. One of Yukle ' s pet math students and occupying a front seat In Rabbi Paleyeff ' s shiur, Molshe has a double future before him — to be ordained at Yeshlva and do graduate work In math, and then, if not sooner, to Israel. I GEORGE WOLF New York, N. Y. George, the older of +he Wolf brothers, is a complete product of Yeshlva University. He attended Talmudical Academy and is a grad- uate of Teachers Institute where he won the Bible and hHebrew Liter- ature prizes. Studious and diligent, he is a Sociology major but ex- pects to continue in the educational field. MORRIS WOLF New York, N. Y. Morris, the younger of the Wolves, is like a parallel to his brother George. Also a graduate of T.A., he expects to graduate from the Teachers Institute in June together with College. Studious and dili- gent, he is a Sociology major, but expects, in time, to go into the Educational field. JOSEPH J. YOSHOR Brooklyn, N. Y. Senor Yoshor, who studied for two summers in Mexico, has come a long way from New Hampshire, where he was born. He attended T.A. and became immersed in its politics. He wrote three plays for Yeshiva College Dramatics and is Managing Editor of Commie. A very deliberate and fluent speaker, Joe is a member of the Debating Team. He is also Treasurer of the Placement Service. At present, Joe resides in good old Brooklyn which has nothing at all to do with the fact that he is an English major. x SEYMOUR ZAHN Brooklyn, N. Y. Zeke ' s experience in the International Relations Society taught him that it ' s really a pity that he has no relations among the Roshe Haye- shiva, such as Rabbi Lifshitz. This aspirant to the Rabbinate is a Zionist among Agudists, and an Agudist among Zionists, a Williams- burger among Heightsers, and vice versa. He is an old admirer of Dr. Jung, and a student of the history of the Middle Ages. JACK ZUCKER Philadelphia, Pa. One of our Lebanon boys, Jack came back to us thin and tired, but we fattened him up as purchasing manager of the Co-op. He was also a member of the Health Committee, the Placement Service, and on the circulation and business staff of Commie. A math major. Jack, no matter what his future, expects to learn more about figures. SOLOMON POUPKO Philadelphia, Pa. Sol, son of a rabbinical family, has made himself famous in Yeshiva with his hilarious imitations of rabbis and other such. A T.A. graduate, he attends Yeshiva and is an English major In College. He also learned at the Mirrer Yeshiva last summer. Sol intends to be a talmudic scholar and a teacher and critic of Charlie Bahn ' s poetry. CAMERA SHY SUMMA CUM KIBBITZING or History of The Class of ' 49 The four years of college life may be compared to the four portions of the Shulchan Aruch. In fact, Rabbi Karo ' must have composed his great work with an eye on the future students of Yeshiva College.- Understanding the influence that his book would have on us, he judiciously divided it according to the four stages of life that a student reaches during his four year stay in college. Each year it is proper for us to learn the portion ' ' that applies to our college life. FREShHMAN YEAR. This is the year of DSB ' D Q ' n. We arrive ready to do our own work and to learn all we can. Everything is done according to Ui:i. n, no cutting classes, no coming late, etc. We expect to write compositions for Dr. Klein in the class, to actually do our History assignments, to attend classes religiously and not to use pK in our Chem classes. We come from the four corners of the earth, but mostly from Brooklyn, to learn about . . . well, just to learn. ' ' We inquire for Yeshiva University ■ ' and are directed to a Moorish ' ' ' looking building ' ' with a dome ' ' and two mosques on the side. That ' s Yeshiva? Yeh, I know it looks like an Arabian nightmare but wait until you get inside! It is a few minutes before twelve and we enter the quiet restaurant across the street for a cup of coffee. Suddenly, like a sandstorm sweeping across the desert, we behold myriads of boys running across the street. The door is pushed open violently and a dozen voices shout, Combinatsalad — eggslox — bakefish — larglassofchocmilk. The crowd pours in and fills every corner of the cafeteria. The restaurant re- sounds with the noise of eating, pushing, -talking and shouting. Why doesn ' t Brenner open? And eat rubber steaks again? Rosen ' s growing another beard. Rav has another svora. And above the medley of voices can be heard that of Harry ' s, Why don ' t you boys take your time? I ' m getting out of this business. You fellows can make a fellow sick. And the boys at the cashier form a long line and get Harry sick. V e are allowed to soak in fully the grandeur of Yeshiva University ' s walls as we wait four hours to register. We spend the rest of the day cooling our heels before the dormitory office. We get our first taste of Yeshiva officialdom. We can ' t Baer it. Having entered upon the heels of the numerous and mighty class of ' 48, we aren ' t too highly touted. Those of us who are wise enough to heed the warnings of countless alumni and suffering students choose German. But there are always a few suckers or scholars. So, Ignoring the dire heedings, a goodly number of us continue French with Dr. Braun. The Shapiros and Lamms do well. The Golds ' are able to talk themselves into a good mark even in French. The rest of us just suffer and work — and how we suffer! We discover It is better to A-gree with Dr. Klein than to D-isagree with him. When Ducoff receives a D on his first composition, he knows he is starting from the bottom of the ladder in college. It is with Dr. Klein that we learn to use the ten minute rule. Guards are posted on the ground floor to watch for the Grand Old Man, Hilchot Collegiot XXX, 3. • ibid., XXXXV 96. = Tractate Masmid, 107 c. Dr. M. Frankel. one of the later Commentators, believes that the use of the portion is a later addition by Yeshiva scholars. Josephus Yoshor says that, anyhow, it ' s good materia! for an historical drama. ■ PK is defined as the Phinagler ' s konstant. See the article On the History and Use of pk in Non-Laboratory Media by Lamn and Katz under the direction of Profs. Levine, Isaacs. Levine, Kisch, Levine, Joseph. Levine and Levine. Zeymour Zeke Zahn believes this to be superfluous. In his Zounds, p. 3411, he says that at- tending Poli-Sci classes is preferable to studying. Cf. Propaganda and the Yeshiva University by S. Hartstein, 1st ed., 2nd ed., 3rd ed.,— 0° ■ ■-■ ibid. ' ibid. •■■ ibid. O-O-O-pen ze door Whats a few years, more or less, to a good pun? ' See Joel J. Gold ' s Epicurus, Poincare, Voltaire. Woman and Bedford Ave., published in Le Flambeau, 1979. and when the ten minutes have elapsed we rush for the entrance leading away from Dr. Klein. It develops into a great race almost every session — Dr. Klein running to intercept us and we. led by the indomitable Manny Baum, racing the other way. Some of us work for long extra hours on Dr. Levine ' s unknowns and others use their imaginative powers and guess (correctly, enough of the time). We elevate 1o the Presidency the noted author, Charles Neal Bahn, and to the Vice-Presidency, the dignified speaker and unbending worker, Joseph Yoshor, whose motto is, Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow. Nothing is heard from them until they run again. We debate most of the year in a series of highly unat- tended class meetings on a class trip which we do not hold and on class hats which we do not buy. Simon and Seller proceed to make themselves inconspicuous on the basketball team. Yoshor, Frankel and Drazin join the bottom ranks of Commie and everybody has a furn watching books disappear from the library. We are an average Freshman class and are molded into the proper forms without too much rebellion. We are still under the Influence of DStJ ' D icn. We are somewhat scorned by the seniors above but it Is a puerile year for them, and we feel we can do better. At least we mean to try. So we help elect Earl Klein to the Presidency of Student Council and start to really build a functioning student government. We are SOPHOMORES and ready to learn ntyn t3X. We are past the DSK ' D ItJ ' n stage. We know the ropes now. We understand that it is necessary to learn the great art of living, extra-curricular activity, mutual help, nrv. The road to success In college Is cooperation. What are the Soph courses? Let ' s see — advanced English, advanced Math, advanced French. Well, three is a more advanced number than one. We take only three and a half hours to register this time. It pays to date a secretary or two, eh Simon? Ted Steinberg ' and Moishe Twersky are elected, as Betar sweeps our class on a Beigln platform. Sol Blumenfeld gets the lowdown on writing philosophical sports columns from Mike Fenster. Denny Geller and Chiel Simon continue as our represen- tatives on the Mites. Sammy Kenner becomes team manager and supreme commander of the basketballs. Sy Schorr joins the Chess Team and Jack Zucker is usually found slugging away at a Yankee Doodle. Mike Korbman, a 5:45 riser In the army for a few years, exhibits a perfect example of retroactive Inhibition by sleeping straight through Abe Drazln ' s bugle calls in the mornings. Lo and behold, Melech Augenstein is married. Who could have imagined our fa- mous chasid being the first of the class of ' 49 to get hitched? He finds Bio a cinch. Of course. It will only be a one credit per year course for him from now on. Jolly well, Guvner Abramson Is wooing Le Flambeau, and it seems that he is destined to get H — vets get everything nowadays. Tobias Is learning to cuss in and at French. Our first class nite in years Is a success. With the play written by Joe Yoshor, and Eli Horowitz acting the leading role, we tie with the Juniors for first place. The little terrorist Maxle Frankel steals the show. The Soph Intramural team, composed of Sol Blumenfeld, Abe Drazin, Charlie Bahn, Sam Kenner, Denny Geller, Sam Glaser and Chlel Simon, play ball. Nough said, despite Blumenfeld ' s reading of Zarasthustra. On our French final exam we are asked to write the whole course. Jack Zucker doesn ' t know his head from his I ' assamolr, but then — who does? The Soph year is not very difficult. We are neither the lowly freshmen who suf- fer the effects of entering a new school (or Institution), nor the lordly upperclassmen who will have to run the school. But we will be upperclassmen next term and the change Is already felt In our class elections, for out of these elections will come the eventual Senior rulers of the school. Six of us run for President and another half dozen 1 V,. ' ' Seymour Haber, in his Books and Things. swears thai iwo branches of +he Yeshlva College Library have opened in the homes of Joe Gold and William Frank. ° See Bringing Dates lo Fruition, Yeshiva College Catalogue. ' Mentioned tn the Relics of Lebanon. by M. Aaron Carp. ' ibid. Related to the famous Devil Dog. A well-known aristocrat. See Tractate Sabbath I 14a concerningP ' i ' ' ?15 n TD-Thts is no joke 7 ' ' s for Vice President. Samuel Koppel Wohlgelernter ' - and Sam Glaser won on person- alHy, friendliness and cliques. Yes, as JUNIORS, we are ready for the □ n miN. We know the ways of life and are prepared to apply our knowledge to the affairs of school and certain extracurricu- lar activities in which most young men are interested. With the ' beginning of the new term, one can feel the change. From now on we also run the school. From apathy we turn to Industry. Shmuel Koppel leaves for Israel, Sam takes over the Presidency and Cyrus Shavrick defeats Bernie Ducoff for the vacated office of Vice-President. We make our weight felt on the Commie as Joe Yoshor hops on Max Frankel and they both straddle the News Editorships. Sol Blumenfeld leaves the team to throw the ball around as Sports Editor. Sam Kenner becomes Athletic Manager and starts looking for a home court the rest of the year. He discovers that New York is a mighty big town and a mighty full one. Denny Geller continues playing good basketball with his mouth open and Chief Simon joins him wifh his bobbing hair. Al Sokolow deigns to co-op with the Co-op and Jack Zucker is enticed into it by the thought of selling delicious Yankee Doodles. Duddy hialpern assumes a major role in Co-op, even though he is busy with his capulative verbs — R.B. Bahn is appointed Concert Bureau Chairman and sets his office hours from one to three a.m. (when there are tickets). Mike Korbman decides to use his smile to good advantage and becomes co-chairman of the new Student Placement Service. There he does a fine job in procuring positions from baby-sitting to detective work (everything being in a Yeshiva boy ' s line). His lonely hours are enlivened in the office by Joe Yoshor and Ted Steinberg. Jack Alster ' - ' has switched to City, and so things seem to be quiet. In intramurals, we debate with empty papers to empty audiences and empty judges and win the debating cup. Bernie Ducoff, Al Sokolow, Charlie Bahn and Sam Glazer out-talk and out-attend the competing teams. We place second in volleyball contests and turn up third in basketball. Denny, Chiel, Vumi Green, Sam Glaser, Sam Kenner and Sol Blumenfeld all take turns in passing the ball anywhere except through the basket. Abe Hirschsprung ' - ' ' is having a hay-day with his Horse-Riding Team. We establish Informal headquarters In Sol Blumenfeld ' s room, Rm. 308. Here, after Irresistible Bahn ' s snub by a Boro Park girl, we found the Moral Sam Glaser So- ciety whose motto is, Down with Boro Park. We make our plans for the coming year in this caucus room full of smoke. Yeshiva politicians choose the coming Presi- dent and decide the fate of Yeshiva (only it doesn ' t turn out that way). Our society asserts its authority in the case of the M.S.G.S. against Al Sokolow for unmentionable deeds. The wise Bernie Ducoff is chosen as Judge. Charlie Bahn is picked by Al io be his defense attorney. The ingenious Sol Poupko handles the prosecuting end. Charlie changes Al ' s plea to insanity and sentence is passed. Al Sokolow, you will grow a beard on one half of your face. A marvelous impromptu affair Is thus finished. Izzy Weinberg leaves college for Hachshara and a diminutive maidel. ' ' - ' Poupko ' ' spends a week calling up a radio announcer and posing as Professor Rahman Al Zion. ' Yes, I taught at the University of Bagdada. We discover a Poppa in our midst, Melech Augenstein, ' ' who learns the joys of life long before us somber Misnagdim.- ' - ' ' Many, many of us (Norman Lamn and Matthew Katz) consent to major In chem- istry. Dr. Levine decides that his very big class (Matthew Katz and Norman Lamn) deserve some very special favor. So, he arranges for all yields to be on the shelves before the experiments are started. Naturally, all of the boys (except Norman Lamn and Matthew Katz) take advantage of the hormonlst ' s favors. Joe Gold, meanwhile, continues to use his eyes for physics, his feet for Bedford Avenue and his hands for talking. Hollander, Lamn and Katz start to grow moustaches (so they say). Ted Stein- berg, Moish Twensky and Jack Zucker leave for Israel and are detained by the Lebanese. They find the Yeshiva boys too hot to handle and send them back to us. n in Cologn Christopher ■ ' See the article The Anthropology of Pre-Historlc ■ ' The home town ot this cowboy is Columbus, Ohio. P. ' Mazel Tov; March, 1949. ™ See Seter hta-Litvakim. Ibid. See Seter Shivchei Ha-Baal Shem Tov. ' A sect whose members remain bachurim till the age of fifty. Encyclopedia Yeshi Professor Flelsher decides to give his advanced English classes creative papers to write instead of exanns (because he doesn ' t like to mark exams). We learn to think and benefit from our own creative work. Mr. Terkel joins the faculty and we are some- what surprised by his enthusiasm and eagerness. He points his finger and says, Boys and girls, I don ' t lecture — I instruct. So be it; we are not semanticists.- A goodly number of us sweat out Psych, and find that we can out-talk Psych, majors in other schools (powerful stuff to impress the girls). We feel benefited by the widening of our views this course has given us. Sam Glaser calls class meetings and for once there is enthusiasm. We debate on Dramatics, and of course Norman Lamm is in the opposition. The essential differences between us come to light. We plan hikes and moonlight rides and the split grows deeper. Yes. we are an active group of Juniors. We learn to function and prepare our- selves for assuming the roles of leadership in the coming year. There had been talk among the Seniors of the lack of students, among us, to run the Student Government: but we are discovering ourselves, learning what kind of men we really are. We are ready to work and we prove it as with a minimum of dirty politics we have a clean election. Sam Glaser noses out Mike Korbman for the Presidency and Denny Geller is elected Vice-President. Cyrus Shavrick defeats Abe Drazln for the Senior Class Presi- dency and Norman Lamn wins over Max Frankel for the honor of Vice. Our SENIOR year is here and we are ready to learn nyi mv.Yes, we are ready to apply the laws of Kashruth to our college and make It really kosher. We are now D ' DSn U yil, always ready to teach r V , knowledge, to our younger brethren. We are all off to a good start and a terrific Senior year. We have no chips on our shoulders, only a belief in the value of student activities. We have high hopes for an eventful and frictionless term. Max Frankel becomes the shortest Commie editor on record and Joe Yoshor the tallest managing editor. Sol Blumenfeld remains sports editor and Abe Drazln be- comes business manager. Matty Katz is handed the Masmid on a silver platter and, for once, no debts. He appoints Bernie Ducoff and Norman Lamn to the Literary Editorships from whom he is given warm thanks and promise of unflagging endeavor. However, nothing Is accomplished by them, except getting into pictures, until they begin worrying about receiving the Masmid key and really start to work in February. Cy Shavrick is chosen as Business Editor and Duddy Halpern Technical Editor. Nahum Shulman, The Softspoken, gives the boys the keys to success, at $7.20 each. He runs rings around others, for a much higher price. Kobrinetz, who attends classes when not attending lasses, thinks the rest of the class Is a bunch of — es, and decides to do some constructive work on his own initiative. Meyer Sandell Is busy with the Dean. Mike, who comes from Rochester and the air-force, is taking home the bacon — In test tubes. Leo Landman, not officially a scientist, decides that he has en- tered enough data into the lab notebooks of his social life, and comes to a positive conclusion. He is engaged. Duddy Halpern decides to change his copulative verbs (are — be) to the past tense, and looks with a new light into the future. Hollander ' s moustache already resembles a broom, and he decides to make a clean sweep- of things. Rackovsky goes back to Florida for a vacation, and comes back all Braun in the face. The Wolf Brothers enter our building, attend classes and depart. Say, who and what are they? This book is the tribute to and the record of our work. The year itself is a fruitful and eventful one. We have learned our nVT mi ' . ™ Semanticists are defined as Haber and Frank. Of late, however, Haber has returned to ■igorous integral signs, while Willie Frank has been seduced by Cybernetics. This latter science attempts to show that the best way to trea places. Perfect for Willie. cf. Get Thee to a Punnery, by Wn urotic is to fix his flats or put the bolts in the right Frank, Sh. Lit. A. UPPER JUNIORS The members of the class of ' 50 returned from their summer vacations, their coats brushed and their nails trimmed, looking like an administrator ' s ideal. They were tired from two months of play and were eager to learn. But, they came anyway. They came to prepare to take over the school. In Student Council, their president, Sonny Schwartz, sat, spraying his throat and preparing to open the Social hHall for a day or so. Vice-Presi- dent hHoitzboig was practicing putting his foot down — he would put both feet down, but he always keeps the other one in his mouth. The Juniors also had captured the secretary-treasurership in the person of Lauer, who had spent the summer vigorously practising his signature. In the Co-op the Juniors had hHonest John Levine with one hand in the till — he ' s only co- manager — and busily making money. It looked like the real thing, too. The Juniors looked forward, to a successful year in debating which culminated in winning the intramural crown. On the Commentator, Matlin took over the news-idiotship and, when he was not busy licking the editor ' s boots, could be seen walking around with a worried look. The Juniors also looked forward, to a victory in intramural basketball. With a team of Danzig, Komsky, Rosenblum, Marcus, Dyen and Lauer, the expected to walk away with the championship. After all, Danzig and Komsky were the best bench dribblers on the school team. Rapp inherited the chairmanship of the Y. U. Zionist Actions Committee and had been practising walking around with a push- ka for months. LOWER JUNIORS This smallest class of Yeshiva College (In njmbers, that is) showed the unique quality of going from one election into another. With Leon Levy leaving for Israel, Ernie Ruch assumed the Presi- dency, while Ludwig Nadelmann was elecled as Vice-President. Soon, however, the scene changed and. in February. Nadelmann became Prexy and B oner Vice-President. The lower juniors, anxious to prove that there is no direct relationship between iheir quantity and quality, took quite an active part in Yeshiva ' s extracurricular life. Arthur Silver headed the Chess Club which made an exceptionally fine showing in the Intercollegiate Chess tournament. Ruch lead the Arts and Crafts shop, and Brenner became publicity manager of the placement service. ZwI Beltner won the T. I. elections and Dave Rosenhan debated successfully on behalf of Yeshiva. A Lag B ' omer outing and a Melave Maike which never passed bey ond its embryological stage made the year a highly enjoyable one. 29 SOPHOMORES From far and wide came a hundred and a quarter sophs back to the halls of ye olde institution for the second lap. The ' 5lers, sporting the largest enrollment in the history of Yeshiva and ably led by President Bert Rogov ay and Vice President Bert Mond, quickly proved their quality as well as their quantity. They participated in a varied program of exira-curricular activities. The intramural basketball team pulled the upset of upsets in trouncing a h ' ghly favored Junior quint for their first victory in two 5ea:ons, and Dryspiel, Fingerhut, Lamm, Botwinick, and Eisenbach are still talking about their tie for the intramural crown. The varsity hoopsters, too, were ably represented by the second-year men, as Dry- spiel and Fredman added their well-proportioned weight to the team. Rogoway and Fredman swung a couple of mean rackets for the varsity tennis team. The sophomore contribution to the literary field at Yeshiva touched all three main student pub- lications. Stadtmauer became news editor of the Commentator, while Rogoway, who also doubled as managing editor of the Maccabean, Rakowitz, and Krantz joined the Managing Board. Gross was the class Masmid representative. This year Yeshiva ended up fifth in the int ;r-collegiatG chess tournament, helped out by the brilliant play and keen mind of David Steinberg ' 51. Steinberg won 6 out of 7 matches which placed him in a tie for individual honors. The history of the soph class would not be complete without mention- ing Bill Solomon who turned in a sterling performance for the second consecutive year in the Alumni Day production put on by the student body for the school. 30 FRESHMEN The class which will graduate one hundred years after Franklin Pierce was elected President of the U.S. Is outstanding in Yeshiva history both quantiiatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively, this group is one of the largest entering classes in Y.C. history, having ninety-five assorted components. Qualita- tively, it has already enriched the various realms of scholastic and extra-curricular endeavors in a man- ner which will distinguish it as one of the most active of Yeshiva College ' s frosh classes. Stanley Seigel was elected class president, Stanley Bienenfeld held the vice-presidential post and Maurice Novoseller was in charge of class activities. Class meetings were held regularly, and Frosh representatives were active in Student Council affairs. The Freshman Class was well represented on Y.U. ' s various varsity teams. On the basketball court. It was represented by such stalwarts as Arty Stein, Nate Krieger, Maurice Novoseller, Billy Tap- per and Red Kupchik. Freshmen on the varsity Debating Team were NIsson Shulman and Stanley Sei- gel. There were also many capable members of the Chess, Tennis and Soccer varsities who stemmed from the Freshman class. In the various Intramurals, the frosh met with relative success. (Editor ' s Note: They succeeded mostly with relatives). There were also a great number of Freshmen who were active on the staffs of some of the school ' s literary publications. The conglomeration of characters and per- sonalities who composed the class of ' 52 may very well be a source of pride to all those who have the Interests of Yeshiva University close to their hearts. (Editor ' s Note: Todoy I am a man . . . ). FIRESIDE CHATS ■ ■B . Jit ' i We have tried to create interest in the informal discussion of vital topics by reviving the formerly popular series of Fireside Chats. Our year started off with a big bang in the person of Prof. A. Litman who, in his talk entitled Socialism and Liberty, managed to dispell any illusions we may have had regarding the existence of freedom. As the second speaker we were lucky to have Mr. A. Mandelbaum, a recent graduate of Yeshiva and at present a lecturer in English In the college. In his talk, entitled Satan: some remarks on Love, Prophecy and Revolution, he managed to give us a lucid distinction between dramatic tragedy and prophecy and to point out their relation to the extant social fabric. Our first term concluded with a provoking talk by Rabbi Rackman on the age-old topic of synthesis which he clothed in a fresh light. The speaker decried all attempts at ready-made solu- tions and placed the future successful solution of the problem fairly on the shoulders of the scholars and students of our institution. The second term was taken up by two talks. The first was delivered by Prof. Brody on Values In the Social Sciences and especial stress was laid on the function of economics. He was followed by Prof. D. Fleisher who gave a lively talk on Character and Education. 32 UNIVERSITY NITE Once again the alumni were invited to attend the annual get-together called Alunnni Nite. This event, in the past, consisted of unorganized, chaotic -functioning on the part of many indi- viduals resembling a weird conglomeration of oral and physical exertions terminated by a nutritive shindig known as a reception. In contradistinction to past years, this year showed the benefits of a well-planned and well- executed event. Thanks to the able alumni and student leaders, the evening newly dubbed Uni- versity Nite, exhibited to all the potential and actual success of operating on a smoothly run timetable, wo basketball games involving both the hHigh School and College and their respective alumni were quickly reeled off much to everyone ' s satisfaction. Following a brief respite, the cur- tain was unveiled on a one-act production by the college students entitled Flesh and FFaculty, supplemented by renditions of the flourishing Uni- versity Orchestra. In the midst of this festive occasion Rabbi Dr. Bernard Lander, ' 36, President of the Alumni As- sociation made an appeal for a strong relation- ship between the graduation and their school. The success of the evening proved his point most em- phatically. The evening was concluded in RIets Hall with an overflow crowd trying to absorb some of the refreshments and semi-professional entertainment supplied Jack London and associates. All those participating in this unusually efficient evening of entertainment experienced a feeling of witness- ing a job well done. 33 SENIOR-FRESHMAN SMOKER Early in the year the class of 49 received its first opportunity to display its power of seniority. The annual Senior-Freshman Smoker was held and the bewildered freshmen were initiated into the fold of a great and glorious institution. This gala affair was inaugurated with the blessing of the Shoulson marijuana cigarettes rendered in traditional Yeshiva style by Cantor Sy Schorr. After that the evening really got hot — two freshmen made an ash of themselves in attempting their first cigar- ettes. Cy Shavrick, prexy of the senior class and M.C. for the evening, then proceeded to introduce a few outstanding characters. The first one. Student Coun- cil Pres., Sam Glaser, discussed his future plans for the school and even mentioned something about, freshmen. Afterwards Cy introduced Normie Lamm, the talented Literary Editor and Vice-Pres. of the senior class. After saying his bit, which ran into the consumption of five cigarettes, Normie returned exhausted to the sidelines. Then more (viitchum stogies were handed out by Drazin, Zucker Co., and everyone puffed eagerly for the break of the evening. Our own Ell F.O.B. (fresh out of Broadway) Horo- witz stepped forward and the real fireworks began to pop. He proceeded to do his well-known Tip- perary routine which had us gasping for breath. (We had to, the smoke was so thick we couldn ' t breathe.) Then Eli presented his and our pal, Harry Miller, who did a remarkable job of magical voodoo — which had us literally mystified. The inimitable master. Sonny Sklar, proceeded to thrill us with his brilliant pantomime. A skirt followed entitled, Ad- ventures of Deuteronomy Katz — capably enacted by Horowitz, Kenner, Auster Co. — really a grand job. Sol Poupko did some marvelous impromptu rabbinical impersonations and an enjoyable evening was concluded. This space is dedicated to the bard Who poetizes from a soul be-Mused. I sympathize; I know his lot is hard, I know his poetry is oft abused. Here. too. we find Philosophers profound. Great thinkers, whose ideas they have Essayed To put on paper, make the world resound With echoes of the Truths that never fade. Short story writers, scientists, and those Who Literize, no matter what their field; All these, and more— both poetry and prose Are here: Their work is done, their lips are sealed. They can ' t reply to critics; so, dear friend, Of criticism let us make an end. Let ' s call each piece, if only out of charity. A monumental work, a Lite-rarity. ARTHUR ROSENFELD LITERATURE TRAGEDY ON BEN YEHUDA STREET by SAMUEL K. WOHLGELERENTER Some day in the future, someone will undertake to write a complete history of Zionism. It will un- doubtedly begin with the inception of the movement and — let us assume — end with the establishment of the State of Israel. If this history is really to be complete, it must include, not only those events that contributed physically to the realization of the state, but also such events which were, in the end result, spiritually constructive even though they might have been, at the moment of their occurrence, physically destructive. Such an event, of the latter nature, was the tragedy on Ben-Yeduha Street. Until November 29, 1947. the mandatory power, the custodian of the Jewish and Arab communities in Palestine, condoned the gradual progress in the Yishuv, but confined and restricted such progress when- ever the possibility arose of upsetting the scale of physical and political equilibrium, upon which the two communities were so delicately balanced. The Yishuv, nevertheless, grew physically and matured political- ly, both legally and, whenever necessary, illegally. Until November 29, the Yishuv was, to a large degree, bound hand and foot in red tape. After November 29, the mandatory power, realizing that the scales were tipping in our favor, began an insidious campaign of terror and oppression against the Yishuv. An outstanding manifestation of this maliciou; program was the tragedy on Ben-Yehuda Street. It ' s over a year since it happened, and yet 1 remember it clearly, ,Tiore clearly, perhaps, than any other single occurrence I experienced during my sev3n month visit in Israel. On Saturday night after Maariv, while returning from the hHebron Yeshiva to my room three blocks away on Meah Shearim Street, I had noticed occasioial tracer bullets pass over the buildings along the way, but it seemed quite in harmony with the usual nocturnal music p layed in Jerusalem during the months immediately following November 29, 1947. The sound of sporadic shooting and frequent explo- sions coming from the outlying sections of the city had become too familiar to disturb my regular evening routine of study and reading. Neither was falling asbep at that time difficult for me, for i had conditioned myself 1o the noises, just as one might accustom himself to the sound of trains or streetcars passing one ' s window. I was not particularly moved, therefore, the following morning while dressing, when at 6:30 a.m. — I made a mental note of the exact time, for at 6:30 the Minyan in the Yeshiva usually began — the iron shutters of my window were almost torn off their hinges by a loud explosion. At the moment, I was un- consciously convinced that something big must have occurred within the city proper. I hastily donned my coat, grabbed my Tef illin and hastened out of the apartment onto the street. Upon reaching the street, I was initially relievad to discover that the immediate vicinity had not been disturbed. I, nevertheless, felt ill-at-ease, convinced as I was that somewhere within walking distance something catastrophic had occurred, and yet not knowing exactly where it happened nor the extent of the tragedy. On Meah Shearim Street, one block from the Hebron Yeshiva, there is situated a Tnuva (a dairy marketing cooperative in Israel) vegetarian restaurant where I generally had my breakfasts and suppers. I had often observed that the proprietor of this establishment, one David ben Yosef, a friendly but loquacious- ly ostentatious individual, was seemingly informed on topics and events concerning which others, particu- larly myself, were uninformed. I felt certain he would have some information about the explosion that would satisfy my curiosity, even though only a few minutes had elapsed since I had heard the explosion. Enter- ing the restaurant, I found him talking excitedly into th; telephone. As soon as he caught sight of me, he motioned for me to wait. I soon realized that something terrible had happened, for his last words before putting down the receiver were, Hashem Yerachem! — May G-d have mercy! He turned to me and, be- 36 fore I had a chance to question him, blurted, Wohlgelerenter, you ' ve had experience in these things. You helped after the Palestine Post bombing. Go over to Ben-Yehuda Street immediately. The whole street is a shambles. First reports are that scores are probably dead and countless wounded. Who knows how many are under the debris? Able bodied men will be needed for the rescue work, hlurry! Don ' t stand there! He was becoming very excited, so I decided not to question him and said, Tov, — O.K., I ' m go- ing, ' and left. While rushing to Ben-Yehuda Street, I passed the Yeshiva which was a block away from the res- taurant. A Sabre, who was about to enter the Yeshiva, noticed my hurry, approached me and asked, L ' an ata memaher? — where are you running? I couldn ' t conceive how anyone could be so stupid and shot back, L ' Ben Yehuda, TIpesh — To Ben Yehuda, fool ! Ben Yehuda Street is only a half mile from the Hebron Yeshiva: up the hill from Geulah along Strauss Street, then down to Jaffa Road past the Bikur Cholim Hospital, across Jaffa Road and up King George Street two blocks to Ben Yehuda. By the time I had reached the summit of Strauss Street, it be- came apparent to me that I was not the only individual aware of the tragedy and anxious to be on the scene, for from all side streets people came half-running, half-walking as if propelled by some invisible force. In front of the Bikur Cholim Hospital stood an ambulance of the Red Mogen David, surrounded by clusters of inquisitive people. As I crossed Jaffa Road, I had first occasion to observe the widespread damage caused by the shock waves of the tremendous explosion — smashed windows, twisted Iron shutters, broken doors. Hardly a shop within a three block radius of the actual explosion had escaped undamaged. I cautiously picked my way amongst the debris a half-block from Ben Yehuda Street. The scene that presented Itself when I finally reached there was indsed pathetic. What had once been the heart of Jeru- salem ' s business section was utterly demolished. The four story Palatin Hotel, next to which the British Army lorry carrying the bomb had been parked (according to the testimony of eye-witnesses) was a heap of stones, bricks and mortar. From beneath that heap of destruction, ten people were eventually rescued; the last one, a girl of two years, was found miraculous! alive three days later. Of the buildings that re- mained standing, there was not a one that I could recognize. 1 felt sick to my stomach; an anguish swelled up within me that I could not control, and tears formed in my eyes. There was no necessity for empirical evidence to convince me that this catastrophe, like the Palestine Post bombing, was the fruit of British labor. This conviction I unconsciously shared with the Yishuv In general, and with the Jews of Jerusalem in par- ticular. Rescue and clearance work had, meanwhile, already begun. Workers and volunteers were swarm- ing about like flies. An emergency Ezrah RIshonah (First Aid) Station had been set up in one of the de molished shops. I stuck my head in and asked, Ma nachutz? — What ' s needed ? Dam! — Blood ! was the immediate answer. Without thinking of asking where to donate my blood, I rushed back to the Bikur Cholim Hospital only to discover that blood was not being accepted there. I cornered a nurse and asked where blood donations were being taken. At Kupat Cholim (a small new hospital on upper Ben Yehuda Street), she answered. In the great excitement folloA Ing the explosion, it had not occurred to anyone to post any sign concerning blood donations. By now, the streets were filled with milling people, all giving oral expression, in one way or another, to their rekindled hatred for the perpetrators of the dastard crime, and all anxious to help in some way. I dashed out into the middle of the street and shouted, Rabotel! — Friends! Blood is urgently needed. Register at the Kupat Cholim ! I was amazed at the response; within a few minutes the crowd began to move in the dlrecllon of the Kupat Cholim Hospital. Within half an hour lines were forming outside of the hospital. From all direction people were streaming toward the hos- pital to donate their blood. It was the most spontaneous gesture 1 had ever beheld. I clambered up a hill next to the hospital upon which various donors, waiting their turn to give blood, had assembled to observe the rescue work on Ben Yehuda Street. From this vantage point it was pos- sible to view the entire length of the street. Every now and then, a body would be extracted from the 37 debris, some beyond assistance, the majority in need of immediate medical attention. The latter were im- mediately placed in open trucks shuttling back and fo ' th between the hospital and the scene of the explosion three blocks down the street. An elderly Yemenite wjman, standing next to me, suddenly turned to me and said, Don ' t think for a moment, young one, that ths Ara bs are our real enemies. Our ' protectors, ' the British, are our real enemies. Such destruction is the work of shrewd minds. But, don ' t worry, we will be rid of them, the dogs! This was the temper of Jerusalem on that day of infamy It was midafternoon when I returned to the Yeshiva. Towards evening, a delegation entered the Beth Hamedrash seeking volunteers from amongst the feshiva bachurim to assist in the rescue and clearance work on Ben Yehuda Street. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Sarno, promised that he would make a special appeal for all able bodied to donate their services at night. That night, and on the following nights of the week, scores of Yeshiva bachurim applied themselves yeomanly to the menial tasks of clearing debris and remov- ing bodies. The blistered hands of my chaverim were ample testimony to their fortitude. By the end of the week, all of the missing bodies had been recovered. On the next Sunday, the fifty odd victims of the disaster were laid to rest in a special plot set aside in Sanhedria. Thousands were present to pay homage to the dead . . . The mandatory powers was conspicuous by its absence . . . O MERCIFUL MARS We were the modern men of plunder, Whose mortar fire tore asunder The living heart of a quiet town In Italy. Do you frown? We were the priests of brilliant battle. Who, in onset, ignored the supplicant rattle In a dying man ' s throat, quiet since In a coffin. Do you wince? We were the wielders of relentless rifle. Whose ungentle hungers could not quite stifle The curious feeling of moral blunder In death-dealing. Do you wonder? We are now the non-combatant dead. Whose silenced hearts are firmly wed To personal peace. Your ominous sky Yet heralds war. Shall we cry? CHARLES BAHN 38 A DEFINITION OF PROGRESS IN JUDAISM by NORMAN LAMM W licit IS f place and sigiiificaiicc of progress in iradilional liidaisiu I ' liis jyrohlciu ussuuws ad- ditiomil importance in our own generation, when the rush of events, the increased momentum of life and the rapid groM ' th of new and more complex sciences and philosophies leave the Traditional jew in a maze of perplexitv. striving to reconcile Ids faith with the newer systems of thought and lacking clearly defined criteria for the successful adaptation of Traditional Judaism to the contemporary intellectual environment. The very ' nature of the problem posed is difficult to treat. We cannot deny the existence of a progressive motion in Judaism without denying history, logic and science. At the same time, we cannot postulate unlimited change of ariy part of Judaism; to do so M ' ould be to reduce Judaism to a meaningless catch-word, and to strip Torah and Halacha of their very essence. Progress in Judaism cannot be investigated as an isolated phenomenon. The examination of this problem must be based upon an understanding of the ver ' form in which the dynamics of Halacha Judaism are manifested, both within Halacha itself and in the relation of Halacha to other systems, ideas and concepts. This relationship is the substance of Jewish Philosophy. The preliminar ' phenomenon, the form of the dynamics of Judaism, is conflict. To study these phenomena, their interrelation- ship and their application to the approach of the Traditionalist to modern life is the purpose of this essay. One of the most important aspects of Judaism ' , and one which can be said to set it apart from most other religions, Is its constant engagement in conflicts of various sorts. Judaism is not a system at rest; it is a system in motion. The thinking, observing Jew cannot be intellectually or religiously static, be- cause his very religion is based upon the resolution of a conflict, invites conflicts with other systems of thought, and predicates the path to ultimate Halachic perfection upon conflict. We are so accustomed to thinking of Judaism as being similar to other religions in that it attracts the believer by offering emotional assuagement, spiritual pacification and intellectual peace of mind. that we overlook the obvious facts which prove the contrary. Before proceeding to demonstrate the significance of conflict in Halacha, Jewish Philosophy and Jewish religious experience, It Is appropriate to point out that one should not expect to find conflict listed in a record of the 613 Biblical commandments. It is not part of the substance of Judaism. It is, rather, a form of expression specific to Judaism. This unique modus operandi molds the character of the Halachic Jew, and It is In terms of this form that we will later discuss the Importance and nature of progress in Judaism. First let us agree that Jewish Philosophy is the expression of the relations of the Halacha to ex- ternal Ideas or systems of Ideas, and the interpretation of Halacha with respect to these systems. We can then show the existence, nature and importance of conflict In Jewish Philosophy from a study of the method and form which Halacha itself assumes. All sources of Halacha, from the MIshna and Talmud to the dissertations on Halacha in our own generation (with the exception of the various codes), reveal a systematic method of investigation and ar- riving at certain results. One idea or opinion Is proposed, and the veracity or logic of this proposition Is questioned by pointing out a logical fallacy, an inconsistency or other proof to the contrary, such as pre- senting an opposing opinion by a source which, according to the accepted method of Halacha, has the advantage of priority. This process of presenting a conflicting proposition is called a N ' ti ' lP (kushia). The I — It [s unfortunate that the term Judaism has been usurped by so many different sects that one cannot tell exactly what is meant by this word. As can be seen from the prefatory remarks, Judaism will be here used to designate, as a whole, that system of belief and practice which is based upon the Halacha and the Halachic traditions. The name Judaism, as it is used in this essay, also includes Jewish Philosophy which, in tu n. is also based upon the Halacha. much as the philosophy of science is based upon practical laboratory experiments in the s:iences. 39 kushia is resolved by a riTTI (terutz) which may or may not result in a cnnlchidush), something new or un- known previously. Anyone who is acquainted with the Talmud, its commentaries and the great literature of Halacha, recognizes this distinct and special methodology as the greatest contributor to the advance- ment of Halacha. One can hardly find a single page in the Talmud, commentaries, responsa or novellae which does not manifest that vibrant and dynamic oscillation from proposition to counter-proposition, from X ' CIP to I ' lTTI from NniD (svarah) to counter- NTDD. This form of conflict in Halacha is not restricled to one age or one place; it is the universal mode of expression and advancement of the Halacha. While the terminology employed may have differed from time to time-, the very nature of the Halachic method, i.e., conflict, has remained invariant both hisforically and geographically. At first it would seem that the many conflicts within Halacha should shake its entire structure and be the cause for Its ultimate downfall and decomposition into a hundred different sects. History, how- ever, shows exactly the opposite trend. The process of conflict has serve d as a great unifying force in Halacha; it is its method and unique vehicle for dynamic perpetuation. Conflict within Halacha, repre- sented by the kushia, has resulted in resolutions or terutzim which are more than mere indications of error in the kushia. They clarify, broaden and illuminate aspects of the proposition and counterproposition. The most far-reaching of all terutzim is the chldush — but more will be said about this later. The Sages of the Talmud did not regard conflict as Nature ' s forcibly imposed obstacle which had to be tolerated ' ' . They accepted it as the best possible method of fostering research and ultimately ar- riving at the truth. An excellent example of the favorable orientation of the Rabbis to conflict within Halacha can be found in the aggada concerning Rabbi Jochanan and Resh Laklsh . The Talmud relates that Resh Lakish died, and Rabbi Jochanan was plunged into deep grief. Said the Rabbis, Who shall go to ease his mind? Let Rabbi Elazar ben Pdath go, fo, ' his disquisitions are very subtle. So he went and sat before him, and on every dictum uttered by Rabbi Jochanan he observed, There is a Baraitha which supports you. Then Rabbi Jochanan complained ' , Are you the son of Lakisha (Resh Lakish)? When I stated a law, the son of Lakisha used to raise twenty four objections, to which I gave twenty four answers, which consequently led to a fuller comprehension of the Law; whilst you say, A Baraitha has been taught which supports you. ' Do I not myself know that my dicta are right? Thus he went on, rending his gar- ments and weeping, Where are you, O son of Lakisha, where are you, O son of Lakisha,? and he cried thus until his mind was turned. Thereupon, the Rabbis prayed for him and he died. The statement by Rabbi Jochanan is more than an interesting story recorded in the Talmud. It strikes at the very heart of the modus operandi which is so vital to the halachic process, the kushia. More- over, it indicates the raison d ' etre of conflict in Halacha — NDVDr Xnin , the expansion and develop- ment of the Traditional Law or Halacha. Kushia is the necessary precursor of chidush, and conflict is the age-old path which leads to progress. But first let us turn to conflict and Jewish Philosophy. We have defined the scope of Jewish Philosophy by saying that it acts as the agent for the relation of Halacha to the external world. This at once places certain limits on the range of Jewish Philosophy. It puts all phases of human thought, endeavor and accomplishments in its jurisdiction, but allows for only 2_|n the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds we find a variety of terms used for introducing the kushia and the terutz. The terms were usually indicative of the type of conflict or resolution. The Tosaphists (and other Rishonim). however, employed cer- tain standardized terms. The kushia was usually introduced bvlDNH DXl or iS nti ' PI or a similar expression, and the terutz was prefaced by the expression C ' ? ti 1. 3_See my article Criteria in the Resolution of the Conflict between Science and Halacha. Masmid, 1948. 4 — Baba Mezla 84 a. 5— ibid: nin N DDi ••p}- z nvmNi tnt ' v ' ' ' ' xjpnsoi sn ' cip vans tntj-v ' ? rpo -in Nnr- o srns nin o nl- p? in .xr-iNP T2n Njvn s ' ' ion ,-] ' ? vdot N ' ' jn mas nsi ,sni?or smn 40 those conclusions which are In consonance with the hHalacha. Furthermore, the dynannlcs, the operational procedure, of Jewish Philosophy must be equivalent to ttiat of Halacha, and that is conflict . The problems In Jewish Philosophy (which are actually problems concerning the resolution of cer- tain conflicts) are diversified. The reason for the divsrsiflcation of these problems becomes evident, ac- cording to our definition of Jewish Philosophy, If we consider the character of hialacha itself. Halacha Is not a metaphysical system, and not even a theology. In fact, theological problems are found in the halachic literature so Infrequently as to dwindle away Into insignificance ' . What does characterize Halacha, in contradistinction to other religious systems, are the variegated pattern of worldly sciences and the ap- plications of universal knowledge which are so manifest in the literature of Halacha. It has been truly said that to be a genuine, bona fide Talmud scholar, one must also be an accomplished chemist, physicist, phy- siologist, zoologist, botanists, shoemaker, tailor, baker, mathematician, linqulst, economist, astronomer, his- torian and psychologist. ' Many of the great personalliies In Jewish History were not only well acquainted with the secular sciences of their day, but great scholars In the secular fields. It follows, then, that since Halacha does reveal such a strongly psychosomatic nature and such In- timate connection with reality, that the conflicts of wliich we speak should appear also between Halacha and the study of the phenomena with which It deals. This Indeed Is the case, as we shall show more fully later, and these conflicts form the core of the subject matter of which Jewish Philosophy must treat. We have thus added, under the general heading of Jewish Philosophy, an entirely new field of potential con- flicts. A philosophy of Judaism must, then, consider not only the usual problems which are assigned to it, such as predetermination and free will, and the like, but also all possible conflicts which may arise from new knowledge of natural phenomena and the construction of the scheme of Nature . 6 — Some of the later students of Jewish Philosophy have noticed this unique characteiistic, and have even enumerated certain general conflicts with which Jewish Philosophy must deal. See Rabbi Nachman Krochmal ' s n T ' : nVC IDTH ' 3ni miD .nn:jnDn niiuo s«a;n 7 — One of the few references to theology in the Mishna actually expresses a negative attitude towards the study of theology. See Hagiga, I lb. 8 — This Is not said In jest. Several examples can be given to p. ' ove the above assertions in the order mentioned. Chemistry and physics are necessary for a study of the laws of fire, light and heat on the Sabbath and Festivals as well as for the study of solutions and absorptions of trefa materials, chametz, etc. Physiology, botany and zoology are almost indespensable for a clear understanding of almost all of nVl mV and much of a ' TI miX. A knowledge of the science of shoemaking Is advisable for the study of the 15th chapter of Tractate Sabbath. A good tailor should find smooth sailing in the 13th chapter of Sabbath, while the baker should feel at home in much of Pesachim. The mathematician, especially the geometer, will find that his professional knowledge will facilitate his study of the Tractates Erubin and Succah. Economics helps in I ' P ' TJ MD, especially the fourth chapter of Baba Mezla, while a knowledge of astronomy Is truly Indispensable for C5 ' linn Cnp niD?n. The linguist, historian and psychologist find their places in almost all of the Talmud and Halacha. There are, of course, many more applications to Halacha possible by those acquainted with the above branches of learning, and there are many more sciences and crafts, acquaintance with which is always necessary and sometimes indespensable for an adequate understanding of all of the Halacha. The remarks we have made are interestingly epitomized in an aggada (Sab. 89) describing a debate between Moses and the angels, during which Moses tells them of the intimate relation of Torah to natural facts, human emotions and social environment. It is worth mentioning, at the same time, that this adherence of the Halacha to natural phenomena Is the basis for the nVCVO nilSO, whose great Importance is first today being recognized. 9 — The old Issue which has been rehashed so often, Science and Religion, seems to have crept In here willy nllly. Once the old fellow has appeared, we cannot show him the door mercilessly. A few remarks will suffice to clear up what seem to be cer- tain misconceptions arising from the issue of whether or not science conflicts with religion. Of lale. a stream of literature on this subject has been issuing forth from religious circles, and the consensus seems to be that the conclusions of experimental science do in nD way conflict with any religious dogma. This comes in sur- prising reversal from the previous opinions that the natural sciences lacked any real basis and, hence, their conclusions were not valid. The only points of friction, they contend, are the results of certain projected hypotheses, by scientists, which do not agree with certain religious principles. These hypotheses cannot, of course, be shown to be true experimentally, and hence We have now come to the point where a more detailed analysis of the process of conflict is requisite for a fuller understanding of its nature, and its direct result, progress. To be as clear and concise as pos- sible, it will be necessary to introduce a different terminology. Even before presenting this terminology, the reader is asked not to confuse the ideas here presented with the well known tHegelian triadic system. A modified Hegelian terminology will be used, but let it be clear that there is no reference to or im- plication of the dialect ic of the German Idealist school. More will be said about this when the third term is discussed. Leaving aside, for a while, the terms conflict and progress, we can discern three distinct ele- ments combining, in sequence, to provide the operation which is so vital to the major molding force in Jewish life. These three we shall call thesis, antithesis and neothesis. Thesis. In hHalacha itself, thesis may take any form of accepted hlalacha. There is no definite halachic nomenclature which can be applied to thesis; we might call it a HD ' C (shita), or, if the thesis con- sists of an opinion which is logically constructed and offered as an explanation of some fact, a X1I1D (svorah). Thus, a Biblical prohibition, an opinion of the Mishna or a Rabbinic dictum can be regarded as the resulting friction is of one theory versus another theory. The theories of evolution and the geologic age of earth are in this class of mere hypotheses. But science has no claims on validity other than those facts discovered experimentally. Re- ligion, contrariwise, has no interest in experimental procedures or proofs. It reigns supreme in only one kingdom, the world of speculation,, faith and the interpretation of psychic experiences. Science, then, has no metaphysics: religion is all meta- physics. Thus, they conclude, there are no conflicts between science and religion. In the light of what has been written so far in this essay, and what will be written in later paragraphs, these arguments are entirely without basis, particularly if one attempts to apply them to Judaism and Halacha. Certainly there are conflicts, very real conflicts, between certain discoveries of experimental science and several aspects of the Halacha! But these con- flicts are not to be looked at askance; they should be nourished, developed and studied. Blistering and unfounded attacks on the foundations of the natural sciences or resignation from the world of natural facts will in no way advance either science or religion. Furthermore, the wrong conflicts, if indeed conflicts they are, have been dealt with in the history of the science- religion polemics. Emphasis has been placed mostly on the conflicts between scientific hypotheses with those aspects or dogma of religion which are most given to reinterpretation of a more than moderate nature. Thus, the teachings in Genesis versus the theories of evolution, archaeology, anthropology and geology have held the limelight of scholastic attention almost to the complete exclusion of all other conflicts. Yet, speaking after several generations of fruitless polemics, the issue is rather trivial. Judaism will certainly not suffer if it is believed or even proven that Earth and Man are older than the age traditionally attributed to them. Defining conflict as the mutual opposition of any two ideas, there are conflicts of much more practical significance than the Darwinism issue. Let us give an example of such a conflict. The Rabbis of the Talmud permitted the killing of a louse on the Sabbath, despite the fact that it is forbidden to kill any living being which bears off- spring by sexual reproduction, because, one school held, lice do not reproduce. (Sab. 107b). For almost the last one hun- dred years, however, we know, by the conclusions of experimental science, that spontaneous generation simply does not exist. Here, then, is a conflict. Certain Rabbis of the Talmud insisted that lice do not reproduce (the decision of the Tal- mudic authorities was such) and hence we may kill a louse on the Sabbath. Modern science tells us, however, that they do reproduce, and hence the Halacha should forbid such an act. The reader may smile forbearingly at this point, but the fact remains that we do have a conflict, and one which begs a solution. According to the manner in which we shall later define the methods for the solution of such problems, this conflict should be treated by accepting the findings of experimental science which deny the possibility of spontaneous generation, and apply them to the halachic principle of n3E ' 3 nDt: ' J n ' OJ TIDE ' S, this forbidding the act of killing a louse on the Sabbath. Here, a simple case, the conflict with science has helped us to better understand the prohibition of HDrJ H ' DJ on the Sabbath, and the conflict has thus served a noble purpose by indicating the proper course of religious behavior. Summarizing, there certainly do exist conflicts between experimental science and the Halacha which depends, to such a great extent, on our knowledge of the facts of natural phenomena. Any attempt to dismiss the existence of such conflicts results from a lack of appreciation of the psychosomatic nature of Halacha and its universal applications. It is this very de- pendence of Halacha upon the facts of Nature that makes scientific progress imperative for a correct understanding and prac- tice of the Halacha. Too often, unfortunately, religious people observe with a feeling of suspicion and even horror the rapid advances of the natural sciences. The attitude of the Traditional Jew to scientific progress should be one of hopeful expect- ancy. The more advanced and profounder discoveries of science make us more conscious of the presence of G-d who has designed and controls this great and wonderful cosmic process In all its complexity; they make it possible for us to practice the Halacha in our daily lives as it should be practiced. 42 a thesis. In Jewish Philosophy, thesis takes on a very definite shape, that of Halacha as an indivisible en- tity. All the branches of Jewish Philosophy are necessarily concerned with the development of this thesis which takes on additional significance when it is regarded as a composite whole. Individual halachot are also theses in Jewish Philosophy when they are questioned from an extra-halachlc point of view. Antithesis. In intra-halachic relationships, antithesis is understood as either a thesis which contra- dicts a previous thesis, or as a logical attack upon the accepted thesis. In the terminology of Halacha. the word iv ' ' i; ' lP (kushia) is applied to both forms of antithesis. We find a similar situation in Jewish Philoso- phy, understanding, of course, that the accepted thesis (against which the antithesis is presented) is Halacha as such. Here, too, we detect two corresponding types of antithesis. One category would include that type of antithesis described by the juxtaposition of two independent systems, one of which is Halacha, the thesis of Jewish Philosophy, with certain elements of the two theses being incongruent with each other. An example of such an antithesis would be the incongruencs of certain parts of Halacha with some of the conclu- sions of the natural sciences, or, let us say, with Aristotelian philosophy (with which Maimonides and other medieval Jewish philosophers were so concerned). The second category would include that type of anti- thesis which is described not by the incongruence of Halacha with another independent system, but by a questioning of the validity of Halacha based only upon logical considerations. Here there is no separate system set up which does not happen to coincide with the spirit of Halacha, but rather there is an attack devoted exclusively to and concentrating singularly upon Halacha, without attempting to replace Halacha with another comparable system. The combination of these two terms, thesis and antithesis, their juxtaposition and mutual op- position, Is now clearly the description and analysis of conflict, the term which has been used heretofore. Neothesis. ' - ' ' This word is compounded of the words thesis, already defined, and the Greek neos, meaning new or recent. The more exaci meaning of neothesis, as we shall use It, Is modified thesis or redefined thesis. Neolhesis Is the focal point In Halacha, and the crux of progressive motion in Jewish Philosophy. Upon the acceptance or rejection of neothesis depend, too, the very distinct differences between Tradi- tional or Halachlc Judaism and the Reform and other religious sects In modern Jewish history. By suc- cessfully demonstrating the existence of and necessity for neothesis in Halacha and its exact equivalent in Jewish Philosophy, we can produce a clear formula which Is applicable to the resolution of the problem of the adaptation of Halacha to modern environment. In Halacha, neothesis Is most closely represented by the term mn (chldush) ' -. In fact, by ex- amination of the process and technique of chldush, one comes to a clearer understanding of the importance and mechanism of neothesis in Jewish Philosophy. The method of Halacha is such that the thesis is pres- ent, and the kushia (which we have included in the general group of antithesis ) is presented against It. The terutz, or solution, may be of a simple nature, where It is pointed out that an error was made In the quotation or in the assumption of the authenticity of the thesis: or, if the kushia is in the category of the 10 — It is easy to understand why many people object to the coining of new words. In this case, however, it was deemed ad- visable to use this new term in order to facilitate both expression and comprehension of the idea presented. After much thought on the matter, It was found that existing terms are inadequate to convey the exact idea which is now being consid- ered. In offering a new word for a specific thought, one has the advantage of being able to define the word as he wishes, thus eliminating most of the confusion which arises from new definitions of words already In use. I I — It Is obvious that at this point we depart from the traditional Hegelian terminology. The difference between neothesis and synthesis, the traditional third member of the dialectic triad, will be discussed later. 12 — The very word K ' nn is what has induced the writer to choose the prefix neo in the word neothesis. ti ' lTPI comes from tJiTn, meaning new. Just as the word tJ ' nn , implying new, needs clarification and definition, so the word neothesis, similarly Implying new, must be clearly understood and accurately defined. As with thesis and antithesis, we must adhere to the halachic equivalent of neothesis In placing It In Its proper perspective in Jewish Philosophy. 43 purely logical antithesis, the logic is shewn to be diffarent from that supposed. In many cases, however, (and it is the profound understanding of hHalacha necessary for the Talmudist to be able to offer such a terutz which gives him his mark of distinction as a Talmud scholar) the terutz assumes a nature of much greater importance, and that occurs when a chidush is proposed, when something new is presented. Chid- ush does by no means imply that the original thesis is discarded, or that the entire antithetic element is rejected, for if so we would have no terutz; rather, the thesis is redefined in the light of new knowledge gained from the antithesis. In this manner, the conflict is satisfactorily resolved and, what is more, the thesis is more properly understood in a manner more closely approximating its true ' ' ' content and intent. The process of chidush, then, involves neither discarding the thesis nor changing it. If change implies omis- sion of what is recognized as having been an integral part or intention of the thesis, then change finds no place in the process of chidush. Chidush, in essence, redefines the thesis in the light of the antithesis, thus striving to approach as closely as possible what Is believed to have been the original intention of the the- sis. Never Is there an attempt to omit any part of the true, or original, meaning of the thesis. When a Talmudist proposes a chidush, far be it from him to say that what he Is proposing is something not found or Intended In the Torah! Rather, he proposes this chidush believing that while his disquisition is new in the sense that there is no record of anyone having uttered similar opinions, yet this Is what the Rabbis, in their Interpretation of the Word of G-d, actually Intended ' ' ' . Neothesis Is to Jewish Philosophy what chidush is to Halacha. Both are the focal points of their re- spective systems, and both impart to their systems the momentum of what we call progress. When the hHalacha is questioned, by the process of antithesis, It then becomes the duty of Jewish Philosophy to re- so ' ve the conflict by neothesis. Not one lota of the original thesis Is discarded or changed but a re- examination of the thesis ensues, guided by the facts of the antithesis, and subsequently a redefinition of ihe thesis resolves the conflict. We are now In a position to discuss the essential difference between chidush, or neothesis, and the third member of the triadic structure of Hegelian dialectic, synthesis. Neothesis differs from synthesis as follows: 13 — The adjective true is here used advisedly. What is meant is the original intention of G-d as recorded by Moses in the Torah, or handed down by him in the Oral Law, and subsequently interpreted by the Rabbis. 14— See Shmot Rabba, 28: JDo i E ' JIN ' -np ins r-D ,nni nn d2 d-tdivpi n 3Dnn ns n n .ddxisj ' Jdd 2P -[2 ' ?2 D ' N ' a:n ?3 s ' -i The reader will notice that from the manner in which ti ' lln is understood in this essay, it bears no relation to the problem of im t ' X ' J? 11DS, the prohibition on Proph3ts to add to any of the commandments of the Torah. Even then, it seems that Rashi (on Megillah 14a) interpreted this prohibition to apply only to the Prophets, but the Sages who lived in the periods following the decline of the Prophetic period were permitted to add to the commandments of the Torah, provided that they made it clear that the commandment was one imposed by the Sages. This Is evident from Rashi ' s ex- planation of the Talmudic dissertation on the problem of the commandment to read the Megillah. Rashi asks why the Talmud discusses only the Rabbinic commandment concerning the reading of the Megillah and not the commandment concerning the Chanuka lights. He answers that the commandment to read the Megillah was given in a period of the later Prophets (Haggai, Zecharia and Malachi) while the Chanukah commandment was given in the days of the Hasmoneans after the period of the Prophets had already closed. On the question of Megillah. the Talmud gave several answers, one by em- ploying the a fortiori argument (Meg. 14a) and in the Talmud Jerusalemi (Meg. 1,5) by saying that hints of the miracle of Purim and the reading of Megillah are to be found in the Torah. More germane to our discussion is the solution which the Talmud offers to the problem of the Rabbinic commandment on Megillah in Tractate Shevuoth (39a). The opinion expressed there is that the Rabbinic commandment concsrning Megillah was received by Moses at Sinai. (Such is the interpretation of the Talmud by the Ramban, or Nachmanides, in his commentary on Maimonides ' niVDH ISD , ptl ' NT HC. Rabbi Isaac de Leon, however, in his commentary on the niVOH IDD , called inDN nf-JD , says that the meaning of the Rabbis ' statement in the Talmud is not that the Children of Israel at Sinai were directly commanded to observe Purim by reading the Megillah, but that they consented, in a general manner, to observe all those commandments which later were placed upon them by the Sages of each generation). If, indeed, the Talmud believed that all commandments which had no obvious basis in the Torah were Sinaitic in origin, then a fortiori those chidushim whose aim it is to rediscover the original intention of the Sinai Oral Law or Written Law are certainly valid by the same principle. 44 For synthesis we assume two groups, each consisting of a set of propositions. If we refer to one group, or set of propositions, as thesis, and we find that certain propositions of the other group con- tradict certain propositions of the group thesis, then the second group is referred to as antithesis. Syn- thesis now implies that the contradictory propositions of both groups are eliminated, and all other proposi- tions, not being contradictory or inconsistent, are combined to form a third group. Neothesls, on the con- trary, implies that no essential propositions of the thesis are dropped: rather, the thesis propositions in ques- tion are modified as far as our understanding of them is concerned In the light of Us opposing propositions in the antithesis group. Neothesis thus does not imply indiscriminate change. H signifies a better ap- preciation and truer understanding of Torah and Halacha In the light of secular wisdom as it, secular wis- dom, evolves through the ages. We find this to be true historically. Maimonldes faced a conflict which is described by the mechan- ism of antithesis just given. He certainly gained a nsw understanding and Insight into Torah and Halacha, but by no means did he ever think of eliminating a single halacha or essential element of the Halachic faith. The difficulty which certain people found in reconciling the Maimonldes of Mishne Torah with the Maimonldes of the Guide Is based on their lack of understanding of the process of chldush, or neo- thesis, in Jewish life. This difficulty or lack of insight into the belief and method of Halacha has led people like Ahad Ha ' am ' ' to attribute the Guide to Maimonldes ' rationalism and the Mishne Torah to his de- sire to fool the common Jew, to give him something Jewish to think of, this being a nationalistic aim of Maimonldes. Other Haskala writers, not being quite as generous to Traditional Judaism as Ahad Ha ' am, concentrate only on the rationalism of the Guide, without the barest of comments concerning any phase of his greater work, the Mishne Torah, and not even allowing it the benefit of being at least a good literary trap for the unsuspecting Traditionalist. In general ' , there Is, or was, a tendency among Haskala historians to place Maimonldes the Philosophsr on the highest pedestal of Jewish History, while condemning Maimonldes the Rabbi to the ethereal graveyard of unsung praise and the nirvana of un- written history. At the same time, many Traditional Jews overlook the Guide for the Perplexed en- tirely, and mention it belatedly, as if It were an unavoidable admission of guilt. Indeed, some who have never set eyes on the book would have us believe that the Guide contains some secret cabalistic writ- ings which the ordinary Jew Is forbidden to read. Thus, from Ahad Ha ' am ' s fantastic assertion giving credit to Maimonldes as a master schemer, to the exiremely orthodox belief in the secret cabalism of the Guide as the most efficient manner of keeping it under effective anathema, we find a great variety of solutions to the historical paradox of Maimonldes, without anyone ever considering the Guide as an equivalent of the Halachic chldush. If we are to be unbiased and look upon Maimonldes as he was — a single individual and consistent thinker, not an intellectual schizophrenic — we will see that his Guide and his Mishne Torah are composed of the same elemental stuff. Both reveal the same attempt to further the progress of Halacha, one with respect to Halacha itself, and the other (being Jewish Philosophy) with re- spect to Aristotelian philosophy, in both, the process of conflict — thesis and antithesis — gives impetus to chidush-neothesis. It is the success of this venture in Halacha and In Jewish Philosophy which raised Maimonldes to the position where he was a cynosurs for the eyes of all his contemporaries, and a great and noble historical landmark for generations to come. 15 — For an excellent English translation of the essay In which Ahad Ha ' am expresses this idea, see his Supremacy of Rea- son in Ahad Ha ' am: Essays, Letters. Memoirs, translated by Leon Simon, Philosophia Judaica Series. East and West Library, 1946. 16— Maimonldes v as not the only one to suffer from the prejudice of sectarian Jewish historians. A point in case is the in- terpretation of the stand taken by Rabbi Menahem Ha ' Meiri on the polennics concerning the study of Greek philosophy. Meiri. who lived in the 13th century, was one of the great connpromisers in the debate, then raging in full force, as to whether or not the study of philosophy and certain other studies was permissible. Rabbi Abba Mari of Lunel was one of the leading spirits of the anti-philosophy movement which was then gaining momentum. He was, it seems, acquainted with the teachings of Greek philosophy, and evinced great respect for Aristotle. 45 Neothesis, as the backbone and forerunner of progress, is an upward motion, an attempt to redis- cover the original intention of Torah and the Sinaitic tradition on which Halacha is based; it is an attempt to recover, by the methods at our disposition, what today is lost but once was known by Divine inspira- tion. One is inclined to believe that when Joshua the son of Nun forgot the three hundred laws and was faced with seven hundred new doubts, according to the relation in the famous aggada, ' ' the Children of Israel were blessed with the development of a new and potent weapon, conflict, which they used, and now use, as a primary instrument to forge ahead, creatively and progressively, to a rediscovery of the Revelation at Sinai. The well known dictum that whatever chidush a bona fide student of the Talmud formulates was said at Sinai, is an excellent expression of the validity of chidush, and hence neothesis, as a process of re- discovery. The expression iPTl (teiku) which the Talmud uses to indicate a lack of any final and definite solution of a problem, with neither side showing greater evidence of verisimilitude, is taught to all young cheder students as being the abbreviation of nvyDl nvciP ' in ' ' ' DiJ ' n , Tishbi (Elijah) will answer all kushiot and questions. An excellent comment on the hope for an ultimate solution of all conflicts, at some future time, and a consequent rise to the levels of Sinai! It was previously stated that conflict does not form part of the very substance of Judaism, but it is, rather, the guiding force of the form of Judaism. This idea should be reemphasized. We nowhere find any Jewish concept of a perfect world or any Jewish eschatological hope which is built on the foundations of conflict. The moral and ethical beliefs and the traditions of Israel are fixed and established, and the striving to reach moral or ethical perfection as such is based upon personal and social principles which, it seems, do not involve the principle of conflict. comparing him, at times, to tine Patriarch Abraham. However, he telt that the prevaiHng tendency among young Jews to pursue secular studies would be detrimental to their Jewish studies. Abba Marl ' s main interest, then, was pedagogical. He embarked upon a crusade against the secularists and wrote letters to all of the most prominent Rabbis of his day entreating them to ioin him and Rabbi Solomon b. Aderet in announcing the excommunication of all who pursue the secular studies. Abba Mari, in a letter recorded in his book DlNJp nnJD , No. 172, asked Meiri for his consent. Meiri ' s reply is lost, only fragments remain, but it is obvious that he refused. On this basis alone, Graetz, the greatest of all Haskala historians, announces with a flourish that Meiri was the friend of free thought, and a determined enemy of mummified orthodoxy and the unreflecting faith of the iiteralist. From the man- ner and style which Graetz uses to depict the type of person that Meiri was, one might think that Meiri too was a champion of the Haskala and determined enemy of Traditional Judaism. Yavetz. the Traditional historian, on the other hand, hur- riedly skims over Meiri ' s reply to Aabba Mari, and places Meiri on the anti-secularist side of the fence. What are the pertinent facts? First, as has been stated, Meiri refused to identify himself with Abba Marl ' s anti-secular- ist movement. Second, and this is far from sufficiently covered in Graetz ' s history, Meiri believed that a thorough knowledge of Torah, Talmud and the Rabbinic literature was prerequisite for a study of natural science and metaphysics. Meiri ( Beth Ha ' behira on Abot, III, 22) writes: nODHn . . . lDn3 H il ' tV nVPI NHI nVV3Dn DinDnn DJDH ' P ins ' ' MNT pN .niofrini minn and later: Ni3Dn . . . DnnxH moDiii ' nn ' tidSih noDni iDvy D r ' !; ' ins .nipiNsi nvynu ' ' Nil ' inroi ,-iiVJ ' m mucnni -liJDoni njiDnn n Dn . . . nisnDa;i niaipn Dm ,nni ' Df ' n cnr- Surely this is not the manner of speech and train of thought for a hard-bitten, chest-beating Maskil who is a bitter enemy of mummified orthodoxy ! We thus find Meiri, along with Maimonides, as burnt offerings on the altar of historical prejudice. No one will deny that the historian cannot entirely free himself, in the Interpretation of historical data, from the bonds of his own precon- ceived notions. Yet when the historian consciously overlooks certain salient facts in his evaluation of historical personalities or events, he stands accused of premeditated falsification of history and violation of the ethics of his mission. I cannot and do not believe that the attempt, in the next few paragraphs, to reestablish an equilibrium and balance In the interpretation of historical data on Maimonides and others is the Absolute Truth and explanation of all facts by Divine Inspiration. But I do believe that this foray into Jewish history is based more on known facts than on interpretation. At least here both aspects of the character being studied are included on an equal basis, and the facts precede the interpreta- tion, rather than the interpretation preceding the facts. |7_Temurah 16a. 46 However, it does seem that the essence of conflict has roots which sink deep Into Jewish religious experience. A full discussion of this nnatter Is beyond the scope of this essay, but it will do well to point out certain salient examples of conflict and paradox In the religious experience of the Jew, albeit that our discussion must be of a fragmentary nature. It can be said that the main source of the religious drive Is the paradox of the coexistence of the material and the transcendental. The religious person. In his attempt to bridge the gap between these two, if they are at all bridgeable, finds that this basic paradox manifests itself In many or all of the spheres of his religious experience. He will thus find that In his consciousness there rages a mighty conflict between the feeling of the transcendence of G-d and His proximity, between His omnipresence and His special re- striction to one Holy Place, and between the fear of G-d and the love of G-d. No better source can be found for the expression of the conflict between the feeling of the trans- cendentallty and the proximity of G-d than In the CnP , Holiness prayer, which Is recited aloud and in public during the Amidah. G-d is described as smp, majestic, awe-inspiring, transcendental, re- moved from the petty details of human existence, and reigning over the cosmos in Divine grandeur; in the second half of the same sentence we say, mnD i ' lxn ?D Nifin , the world Is filled with His glory. He Is close to every being, the Father of all living flesh. Interested in every minor particular of human and natural existence, and exerting Divine Providence over every human transaction, no matter how small or in- significant. This very same conflict is expressed, with rare beauty, by the most famous of all medieval Hebrew poets, Yehudah Halevl. In a poem ' ' entitled ' D lj; N ' D 1T133 t ie poet writes: Lord, where shall I find Thee? 1NVON njN IT ' ' High an d hidden is Thy place; Di ' Vjl n yj jOlpO And where shall I not find Thee? ]XVCN N? nJNI The world is full of Thy glory. D IV N! D 1113D and later, I have sought Thy nearness, in3 ip TltV ! With all my heart I have called Thee, I ' DNnp ' ' 2? 32 And going out to meet Thee jriNnp? ' nNS21 I found Thee coming toward me, I ' DNVD TINIP? Even as, in the wonder of Thy might, imi J iX Sll In the sanctuary I have beheld Thee. ITl ' Tn IPZ Who shall say he hath not seen Thee? — -]X 1 N DS ' ' ' D Lo, the heavens and their hosts Dl ' m a ' ' at ' jn Declare the fear of Thee, [NTID ITJ ' Though their voices be not heard. a 1P J;oE ' J ' ?2 Doth then, In very truth, nK ' ' D DJDINn G-d dwell with man? aiNH DN D ' P N What can he think — every one that thinketh, 2ti ' in D ti W riDI Whose foundation Is In the dust — ailD ' nSVn IK ' S Since Thou art holy, dwelling 2 : ' V cnp nnsi Amid their praises and their glory? DIl DI Dm nn Conflicting ways In which one can conceive of G-d are very beautifully expressed in the lUDn I ' L , the Hymn of Glory, ' which men like Rabbi Solomon Luria, Rabbi Jacob Emden and Rabbi Elijah the Gaon of Vilna deemed too sublime for hurried dally recital and had It restricted to Sabbaths 18 — Translations of the passages quoted are by Nina Salaman. Selected Poems of Jehudah Halevi, Jewish Publicatic cisty, 1923. 47 and Solemn Festivals. Written by Judah the Pious (died 1217) in what was evidently a moment of great religious ecstasy and yet profound thought, the poem describes G-d as He has been conceived, in very conflicting fashions, by the different Prophets of Israel. The Midrash expresses a very similar thought, describing G-d as having been recognized by the Children of Israel at the Sea as a Warrior, at Sinai as a Sage and Teacher of Torah, in the days of King Solomon as a Youth, and in the days of Daniel as an Old Man, full of mercy. (And yet, continues the Midrash ' I am the Lord thy G-d ' ; I was at the Sea, I was at Sinai, I was at all these places ). Maimonides,- discussing the Divine attributes, explains the many con- flicting attributes of G-d, as merciful and jealous, gracious and revengeful, and so on, by tracing the at- tributes set aside for G-d to the basic psychic conflicts raging within the human being. Thus, in times of plenty he subjectively conceives of G-d as the Gracious, and in times of great adversity as the Re- vengeful. Conflict thus finds its place in the Inner recesses of the religious consciousness and in the es- sence of Jewish religious experience. In summary, we have defined the scope of Jewish Philosophy and identified its method with that of Halacha; in both we have recognized and analyzed the process of conflict and the movement of progress. Conflict was seen to be the necessary precursor of progress, which is called tJ ' Tin (chldush) in Halacha, and neothesis in Jewish Philosophy. This progress, whose direction is towards Sinaltlc perfection, was described as a redefinition of accepted theses In the light of new knowledge, without ever changing the thesis or theses in whole or in part. We have, then, a history-tested, systematic approach to problems of the adaptation of Halacha to and the reconciliation of Traditional Judaism with contemporary systems of thought and investigation. The Traditional Jew need not look upon modern philosophy and modern science with fear or suspicion. Con- flicts with them should be accepted as being part of the natural curr ent of the Halachic stream of prog- ress, and Interest in the solution of these conflicts can be used to the great benefit of Halacha and Tra- ditional Judaism. These conflicts present an unequalled challenge to the creative ability of Traditional Jewry. In an atmosphere supercharged with conflict, hlalacha finds its optimum conditions for true dy- namic growth and progress. l9_Tanhuma, Yithro: Mehilta, Beshalach. 20— Guide for the Perplexed, Part I, Chapter LIV. AND WE, ANDREW MARVELL Time prods us with relentless spear. Days, hours, and minutes are born, Live too briefly, then, passing on. Bequeath a graveyard of hopes fordone. Night tenders us a lone, still tear. Whispers of another day to mourn. And of yet another soon to be born. With the roseate hue of half-unwanted dawn. CHARLES BAHN 48 SOME SEMBLANCES BETWEEN HEBREW AND CERTAIN INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGES by ISMAER LIPSHUTZ The quest for evidence of relationship between the Semitic and the Indo-European language sys- tems Is one only recently begun. As far as finding etymological connection Is concerned, no conclusive discoveries have as yet been made. In this field, most of the obvious similarities have been ascribed either to onomatopoeia or to direct borrowing and therefore do not prove a common ancestry for the two groups. Of the words not so easily explained away, only in a handful of cases is the resemblance striking, — such as In the following hiebrew words and their Latin equivalents: ] P — cornu (horn): lltJ ' — taurus (ox): Sf — sex (six); — JJIC septum (seven) ' . In the others, the resemblance is distant, and, since they do not evidence a definite trend, few scholars are willing to commit themselves to go so far as Rabbi Dr. BIberfeld- and con- sider these specimens proof of etymological relationship. There is, however, a different relationship, based not so much on common ancestry as on common trains of thought. This is evidenced by similarity in syntax, in the semasiologlcal extension of meaning (i.e., the extension of the use of a word from its original meaning to cover related concepts), in the formation of idioms, etc. As this is in Itself a field much beyond the scope of this article, we will content ourselves merely, by citing a few examples, to awaken interest in this field. Both Hebrew and Greek have a definite but no Indefinite article. In both languages, as well as in French, Italian, Spanish and German, this definite article had its origin in a demonstrative pronoun (t-t. av — this day: — n ' n this night: — nVD at this time). in common with Latin and Its daughter-tongues and with one of the uses In Greek, hiebrew requires the use of the adjective following the noun it modifies. When the noun Is definite, the article is repeated before the adjective, as Is common also in Greek and Yiddish. Both these rules reveal the adjective as be- ing really a noun, used in opposition — a finding which conforms with a recently advanced general linguistic theory which aims to discard the terms nouns and adjectives ' and classify them jointly as eplthet- ologues. In common with French, Spanish and Italian, hiebrew has only sex genders, names of Inanimate ob- jects being considered masculine or feminine. Also In common with these tongues, there is no variation of forms for cases, resort being had to prepositions. A curious fact common to hiebrew, Latin (and its daughter-tongues) and German Is that the pro- nouns of the third person appear to be derived from the verb ' to be. Thus, In Hebrew, Xin XTl, DD and in are probably nothing but the forms of the ' ' J1J ' ' 3 of iTTI. In Latin, the resemblance of is, ea, id In all Its forms to such forms of the verb to be as es, est, esse is striking, whereas the remaining forms of the verb, such as sum, sumus, sunt, are as similar to the forms of the reflexive pronoun of the third person sui and se and of the corresponding possessive adjective suus, sua, suum. In German, likewise, the verb forms sein, sind, seid, sel, are close to the remaining forms of the personal pronoun and to all forms of the re- The names of numbers constitute one of the most opportune grounds for etymological discoveries. Of all words, they are the least susceptible to change, and they therefore show resemblances between languages even though other forms have drifted hopelessly apart. For a treatment of this phase, see Zahl 3 In Geschlchte und Kunst by Dr. Bernard Floch. -Rabbi Dr. Philip BIberfeld in the recently published volum3 of his book Universal Jewish History, chapter IV, devotes a section to the topic Common Origin Of Languages, in which he developes the Idea of etymological relationship among Semitic, Hamitic and Indo-European languages pointing to common origin. As proof for his assertion of etymological relation- ship he lists about seventy stems with their different forms in siveral languages representative of these groups. 49 flexive pronoun and of the possessive adjective of the third person as sie, seiner, sich, sein. Moreover, both in Latin and in Hebrew the present participle of to be is otherwise practically nonexistent, the term essens being artificial and of late extraction, and the forms mn and HTI occurring only numbered times in Tanach. From this angle, therefore, the assumption of the pronoun of the third person as the present par- ticiple of to be would seem very plausible and inviting, hlowever, more Investigation is needed before this theory can be placed on firm ground. As in Greek, Latin, Spanish and many other languages, though unlike the use in French, German, and English, a Hebrew verb contains Its subject pronoun in a prefix or suffix, and full pronoun forms are added only for emphasis. Moreover, as In Spanish, even an objective pronoun can be replaced by a verbal suffix. Like the Spanish a, the Hebrew DN, when denoting the direct object Is restricted to use before definite nouns. These similarities constitute only a minute fraction of what will yet be brought to light when serious research on this question will be undertaken, as a result of which any two languages will be shown to have tremendous relationship, even though unrelated genealogically. Such findings should prove an invaluable as- set for the study of psychology, and point to the essential unity of human nature everywhere. MIND OVER MAN Neither shall puny protest inhibit. Nor calculated command limit. The confusion, the wonder of guess and of blunder by our minds wrought which we call thought Nor precise psychologist define. Nor strict semanticist refine. The current of the dance of precision and of chance adjunct of our lot which we call thought Formless as most mystical wraith. Yet, possessor of our total faith. The effort and hoping in ethereal groping that ceases naught which we call thought. CHARLES BAHN 50 ON THE NATURE OF ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE PRESIDENTS by BERNARD DUCOFF The other day, as I was entering the synagogue, I felt a resounding whack on my shoulder. My hand was gripped, and I was whirled around to the tune of a jolly, How are you, Mr. Ducoff? To my amazement, my friendly greeter was none other than the president of our synagogue, Dl! ' EJ ' nVB ' The Gates of Peace. He hadn ' t spoken to me since his third reelection — he was up for his tenth — much less used the back- slapping technique. Mr. Ducoff, he continued without waiting for my reply to his previous question, you know we are holding elections tonight. But Mr. President — I always call a man by his title — I haven ' t voted for the last seven years. You never asked me before. Oh, Mr. Ducoff, and here his voice became wIstFul, I have decided to Interest our members once again in the duties they owe to our shul. It couldn ' t be that you are facing some stiff opposition this time, Mr. President? G-d forbid! Who would run against me? No! No! I just felt that you owe it to yourself to come down tonight and reelect me. He noticed another member at that point, shook my hand, and hurri edly ran after him, calling out his name. As I watched him leave, I thought, Who Is he, this vain, strutting creature who takes such pride in being president of a synagogue? Why does the title ' President ' change a brother Jew into a pompous politician? Why do we pervert his childish mind with visions of grandeur and allow him to compare himself to the Presi- dent of the United States? We Americans have a habit of modelling our organizations on the national government and even using the titles of our national officers. The title President is given to almost every head of a group, but I have yet to find a worse fit than the head of a synagogue. If we really desired to choose an appropriate title for him in the annals of history or in the pages of political science manuals, we should go back to the elected kings of Norway and Scotland. Once the president of a synagogue is elected, he maintains this position for life or, anyway, through the lives of most of his electors. Like an elected king, the president may become III, he may move away, he may embezzle funds, but he remains president; at the end of his reign, he usually designates his successor. Perhaps a better comparison could be made with the presidents of such countries as France or Russia. In France, the prime ministers come and go, but the president remains. In an Orthodox syna- gogue, the rabbis come and go, but the president remains. But there the comparison ceases. For a French president wields no power, while a synagogue president is an absolute monarch. In what ways does the Orthodox synagogue president wield his power? I asked myself as I en- tered the shul and sat on a hard bench. I had given myself completely over to this stream of thought and would not be free until I had pondered it through. What are the characteristics that distinguish him from the usual synagogue member? Consider his relationship with the rabbi, for instance. The ordinary member of the shul accepts his rabbi as his spiritual mentor and turns to him, if not always for religious guidance, then for enjoyment and appreciation of his greater Intellectual wit and speaking ability. The president takes it upon himself to be sole judge of the rabbi ' s capabilities. He becomes a speech critic, a personality expert, a maivin on questions of religion, and an economic adviser on the fi.iancial needs of the rabbi. Invariably, any rabbi who remains for more than three years falls out of his favor, as does the rabbi who asks for more than a sub-standard wage. In the same category is the rabbi who attends meetings and attempts to choose the organizations for which he will appeal for funds. The president also feels that he is above religious duties, now that he has been elected guide of his flock. Better yet, after a decade of guidance , he feels that he can determine the nature of the true Jewish religion. And so, a Conservative rabbi is imported, the mehitza is removed and a new era begins. After two decades of service, the president will, in a sudden blaze of insight, decide that the syna- gogue does not need a rabbi. Look, he will say to himself, we can save money. For twenty years, who has been running this shul? I have! For twenty years, who has made the real appeals? I have! For twenty years, who has de- determined what to daven and when? I have! Whom do the members care for? Me! So, I become both rabbi and president. Of course, it will mean leaving my job and the shul will have to pay me, but we will still save money since we do not have to pay the rabbi. Let us examine his administration of the synagogue. The ordinary member of a shul does not attend meetings, for like any good head, the president asks his members to participate only in elections, instal- lations and money-raising banquets. Otherwise, neither members nor criticism are invited. Why do you want to come down? I renember being asked. You elected me, right? So, I run the synagogue. You ' ll only mix things up. Why not wait for the dinner and bring the wife? The usual meeting consists of an energetic president, who is customarily talking to himself since no one else listens, a tired and sleepy vice-president, who has been vice so long, he has forgotten what the whole business is about, a doodling secretary, and a treasurer who is always counting the pennies raised in the pushka box. Whenever any members appear, the meeting is adjourned for lack of a quorum. The president is at his best, however, when opposition arises. Then, he dons his armor of hurt pride and wounded truth and sallies forth to engage the treacherous enemy. He approaches every member and expounds his record, never mentioning any particulars, hie allows the Ladies ' Auxiliary to hold as many meetings as they wish without any rental. FHe distributes the honors of the prayers and aliyahs among all the doubtful. He even shows how magnanimous he is, by giving his opponent maftir. In his an- nouncements on Shabos morning he subtly indicates the good he will bring, if re-elected. I have been thinking, friends, of instituting a new policy of life membership for a cheaper price, of lowering the prices of seats at the holidays, and g anting the Ladies ' Auxiliary, may they be blessed, a sum to continue their good work. At the election meeting, his friends try to railroad him through. If that maneuver fails, he makes his last remark and finally gives way to democratic processes. If he loses — make no bones about it — he is back the next year. The presidency is In his blood. RELIGHT Promiscuous segments of cosmos ' finite night, Unshaped, yet subtly golden where the light rays play. Conspicuous embers of true fire, blazon bright Near the vacuous flickers of tomorrow ' s day. Embers, which in the dense darkness of deeper dusk. Elude our groping fingers and half-blinded eye; Members of anonymous clan with undistinguished husk. Yet only these ashes will relight our deadened sky. CHARLES BAHN 52 HISTORY OF KOSHER FOOD LAW IN NEW YORK by BORIS A. RACKOVSKY The term in bona fide Is one that descr ibes wel! the kashruth observance of the Average American Jew. He sees the sign of Kashruth prominently disp ' ayed in the window of the meat emporium and goes In, bolstered by the good faith he has In the kosher sign, to buy what he believes to be kosher meat. Too often, however, the sign has turned out to be a lure rather than a statement of principles, and the unsuspect- ing customer has literally, as well as figuratively, brought home the bacon. It is, therefore, of great comfort to note that Ko:her Food Laws, designed to protect the consumer from the adroit mislabelers of non-kosher meats, have been operative for the past two and a half decades in this Empire State of ours. The importance of such legislaHon to the Jewish community as a whole and to the Jewish community of New York in particular is not to be minimized, in spite of the very limited supervision which these laws provide. This paper has been written to indicate more clearly the nature of the laws and the factors Involved In their enforcement, and particularly, to treat of the disadvantages to the Jewish com- munity which result from limited supervision. The Kosher Law of New York State, in essence, provides for the punishment, as a misdemeanor, of the person found guilty of selling or offering for sale non-kosher meat as kosher. Like all other laws of a sim- ilar nature. It was not born overnight and It did not achieve a rapid, easy maturity. Rather, its evolution was a gradual and a difficult one, fraught with pain and bitterness, its promulgators were attacked from all direc- tions and were constantly brought face to face with objections of various kinds. The wholesale and retail meat merchants saw encroachments on their rights to conduct business in their own way by the addition of legal restrictions to the generally overlooked religious ones. The non-religious Jewish Community and the Christian Community saw In the laws a basic objection which involved comparison with the Pure Food and Drug Act. This provided for the punishment of individuals or corporations guilty of misrepresentation with regard to the sale of foods and drugs. These people contended that though a food and drug law was justified, a kosher food law was not, since the Food and Drug Law involved a misrepresentation regarding the addition or lack of actual physical components of the article In question, which could be proven at any time by careful chemical analysis. In the Kosher Food Law, however, there was no such question of a purely physical deficiency or In- crement. Kashruth Is a matter of preparation, and does not Involve the addition of extraneous matter. No test has been devised to date which can reveal whether o ' not a piece of meat has been slaughtered In accord- ance with the orthodox ritual. How, they asked, if this law were to be passed, would the kashruth of an article be determined? Who was to rule on questions of Kashruth? The answers to these questions were provided by the original law, in which were advanced the dif- ferent methods of marking meat required of the kosher food dealer. The orthodox rabbis were to resolve any questions of kashruth. Here again there arose objections. It was finally dsclded to take the law to court, on the grounds that clear definitions In the law concerning the nature of Kashruth were lacking. Secondly, it was allegedly un- constitutional, and constituted a violation of the commsrce clause of the Constitution. Thirdly, and perhaps most important, it was argued that it constituted a violation of the equal protection clause of the constitution, as being class legislation. These objections were finally brought before the Supreme Court in the case of Sherman vs. Hygrade. ' The court, In Its decision, upheld the constitutionality of the law — noting particularly that the term Kosher represents a superior quality, available to both Jew and non-Jew alike. The purpose of the law. It declared, was to prevent fraud. The court was apparently echoing the sentiments of Judge Laughlln ' s earlier decision — hen he declared: It appears that the Orthodox Jews are limited by their religion with respect to animal food, and are 53 forbidden to partake of meat unless it has been slaughtered and prepared in accordance with the requirements of their religion; and to this end, in certain slaughterhouses, animals are selected and slaughtered by and under the supervision of Rabbis in accordance with the Jewish Religious requirements, and then the meat is marked and labeled to Indicate that it has so been slaughtered. Such meat is selected with great care, and special cleanliness is observed in the slaughter thereof, from which a reasonable inference follows that it is of a supe- rior quality. ... It may be that those principally interested in the subject matter of the legislation are of the Jewish Faith, but the benefits of the Statute are not confined to them, for it is evident that other nriembers of the general public may be interested in knowing that greater care and cleanliness have been observed in the selection and slaughter of the animals, the meat of which is so known, marked or labeled, than is otherwise exercised. By 1925, the question was settled, and the legality of the law was established beyond any doubt. It seemed that there would soon be a period of joy among the devout, who could now rest secure In their faith in a Kashruth sanctioned by the government. This, however, was not the case, for although the laws them- selves were firmly entrenched, there were no provisions as yet for enforcement agencies. Violations were reported rarely, if at all. Even when a violator was finally reported, he usually was able to worm his way out of the charge. The public soon began to take note of this deplorable state. Disgust grew to resentment, and resentment to final action. The climax to this series of reactions was brought about by an event which occurred on March 22, 1933. The firm of B and Sons was well known in the kosher meat and delicatessen line, and the name of B had Indeed become a byword for Kashruth in the most orthodox of homes. This was not remark- able, for the elder B was a man of unimpeachable piety. By dint of hard labor, he had established both for himself and his children not only an honorable name but also a lucrative business. Although the soul is righteous, the body is yet subject to the ravages of Time. During the latter years of his life, the elder B let the management of the firm pass into the hands of his son. For a time all went well. But soon, along with the mounting doubts and suspicions in the minds of the public as to the state of Kashruth In general, aspersions were even cast upon the Integrity of B and Sons. Reports of violators and violations kept coming In, and soon a substantial file of alleged violations was built up. It was, therefore, not surprising when on the afternoon of the aforementioned March 22nd, Dr. Waller of the New York Board of hiealth was carefully observing through binoculars from an apartment directly across the street all that was going on at 344 E. 21st St., at which premises a meat trimming and cutting establishment was located, hlis surveillance was soon rewarded when a green truck bearing no name stopped before that address. The driver transferred some empty barrels into the basement shop. We should note here that the green truck had received the barrels from a truck bearing the B name at the corner of 21st St. east of First Ave. just a short time before. Upon delivering its load, the truck left. It wasn ' t until the evening of that same day that anything more happened. Towards 8 o ' clock that evening, a white truck, with all identification names covered by an oilcloth, pulled to a stop In front of the building. The driver got out and began to load onto the truck thirteen barrels, all apparently quite heavy, after which he departed. Unobserved, he was being followed by a car in which were seven men. Two of these were members of the Dept. of Health, three were operatives of U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the remaining two were orthodox Rabbis. They followed the truck to 178 Delancey St. where the B business was located. The truck backed into the driveway, which was so constructed as not to allow entrance while a truck was loading or un- loading at the receiving platform. To admit the raiding party, one of the federal agents released the brakes of the truck, causing it to coast a short distance forward and thereby affording them easy access to the load- ing platform. Upon entrance, the raiding party was met by the younger B who was personally super- vising the unloading. Upon Inspection, It was found that the meat was not only unmarked, and therefore technically non-kosher meat, but in addition was old and contaminated. These facts were brought out at the trial which ensued. The people rose in frenzied protest — If they 54 could not trust an organization of B ' s integrity, whonn could they trust? If the government nnade a law why did it not make a substantial contribution towards its enforcement? It didn ' t take long for these ques- tions to be answered. In 1934 there was established, under the Dept. of Agriculture and Markets of N. Y. State, a Bureau of Kosher Law Enforcement, whose job it was to enforce the Kosher Food Laws. Rabbi Shep- herd Z. Baum, ordained at Yeshiva, and holding an LL.B. degree, was appointed, in 1934, supervisor for the entire state with the exception of New York City. The Bureau began to function without much fanfare. In the beginning there were only two appointees. Todav that number has increased to twelve — ten inspectors, a supervisor and a chief supervisor. Rabbi Baum is still the Chief Supervisor, covering the entire State of N. Y. The purpose of the Bureau is not to enforce the Kashruth Laws per se, but to prevent and prosecute fraudulent practices. Specifically, it is to see that section 435 A-B-C of the penal law is not violated. These laws provide for the punishment of an Individual or corporate group which knowingly offers for sale any non-kosher article and represents it as kosher. The crime, as a misdemeanor, is punishable by a $500 fine, a year ' s imprisonment or both. In addition to the Bureau, an advisory Board on Kosher Law Enforcement was formed in 1937. This Board consists of 9 members, each of whom is appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Agricul- ture. The purpose of the Board is to aid In the securing of more effective administrative methods, and better enforcement methods for the Bureau of Kosher Law enforcement. In essence we have established here a miniature police department. One might find It difficult to imagine that an organization so small should be asked to assume single-handedly the job of guaranteeing Kash- ruth in an entire state. Although the Bureau, which, incidentally, is famous for the efficiency, reliability and conscientiousness of its investigators, does make periodic checkups, this in itself would not suffice and can by no logic be expected to satisfy the need for adequate supervision. The main responsibility must, as in the past, lie with the Rabbinate and with the populace in general, upon whom devolves the duty, on the one side of rendering careful and honest supervision, and on the other side, of being ever watchful for any viola- tion that might be perpetrated. Admittedly no force, regardless of its size, can be at all places where super- vision is necessary, and at all times when it is required. In New York City Itself, notwithstanding the outstand- ing quality and large membership of the police force, there are still to be found many violations which either have not been discovered or whose perpetrators have gone unpunished. Similarly, It is virtually Impossible to supervise fully and constantly every business which by its essential nature might be tempted to violate the principle of the law. The best possible rabbinical supervision must be provided if we are to be sure of the Kashruth of the meat products we buy. It Is unfortunate, therefore, that our rabbinate, whose general character Is beyond doubt unimpeach- able, has at times revealed acute shortsightedness with regard to these matters. Its members have not yet come to the realization that Kashruth must not and cannot be made into a commercial enterprise If It is to sur- vive In its full strength. It is a law of the Jewish people and must be treated as such. It must not be made into a commodity available only to those who can afford the price of a hechsher. As a community religious func- tion it must be above and beyond petty commercial interests of mere Individuals or even of groups. It is in- deed a wonderful thing to have the support of the state, but to have the support of our united religious lead- ers Is far more Important. It is high time that the organized orthodox Rabbinate stopped waving Its hands heavenward in self-righteousness, and rather brought them down to earth to demonstrate Its piety by con- crete action. The chaos which now prevails In the Kosher meat and poultry industry cannot be overestimated. An overall supervision must be established if any order is to be made out of this chaos. No longer should it be possible to say This butcher is kosher, but . . . well, I myself go to that butcher since it is supervised by Rabbi X and I can be really sure of its Kashruth. Every butcher should adhere to certain definite standards or lose the right to call his products Kosher. Half-measures are valid In questions of quantity: in questions of principle, they are absolutely not to be tolerated. An organized Vaad Hakashrus, with a clearly defined statement of 55 principles, both as to questions of Halacha and of supervisory practice, must definitely be established. It must, by its united nature, supersede existing group or individual supervisions. It is impossible to imagine that this will be brought about while Rabbinical supervision is yet granted to retail butchers who trade in both kosher and non-kosher meat products at the same time, and on the same premises. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The unity which we desire must not be called upon to with- stand the onslaughts of private Rabbinical clans batthng for monopoly rights over the kashruth market. We must, once and for all, take kashruth away from individuals, and give it to the public. There is Incumbent upon orthodox Jewry, a duty to see that these wrongs are righted, and that kashruth Is once again regarded as a commandment of G d and not merely a means of demanding higher prices for food products marked with the kosher label. The fact cannot be over-emphasized, however, that the character of most of the rabbinate is beyond reproach; it is the exception rather than the rule that makes this article necessary. Perhaps the only way in which Kashruth can be reinstated to its former position in the Jewish home as a religious doctrine, is by creating a united kashruth organization in which the lay leaders will be in charge of the administration and cooperate with the organized rabbinate, who will again be the executors and arbiters of the laws of the Shulchan Aruch. It is beyond the scope of this article to submit in detail, a plan which will put the above suggestions into effect. Its purpose is, rather, to awaken the public to action, whose goal will be the creation of such a plan and its ultimate realization as an efficient and nonpartisan control over kashruth. Here then, is the task which faces our Rabbinical and lay organizaltons today. The next few years will show us whether they have been equal to the task or not. Upon their success may very well hinge the entire framework of the orthodox Jewish community. Let us hope they wake up to this fact before it is too late to restore the fragments of disunity into a cohesive whole. GROWING PAINS The obscure murmurings of spring ' s waterfalls Excite the limpid air, from field to musty halls Of depressive dust, hler gentle, warming breath Kisses me, and I am headlong thrust amid the falls. The tranquil embraces of spring ' s softnesses Rewake the brittle earth. Through bosky lanes Of childhood pleasure, I romp again; humming, as A wind-whipped birch moans secret sighs of growing pains. CHARLES BAHN 56 Looking for activities? — What are your proclivities? A team or a society? We ' ve got ' em in variety! So if you ' re seeking jollity. In quantity or quality. Whatever your propensity. Whatever its intensity. It ' s here — and, in particular. It ' s wholly ex-curricular! ARTHUR ROSENFELD ACTIVITIES MATTHEW KATZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MASMID BERNARD DUCOFF LITERARY EDITOR NORMAN LAMM LITERARY EDITOR The Governing Board of Masmid expresses its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Allen Mandelbaum, for his kind help to the Literary Staff; to Prof. A. B. Hur- witz, for his untiring efforts on behalf of the Gov- erning Board; and to Mr. Sam Hartstein, who generally was very helpful. IHfeifli mm!: Pi )j,m Kr fl lA ' lB i H ' , ]I|B CY SHAVRICK BUSINESS MANAGER 1949 DAVID HALPERN TECHNICAL EDITOR LITERARY STAFF Boris Rackovsky, Asst. Lit. Edit. Arthur Rosenfeld Seymour Haber BUSINESS STAFF Morris Cohen Sy Schorr TYPING STAFF Reuben Heisler Morris Halpern ABRAHAM MORGENSTERN PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR IP ««ll«c SAMUEL Z. SLASER PRESIDENT PRESIDENT ' S MESSAGE This past year our object has been to exhibit to all that this school is an intimate community of students, teachers and administrators, and our ac- tions and thoughts have been directed towards the realization of this immediate goal. We have shown that more can be accomplished by working with others in attempting to develop the school than by establishing a rigid dichotomy between the admin- istration, the co-bogey word of dramatics, and the students. Dr. Belkin, Prof. hHurwitz, Dean Isaacs, Mr. Abrams, Mr. Sam Hartstein, Rabbi Avrech and Miss Schutz have aided us greatly. Profs. Grinstein, Litman and Luchins have been, as in years past, the arch contributors of advice which quite often was followed. Denny Seller, Lou Lauer, Cy Schavrick, Sol Blum- enfeld and Sam Kenner have shown productive originality and offered great assistance throughout the school year. I leave this college with the semi-realized hope that our institution shall one day be the most produc- tive community outside of the State of Israel. SAM SLASER DENNY SELLER VICE-PRESIDENT - - LOU LAUER SECRETARY-TREASURER s T U D E N T C O u N C I L The activities sponsored by Ihe Student Council during the past year have been manifold and suc- cessful. We have attempted, and I believe, succeeded in making the college a center of creative ac- tivity. Original dramatic productions have been staged. The musical talents of our students have been unveiled. The new arts and crafts room, though of limited space, has somewhat satisfied the basic needs of the artistically inclined. The establishment of a new research joiTrnal in the Social Sciences and the Natural Sciences has provided an impetus for the writing of essays based on original research. The year began with orientation assemblies and a highly successful Senior-Frosh Smoker under the chairmanship of Cy Shavrick. Next in line of large affairs was the now annual University-Alumni Nite at which 800 people thoroughly enjoyed the customary basketball game between the Varsity and the Alumni, and an original play entitled Flesh and Faculty ' written by Joe Yoshor. In the meantime, the clubs and societies began functioning. The Eranos embarked upon some very enlightening lectures. The resuscitated Fireside Chats, under Jacob Schoenfeld, drew groups of thirty to fifty students. The Chess Varsity entered collegiate competition emerging fifth in a field of fifteen. The Chess Club then decided to take over Council and Commentator offices, and the Spring team has been spent In an attempt to evict them; but so far they have thwarted all attempts to revoke their squatter ' s rights. Artie Silver and Harry Yanofsky deserve once again a tribute for their fine work. The language societies have sufficiently developed so that two of these, the French and Span- ish Clubs, will Issue language publications. A vote of thanks goes to Ishmael Cohen, Artie Abramson and Ludwig Nadleman for continually striving to improve these socitles. The Math Club, under the chair- manship of Will Frank, refrained from doing few unusu al things and became one of the best function- ing and productive groups In the school. Under the chairmanship of Boris Rackocsky, the Debating So- ciety has expanded into one of the highly active functions of the college. The debating tours were conducted with great success. As editor of the Commentator, Max Frankel gave the student activities a most comprehensive coverage. Coupled with this were the extensive undertakings in regards to Jew- ish Education and a survey of the activities of our alumni. The Maccabean offered a complete and detailed coverage of Intramural and interscholastlc activities. A! Sokolow and Bert Rogoway with the technical aid of Norm Matlin, scarcasm Incarnated, completed a successful experiment with a printed Maccabean. The Placement Service, under the supervision of Mike Korbman, expanded Its sphere of activity to the extreme satisfaction of the student body. The Y.U.A.A. took all athletics In hand and is in the process of stabilizing all varsity and Intra-mural athletics. We again followed expansionist policies as Al Sokolow, Hy Levlne, Dave Halpern and Jack Zucker doubled the capacity of the Coop, and Chlel Simon and Abe Drazin did an excellent job In establishing the new Student Council book- store. The Fall term closed with our participation In the arrangements of the Menachem Belgen ad- dress and with the presentation of the first Chanuka Concert In the history of Yeshiva. Under the direction of Alex Petrushka and the management of Stan Wexler, the talented Y.U. Orchestra rose to its greatest heights. With Wally Orensteln leading the T.I. Choir, Larry Nesis and the members of the Debating and Dramatic Societies combined to produce a really wonderful original cantata entitled What Hope. Isadore Singer, accompanied by a cold and Miss Shoshana Cohen, showed the proph- etic meaning of his last name by the beautiful rendition of two classics. The audience of 1000 people made this the largest student affair In many years. Following the thought of Dr. LItman that all expectations are Irrational, I will not mention cur hopes for a successful class-nite on May 16 and class boatrides on Memorial Day. Sam Glaser BASKETBALL SAM KENNER ATHLETIC MANAGER BERNARD SARACHECK COACH DENNY GELLER CAPTAIN With the inception of the Y.U.A.A., the term progress has been newly activated. It stems from hard work and foresight of the individual members of the Committee whose major accomplishment this past year was the creation of the administrative position of Director of Athletics under the able leadership of hly Wettstein, High School Coach. This office will greatly facilitate the scheduling of inter-collegiate contests in all sporting events with basketball leading the roster. This past tHoop Campaign has enabled Coach Red Sarachek to ripen his Green Freshmen into an ex- perienced Sophmore five with a sprinkling of Fresh- men and Juniors besides the inevitable Captain- Seniors. Art Stein, Nate Krieger and Ruby Davidman assumed most of the term burden supplemented by Denny Seller, Captain and his Senior Confederates Izzy Paleyoff and Chiel Simon. The Captain-Elect, Howie Danzig, once a promis- ing freshman from our High School System, should have little trouble meeting and surpassing the goal set further by their famous Coach who sees bright prospects in the near future. CO-OP s T O R E Glancing through past issues of the Masmid, one inevitably finds the expression Co-op Store has expanded this year beyond our ex- pectations. Were this expression used here it would be a brilliant understatement. Under the management of Al Sokolow ' 49, and with Hy Levine ' 50, co-Manager: Dave Halpern ' 49, Sales Manager; and Jack Zucker ' 49, Purchasing Manager, business showed progress early in the year. With the acquisition of another room, Co-op was able to become departmentalized. One room was devoted to the sale of candy, school supplies and drug articles (which was a new addition this year), and the other room to the sale of typewriters, electric shavers, jewelry, wallets, silverware, home appliances, radios, television sets, desk and bed lamps, records and many other articles. Ask for what you don ' t see — we can get it for you, was the slogan used this past year. In addition to the drug counter already mentioned, other innova- tions added to Co-op this year were stands containing hundreds of Pocket, Penguin, Bantam and Mentor books. An automatic candy machine was placed on the College floor for the use of students when Co-op wasn ' t open. A soda machine and another candy ma- chine were installed next to the gymnasium. Members of the general sales staff included J. Roth, M. Krantzler, E. Elsenbach, L. Fleishman and B. Rackovsky. In giving their excellent cooperation to the Managing Board, they were responsible for the tremendous Increase in sales which naturally made Sam Giazer very happy as now he has plenty of shavers with which to finance his school activities. LIBRARY Thanks to Mr. Zeides, his student assistants and the night men, the College Library has been improved considerably. Many new books, among them many reference volumes necessary tor student research, have been added to the ever-increasing stock of books now available. The library has subscribed to many new periodicals, bringing to an all time high the volume of periodic literature, both popular and technical. Magazines, pamphlets and books, worth ten thousand dollars, were sent to the bindery for mending. Most of thes e have already been returned and now grace the walls of the reading-room. Early in the year the library held some exhibits in various fields, such as mathematics, sociology and biology. A col- lection of valuable and rare volumes and papers was exhibited, among them a first edition of one of Lord Byron ' s poetical works and the visa application of Theodore hierzl. Students who use the library will find that the reference section is almost complete, offer- ing works to be used as supplements to class work and also the most recent literature for advanced student research. That the students have fully taken advantage of these increased facilities is evident from the fifty per cent increase in average daily circulation. DEBATING Debating, which has been for the past several years one of the most important of the College extra-curricular activities, enjoyed this year a most active and successful season. The society again had the assistance and supervision of Dr. David Fleisher, Faculty Advisor, who gave unselfishly and tirelessly both of his time and energy, for the strengthening of the Debating Team. Director of this year ' s debating activities was Boris Rackovsky, president of the Debating Society. A. Ellery Sokolow acted as Man- ager of Debate. Aaron Landes was the chairman of the intramural program. Reuben Heisler and Albert HHoilander were secretaries of the Society. Some of the more notable inter-scholastic debates held this year were with such schools as University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Temple, Columbia, Brooklyn and New York University. Three tours for the spring session have been planned, one to extend as far south as Washington, D. C, the second to the New England States includ- ing New Haven and Boston, and the third through upper New York including Albany and Syracuse. In the debates held to date, Yeshiva has particularly distinguished itself as a power with which other schools must reckon. Its excellent record has in no small part been due to the following who, along with the officers mentioned above, comprised the debating team this year: Charles Neal Bahn, Bernard Ducoff, Seymour Haber, Albert Hollander, Robert Kurtzman, Lou Lauer, Nisson Shulman, Stanley Siegel, Victor Solomon, Joseph Yosher and David Rosenhan. The intra-mural debating tournament was won by the Junior Class, represented by Kurtzman, Haber and Lauer. The intra-murals pro- vided valuable training for the future varsity debaters. 65 FENCING TEAM Launching iheir club during the late fall of ' 48, this ambitious group of aspiring duelists and Olympic champions embarked upon an Intensive training program in prep- aration for varsity competition. Boasting the largest membership of any extra-curricular activity in Yeshiva, and expertly instructed by the former inter-collegiate champion and Olympic coach, Mr. A. D. Tauber, the group, possessing practically no previous expe- rience, but compensating for that lack In natural aptitudes, zeal and determination, has progressed rapidly and looks ahead towards a very promising future. The varsity team, comprising the most able and outstanding members of the club is captained by Abe Hirschsprung, ' 49 and boasts a number of capable exponents of the gladiatorial arts. The club met on Monday evenings In Riet ' s Hall and spectators present were in- variably thrilled by the graceful and scintillating thrusts, lunges, parries and ripostes executed by the neophyte duelists. A number of tilts are scheduled with other colleges in the city at which time Yeshiva masters will measure swords with the experienced representatives of these schools. Regular varsity competition will continue In the fall and spring of ' 49-50 and the varsity is Impatiently awaiting the opportunity of proving its mettle in digladiation. 66 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SOCIETY The purpose of this group is to stimulate interest, among Yeshiva students, in current problems of international affairs. For the first time in its history, the Club received an invitation to attend the Middle Atlantic Conference of International Relations Clubs, which was held at Penn. State College, November 19-21. The co- operation with the Carnegie Endowfent Fund for World Peace, the conference dis- cussed the vital issue of How Can Friendly Relations Be Established Between the United States and the Soviet Union? The officers of the club, Messrs. Bunim and Zahn, represented Yeshiva University. They addressed the Conference during the sixth Plenary Session, stating that, Fear never won a war or a peace and the world community will benefit much by the coexistence of two seemingly opposed theories, with each striving In its own way to gain for man the highest and best that Nature has to offer. ' Dr. Aaron Margalith, Faculty Advisor, gave an Interesting lecture on the Consti- tution of the State of Israel. Many speakers, prominent in the Political Science field, lectured on various Informative topics. Almost all of the meetings held during the school year were highly successful. ?««% 67 MATH CLUB The Math Club, now in the second term of Its existence, has maintained its vigor- ous program of weekly lectures, delivered by the students themselves, on various phases of the theme Foundations of Modern Mathematics. Included in this series were talks on Mathematical Logic, Peano ' s Postulates, Mengenlehre, Point-Set Theory, Decimals, Continued Fractions, Dedekind Cuts, and discussions on the leading schools of thought on the foundations of mathematics. Student participation, both through attendance at meetings and delivery of lectures, indicated the presence of an active Interest, by the student body, in mathematics. These lectures were inters persed with a variety of other topics such as Farey Series, Summation of Sub-Series and Short Cuts to Arithmetical Computation. Par- ticipating as lecturers were William Frank, President; Arthur Rosenfeld, Secretary; Seymour Haber, Vice President; Kurt Eisenman, Gustave Solomon, Simon hiellerstein, Irwin Sanders and Joseph J. Gold. During the spring term the Math Club plans to take Mathematical Physics as its theme, with lectures on the Theory of Probability, Relativity, Geometrical Optics, Hydrodynamics, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics and Electrolytic Dissociation. Also planned are a number of special lectures on Theory of Numbers and hHigher Geometry, to be conducted during class periods. The Math Club has inspired a good deal of original work, by the students, on major and minor mathematical topics. The best of this work will appear in the Yeshiva College annual science publication. Also among the Club ' s activities this year has been the production of a number of ingenious notices and novel meeting announcements that have brightened the bulletin boards at Yeshiva. Culminating this activity was the announcement of the Club ' s Hebrew name — HaCheshbonaim. 68 LE CIRCLE FRANCAIS In continuation of the policy of previous years, Le Cercle Francais has endeavored to bring before its members some of the outstanding personalities in the Franco- American cultural field. The first speaker was Prof. P. Brodin, Head of the Lycee Francais in New York, who delivered an Informative lecture on France Ete 1948. Prof, dinger. Chairman of the Language Department of N.Y.U. ' s School of Education, was the next guest speaker who delivered an address on the topic, Modern languages in N.Y.C. schools. In the second semester, Le Cercle Francais was honored by the presence of Prof. Charles Lehrman, from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, who spoke on The Jewish element in French literature. Prof. Chernowitz, a new addition to the French Department of Yeshiva, presented an interesting survey of French art, supple- mented by a series of lantern slides. All these talks were well attended by past and present French students of Yeshiva. The club Innovated the very welcome provision of refreshments at each of its meetings. Conversational groups were organized which were aided by the use of a recording machine. Several descriptive films of France and its people were procured from the French Embassy and were received with great enthusiasm by the club ' s members. Under the able direction of Arthur Abramson, the Cercle ' s annual publication Le Flambeau Is well on its way to publication, at the moment this article is being written, and should be distributed before the present school term is over. The Club ' s activities have been ably led by Ismael Cohen, President, who was assisted by Albert Eiseman, Vice-President, and Jacob Schonfeld, Secretary. The Cercle Francais wishes to acknowledge Its grateful thanks to Professor Braun for his constant advice and kind help. 69 DEUTSCHER VEREIN The Deutscher Verein, comprising all of the students of the German Depart- ment, has directed its activities during the past year to a study of the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, probably the most famous German poef and writer. This study, which consisted of readings and lectures, was held in participation with the world-wide bicentennial celebration of Goethe ' s birthday. Besides this particular concentration on Goethe and the general prescribed curriculum, the German Club enjoys, from time to time, scholarly and stimulating lectures from its learned professor. Dr. Ralph Rosenberg. The students most enthusiastically participate in the ensuing discussions. This cultural atmosphere Is occasionally enhanced by visits from one or two out- side professors, who lecture on their respective fields in German literature, philosophy, art and philology. The Deutscher Verein, only partially represented in the accompanying photograph, has not deviated from the traditional German social function, namely beer parties with pretzels, interspersed with German songs. A number of these beer parties have been held on past occasions, led by the Verein ' s president, David M. Feldman, and addressed by its professor and faculty ad- visor. Dr. Ralph Rosenberg. 70 CHESS TEAM The chess team reached full-fledged status in Yeshiva this year as It also moved up with the ranking powers in intercollegiate chess. The Y.U.A.A., realizing the coming of age of Yeshiva chess, granted funds for the purchase of needed chess clocks, and also cooperated in making available meeting places for the team to play. Our efforts in the National Intercollegiate Chess Championship, held at Columbia University, marked the fruition of all the labor of the past years. The Yeshiva College team consisted of Harry Yanofsky, Sy Schorr, David Steinberg, and captained by Arthur Silver. For three rounds Yeshiva led, and despite several losses In the final rounds, the team finished fifth on points. Fordham, Rutgers and Yale fell before the Y.U. men, and a tie was rendered with Penn. David Steinberg, playing brilliant chess, tied for first place in the individual round, winning six out of his seven games. The meet marked the close of the era of hiarry Yanofsky at Yeshiva. The genial Canadian, on whose record a major part of the revltalization of the chess team was founded, bowed out in style, 4-1. Along with Yanofsky, Sy Schorr finished a fine performance as a varsity chessman. The splendid showing of Steinberg and Silver in the meet, proves that new power Is available for the future. Other players who par- ticipated in the team encounters, and who show future promise, are Bob Rosen, Barney Koenigsberg, and David Schelnfeld. With the new Interest in this most intellectual of sports, chess at Yeshiva v III act as a means both of beneficial relaxation to the students, and of spreading the fame of Y.U. among American colleges. MAX FRANKEL EDITOR Contest Jsters 3y Soph-Senion In the second annual All-S, Jame sponsored by the Mac iean, official undergraduate ' e an of extra-curricular activi he soph-senior quint ' ' rounced the frosh-jun atior at the Central H Needle Trades Gy Official Unde I JNeeaie iraaes uy Ipearheaded by Fred aleyeff, the victorious SOph- ' -r „Vs ' Cohan ' -49. Theo« J-e _J= enior team, coached by A. IrV-Robert KurUman . Israel ng- Schnipper ' 48, quickly OVer- ' ' j , ' g Fl°ei3chman ' 52. Aaron ame n S-4 ripfirit 2. _,.. ' i l Bert I Seuben GrOo. Israel Charny ame a 9-4 deficit Capitalizing on fast . -.udwig tlewcn,,.... .- ?TlFF:PWl ' P,R Ser ' 49! Morris CoheUdl NORMAN W. MATLIN NEWS EDITOR JOSEPH YOSHOR MANAGING EDITOR ABRAHAM DRAZIN BUSINESS MANAGER MURRAY STADTMAUER NEWS EDITOR SOLOMON BLUMENFELD SPORTS EDITOR A. ! ? 5 . o S I S «9 i r tjni t (EnmmmUtav c Chai «C( Oh ee future dale, an. vi .h tacmi? Qy: x i ndation con- , ■ •)■ the foreign raduate Newspaper Of Yeshiva College .n •° ' . . ..NV-i- VfCU t t ? Schonfeld. DoKKi Drazm L( li State am Drazit at Yeshiv; ,he topic 1 State and Jewish Law . ,e , one act larce wi  cO ' ( !. , ith the exception of a fr- -- ° ' ' V Ue !Vt. - !., - % - .Facuity, a one _acw, _ . . ■ eC ' . V ) ' . ' few Scl well attended Under the ediforship of Max Frankel, The Commentator, the official undergraduate newspaper of Yeshiva College, turned in another year of thorough news coverage at Yeshiva and again drew an A rating from the Associated Collegiate Press. In addition to the local news, the newspaper attempted to give a broad picture of Jewish affairs, carrying a series of highly informative article on Jewish activities in New York and throughout the country and Canada. With the growth of the University, The Commentator gradually enlarged its field of coverage to include news of the various schools and branches. Several write-ups were devoted to the Rabbinic Research Institute, the School of Education and Community Administration, the Central Yeshiva hiigh School for Girls, and the other newly-organized branches. A new, regular column, Faculty Notes , was put to good use during the Spring sem- ester, reporting on the activities of the faculty. At the same time, news of student activities was not neglected and, in most cases, given top priority. The editorial column of The Commentator did a turn-about on the strict line of Zionist editorials and be- came the true vehicle of student self-expression. Controversial issues within and without the school, such as the Presidential election, the Placement Service dispute and the Minyan attendance affair, were thoroughly com- mented on in this column. News of Zionist activities and Israel was thus con- fined the news and feature departments. A series of two articles by an alumnus in Israel was published. Among the feature articles were several in a hu- morous vein, and various Meet the Faculty , Maybe I ' m Wrong and From the Faculty write-ups. The Meet the Seniors section was of an exceptionally high quality, presenting a TOO word write-up of each senior. The Letters to the Editor column, reflect- ing student opinion, received stimulating articles and printed many of them. An innovation In the feature department was the Jewish Education series. These articles reviewed the educational set-ups of Jewish communities in various cities In the United States and Canada. A further expansion of the feature department touched the field of theatrical productions, with the stress on Jewish educational and Yiddish art productions. Another novel experiment was an extensive re- search project Into the accomplishments and con- tributions of Yeshiva graduates to the American scene undertaken by The Commentator. The re- sults were fully tabulated and appeared In a two page analysis during the second semester. Sol Blumenfeld, serving his second year as Sports Editor, turned in another commendable job In his On the Sidelines column. The rest of the Govern- ing Board of The Commentator was composed of Joe Yoshor, managing editor; Abraham Drazin, busi- ness manager; and Norman M. Matlin and Murray Stadtmauer, news editors. PLACEMENT SERVICE Student Placement Service is now concluding its second successful year with Mike Korbman ' 49 as chairman, Theodore Steinberg ' 49, secretary; Mark Brener ' 50, public relations: Arthur Abramson ' 49, corresponding secretary, and Arthur Schneir ' 51, interviewer. This organization was established to fulfill the dire need of many students for part time employment. Advertisements were inserted in local Jewish and English newspapers and letters were sent to all He- brew schools and institutions Informing them of our bureau and serv- ices. The cost was defrayed by the Student Council and the S.O.Y. During the past two years over two hundred positions have been given out by the Placement staff. They included such categories as Hebrew school teachers, private instructors in Hebrew as well a s secu- lar subjects, club leaders, summer positions and miscellaneous types of work. The administration has been most co-operative in dovetailing their placement activities with ours. There are periodic meetings of the Student Placement Service with the Community Service Bureau In order to provide for the maximum of efficiency on the part of all stu- dent services. Mr. Israel Young is the advisor to Student Placement. A concerted effort was made to obtain summer positions for stu- dents and plans are now being formulated for the eventual establish- ment of a Graduate Department of the Student Placement Service for those students who, outside of the rabbinate, desire full time po- sitions with Sabbath observance. The Placement Service Is, with G-d ' s help, here to stay and prove that responsible students, working together, can establish any activity on a useful and lasting basis. All that it requires Is a cooperative stu- dent body and a unified plan of action. 74 TENNIS The year of ' 49 marked the third and perhaps most outstanding year in the field of sports at Yeshiva. The establishment of a co- ordinating Y.U.A.A. for all sports groups In the school was respon- sible, to no small degree, for this general revltallzatlon. This new growth in athletic consciousness at Yeshiva has had a direct effect on the Tennis Team. Under the able management of Boris A. Rackovsky It has grown to a proportion commensurate with the high standing of other school functions. Our new coach, Mr. Tauber, has given selflessly of his time. The success of the team is to a great extent due to his coaching and to the work of our indefatigable captain hferman Shulman, who Is a veteran of three years service on the team. Aiding In the managerial capacity was Hyman Levlne. Veteran members of the team are Jacob Beck, Sol Blumenfeld, Abe hllrschsprung, Bert Rogoway, Jacob Schoenfeld, Herman Shul- man, and Samuel K. Wohlgelernter. Promising neophytes are Joseph Feder and A. Ellery Sokolow. 75 ERANOS The scholastic year of ' 48- ' 49 has been the most active year since the inception of the Eranos organization at Yeshiva. After A. W. Gittleman, chairman of Eranos, left the Yeshiva in January, Morris A. Cohen, vice-chairman, tool over the office of chairman and Daniel Komsky became vice-chairman. A great many interesting meetings were held during the year, at each of which a prominent guest speaker was present. The speakers at the Eranos meetings also included some students of classical lan- guages at Yeshiva. One of the lecturers at this year ' s meetings was Professor Alexander Litman, who delivered a highly informative lec- ture on Epicureanism. William Fertig ' 50, a student of Latin, pre- sented a pleasant talk on the comparison between the ancient and modern Italian. Professor Samuel K. Mirsky. who had recently visited the famous libraries of Europe, familiarized the students attending the first meeting of the Spring semester with the impressions he had received at those treasure houses of learning. Eranos also celebrated Goethe month by Inviting several guest lecturers who spoke about Goethe and his appreciation of the classics. Under the faithful direction of Dr. Bernard Floch, Head of the classical department at Yeshiva, Eranos has been able to carry on its work and to kindle a flame in the hearts of many students for classi- cal studies. 76 LA TERTULIA During its hird year of existence, this natural outgrowth of the State Department ' s Good Neighbor policy (say that again?) fea- tured a series of lectures on Spanish Literature, Latin America and topics of general interest, that were relevant to the country of Cer- vantes of the continent of Besa me mucho. Among the lecturers, who addressed La Tertulla, were Dr. Miguel Villa of the University of Buenos Aires, Mr. Benno Welser of the Latin American Department of the Jewish Agency and Mr. Juan Becerra of C.C.N.Y. An out- standing event constituted a lecture by Dr. Sas, Faculty Advisor to La Tertulla, on the Quijote, which was attended by all the students of the Language Departments. The climax of this year ' s Tertulia ' s activities was the publication of El Clarin, a twenty-page magazine with articles on Don Quijote, the literature of Lope de Vega, the poetry of Jehuda tHalevi, and an essay on the Spanish Elements of Today ' s Sephardic Jewry. The magazine was dedicated to Dr. Sas for his devotion to the students and his Interest in Tertulia ' s activities. The officers of this group are: Ludwig Nadelmann, ' 51, President and Sr. Isaac Bustamente y Azose SI. 77 CHEMISTRY CLUB After a lapse of two years, the Chemistry Club has been re- organized. It was felt that the students were lacking a knowledge of the many fields of chemistry and that lectures were needed to familiar- ize them with these subjects. To accomplish this purpose, the Chem- istry Club was organized and a series of lectures were planned which were to be popular rather than technical, so that the majority of the students might benefit by them. At the first meeting, officers were elected and a lecture was given by Mervin Barenholtz ' 50, on Chemical Reactions at a Distance. ' The first of the lecture series was given by Dr. E. M. Levine on the The Natural Estrogenic Substances — The Female Sex hlormones. The history of endocrinology, the functions of the various ductless glands, the effects of the hormones on the human body, and the chemical structure of the hormones were discussed. This meeting was a great success and more popular lectures were planned which would deal with sanitation, milk, soaps, and other important topics. The lectures are to be given by Dr. Isaacs, Dr. Joseph, and other members of the science faculty of Yeshiva and other Universities. A project was planned on the preparation of penicillin and another was planned on the preparation of streptomycin. The preparation of various brandies by different fermentation processes was planned, the use of the products being only secondary to the preparation. The Chemistry Club has been very successful this year and Is Indebted to the science faculty of Yeshiva for their advice and co- operation. 78 ARTS AND CRAFTS The only place in the Yeshiva building where a student may be associated with a vice (vise ?) without being severely censured for it, is the Arts and Crafts room. This two by four cozy cubicle has as its denizens those fortunate individuals who have convinced themselves that a Yeshiva man despite his crowded curriculum can and must find an occasional hour for recreation. The workshop was organized this year, as an extension of the Art Club, by Ernie Ruch, Phil Rablnowitz and Bill Solomon, rather crafty fellows. They have procured enough tools and materials to make possible a wide scope of projects. Under the guidance of these three gulldmelsters Yeshlva ' s artisans have produced articles such as furniture to beautify their dorm rooms and reproductions of paintings by the masters which look as priceless as the originals. The Arts and Crafts office has worked in conjunction with the various other student activities in supplying attractive posters for publicity: and. In the case of the Dramatic Society, special stage properties and scenery. Now in the process of being organized are classes In sketching, painting, woodwork, metalwork and leather work. Yes, these are the boys who have really hit the nail on the head. One of the many successful activities sponsored by the Student Council this year was the Yeshiva University Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Petrushka and the pencil of Stanley Wexler. University Nite marked the successful introduction of the Y.U. Orchestra to the assembled students, alumni and friends. They played all Hebrew melodies. The favorable impression the orchestra created was strengthened by its performance at the Chanuka Concert. They played a series of Hebrew melodies and two classical compositions, The Emperor Waltz , by Strauss and the Persian Market by Ketelby. Plans are being formulated to increase the number of orchestra members, to give frequent performances and to create a fine musical group. ORCHESTRA After years of unorganized management, the Book Store, this year, was put under the sponsorship of the Student Council. All profits accumulated were added to the Student Council Bank account. Books of all types were ordered by the students and were received within two weeks with a very reasonable reduction. By the end of the fall term all faculty members were notified that their text books would be available for the first day of the new term. The instructors were very appreciative to find that they would, for the first time, be able to start using the text for the course the first day of the term. Beside text books for college classes, graduate school and day school texts were ordered. Approximately fifty percent of all books ordered were of non-text book variety. About ninety percent of these were Anglo-Jewish publications. Under the co-chairmanship of Chiel Simon and Abraham Drazin, the Book Store expects to show a large profit for the first year of its existence. BOOKSTORE so MACCABEAN The Maccabean, official publication of the Athletic Association and Physical Education Department of Yeshiva College, has this year taken a big step forward. Under the editorship of Al Sokolow, this monthly organ appeared in printed form for all its issues. Covering, for the most part, all intramural activities and various other feature departments, The Maccabean v as welcomed by the students who were interested in various methods of education. Other members of the staff were Bert Rogoway, Jack Zucker, Norm Matlin and Max Frankel. PUBLICATIONS The Liberal Arts publication is devoted to original work, done by students of Yeshiva College, of such merit as to warrant permanent record and public distribution. It contains articles both of a totally original nature and of tlie kind supplementary to some of the work taken up in advanced courses. The articles in it cover the Natural Sciences, including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Experimental Psychology, and the Social Sciences, including Phil- osophy, Psychology, History, Sociology, Education, Literature and Fine Arts. The officers of the publication are William Frank, Editor; A. Rosen- feld, Mathematics; J. J. Gold, Physics; S. Haber, Chemistry; B. Rackovsky, Biology; S. Glaser, Psychology; J. Beck, Philosophy and Social Studies; Lou Lauer, Literature and Social Studies. CONCERT BUREAU DRAMATIC SOCIETY This past year, the Concert Bureau, under the chairmanship of Reuben Heisler, has taken great strides. In the past the bureau has limited itself to corresponding with the various ticket agencies and publicity managers of shows. This year, through a lot of plugging and good contacts, the students on one occasion were able to go to the Metropolitan Opera free, Carnegie hall several times for the price of the ticket tax only, received half price re- ductions to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and such popular shows as hiamlet, Henry V, The Wandering Jew, etc., and many Broadway stage shows and plays. A large selection of recital and radio show tickets were always on hand. The plans for next term are at present a recorded musical form at least four times a month, for the apprecia- tion of the students and faculty. The Dramatic Society, under the leadership of President Eli hlorowitz and Vice-President Wilfred Solomon, presented a play this year which was re- soundingly successful. The play, a brilliant one act satire entitled, Flesh and Faculty , was written by Joseph Yoshor and presented as part of the Alumni Day affair in December. In the leading roles were Wilfred Solomon as the Dean and Simon Auster as Beelzebub Brainboy. Supporting them were Eli Horo- witz, Robert Kurtzman, Max Frankel, Norman Matlln and Morris Stadtmauer as members of the faculty. David Shudrlch played the part of Steam and Ernie Ruch that of the reporter from the Daily News. Several interesting meetings were also held to dis- cuss dramatics in Yeshiva and In general. On this basis it is hoping to expand even further next year. 82 MORTIMER KOGON MEMORIAL VETERANS ORGANIZATION The academic year of 1948-1949 witnessed a spurt of enthusiastic activity on the part of the Yeshiva veterans, under the leadership of Ben Migdal, the new President. The other officers elected at the first meeting were Meyer Sandel, Vice President and Nate Gordon, Secretary-Treasurer. Mike Korbman and Arthur Abramson, in view of their past services and enthusiastic participation in veterans activities, were chosen as Honorary President and Vice Presi- dent, respectively. The Yeshiva veterans were in active service with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Corps dur- ing the recent war. In the combat areas of Europe, Africa and the Pacific. The purpose and policy of this organization is to join In furthering the Ideals fostered by this institu- tion. Many of the veterans at present pursuing their studies at Yeshiva are planning to continue their education at the Hebrew University In Israel. It Is the Intention of the veterans at Yeshiva to actively participate In affairs that affect the Jewish community at large. HOBBY CLUB The Hobby Club under the Chairmanship of Reu- ben Heisler and with the always helping hand of Doc Hurwitz has again come through with flying colors. This past year a combination of entertain- ment was presented in the forms of movies, lectures, magic and hypnotic performances. The lecturer was Dr. Harry Lasker, pinch hitting for Mr. Frank L. Weil, who spoke on, Scouting as an Aid to Religion. Mr. P. Hertz presented three movies for the stu- dents, the main attraction being, As New York Grows. In the line of magic and hypnotism, Har- vey Dunn, now on tour In South America gave the boys a very entertaining evening. George Schind- ler performed his ventriloquism act and impersona- tions together with a comic act. Jack London, the old standby, presented magic and then hypnotism to the amazement and delight of all attending. Next term the club expects to start off with a bang and present loads of good entertainment for the students. 83 ADVERTISEMENTS Congratulations to MATTHEW KATZ rrom MR. and MRS. BENJAMIN KATZ and MORDECAI In Blessed Memory of Our Beloved Wife and Mother IDA FRIEDA LEAH ANDRON Who Passed Away September 14, 1948 1 0th Day Ellul 5708 JACOB L ANDRON and FAMILY 48 48 OUR FOUNDER 1 Mr. Samuel Levin Of Blessed Memory Bequested to Us a Tradition to Respect the Torah and the Men of Torah SINAI KOSHER SAUSAGE CORP. CHICAGO, III. 48 48 Connpliments of . . . 1 PHIL and MARION MORSE BRONX, N. Y. IN HONOR OF Congratulations . . . Rabbi O. Z. Fasnnon The Yeshiva University President of Women ' s Organization HEBREW THEOLOGICAL ' COLLEGE OF CHICAGO MRS. J. GREENBERG, President from Brooklyn Division LAZAR KOSHER BROOKLYN, N. Y. SAUSAGE CO. Compliments of . , . Congratulations to . . . MR. and MRS. Matthew Katz SIMCHE KATZ from In Honor of Their First S ' P r ' N MR and MRS. JAY-SHEA MAX AUSTER Compliments of . . . CompI ments of . . . GORSON FIFTH AVENUE MEN ' S and WOMEN ' S APPAREL Mr. and Mrs. 1. Sandel ROCHESTER, N. Y. Tailored by ALPATEX CLOTHES, Inc. 142 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY COMPLIMENTS OF THE YESHIVA COLLEGE FACULTY DR. MOSES L. ISAACS, Dean DR. THEODORE ABEL DR. ELI LEVINE DR. KARL ADLER DR. IRVING LINN MR. MILTON AREA DR. HENRY LISMAN DR. MEYER ATLAS DR. ALEXANDER LITMAN MR. DANIEL BLOCK DR. JOSEPH LOOKSTEIN DR. SIDNEY BRAUN DR. ARNOLD LOWAN DR. ALEXANDER BRODY DR. ABRAHAM LUCHINS DR. MAURICE CHERNOWITZ MR. ALLEN MANDELBAUM DR. GERSHON CHURGIN DR. AARON MARGALITH DR. PINKHOS CHURGIN DR. SIEGFRIED MEYERS DR. KENNETH DAMON RABBI DAVID MIRSKY RABBI V ILLIAM DRAZIN DR. WALTER NALLIN DR. DAVID FLEISHER MR. PEREZ POSEN DR. BERNARD FLOCH RABBI JACOB RABINOVv ' ITZ DR. ALEXANDER FREED RABBI EMANUEL RACKMAN DR. JEKUTHIEL GINSBURG MR. HERMAN REDISCH MR. NATHAN GOLDBERG DR. RALPH ROSENBERG DR. HYMAN GRINSTEIN MR. EARL RYAN DR. SIDNEY HOENIG DR. SHELLEY SAPHIRE DOC ABE HURVVIT7 MR. SAMUEL SAR DR. SOLOMON JOSEPH DR. LOUIS SAS DR. LEO JUNG MR. MORRIS SILVERMAN DR. BRUNO KISCH RABBI JOSEPH SINGER DR. DAVID KLEIN DR. DAVID SWICK DR. NATHAN KLOTZ MR. ABRAHAM TAUBER t DR. PHILIP KRAUS MR. MEYER TERKEL Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS ISAAC SHAPIRO and FAMILY BALTIMORE, MD. Compliments of , . . MR. and MRS. BENJAMIN LEICHTUNG Compliments of . . . FAMOUS INFANTS KNITWEAR NEW YORK CITY Compliments ot . . . SAMUEL BRILLIANT CUSTOM TAILOR 4 SOUTH HOWARD STREET Corner Baltimore St. BALTIMORE, MD. PHYLLIS, HONEY, SHANDEE To Cousin MATIS KATZ Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. LOUIS FRANKEL and SON Compliments of . . . Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shavrick and Family BALTIMORE, MD. Compliments of . . . Mr. and Mrs. Morris Siegel BALTIMORE, MD. THE TIDES HOTEL THE OUTSTANDING KOSHER HOTEL OF MIAMI BEACH, FLA. 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Phones PResident 3-9130 -9131 EMPIRE -DRUG SHOP M. KULLER, Pharmacist and Chemist 501 EMPIRE BLVD. BROOKLYN, N. Y. PERLSTEIN ROSENBERG SELF-SERVICE FOOD MARKET 544 EMPIRE BOULEVARD Tel. PR. 8-6920 Prompt Delivery Compliments of . . . MORRIS RUTHENBERG Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. A. GLASER On the Graduation of Their Son SAMUEL Compliments of . . . NUT-OLA FAT PRODUCTS. Inc. Manufacturers of NUT-OLA — P-NUT-OLA KOSHER VEGETABLE FATS 1. Zupnick, Pres. 153 SPENCER STREET Brooklyn 5, N. Y. Ulster 5-6305 Ulster 5-6313 1 Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. J. MURRAY KOTKES and FAMILY Compliments of . . . TRI-BORO MOTORS. Inc. 935 BRUCKNER BOULEVARD BRONX, N. Y. Compliments of . . . HOTEL WALTON 104 WEST 70th STREET NEW YORK 23, N. Y. OSCAR WACHTEL, General Manager .Telephone TR 3-2000 Compliments of . . . MR. and. MRS. JOSEPH RUDMAN Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. HARRY KLARISTENFELD Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. IRVING H. LEVIN Compliments of . . . MR. and MRS. 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