Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

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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

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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.

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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