=College of the City of New York=
DURING the past year the Menorah Society of the College of the City of
New York has made very important gains. First, in numbers--from 165,
reported at the last Convention, we have increased to 327. There are
still about 500 Jewish students who are not yet members, and these we
intend to gain over. Second, in prestige--from a position of mere
toleration we have gradually risen to the position of the recognized
and accepted exponent of Jewish culture in the College, and as such we
have set the College its standard of a cultural society. Third, in
influence--we have inspired a large number of students, including many
who for some reason or other have not yet become members, with a
lively interest in things Jewish and a serious desire for collegiate
Hebrew instruction. At present the College lacks such instruction; but
we hope before long to report progress in remedying this condition.
Meanwhile we are attracting the favorable attention of a considerable
number of the alumni--men who in their college days would not or could
not join the Menorah Society. This is indeed remarkable; that old
graduates, who never knew the Menorah, should manifest toward it the
highest interest and approbation is a most eloquent sign of the
influence of the Menorah idea.
Our plan for the organization of the graduates as associate members is
the same as Harvard's. But their dues are disposed of in a different
way: out of the two dollars one goes to our Library Fund, and the
other is sent to the Menorah Journal as the associate's subscription,
for we feel that this is the best way to keep him in touch with
Menorah activities. This system has a further advantage in that it
spreads the Journal everywhere.
There were held during the past year thirty regular meetings and
lectures--one each week. At the meetings the average attendance was
36, at the lectures 155. The principal lecturers were: Professor M. M.
Kaplan, "The Menorah Idea"; Professor Richard Gottheil, "Jews in
Various Lands"; Mr. Jacob H. Schiff, "Zionism and Jewish Nationality";
Professor A. Marks, "Persecutions of the Jews in the Middle Ages";
Rev. Dr. David de Sola Pool, "Jewish Education"; Professor Israel
Davidson, "Hebrew Literature"; Rev. Dr. M. A. Hyamson, "The Mishnah";
Rev. Dr. Harry S. Lewis of London, "The Jews and Democracy"; Rev. Dr.
H. P. Mendes, "Traditional Judaism"; Professor Stephen P. Duggan,
"Tradition as a Static and Dynamic Force"; Rev. Dr. Stephen S. Wise,
"What's Wrong with the Jew?"
There were four courses taught. The average attendance at a course was
16. Rabbi Nathan Blechman led the course in "An Extensive Study of the
Bible," Professor M. M. Kaplan taught "Essentials of Judaism," and
Rabbi Samuel Margoshes gave the course in "Jewish Philosophy and
Literature." At the request of a number of students a course in
"Elementary Hebrew" was also given for a time.
Two social meetings were held during the year. The first was a
reception in the vestry rooms of the Temple Beth-el tendered us by the
Menorah Society of Hunter College (formerly Normal), in recognition of
our help in the organization of their Society. The second was a
"smoker" held at the College in the Faculty lunch-room. The guests of
the occasion were Professor Israel Friedlaender of the Jewish
Theological Seminary, Professor A. J. Goldfarb of the College, and
Rev. Dr. D. de Sola Pool.
For the first semester this year, four regular Wednesday evening
meetings have been scheduled, four public lectures, six study circles,
and four courses. The courses--"Modern Movements in Judaism" (one
hour), "Elementary Hebrew" (two hours), "Post-Biblical History" (one
hour), and an "Extensive Study of the Bible" (one hour)--will be
conducted by Rabbis Stephen S. Wise, J. L. Magnes, Max Reichler,
Rudolph Grossman, Maurice Harris, C. H. Levy, H. S. Goldstein, and A.
Robinson. The study circles, which will meet once a week, under the
leadership of Dr. Joseph I. Gorfinkle and Dr. A. Basel, will read the
"Essays of Ahad Ha-'Am," Schechter's "Studies in Judaism," the "Book
of Job," the "Book of Jeremiah," "Pirke Aboth," and the "Five
Scrolls."
With the respect and co-operation of the student body, the faculty,
and the alumni, the prestige of our Menorah bids fair to increase
until, it is hoped, it will not be exceeded by that of any other City
College organization.