After lying practically dormant for about one and one-half years, the
Menorah Society at Chicago has awakened during this last year.
The first meeting of the year was held October 26, 1914, at which
officers for the quarter were elected. Then at varying intervals there
were addresses by Dr. H. M. Kallen of the University of Wisconsin, Dr.
A. A. Neuman of the Dropsie College, Dr. Emil G. Hirsch of Sinai
Temple of Chicago (who gave a series of two lectures on Jewish
history), and Mr. Louis D. Brandeis of Boston. The inspiring address
of Mr. Brandeis, held November 19, 1914, was the biggest event of the
year, the meeting being largely attended by Jews and non-Jews alike.
Rabbis Stolz and Cohon, representing the Chicago Rabbinical Society,
also delivered short talks.
Hitherto, the Menorah Society has been unknown to have other than
quite formal lectures. No attempt has been made to make the members
feel at home and more sociable at the meetings. An innovation was
tried when, at the meeting on May 10, there was an informal talk by
Dr. Joseph Stolz, of the Isaiah Temple of Chicago, on Hillel, which
was followed not only by discussion but also by refreshments. This
meeting was a complete success. It was followed by another informal
meeting on Maimonides.
The last meeting was a "get-together" meeting of the Society to
discuss plans for the next year. Suggestions were accepted to interest
incoming freshmen by personal letters and visits and "get-acquainted"
and "enthusiasm" gatherings. It is reasonable to hope from the
increasing membership and the suggestions for future action that the
Menorah will become more and more powerful on the campus, especially
with the encouragement and the aid of the alumni in Chicago, who are
planning to have also a graduate Menorah organization.