At the beginning of this year conditions were somewhat abnormal for
the Illinois Menorah Society. The preceding graduating class had taken
an extraordinarily heavy toll from our members and, as the number of
Juniors left was small, we had few veterans remaining. But, to offset
our loss, we were compensated by an unusually large number of
promising freshmen.
We started the year with a reception to the new students at which over
one hundred were present. Our customary smoker was dispensed with on
account of the increased number of Jewish co-eds, there being about
fifteen at present. At our next meeting, at which we formally welcomed
the new students to our Society, Dr. David S. Blondheim of our Faculty
explained the nature of the work we are doing and gave some practical
advice, and Dr. Jacob Zeitlin of our Faculty spoke on the Jewish
problems of the present. Since then we have had many regular meetings,
every other Sunday, student programs alternating with outside
speakers. Among the latter have been Professor I. Leo Sharfman of
Michigan, who spoke on "Jewish Ideals," Rabbi A. A. Neuman of the
Dropsie College, who talked on "Life Among Medieval Spanish Jews," and
Dr. H. M. Kallen of Wisconsin on "The Meaning of Hebraism." Mrs. E.
F. Nickoley, who has traveled extensively in Palestine, gave an
interesting talk on the Jews in the Holy Land. Professor Simon Litman
of our Faculty spoke on "Jews and Modern Capitalism." Professor E. C.
Baldwin of our English department, in speaking on "Prayer," roused a
lively interest in the question as to whether prayer is decadent among
the Jews. Professor Albert H. Lybyer lectured on "Jews as the
Transmitters of Culture from the Moslems to the Christians"; Professor
Boyd H. Bode discussed "What the Jew Contributes to American Ideals,"
and Dr. A. R. Vail spoke on "The Influence of the Hebrew Prophets as
the Teachers of Moral Law."
Nor have we had a dearth of student talks and readings, among them the
following: Herbert B. Rosenberg on the Falashas, Louis Ribback on the
Chinese Jews, Jesse Block on the Spanish Jews, S. J. Lurie on
Maimonides, Julius Cohen on "The Jewish Messianic Idea," L. J.
Greengard on "Prophecy," Karl Epstein on Jewish Nationalism. Current
events were given during the year by Bertha Bing, Julius Cohen, and
William A. Grossman.
Early in February a study circle was formed, under the leadership of
Mrs. Simon Litman, for the study of post-Biblical Jewish history. Ten
members of the Society enrolled and met weekly at the home of
Professor and Mrs. Litman. Portions of Vol. II of Graetz and of Riggs'
"History of the Jews" were read and amplified by the excellent
lectures of the leader. The discussions also furnished very valuable
instruction.