In the first number of THE MENORAH JOURNAL it was reported that
because of the division of New York University into uptown and
downtown colleges, it was found necessary to organize an additional
Menorah Society at Washington Square, the downtown section. This
Washington Square Society has for its sphere the professional schools
of New York University, whereas the University Heights Society has the
Schools of Art and Applied Science.
Organized in October, 1914, the Washington Square Society can already
boast of a membership of 160. Over eighty percent of the members are
young men and women who work during the day and devote five evenings a
week to school.
The Society has conducted under its auspices in the past year about
ten lectures, at which the attendance averaged seventy-five members.
The lectures covered many phases of Jewish culture and were greatly
appreciated. It is expected that study circles will be held during the
next academic year, even though it may be necessary in most instances
to hold them after 9:30 p. m.
Among the lectures during the past year were the following: Dr. H. M.
Kallen of the University of Wisconsin, Dr. H. G. Enelow of Temple
Emanu-El, Mr. Samuel Strauss of The New York Times, and Chief Justice
Isaac Franklin Russell of the New York Court of Special Sessions.
To celebrate the completion of one year's active work, a dinner was
held on the evening of April 30th at the Broadway Central Hotel, at
which there were present about 100 members. The Toastmaster was E.
Schwartz, and the speakers of the evening included Dr. Bernard
Drachman, Israel N. Thurman, Hyman Askowith, Louis Weinstein, the
outgoing President, and Chancellor Henry Hurwitz.