=Johns Hopkins University=
A DISTINCT Menorah revival has taken place this year at the Johns
Hopkins University. Having for several years led a rather aimless and
nomadic existence, the Menorah Society has at last affiliated itself
definitely with the University. At the beginning of the present
collegiate year, application was made to the authorities of the
University for permission to hold meetings in one of the college
buildings. The permission was very graciously granted, and, in
addition, the Dean of the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Murray Peabody
Brush, accepted our imitation to say a few words of welcome to the
Jewish students at the inaugural meeting of the Society for the year
1915-16.
This meeting was held in McCoy Hall, on the evening of October 18, and
was comparatively well attended. Dr. Brush, in a talk that was brief
but to the point, congratulated both the Menorah Society and the
University upon the closer relations into which the two organizations
were entering. The University must benefit, he said, from all student
activities not directly connected with the curricula of studies, as a
more unselfish love for the institution is thereby fostered in the
student. The Menorah Society must prove of advantage to us, as
students, in that it tends to broaden our outlook and encourages us to
enter fields of study that we might otherwise never approach. Finally,
the Society fulfills a definite purpose for the Jewish students in
particular by keeping fresh in their minds all the great ideals and
achievements which distinguish their history. The Dean closed his talk
with a hearty welcome from the authorities of the University to the
Johns Hopkins Menorah Society. Dr. Brush was followed by the
Chancellor of the Intercollegiate Menorah Association, who urged the
assembled students to give the Society a strong impetus this year, now
that it has definitely found a habitat in the University. He explained
the need that is filled in the life of the student by the Menorah
Society, and outlined a mode of conduct for the Hopkins organization.
In accordance with Mr. Hurwitz's suggestion, a study circle, aiming to
take up modern Jewish history since the time of Moses Mendelssohn, was
formed on the spot. The Society has been fortunate enough to procure
the services of Mr. Elias N. Rabinowitz, a member of the Semitic
department of the Johns Hopkins University, as leader of the study
circle. The group consists of close to twenty students and meets
weekly in one of the rooms of the University library. It bids fair to
prove of genuine good to the students interested in it.
At the second meeting of the Society, November 1, the speaker was
Rabbi Eugene Kohn, of Baltimore, whose interesting talk on "The
Elements of Stability and Progress in Judaism" elicited warm
discussion. The Society hopes to have regular monthly meetings, for
which attractive programs have been arranged by the Executive
Committee.