=New York University=
(University Heights)
FORMED in December, 1913, forced to cope at first with many opposing
and discouraging elements, the New York University Menorah Society at
University Heights has rapidly mounted the ladder of success and has
entered upon a banner year. We have set two great aims before us for
this year: first, to make the Society strong internally, and,
secondly, to bring the purposes and ideals of the Menorah movement
before the alumni of New York University.
Various plans are being utilized for the fulfillment of the first aim.
The Executive committee succeeded during the summer in getting
together an excellent list of prominent men to lecture before the
Society on current topics of Jewish interest. A prospectus was issued
in the first week of the college year, containing, in brief, a
discussion of the Menorah Idea, a history of the Intercollegiate
Menorah Association, a resume of the New York University Menorah
Society, a speech by Chancellor Elmer E. Brown delivered before the
Menorah Society, a word about Associate membership and about Menorah
Prizes, and the program for the year. Using this prospectus as a means
of introduction to those unacquainted with the movement, a vigorous
campaign was conducted by a well organized committee to increase the
membership. A doubled membership in two weeks was the result of this.
Another means towards getting the new men to join was the Freshmen
Reception, held on October 14, at which Dean Bouton of the College of
Arts and Chancellor Hurwitz were the speakers. This reception proved a
great success.
Besides attending the regular bi-weekly lectures of the Society, each
member is urged to join one of the eight study circles in modern
Jewish History and Hebrew (elementary and advanced). A well organized
committee has charge of these study circles. It has been successful in
signing up nearly a hundred men. The study circles are conducted by
several members who are also Seminary students and by several rabbis
of the city. These study circles are proving of first importance in
our general plans, because it is really in these that the men acquire
a little "Jewish culture and ideals and an independence of thought and
action in things Jewish." Several members of these classes have become
so enthused with the newer Jewish spirit that they devote a good part
of their time lecturing on Jewish topics to Young Judaean
organizations and Young People's Synagogues in and about New York
City.
To stimulate still further individual research and study of Jewish
problems it has been decided to offer one or two Menorah prizes for
papers on various Jewish topics. In order to raise a substantial
amount of money for that purpose two committees are working on
separate plans. One of these committees, by a special arrangement with
the Business Manager of THE MENORAH JOURNAL, has started a campaign to
get two hundred subscriptions for THE JOURNAL, thereby netting the
Society fifty dollars for one prize. This committee, backed by the
entire membership, is gaining speed daily, and looks forward to the
accomplishment of its object before the Convention. Another committee
is circularizing the alumni outside of New York City to get their
support. The result of this work, though incomplete as yet, looks most
promising.
The above is a brief resume of our year's plans. We realize the
importance not only of having plans but of carrying them through
successfully, as we are determined they shall be. The work is being
done systematically, not by one man nor by two or three men, but by an
efficient, earnest executive committee backed by almost every man in
the Menorah Society. It is our aim to tell a pretty tale at the
Intercollegiate Menorah Convention.