George A. Michaels, representing the B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation at Cornell University, won the First National Hillel Oratorical Contest, held at Champaign, Illinois, Sunday, Dec. 8. Six other contestants, representing as many Hillel Foundations in other universities, competed.
Nathan Levy, of the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation, carried off second honors. The winner’s subject was “The Art of Being a Jew”; the runner-up’s. “A Prophet with Honor.” Mr. Michaels was presented with a check for $100; and a gold medal. In addition, a huge silver loving cup was given the Cornell Hillel Foundation for his victory. Mr. Levy was awarded a $50 check, and a silver medal.
More than 300 persons heard the seven college orators, two of whom were young women. The Hon. Alfred M. Cohen, President of the Independent Order B’nai B’rith, came from Cincinnati to attend the affair, and delivered appropriate sentiments when called upon to do so at the conclusion of the oratorical contest. President Cohen declared that there is at last “something new under the sun,” when the rising generation of Jews will support and enthusiastically participate in an enterprise requiring young men and young women to travel hundreds of miles to discuss, criticize, and try to improve their own religion.
Professors Leon McCarty, G. W. Goble, and Jacob Zeitlin of the University of Illinois were judges of the contest, which from now on will be an annual affair in national Hillel Foundation activities.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
