Dr. Frederick B. Robinson, president of the City College of New York, yesterday advised members of the third graduating class of Yeshiva College, Amsterdam avenue and West 186th street, that they must master the “art of using the creative faculties, of having a hobby and smiling.” He said discouragement often acts as a decidedly poor influence in the development of careers.
Twenty seniors received A. B. degrees. Honorary degrees of LL. D. were presented by Dr. Robinson to General Sessions Judge Otto Rosalsky and Borough President Samuel Levy.
DR. REVEL’S TALK
Dr. Bernard Revel, president of Yeshiva College, in his address said that education is the “only salvation for the moral crisis facing civilization.”
“The world is not safe,” he continued, “for peace and democracy; can know no rest, while the forces of darkness sanctify the bloody creed of racial supremacy and of ill will toward men, in defiance of humanity’s urgent cry for understanding among men and nations.
“The embattled furies at the gates of civiliation shall not succeed in their mass offensive against humanity’s abiding values.” Speaking of the Nazi outbreaks against the Jews in Germany, Dr. Revel added; “Medieval darkness has settled upon a great country that was once a home of culture and idealism. We stand aghast, bewildered and humiliated witnesses of the moral degration of a once great nation. Germany is celebrating a bloody renaissance of cold bigotry and savage arrogance.”
OTHER SPEAKERS
Other speakers were Rabbi Joseph Konovitz, president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, who delivered the invocation; Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein, who delivered the benediction, and Max D. Steuer, who presented the awards.
Dr. Shelley R. Safir presented the candidates for diplomas. Isidore Fine was valedictorian.
Twenty received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the institution, which is the only liberal arts college in the United States giving baccalaureate degrees under Jewish auspices.
The graduates included:
January, 1934
Benjamin Rodwogin
June, 1934
Abraham N. Avrutick Jacob Hochman
Samuel Deutseh Jacob Hurwitz
Julius J. Eidenbaum Aaron Kellner
Isadore Fine Bernard D: Milians
Israel Freedman Harry Polachek
Hyman Friedman Carl Siegal
Morris Funk Norman Siegel
Aaron Goldin Joseph Straus
Meyer Greenberg Albert Troy
Abraham H. Henkin
The following prizes were awarded:
Jewish Academy of Arts and Science Medal, to the senior who ranks highest in studies of the four years—Aaron Kellner.
Women’s Branch of the Union Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Medal, to the student who ranks highest in senior studies—Normal Siegel.
National Council of Young Israel Organizations. Medal, for excellence in general and Jewish studies—Isadore Fine.
Mizrachi Youth of America Medal, for proficiency in Jewish and secular studies—Meyer Greenberg.
Yeshiva College Alumni Medal, to the junior who ranks highest in Talmudic and secular studies—David W. Petegorsky.
Manischewitz Medal, for proficiency in philosophy—Aaron Kelliner.
First Hungarian Society of New York Medals, for excellence in Latin—Jacob Hurwitz. For excellence in German—Morris Funk. For excellence in French—Aaron Kelliner.
Yeshiva College Women’s Organization Medal, for greatest proficiency in economies—Norman Siegel.
Louis Surnt Medal, for excellence in mathematics—Harry Polachek.
Women’s Branch of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America Medal, for proficiency in English lyric verse—Bernard D. Milians.
Mrs. Isadore Wolf Medal, for service to class and school—Jacob Hochman.
Aaron Kellner of Brooklyn, and Normal Siegel of Baltimore Md., will receive the degree summa cum laude and Isadore Fine of Cleveland and Meyer Greenberg of Jersey City, magna cum laude. Degrees cum laude will go to Abraham N. Avrutick, Julius J. Eidenbaum, Israel Freedman, Hyman Friedman, Morris Funk, Jacob Hochman, Jacob Hurwitz, Bernard Milians and Harry Polachek.
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