We have had two lecture meetings. At the first, Mr. Henry Hurwitz spoke on the imperative need for concerted action among American Jews in the attempt to ameliorate the conditions among the Jews of Europe. He said the Menorah Society should ultimately help towards this concerted effort by bringing home the realization of the conditions to Jewish young men and women who, through lack of interest or education, have not yet become conscious of them. At the second meeting, Dr. Kaufmann Kohler, President of the Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, spoke on Reform Judaism: its history, meaning, and purpose. Reform Judaism has its being, stated the speaker, not in the desire of the Jew for an easier, less irksome mode of cooking and praying, but in his acute need of adapting himself to the manners and customs of the country in which he lives. Not only is the spirit of Judaism not lost, it is reinforced through the casting off of the form which might obscure it. At the same meeting, Mr. Frederick F. Greenman, President of the Harvard Menorah, spoke about the possibility of co-operation between the Harvard and Radcliffe Societies.
While there are few new members of the Radcliffe Menorah, it is expected that the year will be an active one.
Ruth Jane Mack
Tufts College
THE Menorah Society of Tufts College began its activities for the third year with an enthusiastic reception to the Freshman class. A marked increase of enthusiasm came along with the new members. Our Society, which three years ago began with four members, has now a membership of sixty, all enthusiastic about the Menorah work. A shingle has been designed and adopted. A Menorah prize which was offered last year for 1915-1916 was announced at the first meeting and it looks as if a keen competition will take place. Courses have been organized in Jewish History, Philosophy and Bible study, the feature of the study circles being that a different member conducts each meeting and the man who obtains the highest mark (each student being rated by the presiding member) will receive a prize of a set of books. All in all, the outlook is for the most successful year in the history of the Tufts Menorah.
H. L. Katz
University of Illinois
THE Illinois Menorah is looking forward to a most successful year, with efficient officers, enthusiastic members, and the usual interest and co-operation of the Faculty members. A definite attempt is to be made to foster a spirit of friendliness and co-operation among all the Jewish students.
The year was formally opened on October 10 by a reception to the new students. After an opening talk by President Karl Epstein, the students were addressed by Professor E. C. Baldwin, Dr. Jacob Zeitlin and Mr. Samuel Abrams, a former president. The meeting was attended by 110 students. At later meetings Dr. David S. Blondheim spoke on "The Jewish Congress," Dr. Simon Litman on "The Jew of To-day," and Professor B. H. Bode on "The Hyphenated Jewish-American."
The work of our Menorah is augmented by the Menorah Study Circle, under the leadership of Mrs. Simon Litman. The class is doing intensive work in Jewish post-exilic history. Throughout, the bearing of our past history upon present day problems is emphasized. Judging from the enthusiasm of the members of the class, the Study Circle is going to become a permanent feature of our Menorah activities.