Brandeis University's First President, Israel Goldstein,
Traces Its History on 25th Anniversary of Its Birth
By DR. ISRAEL GOLDSTEIN
(World CMImmo, Koren Warra•dI:
Idsb•r. Lirsesthe, Jowl& Avow tot
Israel; Rabbi laserftos. Commaslow
Baal Jesiorma. New York).
• • •
Brandeis University at Walt-
ham, Mass., the first Jewish-spon-
sored sec ular university in
America, opened its doors under
the presidency of Dr. Abram L.
Sadler, to the first student body,
at the end of
1948. Yet it was
on Feb. 6, 1946,
25 years ago,
that Brandeis
University was
, the campus,
the charter and
the name. Hence
the 26th anniver-
sary of its birth
deserves to be
noted at this
time.
What led to
Dr. Goldstein its founding?
What were the ideas and who
were the men -behind this first at-
tempt of its kind on the American
scene? Before the passage of time
dims that chapter, it is well to re-
fresh its "Genesis."
The idea of a Jewish university
in America had been germinating
for a long time in a variety of
forms since Mordecai M. Noah
(1785-1851). In 1928, the Rabbi
Isaac Eichanan Theological Semi-
nary had its charter amended to
permit the creation of the Yes-
iva Callege and then the Yes-
hiva University, which eventually
included a medical schooL
Brandeis University has the
distiactiou, however, of having
been the first secularly spon-
sored Jewish University in
America.
When, in 1945, it fell to my
lot to father the project, it seemed
to me importint to have a secu-
lar sponsorship and program not
connected with a theological school
or With any particular wing of
Judaism. Such a university, it
seemed to me, would serve the
following purposes:
It would redound to the stand-
ing of the American Jewish com-
munity that it should establish
at least one university as a cor-
porate contribution of American
Jewry to higher learning, seeing
that most American colleges and
universities had been established
by denominational groups. It would
provide a much needed example
of an institution of higher learn-
ing free from quotas either in the
student body or in the faculty. It
would build goodwill among non-
Jews, the non-Jewish students.
their families and the general
community. Its contribution to the
advantement of science and cul-
ture would add to the good name
of the American Jewish commu-
nity. It would be a training ground
for American_Jewish leadership by
virtue of its generous curriculum
of Jewish and Hebrew studies and
by virtue of its special Jewish
atmosphere. It would become the
cultural seat of American Jewry,
*here great Jewish intellects from
everywhere would find a welcome
and a platform. It would have a
special relationship with the He-
brew University of Jerusalem by
exchange of fellowships and lec-
tureships. and through the He-
brew University, it would fashion
an intellectual-cultural bond with
the Jewish National Home.
The opportunity to translate
these ideas into an institatise
and a Program presented Slinelf
in January 194g, when - Middle-
sex University -= at- _Waltham.
Mass., was • almit lo dose its
deers. The graduates of its
medical seh•ol were being
&oiled accreditation for the
prattles of audios& en the claim
that the quality of the school
was inferior. Its charter author-
ized degrees in arts and sci-
ences, 'iodides and vetesinary
naedichie. 'The malageMentel
the seheil claimed that they
were _being passaged for their
nea-guela gooney.
The possibility of acquiring the
THE DE111011 JEWISH NEWS -
site and the charter were men-
tioned by Dr. 'Joseph J. Cbeskis,
dean of the college department
at Middlesex and director of the
campus and buildings, to Joseph
Schlossberg, Jewish labor leader,
who in turn brought it to my at-
tention in the hope that - it might
be taken over by a Jewish board
of trustees.
(News of the death of Joseph
Schlossberg who played an vital
a role in the founding of Bran-
deis University came as this
article. reached The Jewish
News).
My first step was to visit the
site, more than 100 acres of land.
and several buildings situated
near Boston, the outstanding uni-
versity center of the United States,
and on the eastern seaboard with
its concentration of Jewish popu-
lation. After visiting the site, I
felt certain that this was the op-
portunity to give substance to a
long-cherished idea. The problem
was how to acquire the property
and the charter and how to build
up the educational and finsnelal
support, and do it quickly before
other groups, financial or - educa-
tional who were already showing
their interest, would acquire the
property.
At this point I turned for legal
and general advice to a close
friend and adviser who was a dis-
tinguished lawyer, Julius Silver, of
New York. He, in turn, enlisted
the interest and help of a promi-
nent lawyer in Boston, George Al-
pert
My. first step was hi-biallit
up a • nucleus of *weft which
would include men ef standing
in the educational, cosonitinal
and financial areas.
Our educational sponsor was
the late. Prof. -Albert Einstein. Mr.
Silver and I visited him in Prince-
ton to explain the project. In his
letter of acceptance, on Jan. 22,
1946, he wrote:
"Dear Dr. 'Goldstein:
I would approve very much
the creation of a Jewish Cidlege
or University provided that it
is sufficiently made -sure that
the board and administration
will remain permanently in
reliable Jewish hands. I am
convinced that such an institu-
tion will attract our hest young
people and not hiss our young
scientists- and learned men in
all fields. Such an institution,
provided it is of a high stand-
ard, will improve our situation
a good deal and will satisfy a
real need. As is well known,
under present circumstances,
many of our gifted youth see
. themselves denied the cultural
and professional education they
are longing for.
I would do anything in my
power to help in the creation
and guidance of such an in-
stitute. It would always be near
to my heart.
Very sincerely yours,
A. Einstein"
In my first official meeting with
the board of trustees of Middlesex
University, I presented our plan
and the names of our leading spon-
sors. I pointed out that since the
sale of the property would escheat
to the state as the institution had
been tax exempt, they would have
no financial benefit from its sale
and I urged that they should find
moral satisfaction in the knowl-
edge that a non.quota university
carrying out their own ideals,
-would arise on this site. They
were persuaded. At the next meet-
ing of the board, held Feb. 7,
1946, they elected me president
of the board of trustee! and
handed me their resignations, per-
mitting me to choose my own
board. Thus, with the exception of
a very small financial obligation
which we took over, namely, to
maintain the former Registrar, a
valuable property and charter
came into our possession at no
cost. Feb. 7, 1946, therefore, was
the *decisive date which made
possible the eventual fulfillment.
Now we had a tangible project
to put before the Jews of America.
Our enterprise was now ready for
wide promotion.
Leading educators and men of
public affairs, Jewish and non-
Jewish, responded to the invita-
tion to join the committee of
sponsors. But there also was
opposition, especially in Jewish
quarters. The arguments in op-
position, were in part reminis-
cent of the arguments advanced
against the Zionist program of
a Jewish state. It was feared
that a Jewish-sponsored univer-
sity would become an academic
"ghetto" and that it would be
used as a pretext by other col-
leges to direct Jewish applicants
to "their own." Mach of the
opposition was not reasoned but
emotional and came from Jews
who already feel uncomfortable
in the presence of a Jewish em-
phasis. I felt confident in the
case of a Jewish state, and an in
this lesser instance, that the
reality itself would dissipate all
the fears. Ey silly concern was
that the Jewish-sponsored uni-
versity should be of excellent
quality. My own choice for the
presidency of the university was
Dr. Abram L. Sachar, who had
a notable record of success both
as educator and admiedstrator,
and director of the Beal Brith
Hillel Foundations on many col-
lege campuses. I mentioned his
name to the board.
A fund-raising instrument was
established under the name of the
Albert Einstein Foundation for
Higher Learning Inc., and our first
fundraising dinner was held in
New York on June 20, 1946.
We still had to choose a name
for our newly-projected univer-
sity. Many names were proposed,
some general, some Jewish. It
was my strong feeling, in which Ds.
Einstein concurred, that the mo st'
appropriate name would be that
of Louis D. Brandeis, foremost as
an American, 'as a Jew and as a
Zionist. Thereupon, I secured the
consent of his family.
So we had the campus, the
charter, the new name, the spon-
sorship and the fundraising in-
strument.
Thus ends the first charter of
Brandeis University, the chapter
of its _ founding.
There were stormy days and
heavy trails ahead until the doors
of Brandeis University, under the
presidency of Dr. Abram L.
Sachar, were opened to the first
entering class in the fall of 1948.
Its career since has been one of
the great success stories in Ameri-
can collegiate life, and has been
a source of pride to the American
Jewish community.
British Zionist Federation
Branded Anti-Democratic
LONDON (ZINS)—Jeffrey Gel-
berg, treasurer of the Zionist
Federation of Great Britain, has
resigned in protest - to the anti-
democratic character of the fed-
eration, he said.
According to the Jewish Chron-
icle, Gelberg took this action fol-
lowing a 13-6 vote by the executive
of the federation rejecting an ap-
plication by the newly-organized
Herut group to affiliate with the
federation.
Gelberg's resignation underscores
- a month-long debate within the
Zionist Federation over acceptance
of Herut as a component party
within the federation. According to
the Jewish Chronicle, Herut ap-
plied for membership in the Zion-
ist Federation in June. Despite the
support of important personalities
within the federation, the execu-
tive decided to defer a final deci-
sion for 12 months.
Voting against the confirmation
of the Herut group were mostly
leftist Zionist groups, including
Poole Zion and Maparn.
- Eric Gross, president- - of the
Hertit facticin, characterised the
decision as a betrayal of the funda-
mental , purpose of the . ongoing
Zionist "census" whicii ,isims at
embracing .all- Alements. -tubscrib-
Janwary 12, 117145 ing to Zionist principles. - ;
Baba MMe is the Brat foreign student to graduate in orthoptics
from the Hadessah•Rebrew Univessit, Medical Center. Matra, who
is an African, studies on an Israel government scholarship. She now
plans to join her sister in the Congo to work as an orthoptist.
Orthopties is a subdivision of ophthalmology which deals with "lazy
eyes" (Amblyopia, which is associated with squints). Starting treat-
ment of infants suffering from "lazy eyes" at the earliest passible
time is all Important if the condition is to be cured. This involves
the visual testing of children in the pre-school age group. Prof. use
Nawrataki, head of the Pedistarie Ophthalmology Unit at Hadassah,
organised a school for orthopties, the only one of its kind in IsraeL
Israel medical teams go to Africa and African personnel study at
Hadassaivilebrew University Medical Center In Israel.
The Wall Must Come Down!
By DAVID SCHWARTZ
and work and support her hus-
(Copyright tot yrs, lac.)
band, it is permitted.
Israel also has a sizeable num-
Everyone is pleased that the
Kremlin, bowing to the public ber of women traffic policewomen.
opinion of the world and the plea Tel Aviv has 90 women cops, Haifa
of one of its own great scientists, has about 30. There are about 20
retracted on its decision to execute at the Lod airport; and Jerusalem
the Jews in the case of the so- now plans to employ 40 such
women police.
called hijack incident
As the Russian scientist pointed
But the newest wrinkle, now
out, it was not really a hijack inci- being. introduced, is to put women
'on
regular patrol duty. -
dent at all; the Jews were guilty
A writer for an Israeli paper re-
only of *ishing to leave Russia and
go to Israel—of breaking through ports a discussion among . some of
the iron wall which forbids emi- the new women trainees at the -
gration, especially of Jews wishing police academy. One was fearful
of losing her femininity. The job
to go to Israel.
During the 19th Century, some demands too much aggressiveness,
50,000,000 people exercised the she said. A woman sergeant an-
right to emigrate and went to swered that firmness,- not aggres-
America. America never found siveness is needed. "The moment,"
it necessary to build a wall to keep she said, you speak pleasantly
Americans- from leaving. Isn't it rather than sharply, both sides
strange that no one seems to want profit!"
Perhaps Israel is inaugurating a
to immigrate to Russia and Russia
finds it necessary to build a wall to new chapter in fighting crime.
keep its own people from leaving! Woman has always been an arrest-
The Bible is not popular with the ing figure to man. The English
Kremlin. If its authors lived in police seem to do well without
Russia today, they probably could even carrying a gun. The Talmud
not get it published there. They says women have their own wea-
would have to send it out to France pons. If a lady cop made eyes at
or America to get it printed. But a burglar, he might surrender
in one way or another, the leaders without a fight. After all, millions's'
of the Kremlin ought to get hold of men in the past have done so.
of a Bible and read the book of HIPPIES GOING TO JERUSALEM
The New York Times this past
Joshua. There is a story about a
week carried an article very
wall.
It was a big strong wall — the laudatory to the El Al airline. It
wall of Jericho and Joshua's sol- has the world's longest non-stop
diers didn't have the dynamite that commercial air line, almost 6,000
we have today—to break through miles from New York to Tel Aviv.
it. But they didn't give up. They The Times also says that it has the
marched around the wall, blowing best security now against hijacking
their trumpets. It's remarkable of any of the air lines, but what
what blowing on the trumpet can interested us most was a "hippie"
story.
do. ,
One day El Al received a call
The walls of Jericho didn't fall
-down the first time. The Jericho from another air line to please
government issued a release say- come to its rescue with kosher
ing they didn't care what others meals for "120 hippies going to
thought. They would hold fast. Jerusalem."
The catering management of El
Joshua's men kept marching, seven
times they marched blowing on Al was bewildered. Why such a
their trumpets, and on the last large invasion of hippies? Then
day, they marched seven times they found out that they were
in one day—and then the walls of really young Hasidim wearing the
traditional long beards and side-
Jericho came tumbling down.
And it is our opinion that if the curls.
In respect to dress—outside of
world imitates this example and
continues to blow on its trumpets, hair, Hasidim differ from hippies.
The
Baal Shem Tov, father of
the will of Russia which keeps
ng to Israel, must Hasidism, told the story of a king
Jews from goi
who, learning that in Heaven the
also crumble.
ISRAEL'S LADY COPS
humble were exalted, decided to
There is no women's lib in Is- move out of his palice and change
rael. There is no agitation for it, his rich clothes to shabby ones.
nobody carries any signs demand- Then an angel visited him and told"
ing women be given equality, yet him he was on the wrong track.
a women is prime minister, Israel "Live in your beautiful home and
drafts women is the army and wear nice clothes, but be humble
even if a woman wants to go outm your heart," he said.