Hakarat Hatov

To the Editor:

Several weeks ago I received a phone call from a friend asking me if I had been to campus recently. I told him I had not. Other than dropping by occasionally to see some friends, I do not spend much time on the uptown campus of Yeshiva University. Well you should drop by, he told me; when pressed further he explained that 'The Pole' was up.

My initial reaction was one of disbelief, followed by a loss of speech, and eventually a self serving smile. Upon his assurance that he was not kidding, I hung up the phone and paused to consider the accomplishment and wonder whether it would go unnoticed. 'The Pole' was up, I had to see it.

So while in the city today I stopped by the main campus. Sure enough, there it was, standing next to the others. I refer to the fourth flag pole next to the American flag outside Belfer Hall, the addition that allows for the Israeli flag to fly permanently on our campus.

The addition of the pole may have gone unnoticed as the Israeli flag has been soaring above campus for over a year. In late 1997 it quietly replaced the NY state flag after requests from student leaders year in and year out. In 1996-1997 student leaders, unwilling to take no for an answer, insisted on administrative action.

Finally, with administration cooperation, it was agreed a fourth pole would be erected. Throughout the discussions involving securing a new pole and installing it, the flag stayed, just as was promised.

I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the both YCSC and the Student Life Committee of 1996-97 for making this entire project possible. Additionally, my thanks to Dr. Nulman, Dean Himber, and Mr. Rosengarten, and the other members of the administration who saw this project to completion.

The pole has been installed. A promise not forgotten; a promise delivered.

Jason Buskin SSSB '98
YCSC President, 96-97