1983-1984 Rothberg Yearbook

“TALK ABOUT A DREAM.
“Today we will be discussing some of the things that the Jewish people did to counteract the Nazi
threats, including the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. But first we will hear from a representative from the American
Friends of the Hebrew University ...”
While sitting in my Holocaust class at USC, I got my first introduction to the possibilities of studying
abroad for a year in Israel. During the lecture, my thoughts were intermeshed with the issues concerning the
Holocaust, and the idea of actually studying for a year in Israel. I left the classroom feeling sad for the Jews
who got caught in the Holocaust and suffered under the inhumane treatment, yet a lump formed in my throat
and the thought that I could be in Eretz Israel in six months turned my sadness into a feeling of euphoria.
I finally got home after driving through 45 minutes of downtown. L.A. traffic. Putting my books down,
I took out a flyer for an intermural football game which had the telephone number of the Hebrew U. representative
scribbled on the back. I called her up and
asked questions regarding the procedures for applying
to the One Year Program at Hebrew University.
Within two days I received the application, the
Hebrew placement test, and all the other information
concerning the program. Needless to say I still had
doubts about leaving my family, friends, school,
home, and car, to spend the year in a country where I
had not been for five years. I had had a taste of the
country in 1979, on a six week summer program, and
I was not so sure if I would ever go back. But the
application was staring me in the face saying, “Hey
dude, lets party.” Filled out, and sent in, the application
just had to pass through the admissions department
and I would be on my way. The people,
the culture, the historic ties — these were the things
being offered to me and I had taken the first step
towards grabbing them.
A few weeks later I came home from the beach
(we got out in May) and there was a letter from the
American Friends waiting for me. Shit, did I get in?
Clark meets Sam Rothberg
Would I be in Jerusalem or East L.A. next year?
Would I be overlooking the Old City, or the San Fernando Valley? Would I be discussing politics with Israeli
friends or discussing which guys to give bids to after a rush party? Well, the next thing I knew there was
shredded paper all over the floor, and I was feeling like Anwar Sadat in ’7 3 .1 didn’t get in. Who ever thought
anyone was rejected from the One Year program? Goldsmith High, — The One Year Party, — I had heard
these things. My goal was to go to Israel for the year — the thought of “Academic Standing” never came to
mind. It was my understanding that all those with an average GPA and a decent essay would get in. But there
are only so many people that the program can except, and it is the academically qualified person who will get in.
So I decided that the only way I was going to be able to get to Israel was to show the Admissions people that
even though my GPA was not “outstanding” (the standards are very high) I still felt I was qualified, and that I
could offer them just as much as they had to offer me. With the help of the American Friends representative, I
appealed the decision and thus began my quest for acceptance.
Well, here I am, in Resnick, writing out my ordeal. All of you know what kind of experience we have
had here in this most unique country. However, we all do not have to thank people like Sam Rothberg,
Harold Manson, and the members of the appeal board for this most treasured year. My wish came true. I came
to Israel for the year, and I could not ask for more. Through all the fears, tears, parties, tardies, the walking,
the talking, the smoking, the joking, the long lines, and most of all the fun times — we made it. Thank you all
for making my year the best one of my life; I could not have done it on my own.
Clark Loffman
University of Southern California
TRY TO MAKE IT REAL”