Student Day Poster, 1955
This is a poster issued by the Jerusalem municipality informing the public of the Student Day celebrations and events taking place on May 11, 1955. The poster announces the various events that were to take place, including cultural performances at the YMCA and the Rondo parade. The municipality also used the poster to remind the residents of the cultural and economic significance of the Hebrew University to Jerusalem. The municipality called on residents to take part in the Student Day events and to make the students feel welcome by watching the events and hanging flags on their homes. The poster ends by proclaiming: “And to the students, be strong and of good courage
The Hebrew University was established on Mount Scopus in 1925. The cornerstone ceremony was held a few years earlier, in 1918, and was attended by many eminent figures such as Lord Arthur Balfour, General Allenby, Sir Herbert Samuel, Rabbi Kook, Chaim Weitzman, and many others. Following the War of Independence, Mount Scopus, which is in East Jerusalem, was ruled by the Jordanians, and Israelis were thus prevented access to the campus. A new campus was therefore built in West Jerusalem at Givat Ram. Until the completion of the Givat Ram campus in 1958, studies were held in forty different locations around the city, primarily the Terra Santa building in the Rehavia neighbourhood. This was the starting point of the student parade advertised in the poster.
Relevant Links
Teaching Suggestions
Jewish History teachers can use this resource when introducing the modern history of Jerusalem and, particularly, the history of the Hebrew University.
Geography or Sociology teachers can explore the significance of a university to the surrounding city.
Geography and Hebrew teachers can also use this poster to locate places on the map of Jerusalem.
Discussion Points
Observations
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What special day is mentioned in this poster?
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When did this take place?
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Who is the poster addressed to?
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What events were due to take place on Student Day?
Reading Between the Lines
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Where did the students taking part in Student Day study?
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Why did the municipality want the residents of Jerusalem to take part in Student Day?
Connections
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Does Student Day still take place today in Jerusalem?
If so, what differences would you expect between Student Day in 1954 and Student Day today? -
Would you want to take part in a Student Day? Why or why not?
Creative Ideas
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Design a flyer for next year’s Student Day.
What would you write or illustrate to ensure the participation of as many residents as possible?
Translation
Jerusalem Municipality
To the residents of the capital:
On Wednesday 19th Iyar 5715, (11.5.55) the students of Jerusalem will celebrate Student Day.
On this day cultural and sporting events will take place in the halls and courts of the YMCA, and in the evening a great Rondo parade will take place starting at the Terra Santa plaza, continuing along King George Street and Jaffa Street to Binyanei Hauma in Romema.
Residents of Jerusalem!
The Hebrew University is our pride! It is a valuable cultural and economic asset to our city. We must remember that the development of the sciences and humanities is one of the important foundations of our existence. For this reason, we should encourage the young forces dwelling in the shade of Torah and knowledge in our city and assist them in their efforts. We will try to give this day a suitable appearance, we will decorate houses with the national flag and welcome the celebrating students. Let their celebration be the celebration of the entire city, let us go and see all the sporting events and rejoice with them in the streets of the city.
The students in Jerusalem should feel that they are within their people and that they are precious children to us all.
To the students we say: May you be blessed, be strong and of good courage!
