toronto orbit
DAVID L ROTENBERG, youthful winner of top mathematics award for 1963. — Case history of a budding genius.
By BERNICE DYMENT
For the second consecutive year our Jewish ciom-munity has the distinction of numbering among its exceptional young students the winner of the coveted North Amercan Mathematics Award for our region. Last year's winner was J-eon Rosen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rosen, who went on a few months later to capture the top prize of them all — Best Student In Ontario Award.
This year's Mathematics winner is 17-year-old David L. Rotenberg, a grade 13 student at Jarvis G)llegiate, and son of Mrs. Sam Urbas and the late Dr. Avraham Rotenberg. The impressive statistics of this competition indicate a measure of the stature of young David's achievement — some 7,000 Ontario and Quebec high school and private school students entered the contest this year, representing a total of 315 Ontario and 16 Quebec schools. Sponsored fointly by Actuarial and Mathematical Societies in North America, the test comprises 40 separate questions to be answered in an 80-minute period. This then, as you can see, is a challenge to test the mettle of only the bravest — and brightest!
To satisfy my own curiosity as to whether such out-
standing ability is inherited, innate, or the result of persistent hard plugging in a favorable  environment, I sought enlightenment from three sources -—parent, teacher, and student. Judghig from these three interviews, it appears that, in the present case at least, ALL factors mentioned above are present in successful combination. In the interests of those concerned with the "Care and Feeding   of a Young Genius", I herewith present my findings. As to the hereditary factor, David's mother told me that the boy is very much like his father in the matter of scientific and mathematical aptitude. Dr. "Avie" Roten berg, who died in 1955, was the brilliant son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rotenberg, well-known in Jewish community life. A physicist by profession, and lecturer In this field at McGill University as well as in Los Angeles, Dr. Rotenberg had received his education at the University of  Toronto, McGill, and Ohio.
David's mother, the former Jeanette Scholnick of Montreal, is also a graduate of McGill University and the Institute of Child Study at U. of T. She is presently principal of Hillcrcst Nursery School and a frequent lecturer and counsellor in
parent-child education. With this.background, one can readily deduce that a favorable environment was ' indeed present to permit David's special gifts to flourish and develop.
This, of course, does not mean that there were no problems of adjustment but, as his mother told me, she feels that "the most difficult time for David has passed. Being more mature intellectually than his peers, it was not always easy to find friends in public school. Now that he is older, there is greater acceptance and status in being intellectually capable and advanced." Not long ago, David also participated in a science seminar Where the paper he wrote stood very bdgh, and found in that group of young scientists boys of similar interests and talents, whose companionship he values highly.
According to Mr. Fred Chambers, David's mathematics teacher at Jarvis, David has always been a top student in mathematics, as well as in over-all subjects. In grade 9, he covered grade 10 maths as well, and repeated the feat in grade 10 — always staying well ahead of his teacher. He won awards in grades 11, 12, and 13, which Mr. Chambers credits to both "special
YOUNG GENIUS: TORONTO'S ROTENBERG.
ability AND hard work", he told nie. While excellence in mathematics appears to be the special province of the male student, there are always two or three girls who place in the top 30, Mr. Chambers commented. One reason for this discrepancy, he feels, may be the fact that the girls spend more time on extra-curricular projects. He mentioned the fact that teachers are watching with interest the record of David Rotenberg's younger sister Lorie who is an honor-roll Grade 9 student at Jarvis — and shows real promise of emulating her
brother's achievements.
Very tair and slight,^of build, with brown hair and eyes, David looks very much the serious student, and s)3eaks with the assurance of a young man with a firm command of tjie Englishlan-guage. He stated very mat-ter-of-factly that he worked hard to achieve top standing in the mathematics contest, going over all the old test papers that were available, but that maths and sciences just happen to come easily to him — he can't explain why. He told me of his Bar Mitzvah at the Ostrovtser Congregation where Mr. and Mrs. Urbas are members. He told me of his stamp collections, his membership in the French, Science, and Mathematics Clubs at Jarvis, and of his summer job in the actuarial department of a large insurance company.
He mentioned with enthusiasm and anticipation the plans for this summer which he will spend in France, staying for a time with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs.   Maurice  Kurtz, in
12 JEWS IN SOVe COUNCIL
LOND^ON(JCNS)—Twelve Jews were elected to the Supreme Coupcil of Birobi^jan, the "Aiitoribmus Jevnsh Region", during the elections early in March.
HUMAN REUTIONS
Doubts About Love
DR. ROSE N.^RANZBUU
QUESTION: For the past four months I kave been dating a certain young man. We both feel reasonably certain that we love each other. Our problem is that he has three years of college to complete after this one. So far as I am concerned he must definitely finish school.
He has asked me to wait for him since he feels that marriage would be out of the question until he completes school. I hesitate to make such a promise. I love him now, but three years is such a long time to wait and so much could happen between now and then to change our feelings.
I'm afraid that things might not work out for us and in the interim I would be passing up other possible chances to date other available men, as I have done in the last few months^
ANSWER: All people in love have doubts at times about the depth and lasting quality of then" emotion.
When the doubts persist for too long, then it points to weakness in the relationship or hurdles in the way, and the yoiug couple should take heed. True love can take care of any normal problems and adjustments that may come after marriago and that are inevitable in any relationship.
For young people who are still growuig and developing, four months is not really a long enough period to get to know each other. Not only does each have to become truly acquainted with the other and establish their relationship, but they have to adjust to the changes that are constantly taking place in themselves. The spurts in growth caii make an individual appear very different today from what he seemed to be last month.
But the partner may be blamed for the disillusionment, since it was based on an illusion.
Evidently the promise of a future with this young man is not enough to sustain you in the present. Both you and he show some maturity in sticking to your educa tional plans and not being diverted by any p?issing ..fancy. In this respect you both have your feet on the ground. But ypwc apprehension about whether the young man is the right choice for you, and your hesitancy about waiting merit serious consideration.
Although you like him very much, perhaps more than you have ever liked any other man, you are evidently not ready to tie yourself down to anyone.
There are many ways young people have of breaking up a relationship which both feel, deep down, is not really meant to be. One of the surest ways is to ask too soon for a promise to wait too long.
Sometimes the break-up serves as a test of love. If the pair can really stay away from each other, particularly if other dates appear on the scene, they conclude that they have made the right decision. Actually, the decision to break up precedes any of the methods used to accomplish it.
It would be nice to be able to continue seeing each other on a friendly basis after Such loud protestations of love as such couples have made. But this very rarely,^ if ever, takes place.
It would seem that, under the circiun-stances, it is you who will have to take the initiative and in a kind_ and jconsiderate way give him back his freedom to date others again.
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Paris, and later attending classes in a provincial university to polish his French.
David wil be appearing on television on J;.une 2nd, as a participant on the program "Careers" when the special topic will be Physics", as a career.
Next fall David will be entering the University of Toronto. Faculty of Maths, Physics and Chemistry, but he hasn't decided yet just what his ultimate choice of career will be:
Whatever the choice, there is no doubt that David Rotenberg will go on adding laurels to his record of achievement already so promising. Heredity, mnate ability, perseverance, an inquiring mind — all the ingredients are there for a brilliant future in a field as boundless as space itself. |
The Canadian Jewtth Newt, Friday, April 19tli, 196) - Faga 7
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1
MORDECHAI W. BERNSTEIN
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DR. MAURICE L. PERLZWEIG
World Jewish Congrass 'It Is Time They Were Stopped!^
Participating: Cantor HENItY WMMAN * PAUL KUEMAN * BETH TZEDEC CHOIR, directed
A Messoge By HON. JOHN P. ROBARTS
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