David C. Kogan played an active role
in the governance of the Rabbinical School at JTS, often mediating between the
needs and wants of students and faculty. Professor Saul Lieberman,
although Rector, generally did not attend faculty meetings. One time when Kogan
felt that the agenda of a particular faculty meeting dictated that Lieberman's
presence would be essential, he went out of his way to invite Lieberman especially
to this faculty meeting (and hoped that there wouldn't be too much time-wasting
at this particular meeting).
Lieberman did cooperate by
attending the meeting. However, much to Kogan’s chagrin, there was more
time-wasting than usual. D.C.Kogan was in a difficult position, as he was
indubitably the one responsible for luring Lieberman to this colossal waste of
time.
As the meeting adjourned, D.C.K.
felt that it made sense to be proactive with Lieberman, unpleasant as that
might be. So, instead of trying to slither away, he approached
Lieberman directly at the end of the meeting. To his great surprise,
Lieberman said: "Rabbi Kogen, this was a very good meeting."
D.C.K. must have had a confused look on his face, perhaps indicating "Were
you at the same meeting that I just sat through?" Lieberman then
explained: "I was able to review six Masekhtot." (Anyone who
studied with Lieberman understood that long before analyzing any text -- short
or long -- Lieberman committed the immense text to memory.) -Judah Kogan
What happens in the mid is always superior to what happens outside.
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