Papers of Jennifer J. Halpern, 1974-1990 (inclusive), 1974-1978 (bulk)

Scope and Contents Topics include crushes; schoolwork; frustrations with parents; concern about vision problems; thoughts about religion/mysticism; loneliness and unhappiness at starting new school; her father's prejudices, parents' attitude towards Judaism and her own wish to observe that religion; thoughts about kissing and in particular a first kiss (she writes, "I must be respected for Janice Amy Halpern and not a hot lips swinger!") and concerns about "body contact" and body image. She also mentions a boy...

Scope and Contents Includes re: New York's economic situation and its effect on schools and her parents' jobs, e.g., her mother being laid off; family's "half adherence" to Judaism; inability to connect with classmates; continued feelings for boy who had nervous breakdown and parents' resistance to her involvement with him; her living will; attending rehearsal of Aida with Leontyne Price and Marilyn Horne; feeling of pressure to be "tops" academically; dating and...

Scope and Contents Includes re: college interviews and hope of being accepted by Harvard-Radcliffe despite not particularly wanting to go there; visiting Wellesley College and marveling taxi not having bullet proof glass divider ("a wonder to a New-Yorker"); social awkwardness; feelings about boys; working on school's creative writing magazine; being accepted at Wellesley College; high school graduation; crime that took place during blackout of New York City in 1977 and her perception of the role of...