YU Today, WSJ April 2023

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RABBI DR. JACOB J. SCHACTER YU Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought

ALEX VOLCHEK ’22 SCW Software Engineer, Reef Technology

ESTHER BERKO, M.D. PH.D. ’05 SCW ’14 MD/PhD Albert Einstein College of Medicine

JEONG MUN HEO, PH.D. Head of Development for South Korea at YU Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies

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Inside

A Message from Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman President, Yeshiva University

Inside Cover

Partnership for The Future— A Letter from Our Chairman Ira Mitzner, Chairman Yeshiva University Board of Trustees 2

Dr. Daniel Beliavsky Inspiring Students Through Music’s Transcendence

Dr. Jeong Mun Heo Bringing Two Worlds Together

Alex Volcheck A Former IDF Soldier’s Next Mission: Improving Lives Through Biotech

Semyon Lomasov A Chess Grandmaster Makes a Bold Move to YU

Dear Friends,

Dr. Esther Berko Treating the Toughest Cancer Cases in Children

I am delighted and honored to share with you our latest edition of YU Today . This issue focuses on values and innovation, showcasing the many ways our Yeshiva University students, alumni and faculty guide and uplift the world in which we live. We are proud to provide our students with an education that is deeply rooted and forward focused, fueled with a sense of purpose and mission to make the world a better place—for themselves and for future generations.

In this issue, you will meet a wide array of leaders and innovators from our university community who embody our Five Torot—Core Torah Values: • Seek Truth (Torat Emet) • Discover your Potential (Torat Adam) • Live your Values (Torat Chaim) • Act with Compassion (Torat Chesed) • Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). From all across the globe and in the most impactful fields, the students, faculty and alumni of YU, the flagship Jewish university, are constantly innovating to uplift our world. As you will discover throughout these pages, Yeshiva University is on the rise in all of our metrics: rankings, enrollment, new programs and philanthropy.

But more importantly than rising in our numbers is that we are rising to the call of history, empowering, inspiring and educating the next generation of leaders who are rooted in our timeless values and working to build a brighter future for all. I am sure you will enjoy this edition of YU Today and thank you for your interest and support.

Sari Kopitnikoff Using Social Media to Innovate Jewish Education

Ari Ferziger Putting ‘Eyes’ in the Sky, a Lawyer Protects his Nation

Dr. Stephen Glicksman Building a Community for Everyone

Warm regards,

Dr. Laya Salomon Encouraging Teachers to Think Outside the Box

Estee Ackerman A Winner True to Her Values

Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter A Proud Son Following in his Father’s Footsteps

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman President, Yeshiva University

YU IN ACTION

Grounded in core Torah values, our students continue to experience the long-term power of a YU education as they enter the wider world: More than 95% of the University’s students gain employment or enter graduate school within six months of graduation. Medical school acceptance has increased to 92%, more than double the national average, while 100% of law school applicants are accepted. As I complete my 15th year on the Yeshiva University Board and my second as Chair, I have never been prouder to be a part of this exceptional institution. Our many successes, built on your generous support, will continue to propel us forward to even greater achievements in the months and years ahead. Notwithstanding our success, the inflationary pressures on the University and especially on YU families, have created an environment where we are granting over $40 million annually of scholarships to over 80% of our undergraduate population. The university needs additional scholarship philanthropy to support these amazing young men and women. We have created three new programs geared towards scholar- ship support: 1. DO A MITZVAH ($1 million, $200,00 per year over 5 years) will ensure support for 8 of our undergraduate scholars for 5 years. 2. ADOPT-A-SCHOLAR ($100,000, $25,000 per year over 4 years) to adopt 1 of these wonderful future Jewish leaders. 3. Join THE MINYAN CLU B ($40,000, $10,000 a year over 4 years) to help underwrite the tuition of 1 of our remarkably talented students poised to improve our world. Your contributions are critically important. There is much work to be done to achieve our goals and we need your support. More than ever, we look to our alumni and friends to help us grow and diversify our global impact as we build our University —particularly as we provide more students the opportunity to experience a YU education through scholarship programs. Yeshiva University’s success is your success, and our students’ success is the world’s success. Now is the time to honor the past and invest in our future. With appreciation,

ity of how music affects us as individuals,” he said. Dr. Beliavsky also points out the con- nection between music and other academic subjects at YU. “Music is fundamental to any academic program because it teaches students to think symbolically,” he said. You could say Dr. Beliavsky’s music ca- reer was destined. In 1971, his parents ful- filled their dream of immigrating to Jerusa- lem, where his father, Yuri Beliavsky, joined the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra as a violinist. Four years later, the family immi- grated to Milwaukee, where Dr. Beliavsky was born, while his older brother went to study music at Boston University. Starting at age 15, Dr. Beliavsky began touring internationally, with performances throughout the United States and in Eu- rope. He later became a Steinway Artist and recorded several CDs. More recently, he’s been making documentary films on con- temporary composers through his produc- tion company, Opus1films. At Yeshiva College, Dr. Beliavsky recog- nizes the importance of teaching music in a Gen Z world and was thrilled to see the 2021 completion of YU’s state-of-the-art Margaret and Leo Meyer and Hans M. Hirsch Foundation Digital Art and Music Lab. The lab is home to new courses in dig- ital media, production, film scoring, perfor- mance and composition—seamless addi- tions to the department’s well-established theory, aesthetics and history coursework. “It’s a game-changer for the direction of the department and prospective students,” he said. More broadly, Dr. Beliavsky embraces community outreach: Since his teens, he and his now 90-year-old father have performed thousands of concerts at inde- pendent and assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. “I’m lucky to witness mu- sic’s healing effects in these communities,” he said. It’s perhaps this idealism, generosity and commitment to innovation that sets Dr. Beliavsky apart as a teacher and performer. “What I hope for my students and audienc- es,” he said, “is a glimmer of transcendence, for a recognition of the beauty that is in the world and in all of us.”

Partnership for the Future— A Letter from our Chairman

I am very proud to recognize the ongoing success of Yeshiva University, the flagship Jewish university. This success is due in large part to the support of our friends and alumni—support that is vital to providing scholarships for our talented and ever-growing student body, opening doors as they become the next generation of leaders. In the fall of 2022, we welcomed 700-plus new undergraduates —the largest class on record in the history of YU, and a 20% increase since 2021. Drawn to YU for its world-renowned Torah faculty, top-tier academics, vibrant student life and influential alumni network, they are an outstanding and highly impressive group of incoming freshmen. Our graduate programs are also flourishing, with a 60% increase in enrollment since 2016. Our more than 25 cutting- edge graduate school programs, ranging from artificial intelligence to biotechnology, uniquely qualify students to become experts in their fields and the leaders of the future. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our donors, we have now raised $350 million towards our Rise Up campaign for $613 million, an over $100 million increase since we launched the campaign last year. These funds help us to increase scholarships, build state-of-the-art facilities and maintain our world-class faculty. The University’s U.S. News & World Report rankings have also risen dramatically: In New York City, YU is ranked #3, behind only Columbia University and New York University. Equally noteworthy, we are #7 in America for universities with undergraduate populations of under 5,000.

Inspiring StudentsThrough Music’s Transcendence DANIEL BELIAVSKY, PH.D. Associate Professor and Chair of YU’s Fine Art and Music Department Educator, Concert Pianist, Music Theorist, Composer and Filmmaker

D r. Daniel Beliavsky began play- ing piano at age 5 and perform- ing with his Soviet-born con- cert violinist father by age 13. As a composer, he has received rave re- views from The New York Times . As a YU professor, he’s known as devoted, kind and passionate, and his drive to open new worlds for his students, from novice to as- piring professional, has earned him a fierce and loyal following. Dr. Beliavsky’s parents grew up within the tight intellectual confines of Stalin’s Russia. In turn, as a professor at YU, he practices an expansionism that may seem like a response: He’s committed to every level of music theory, musicianship and practical application, from rigorous analy- sis to composition, performance and explo- rations of music philosophy. His devotees

cover nearly all the majors, from biology, English and finance to computer science. “Music has broad shoulders,” he said, quot- ing philosopher Vladimir Jankélévitch. “It supports multiple perspectives.” His nearly 30-year career has clarified the value of studying music. “Students pas- sionately seek creativity and the means for self-expression,” he said. “This has only in- tensified in recent years.” Once students realize the depths of music, they can culti- vate their inner artistry and potential for innovation. At YU, music has special meaning. “Music and Judaism are intimately inter- twined,” noted Beliavsky, who has a Ph.D. in music theory and composition. Just as Jewish observance has an innate structure, so, too, with music. “There is concrete methodology, and then there’s the ineffabil-

Ira M. Mitzner Chairman, Board of Trustees

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

Bringing Two Worlds Together

JEONG MUN HEO, PH.D. ’21 Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies Head of Development for South Korea at Revel Head of Revel’s Certificate in Jewish Studies, South Korea

T ruth seeker, Jewish studies innovator and Christian theologist, Dr. Jeong Mun Heo is building an unusual bridge—between South Koreans and Jews. “This is the ultimate purpose of my life,” he said. The transformation of this South Korean computer science and mathematics major into a champion of Jewish-Korean- Christian dialogue all began with fractals—and continued with a long convalescence that gave him a lot of time to think. “In college, studying the infinite complexity of the mathe- matical universe drove me to explore the metaphysical world,” said Dr. Heo. Then, at 20, he was bedridden for months with a respiratory disease that led him to contemplate the purpose of existence and, ultimately, God. “As a sensitive young man, I started to think about the meaning of life and death,” he said. He began looking to religion for answers, and as his interest grew, started a Master of Divinity, where he was introduced to the connection between early Christianity and Judaism. Wanting to dive deeper, Dr. Heo headed to Israel to pursue a degree in Jew- ish education. Eventually, inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, an Orthodox theologian and advocate for interfaith dia- logue, and former YU President Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Dr. Heo landed in the doctoral program at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. “Here they gave me the tools I need to pursue my dream—and I met people who were living my vision,” he said. Now in its first year, Revel’s Korea-based certificate in Jew- ish studies is Dr. Heo’s brainchild, and it’s making waves. This innovative concept is the first Jewish studies certificate pro- gram to be launched by a Jewish university in South Korea. Geared toward future leaders, it features lectures from visiting Yeshiva University professors, “the rock stars of the Jewish world,” as Dr. Heo said. “My students love learning the real his- tory of Judaism and Christianity, which promotes mutual toler- ance and understanding.”

Dr. Heo is also determined to bring the Talmudic method of chavruta study—in which pairs of students debate and discuss the text—to South Korea. “The Korean education system still seems to be mostly focused on rote memorization,” he said. “Chavruta study can not only increase academic excellence, it can also cultivate the kind of emotional intelligence that our so- ciety needs.” He also hopes to bring the Jewish educational phi- losophy of lishmah—study for its own sake—to Korea. While South Korea’s Jewish community is virtually nonex- istent, Dr. Heo’s fascination with Jewish wisdom is not unique there. The Talmud—albeit abbreviated, poorly translated and often illustrated with cartoons—is ubiquitous in Seoul; rumor has it that each Korean family has at least one copy. Why? Ev- ery South Korean knows that while Jews account for just 0.2% of the world’s population, they comprise 23% of Nobel Prize winners. Many Koreans believe that the secret of this intellectual suc- cess can be found in the Talmud. Dr. Heo notes that even if the Korean Talmud isn’t the “real thing,” there may be wisdom in it. But he hopes to bring something more authentic to his people. “There is inherent value in studying Jewish ideas and attitudes,” he said. “But Koreans need to first have a basic knowledge of Biblical and Jewish history, rather than accepting the stereotyp- ical views of Jews and Judaism portrayed in the media.” Presently, Dr. Heo is running the Revel certificate program and recruiting Korean students in South Korea and the United States. As he conducts his postdoctoral research at Hebrew Uni- versity through 2023, he will also be working to establish an ac- ademic center for Jewish-Christian dialogue in South Korea. “Now is the time for the world to come together,” he said. “I’m just doing my part.”

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

A Chess Grandmaster Makes a Bold Move toYU SEMYON LOMASOV

A Former IDF Soldier’s Next Mission: Improving Lives Through Biotech ALEX VOLCHEK ’22 Stern College for Women Software Engineer

’24 Yeshiva College Chess Grandmaster

tremendous amount and feel enormous satisfaction to have contributed to the State of Israel,” she said. After her service, Volchek came back to the United States and enrolled at Stern Col- lege, where her interest in technology and the world of startups was born. She ma- jored in computer science and over time developed a passion for biotech and health care startups. “I’m really excited to make the move to the digital health world so that I can use my skills to improve people’s lives,” Volchek said. While grateful to YU for the education, connections, extracur- ricular activities and friendships she devel-

oped there, she is, above all, appreciative of the emphasis YU puts on being a good per- son who creates impact. “I could have got- ten a degree at any university, but it is unique to YU to leave school as a better person who seeks opportunities to make a difference.” Whether she uses her technological expertise to fight enemy attacks or help improve people’s health and well-being, Volchek is definitely someone to keep on our radar.

A lex Volchek was not your typi- cal student at Stern College for Women. As a former Israeli soldier, she lived on a make- shift army base with arson balloons rain- ing down from Israel’s northern neighbor, Lebanon. Volchek is currently working as a soft- ware engineer at Reef Technology, a logis- tics tech company that acquired the startup she had joined. The Israeli-born Volchek moved to the United States with her family at a young age, living in such locations as North Carolina, New York, Atlanta and Seattle. Inspired by her passion for Israel and a determination to help its people, she enlisted as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As a computer network administrator in the Israeli National Guard, she operated and maintained six different computer sys- tems and other back-end technologies at five emergency bases. She was also tasked with resolving complex IT issues for high-ranking officers and helped train new team members. Volchek climbed the ranks quickly, becoming her unit’s second in command. One of her more memorable experienc- es involved the balloons, which occurred during the winter of 2016 when Israel was experiencing a string of arson attacks, es- pecially in Haifa, where she was stationed. Volchek set up and operated the emergency bases, where she worked 24-hour days while subsisting on meals when there was time, living arrangements that “weren’t re- ally,” and heavy doses of fearlessness and determination. Think a technology version of the TV show M*A*S*H . And yet, as challenging as her military service has been, Volchek is grateful for the opportunity to have served. “I learned a

W alk around YU’s Wilf campus these days and you’ll run into college basketball stars, entrepre- neurs, esteemed rabbinical scholars and world- renowned researchers. You can now add to this impressive list a chess grandmaster by the name of Semyon Lomasov. The accomplishments of this well-spoken and down-to-earth YU undergraduate are simply too many to list, but here’s a sam- pling: winner, at age 7, of the Moscow championship for under-10- year-olds in 2009; European champion in rapid chess for under-10- year-olds in 2012; and world champion of under-14-year-olds in 2016. He also won the Moscow Open in 2018, equating his perfor- mance in that tournament to No. 7 in current world rankings. (That is not a misprint: No. 7!) Born in Moscow, Lomasov learned how to play chess from his father, beginning when he was just 4. At age 6, he began to train seriously at a chess school in Moscow, practicing three times a week for two hours a session, with a one-hour game on Sundays. His coach at the time told him he had a special talent for the game, and “he reviewed the games of the old champions with us— Emanuel Lasker, Alexander Alekhine, Jose Raul Capablanca,” re- called Lomasov. That same coach taught him and his fellow stu- dents the importance of good sportsmanship and proper behavior while playing chess, such as shaking hands before the game and always showing respect for one’s opponent. In 2019, Lomasov started college at National Research Universi- ty Higher School of Economics in Russia. Later that same year, Israel offered him the opportunity to represent the Jewish state in international chess competitions. Intrigued and flattered by the of- fer, Lomasov and his family moved there in early 2020, and he be- gan playing for the Israel Chess Federation. Soon after, in Septem- ber 2021, he achieved the title of grandmaster. Technological innovations are game changers in so many areas, and chess is no different. Lomasov has taken a great interest in arti- ficial intelligence (AI) because, “AI completely revolutionized chess when it emerged around 2018,” he said. “It revolutionized many positions, discovered new concepts and opened a lot of op- portunities for further analysis.” He said every professional player, including himself, has incorporated AI into their games and train- ing. “I find it absolutely fascinating and can talk about it for hours.” Lomasov transferred to YU in the fall of 2022 because of its strong academic reputation, and he appreciates the talented faculty as well as the broad array of subjects he is able to study. While he

isn’t sure what field he wishes to pursue, the mathematics major particularly enjoys research and hopes to enter a strong Ph.D. pro- gram in the future. Lomasov makes time outside of school and chess for other activities, such as spending time with friends and playing table tennis. So, the next time you see some students running to their next class on YU’s Wilf campus, one of them may be Lomasov. Strike up a conversation—he’s an incredibly friendly guy, and he knows a thing or two about chess.

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

Treating theToughest Cancer Cases in Children ESTHER BERKO, M.D. PH.D. ’05 Stern College for Women ’14 M.D./Ph.D. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Physician-Scientist, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Schneider Children’s Medical Center Israel Clinical Instructor, Tel Aviv University Research Associate, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

D r. Esther Berko spends her days trying to change a terrifying reality. As a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Berko specializes in the most difficult of cases: children with neuroblas- toma, the most common malignant solid tumor of childhood. Unlike childhood leukemia, in which recent advances in drug development and immunotherapy have led to a 90% cure rate, pediatric solid tumors remain very difficult to treat. Because Dr. Berko is a physician-scientist—holding both a medical degree and doctoral degree in genetics—she comes at her job from a unique angle, bringing two worlds together: In the clinic, she sees young cancer patients; in the molecular lab, she works to advance cancer research for these children. “I feel so privileged to do the work I do,” said Dr. Berko, who lives in Israel with her husband (also a physician) and four chil- dren, ages 2 to 14. “It fits exactly with my values of helping people and contributing meaningfully to their lives.” Dr. Berko and her colleagues are battling cancer on many fronts. At the cancer lab at the Children’s Hospital of Philadel- phia, they are incorporating precision genomics into the diagno- sis and treatment of neuroblastoma, developing targeted thera- pies that are more effective and less toxic than current treatments. Dr. Berko is also hard at work perfecting liquid biop- sies, a noninvasive and more effective alternative to tissue biopsy, specifically for children. “There’s a global evolution specifically innovating new techniques in liquid biopsy, analyzing molecular profiles through blood,” she explained. Although she found her calling early—“I always wanted to be a doctor and save people”—it was at Stern College for Women that Dean Karen Bacon, Dr. Jeffrey Weisburg and Dr. Harvey Babich pointed her toward the physician-scientist model. “I would not have pursued an M.D./Ph.D. without YU opening my eyes to what was possible and encouraging me to pursue it,” she said. When Dr. Berko began medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2006, there were very few Orthodox women in the field. Today, that’s completely changed, she said,

thanks in large part to Stern College’s Anne Schreiber Scholar- ship, which provides full tuition to women going into health fields. At Einstein, Dr. Berko worked with Dr. John Greally, a pediat- ric geneticist and physician-scientist who was particularly sup- portive of women pursuing scientific fields. She fell in love with pediatrics and saw oncology as the ideal “bench-to-bedside” field—working in a lab, sequencing tumors, she took that data back to work with patients. “It was the perfect intersection be- tween medicine and science and treating patients on many lev- els,” she said. “I knew this was the path for me.” As rewarding as her career has been, there’s no escape from its most painful part: delivering bad news to parents—which may include the phrase “incurable brain cancer.” To prepare herself, she calls on her training and her spiritual foundation. “I keep in mind Ve-ahavta le-reiakha kamokha: You shall love your fellow as yourself,” she said. “I can’t give empty promises, but I can give bad news compassionately, sit with them in the horribleness and always maintain hope.” In 2020, Dr. Berko made aliyah, following her parents and sib- lings. It was a lifelong dream of her mother’s, a daughter of Holo- caust survivors and an ardent Zionist. Today, Dr. Berko works 10 to 14 hours a day—at a clinic, as an instructor and as a researcher by night, on Zoom meetings with colleagues in the United States. It’s not always easy juggling motherhood and life as an in- demand doctor. But her children are wise beyond their years. “My kids know I’m taking care of sick kids, and they respect that,” she said. “They have a strong awareness of much bigger worlds around them, and that has enriched them. And for me, confronting the gravity of what I do every day helps me appreci- ate life, gives purpose and meaning to existence and makes it all worth it.”

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

YU ON THE RISE Over the next five years we set an unprecedented goal of raising $613 million—the largest campaign for Jewish education in history—for scholarships, facilities and faculty that will further expand YU as the Flagship Jewish University for generations to come. Now is the time to honor your past and invest in your future. Join us today at riseup.yu.edu

$613

THE CARDOZO LAW SCHOOL INNOCENCE PROJECT directly exonerated 193 innocent people

THE PARNES CLINIC AT THE FERKAUF GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY is among the four largest psychology training clinics in the United States: Serves over 600 patients at any given time and provides over 1,500 appointments per month.

YU CELEBRATES GRADUATES AT EXPANDED 2022 COMMENCEMENT: YU Ishay Ribo Concert capped the day of festivities that attracted over 16,000 people to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York.

$350

using DNA testing for crimes they did not commit.

WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS toward our goal of raising $613 million through our Rise Up Campaign, which has already raised more than $350 million.

RIETS EDUCATES THE NEXT GENERATION

YU FACULTY LAUNCH CUTTING–EDGE RESEARCH: Received $3,940,758 in grants for 2022.

PHILANTHROPY RISES: New cash and commitments, which includes cash donations, multiyear pledges and estate gifts.

OF RABBIS: 80% of the major congregations in our community are led by RIETS graduates.

$31,000,000

2018

$47,000,000

2019

$51,000,000

2020

FY 22

FY 21

$90,800,000

2021

$91,000,000

2022

YU’S TOTAL DONORS ARE UP 18% IN 2022.

#67

THE UNIVERSITY ROSE 30 SPOTS in its U.S. News & World Report’s

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$20

$30

$40

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$60

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Millions

YU IS THE 3rd RANKED UNIVERSITY in all of New York City.

Best Colleges 2023 ranking, from 97 to 67.

YU IS RANKED #33 for best value in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings.

Fall 2016

GRADUATE ENROLLMENT INCREASED BY OVER

1,927

60%

Fall 2022

3,000+

YU LIBRARIES CONTAIN A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, WITH 700,000 physical volumes, 313,000 electronic books and 75,000 electronic and physical journals and 202,212 linear feet of shelving—almost 38 miles.

2021 2022

2023

2020

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT rose significantly in fall 2022 with an over 20% increase in new students from fall 2021.

In 2022, Fortune magazine ranked THE KATZ SCHOOL’S ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE in cybersecurity

NEARLY PERFECT RATE OF YU UNDERGRADUATE ACCEPTANCE TO MEDICAL SCHOOL:

of YU undergraduates who applied to medical school earned admission between 2013 and 2022 with 492 applying and 451 accepted. This acceptance rate is more than double the national average. 92%

YU STUDENTS FIND SUCCESS: Over 95% of YU undergraduate students are employed, in grad school or both within six months of graduation.

2nd in the nation.

Using Social Media to Innovate Jewish Education SARI KOPITNIKOFF ’11 Stern College for Women ’12 Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education Founder, thatjewishmoment.com

company’s world-leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, which have reached over $700 million in annual global sales. According to Ferziger, the complex transactions that he negotiates enable some of Israel’s most important innovations to reach the global market. “These technolo- gies were born out of the spirit of Israeli in- novation with the objective of not only im- proving the lives of those on the battlefield but also fuel life-changing solutions in agri- culture, green transportation technologies and energy exploration.” Ferziger can speak firsthand about the lifesaving efficacy of the hardware solutions he is responsible for marketing. The same UAV systems he is selling abroad also help secure Israel’s borders and protect his son, a commander in the IDF’s ground forces. “I’ve developed an enhanced appreciation for the brilliant engineers who develop im- portant technologies, such as the advanced overhead surveillance systems that protect my son and country,” he said. In a certain sense, Ferziger’s profession has made him a pseudo-ambassador for the Jewish State as his work travels have led him to negotiations in 22 countries and closed deals in over 30. During these meet- ings, Ferziger places an emphasis on forg- ing the important person-to-person con- nections necessary for two parties to come to a deal. “My work has allowed me to discuss the hard things—people, politics and religion— with our business partners,” Ferziger said. “I am frequently encouraged to learn that most people are reasonable and want to cre- ate safe, comfortable environments that al- low their families and societies to thrive.” These respectful conversations have en- abled Ferziger to convey the points of view of Israelis to those in both government and private industry as well as some of the chal- lenges that they face at home. Ultimately, Ferziger credits the values and skills that he developed in his earlier years at YU as the foundation for his career achievements, referring to “the values learned in my parents’ home, those nur- tured during the course of my yeshiva edu- cation and at YU.” It is those important principles that led him to make the decision to leave his career on Wall Street and move to the Start-up Nation to pursue a career with both meaning and impact.

S ari Kopitnikoff loves the wonder that happens when a child gets excited about learning. In 2014, the full-time middle-school teacher and self- described “11-year-old at heart” started an Instagram page, a gallery of her own digital art showcasing her particular brand of Jewish joy: fun, creative, exuberant. The page garnered an instant following. “I always wanted to contribute to Jewish education in a bigger, more meaningful way,” Kopitnikoff said, “but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. This became my outlet.” Then came March 2020 and the beginning of lockdown. She thought, “Im lo achshav, eimatai?” (“If not now, when?”) Within 24 hours, “That Jewish Moment”—a website that includes printable games, activities, shows and virtual escape-room challenges—was born. “It was in response to what I saw all over social media: parents who were totally overwhelmed, juggling their own jobs and overseeing their children’s education in a way they never had to before,” she said. The requests from parents and educators from across the world kept coming. It was time to quit her day job. Nearly three years later, Kopitnikoff, who lives in New Jersey with her husband and two young children, runs her own publishing empire of educational games, books and workshops. Her newest book, Only Kidding: My First Book of Jewish Jokes, released in No- vember, shot to No. 1 in new releases in Children’s Judaism Books on Amazon, while My Davening Diary, My Escape from Egypt and Jewmagine That! have all made Amazon’s bestseller lists. For her, it’s all about giving Jewishness a positive spin. “The in- ternet is filled with negative memes and sarcasm when it comes to being Jewish,” she said. “I want to counteract that.” After earning her master’s degree in Jewish education from Azrieli (and studying animation and computer graphics at the Fashion Institute of Technology), Kopitnikoff spent 10 years teach- ing elementary, middle and high school, honing her skills and un- knowingly preparing for her own debut. “It’s beautiful to inspire 22 students, but now I have an even bigger impact,” said Kopitnikoff. While she seems to be a natural-born educator, it took a while for Kopitnikoff to discover her calling. Indeed, the biology major nearly became a pediatric dentist until she realized it wasn’t the teeth that drew her—it was the kids. “I dreamed of creating a magi- cal, calm space where children would want to come,” she said. “But I couldn’t imagine filling cavities all day.”

Putting ‘Eyes’ in the Sky, A Lawyer Protects his Nation ARI FERZIGER ’92 Yeshiva College Executive Vice President of Corporate Development & Legal Affairs HevenDrones Former Assistant General Counsel at Israel Aerospace Industries

F or close to two decades, Ari Fer- ziger has been working in the in- tersection of Israel’s military and the commercial drone industry. A self-described “drone lawyer” in Israel’s bustling high-tech scene, Ferziger has nego- tiated export contracts and partnerships for some of Israel’s most innovative companies. He recently joined the Israeli-founded startup HevenDrones, which specializes in cutting-edge technologies for rotary drones whose applications are used in homeland security, firefighting, green tech, transpor- tation and industrial site management. Ferziger began his law journey at Yeshi- va University, where he majored in philoso- phy and finance. Following a stint with a high-powered New York corporate law firm, he and his wife, Meira, moved to Israel in 2000 to raise their family. “We wanted to

contribute to the Jewish State’s strong eco- nomic development and do our small part to make Israel’s society into a more perfect one, worthy of its mission, to be a light unto the nations.” Prior to joining HevenDrones, Ferziger worked for many years at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)—the state-owned R&D company responsible for some of Israel’s most innovative lifesaving defense technol- ogies found in the Iron Dome system, tacti- cal and reconnaissance drones, satellite technologies and air defense systems. At IAI, he played a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of Israel. His work in the legal department at IAI encompassed the full range of the company’s aerospace prod- ucts. As a leader of the contract negotiation team, Ferziger was responsible for negotiat- ing and securing export deals involving the

She finally had her “aha!” moment after seeing an ad promoting Azrieli’s one-year master’s degree program. It read: “Become the inspiring teacher you always wish you had,” and it spoke directly to her. “The way I create every piece of educational content goes back to the pedagogical fundamentals I learned at Azrieli,” she said. Kopitnikoff prides herself on stepping up to provide what the moment calls for. And these days, people are searching for meaning and community. “With the world the way it is, it’s more important than ever to have a strong hold on Judaism and Jewish life,” she said. “My goal is to infuse daily life with creativity, enjoyment and meaning, to get in touch with the child in all of us.” Find free Jewish educational materials on thatjewishmoment.com and follow Kopitnikoff on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @thatjewishmoment.

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

Building a Community for Everyone STEPHEN GLICKSMAN, PH.D. ’91 Yeshiva College, ’97 Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Adjunct Associate Professor, Yeshiva College and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

Director of Innovation, Makor Care & Services Network Founder and Director, Makor College Experience Program

M oral philosopher, developmental psychologist and passionate advocate, Dr. Stephen Glicksman never stops fighting for children and adults with intellec- tual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs). Not too long ago, those with I/DDs were often hidden away, institutionalized and sometimes mistreated. Dr. Glicksman, YU professor and Director of Innovation of Makor Care & Services Network, has played an essential role in changing that. “Our fo- cus is: What are people going to be saying about us 50 years from now?” he said. Through his advocacy, Dr. Glicksman has become a thought leader on how to help people with I/DDs take their rightful place in society through inclusion and development. Growing up in Livingston, New Jersey, Dr. Glicksman was always interested in the intersection of psychology and morali- ty. He discovered that confluence in the field of developmental psychology. While pursuing a doctorate from Yeshiva Universi- ty’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, he began working for Makor (Hebrew for “source”), an Orthodox Jewish social services network founded in 1978 by Jeanne Warman, a Brook- lyn mother of a developmentally disabled son. It became the group-home model for people with I/DDs in the New York Jew- ish community. Twenty-five years later, Dr. Glicksman has helped Makor touch the lives of countless individuals through its myriad programs and 32 residential facilities. Makor is one of only three agencies out of some 800 in New York State to earn the state’s coveted Compass designation for outstanding service and innovation. In 2017, bringing to fruition an idea he’d had for decades, Dr. Glicksman founded the Makor College Experience at Ye- shiva University, a multiyear non-degree program that creates a college-like experience for young Jewish men with I/DDs. The curriculum includes morning Torah learning and after- noon classes on topics from science and civics to life skills and personal development. Students explore different possibilities

for employment, with the goal of placing graduates in the workplace so they can transition to a life of independence post-Makor. “College is where young adults explore their identity and have worlds open to them,” Dr. Glicksman said. “In our YU Ma- kor college program, we’re opening those worlds for people with I/DDs as well.” Another way Dr. Glicksman applies his innovative thought leadership is by insisting on the rights of people with I/DDs to make decisions—called the “dignity of risk”—while at the same time, protecting them from harm and helping them become re- sponsible members of the community. It’s a nuanced approach forged by Dr. Glicksman’s background in moral philosophy and identity as an Orthodox Jew. “Our agency is steeped in Torah,” he explained. “So the idea that we don’t have unlimited freedoms is built into our DNA, as is the understanding that we have a responsibility to the com- munity, to ourselves and to God. So from our perspective, if we want people with intellectual disabilities to become part of soci- ety, we must give them responsibilities.” As Dr. Glicksman sees it, it’s not actually the people with I/DDs who are being integrated, it’s the community that is be- ing made whole—a philosophy he instills in his graduate stu- dents at YU. “It’s a mindset that’s at the foundation of everything we do,” Dr. Glicksman said. “Teaching people with I/DDs how to be members of a community, and teaching the community to ac- cept them as equals, not simply tolerated, but to really be in- cluded. It is based on love.”

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

A Winner True to Her Values ESTEE ACKERMAN ’23 Stern College for Women Gold Medal Winner, Table Tennis

Encouraging Teachers to Think Outside the Box LAYA SALOMON, ED.D. ’00 Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, M.A., Ed.D. Director of Azrieli’s Master’s Program in Jewish Education Associate Professor, Azrieli

R aised in Canarsie, Brooklyn, Dr. Laya Salomon grew up in a family of Holocaust survivors with a passion for ed- ucating Jewish children. Her father, aunt and uncle all survived Bergen-Belsen; her aunt, the renowned Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, was a leading outreach activist at a time when few Orthodox women assumed such public roles. But it was her Aunt Shifra Jungreis, a day-school principal (and, in 1963, the captain of Yeshiva University’s College Bowl team), who cut out an ad for YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration from The Jewish Press and presented it to her niece. “This is what you need to do,” she told the recent college grad. Dr. Salomon would be the first in her family to pursue advanced degrees in the field. At Yeshiva University, Dr. Salomon was immediately drawn to Rabbi Dr. Chaim Feuerman, the then-dean of Azrieli, who became her mentor. The philosophies of Dr. Feuerman, who was warm, ap- proachable and larger than life, were ahead of their time. “He was a true champion for students,” Dr. Salomon said, noting that he be- lieved teachers should be “a guide on the side” not “a sage on the stage” and that students should be taught according to their inher- ent abilities. True to his principles, Dr. Feuerman encouraged Dr. Salomon’s habit of doodling in class, which she had spent a lifetime hiding from teachers. “I even started incorporating cartoons into the papers I wrote for him,” she said. When she became a professor at YU, Dr. Feuerman sent her a gift—an adult coloring book and art set with a note: “Never stop doodling.” It formed the cornerstone of her educational philosophy. Dr. Salomon, who lives in New Jersey with her husband and six children, notes that student-centered education and teaching with the end goal in mind have always been at the core of her approach, skills that are encouraged at YU. “I believe in making the class- room a place for everyone to succeed,” she said. “We often see be- haviors that we think we need to punish or, at best, ignore. But great educators celebrate these differences and use them to build up students.” This approach also underlies Azrieli’s programs, many of which cater to both new and experienced teachers. “As educators, we base our programs on the model that different people, with different backgrounds, have different needs,” she said. “In the same way we teach our teachers to differentiate instruction with their students, we also model that differentiation with our own students.”

I ’ve never considered myself typical,” said Estee Ackerman, an Olympic 2024 table tennis hopeful who is as much known for her grit and grace as for her ability to place religious values above ambition. A nationally ranked player, gold medal winner and one of the first Orthodox Jews to ever try out for the Olympics, the Stern Col- lege senior has been building an impressive table tennis résumé since the age of 8, when her father, worried that his children might be spending too much time with their electronic devices, installed a pingpong table in the family basement. By the time she was 11, with a slew of competitions under her belt, Ackerman was invited to play tennis great Rafael Nadal in an exhibition game of table tennis at New York’s Grand Central Termi- nal before a crowd of 500. Ackerman, the table tennis prodigy from West Hempstead, won. “I don’t think he knew who he was playing with,” the newly minted media sensation told The New York Times in a post-match interview. Yet months earlier, the outcome of another match unfolded quite differently and, in retrospect, would become her defining moment. Ackerman had claimed her spot on the big stage, the 2012 U.S. National Table Tennis Championship. But when one of her matches fell on Shabbat, tournament officials refused to resched- ule it. It was, in her words, “time to make a decision” and, with her parents’ backing, she made an adult-sized—and innovative—one. “11-Year-Old Table Tennis Phenom Chooses Shabbos Over Champi- onship” read the headlines. By placing her practice of Judaism above her passion for winning, the religious girl from Long Island set her future course as an athlete and a role model. “Some people back home were surprised,” noted Ackerman. “‘How could you give up your big chance?’ they asked me. But my response back then is the same as it is today. I wanted to stay true to myself and my faith.” And, in her own way, she’s a true innovator: “Before matches I pray to G-d, because at the end of the day, He knows what is best for me.” Since that singular moment more than a decade ago, this path-breaking athlete has continued to play on her own terms, nav- igating her training, tournament competitions and even uniform attire to comply with her religious beliefs. Ackerman was the first Orthodox Jew to try out for the 2016 U.S. Olympics and likely the first to win gold in the Junior Olympics that same year. During her 2020 gap year in Israel, she was recognized as a top-ranked player but was again forced to forfeit her place in the Olympic trials, which required her to compete during Shabbat.

“

Indeed, Dr. Salomon, along with Dr. Rona Novick, Azrieli’s dean, supports Azrieli students’ careers on all fronts, from tuition remission, leadership opportunities, specialized certificates in spe- cial education and literacy, and dual degree programs with several YU graduate schools, to a lifetime of mentorship and a thriving net- work of present and future teachers. For Dr. Salomon, it all comes back to education—and today, that means overcoming the new challenges of educating a post-COVID generation of children. While once upon a time students relied on teachers to relay information, teachers have become curators of in- formation, packaging and presenting it in a way that creates curios- ity. At the same time, students’ social and emotional needs have been magnified tenfold. “The definition of education has changed,” she said. “It’s about focusing on the whole child.” Nothing is more important or rewarding, Dr. Salomon said, than developing the next generation of educators. “I have that passion that my parents instilled in me, and I’m so lucky to be able to pass it on here at YU.”

Setbacks? She’s had a few, but her focus and ability to innovate have propelled her forward. In 2021, Ackerman made her 13th trip to Las Vegas for the U.S. Nationals, earning a bronze and a gold medal. Back home at Yeshiva University, where she is majoring in Jewish Studies, she’s played varsity tennis for two seasons (2020– 2022) and has been a motivating force on both the women’s and the coed table tennis teams. For Ackerman, being a role model is the other part of her win- ning equation. Her 2012 headline-making decision has left an en- during impact on her community. “I couldn’t believe the tons of emails and calls I received from other Jews—Conservative, Reform and Orthodox—letting me know how my actions motivated them to make a greater commitment to their religion,” she said. As a result, she has become a frequent guest speaker at Jewish day schools and community retreats, where she inspires others with her message. Being a person of faith in the modern world shouldn’t prevent any- one from pursuing their ambitions or breaking new barriers. With the 2024 Olympic tryouts on the horizon, Ackerman’s in- tensity, talent and commitment make her unstoppable.

To contact Ackerman for speaking engagements: emackerm@mail.yu.edu

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

A Proud Son Following in his Father’s Footsteps RABBI DR. JACOB J. SCHACTER University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought

W hen people think of Rabbi J.J. Schacter, they think of the highly respected scholar, world-renowned speaker and prolific writer who has held many distinguished professional positions, including one of the most prestigious rabbinical pulpits in the world. They also think down-to-earth, approachable and highly engaging. It is all the above that have made Rabbi Schacter a beloved teacher, adviser and mentor to his students at YU and one of the institution’s treasures. As University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought, Rabbi Schacter provides deep insight and thoughtful intellectual perspectives to help his students navigate a future for themselves as successful, knowledgeable and contribut- ing members of the Jewish and secular worlds. While he did not attend any YU schools, he infuses all of his lessons with Yeshiva University’s values. “My role is to help students at the University connect Torah and Madda [secular knowledge] and their religious commitments with their appreciation of the best of the culture around them,” he said. His students know his door is always open and that he is always available to guide them on how to negotiate their personal and professional ways as Jews in a complex world. The admiration and respect go both ways, as he greatly appreciates their intellectual sophistication and curiosity. “I feel blessed to teach them,” he said. The Bronx-bred Rabbi Schacter is the product of a broad and diverse education that includes an impressive array of distin- guished Jewish and secular institutions: Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Yeshivat Mir in Jerusalem and Mesivta Torah Vodaath, the latter from which he received rabbinic ordination. He earned his bache- lor’s from Brooklyn College and a master’s and Ph.D. from the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. It is an educational background that has enabled him to cultivate unique insights into, and perspectives on, many of today’s intellectual and practical challenges. Rabbi Schacter’s first rabbinical position was at the Young Israel of Sharon in Massachusetts. He was then named, at the age of 30, as rabbi of one of the most distinguished pulpits in the world, The Jewish Center in Manhattan, a position previously held by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm zt’’l, who later went on to assume the presiden- cy of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Lamm modeled the possibility of being a pulpit rabbi and an engaged communal leader as well as a serious academic scholar. In 2000, Rabbi Schacter became dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Institute in Brookline, Massachusetts, and in 2005, he joined YU in his current position.

It is clear that Rabbi Schacter’s professional journey has been one filled with impressive accomplishment. And yet, with his prominent positions, education, scholarly research and the many fascinating and learned people he has met along the way, he readily admits he could not have accomplished what he did alone. He cred- its his wife, Yocheved, a noted psychotherapist, for the great impact she has had on him in their over five decades of working together for the Jewish community. He was also greatly influenced by his beloved father, Rabbi Herschel Schacter zt’’l, who passed away in 2013. The senior Rabbi Schacter graduated from Yeshiva College in 1938, had the distinction of being the first person to receive rabbin- ic ordination from the revered Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (who had recently become head of YU’s rabbinical school) in 1941, and later served as an American Army chaplain in World War II. “My father was the first chaplain to enter Buchenwald, the Nazi concen- tration camp, in April 1945, and was a very proud American patriot who devoted much of his life to helping soldiers,” said Rabbi Schacter. His father’s value system and commitment to faith guide Rabbi Schacter’s life to this day. The vivid stories his father told him of his military experience and the horrors he saw firsthand continue to inspire the younger Rabbi Schacter to speak out against the scourge of Holocaust denial and the troubling increase in antisemitism. His father’s sense of duty was also evident during a visit to the Norman- dy American Cemetery and Memorial in 2014. Rabbi Schacter no- ticed the occasional Jewish star in a sea of Latin crosses on the graves, which led to his learning that hundreds of Jewish soldiers were mistakenly identified as Christians and buried under crosses. As a result, Rabbi Schacter co-founded Operation Benjamin, an in- novative organization that conducts exhaustive searches to find Jewish soldiers improperly buried and works with the army and the soldiers’ families to change the Christian markers to Jewish stars. So far, the organization, the only one of its kind, has been able to correct about 20 of these errors, although statistically, he ex- plained, there are many more. “Through my work at Operation Benjamin, I feel like I am in some small way following in my father’s footsteps.” Rabbi Schacter has successfully and seamlessly blended serious scholarship with a highly approachable personal style for his stu- dents and admirers all over the world. In innumerable ways, the heroic army chaplain and his son, the renowned scholar, have had enormous impact on the world around them, and YU is proud to have both as part of its legacy.

YU Today : Powered by Innovators, Guided by Values

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