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
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