U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, and Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University
In separate meetings in Jerusalem, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. President of Yeshiva University, met with Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel, and Isaac Herzog, President of Israel.
Yeshiva University Reaffirms Enduring Support for Israel
While 200 Yeshiva University students volunteer, study and intern in Israel this summer, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, participated in high-level meetings in Jerusalem with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. Together, they discussed rising antisemitism on university campuses, strengthening Israel- Diaspora ties and YU’s national leadership as a values-based institution with global impact. With President Herzog, Dr. Berman emphasized YU’s role in uniting global Jewish leaders after Oct. 7 through initiatives like the Coalition of University Presidents. At the U.S. Embassy, Dr. Berman and Ambassador Huckabee explored the impact of faith-based education in fostering moral leadership and building a strong, principled society. Dr. Berman also highlighted YU’s push for a second federal task force to promote values- driven academic environments. “Our students continue to answer the call of moral conscience,” he said. “They give me great confidence in the future of our people.” READ MORE
New and Notable
Wurzweiler Hosts Professional Summit In a landmark moment for the field, Wurzweiler School of Social Work hosted a groundbreaking summit uniting Jewish academics and allies to confront the rising tide of antisemitism in social work academia. Sparked by the silence and hostility many experienced after Oct. 7, the gathering offered more than just a space for solidarity; it became a catalyst for courage, connection and collective action. The July event hosted participants from universities across the country who shared powerful stories, identified troubling patterns and began shaping a long-term strategy for change. With Wurzweiler’s leadership, the summit marked a pivotal first step toward accountability, professional integrity and lasting impact. READ MORE
New and Notable
than two decades at Rutgers University, where he served as Distinguished Professor and chaired one of the nation’s most active math departments. Widely published and highly cited, Miller has received numerous NSF grants, he holds a Ph.D. from Princeton and a B.A. from UC Berkeley and has also taught at Yale. The Great Conversations Speaker Series Launches with Jonathan Haidt On September 3, Yeshiva University will welcome renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt for a conversation about his contributions to moral founda- tions theory. This event marks the launch of The Great Conversations Speaker Series with Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman , created to expose students to world-class thought leaders and foster cross-campus dialogue. The program will take place at 7 p.m. at the former Furst Hall building, Room 501, and will include a moderated discussion, followed by a Q&A session. Additional events in the series are scheduled for the fall and spring semesters.
YU Graduate School Early Assurance Program
The YU Graduate School Early Assurance Program offers a unique opportunity for college-bound students interested in early assurance into graduate-level medical, law or psychology programs at Einstein School of Medicine, Cardozo School of Law or Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. The program allows highly qualified high school students to secure a spot in one of YU’s esteemed graduate schools upon acceptance into YU’s Honors Program. YU Welcomes Renowned Mathematician Dr. Stephen D. Miller to Faculty YU welcomes renowned mathematician Dr. Stephen D. Miller to the faculty as the
Moise Y. and Chella Safra University Professor of Mathematics. A leading expert in analytic number theory, Miller comes to YU after more
Yeshiva University in Israel Opens Doors to IDF Reservists At the height of the recent conflict with Iran, Yeshiva University’s Gruss Campus in Jerusalem served as a temporary home for 80 reservists from the Pikud Haoref Battalion. Nearing the end of an extended period of active duty, the soldiers needed a place to stay during the transi- tion between completing their service and being formally discharged. Yeshiva University opened its doors to support them, offering a safe and welcoming space in a time of need. VIEW HIGHLIGHTS
YU in Israel Summer Program
Learning, Volunteering and Making an Impact YU’s Israel summer programs were a huge success, with students gaining valuable experience and conducting important research—as well as standing with Israel and its people while living YU’s values. The students also took meaningful trips together, shared meals and Shabbatonim and enjoyed evening activities including lectures, shiurim and games. In addition, the programs included powerful visits to places like Sderot and the communities of Otef Aza—seeing first- hand the resilience of the Israeli people and showing their support.
YU Israel Summer Internship Program included 35 undergraduates interning across a wide variety of fields including tech, nonprofit, education, business and health care. The students gained real-world experience but also contributed in many ways; including helping those in need and assisting companies with depleted staff due to the war in Gaza. They also participated in seminars and met with business leaders and YU alumni who gave them a deeper under- standing of Israel’s business ecosystem and valuable networking opportunities with leaders in myriad fields.
Students in YU-Bar Ilan Labs Research Program commuted daily from Jerusalem to Bar Ilan University, where they performed hands-on research in some of Israel’s top labs. Fields of study included biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, computer science and math, with students contributing to scientific progress, building their skills and forming valuable professional relationships with top Israeli researchers.
This year’s Counterpoint Israel cohort made a substantial difference throughout the country by helping farmers, picking produce and packaging food for needy families. The students helped rebuild homes near the Lebanon border that were damaged in the war with Hezbollah, and in the south of the country ran programs for teens— bringing them structure, connection and a chance to be kids again.
The Center for Israel Studies Archaeo- logical Group took part in archaeological digs in the Old City of Jerusalem, working alongside top archaeologists to uncover and understand ancient Jewish history. They also spent time in the north, exploring and learning about the Golan Heights.
Students, Faculty & Alumni
Presented at a May graduate symposium, the initiative included interactive sessions for adults aged 55–87 at New York City’s Clinton Older Adults Center, highlighting outdoor hazards, personal risk factors, assistive devices and public transit strategies. Tucci also surveyed occupational thera- pists nationally, finding 67% wanted better tools to address outdoor fall prevention, prompting her to produce an evidence- based resource sheet. READ MORE YU Names Distinguished Professors Yeshiva University has named three Distinguished Professors in 2025: Steven Fine, Ph.D. (Yeshiva College/Revel) Roee Holtzer, Ph.D. (Ferkauf) Stewart Sterk, B.A., J.D. (Cardozo) The Distinguished Professor designation is bestowed upon select Yeshiva University faculty members or public personalities who are recognized nationally or internationally for their outstanding contributions to their academic, creative or intellectual disciplines. It is an honor reserved for truly exceptional scholars whose impact resonates across disciplines and borders.
Four Cardozo Alumni Named to Top Entertainment Attorney Lists The Hollywood Reporter has recognized four Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law alumni for excellence in entertainment law. Sasha Levites ’11 and Rachel Strom ’06 appeared on the 2025 “New York’s Biggest Entertainment Attorneys” list. Levites, a partner at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, specializes in motion picture, television and digital media. Strom, a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, is known for defamation, privacy and copyright work for high-profile media outlets. Meanwhile, Marc H. Simon ’01 of Fox Rothschild and Gregory Slewett ’02 of JSSK were included among “Hollywood’s Top 100 Attorneys” for their representation of prominent talent and major production deals. READ MORE
OT Student Designs Fall-Prevention Program for Older Adults Briana Tucci, an Occupational Therapy doctorate student at Yeshiva University’s Katz School, created “Steady Steps Out- doors,” a program focused on preventing outdoor falls among older adults—a major risk area, as nearly half of community- dwelling seniors fall outside their homes.
(l-r, clockwise): Steven Fine, Roee Holtzer, Stewart Sterk
Upcoming Events
Visit yu.edu/events/all to learn more about the programs listed here.
SAVE THE DATE Yeshiva University 101st Annual Hanukkah Dinner Sunday December 7, 2025 5 p.m. Cipriani Wall Street NYC
Fall Orientation Barbeque Sunday, Aug. 24 @ 6 – 7:30 p.m. Tenzer Gardens Sy Syms Top Golf Kickoff Event Wednesday, Aug. 27 @ 8 p.m. Off-Campus All Things YU Information Session Wednesday, Aug. 27 @ 8 p.m. Online Great Conversations: Jonathan Haidt Wednesday, Sept. 3 @ 7 p.m. former Furst Hall building, Rm. 501 Wilf Campus
All Things Honors Information Session Monday, Sept. 8 @ 8 p.m. Online Akiva Concert Sunday, Sept. 14 @ 7 p.m. United Palace Theater 4140 Broadway, NYC YU Library Talk Speaking to an Empty Shul Rabbi Yehuda Halpert Tuesday, Sept. 16 @ 8 p.m. Online Women’s Open House
Mamma Mia on Broadway Thursday, Sept. 4 @ 7 p.m. Off-Campus Young Alumni Summer Social Sunday, Sept. 7 @ 4 p.m. Lincoln Square Synagogue 180 Amsterdam Ave, NYC
Sunday, Nov. 16 Beren Campus Men’s Open House Sunday, Nov. 23 Wilf Campus
Keep up with the latest YU news at yu.edu/news. Find great stories about student and faculty achievements, groundbreaking research, campus events and other articles highlighting YU’s ongoing contributions to the Jewish community and beyond.
In Memoriam S. Daniel Abraham z”l
Yeshiva University mourns the loss of beloved Honorary Trustee and Benefactor, S. Daniel Abraham, whose visionary leadership and unwavering generosity left
an indelible mark on the University. For nearly four decades as an Honorary Trustee, Mr. Abraham helped advance YU’s mission, contributing to such programs as the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program and the Honors
Program at Stern College for Women. In 1997, YU awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his transformative impact. YU extends heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Ewa, and to his children—Rebecca Gridish, Leah Pinck, Tammy Wolchok, Simi Ganz, Sarah Abraham and Sam Abraham —and their families. May his memory be a blessing, and may the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Special YU Discount Students, Staff & Alumni. Email Akiva@yu.edu for information and promo code Not Applicable for VIP Tickets
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