View from YU August 2023

2023 AUG

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, in Washington, D.C.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, with YU students studying in Israel this summer

Message From The President

My Dear Friends, Students and Colleagues,

As we begin what promises to be another remarkable year—one filled with growth, success and joy—I am so pleased to welcome you back to our campus. In every area, in our classrooms and our batei midrash (study halls), in the chesed (acts of kindness) that our students perform on campus and in communities across the globe, all that we do is informed and infused by our Core Torah Values—values that form the backbone of our mission as the world’s flagship Jewish university. These are the values that we extend to the world. We have just begun the month of Elul, the final month in the Jewish calendar, the month that connects the past year with the year to come. This is a season infused with the spirit of reflection and renewal, a time when we look back on where we have been and look forward to where we should be going. Taking an honest appraisal of where we stand today, we embark on a new year as individuals, as an institution, and as a people full of hope and aspirations. In that spirit, I invite you to enjoy this edition of the View from YU which recaps our students’ eventful summer and looks forward to a productive and meaningful year ahead. I am so grateful to be on this journey together with you. My warmest regards,

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman President, Yeshiva University

New And Notable

YU Upgrades and Expands Sephardic Beit Midrash Over the summer, Yeshiva University’s Under- graduate Torah Studies and the Office of Residence Life began construction of a new Sephardic Beit Midrash in Morgenstern Hall. The new space, which will be located in the current student lounge, will offer a more expansive environment for the growing population of Sephardic students and enable a more vibrant, meaningful and spacious Beit Midrash experience for the entire student body. As these renovations are made, Morgenstern’s current student lounge will relocate to the former Sephardic Beit Midrash area. READ MORE

Rabbi Dan Cohen, Sephardic Mashgiach, with YU students

Revel Launches Master’s Program in Jewish Studies for Christian Students In June, YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies launched a partnership with the Philos Project, a nonprofit organization that promotes positive Christian engagement with Judaism, to develop a special master’s degree program for Christian students. The students will learn about the Bible and other subjects from a Jewish perspective, deepening knowledge of the texts’ Jewish origins. The pilot class includes students from Mozambique, Texas, California, Virginia and Nebraska. READ MORE

Philos Project students with staff from Bernard Revel Graduate School

Summer Highlights

positive change in the lives of the participat- ing children.

Unforgettable Journey of Growth Providing 84 undergraduate students with the opportunity of a lifetime, YU proudly facilitated these four remarkable summer programs in Israel: READ MORE • Counterpoint: Students worked with at-risk youth in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi, engaging predominantly with children and adolescents from Ethiopian and Russian immigrant families. The YU students provided enrichment activities in the arts, dance and sports, all designed to inspire

Summer Highlights

• Summer Internship: Twenty-two YU students gained invaluable insights into the Israeli startup culture through summer internships at these Israeli companies and organizations: DLA Piper (international law), Sapir Venture Partners (venture capital), Provation Life (women’s health), The Times of Israel (journalism), Nefesh B’Nefesh (non-profit) and the Zomet Institute (researching and implementing Halacha and technological issues).

• Archaeological Fieldwork Investigation: Under the guidance of Dr. Jill Katz, professor of archaeology at YU, and Dr. Steven Fine, director of YU’s Center for Israel Studies, 10 Jewish history students embarked on an awe-inspiring journey of discovery through an archaeological dig at the base of Har Habayit—Judaism’s holiest ancient site in the heart of Jerusalem. Through this immersive experience, students connected with the ancient roots of the Jewish people, gaining a deeper under- standing of the cultural heritage that binds them to the Land of Israel.

• The Power of Research at Bar-Ilan: Thirty YU students immersed themselves in a rigorous eight-week study experience at Bar-Ilan University, conducting research and experiments in state-of-the-art labs. The program nurtured students’ intellectual curiosity and furthered their skills in critical thinking and problem-solving.

A Trip to Central America To Learn, Help and Inspire

From May 31 through June 12, a cohort of 34 YU under- graduate students participated in the Torat Adam Summer Experience (TASE) with a unique and rewarding trip to Guatemala and El Salvador. Led by Rabbi Daniel Coleman, assistant director of career advising at the Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development (SGC), the students volunteered in clinics, hospitals, and schools. The trip was arranged thanks to a partnership between the SGC and YU’s Department of Sociology, as well as through the generous support of the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs. READ MORE

Alexandra Hadge ’25S (left) at a STEM fair with Guatemalan students

Faculty & Alumni News

Wurzweiler School of Social Work Appoints Dr. Randy Magen as Dean In July, YU announced the appointment of Dr. Randy Magen as Dean of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Dr. Magen received a doctorate in

Cardozo Co-Hosts Annual Deans Leadership Academy

On June 15-16, Cardozo School of Law Dean Melanie Leslie and Scalia Law School Dean Ken Randall welcomed 90 attendees to the third annual Deans

Social Welfare and a master’s of Science in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin- Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work and brings more than

Leadership Academy. The two-day event was designed to provide guidance to new and prospective law school

deans interested in learning the basics of law school leader- ship. In addition to programming oversight from Deans Leslie and Randall, the academy featured esteemed and experienced presenters who provided attendees with expert advice on an array of valuable topics, including budgeting, financial forecasting, team management, fundraising and commu- nicating with power. READ MORE

30 years of experience in higher education, community leadership and social work. Most recently, Dr. Magen served as director of the School of Social Work at Boise State University in Idaho. He replaces Dr. Ronnie Glassman, who has served as the Interim Dean of Wurzweiler for the past 20 months. READ MORE

25-Year Reunion Brings Alumni Together in NYC and Jerusalem On Sunday, June 11, Yeshiva University’s undergraduate classes of 1995 through 1999 celebrated their 25-year reunion from Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women and the Sy Syms School of Business. The reunion was celebrated on the Wilf Campus in New York City and YU’s Israel Campus in Jerusalem. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, and Rabbi Efrem Goldberg ’97YC of the Boca Raton Synagogue addressed the gatherings. Participants had the opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy a performance by the singer-songwriter, Sam “Bodi” Bodenheimer ’97YC.

Upcoming Events

Visit yu.edu/events/all to learn more about the programs listed here.

Sunday, Aug. 27 / 3 p.m. Annual Welcome Back BBQ for all students (new and returning) with performance by Joey Newcomb, (Bussing to and from the Wilf Campus will be provided.)

FALL 2023 ORIENTATION EVENTS Wednesday, Aug. 23 / 6 p.m. Choice of a Yankee game, axe throwing, Top Golf, American Dream Mall or the Broadway shows: Six or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . Thursday, Aug. 24 / 6 p.m. Dinner for Wilf students at the Radio Hotel, with panel discussion on, “Publishing, Podcasting and Promoting: How to Tell Your Story Through Jewish Digital Media.” Speakers include Yair Rosenberg,

staff writer at The Atlantic ; Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, host of 18Forty , and Yaakov Langer, host of Inspiration for the Nation . Dinner for Beren students at Tempura NYC, with panel discussion on “From College to Calling: Making Your Personal Passion Your Profession.” Speakers include Dr. Esther Rollhaus, psychiatrist; Rachie Shnay, jewelry designer; Leah Gottfried, filmmaker; and Abbie Sophia, photographer.

For helpful information regarding the many aspects of Fall Semester Orientation visit yu.edu/orientation

YU Athletics

• Ayal Hod: Men’s basketball (1985–89) player who graduated as YU’s all-time leading scorer with 1,807 pts. • Lior Hod: Men’s basketball (1984–88) and another prolific scorer along with his brother, Ayal. • Rachel Mirsky: Women’s softball and basketball (2013–16), finishing her standout career with 11 homers and 43 RBI. • Stu Poloner: Men’s basketball (1967–69/ 1970–71), producing the highest single-season scoring average with 28.1 ppg as a senior. READ MORE

Six New Members Inducted into Yeshiva University Athletics Hall of Fame On Thursday, June 15, the Yeshiva University community celebrated the induction of six new members in YU’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The inductees included: • Stephanie Weinstein: Women’s basketball and cross country (2011–14) and a first team all-conference selection. • Jonathan Halpert: Men’s basketball (1962–66) player and then longtime head coach who won a school-record 416 games over an illustrious 42-year career.

Recipients of the Yeshiva University Athletics Hall of Fame. (l-r): Lior Hod, Ayal Hod, Stu Poloner, Jonathan Halpert, Rachel Mirsky, and Stephanie Weinstein

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