yu today fall 2011

14
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY FALL 2011 VOLUME 15 • NO. 3 YU TODAY Top-Tier Graduate Schools Accept More YU Alumni Than Ever T he new classes of 2014 and 2015 have arrived at Yeshiva University (YU) armed with personal and academic goals and a desire to succeed in whatever career path they choose. For some inspiration and encouragement, they can simply look toward YU’s current crop of students and alumni. At Stern College for Women, 30 students applied to medical school this past year, with 27 receiving offers of admission, including 17 to YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, making them eligible to apply for up to a full tuition scholarship from the Anne Scheiber Fund. Stern’s 90 percent acceptance rate to medical schools is well above the national average of 60 percent. “As the years have progressed, the number of students interested in the health fields has grown substantially, and the acceptance rate has gotten better and better,” said Dr. Brenda Loewy, who has been the pre-health advisor at Stern for close to seven years. “This reflects the high caliber of students that we are attracting, and is also indica- tive of the quality of education that they are receiving at Stern Col- lege, both in the overall curriculum and especially in the sciences.” One Stern student will be pursing a Ph.D. at Einstein in the biomedical sciences, while two others will be pursuing Ph.D.s in chemistry, one at Princeton and the other at Columbia. Thirteen out of the 14 women who applied to dental school were also offered acceptance to top schools, including Columbia, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. Yeshiva University welcomed over 600 new undergraduate students during Orientation 2011 Continued on Page 6 ç Creating Sense From Tragedy: Remembering 9/11 T hey felt helpless. Jessica Russak Hoffman, then a senior at Stern College for Women, watched the two tow- ers of the World Trade Center fall to the ground from the window of her apartment on Lexington Avenue. “One second you’re having a nor- mal morning, brushing your teeth,” she said. “The next you’re staring at the television, at the window, at the smoke, saying, ‘What do we do?’ ” Dodi-Lee Hecht heard the first plane as it roared across Manhat- tan before crashing into the South Tower. A freshman from Toronto, she turned to her new roommates, also first-timers in New York City, and joked, “If that pilot’s not careful, he’ll fly into a building.” The joke left a deep memory. “It was the kind of joke that was never going to be funny again,” she said. For students, faculty and staff of Yeshiva University on Sept. 11, 2001, those memories are as vivid today as they were a decade ago. Their experiences differ profoundly, but together they cre- ate a shared narrative of shock and futility, marked by nightmarish plumes of smoke, the constant wail of sirens, and dazed, ash-covered masses of people walking uptown to escape the calamity. “There was this terrible, over- whelming sense of fear and dis- belief,” recalled Dr. Karen Bacon, Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern College. “It was like a science fic- tion movie. A bright, sunny day was turned into one of tragedy and hor- ror, and I think for all of us it took days to internalize how things had changed.” Former students remember a city without hope, where three- hour-long lines to donate blood were suddenly dispersed because the projected casualties were all assumed dead and subway stations were wallpapered with photos of the missing. Yet, with no wounded to aid, members of the YU com- munity responded to the devasta- tion of 9/11 with the ultimate chesed shel emet (genuine kindness): They dedicated their efforts to those who perished. Rabbi Daniel Rapp, then associate dean for undergraduate Ju- daic studies at YU, was tapped to serve on the committee investigat- ing the resulting aguna (chained wife) crisis. As one of the youngest members of the Beth Din of America, his understanding of current technology, including computer Continued on Page 6 ç Interesting new facts about YU all the time. Check in often at blogs.yu.edu/news 50 years of YU and community service by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein and Rabbi Julius Berman PAGE 3 99 YU alumni who have served as Presidential Fellows PAGE 4 8 Community kollels and learning programs run by CJF across the country this summer PAGE 4 21 years Sheldon Gelman served as Wurzweiler dean, a record for social work schools in North America PAGE 5 4 YU alumni selected for Wexner Fellowships last year PAGE 6 116 YU student athletes named to the Skyline Academic Honor Roll, the most in the conference PAGE 8 September 11, 2001

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Page 1: YU Today Fall 2011

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

∞ FALL 2011

∞ VOLUME 15 • NO. 3YUTODAYTop-Tier Graduate Schools Accept More YU Alumni Than Ever

The new classes of 2014 and 2015 have arrived at Yeshiva University (YU) armed with personal and academic goals and a desire to succeed in whatever career path they choose. For

some inspiration and encouragement, they can simply look toward YU’s current crop of students and alumni.

At Stern College for Women, 30 students applied to medical school this past year, with 27 receiving offers of admission, including 17 to YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, making them eligible to apply for up to a full tuition scholarship from the Anne Scheiber Fund. Stern’s 90 percent acceptance rate to medical schools is well above the national average of 60 percent.

“As the years have progressed, the number of students interested

in the health fields has grown substantially, and the acceptance rate has gotten better and better,” said Dr. Brenda Loewy, who has been the pre-health advisor at Stern for close to seven years. “This reflects the high caliber of students that we are attracting, and is also indica-tive of the quality of education that they are receiving at Stern Col-lege, both in the overall curriculum and especially in the sciences.”

One Stern student will be pursing a Ph.D. at Einstein in the biomedical sciences, while two others will be pursuing Ph.D.s in chemistry, one at Princeton and the other at Columbia. Thirteen out of the 14 women who applied to dental school were also offered acceptance to top schools, including Columbia, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

Yeshiva University welcomed over 600 new undergraduate students during Orientation 2011

Continued on Page 6 ç

Creating Sense From Tragedy: Remembering 9/11

They felt helpless. Jessica Russak Hoffman,

then a senior at Stern College for Women, watched the two tow-ers of the World Trade Center fall to the ground from the window of her apartment on Lexington Avenue. “One second you’re having a nor-mal morning, brushing your teeth,” she said. “The next you’re staring at the television, at the window, at the smoke, saying, ‘What do we do?’ ”

Dodi-Lee Hecht heard the first plane as it roared across Manhat-tan before crashing into the South Tower. A freshman from Toronto, she turned to her new roommates, also first-timers in New York City, and joked, “If that pilot’s not careful, he’ll fly into a building.” The joke left a deep memory. “It was the kind of joke that was never going to be funny again,” she said.

For students, faculty and staff of Yeshiva University on Sept. 11, 2001, those memories are as vivid today as they were a decade ago. Their experiences differ profoundly, but together they cre-ate a shared narrative of shock and futility, marked by nightmarish plumes of smoke, the constant wail of sirens, and dazed, ash-covered masses of people walking uptown to escape the calamity.

“There was this terrible, over-whelming sense of fear and dis-belief,” recalled Dr. Karen Bacon, Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern College. “It was like a science fic-tion movie. A bright, sunny day was turned into one of tragedy and hor-ror, and I think for all of us it took days to internalize how things had changed.”

Former students remember a city without hope, where three-hour-long lines to donate blood were suddenly dispersed because the projected casualties were all assumed dead and subway stations were wallpapered with photos of the missing. Yet, with no wounded to aid, members of the YU com-munity responded to the devasta-tion of 9/11 with the ultimate chesed

shel emet (genuine kindness): They dedicated their efforts to those who perished.

Rabbi Daniel Rapp, then associate dean for undergraduate Ju-daic studies at YU, was tapped to serve on the committee investigat-ing the resulting aguna (chained wife) crisis. As one of the youngest members of the Beth Din of America, his understanding of current technology, including computer Continued on Page 6 ç

Interesting new facts about YU all the time.

Check in often at blogs.yu.edu/news

50years of

YU and community service by Rabbi

Aharon Lichtenstein and Rabbi Julius Berman

PAGE 3

99YU alumni who have served as

Presidential Fellows

PAGE 4

8Community kollels

and learning programs run by CJF across the country this summer

PAGE 4

21years Sheldon Gelman served as Wurzweiler

dean, a record for social work schools

in North America

PAGE 5

4YU alumni selected

for Wexner Fellowships last year

PAGE 6

116YU student athletes named to the Skyline Academic Honor Roll,

the most in the conference

PAGE 8

September 11, 2001

Page 2: YU Today Fall 2011

2 YUTODAY

s BLOGS.YU.EDU/NEWS FALL 2011 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/YUNEWS ß

YUTODAY ON THE WEB

www.yu.edu/news

WEB EXCLUSIVE:

ChampionsGate 2011Look at our online photo gallery, with dozens of pictures from the conference. k yu.edu/championsgate2011

k Download mobile reader at http://scan.mobi and enjoy additional web content throughout YUToday.

PLUS

11 undergrad students participate in summer research program at Einstein k yu.edu/einsteinsummer2011

Meet the fresh faces on YU’s faculty k yu.edu/newfaculty2011

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

YUTODAY

PHOTO GALLERIES

Orientation 2011Over 600 new YU students arrived on campus during Orientation 2011. To view our full photo gallery, please visit k yu.edu/orientation2011

CJF MissionsThe Center for the Jewish Future ran several worldwide service missions this summer. Check out photos from the Counterpoint Brazil program at k yu.edu/counterpointbrazil

Dr. Pava Leads New Team Forward at Syms

YU’s Syms School of Business has a new director. Dr. Moses Pava, Alvin Einbender Professor of Business Ethics and profes-

sor of accounting at Syms, is now responsible for both the undergrad-uate and graduate programs, report-ing directly to the provost’s office. Pava is the author of numerous books and articles on corporate account-ability and is an expert on Jewish business ethics. He has been with the business school since 1988, has chaired the accounting department and served as chair of the Executive Faculty Committee.

“My goal as director for the Syms School of Business is to strengthen our primary commitment to our en-ergetic, bright, ambitious and very hardworking students,” Pava said. “I view Syms as a dynamic learning-community, dedicated—first and fore-most—to preparing the next generation of highly successful Jewish business leaders and pro-fessionals in accounting, finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship.”

Michael Strauss, entrepreneur-in-residence and clinical professor of management at Syms, has been appointed associate director of student

advising and administration at the school, where he has taught business courses for several years. Strauss is currently CEO of a company he founded

several years ago, BSafe Electrix, Inc. and is also chairman of Sher-wood Consulting Group, Inc., while serving on several advisory boards.

Dr. Avi Giloni has been named associate director for academic re-search of Syms. Giloni has been with Syms since 2000 and chaired the Information and Decision Sciences Department since its inception. His research is in robust forecasting, optimization, stochastic system de-sign and their applications to sup-ply chain management. Giloni has

published papers in top-tier journals, including Management Science and the SIAM Journal on Optimization.

Syms continues to pursue accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International and recently received New York State approval for an executive MBA program. The growing Master of Science program in accounting, which has graduated its second cohort, will continue under the director-ship of Dr. Joseph Kerstein. n

Packed House for Sen. Joseph Lieberman at New Straus Center

∞ FALL 2011

∞ VOLUME 15 • NO. 3

DR. HENRY KRESSEL Chairman, YU Board of Trustees

RICHARD M. JOEL DR. NORMAN LAMM President Chancellor

YUTODAY

MAYER FERTIG YAFFI SPODEK GISEL PINEYRO Editor in Chief Editor Art Director

Bruce Bobbins, Enrique Cubillo, Zev Eleff, Norman Goldberg, Aliza (Berenholz) Peled, Peter Robertson, Tova Ross

Perel Skier, V. Jane Windsor, Matt YanivContributors

[email protected] www.yu.edu/cpa

YUToday is published quarterly by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and is distrib uted free to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends. It keeps them informed of news from across Yeshiva University’s undergraduate and graduate divisions and affiliates. The quarterly newsletter covers academic and campus life, faculty and student research, community outreach and philanthropic support. It showcases the University’s mission of Torah Umadda, the combina-tion of Jewish study and values with secular learning, through stories about the diverse achieve-

ments of the University community.

© Yeshiva University 2011 • Office of Communications and Public Affairs Furst Hall Room 401 • 500 West 185th St. • New York, NY 10033-3201 • Tel.: 212.960.5285

Stanley I. Raskas, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Yeshiva College; Shira Yoshor, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Stern College for Women; Alan Kestenbaum, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Syms School of Business; Ruth L. Gottesman, Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Leslie E. Payson, Chair, Board of Overseers, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; Froma Benerofe, Chair, Board of Overseers, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Carol Bravmann, Chair, Board of Overseers, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Miriam Goldberg, Chairman, Board of Trustees, YU High Schools; Theodore N. Mirvis and Michael Jesselson, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum.

Board listings as of September 1, 2011.

The Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought played a key role in the launch of Yeshiva University’s new academic year on Aug. 31, featuring an appearance by U.S.

Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut. The program in Lamport Auditorium drew more than 1,200 students, alumni and community members.

“I feel very much at home,” Lieberman said. “YU and the Straus Center stand for an important proposition, that our mission cannot be narrow.”

Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, the center’s director, interviewed the senator about religion in America, his historic political career and his new book, The Gift of Rest: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Sabbath.

“The center’s theme for the year will focus on Jewish ideas, faith and American democracy,” said Rabbi Soloveichik. “We will be featuring public figures whose lives relate to that theme.”

Future speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Britain’s Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, who will lecture on faith and democracy in the United States and Europe.

Rabbi Soloveichik will engage each guest in dialogue at the events, which are geared “first and fore-most to the students, but will be open to the public as well,” he said

During the year, Rabbi Soloveichik will teach a course for undergraduate honors students on Biblical ideas in American democracy and will lead a seminar for select semicha students, which looks at how Jewish ideas appear throughout America’s foundational documents and helped shape the new democracy. n

k For full coverage of the event, please visit yu.edu/lieberman

Dr. Moses Pava

Senator Joseph Lieberman

President Obama Appoints Cardozo Professor to Federal Commission

President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Professor Richard Weisberg—the Floer-sheimer Professor of Constitutional Law at Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law—to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. In this position,

Weisberg will help protect and preserve historic buildings, collections and monuments in Europe that are significant to the heritage and culture of U.S. citizens.

Weisberg has been a member of the Cardozo faculty since 1977. He received his doctorate from Cornell University and his JD from Columbia Law School, where he was an editor of the Columbia Law Review.

“An opportunity to serve in any governmental capacity is a great privilege and I’m especially pleased to serve on this commission,” Weisberg said. “Its work was designed to respect and extend the memory of Holocaust victims now in the U.S. and other interested citizens by preserving American patrimony abroad from misuse, desecration or expropriation.” n

Page 3: YU Today Fall 2011

YUTODAY 3

FALL 2011 BLOGS.YU.EDU/NEWS ßs FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/YESHIVAUNIVERSITY

RIETS to Honor Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein and Rabbi Julius and Dorothy Berman for 50 Years of Service

To hear Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein tell it, he simply “ended up being the right man at the right place at

the right time.” After entering Yeshiva University at 16, he went on to become an English professor at Stern College, later a shiur assistant to the Rav, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, and finally a maggid shiur [Torah lecturer] and head of the Gruss Institute in Jerusalem, an affiliate of Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS).

RIETS will honor 50 years of Torah and community leader-ship by Rabbi Lichtenstein and by its chairman of the board, Rabbi Julius Berman, and his wife Dorothy, at its annual dinner on Nov. 13 at the Grand Hyatt in New York—a jubilee tribute to Rabbi Lichtenstein and the Bermans.

Rabbi Lichtenstein earned his bachelor’s degree from YU, semi-cha [rabbinical ordination] from RIETS and a PhD in English litera-ture from Harvard. After serving as rosh yeshiva at YU in New York for several years, he made aliyah in 1971 to become rosh yeshiva at Yeshivat Har Etzion. He maintains a close connection to YU as rosh kollel for the Gruss Institute. He is deeply involved in educator training programs world-wide and has published extensively on Jewish life and education.

A renowned scholar, Rabbi Lich-tenstein’s teachings reflect the tradition of the Rav, who was not only his teacher but also his father-in-law. “I spent many years learning,” Rabbi Lichtenstein said. “The combination of background skills that I had made me, both for YU and for Yeshivat Har Etzion, the kind of person whom they felt they needed to promote, to develop and to inculcate learning and

an agenda for Yiddishkeit [Judaism], and to develop bnei Torah, both within the respective yeshivot and the broader community.”

Reflecting on the occasion of being honored, Rabbi Lichtenstein said he considers it a privilege to work in chinuch [education], “which satisfies a personal need, and enables one to transcend the

egocentricity and to devote oneself with genuine religious fervor to the Ribono shel Olam [Master of the Universe].”

As for RIETS today, “any observer of the beis medrash [study hall] would be impressed with the positive development of a more Torahdig [Torah-oriented] cli-mate, as regards both the ability to learn, the desire to learn, and the readiness to assume the mantle of responsibility within the Jewish world,” he noted.

Over the last 50 years, Rabbi Lich-tenstein is most proud of “having built, together with my wife [Tova, nee So-loveitchik], the wonderful family that

we have,” he said. “It is a personal ac-complishment, a social accomplishment, and a contribution—through what they are giving and will give in service of the Ribbono shel Olam in the future.”

Rabbi Berman, who currently chairs the RIETS Board of Trustees, received his bachelor’s degree from YU and his semicha from RIETS, where he was also a

student of the Rav. After graduating from New York University School of Law, he went on to hold a number of influential positions in communal affairs, including leadership roles at the Orthodox Union and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Today, in addition to his work as a partner at the law firm Kaye Scholer, Rabbi Berman is chairman of the Confer-ence on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. He took the helm of the RIETS board after the previous chairman, Judah Feinerman, stepped down in 1999.

“Yeshiva has been and remains

the core of the movement with which I proudly identify, so it stands to reason that I would ‘return home’ … and share whatever leadership talent G-d has granted me as honed by the teaching of the Rav,” he said of his appointment.

In 2002, under Rabbi Berman’s leadership, a Special Strategic Initiative Task Force was convened and eventu-

ally recommended “exceptional professional training to prepare our talmidim [students] for the cur-rent realities of the Jewish com-munity,” leading to the creation of R-PEP, the Rabbinic Professional Education Program.

Those advancements have contributed to the way RIETS students are now tracked, in one of five courses of study: pulpit, education, community and cam-pus outreach, non-profit work and hospital chaplaincy.

Alongside these changes, “RIETS continues to perform its age-old responsibility of ground-ing our musmakhim [ordained rabbis] with the spiritual and intel-lectual base upon which they can pasken [determine] the Halacha, while at the same time, equipping

them with the wherewithal to deal with the diverse situations that arise, to enable them to educate, lead and care for our people,” Rabbi Berman noted.

Reflecting on his achievements in the broader Jewish community, Rabbi Berman takes pride in having been the first Orthodox lay person elected to chair the Conference of Presidents. “To sit in the Oval Office next to President Reagan or in the Kube Palace in Cairo with [former] President Mubarak, as the representative of the total organized Jewish community in America is an experience beyond compare,” he said. n

Revel Hosts Int’l Conference In Memoriam: Rabbi Moshe Furst

Dozens of scholars from Jerusalem to Wyoming gathered on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus in July

to share research on a broad array of topics within Jewish studies. The three–day international academic conference on “Israel and the Nations: Visions and Reality” was hosted by YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

“This conference, precisely because of its breadth, high quality of participants and international scope, reflects the en-hanced role that the Bernard Revel Gradu-ate School has assumed on the global stage of Jewish studies,” said Dr. David Berger, dean and Ruth and I. Lewis Gordon Pro-fessor of Jewish History at Revel. “To add to the extremely impressive research by our veteran faculty, we have recruited younger scholars who have bolstered our research in Bible, modern Jewish history and Jewish philosophy.”

Berger served on the conference’s steering committee, along with Profes-

sors Avinoam Cohen, Hanah Kasher, Yeshayahu Maori and Yosef Rivlin. Sup-port for the conference was provided by the Mordecai D. and Dr. Monique C. Katz Fund. Over 40 scholars lectured in both Hebrew and English and presented on ancient, medieval and modern Jewish history, Bible, Jewish ethics, Jewish law, literature and Zionism.

The opening day was highlighted by Berger’s keynote address, charting the development of Jewish-Christian encoun-ters throughout history. Cohen lectured on the second day, arguing that it is possi-ble to detect early anti-Christian polemic in Talmudic literature.

Dr. Seth Ward of the University of Wyoming presented on attitudes of 20th century writers toward gentiles. “As a visiting scholar, it was a particularly welcome opportunity to spend time with academics who share both my commit-ment to Modern Orthodoxy and Judaic scholarship,” he said. n

Rabbi Moshe (Milton) Furst, the executive assistant to Dr. Samuel Belkin, Yeshiva University’s second president, passed away July 19 at the age of 88. A valedictorian of Yeshiva College in 1943 and a graduate of the Rabbi

Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1946, Rabbi Furst served the YU and RIETS communities with distinction, and was responsible for the Synagogue Campaign Division of RIETS.

In 1971, he made aliyah to Israel, in where he was served as director gen-eral in the Rabbinical Council of America’s Yeshivat HaDarom. He and his wife Batya (Beatrice, nee Bick), who predeceased him in 2005, were both deeply beloved by the members of the Rabbinic Alumni for their warmth, friendship and genuine commitment to strengthen RIETS and YU, together with mem-bers of their respective distinguished families.

“He was very devoted and a great Zionist,” said Dr. Herbert Dobrinksy, YU’s vice president for university affairs, who succeeded Furst as executive assistant. “I considered him to be my mentor, along with others here at Yeshiva, and a remarkable leader whose dedication to YU and RIETS was a source of inspiration to all who knew him.”

Heartfelt condolences are extended to his children, Zev (and Sandy) Furst, Aryeh (and Deborah) Furst, Malkah (and Dov) Cymbalista of Israel, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as to his beloved cousin, YU Trustee and Benefactor Gerald (and Violet) Furst, the son of his beloved uncle and aunt, Sol and Hilda Furst, of blessed memory, for whom Furst Hall was named during his tenure. n

Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein Rabbi Julius and Dorothy Berman

Page 4: YU Today Fall 2011

4 YUTODAY

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On the Road: Students Put YU Education Into Practice

This summer, Yeshiva University organized an array of learning and professional internship pro-grams in cities across the United States, including

Denver; Los Angeles; Teaneck; Chicago; Stamford; Atlanta; and Kansas City, MO. These internship pro-grams and kollels [intensive Torah and Talmud study programs]—ranging in length from two to six weeks—were sponsored by YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), in partnership with local congregations in participating cities.

Students in the summer kollels had the oppor-tunity to grow through rigorous Torah learning and daily shiurim [lectures] as well as to share their knowl-edge of Torah with their host communities. Students participated in formal and informal workshops with top educators, physicians and psychologists on a variety of topics that confront rabbis and communal professionals. The programs were intended to help students develop skills in public speaking, as well as to encourage shiur and drasha [sermon] development, and to allow them to experience Jewish life outside of the tristate area.

Students participating in the Chicago and Kansas City kollel programs completed internships in a variety of professions for local firms. Additionally, students led numerous community-wide social, cultural and educa-tional activities, interacting with the local community.

“Such opportunities allow our students multiple experiences as interns in professions they wish to pur-sue as careers and to realize how their knowledge and passion as lay leaders can empower communities around the world,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, David Mitzner Dean of the CJF.

One program which really made an impact on the community was the YU Kansas Summer experience, held from May 31 to June 26 in Kansas City, MO. Hosted by Congregation Beth Israel Avraham & Voliner (BIAV), the program offered participants the opportunity to integrate with the community, spending their days working at a variety of businesses and dedicating their

nights to energizing and learning Torah with the Jewish community.

On June 12, Tuvia Brander, a second-year RIETS student currently serving as a rabbinic intern at BIAV, led a group of YU students and community members on a Red Cross-sponsored Disaster Relief Mission to Joplin, MO to help residents there rebuild their city and their lives following a devastating tornado in May which killed 150 people.

“We have done more than fulfill the mitzvah of tikkun olam [healing the world],” said Tuvia Brander. “We have added to the dialogue of the community and inspired others to get involved.”

Joining Brander on the Kansas City Summer Ex-perience were YU students Baruch Cohen, Sarit Cohen,

Malkie Krieger, Asher Lindenbaum, Gabrielle Moskowitz, Mindy Sojcher and Yaakov Taubes.

“Having the [students] be part of our community for the month has been a special experience,” said Rabbi Daniel Rockoff, BIAV’s rabbi and also a RIETS graduate. “I am especially proud of the positive example they have set throughout the entire Jewish community as spirited, observant young Jews who are eager to engage the world around them.”

The students, each of whom was provided a men-tor and a host family, spent the month interning at local businesses, led a nightly beit midrash [study hall] program and organized panel discussions dealing with contemporary religious and halachic issues. n

YU students help residents rebuild in Joplin, MO

Former Presidential Fellows Find Success After YU

They work for the best financial firms and attend top medical schools. They craft programs to create leadership in Israel and coordinate national events

for handicapped children. They are rabbis, lawyers and teachers across the country. And they all have one thing in common: they are alumni of Yeshiva University’s Presidential Fellowship in University and Community Leadership.

The fellowship, founded by YU President Richard M. Joel in 2004, offers graduating students the op-portunity to effect change from within the University, putting their skills to work in departments that range from the YU Museum and the Office of the General Counsel to the Office of the President. A senior member of the department mentors each fellow during the year. Through weekly graduate courses, as well as on-site visits and other training activities, the group is exposed to multiple aspects of leadership.

While they have all moved on to the next stage in their personal and professional lives, former fellows still feel the impact of the program. On June 16, alumni from each of the seven cohorts gathered at the YU Museum for a reunion that celebrated not only their time as fel-lows, but the careers and lives they have built since.

“We wanted to bring you together to reignite the inspiration, but also to look back at where you’ve gone over these years and think about where and who you are,” said Rabbi Josh Joseph, vice president, chief of staff and director of the fellowship, addressing the fellows and noting that the program has 99 alumni.

President Joel highlighted one characteristic that all members of the fellowship shared. “You were at-tracted to this fellowship because you want to struggle with the meaning of the word ‘leadership,’” he said. “It’s

about what you see and what you make happen, not just what is.”

Alumni have used their training to secure leader-ship positions across a diverse spectrum of organiza-tions. Rebecca Stone, a 2005–06 fellow in the Office of University Life, felt the fellowship’s educational compo-

nent helped her identify and hone her strengths as she transitioned from the role of student to professional. As a fellow, Stone worked with the American Jewish World Service to develop programming for students in Honduras, and organized events to raise awareness of social justice concerns. She is currently the director of community engagement at Encounter, an organization that informs Jewish Diaspora leadership on the intrica-cies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The fellowship really set me out on this path and empowered me to get clarity about what I was pas-sionate about and where I could make a difference,” Stone said.

That empowerment is one of the fellowship’s lega-cies for many alumni, along with the development of foundational business skills and an enduring connection with senior staff who cultivate their talents.

“It was my first full-time job after college and it was helpful to have a relationship with a mentor who could guide me through those steps,” said Raffi Rosenzweig.

Rosenzweig was a fellow in the Office of Commu-nications and Public Affairs during the 2007–08 aca-demic year. He later participated in the Legacy Heritage Teacher Training Fellowship, which places fellows in Jewish day schools across the country, and facilitates study for a master’s degree in education.

As a fellow, Rosenzweig led Bible and Jewish his-tory classes at Yavneh Academy in Dallas, Texas. He began studies at Harvard Law School this fall.

Equally important to these alumni are the camara-derie and connections fostered between fellows. “The fellowship created friendships that have been with me for the last six years,” said Eli Hagler, a 2006–07 fellow in the Office of Student Affairs on the Wilf campus. “It creates a bond…. There’s a whole network of support.”

Hagler is earning his master’s degree in business management from Baruch College. After working as YU’s assistant director of undergraduate admissions, he now serves as assistant director at Yachad, where he has organized fundraising marathons and national Shabbatons. “The attention to detail, learning how to run an event and the pieces that go into it—that all came from the fellowship,” Hagler said. n

Hadassa Rubinstein, ’08–’09 fellow in the Office of the President, catches up with Ephraim Shoshani, who served as the ’09–’10 fellow in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs

Page 5: YU Today Fall 2011

s STAY CONNECTED AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNI

Joseph Bensmihen ’91YC, ’95W, the newest member of the Yeshiva College Board of Overseers, has long believed in the power of education. “My father’s motto was ‘Education is freedom,’ and it was something he

emphasized to me every day,” said Bensmihen, who is known to most of his family and friends as simply “JB.”

A native of Montreal, JB was born with spastic cerebral palsy, and doctors told his parents that their son would never walk. Fortunately, his parents never told that to JB, and never indicated that he couldn’t do anything because of his disability. “In addition to emphasizing the power of education, my dad told me I was the best every night before I went to sleep,” said JB. “Because of him, I believe it to this day.” Not only did JB walk, but the con-fidence his father instilled in him has carried him through his life and been instrumental in his success.

JB is a successful social worker and businessman in Florida who, with his wife Lisa, is co-owner and CEO of Boca Home Care Services, a private duty home healthcare agency. He is also the founder, in 2005, of Boca Home Care, a Medicare-certified home health agency. Both companies serve seniors and their families in South Florida. He is a former president of Boca Raton Synagogue; has four wonderful children, the eldest of whom will have his bar mitzvah in October; and is a kind, extremely funny and engaging person. JB also administers the David Bensmihen Charitable Foundation, named in memory of his father, which provides scholarships for deserving students.

His accomplishments started early in life. At seven years old, JB was told he had to attend a special education school, instead of the local public school, in accordance with Canadian law at the time. “I hated going to that school, which had children of all ages and with various kinds and levels of disabilities, such as deafness and being wheelchair-bound,” said JB. “I just wanted to go to the regular school my sister was attending. I knew I could keep up, and thought the law was really stupid.” Thanks to his unwavering deter-mination and confidence, the very young JB decided to tell the prime minister of Canada, then Pierre Elliot Trudeau, that the law should be changed, and so he had his father drive him to Trudeau’s office in Ottawa. “I learned then that if you walk like you know where you’re going and act like you belong, nobody’s going to bother you,” he said. He got all the way to the main office before a security guard even noticed the young visitor and tried to prevent him from entering. Hearing a commotion, the prime minister emerged to see what was going on, and when he was told what was happening, he declared, “If this young man got all the way to my office, I want to hear what he has to say.” The law was “stupid,” JB promply told the prime minister. “I was just as bold and confident at age seven as I am today,” said JB.

In just a few years, after much petitioning and struggling with government officials, he and his father succeeded in changing the law so JB could attend the mainstream school with his sister. Such ambition and determination has marked JB’s path through life. In the sixth grade, he said, he simply knew he was going to be valedictorian of his high school class, which JB saw come to fruition upon graduating Hebrew Academy of Montreal. Growing up with a strong foundation in Torah Umadda, he always knew he would attend Yeshiva University, and was further impressed when several Yeshiva College (YC) students—among them, Moshe Kranzler, director of undergraduate admis-sions at YU—came to spend a few days learning and chatting with the high school students on a retreat.

At YU, JB took advantage of every opportunity that came his way. “I was involved in many extracurricular activities, like writing for the YC

Commentator and acting with the YC Dramatics Society,” he recalled. JB’s roommate at the time and close friend to this day, Andrew Goldsmith (who also happens to be YU’s director of institutional advancement for the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and the Center for the Jewish Future), said of his inspirational one-time roommate: “Where others see obstacles, JB sees opportunities.”

After graduating YU with a degree in political science and working at a Montreal bank, JB befriended Jerry Lifschitz, a”h, who headed Cana-dian Friends of Yeshiva University. Lifschitz thought JB would make a great social worker, and insisted he attend Wurzweiler School of Social Work, with a scholarship fully funded by Canadian Friends. JB excelled at Wurzweiler, completing an advanced internship in his first year of studies, though he balked when the dean of the school suggested that he become a clinical social worker because he could empathize with a struggling patient due to his own circumstances living with a disability. “I sometimes say I don’t really care about helping or protecting people, that I just care about providing the resources to make sure that people can protect themselves,” said JB, who, in his job as CEO of Boca Home Care and court-appointed guardian for those who are vulnerable, clearly does help people every single day.

As for how he has maintained ties to YU over the years, JB said, “I have always been plugged into YU since I graduated, keeping in touch with Andy [Goldsmith] and Rabbi Kenneth Brander, who used to be the rabbi of Boca Raton Synagogue. I have supported YU over the years and when asked to become a Board member, I naturally said yes.”

In his new official YU capacity, JB is most excited to reach out to alumni and the greater Jewish community, articulating the mission of YU and letting everyone know its recent accomplishments. “People take it for granted that YU exists, thinking it was always here and always will be, but that’s not necessarily true—we need to cultivate pride in and support for YU, ensuring that everyone knows YU is improved and keeps getting better every day,” he declared. “I understand the mission of YU intimately, and am one of YU’s biggest fans—I know I can communicate the University’s importance to oth-ers who may have doubt. Eight of 10 times, when I speak with a high school student who has arguments for not attending YU, I change their minds and they end up going to YU and loving it.”

Speaking to YU students today, JB emphasizes, “[Being a student at Yeshiva] is the best job you will ever have—you’re in a risk-free environment! Try anything and everything. For instance, I don’t know why students have ‘undecided’ as their major; you can change your major numerous times, so why not try a few different things and see what you like? You’re not going to get fired or lose a big investment from trying out the different courses, activities, and opportunities that exist at YU. Don’t be ‘undecided.’ ”

“JB always viewed those who wanted to exclude him as having the real disability, and that’s been the driving force of his impressive accomplish-ments professionally, personally and in his community,” said Goldsmith.

JB may walk with a cane, but he navigates his way through his personal and professional life better than most people, and will surely be a wonderful ambassador for YU for many years to come. n

k Feel inspired by JB’s story and interested in becoming an Ambassador for YU? To become a

member of YU’s Ambassador Network and join other alumni in a wide range of volunteer opportunities

supporting our students and graduates, visit www.yu.edu/ambassadornetwork

‘Where Others See Obstacles, Joseph Bensmihen ’91YC, ’95W Sees Opportunities’

ALUMNITODAYYESHIVA UNIVERSITYFALL 2011

ALUMNITODAY 1

Page 6: YU Today Fall 2011

ALUMNITODAY

SEARCH THE ALUMNI DIRECTORY FOR CLASSMATES AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNIDIRECTORY ß2 ALUMNITODAY

1960s Pnina “Pam” (Forman) ’68S and Ya’akov “Jerrold” Aronson (MTA faculty, 1964–1968) celebrated the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Ephrayim. Mazel tov to parents Bracha and Yisroel Weinman.

Helen ’65YUHS, ’70TI and Rabbi F. Meier Brueckheimer ’63YUHS, ’67YC, ’70R, ’70F announce the birth of their grandson, Moshe Shmuel, to Orit (Tatelman) ’00S, ’02W and Rabbi Aryeh Brueckheimer ’96YUHS, ’01SB.

Sonia ’62S and Rabbi Mallen Galinsky ’61F celebrated the three b’not mitzvah of their granddaughters Leah, Miriam Devora, and Rachel Leah. Mazel tov to all the parents: Chavi and Ephraim Galinsky, Adina and Shaul Gold, and Yonat and Shimon Galinsky.

Rabbi Shmuel Goldin ’69YUHS, ’73YC, ’76F, ’76R was elected president of the Rabbinical Council of America.

Dr. William B. Helmreich ’67YC republished What Was I Thinking! The Dumb Things We Do and How to Avoid Them (Taylor Trade Publishing 2011).

The June 15, 2011 edition of Hamodia’s “Inyan” magazine featured a cover story on Dr. Elie D. Krakowski ’64YUHS, ’68YC in his diplomatic role as an

expert in Afghanistan both as a high Pentagon official and with his consulting firm, EDK Consulting.

Tova and Azrieli Dean David Schnall ’65YUHS,’69YC,’72R,’72BR announce the birth of their grandson, Yisrael Moshe, born to Yonina ’02YUHS, ’07S, ’09A and Avi Lermer ’02YUHS.

Rabbi David Shapiro ’65YC, ’68BR, ’68R and Rabbi Jon Bloomberg ’69YC, ’74R were honored at the Maimonides School farewell reception as each concludes their Maimonides career and prepares to make aliyah.

Deena (Sigler) ’63S and Dr. Auri Spigelman ’58YUHS, ’62YC announce the engagement of their grandson, Shaul Edelman, to Temima Bracha Cohen. Mazel tov to parents Sarah and Moshe Yaakov Edelman and Simma Leah and Avraham Cohen.

Anita (Presler) ’63YUHS and Rabbi Stuart Tucker ’65YC, ’69F, ’69R and Sara and Yosef Spitz announce the birth of their grandson, David Nachman, to Tirtza and Evyasaf Tucker.

1970s

Miriam and Rabbi Aharon Adler ’74YC, ’76BR, ’77R celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Moriya, to Yair Ariel.

Joanne ’75S and Rabbi Kenneth Auman ’71YUHS, ’75YC, ’75BR, ’78R announce the marriage of their son, Zvi, to Miriam Shirah Davis.

Shulamith (Predmesky) ’73YUHS, ’02A and Rabbi Joel Cohn ’73YUHS, ’77YC, ’80R announce the birth of their grandson, Doniel Yechiel, to Elana and Yossi Cohn ’96YUHS, ’00YC.

Bryna (Greenberg) ’71S and Paul Epstein announce the birth of their grandson, Meir Yeshurun, to Neta and Aharon Epstein.

Bonnie ’75YUHS and Steve Farkas announce the birth of their granddaughter. Mazel tov to parents Michelle and Dr. Josh Arbesman.

Ruthie ’72YUHS and Ahituv Gershinsky ’71YUHS, ’75YC, ’77W announce the birth of their grandson, Peleh, to Bat-Chen and Hannanel Gershinsky.

Nancy ’71S and Rabbi Kenneth Hain ’69YC, ’78R announce the birth of their grandson.

Dr. Martin Jacobs ’79F retired after 42 years as an associate professor of counseling from the City University of New York (Brooklyn College, 1970–1979, and Queensborough Community College, 1980–2011). His wife, Dr. Ruth Jacobs, recently graduated from St. John’s University with her EdD degree after retiring from the NYC Department of Education. They also announce the birth of their grandson, Samuel Jacob, to Alana and Malcolm.

Rabbi Ari Kahn ’78YUHS, ’83YC, ’86R, ’89BR published Echoes of Eden: Insights into the Weekly Torah Parshiot (Gefen Publishing House, 2011).

Judy (Miller) ’76YUHS, ’80S and Jay Kalish ’79YC, ’82C announce the birth of two granddaughters, Haleli Ahava, born to Yael and Gavriel Kalish, and Rachel Hodaya, to Leora and Yonatan Halperin.

Dr. Bernie Kastner ’78YC has begun a new bimonthly column in the 5 Towns Jewish Times on the subject of Olam Habba [the afterlife]. The articles can be accessed online at www.5tjt.com.

Amy (Herskowitz) Katz ’72YUHS, ’76S, ’78W was appointed executive director of Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE).

Judy (Yehudit) ’78YC and Irwin “Itzhak” Kotler announce the birth of their grandson. Mazel tov to parents Ranit and Ariel Kotler.

Penina (Reich) ’72TI and Rabbi Joel Kutner ’60YUHS, ’68YC, ’71R, ’72F announce the birth of their 11th grandchild, a daughter, Elah, to Yael and Amnon Kutner. Elah is the great-grandchild of Chaya and the late Zvi Reich ’79W, the founding director of Camp Morasha.

Ruth (Frank) ’69YUHS, ’73S, ’75F, ’92A and Elchanan “Charles” Lipshitz ’67YUHS, ’71YC, ’75F, ’76R announce the birth of a granddaughter, Chibat Sarah, to Elana and Elyasaf Shweka.

Malka and Rabbi Saul Mashbaum ’70YC, ’73R announce the birth of their grandsons, Yechezkel Shlomo to Dvora and David Mashbaum, and Yedidya Asher to Yocheved and Yehonatan Schreier.

Dr. Natan Ophir (Offenbacher) ’74YC announces the birth of his fifth grandson, Yehonatan Moshe Ophir.

Nava Rephun ’76W presented a program sponsored by Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, NJ, on the topic “Enhancing Marriage: From Good to Great.” Rephun is a licensed clinical social worker and certified Imago Relationship Therapist who works with couples and individuals in her NYC private practice and conducts workshops in the United States and Israel.

Judith and Dr. Alon Stern ’74YC announce the birth of their granddaughter, Carmel, to Dikla and Zvika Weiss and the marriage of their son, Liran Shlomo, to Yonit Weiss. Mazel tov to Yonit’s parents, Miriam and Dr. Shimon Weiss.

Brenda and Rabbi Dr. Elihu Turkel ’72YUHS, ’76YC, ’79R, ’84F announced the birth of their grand-daughter, Lielle Sima,

to Dahlia ’04YUHS and Nathaniel Jacob.

1980s

Erica Brown ’88S published In the Narrow Places: Daily Inspiration for the Three Weeks (OU Press/Maggid Books, 2011).

Rabbi Neil Fleischmann ’84YC, ’92R, ’96W published In the Field: A Collection of Haiku (Lulu.com, 2011).

Rabbi Mark Gottlieb ’87YUHS, ’90YC, ’94R received the Kesser Shem Tov Award at the Yeshiva University High Schools Annual Dinner of Tribute on May 3, 2011. Rabbi Gottlieb, who served as head of school at YUHSB/MTA from 2005–2011, was recently named senior director at the Tikvah Fund.

Joseph “Yossi” Huttler ’87YC published Lakol Z’Man: A Poetical Journey Through the Jewish Calendar. E-mail Huttler at [email protected] to learn more.

Peninah and Rabbi Maury Kelman ’87YC, ’93R announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Bracha.

Dr. Michelle J. Levine ’87BR, Stern College associate professor of Bible, was voted Professor of the Year for Jewish Studies by the Stern College senior class.

Rebecca (Stillman) ’84YUHS and Moshe Linzer ’84YUHS, ’87YC celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Aderet, to Yehonatan Shatz.

Dr. Batya L. Ludman ’84F, a clinical psychologist and Jerusalem Post columnist, published her book Life’s Journey: Exploring Relationships, Resolving Conflicts (Lambda Publishers/Urim Publications, 2011).

Rebecca and Rabbi Nahum Spirn ’87YC, ’90BR, ’90R celebrated the bar mitzvah of their son, Eliyahu Shimon. Mazel tov to grandparents Regina and Rabbi Charles Spirn ’47YC, ’51R.

Sheryl and Rabbi Michael Susman ’83YC, ’86R, ’86A announce the birth of a grandson, Ya’Are, to Tamar and Tsuriel Edri and the birth of a granddaughter, Rut, to Elisheva and Izik Dahan.

Laura and Rabbi Neal Turk ’80YC, ’83A, ’83R announce the birth of their grandson, Eliezer Tzvi. Mazel tov to parents Talia and Yitzy Turk.

Tamar and Dr. Moshe Weber ’89YC celebrated the bar mitzvah of their son, Eli.

YOUR NEWS IS OUR NEWS!

Class Notes is where YU celebrates the milestones and accomplishments of its alumni. In this section, you can catch up on everything your classmates have been up to over the years, from marriages and births to professional and personal achievements.

Submit your class note by e-mailing [email protected] with the subject line “Class Notes,” or by visiting www.yu.edu/alumni to complete the online form. We hope that you enjoy reading about your fellow alumni and friends, and we look forward to hearing about your achievements.

1940s Miriam and Rabbi Dr. Bernard Rosensweig ’47YC, ’50R, ’70BR celebrated the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Elisha Meir. Mazel tov to parents Debbie ’77S, ’80C and Judah Rosensweig ’77YC, ’80C.

1950s Susan ’59YUHS and Rabbi Aaron Fruchter ’57YUHS, ’61YC, ’63BR, ’63R announce the birth of their granddaughter, Aviva Rachel, to Miriam and Josh Fruchter ’90YC.

Sarah (Lebowitz) ’55YUHS, ’58TI and Rabbi Hersh Moshe Galinsky ’51YUHS, ’55YC, ’58R celebrated the bar mitzvah of their grandson, Yaacov Daniel. Mazel tov to parents Chaya and Aviad Sasson.

Rabbi Joseph Harris ’53YC, ’57W received the Allan Weissglass Distinguished Leadership Award during a gala affair at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Staten Island.

Rabbi David Hartman ’54R published The God Who Hates Lies: Confronting & Rethinking Jewish Tradition (Jewish Lights Publishing, 2011).

Debra ’58S, ’80W and Rabbi Dr. Sol Roth ’48YC, ’50R received the Jewish Continuity Award at the Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE) East gala in recognition of their tremendous contribution to the Jewish community.

Rabbi Melvin Sachs ’56YUHS, ’60YC, ’62R, ’85A was honored at the Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway’s Annual Breakfast on May 22, 2011 with a Lifetime Rabbinic Achievement Award for his work as a chaplain at Rikers Island, a pulpit rabbi and educator. Ora and Rabbi Melvin Sachs also announce the birth of their granddaughter, Shira Gittel Barg, to Esther and Daniel Barg.

Shoshana and Rabbi Hershel Schachter ’58YUHS, ’62YC, ’67R announce the birth of their granddaughter, Hila, to Yehudis and Akiva Posen; the bar mitzvah of twin grandsons, Elisha and Ezra, to Aliza and Moshe Heching; and the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter, Hadas, daughter of Aviva and David Engelmayer ’92YC.

CLASSNOTES

Page 7: YU Today Fall 2011

ALUMNITODAY

NIGHT OF FASHIONAND GLAMOUR

NOVEMBER 8, 2011

Join us again this year for an exciting evening of fashion

and fun to benefi t the scholarship program at Stern.

Glitz, Glamour and Giving—this stylish night will have it all!

For more information, please call 212.960.5422

or visit yu.edu/sternfashionshow2011

Stern College For Women Hosts Third Annual

SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND AT WWW.YU.EDU/ONLINEGIVING ß ALUMNITODAY 3

RIETS SHAVUOS YARCHEI KALLAH (JUNE 7–9, 2011)

m 600 alumni and friends enjoy Shavuos at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in Kerhonkson, NY, and participate in a Havdalah ceremony led by Hillel Davis ’72YC,

’75R, ’75BR

ALUMNI NIGHT AT THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC (JUNE 29, 2011)

m Ora and Melvin S. Sachs ’56YUHS, ’60YC, ’62R, ’85A prepare to hear the music of “Tchaikovsky and Other Romantics”

m Daniel Somech ’11SB outside of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center

o Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger ’77YC, ’79R, lectures on “The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Does Refraining From Holding Certain Events During Certain Times Have Any Halachic Basis?”

SUMMER LECTURE SERIES FEATURING RABBI YAAKOV NEUBURGER (JULY 12, 2011)

m (l–r) Yeshiva College Board of Overseers chairman Stanley Raskas

’65YC, ’69R, ’69BR, Yeshiva University Board of Trustees member and chair of the Real Estate Committee Joshua Muss ’58YUHS, ’62YC and Yeshiva College Board of Overseers member Lawrence Askowitz ’87YC

“CHANGING WORLD—WHAT’S NEXT FOR REAL ESTATE?” YU WALL STREET REAL ESTATE EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BERNSTEIN GLOBAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT (JUNE 23, 2011)

m Glen Kunafsky and Mark Schlossberg ’97SB

o (l–r) Rebecca Hedaya ’08S, Yeshiva College Board of Overseers member Lawrence Askowitz ’87YC and Martin Kessler

m (l–r) Moderator Michael Stoler and panelists Bradford Klatt, Brahm Cramer, Jeffrey Barclay, Ralph Herzka and Richard Born

m Co-chairs of YUWSG Evelyn Havasi Stavsky ’82S, ’85C and Lawrence Askowitz ’87YC

Nowhere but

here.

The Annual Fund supports YU’s values and mission of Torah Umadda

This fall YU welcomed to its campus more than 600 new students from around the country and the world. These students come to YU to prepare for successful careers and experience a true sense of community. Whether from Los Angeles, Boca Raton, Houston, Chicago, Silver Spring, Teaneck, Woodmere, or New York, at YU they will all be part of one community that melds a first -rate secular education with the values of an integrated life based on Torah. Nowhere but at YU is the commitment to the values and mission of Torah Umadda greater. Your gift will provide the critically needed funds to ensure that YU maintains its excellence including small class sizes, outstanding faculty, a rich array of student programs and career planning services.

Visit yu.edu/onlinegiving or call 212.960.5422 to make your gift today.

Annual Fund Committee:Joseph Bensmihen ’91YC, ’95W, Boca Raton, FL Adam Berner ’90SB, ’94R, ’94C, New Milford, NJSaul Burian ’88YC, New York, NY Barry Diner ’90YC, Houston, TX Benzion Fuchs ’83YUHS, ’87YC, Woodmere, NY Laura Goldman ’90SB, Silver Spring, MD Joy Sklar ’93S, Bergenfield, NJSusan Ungar, MD ’87S, New York, NY Steven Usdan ’89YUHS, ’92YC, Los Angeles, CA

Page 8: YU Today Fall 2011

ALUMNITODAY

4 ALUMNITODAY s WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS FOR PROGRAMMING IN YOUR REGION. CONTACT ILLANA FEIGLIN AT [email protected] OR 212.960.5247.

THIRD ANNUAL ANNE SCHEIBER SCHOLARS BRUNCH (AUGUST 21, 2011)

m (l–r) First–year medical students at Einstein, Estee Mizrachi ’11S, Faye Burekhovich ’11S, Rebecca Weiss ’11S

k (l–r) Shoshana Gilbert ’10S, Aviva Ginsburg Berkowitz ’10S, Nechama Grunsweld Ackerman ’09S and daughter Ashira

m (l–r) Ahuva Freilich ’11S, Sarah Ariella Reinstein ’10S, Batya Matla Herzberg ’10S, Jenny Ariella Deluty ’10S and Hadassa Klerman ’11S

m Reena Gottesman ’09S and son Netanel Moshe

YU TORAH MITZION KOLLEL OF CHICAGO’S SUMMER EVENT AT THE LINCOLN PARK ZOO (AUGUST 28, 2011)

m Beverly and Ira Piltz ’95YC m Yossi ’86YC and Gina Gottesman ’86S

BEREN CAMPUS ORIENTATION DINNER (AUGUST 29, 2011)

m Guest speaker Grace Charles ’09S and fellow alumnae Orli Haken ’11S, Michal Jaff ’11S, Shoshana Balk ’11S, Adina Poupko ’11S, Esty Rollhaus ’05YUHS, ’10S and Tami Adelson

’11S attend the 2011 Beren Campus Orientation Dinner

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY AND DELUXE KOSHER TOURS

PRESENT

PANAMA ADVENTUREJANUARY 19–29, 2012

Panama, known as ‘the Bridge of the World’, is a country where man-made wonders perfectly compliment natural wonders. With its biodiversity and its captivating natural beauty, rich culture, ample recreational facilities, well-organized infrastructure and modern amenities, Yeshiva University and Deluxe Kosher Tours promise you a complete luxury leisure package. The friendly approach of Deluxe Kosher Tours will make your vacation this winter to Panama a wonderful experience complimented by the scholarship of Yeshiva University’s top faculty.

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR: • A specially designed sightseeing program to include visits to the colonial ruins of Panamá Viejo, and Casco Antiguo.

• A visit to Miraflores Locks on the infamous Panama Canal offering the best view of the locks at work.

• Activities exploring rain forests, relaxing on the Pacific Coast beaches and enjoying magnificent sunsets.

• Panama City Tour visiting key tourist attractions as you learn about Panama’s significance throughout history. A story of Spanish colonization, pirate attacks, independence from Spain and later Colombia and the construction of the Panama Canal.

• Three Kosher meals daily, Shabbat programs, and related lectures by a YU faculty member and scholar

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!

For more information about this opportunity, please contact: Dorit Roth Deluxe Kosher Tours 800.953.1531 [email protected]

THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI AFFAIRS

IS TRYING TO LOCATE ALUMNI WITH WHOM WE’VE LOST TOUCH.TO DO THIS, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

•Foreverygraduatethatyouidentify (andisconfirmed),youwillbeinthe runningtowingreatprizes!

Arecentwinnerreceivedtwo round-tripticketssponsoredby ELALIsraelAirlines.

•Onceconfirmed,thelostgraduate, too,willbeenteredtowinaprize.

GET STARTED TODAY!

VisitYUAlumniFindertodayatyu.edu/AlumniFindertostartsearchingforalumniyouknow.

YUALUMNI FINDER

Page 9: YU Today Fall 2011

s FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/YUALUMNI AND LINKEDIN YU.EDU/ALUMNI/LINKEDIN ALUMNITODAY 5

1990s Miriam ’99S and Rabbi Ely Bacon ’92YUHS, ’97YC, ’99A, ’00R announce the birth of their son, Yitzchak Doniel, named for his great grandfather, the late Isaac Bacon, dean of Yeshiva College from 1959–1977. Mazel tov to grandparents dean of Stern College for Women Dr. Karen Bacon ’64S and Dr. Stephen Bacon ’64YC.

Moran and David Beker ’94YC, ’94W announce the birth of their daughter, Ayala Devora.

Joseph Bensmihen ’91YC, ’95W was appointed to the Yeshiva College Board of Overseers. Bensmihen is the current CEO and owner

of Boca Home Care Services (1998), Boca Home Care (Medicare–2005) and was appointed National President of Private Care Association in 2010.

Ariella and Rabbi Yaacov Ellish ’91YC, ’96A, ’96R of Moshav HaZore’im announce the birth of their daughter, Miriam Esther. Mazel tov to grandparents Lea and Dr. Daniel Hain ’61YUHS, ’66YC.

Rabbi Efrem Goldberg ’97YC, ’01R delivered the April 5, 2011 invocation before the United States House of Representatives.

Hila ’95A and Rabbi Meir Goldwicht announce the marriage of their son, Elyada, to Leora Lichtenstein.

Dr. Patricia Goodman ’94F, ’99F introduced Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at the Westchester Parenting Center that she founded in 2006. PCIT is an evidence-based treatment that helps parents build more positive relationships with their children and teaches effective behavioral management techniques.

Greg Haber ’95YC, ’98C was promoted to National Director of Business Development at the Garden City Group, Inc. (GCG). Haber will be spear-heading all of GCG’s

business development activities for both class action and bankruptcy matters.

Devorah (Newman) ’97S and Tzvi Harow ’94YUHS, ’98SB announce the birth of their daughter, Nofet Maya.

David Hazony ’94YC, ’94BR published The Ten Commandments: How Our Most Ancient Moral Text Can Renew Modern Life (Simon and Schuster, 2010).

Rabbi Benjamin Kelsen ’94YC, ’97C, ’00R was appointed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and confirmed by the NJ Senate to be a judge of the Palisades Interstate Park Municipal Court. Judge Kelsen continues to represent clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions, estate planning (halachic wills), conflict resolution, commercial litigation, beis din, general, and special counsel services.

Yocheved and Rabbi Elly Krimsky ’91YC announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Chavivah.

Andrea and Nicolas Muzin ’97YC announce the birth of their son.

Dina and Rabbi David Rabhan ’89SB, ’92R announce the birth of their daughter, Sophia Rivka.

Yeshiva College Professor Rabbi Eliezer Schnall ’95YUHS, ’00YC, ’02F, ’03R, ’06F co-authored “The 15 Minute Hour: Practical Psychotherapy for Primary Care,” a chapter in Primary Care: The Art and Science of Advanced Practice Nursing (F.A. Davis Company, 2011).

Dr. Chani (Pearlman) ’90YUHS, ’94S and Jason Schwartz ‘93SB announce the birth of their son, Uriel Eitan.

Ellen (Payne) ’91S, ’94A and Rabbi David Solomon ’90YC, ’94R announce the birth of their son, Moshe Tzvi.

Lauren “Shoshana” Stein ’98YUHS, ’02S married Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz ’09BR.

Rubin M. Stone ’92SB was promoted from corporate controller to vice president of finance and corporate controller for the Topps Company in NYC.

Sarah ’91S and Kenneth Wagner ’82YC celebrated the bat mitzvah of their daughter, Meira Leah Wagner.

Rachel (Israel) ’90YUHS, ’98C and Isaac Zetooney announce the birth of their son, Michael Benjamin on February 18, 2011.

2000s Sara and Rabbi Yaron Barach ’05YC, ’08R, ’09A announce the birth of their daughter, Leah Rivkah.

Sarah ’09S and Jeremy Baran ’06YC, ’10A announce the birth of their daughter, Ahuva Meira. Mazel tov to grandparents Brenda and Rabbi Chaim Bronstein ’66YUHS, ’70YC, ’72R, ’73BR.

Joseph Becker ’04 YC published The Spider and the Ant: A Philosophical Tale of Man’s Reason and Experience (Imaginarium Press, 2011), available on www.jrbecker.com and amazon.com.

Gigi ’09S and Rabbi Dovi Bergman ’07YC announce the birth of their son, Elisha.

Yonina ’00S and Rabbi Etan Berman ’02YC, ’05R announce the birth of their daughter, Shifrah.

Yehuda Bernstein ’10YC, Mijal Bitton ’10S, Simcha Gross ’10YC and Shlomo Zuckier ’10YC have all been selected as Wexner Graduate Fellows for their past achievements and promise as future Jewish leaders. Wexner Graduate Fellowships are awarded to 20 outstanding individuals who seek to prepare themselves through graduate training for careers in the cantorate, Jewish education, Jewish professional leadership, Jewish studies, and the rabbinate.

Caroline Sarah ’00SB and Rabbi Dr. Eytan M. Cowen ’11R announce the birth of their son, Efrayim Menashe.

Ora ’07S, ’10W and Rabbi Michael Davies ’07SB, ’09R announce the birth of their daughter, Chana.

Yacov Farkas ’10SB married Hannah Chornock. Mazel tov to parents Bonnie ’75YUHS and Steve Farkas.

Ayelet ’06S and Ari Feder ’04SB announce the birth of their daughter, Chava Esther. Mazel tov to grandparents Charlene ’68YUHS and Rabbi

Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg ’69YC, ’74R, ’74F, ’92A and Soshie ’80C and Elliot Feder ’69YUHS.

Leah (Lubetski) ’00S and Ari Feldman ’00SB announce the birth of their daughter, Aliza Tamar, born in London on March 26, 2011. Mazel tov to grandparents Ann ’72S and Rabbi Eliot Feldman ’72YC, ’75R and Edith ’68BR and Dr. Meir Lubetski and siblings Talia, Ilan and Atara.

Rabbi Ezra Frazer ’01YC, ’04A, ’05R, ’05BR married Azadeh Refah.

Jennifer (Novick) ’07S and Yehuda Gelberger ’08SB announce the birth of their son, Zachary Philip.

Shoshana ’07S and Yitzi Genack ’08YC, ’11R announce the birth of their son. Mazel tov to grandparents Sarah and Rabbi Menachem Genack ’65YUHS, ’69YC, ’73R and Helen and Yeshiva College Board of Overseers member Emanuel Adler ’72YUHS, ’76YC.

Stephanie ’09S and Mordechai Gershon ’07YC, ’11A announce the birth of their daughter, Sara Rivka.

At the May 2011 NYU School of Law convocation, Moshe Goldfeder ’07YC, ’11R was awarded the Chuna David and Rose Estreicher Memorial

Prize for the law student who has shown the greatest promise in the study of issues confronting the Jewish/Israeli people.

Dr. Rena ’98S, ’01F, ’05F and Avi Goldin ’95YUHS, ’99SB, announce the birth of their daughter. Mazel tov to grandparents Barbara ’76S and Rabbi Shmuel Goldin ’69YUHS, ’73YC, ’76F, ’76R and Harriette ’67S and Willy Moses.

ATTENTION ALUMNIGET LINKED WITH THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER

YU CareerLink | YU InfoLink www.yu.edu/cdc

Learn how to leverage the CDC for your professional development or support students and fellow alumni with their career aspirations.

Contact the Career Development Center

Wilf 90 Laurel Hill Terrace 212.960.5400ext.5033

Beren 215 Lexington Avenue 5th Floor 917.326.4869

[email protected]

MEE

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BECOME A PART OF THE YU

NETWORKS!PROFESSIONAL

Join the YU Wall Street Group, YU Real Estate

Group and the YU Accounting and Financial

Planning Network to interact with colleagues and

fellow alumni, attend panels and hear from industry

experts, earn essential CPE credits while learning

from top advisors, identify job opportunities and

mentor YU students interested in your fi eld.

To learn more about these groups, e-mail:

YU Wall Street Group k [email protected]

YU Real Estate Group k [email protected]

YU Accounting and Financial Planning Network k [email protected]

Faygie ’02S and Jay Hellman ’01YC announce the birth of a boy. Mazel tov to grandparents Rochel ’72S and Rabbi Moshe Bomzer ’75R, ’75BR and Leona and Rabbi Chaim Zev Bomzer ’45YUHS, ’48YC, ’51BR, ’51R, ’84F.

The 2010 Bnei Akiva Schools Toronto annual newsletter recognized Michael “Micha” Hershkop ’10YC for his emer-gency relief

services as an ambulance technician in serving the victims of the Carmel forest fire. Micha shared that a key reason he is an ambulance technician is because, “it allows me to personify the lessons of Torah.”

Elisheva (Ginsburg) ’99S and Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky ’00YC, ’03R, ’06A, ’09W announce the birth of their daughter, Bracha. Mazel tov to grandparents Sandy and Rabbi Alan Kalinsky ’69YUHS, ’73YC, ’76R, ’77F.

Naomi ’04S, ’06W and Rabbi Eli Kohl ’06YC, ’08R announce the birth of their daughter, Elana Ora.

Ariella and Sammy Landa ’09Y announce the birth of their son, Naftali Aryeh Landa.

Chaviva ’11S and Yair Libin ’10YC announce the birth of their son, Jamie Abraham Libin.

Babette Marciano ’03S was featured in a solo art show titled “Pop Up Gallery” on May 5, 2011.

Lavie Margolin ’02SB has been quoted for his career coaching expertise in numerous media articles including: “Long-Term Unemployed

Shunned by Employers” in the New Pittsburgh Courier; “How to Succeed at Job Fairs” in AOL Jobs ; “Top Ten Ways to Blow the Job Interview” and “How to Gather References for Tech Jobs” in The Wall Street Journal; and “Job Interview Horror Stories” on “CBS MoneyWatch.”

Houston’s May 19 edition of the Jewish-Herald Voice highlighted Torah Letzion, an organization that helped raise over $130,000 for student scholarships to study in Yeshivot or seminaries in Israel. Torah Letzion was started in 2008 by Michael Adler ’10YC, Yoni Bardash ’12YC, Rachey Berkowitz ’11YC, Corey Fuchs ’08YUHS, ’13YC, Jason Jacobs ’10SB, Marc Merrill ’10YC, Estie Neff ’11YC, Chana Salomon ’11YC and Daniel Sherman ’11YC.

Rebecca Miller ’10S received a research scholarship for a Master of Science in pharmacology at the University of Toronto.

Rebecca ’06F, ’10F and Rabbi Elie Mischel ’03SB, ’06BR, ’07C, ’07R announce the birth of their daughter, Aderet Raaya.

Dr. Denise Sandole ’11F received the American Psychological Association 2011 Division 56 Award for Outstanding Dissertation in the

field of trauma psychology for her dissertation, “Trauma Transforms: Female Survivors of the Rwandan Genocide.”

Rebecca ’04S, ’06W and Rabbi Ariel Schochet ’03SB, ’06A, ’06R announce the birth of their son, Avraham Menachem Schochet. Mazel tov to grandparents Miriam (Furst) ’70YUHS and Lenny Halstuch, and Shelley (Lipschitz) ’76S and Stuart Schochet ’70YUHS.

Lisa and Rabbi Yehuda Septimus ’00YC, ’03R announce the birth of their daughter, Gila Yael.

President Richard M. Joel selected Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik ’02YC, ’03R to serve as director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought.

Esther ’05S and Rabbi Elon Soniker ’05SB, ’08R, ’11A announce the birth of their daughter, Elisheva Beila.

The Jewish Week featured several YU alumni in their annual “36 Under 36” section profiling Jewish leaders under the age of 36. Among the honorees were Rabbi Jeremy Stern ’07YC, ’09A, ’10R who was recognized for his work as the executive director of the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot (ORA) and Uri Westrich ’09YC as the music video director for the Maccabeats, YU’s male a capella group.

During the week of May 9, 2011, the City of New York celebrated “Project Sunshine Week,” recognizing the nonprofit organization that Joseph “Joe” Weilgus ’00SB founded in a dorm room at Yeshiva University in 1998. The week received proclamations from both the New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Project Sunshine brings over 10,000 volunteers who provide free educational, recreational, and social programs to over 60,000 children facing medical challenges and their families in 150 major cities across the United States and in five international satellite sites.

Rabbi Matan Wexler ’05SB, ’09A, ’09R and Yaffi Spodek ’08S, editor of YU Today were married.

Frieda and Pablo Zamoszczyk ’08SB announce the birth of their son.

In Memorium Rabbi Melvin Amos Bunim ’50YC, ’50RBernard A. Finkelstein ’39YCRabbi Albert B. Hollander ’45YUHS, ’49YC, ’52R Dr. Vera Hornstein ’98FRobert Kurtzman ’50YC, ’55WDr. Irwin Smalleiser ’59FStanley Sobolofsky ’64YC

CLASSNOTES

Legend for school abbreviations:

A: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration • BR: Bernard Revel Graduate School • BS: Belfer Graduate School of Science • BZ: Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music • C: Cardozo School of Law • E : Albert Einstein College of Medicine • F: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology • R: Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • S: Stern College for Women • SSB: Syms School of Business • TI: Teacher’s Institute • W: Wurzweiler School of Social Work • YC: Yeshiva College • YUHS: Yeshiva University High Schools

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Dean Gelman Retires from Wurzweiler

Some 40-plus years ago, Dr. Sheldon Gelman was starting what he envisioned would be a long and fulfilling career as a social worker, providing counseling and services to handicapped children at an agency in Central Pennsylvania. As part

of his work, he was also asked to help supervise a group of social work students from nearby Penn State University.

“I must have done a good job, because I was then invited to join the Penn State faculty,” Gelman said. “So getting into academia was a total fluke.”

What hasn’t been a fluke has been Gelman’s unparalleled success over the past 21 years as the dean of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Indeed, when he stepped down from the Dorothy and David I. Schachne Deanship in September to return to research and teaching, he was the longest tenured dean of a social work school in North America.

“The length of my tenure is certainly unusual,” said Gelman. “The average term of service for a social work school dean is about five years, so I’ve quadrupled that. What can I say? I’ve loved the job.”

And the students, faculty and alumni—not to mention his many peers in the social work profession—love him. In his honor, YU has established the Dr. Sheldon R. Gelman Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarship support for future generations of social work students.

Recently, the New York State Assembly issued a proc-lamation in Gelman’s honor and he has received an official letter from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg rec-ognizing his service. He was also presented with awards from the Latino Task Force of the National Association of Social Workers and New York City Children’s Services.

“For nearly a quarter of a century, Dean Sheldon Gelman has nurtured, sustained and advanced Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work into a force for good, the impact of which is felt around the world,” said YU President Richard M. Joel. “With passion and commitment, Dean Gelman has championed the nobility of his profession and sent forth thousands of students to serve humanity.”

Dr. Norman Linzer, the Samuel J. & Jean Sable Professor of Jewish Family Social Work at Wurzweiler, noted that Gelman raised the stature and reputation of Wurzweiler, “so much so that at a recent site visit by the Council on Social Work Educa-tion we were told we were the best school in the country,” he said. “Such an achieve-ment attests to the spirit of gevurah [heroism] with which he has endowed this school. In his own quiet, self-effacing way, he took a very good school and made it a great one.”

Gelman said he is “profoundly moved” by the outpouring of support in his honor,

and noted that his years at Wurzweiler have been filled with one highlight after another. He said he is especially proud that the school was among the first in the nation to address the physical and mental health and public policy challenges of HIV/AIDS and to champion Black-Jewish and Hispanic-Jewish dialogue.

Gelman said he also takes pride in the passion and commitment of Wurzweiler students, faculty and alumni, “all of whom do our school and our University proud,” he stressed.

Gelman has held office and served on national commissions of the Council for Social Work Education, National Association of Social Work Deans, and American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. He has conducted exten-sive research and published more than 100 professional journal articles and book chapters on topics related to social policy, developmental disabilities, liability issues in non-profit organizations, ethics and child abuse.

That Gelman has been able to accomplish all this while running one of the most prestigious social work schools in the country—an institution that has graduated more than 7,000 professionals—is a testament to his abiding commit-ment, creative leadership and far-reaching vision.

So, what’s his secret to longevity and success? “It’s essential to surround yourself with equally committed and competent people, from fellow administrators to the high-est quality faculty,” said Gelman.

YU announced the appointment of Dr. Carmen Ortiz Hendricks as interim dean of Wurzweiler, the first Latina dean of a school of social work in New York City. Since July 2005, Hendricks has served as associate dean and professor of social work. Prior to joining YU, she taught at the Hunter College School of Social Work for 25 years. Hendricks has served on the board and as an accreditation commissioner for the Council on Social Work Education,

and as president of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Last year, Gov. David Paterson appointed Hendricks to New York City’s Citizens Review Panel on welfare policies and services.

“Hendricks’ scholarship is nationally recognized in the arena of culturally competent social work practice and education,” said Dr. Morton Lowengrub, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. ”Her years of experience in academia have honed her ability to serve as an effective administrator.” n

k For more information about the Dr. Sheldon R. Gelman Scholarship Fund or to make a donation, contact

Doris Holz at [email protected]

YU’s Jewish Genetic Health Program Aims to Ensure a Healthy Future

Jews, like any ethnic group, have health concerns unique to

their ethnicity. Nearly one in four Ashkenazi Jews carries a genetic alteration associated with Tay-Sachs disease and other Jewish genetic diseases. A child who inherits altered genes from both parents has a

25 percent chance of having one of these diseases, and knowing one’s carrier status is critical to planning for healthy families. Yeshiva University’s Program for Jew-ish Genetic Health focuses on safeguarding the health and future of the global Jewish community, through genetic testing, education and community support.

The program, which was launched in February, is the brainchild of director Dr. Susan Gross. “This pro-gram truly emphasizes the Torah Umadda philosophy that exemplifies YU,” said Dr. Gross, chairperson of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital, affiliates of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Human Genetics Lab at Jacobi. “It’s also one of the first programs to bridge YU and Einstein, combining Jewish communal responsibility and education with clinical services and biomedical research.”

A major component of the program consists of sub-sidized community screenings, coordinated by Dr. Susan Klugman, an OB/GYN and geneticist who serves as the

program’s director of Clinical Services and Community Outreach. Screenings are held at synagogues and com-munity centers throughout the New York metropolitan area. Donations fund the cost of the test for those whose insurance plans don’t cover it.

Before participants are screened, they meet with Estie Rose ’09SCW, the program’s primary genetic coun-selor, who educates them on the available childbearing options if both spouses are found to be carriers. Blood samples are sent for carrier testing at clinical laborato-ries, including the Human Genetics Lab at Jacobi. One of the tests performed, which was developed by Einstein researchers in 1971, is known as the “platelet assay for enzyme levels,” a gold-standard test that accurately de-tects the disease more than 99 percent of the time.

Over the last few years, the Jacobi lab has tested more than 4,000 Jewish individuals for genetic diseases at near cost. Now, with an official YU/Einstein collabo-ration, the program can be far more comprehensive by offering community education and support to lay lead-ers, rabbis and medical professionals.

“Over the past decades, with the explosion of ge-netic knowledge and technology, there are many other issues beyond Tay-Sachs and the other, lesser-known recessive Jewish genetic diseases that require the same focus, and education plays a large role,” explained Dr. Nicole Schreiber-Agus, the scientific director and program liaison, who has a Ph.D. from Einstein. “We are hoping to be a centralized resource of the Jewish com-munity for current and future generations for all Jewish genetic health concerns.”

For example, Schreiber-Agus says, the program col-laborates with other medical institutions to examine the relationship between Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and the propensity to develop Parkinson’s disease. The program is also planning an educational event with the breast cancer support group Sharsheret.

YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) will be partnering with the program on the awareness and education component. In June, the center co-hosted a practical genetics forum for students from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, to educate future rabbis on Jewish genetic testing, genetic health issues and its halachic components.

Rabbi Levi Mostofsky, CJF’s director of continu-ing education, is heading a program this year that will train communal rabbis on how to counsel couples with questions about genetic issues, compatibility and the emotional impact of receiving a particular diagnosis.

The program faces the challenge of receiving sig-nificant support from grants and private philanthropy to help subsidize the genetic screenings and to support the community programs being organized.

Another crucial challenge, Dr. Gross noted, is to raise enough awareness about the link between one’s ge-netic background and vulnerability to certain diseases.

“Our ultimate hope is that our efforts will move the Jewish community to take ownership of these issues and work together to help one another,” she said.” n

k For more information on the program, contact Bruce Lander, director of

Institutional Advancement, at 212.960.5279 or [email protected]

Dean Sheldon Gelman retires after two decades of service at Wurzweiler

Dr. Susan Gross

Page 12: YU Today Fall 2011

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“I am particularly gratified by our students’ continuing successes because they aspire to use their talents to make this a better world,” said Dr. Karen Bacon, Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean at Stern College. “At the same time our alums invariably credit Yeshiva University for giving them both the tools and the inspiration to reach high. I am so very proud.”

The numbers are similarly impressive at Yeshiva College (YC). A total of 31 men applied to medical school this past year, with 28 receiving offers, including 16 to Einstein and others to Harvard, Cornell and Dartmouth. Several students were also accepted to M.D./Ph.D. programs.

Michael Siev, a YC graduate who began at Einstein this year, was the recipient of a prestigious community service scholarship, which is awarded to only one incoming student each year.

Of the 13 men who applied to dental school, nine students were accepted to one or more schools, including Columbia, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

“The YC pre-med students are just exceptional,” said Lolita Wood-Hill, the pre-med advisor at YC. “They are driven, they’re very community-minded and they participate in an enormous number of extracurricular activities while taking on a rigorous dual curriculum, and I am extremely impressed with them.”

Wood-Hill also noted that dozens of YC and Stern students participated in research programs this summer, includ-ing a new initiative with Jacobi Medical Center and a joint program with Bar-Ilan University in Israel. Several students have also been published in nationally recognized scientific journals.

Last year, YC’s Yair Sapirstein was one of 300 students in the country to receive a Barry M. Goldwater Scholar-ship, granted to those who intend to pur-sue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.

“YU undergrads distinguish them-selves not only by the high level of their academic achievements but by their strong desire to give of their talents to build a sense of community by help-ing others,” said Dr. Barry Eichler, dean at YC. “One of many examples is Yair Saperstein’s leadership in seeing a need and creating the solution. He became aware that the local public school lacked labora-tory instruction and organized a cadre of YC and Stern students to create and teach a one-term laboratory science course in chemistry, biology and physics, thus enabling these students to experience the excitement of scientific discovery.”

During the past few years, YU students were also offered admission to some of the top law schools in the country, including Columbia, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, NYU, Stanford and the University of Pennsylvania. In the 2009–10 year, 93 percent of YU applicants were admitted to at least one school.

Over the years, hundreds of YU students have matriculated into the best gradu-ate schools around the country, and these numbers are growing, as the university continues to attract top-performing men and women who channel their talents toward higher education.

“Our students do well because they are in an in-timate environment with top-flight faculty where education is more than downloading information—it’s the developing of serious educational and research re-lationships that yield great fruit,” said YU President Richard M. Joel. “Our students do superbly because the dual curriculum that they participate in gives them the rigor, the analysis and the discipline to be able to con-front any challenge in the world. And our students do optimally well because they are in a culture of tomor-row and a culture of success.”

In addition to pursuing advanced graduate degrees, students and alumni have been the recipients of various nationally acclaimed awards and scholarships.

Four YU alumni—Yehuda Bernstein, Mijal Bitton, Simcha Gross and Shlomo Zuckier—were selected as Wexner Graduate Fellows, part of a group of 20 people en-tering graduate school who aspire to careers in the fields of Jewish education, Jewish professional leadership, Jewish studies and the rabbinate.

Current students are also excelling at YU. Five students will perform advanced research this year as part of the Henry Kressel Research Scholarship program. The scholarship—established in 2008 by Dr. Henry Kressel, chairman of the YU Board of Trustees, managing director of Warburg Pincus LLC and a YC graduate—offers students the opportunity to craft a year-long intensive research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor and with a stipend of $7,500 for the year. The past year’s recipients were Aviva Gubin, Ma’ayan Hachen, Mordechai Kornbluth, Alexandra Michalowski and Nasim Tishbi. n

Top-Tier Grad Schoolsç Continued from Page 1

Creating Sense from Tragedyç Continued from Page 1

Kressel Scholars; standing: Ma’ayan Hachen, Nisim Tishbi and Aviva Gubin; seated: Mordechai Kornbluth and Alexandra Michalowski

systems, databases and DNA analysis, was critical in establishing the evidence of death that would allow young widows to mourn their husbands and be free to remarry.

“Over the next few months I spent my days tracking cell phone towers, post-ing on company Web sites for informa-tion and searching databases like Lexus to read about survivors who may have seen someone,” Rapp said. “Understand-ing technology was key. It was a 21st century tragedy.”

Hoffman and Hecht found a dif-ferent way to create meaning from the tragedy. During the week, Rabbi Allen Schwartz of Congregation Ohab Zedek had arranged a shmira (watch) for Jew-ish volunteers to sit with the remains of victims being held in a makeshift morgue near New York University Hospital, in

accordance with the halacha that Jew-ish bodies should not be left alone from the time of death until burial. Finding volunteers for Shabbat, however, was more difficult.

With the help of then Dean of Stu-dents Zelda Braun and the college’s se-curity force, Hoffman organized a group of Stern students to sit with the victims every Shabbat. A security guard accom-panied each woman to and from the morgue for her four–hour shift. When she arrived, the student would take the Stern identification badge from the young woman she was relieving; it couldn’t be carried since there is no eruv in midtown Manhattan.

“It was the one thing that made me feel less hopeless,” Hoffman said. “When we were sitting in the morgue, saying Tehillim [Psalms], we felt connected to

3,000 neshamas [souls] lost in this little world of souls. I realized that as long as these souls were trapped in Manhattan, we were keeping them company.”

The intervening 10 years have seen much growth and healing. The Freedom Tower rises in downtown Manhattan, missing posters are gone and subway service is restored.

For Hoffman, though, like many in New York, no matter how much time passes, the impact lingers.

“At some point on most days, some thought of what happened comes into your head,” Hoffman said. “It’s simply a reminder.” n

k To read firsthand accounts of

Sept. 11 from Hecht, Hoffman, Rapp

and others, visit yu.edu/september11

Ten years ago, Jessica Russak Hoffman (pictured today, with her daughter) was one of several Stern students who volunteered to do shmira for the victims of September 11, 2001

YC student Yair Sapirstein, a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater scholarship, does research in the science lab

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In 2001, Dr. David J. Schnall was invited by then-Yeshiva University (YU) President Norman Lamm to sit down with the newly configured Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Educa-

tion and Administration’s board of overseers to discuss taking the helm.

“It was a chance to do things differently,” recalled Schnall, who recently marked 10 years as founding dean of the school. “Jewish education was always an im-portant concern at YU. There had been for many years a unit, then a department and finally an institute for Jewish educa-tion, but Azrieli was not yet a graduate school.” Located on the eighth floor of what is now Stanton Hall at Stern College for Women, it employed only one full-time faculty member and offered a small selection of courses.

The board had something bigger in mind.

Long-time professor and acclaimed administrator Dr. Chaim Feuerman was soon joined by a group of all-stars includ-ing Dr. David Pelcovitz, a renowned psy-chologist; Dr. Moshe Sokolow, a prolific Jewish scholar and now editor of Azrieli publications, most recently The Azrieli Papers (see below) and PRISM, a journal of research about Holocaust education; Dr. Rona Novick, an expert in bullying and school culture, who heads the Azri-eli doctoral program; Dr. Jeffrey Glanz, former New York City Public School principal and dean of graduate educa-tion at Wagner College, who heads the Azrieli master’s program, and Dr. Scott Goldberg, pioneer of the Institute for Uni-versity-School Partnership, which brings its expertise and research to schools and communities all over North America.

“The single most important vari-able in promoting Jewish identity and affiliation into the next generation is full-time Jewish education in the form of day school or yeshiva attendance,” ex-plained Schnall. “In this regard, it is fair to say that the future of the Jewish com-munity is being forged in the classrooms and schools led by students and alumni of Azrieli.”

Enrollment has skyrocketed over the last decade and few, if any, graduate programs attract such a diverse mix of Jewish day school educa-tors, from so wide a religious and theological spectrum. Some 250 veteran and fledgling professionals are currently enrolled, seeking to gain a foundation in theory, hone their classroom

techniques and train to be school administrators and com-munity leaders. They hail from community day schools, the Solomon Schechter system and all types of Orthodox schools—co-ed, single-sex and Chabad.

“Azrieli has really changed what is happening in the field of Jewish education,” said Dr. Howard Deitcher, an alumnus of the former institute and former director of the Melton Centre for

Jewish Education at Hebrew University. He pointed to the school’s emphasis on research and theory and the development of programs that reach out to day schools across North America.

As headmaster of the Ramaz Upper School and recent recipient of a doctor-ate from Azrieli, Rabbi Jay Goldmintz highlighted the school’s impact on teach-ers and administrators across the field. “Azrieli [has] helped to fundamentally change the way Jewish education is done in our community,” said Goldmintz. “There are now students graduating who have greater knowledge and proficiency than ever before.”

“Azrieli is creating a cadre of school leaders who are dually credentialed in Jewish philosophies and practices as well as in state-of-the-art research and application of research in educational leadership,” said Novick. “Over the years, we’ve created educators who are not only consumers but contributors: presenting at conferences and publishing in journals so their knowledge adds to [that of] their colleagues and the global community of Jewish educators.”

The next frontiers are distance learning and online programming, ac-cording to Goldberg, director of Azrieli’s Institute for University-School Partner-ship. Thanks to a generous grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation, the Partnership offers certificate programs in differenti-ated instruction, technology and student support on these platforms. Credit-bear-ing programs, in addition to a full mas-ter’s and even a doctoral program, will be offered in coming years.

“A powerful renaissance has taken place,” Schnall said. “But it’s important to recognize that everything we’ve ac-complished over the last 10 years speaks

to the collaboration of an outstanding faculty and a university president who continues to appreciate and support the impor-tance of research and professionalism in Jewish education as a core value of Yeshiva University.” n

Since its inception a decade ago, the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Educa-tion and Administration has pioneered serious research in Orthodox Jewish day schools in North America. The Azrieli Papers: Dimensions of Orthodox Day

School Education, its first volume of collected works, showcases that research—in areas as critical and varied as educational psychology, differentiated instruction and school infrastructure—for an audience that includes parents and lay professionals as well as academics.

“This book represents the confluence of theory and practice,” said Dr. Moshe Sokolow, associate dean at Azrieli and co-editor, whose chapter demonstrates the use of Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik’s writing in developing a day school curriculum for tefilah [prayer]. “Jewish education can be improved through research and development,” he noted. “Azrieli is uniquely situated to advance it in this way because our faculty and students engage both in practice in the field as well as research and theory.” n

k For more information, visit yu.edu/azrielipapers

10 Years: A Renaissance at Azrieli

New Collection of Azrieli Research Combines Educational Theory with Practice

Meet YU’s Recently–Elected Trustees and Board Members

YU Board of Trustees

Michael Gamson–Gamson, of Houston, is senior partner and group manager with Vitol S.A., a private international oil and gas trading and marketing company.

He is also director of the Holocaust Museum Houston. Gamson is currently a member of the Yeshiva College Board of Overseers.

Mark Silber–Silber, of Lawrence, New York, is executive vice president, chief compliance officer, chief legal officer, chief financial officer

and director of Renaissance Technologies LLC, an investment management company. He is a member of YU’s Finance Committee.

Shira Yoshor–Yoshor ’89S, of Houston, is a litigation partner with the law firm of Baker Botts LLP, as well as the president of United Orthodox Synagogue.

Yoshor is currently chair of the Stern College Board of Overseers. Her husband, Dr. Dan Yoshor, is a 1989 graduate of Yeshiva College.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Board of OverseersSue Ann Friedman | Nathan Gantcher Karen Mandelbaum | Edward S. Pantzer

Cardozo School of Law Board of OverseersWilliam Greenblatt | Meredith Perl Kornreich Hon. Dianne Renwick | David P. Samson

Ferkauf School of Psychology Board of OverseersDr. Elizabeth Barkin Leight Dr. Barbara Lauer Listhaus Dr. Lee Rosenbaum Dr. Arlene “Lu” Steinberg

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Board of TrusteesEric A. Rothner | Kenneth Zitter

Stern College for Women Board of OverseersMichelle Ross Goldwyn | Baruch Weinstein

Syms School of Business Board of OverseersAlan Kestenbaum | Steve Uretsky

Wurzweiler School of Social Work Board of OverseersFara Leff | Robert Oppenheimer

Yeshiva College Board of OverseersJoseph Bensmihen

YU High Schools Board of TrusteesAlissa Horn | Louis Tuchman

Legend for school abbreviations:Graduate and Professional Schools: A: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration • BR: Bernard Revel Graduate School • BS: Belfer Graduate School of Science • BZ: Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music • C: Cardozo School of Law • E : Albert Einstein College of Medicine (includes BGSS for Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Sciences and SG for Sue Golding Graduate Division of Medical Sciences) • F: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology W: Wurzweiler School of Social Work Undergraduate Schools: IBC: Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies • JS: James Striar School of Jewish Studies • MY: Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies S: Stern College for Women • SBM: Stone Beit Midrash Program SSB: Syms School of Business • YC: Yeshiva College • Affiliates: R: Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • TI: Teacher’s Institute YUHS: Yeshiva University High Schools

Dr. David J. Schnall

PRISM, a journal of research about Holocaust education

Page 14: YU Today Fall 2011

YUTODAYYESHIVA UNIVERSITY • 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 • FALL 2011 • VOLUME 15 NO. 3

More than 400 Jewish leaders gathered in Or-lando, FL in early July, for Yeshiva University’s National Leadership Conference at the Cham-

pionsGate resort, hosted by University Trustee Ira Mitzner. The theme of the sixth annual conference, pre-sented by YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF), was “Community Re-Imagined: Building New Horizons.”

During the four-day event, YU President Richard M. Joel announced that an anonymous donor would make a $1 million gift to support YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Seminar topics ranged from the financial sustainability of day schools to how to keep families connected to schools and shuls in an increasingly stratified world, as presenters sought to provide new strategies for building and strengthening communities.

“The overarching power of ChampionsGate is that it models and advances a hopeful vision of community based in Torah Umadda,” said President Joel. “Com-munities gather to celebrate their successes, share their challenges and resolve to continue their commitment to advancing the values and story of the Jewish people.” n

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

LANCASTER , PA

PERMIT #299

YU Athletes Sweep Academic Honor Rolls

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Yeshiva University’s student athletes make a triple commitment to their sport. In addition to the rigorous dual program of Torah study and aca-

demic subjects that is de rigueur at Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women, student athletes also make time for practice, often beginning late in the evening, and for scheduled games. Still, 60 percent of YU’s stu-

dent athletes who compete in the Skyline Conference made the Skyline Academic Honor Roll for the fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters.

The Maccabees led the conference with 116 student athletes, the only school to break 100. St. Joseph’s was next with 89 student athletes on the list.

To make the list, athletes must achieve a 3.3 GPA or higher in their season of competition. Of the 381 students who made the list conference-wide last fall, 65 attend YU; 351 did so for the winter and spring including 51 for YU.

Yeshiva’s Zach Charles was named Men’s Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year for having the highest GPA on the All-Conference First Team. This was Charles’ third consecutive appearance on the six-person First Team and the first time he earned the top honor.

“It’s an honor to recognize these student athletes who truly exemplify what the college experience is all about,” said Skyline Commissioner Linda Bruno. “Their commitment to excellence on and off the playing field is inspiring and should serve as an example to all.”

The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) also puts together a list of teams with the best GPAs among the three NCAA divisions. YU’s 3.457 team GPA ranked them 19th in the country among all Division 3 women’s basketball programs. The top team in the country, Case Western Reserve University, had a 3.609 team GPA. This is the sixth time since the 2000-01 season that YU has made the top 25, and the fourth time in the past six seasons.

In July, the Hudson Valley Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conferences announced its All-Academic Teams for the winter and spring semesters, with each student athlete required to have an overall GPA of at least 3.5. Four women’s basketball players made the All-Academic team: Mercedes Cohen, Ayelet Friedman, Lauren Kempin and Malka Lebovic. On the men’s side, eight volleyball players made the team: Moshe Cohen, Eitan Finkelstein, Raphael Herskovits, Kevin Katz, Elchanan Margolis, Jared Rechnitz, David Wagner and Jonah Wilkof. n

YU student athletes excel at both sports and academics

From left: Beryl and Doreen Eckstein, YU President Richard M. Joel and Rabbi Kenneth Brander, dean of the Center for the Jewish Future, at ChampionsGate

Hundreds Attend ChampionsGate Leadership Conference