yeshiva university today january 2005

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY • JANUARY 2005 • VOLUME 9 NO. 3

www.yu.edu/news/publications

YUTodayYU is opening its batei

midrash (study halls)to busy professionalswishing to further

their commitment to Torahstudy.

Kollel Yom Rishon, heldevery Sunday morning on theWilf Campus, offers men ofall ages, backgrounds, andlearning levels the opportuni-ty to learn Torah with RabbiIsaac Elchanan TheologicalSeminary’s (RIETS) distin-guished roshei yeshiva (Tal-mudic professors).

“The program enables thosewith hectic workweeks to im-merse themselves in a yeshivaenvironment,” said RabbiDavid Israel, director of RIETS’sMax Stern Division of Com-munal Services (MSDCS), who

runs Kollel Yom Rishon withRabbi Ari Rockoff.

“We want participants tofeel part of Yeshiva, as theylearn in the beit midrash sur-rounded by YU students,”stressed Rabbi Rockoff.

The program launchedOctober 17, and by the sec-ond week the response wasalready “overwhelmingly pos-itive, with returnees from theprevious week eager for arecharge of Torah,” he said.

Attendance has grown rap-idly, peaking at close to 200men from the tristate area forthe special Hanukkah sessionDec. 12.

The regular weekly sched-ule enables participants whohave studied in a yeshiva torecapture that experience and

allows newcomers access to aworld usually kept behindclosed doors.

Each Sunday’s programcommences with Shacharit(morning prayer services) atone of YU’s minyanim (prayerquorums). After a light break-fast, participants study sourcematerials in the beit midrashin Zysman Hall in preparationfor shiurim (lectures), wherethey have the opportunity tointeract with RIETS rosheiyeshiva. The program con-cludes at 11 am.

“The key objective of KollelYom Rishon is to strengthenJewish life and learning,” saidYU President Richard M. Joel.

Each shiur is audiotapedfor those unable to attend

Kollel Yom Rishon OpensDoors to Learning

INS

IDE NAMES

IN PRINTStern StudentsCoauthor Science Papers

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TALENT FOR TRANSLATIONClassics StudentsInducted intoHonor Society

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LASTINGIMPRESSIONYU Makes anImpact at UJCGeneralAssembly

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LEADINGTHE CHARGESeniorAppointmentsTake YU intoFuture

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n Sunday Program Draws More Than a Hundred Professionals

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Yeshiva University for-mally dedicated theWilf Campus duringan annual reception

for the joint boards of itsschools and colleges on Nov-ember 16.

The Wilf family—Joseph

and wife Elizabeth, sons Zyg-munt and Mark, and nephewLeonard, all YU Benefactorswho have supported the uni-versity for many years—cut aceremonial ribbon in front ofthe Wilf Campus monument.

“It is a privilege to have the

Wilf name associated with YUand what it represents,” Jo-seph Wilf said at the recep-tion. “The university is amodel of excellence in fulfill-ing the leadership of theJewish community.”

Wilf Family Dedicates YU Campus

Communal Leaders andEinstein Dean Honoredat Hanukkah Dinner

Morry J. Weiss Installed as YU Board Chair

continued on page 7

Entering college brings with it a host of changes in stu-dents’ lives: greater responsibilities, a rigorous courseload, a new community, social pressures, and for some,a foreign language. In fact, entering college ranks as one

of the top 25 stressful life-changing events on most scales of psy-chological measure. Beginning this winter, a new confidentialcounseling center will help to ease the transition for students onall of YU’s Manhattan campuses.

The Confidential Counseling Center, which opens in Januaryunder the directorship of former NYU psychiatrist VictorSchwartz, MD, will provide services to students at the Wilf,Beren, and Brookdale campuses.

A frequent consultant on psychological issues to many rab-bis, Jewish day schools, and Jewish communal organizations inNew York City, Dr. Schwartz is no stranger to YU. He is a 1977alumnus of Yeshiva College, and since 1996 has consulted withthe Department of Student Affairs on issues of psychiatric treat-ment for students. He also helped train YU’s student affairs,counseling, and housing staff. Dr. Schwartz has served the NYUcommunity in various capacities, most notably as chief psychi-atrist and medical director of the NYU University CounselingService.

Counseling Center Helps Students Adjust toCollege Life

continued on page 6

See story on page 3.

President Joel presented Presidential Medallion to Dean Purpura.

Joseph and Elizabeth Wilf with L–R: Mark and Jane Wilf, President Joel, Morry Weiss, Audrey and Zygmunt Wilf, and Chancellor Lamm.

Pearl Berger, MLS, YH,’62T, deanof libraries, spoke about Jewishlibraries and archives in America ata symposium, “State of JewishLearning in America,” marking the350th anniversary of Jewish settle-ment in America, at the Library ofCongress in Washington, DC, inNovember.

J. David Bleich, PhD, Herbert andFlorence Tenzer Professor of Jew-ish Law and Ethics, presented“When Man Creates Man: As-sisted Reproduction, Cloning, andStem Cell Research Through thePrism of Halakhah and Ethics,”SCW Jubilee Lecture Series; and“Ethical and Halakhic Issues inClient Representation” and “NewMedical Technologies: The Halak-hic Perspective,” Halakhah Con-ference for Professionals and Busi-ness Leaders, Agudath Israel ofAmerica.

Richard K. Caputo, PhD, WSSWprofessor, presented “Equalizationof meeting needs vs. equalizationof income distribution: Reconsi-derations of basic income andeconomic justice in light of VanParijs and Zucker” at the 10thBasic Income European NetworkCongress in Barcelona, and“Poverty reduction vs. reducingincome inequality: Framing dis-tributive justice in light of VanParijs and Zucker” at the SocialJustice Conference 2004, in Re-gina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Louis H. Feldman, PhD, AbrahamWouk Family Professor of Classicsand Literature, spoke at a Societyof Biblical Literature conference inSan Antonio on “Josephus the Mor-alist: The War against Amalek.”

Chaim Feuerman, EdD, Kusch-itzky Professor of Jewish Educationat AGS, presented “Winning Strat-egies in Coping with Your MostVexing Leadership Challenges” atthe 48th National Convention ofTorah Umesorah last May, and inNovember served as consultantand trainer at the MaimonidesSchool of Boston and at YeshivaSiach Yitzchok.

Lauren Fitzgerald, PhD, YC assis-tant professor of English, pub-lished an article, “Female Gothicand the Institutionalization ofGothic Studies” in Gothic Studies,May 2004. She also reviewed“The Center Will Hold: CriticalPerspectives on Writing CenterScholarship” in the Writing CenterJournal, summer 2004.

Sheldon R. Gelman, PhD, Doro-thy and David I. Schachne Dean ofWSSW, and Margaret Gibelman,DSW, WSSW professor, presented“A loss of credibility: Patterns ofwrongdoing among nongovern-mental organizations” at the Inter-national Society for Third SectorResearch (ISTR), Sixth Interna-tional Conference in Toronto. Dr.Gibelman also spoke about“Acting on our values: Do humanservice professionals volunteer?”with Jay S. Sweifach, DSW, ‘88W,WSSW assistant professor.

Scott Goldberg, PhD, AGS assis-tant professor, provided a full-dayseminar at the Techer FellowshipProgram, a project of the Avi ChaiFoundation, last May. Also, he leda four-day workshop at West-chester Day School DifferentiatedInstruction Institute in June. Hepresented a paper, “The Relation-ship Between English and HebrewReading Comprehension andTeacher Reported Behavior Prob-lems,” at the Conference of theSociety for the Scientific Study ofReading in Amsterdam in June.

Arthur Hyman, PhD, BRGS dean,was invited to deliver the FirstAnnual Renowned Jewish ScholarLecture at the Pope John Paul IICultural Center in Washington,DC. He spoke on “MosesMaimonides: Legal scholar andphilosopher for the ages.” He alsoparticipated in a Maimonides con-ference at Vanderbilt University,where he spoke on “Maimonidesas biblical exegete.”

Ephraim Kanarfogel, PhD, YH,’77Y,B,R, E. Billi Ivry Professor ofJewish History, and chairman,Rebecca Ivry Department of Jew-ish Studies, SCW, was named vicepresident of the Association forJewish Studies, the leading profes-sional organization for professorsof Jewish studies in North America.

Norman Linzer, PhD, YH,’55Y,R,W, Samuel J. and Jean SableProfessor of Jewish Family SocialWork, WSSW, authored two arti-cles: “Confidentiality: An EthicalDilemma for Israeli Social Work-ers,” Journal of Religion and Spiritu-ality in Social Work, 23:3, 2004;and “An Ethical Dilemma in ElderAbuse,” Journal of GerontologicalSocial Work, 43:2/3, 2004.

Rabbi Alter B. Z. Metzger, pro-fessor of Judaic studies, spoke atChabad Lubavitch Oxford, Eng-land, on “Chassidic Narratives:

Prisms for Existential Transcen-dence,” in November.

Andreea Radulescu, a graduatestudent at Einstein, was selectedto present a mini-symposium talk,“A Role for Clathrin CoatedVesicles in the Assembly of theGolgi Apparatus,” at the 44thAnnual Meeting of the AmericanSociety for Cell Biology held inWashington, DC, in December.She is conducting her thesis re-search in the laboratory of DennisShields, PhD, professor of devel-opmental and molecular biology.

Alvin I. Schiff, PhD, ’47Y,F, IrvingI. Stone Distinguished Professor ofJewish Education, authored anessay, “New Beginnings: JewishUnity According to Torah Tradi-tion,” in Chadashot, Young Israelof Oceanside; he was featured in“Funding Jewish Education: Retro-spect and Prospect,” his op-ed ar-ticle appeared in Jewish Press; andhe was honored as an “HonoredEducational Pioneer” by the Con-ference for Administrators of Non-Public Schools, NY State Educa-tion Department, Albany, NY.

David Schnall YH,’69Y,R, PhD,AGS dean, was keynote speaker atthe annual conference of TorontoDay School Principals and Admini-strators, October 29–31. While inJerusalem recently, he presentedthe following papers: “Jewish Edu-cation Policies in the United Statesin Light of the 2000–1 PopulationSurvey,” Jerusalem Center for Pub-lic Affairs; “Zionism and Israel inthe Eyes of American Jews,” Collo-quium of the Department of Poli-tical Studies, Bar Ilan University,and “The Right to an Education inAmerican Constitutional Law andJewish Tradition,” Churgan Schoolof Education, Bar Ilan University.

David Shatz YH,’69Y,B,R, profes-sor of philosophy, SCW, was aguest scholar at King’s College,London, where he delivered a lec-ture and a faculty seminar onMaimonides.

Rabbi Aaron Ben-Zion Shiurin’40Y,R, longtime lecturer in Jewishstudies at SCW who retired in2001, was honored by theForward in November for his 60years as a columnist for the news-paper’s Yiddish edition.

Richard C. Steiner, PhD, ’66Y,professor of Semitic languages andliteratures at BRGS, was invited tobe a Harry Starr Fellow in Judaicaat the Center for Jewish Studies,Harvard University, for the 2005spring semester. He will conduct

research in the area of biblical exe-gesis from the Second TemplePeriod through the Middle Ages.

David Strug, PhD, WSSW associ-ate professor, presented “Socialwork with the elderly: The US ver-sus Cuban situation,” at the Univer-sity of the Older Adult Conferenceon the Elderly in Havana, Cuba.

Cantor Moshe Tessone, BSJM in-structor, recorded “Odeh La’El,” analbum of Sephardic and MiddleEastern Jewish songs in the Judeo-Arabic genre that incorporatessounds from Middle Eastern, Lev-antine, Balkan, and North Africangenres.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Rabbi Elchanan Adler ’95R,A,MYP/RIETS rosh yeshiva, and hiswife, Miriam (Gaisin) Adler ’93S,on the birth of a son, Yaakov Meir.

Fanya Gottesfeld-Heller, YU, YC,SCW, and YUM board member;Beth Heller; and Benjamin Heller,RIETS trustee on the birth of agrandson to parents Shira (Heller)and Steven Stein.

CONDOLENCES TO

Ed Fox ’75Y,CTI, deputy to thepresident, on the loss of his father,Stanley Fox.

WE MOURN

Hyman Wettstein, an educatorand coach at YU, 1938–1973. Hewas cofounder of the Metropoli-tan Jewish High School League,where he compiled a coachingrecord of 413–170. Also, he waschief of corrective therapy atBronx Veterans AdministrationHospital, and producer and direc-tor of “Courage Takes the Wheel,”a film about training and rehabili-tating a paraplegic Israeli war vet-eran he taught to drive. For hiseffort, he received an award fromthe VA and the Israel Ministry ofDefense. Mr. Wettstein was 92.

Marilyn Winn, who worked at theGottesman Library, most recentlyat the circulation desk, for morethan 30 years. Condolences to herhusband, Sol; daughter, Brenda;and son, Arnold.

2 YUToday January 2005

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

Morry J. Weiss, ChairmanYU Board of Trustees

Richard M. JoelPresident

Norman Lamm, PhDChancellor

Peter L. FerraraDirector of Communications and Public Affairs

Joshua L. Muss, Chairman, Board of Directors, Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener Blenden,Chairman, Board of Directors, Stern College for Women; Bernard L. Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy Syms School of Business; Ira M. Millstein, Chairperson,Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Kathryn O. Greenberg, Chairman,Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; Robert Schwalbe, Chair, Board ofGovernors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors,Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Katherine Sachs, Chair, Board of Governors,Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, AzrieliGraduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Chairman, Board ofTrustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Erica Jesselson, Chairperson,Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum. Board listings as of November 1, 2004

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY

Kelly BermanEditor

Jerry Bergman, Esther Finkle, June Glazer, Norman GoldbergDavid Hillstrom, Cara Huzinec, Esther Kustanowitz

Peter Robertson, Hedy Shulman, Shira Weiss, V. Jane WindsorContributors

www.yu.edu/news/publications

Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the YeshivaUniversity Department of Communications and Public Affairs, 401 Furst Hall, 500 West 185th St.,New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is distributed free on campus to faculty, staff, andstudents. © Yeshiva University 2005

YUTodayV O L U M E 9 • N U M B E R 3

People in the News

A, AECOM Albert Einstein College of Medicine • AG, AGI Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration • BG, BGSS Belfer

Institute for Advanced Biomedical Sciences • B, BRGS Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies • BSJM Belz School of Jewish Music •

CTI Cantorial Training Institute • C, CSL Cardozo School of Law • F, FGS Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology • I, IBC Isaac Breuer College

of Hebraic Studies • J, JSS James Striar School of General Jewish Studies • MSDCS Max Stern Division of Communal Services • Y, MYP Yeshiva

Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies • SBMP Stone Beit Midrash Program • R, RIETS Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • S, SCW

Stern College for Women • SG Sue Golding Graduate Division of Medical Sciences • SB, SSSB Sy Syms School of Business • T, TI Teachers Institute

• T, TIW Teachers Institute for Women • W, WSSW Wurzweiler School of Social Work • Y, YC Yeshiva College • YH, YUHS Yeshiva University

High Schools (MSTA The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy) (SWHSG Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls)

Key to School Abbreviations

The Company My Father Builtby Susan Bitensky LernerSands Point PressThe author tells the story of her father, honorary YU board member and FGS board chair emeritus Samson Bitensky, whogrew up in interwar Poland. She traces his journey to Americaand chronicles how he became a textile manufacturer and CEO of Fab Industries.

Bookshelf

January 2005 YUToday 3

Stern College for Womenstudents have collabo-rated with their profes-sors to publish cutting-

edge scientific research. Thestudents, each contributingsignificantly to research con-ducted during either theschool year or the summer,are listed as coauthors withtheir professors on scientificpapers in peer-reviewed jour-nals.

“Very few undergraduateshave their names attached topublications in peer-reviewedjournals,” said Harvey Babich,PhD, professor of biology,who worked with six studentson various projects investigat-ing the anti-cancer propertiesof green tea.

Stern College encouragesits women to conduct re-search and publish their find-ings because it prepares them

for careers in science.“Published research shows

hands-on experience on stu-dents’ resumes, which isespecially important if theycontinue on to medical orgraduate school,” said ChayaRapp, PhD, assistant profes-sor of chemistry, who pub-lished an article with studentToby Josovitz in the Journalof Physical Chemistry. An-other article, coauthored

with Rena Frankel, has beensubmitted to Proteins.

Under Dr. Babich andHarriet Zuckerbraun, PhD,instructor of biology, MalkaKrupka and Helen Nissimstudied epicatechin gallate(ECG), a chemical in green teawith selective toxicity towardcancer cells. Their paper willbe published by Toxicology inVitro in 2005.

“My research allowed me

to apply what I learned inclass in a practical manner,”said Ms. Krupka, a seniormajoring in biochemistry. “Imay apply to an MD/PhDprogram, and publishing apaper demonstrates my abili-ties. It’s a big step for an un-dergraduate.”

Ms. Krupka’s research expe-rience with Dr. Babich helpedher qualify for a research in-ternship at YU’s Albert Ein-stein College of Medicine lastsummer, and for a position atNYU Medical School this fall.

Ms. Nissim, a junior major-ing in biology, said her re-search experience gave her adeeper understanding of labtechniques. “Publishing mywork will help me in my fu-ture pursuits in the scientificcommunity,” she added. Shespent the summer conductingresearch at UCLA.

Other Stern students whopublished their research find-ings include Ilana Pister, twinsTamar and Ronit Gold, TannazSedaghat, Danielle Weissman,Frida Friedman, MichelleFaber, Aliza Moskowitz, TaliaHarris, and Louisette Soussan.

Senior Sarah Nemzer, a stu-dent in SCW’s S. Daniel Abra-ham Honors Program, studiednanoparticles of gold withAnatoly Frenkel, PhD, associateprofessor of physics, at Brook-haven National Laboratory.

Ms. Nemzer is a psycholo-gy major who pursued aresearch project with Dr.Frenkel after taking a physicscourse with him. They plan to

submit their paper for publi-cation—co-written with Ms.Pister, Ms. Soussan, and Ms.Harris (a former SCW studentnow at Bar Ilan University)—for publication in the Journalof Chemical Physics.

“It was a rewarding experi-ence to study at a national laband see cutting-edge sciencein action,” Ms. Nemzer said.“Having my work publishedwill be a terrific finish to allthe work we have done.” n

Stern Students Coauthor Papers inScience Journalsn Published Articles Show Student Contribution to Research

New Summer at YU Programfor High School Juniors

This summer, high school juniors from aroundthe country will spend four weeks at YU’s Wilfand Beren campuses as part of a new four-week program of specially tailored classes in

Jewish and general studies.“Summer at YU” offers 11th graders a taste of what

YU has to offer through beit midrash-based learningand liberal arts and science or business classes. At theWilf Campus, boys will focus on the history of Halak-hah; and study talmudic, medieval, and early modernhalakhic texts and the intellectual and social history ofthe Jewish communities and rabbinic scholars.

They also can choose to study “The World ofFinance and Investment,” a practical experience estab-lishing and analyzing a portfolio of investments andworking with traders, financial planners, and entrepre-neurs; or “Explorations in Genetics and MolecularBiology,” a laboratory experience introducing studentsto the theory and techniques of molecular biology.

At the Beren Campus, girls will delve into biblicalthemes in Jewish philosophy and thought, study bibli-cal texts with traditional medieval and modern com-mentaries, and conduct analysis through the prism ofJewish philosophical literature. They can also study“Explorations in Genetics and Molecular Biology” or“Computer Design,” a hands-on experience using Maccomputers to design various presentation materialsincluding Web pages.

Students at both campuses can also participate in anarray of college preparatory workshops and a film anddiscussion series, work out in YU’s fitness centers, andexplore the best of cultural New York. Each week willend with a Shabbaton in nearby communities in thecompany of YU faculty and students.

Summer at YU is coordinated by Aliza Stareshefsky([email protected]) and staffed by YU faculty. CurrentYC, SCW, and SSSB students will serve as advisers andmentors. n

Malka Krupka researched the anti-cancer properties of achemical in green tea.

Yeshiva Universityhonored four of itsextraordinary com-munal leaders and

philanthropists and Domi-nick P. Purpura, MD, theMarilyn and Stanley M. KatzDean of Albert Einstein Col-lege of Medicine, at the uni-versity’s 80th Annual Hanuk-kah Dinner and Convocationon Sunday, Dec. 12, at TheWaldorf=Astoria.

YU President Richard M.Joel conferred honorary de-grees upon the four commu-nal leaders—Hyman Arbesfeld,Muriel Block, Ronald Gruen,and Dinah Pinczower—andpresented the Presidential Me-dallion to Dean Purpura.

The event, which raised$1.6 million for the universi-ty, also marked the installa-tion of the chairman of YU’sboard of trustees, Morry J.Weiss. Mr. Weiss said his in-

stallation as board chair wasan “extraordinary honor.”

“The students, faculty, andalumni embody the valuesand ideals that distinguish YUfrom other universities: thequest for knowledge and wis-dom joined with the desire tomake a difference in society,”he said.

Presenting Dean Purpurawith the medallion, PresidentJoel said his leadership andvision “position Einstein togrow as a premier medicalschool and research center.”

A world-renowned neuro-scientist and the longest-serv-ing dean of any medicalschool in the country, DeanPurpura has led Einstein since1984.

In his acceptance speech,Dean Purpura recalled Ein-stein’s origins as a medicalschool that would “breach thebarriers of bias.” Established

as a college where Jewish stu-dents were given equal accessto medical education, AECOM“attracted scores of youngmen and women who saw itas an embodiment of highacademic standards,” he said.“Our research labs are cru-cibles of creativity. We willlabor long to continue ourcontribution to the study ofthe human genome.”

As a board member of YU’sRabbi Isaac Elchanan Theo-logical Seminary (RIETS) forthe past 20 years, RabbiHyman Arbesfeld has helpedmake the seminary a vibrantcenter of Torah scholarshipand rabbinic training. RabbiArbesfeld graduated from Ye-shiva University High Schoolfor Boys in 1949, earned a BAdegree from Yeshiva Collegein 1953, and was ordained byRIETS in 1956.

Muriel Block, owner of

Gray Block Realty, is a mem-ber of both the board of direc-tors of the National Women’sDivision of Albert EinsteinCollege of Medicine and theExecutive Board of its NewYork chapter. Ms. Block’s giftof real estate to Einstein, val-ued at more than $21 millionand the second largest inEinstein’s history, is beingused to expand research andeducation facilities throughthe construction of The Haroldand Muriel Block ResearchPavilion.

Ronald Gruen, one of theDallas community’s mostprominent Jewish leaders,continues to have a tremen-dous impact on various proj-ects. Mr. Gruen and his wife,Ethel, are YU Benefactors andpartners in an innovativeprogram to expand and en-hance learning among Jewishstudents nationwide.

Dinah Pinczower has beendedicated to furthering thework of Yeshiva University Wo-men’s Organization (YUWO)for more than two decades.Through her inspiring leader-ship and tireless devotion,YUWO has raised millions ofdollars for scholarships, aca-demic facilities, stipends forneedy students, and otherimportant projects.

Almost 700 guests joinedin the festivities at the dinnerin the hotel’s Grand Ballroom.The evening’s program in-cluded a video capturing YU’smission of service to humani-ty, and a ceremonial lightingof the menorah by 12 faculty,students, and alumni singledout for their academic andcommunity-service contribu-tions to YU and society atlarge. n

Hanukkah Dinner from page 1


His reputation pre-cedes him andcontroversy oftenovershadows his

stature as a fiction writer.However, during his WilfCampus talk, an event thatattracted many interested vis-itors to campus, acclaimedauthor Salman Rushdie wasengaging, disarming, and sur-prisingly nonchalant abouthis public image.

Addressing a full house inLamport Auditorium, Mr.Rushdie spoke of the impor-tance of “freedom of theimagination.”

“The important battle towin in this world is againstplacing limitations onthoughts and ideas. This is anongoing battle,” he said. Free-dom of expression, he noted,becomes most meaningfulwhen people have to confrontopinions they find loathsome.

Mr. Rushdie plumbed theessence of fiction. “The tellingof a story is at the bottom ofwho we are as human beings.

We tell stories as a way ofinquiring into ourselves. Allfamilies have stories and it’s away to tell that we are mem-bers of a family. We live insidethese stories.”

One of the conflicts weface in a free society, he said,is that we have the option ofshaping our own stories. “It’s

important not to have situa-tions in which these storiesare dictated.” Mr. Rushdieposited that the infamousfatwa imposed on him byAyatollah Khomeini in 1989was a desire to control the“story”—or free expression—in an Islamic state.

Earlier in the afternoon, 15

students participated in aclass conducted by Mr. Rush-die and YU professors Eliza-beth Stewart, PhD, assistantprofessor of English and direc-tor of the Yeshiva CollegeBook Project, and Ruth Bevan,PhD, David W. PetegorskyProfessor of Political Science.Mr. Rushdie discussed hiswriting process, literary influ-ences, and insight into Islam-ic fundamentalism.

Justin Daniel ’05Y, an Eng-lish major who attended theclass, said the small size of YU

was a strong advantage for him.“I have friends at Ivy Leaguecolleges who don’t get an op-portunity like this,” he said.

Mr. Rushdie said he startedout as a novelist wanting towrite about urban India, as hebelieved no other writers hadportrayed the sensual, crowd-ed reality of his native coun-try. When he moved to theUK and later the US, the sub-ject of immigration becameimportant.

“Now I’m interested in theshrinking planet—the ideathat everywhere is a part ofeverywhere else,” he said.“The story of the Middle Eastis the story of the US; thestory of Al Qaeda is the storyof New York City.”

Mr. Rushdie’s visit wassponsored by the Yeshiva Col-lege Book Project and theRabbi Arthur Schneier Centerfor International Affairs, whichseeks to promote internationalunderstanding of the diversecritical issues in our world.

The annual Book Projectaims to foster a spirit of toler-ance as well as provide oppor-tunities for dialogue betweenstudents and faculty, and tobroaden students’ sense ofintellectual community. n

Salman Rushdie Visits YUn Champions Free Expression in YC Book Project Address

What does aspeech by Pres-ident GeorgeW. Bush have

in common with the prayer“Alenu”? Both were amongthe pieces translated intoGreek and Latin by the four

newest members of GammaDelta, YU’s chapter of nation-al classics honor society EtaSigma Phi.

The society initiated thestudents, who are takingcourses in Greek and Latin, inNovember. Louis H. Feldman,

PhD, Abraham Wouk FamilyProfessor of Classics and Lit-erature, hosted the initiationceremony, and 12 YeshivaUniversity alumni of thechapter attended.

To merit induction into EtaSigma Phi, each candidate is

required to translate a sizableEnglish passage into Latin orGreek.

“YU regards the classics ascrucial for its status as a uni-versity committed to liberalarts in the Western tradition,”said Professor Feldman, con-

sidered among the nations’foremost authorities on Hel-lenistic Judaism.

Professor Feldman notedthat while classes are usuallysmall, they attract some of theschool’s brightest students.Three of the new Eta Sigma

Phi members—Rachel Chern-yak, Jacob Hartz, and TzviKahn—are majoring in clas-sics, while the fourth, BenzionChinn ’04Y, is completing amaster of arts in Bible atBernard Revel GraduateSchool of Jewish Studies. All

of them are finding ways toincorporate classical lan-guages into their contempo-rary lives.

Mr. Hartz, a Yeshiva Col-lege junior minoring inFrench, said understandingGreek has broadened hisknowledge of ancient culture.“Many people would be sur-prised at the close linksbetween ancient Hellenic cul-ture and Judaism,” he said.

A contributor to Nuntius(the newsletter of Eta SigmaPhi) and the arts and cultureeditor of the Commentator, Mr.Hartz translated six songs byNew York musician AdamGreen. He chose the songs forthe challenge of translatingtheir difficult lyrics. “Green’sstyle is like early Bob Dylan—the lyrics don’t necessarilymake sense,” he said.

Mr. Kahn translated part ofan address that PresidentBush delivered to a joint ses-sion of Congress after Sep-tember 11, 2001. “Whateveryou think of President Bush, itwas a brilliant speech from atime when the country wasunified,” the YC senior said.

He chose his double ma-jors, classics and English,because they complementeach other. “Many authors ofEnglish literature refer toLatin. More than half of theEnglish language is from

Latin,” he said.Miss Chernyak translated

Lord Byron’s poem, “ToThomas Moore,” into Greek,keeping the same meter as theoriginal. “I had learned it byheart a few years ago,” saidthe Stern College sophomore,whose father introduced herto classical literature. “It has acatchy rhythm and uses seaand boat imagery, which alsoappears in Homer’s Iliad.”

Miss Chernyak, who hopesto do graduate work in Judaicstudies and classics at HebrewUniversity, considers her timewith Professor Feldman a“huge privilege.”

“His standards are highand every class is full of hisunique commentary on thetexts,” she said.

Mr. Chinn echoed herwords. “I never found gram-mar particularly interestinguntil Professor Feldman madeit come alive,” he said. “Hemakes you want to succeed.”

The Revel student notedhis translation of “Alenu” wasa useful opportunity to unitehis religious and secular inter-ests, and acknowledged theimportance of ancient lan-guages in his intended careerin the history of biblical exe-gesis. “Anyone dealing withpremodern European historyhas to be a classicist as well,”Mr. Chinn said. n

Classics Honor Society Welcomes New Members

New Gamma Delta members, (L–R) Rachel Chernyak, Tzvi Kahn, Jacob Hartz, and Benzion Chinn.

Rushdie spoke candidly with students in a class before his address.


Afirst-time YU delega-tion to the 2004United Jewish Com-munities (UJC) Gen-

eral Assembly (GA) made apositive impression on theannual gathering of the NorthAmerican Jewish Federationsystem. Forty students, in-cluding nine Presidential Fel-lows, participated in thelargest gathering of Jewishprofessional and lay leaders,in Cleveland, OH, Nov. 12–16.

“It is important for thegreater Jewish community tomeet our students and under-stand the energy they bring tothe conversation about theJewish future,” said YU Presi-dent Richard M. Joel. “Like-wise, our students must un-derstand and appreciate thecommitment and contribu-tion of the thousands of di-verse leaders that make up theorganized Jewish community.”

Prior to the official open-ing of the GA, YU studentsspent Shabbat with 300 Hillelstudents from around thenation. Yeshiva College juniorMenachem Butler and YisroelSchachter, a 2004 YC gradu-ate, led Friday Shabbat servic-es at the Orthodox minyan,and Ouriel Hassan, Presiden-tial Fellow and 2004 YC grad-uate, delivered a d’var Torahon Shabbat.

Word about the delegationspread to Israel. “A studentdelegation from Yeshiva Uni-versity attended the confer-ence, taking a leading role inbringing spiritual excitementto the Sabbath festivities,”read the Arutz-7 Web site storyon the GA.

“Shabbat was one of themost poignant parts of the

experience,” saidAnat Barber, a 2004SCW graduate andPresidential Fellow.“We shared com-munal concernsand I enjoyed inter-acting with Jewsour age from differ-ent backgrounds.We all had some-thing to give andsomething to gain.”

Morry J. Weiss,chairman of YU’sboard of trusteesand a Clevelandnative, met withthe group and en-gaged them in alively conversationabout the value ofparticipating in theGA. “The power ofthe UJC is phe-nomenal,” he said.“It is valuable to behere. We needmore people inchinuch [Jewisheducation] and inJewish communal life.”

On motzei Shabbat (Satur-day night), the YU group trav-eled to Mr. Weiss’s synagogue,Young Israel of Beachwood,for a melave malka (post-Shabbat festivities). Local high-school students were treatedto pizza and ice cream, anddanced and sang to musicprovided by YU musicians.

The opening plenary ses-sion featured Gal Fridman,the Israeli Olympic goldmedalist, and was moderatedby Joshua Malina, from thecast of NBC’s The West Wing.Topics included “Making YourPassion Work: Jewish CareerOpportunities,” “A Strategic

Plan for Securing the JewishFuture,” “Global Anti-Semi-tism,” and “Raising Money onMars.” Students attended ses-sions relevant to their inter-ests, and manned the YUbooth, which attracted alum-

ni, delegates, and speakers.“The delegates, especially

the students, were genuinelyreceptive to YU’s presence andto the fact that we, asOrthodox Jews, have a rele-vant message for 21st-century

Judaism,” said Zev Nagel, YCsenior and Commentator edi-tor-in-chief. “They were inter-ested in hearing what we hadto say about the challengesfacing the broader Jewishcommunity.” n

YU Makes an Impact at UJC General Assembly

The influx of Frenchstudents at YU hasgenerated much in-terest—both in France

and at home. Two weeks afterYU hosted a group of FrenchJewish educators in mid-November to explore ways toestablish educational ties withthe French Jewish communi-ty, the Jewish Week ran a front-page story describing the uni-versity as a “new focal point”in the debate about the futureof French Jewry.

The enrollment of Frenchstudents at YU more thandoubled this year to 40, fol-lowing a trip to France in Juneby university officials to raiseawareness about YU’s pro-grams. The trip generatedoverwhelming interest, withseveral hundred families ex-pressing a desire to send theirchildren to YU.

In the Jewish Week article,French students expressed dif-ferent viewpoints on the cli-mate for Jews in that country.Some spoke of anti-Semiticincidents on college campusesand said they felt more athome in the US. Others cau-tioned against paranoia, withJohanna Abbou, a universitystudent in Paris, saying, “it’s

not so bad that we all have toleave because of it.”

After establishing linkswith principals and directorsof Jewish schools in France,YU staff hosted a group ofFrench Jewish educators onan investigative mission toNew York the week of Nov. 15.The mission entailed a meet-ing with YU faculty and staffand visits to Jewish dayschools in the tri-state area.

“The goal of our meetingwas to discuss how YU’s edu-cational resources may inter-sect with the needs of Jewishschools in France,” said Jere-miah Unterman, PhD, direc-tor of the Association of Mod-ern Orthodox Day Schoolsand Yeshiva High Schools(AMODS).

The trip was organized byAndre Neher Institute, Paris’sleading center for the trainingand licensing of Jewish educa-tors in France.

“We live in a time of dark-ness. Society is moving to-ward extremes all around theworld,” YU President RichardM. Joel told the French educa-tors gathered at Belfer Hall onthe Wilf Campus. “We wantto establish a dialogue be-tween our cultures based on

the common language ofYahadut (Judaism),” he said.

David Schnall, PhD, deanof YU’s Azrieli Graduate Schoolof Jewish Education and Ad-ministration, spoke to theeducators about opportunitiesfor international partnership.He cited the initiatives of dis-tance-learning, to provide in-service training for teachers viateleconferencing, and sendingFrench Jewish educators toAzrieli on the condition theyreturn home to teach for anumber of years (a similar pro-gram already exists in the Can-adian Jewish community).

The meeting concludedwith a panel discussion withfour French YU students, whospoke about their experienceat the university and the bene-fits for future French students.

“I can take pride in my reli-gion at YU, whereas studentsface great difficulty maintain-ing their Jewish identity onFrench college campuses,” saidAlex Landau, a sophomorefrom Paris studying pre-engi-neering. “YU’s administrationhas been impressively instru-mental in encouraging Frenchstudents to receive the type ofeducation ideal for religiousobservance and practice.” n

During a visit to Stern College for Women on Nov. 18,Nova Scotia’s Lt. Gov. Myra A. Freeman (right) present-ed the inaugural lecture of the series “Women in Publicand International Affairs,” sponsored by SCW’s politicalscience department. Lt. Gov. Freeman gave Stern aproclamation on the school’s jubilee. She is the 13thlieutenant governor of the Province of Nova Scotia, thefirst woman to be appointed to the position in theprovince’s 400-year history, and the first Jew to hold thetitle in Canada. On her left is Molly Fink, president ofSCW’s Student Council.

Focus onYU in Debate Over French Jewry

YU’s delegation to the GA included Rabbi David Israel, MSDCS director, bottom left, and Hedy Shulman, director of media relations, bottom right.


The violence in Dar-fur, Sudan, whicherupted in February2003 when two rebel

groups launched a revoltagainst the Arab-dominatedgovernment, cannot be re-duced to a racial clash be-tween Africans and Arabs.

So said Gerald Martone, di-rector of emergency responsefor the International RescueCommittee, during a paneldiscussion at YU’s BenjaminN. Cardozo School of Law onOct. 26.

“There’s another distinc-tion that drives this animosi-ty,” Mr. Martone said, describ-ing the intense competitionbetween two lifestyles—theAfrican farmers and Arabnomads—for what littleusable land there is left.

Mr. Martone was among agroup of senior officials fromhuman rights organizationsparticipating in “Death and

Destruction in Darfur, Sudan:The Human Dimension andthe Moral Imperative.” Car-dozo’s program in Holocaustand Human Rights Studiessponsored the presentation,which addressed the humani-tarian and political complexi-

ties of the Darfur situationand the response of the inter-national community.

More than 1.5 million peo-ple have left their homes inDarfur, fleeing to refugeecamps to escape the violence.Mr. Martone discussed the

effects on the dis-placed population,especially on chil-dren, who comprisethe majority ofcamp inhabitants.He described theseplaces as bleak, a“toxic environmentfor a child,” andsaid that providingchildren with struc-ture for their days isa new challenge foraid organizations totackle.

Ruth Messinger,president and exec-utive director ofAmerican Jewish

World Service, recently re-turned from visiting therefugee camps and stressedthe need for aid and politicalaction. “You need to figureout what you as a person cando to help,” Ms. Messingertold the audience.

In her remarks, Ms.Messinger described the vio-lence in the camps, includingrape and other forms of abuseagainst women. The simpletask of finding scarce firewoodputs them at risk, since theyhave to venture outside thecamps to collect it for cook-ing. “I believe the situation ismore likely to get worse thannot,” Ms. Messinger said.“There’s not enough beingdone.”

Other panelists includedGregory D’Elia, senior politi-cal advisor for the UnitedStates Mission to the UnitedNations, and Iain Levine, pro-gram director for HumanRights Watch. The CardozoBlack Law Students Associa-tion, the Cardozo Jewish LawStudents Association, and theDr. Marcia Robbins-WilfScholar-in-Residence Programof Stern College cosponsoredthe event. n

Cardozo Hosts Discussion of Human Rights Crisis

Contrary to his repu-tation for rational-ism, the Jewishphilosopher Mai-

monides in his youth ex-plored mysticism as a way tocharacterize the divine realm.

This intriguing finding wasoffered by Moshe Idel, MaxCooper Professor of JewishThought at the Hebrew Uni-versity of Jerusalem, at a con-ference titled “Between Rashiand Maimonides: Themes inMedieval Jewish Law, Thought,and Culture,” held at YUNov. 21–23.

Professor Idel, a foremostauthority on medieval Jewishmysticism, said that althoughMaimonides rejected mysticalmodels later in life for onesmore strictly philosophical,his explorations suggest thatJewish mysticism and Jewishphilosophy are not as incom-

patible as once thought.Professor Idel was among a

gathering of distinguishedscholars from the UnitedStates, Canada, and Israel whodiscussed themes of Jewishscholarship from a timebracketed by two of Judaism’sgreatest commentators.

The conference focused onsignificant differences andsimilarities between medievalscholars from Ashkenaz (Nor-thern France/Germany) andSefarad (Spain/North Africa/Egypt), who were leading in-tellectual and spiritual lightsduring the twelfth and thir-teenth centuries, a time thatmarks one of the most prolificperiods in Jewish scholarship.

The conference was timedto commemorate the 900th an-niversary of Rashi’s death andthe 800th of Maimonides’.

The Bea and Leonard

Diener Institute of Law atBenjamin N. Cardozo Schoolof Law and the Rebecca IvryDepartment of Jewish Studiesat Stern College for Womensponsored the three-day con-

ference. Both schools hostedthe five sessions, whichopened Sunday afternoonwith discussion on“Methodologies of Legal In-terpretation” at Cardozo’sBrookdale Center.

“I’d like to note that thisfirst session is taking place inCardozo’s Moot Court andfeatures Prof. J. David Bleichas the first speaker,” saidCardozo Professor SuzanneStone, session chair, referringto the appropriateness of dis-cussing legal interpretation inCardozo’s training courtroomwith the participation of theschool’s Herbert and FlorenceTenzer Professor of Jewish Lawand Ethics.

Professor Bleich addressedthe gathering on the halakhic(Jewish legal) controversybetween Rashi and Mai-

monides about the questionof identity as related tohumans and animals, particu-larly as it pertains to kashrut(Jewish dietary laws).

Other participants in theconference included Prof.Nahum Rakover, of the JewishLegal Heritage Society inJerusalem; Prof. Ephraim Kan-arfogel, E. Billi Ivry Professorof Jewish History at SternCollege, and the conference’sorganizer; Prof. MichelleLevine, assistant professor ofBible at Stern; Prof. DanielLasker of Ben-Gurion Univer-sity in Israel; Prof. MenachemKellner of Haifa University;and Prof. Robert Chazan ofNew York University.

Professor Kanarfogel is ed-iting a volume of the confer-ence proceedings. n

YU Conference Puts Spotlight on Period Between Rashi and Maimonides

Efrem Nulman, DSW, sen-ior university dean of stu-dents, eagerly anticipates theexpansion of Dr. Schwartz’srole at YU, and applauds thesupport the center has re-ceived from YU leadership.“From the first day, PresidentRichard Joel and Vice Presi-dent Hillel Davis recognizedthat a confidential counselingservice is the best way to offerour students the help they

need.” The creation of the cen-ter is yet another step towardthe fulfillment of the newadministration’s vision of cre-ating a supportive, student-centered environment at YU.

Dr. Nulman also expectsthe center to provide appro-priate opportunities for stu-dent interns from YU’s gradu-ate schools. Dr. Nulman andDr. Schwartz will meet withleadership at each school on

the Manhattan campuses todetermine their needs andhow best to provide servicesfor them.

“This will enhance studentlife at YU significantly,” con-firms Dr. Nulman. “Adjust-ment to college is a difficultprocess and we, as an institu-tion, want to address the psy-chological challenges stu-dents encounter as theydevelop here.” n

Counseling Center continued from page 1

Conference participants included L–R, Professors Rakover, Bleich, and Kanarfogel.

Gerald Martone with Gregory D’Elia (left) and Iain Levine (right) behind.


Lamport Auditorium was the site of an exciting and heated contest of musicaltalents when more than 600 students, parents, and guests attended a rousingconcert on Nov. 16. Five popular Jewish musical groups squared off at YU’sThird Annual Battle of the Bands, featuring a special guest appearance by

Simply Tsfat, a Hasidic band from Israel.Omek Hadavar, a band composed of YU students, narrowly won the competition,

and YC senior Jeremy Gaisin’s Midnite Remedy came in a close second. A panel of 20Jewish musicians judged the contest

Omek Hadavar, formed this September, made its debut at the event. “We didn’tthink we were going to win, because we were up against more experienced bands,” saidkeyboardist Ari Yablok, a YC sophomore. “But we were out to have as much fun as pos-sible, and I think that helped us win.”

Also playing in the band are YC sophomores David Weinberg and Chaim Feigen-baum, SSSB junior Yakir Schechter, and alumnus Matt Weinberg. All residents ofTeaneck, NJ, they began playing “contemporary rock and jazz with a Jewish twist” inDavid Weinberg’s basement earlier this year.

The competition, Mr. Yablok said, generated a lot of interest in the band and theyhave been booked for several other concerts, through the end of the year.

Playing for Midnite Remedy were YU students Mr. Gaison, Adam Law, YoniStatman, and Eric Cohen, and alumni Moshe Kapstick and Mark Kuzman.

Four busloads of students from Stern College for Women came to the Wilf Campusto join in the festivities. The undergraduate student councils sponsored the concert. n

Battle of Music and Melody

Kollel Yom Rishon continued from page 1

who would like to catch up on missed learning via the Internet. “It is great to go to consistently high-level shiurim where

there is mutual admiration between the rebbeim and the kollelparticipants,” said Philip Stein, a business executive fromTeaneck, NJ, who has attended regularly from the start. “I havealso been impressed by the kollel staff, who are very sympathet-ic to our needs.”

He added that the morning program is great for a person likehim, “who often schleps out to evening shiurim, only to fallasleep after a day’s work.”

Roshei yeshiva who lead each week’s discussion includeRabbi Meir Goldwicht, Joel and Maria Finkle Visiting IsraeliRosh Yeshiva; Rabbi Yaakov B. Neuberger, I. Meier and HenriettaSegals Professor of Talmud; Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, Nathanand Perel Schupf Professor of Talmud; Rabbi Yonason Sacks,Rabbi Henry H. Guterman Professor of Talmud; Rabbi HershelSchachter, Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professor ofTalmud; Rabbi Mayer E. Twersky, Leib Merkin DistinguishedProfessor of Talmud and Jewish Philosophy; and RabbiMordechai I. Willig, Rabbi Dr. Sol Roth Professor of Talmud andContemporary Halakhah. Recordings and source materials areavailable at www.yu.edu/torah. n

Wilf Dedication continued from page 1

The event also marked Mr. Wilf’s 80th birthday, which boardmembers celebrated by presenting him with a card signed by theYU community.

In 2002, the Wilf family of Hillside, NJ, made a gift to YUchiefly to underwrite major enhancements to its campus in theWashington Heights section of Manhattan. In gratitude for thefamily’s generosity, YU named it the Wilf Campus.

Mr. Wilf is chief executive officer of Garden Homes Manage-ment, a real estate development, building, and managementfirm based in Union, NJ. He and his family are among NewJersey’s most prominent leaders and supporters of Jewish educa-tion and other Jewish causes. The family made its first Bene-factor-level contribution 13 years ago, when it established ascholarship fund for financially needy and deserving studentsattending YU’s three undergraduate schools.

Over the next few years, the Wilf gift will provide for beauti-fying and enhancing the seven city blocks of the uptown cam-pus. The gift also continues the family’s support of the WilfDistinguished Undergraduate Scholarship Fund at YU, whichunderwrites the education of undergraduate students at thehighest level of academic achievement. n

Festival of LightsThe Beren and Wilf campuses were aglow with menorah lightsand the exuberant spirit of chagiggot (holiday celebrations) during Hanukkah. Beren students enjoyed a concert featuringNeshama Carlebach and her band, while President Richard M.Joel and rebbeim joined in festivities that drew revelers fromamong alumni and friends to the Wilf Campus. Beren students lit up Brookdale Residence Hall to look like a menorah—literally:lights in some rooms were turned off, with those in others kepton, creating a pattern that resembled a menorah.

Save the Date

Annual Yeshiva University SOY Seforim SaleFebruary 10–March 2, 2005www.soyseforim.org

Largest Jewish Book Sale in North America

(Above) Jeremy Gaisin and Adam Law of Midnite Remedy, (right) Aryeh Needle of Az B’Yachad and (below) David and MattWeinberg of winning band Omek Hadavar.

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PA IDYESHIVA UNIVERSITY

500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 JANUARY 2005

YUTodayA PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

Senior Appointments Lead YU Into Futuren President Joel Recruits Top Officials to Broaden University’s Role in Community

Over the course of2005, three seniorofficials will helpbroaden YU’s lead-

ership in and service to thecommunity, across the US andin Israel.

Rabbi Kenneth Branderwas appointed the inauguraldean of YU’s new Center forthe Jewish Future, RabbiRichard Bieler senior execu-tive director of communityrelations, and Howard M.Weisband senior advisor onIsrael affairs.

YU President Richard M.Joel created the positions tocarry out his vision of estab-lishing the university as a keyspiritual, intellectual, and edu-cational resource for the Jew-ish and wider communities.

The Center for the JewishFuture (CJF) will serve as thenucleus of YU’s educationaland human-capital efforts toimpact the Jewish future. TheCJF will work with the uni-versity’s colleges, and affili-ates to shape programs—from within and beyond theinstitution—that will trainleaders and deliver services toits students and the broaderJewish communities.

Rabbi Kenneth Brander is

uniquely qualified to serve asCJF’s founding dean. Alearned and visionary rab-binic leader, he is a 1984alumnus of Yeshiva College.He received ordination fromYU’s Rabbi Isaac ElchananTheological Seminary in 1986.

Rabbi Brander has galva-nized the Boca Raton Syna-gogue and extended com-munity, and in 13 years hasled its extraordinary growthto encompass multiple syna-gogues, schools, and com-munity services.

“Rabbi Brander’s insight,inspiration, and sense of lead-ership and empowerment willserve him well in his new postand will be vital to the successof this model university cen-ter,” President Joel said.

As YU’s senior executivedirector of community affairs,Rabbi Bieler will build bridgeswith various modern Ortho-dox communities across NorthAmerica. He will set up com-munity councils of rabbinicaland lay leaders to identify andserve communities’ needsthrough various means. Thecouncils will also help buildgreater alumni participation,recruit students, and identifyfuture Jewish leaders.

“Rabbi Bieler is a skilledand knowledgeable profes-sional and an important addi-tion to the talented team thatwill bring the extensive spiri-tual and intellectual resourcesof YU to modern Orthodoxcommunities around the na-tion and Canada. He will playa vital role in developing andnurturing the considerablesupport this initiative willrequire,” said President Joel.

Rabbi Bieler has more than20 years of experience indevelopment and outreach tothe Jewish community. Forthe past 14 years, he wasdirector of development atOHEL Children’s Home andFamily Services, Bais Ezra, andthe Lifetime Care Foundationfor the Jewish Disabled. He di-

rected the national fund-raising campaign of theUnion of Orthodox JewishCongregations of America,1986–1990, and was directorof special projects at YU,1982–1986. He is a 1974 YCalumnus and received ordina-tion from RIETS in 1978.

In his new position, Mr.Weisband “will aid YU leader-ship in envisioning and repo-sitioning the university inIsrael,” President Joel said. Hisappointment strengthens oneof the chief cornerstones ofthe president’s strategy for arenewed university—the cen-trality of Israel in YU affairs.

Mr. Weisband will spear-head joint ventures withIsraeli institutions in law, edu-cation, science, and social

work. He will also work to in-crease awareness in Israel ofYU’s programs and commit-ment to the state of Israel, andhe will build relationshipswith the yeshivot in YU’s S.Daniel Abraham Israel Pro-gram and the school’s morethan 2,000 alumni there.

Mr. Weisband will directYU’s Israel operations andteach as an adjunct in areas ofJewish communal leadership.

Mr. Weisband brings morethan 20 years of distinguishedexperience as director generalof the UJA Federation’s Can-ada Israel Office, vice presi-dent of international develop-ment of Bar-Ilan University,and secretary general of theJewish Agency for Israel. n

Rabbi Kenneth BranderRabbi Richard Bieler Howard M. Weisband

yeshiva university today january 2005

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