VOLUMEYU 8 NO. 3 To YESHIVA UNIVERSITY • SUMMER d 2002 ay

Israel Minister of Education Keynotes Commencement

he Honorable Limor a single child in Israel who Livnat, Israel Minister doesn’t learn the basics of T of Education, delivered Jewish and Zionist knowledge the keynote address and and values.” received an honorary degree At Commencement she from President Norman Lamm highlighted the value of her- at Yeshiva University’s 71st itage that is unique to man Annual Commencement Exer- and the particular value of cises on Thursday, May 23. Jewish heritage. The exercises took place at “We have a heritage. And The Theater in Madison this is the advantage of man Square Garden. over the other creatures of the Dr. Lamm also bestowed world. Heritage is knowledge honorary degrees on Mr. and heritage is values. In Arthur Cohn, film producer; transmitting our heritage, we Dr. Bernadine Healy, physi- preserve the continuity of cian and former president Jewish existence,” she said. and CEO of the American “May our diploma on the wall Israel Minister of Education Livnat is hooded at YU’s 71st Annual Commencement Exercises. Red Cross; Mr. Malcolm serve as a constant reminder of Hoenlein, executive vice chair- who we are and who we must and he is the only foreign pro- man of the Conference of strive to be, as individuals and ducer ever honored with a star Living History Presidents of Major American as a people.” on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Jewish Organizations; and Mr. Arthur Cohn, of Basel, Dr. Bernadine Healy be- Michael Jesselson, a philan- Switzerland, is the only film came president and chief exec- Karen Bacon: Academic Role thropist, communal leader, producer in history to have utive officer of the American and businessman. won six Academy Awards. Red Cross in 1999. During her Model for Jewish Women Minister Livnat has been a Included in his repertoire of tenure, she led the organiza- Member of Knesset (Israel’s recognized works are The Sky tion’s response to the Sept- recalls. “I remember vividly parliament) since 1992, and Above, The Mud Below; The ember 11 terrorist attacks and wanting to go home.” served as a member of the Garden of the Finzi Continis; took a courageous stand by It’s hard to imagine this is Knesset Education and Culture and One Day in September, a pressing the International the same person who would Committee, as well as the recounting of the tragic events Federation of the Red Cross become a research scientist, Labor and Social Affairs of the 1972 Summer Olympics and Red Crescent to accept raise three children, lead a Committee. Upon becoming in Munich, Germany. Mr. Israel’s Magen David Adom respected women’s college, Minister of Education, she Cohn has had retrospectives of into full membership. She and share a dinner table at the stated that she was committed his films presented at major retired in December 2001 and White House with the First to ensuring “that there is not film festivals around the globe continue on p. 3 Lady of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel. But if Dr. Bacon was a bit naive in 1960, she was also Schottenstein, Abraham Honors strong and determined. “I knew my parents had sacrificed a lot, Programs’ Students Mark Milestone hat in the world am both financially and emotion- I doing here?” We’ve ally, to send me away to he Jay and Jeanie Schot- and a gathering of deans, Two triple majors, many Wall found ourselves school,” she says. “I couldn’t see tenstein Honors Program faculty, friends, and family. double majors, the Yeshiva alone in strange places asking myself calling them, saying, ‘I’m T at Yeshiva College cele- The senior honors thesis College valedictorian, winners this very question. For Karen coming home.’ So I toughed it brated a milestone on May 23 is the crowning achievement of speaking and writing con- Bacon, it was her first day as a out and, of course, it got better when its first nine students within the Honors Program tests, winners of 16 depart- freshman at Stern College for very rapidly.” graduated at the YU Com- and represents the most in- mental and college awards, Women in September 1960. Indeed. Four years later, the mencement ceremony. depth intellectual experience and many other achievements Dr. Bacon, who had never trembling teen from LA had The evening of May 22 within Yeshiva College: a full are the fruition of this rigorous been away from home, arrived morphed into the class vale- represented another milestone year of research and writing and rewarding experience. early from Los Angeles, and not dictorian, a bride-to-be, and a as well when the students, under the guidance of one or The S. Daniel Abraham a soul was there to greet her at budding scientist. And just 13 having completed all 11 require- more faculty mentors. Honors Program at Stern the hotel that then served as years later, she would return to ments for the Program and Each student immerses him- College for Women, founded in the college’s dorm. Only one her alma mater as dean, play- 108 credits in residency, pre- self in a topic all year with a the fall of 1999, graduated 16 other student had shown up. ing a central role in develop- sented their senior honors degree of development impos- students in 2001/2002, in- “The two of us were hanging ing SCW as a prestigious theses to newly appointed sible to achieve within a single cluding Shoshana Frankel Posy, on to each other, very fright- women’s college and serious Program director Dr. Will Lee, one-term course. continued on p. 12, see box p. 4 ened of this big city,” Karen continued on p. 6

MOVING OUT MOVING ON MOVING UP YU’s 71st Annual Seniors win prestigious From EMT to NYPD Commencement scholarships to Einstein MD season page 5 page 13 pages 8-10 INSIDE

www.yu.edu/news/publications 2 YUToday Summer 2002

F ACULTY NEWS

Moshe Anisfeld, PhD, professor Rabbi Joel A. Hochman, JD, SSSB Jeffrey S. Gurock, PhD, Libby M. Philip Ress, director of human Perez Posen, assistant professor of psychology at FGS, presented assistant professor of accounting, Klaperman Professor of Jewish Histo- resources, on the untimely loss of emeritus of physics, who taught for a paper, “No Compelling Evidence taxation, and business law, deliv- ry and academic assistant to the his nephew, William Monroe Ress. many years at YC. to Dispute Piaget’s Timetable of the ered a talk to the Golden Age Club president, was awarded the Lee Max Development of Representational of the Jewish Center of Kew Friedman Medal for 2002 at the Hedy Shulman, director of media Martin Romerovski, a YU Guardian Imitation in Infancy,” at an interna- Gardens Hills, NY, on “Chasing Biennial Scholars Conference of the relations, CPA, on the loss of her with his wife, Rose. He was a for- tional conference on imitation in Your Dreams—It’s Never Too Late.” American Jewish Historical Society. mother, Esther Simon. mer member, SCW Board of Royaumont Abbey, France. The award is in recognition of his Directors. He and his wife were also Ira Jaskoll, MBA, SSSB associate distinguished service to the field and Fellows of RIETS and YUHS. Noyes Bartholomew, DMA, asso- dean, was one of the subjects in an as associate editor of American Jewish We Mourni ciate professor of music, had a com- article about the pros and cons of History for more than 20 years. Herbert H. Schiff, chairman and position accepted for perform- exercising during middle age, in a Samuel Borenstein, a Founder chairman emeritus of the WSSW ance during the concert series of recent issue of Fortune magazine: with his first wife, Blume, of Albert Board of Governors. A YU honorary the League of Composers/Inter- “Is It Time to Hang up Your Spikes?” PEOPLE Einstein College of Medicine who, trustee, he and his wife, Betty, are national Society for Contemporary Dean Jaskoll won a bronze medal in with his second wife, Lillian, was Benefactors of YU. Music. The performance of Lament 1999 at the Pan American Macca- Julius Berman, RIETS chairman and a YU Guardian. (for Two Children of Ben Luc) marked biah Games playing on the US YU board trustee, was elected the piece’s world premiere. basketball team, and continues to chairman of the Conference on Pedro Gonzalez, assistant direc- Congratulationsi play regularly. Jewish Material Claims Against tor/project manager, facilities man- Pearl Berger, MLS, dean, University Germany (the “Claims Conference”). agement. He had worked at YU Anthony Beukas, PhD, professor of libraries, took over as president of President Norman Lamm, PhD, The election took place shortly after since 1982. speech and drama, on the birth of the 1,100-member Association of was one of “Three Distinguished the death of Rabbi Israel Miller, vice grandson Sean Michael to Michael Jewish Libraries when it held Guests in Dialogue with Rabbi president emeritus and president of Edward Levy, EdD, professor of and Jennifer Beukas. its 37th annual convention in Denver William Berkowitz,” a series of live the Conference for the past 20 years music and chair of the music in June. Previously, she held the dialogues created by Rabbi (see p.3). department at SCW. He was an Stephen Lazar, EdD, AECOM post of vice president. Associate Berkowitz with outstanding world accomplished composer whose assistant dean, and wife Marlene Professor of Speech and Drama Jewish leaders, renowned personal- Sander Dulitz, assistant to the di- pieces were performed in New York on the birth of grandson Charlie Peninnah Schram gave a story- ities, authorities, and scholars in the rector of safety and security, was and Germany. Jay Lazar Aarons to parents Bari telling performance during the fields of public affairs, the Middle chosen and assigned as the official and Phil. convention’s Judaica Festival. East, religion and philosophy, the liaison to Community Planning Board Charlotte K. Lindner, former direc- humanities, science, literature and 12, representing the offices of Council tor of the D. Samuel Gottesman Hedy Shulman, director of media J. David Bleich, PhD, Herbert and the arts. The evening, in April, Member Miguel Martinez. Library at Albert Einstein College of relations, CPA, on the graduation of Florence Tenzer Professor of Law was held at the Leo and Julia Medicine. She was chief cataloguer her son, Marc, from the clinical psy- and Ethics, CSL, spoke on “Physi- Forchheimer Auditorium at the Jake Lieberman, director of food at Einstein, 1961-74, then assistant chology doctoral program at FGS. cian Conscience Clauses,” Confe- Center for Jewish History, home services, was invited to join the librarian. She became director in rence on Religious Values and Legal of YU Museum. NYPD in a special tour as a “Com- 1978 and retired in 1989. Jeffrey Socol, senior associate direc- Dilemmas in Bioethics, Fordham manding Officer for a Day,” during tor, facilities management, and wife University School of Law; “Law Edith Lubetski, MLS, SCW head which he was made police captain Jean Nerken, a Guardian with her Robyn on the birth of third child and Morality in Judaism,” Faculty librarian, was honored with an late husband, Albert. Yitzchak Israel. Mazal tov also to of Law, Humboldt University, Ber- Administrative Recognition plaque grandparents Dr. Sheldon Socol, lin, Germany; “The Stem Cell by SCW students at the End of Year Joseph Noble, YU alumnus, Jewish vice president for business affairs, Controversy from a Jewish Per- Dessert and Awards Ceremony. educator, and original secretary at and wife Ginger. spective,” Berliner Studien zum Teacher’s Institute. continued on p. 3 Jüdischen Recht und Centrum Meir Lubetski, PhD, adjunct asso- Judaicum, Berlin; and “Pränataler ciate professor, recently published Lebensschutz: Theologische, philo- Saul Lieberman (1898-1983), sophische und verfassungsrecht- Talmudic Scholar and Classicist. The liche Aspekte,” Podiumsdiskussion book includes a comprehensive YUToday Humboldt University, Berlin. bibliography about Saul Lieberman VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 3 compiled by Elinor Grumet, refer- Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, Joel and ence librarian in SCW’s Hedi YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Maria Finkle Visiting Israeli Rosh Steinberg Library. for a day by Commissioner Ray Kelly. Robert M. Beren, Chairman Yeshiva, has been giving shiurim He was assigned to a housing devel- YU Board of Trustees on the Internet on the Arutz-7 Alvin I. Schiff, Irving I. Stone opment in the East New York section Dr. Norman Lamm website, www.a7.org, since Febru- Distinguished Professor of Jewish of Brooklyn. Lieberman (pictured left President ary. The shiurim are held every Education, AGS, lectured on with Com. Kelly) serves as a liaison Peter L. Ferrara Director of Communications and Public Affairs Sunday, 4–5 pm, and deal with “Response to September 11—A to the NYPD in Brooklyn. the weekly Torah portion, Jewish Judaic View,” Cong. Anshe Shalom, Jay Schottenstein, Chairman, Board of Directors,Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener Blenden, Chairman, Board of Directors, Stern College for Women; Bernard L. events, and events in Israel. Rabbi Del Ray Beach, FL. He spoke on Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy Syms School of Business; Robert A. Goldwicht has a following among “Applying the Concept of Gevurot Condolences toi Belfer, Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Earle regular listeners of Arutz-7 through- to Humankind and Nature” at the I. Mack, Chairman, Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; out the tristate area. Arutz-7 claims 80th birthday celebration of Yisrael Norman Adler, YC dean, on the David I. Schachne, Chair, Board of Governors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Bernard Revel Graduate School 100,000 monthly impressions on Back, director emeritus, Inter- loss of his brother, Michael. of Jewish Studies; Jayne G. Beker, Chair, Board of Governors, Ferkauf Graduate its homepage. national Bible Contest, Jerusalem. School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, Azrieli He authored an essay in Hebrew, Sue Brody, public relations coordi- Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Robert J. Greenberg, JD, assis- “Unity of Israel in the Bible and nator, Philip and Rita Rosen Depart- Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Erica Jesselson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva tant professor of business law at Talmud,” Religious Zionism in Action, ment of Communications and Public University Museum. SSSB, presented a paper, “Democ- in honor of Dr. Zerah Warhaftig, Affairs, AECOM, on the loss of her racy and Capitalism: Are They Jerusalem, Mizrachi Hapoel Mizrachi mother, Mildred Oppenheimer. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY Really Equal Opportunities Emplo- World Organization. Hedy Shulman yers?”, at the annual conference of Leon H. Charney, YU alumnus, Managing Editor the Pacific Southwest Academy Shmuel Schneider, PhD, associate Guardian, and CSL board member, June Glazer of Legal Studies in Business, Palm professor of Hebrew, presented a on the loss of his brother, Herbert. Editor Springs, CA. Dr. Greenberg also lecture, “Shabbat in Modern Doug Dayhoff Graphic Designer served as scholar-in-residence at Hebrew Literature,” at the Balti- Dale Hochstein, director of MIS at Jerry Bergman, Kelly Berman, Adam Cohen, Esther Finkle, The Desert Synagogue in Palm more Histadrut Ivrit of America AECOM, on the loss of her father- Michelle Fogel, Norman Goldberg, Peter Robertson Springs, where he spoke on “Enron, “Hebrew Week” conference in June. in-law, Arnold Hochstein. Contributors Corporate Social Responsibility, and www.yu.edu/news/publications the Relationship Between the Indi- Ellen Schrecker, PhD, professor of Leon Jolson, on the loss of his wife, vidual and the Community as Refle- history, was elected a Fellow of the Anya, both YU Guardians, with Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the cted in Parshas Shekalim, Zachor, Society of American Historians in whom he established a scholar- Yeshiva University Department of Communications and Public Affiars, 401 Furst Hall, 500 West 185th St., New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is ditrib- Parah, and HaChodesh.” recognition of the literary and scho- ship at RIETS in memory of their uted free on campus to faculty, staff, and students. © Yeshiva University 2002 larly distinction of her historical work. daughter, Dorothy. Summer 2002 YUToday 3

Rabbi Israel Miller, Champion of Jewish Causes, Dies

years. Rabbi Miller joined the honorary Doctor of Divinity career, in 1965, he led a dele- Rabbi Miller is survived by University administration in degree from YU in 1967. gation of the Rabbinical Council his wife, Ruth, and four chil- 1968, was senior vice president Rabbi Miller played a singu- of America to the Soviet Union, dren, Rabbi David (and Miriam) of the University since 1979, lar role in modern Jewish com- where he was accorded the Miller, associate director of and senior vice president emeri- munal life. A gentle, soft-spo- privilege of speaking from the RIETS’ Caroline and Joseph tus since 1994. He was a mem- ken man, he was received by pulpit in Moscow. This resulted Gruss Institute in Jerusalem; ber of the Board of Governors the last six US presidents and in a front-page story and his Rabbi Michael (and Phyllis) Wurzweiler School of Social negotiated with foreign gov- being designated “Man in the Miller, executive vice-presi- Work and of the RIETS Board ernments on behalf of world News” in The New York Times, dent of the Jewish Community of Trustees. Jewry with his trademark gen- which dubbed him “Down-to- Relations Council of Greater “Rabbi Miller’s portfolio tility and grace. He was presi- Earth Rabbi.” New York; Deborah (and was diverse and influential. dent of almost every major In addition, he held leading Norman) Kram of Brookline, During his long and illustrious Jewish organization, most roles in many other organiza- MA, director of Maayan, a career he served his people, his recently serving as president tions, including: founding Jewish Women’s Study Insti- country, and his faith with since 1982 of the Conference president and honorary presi- tute; Judith (and Jay) Kalish of distinction,” said President of Jewish Material Claims dent of the American Zionist Jerusalem, an administrator at Norman Lamm. “However, for Against Germany. Federation; a founder of the Hebrew University; 19 grand- most of his life, he was always His tireless energies helped Jewish Community Relations children, eight great-grand- Rabbi Israel Miller devoted to his university which achieve a landmark compensa- Council; chairman of the Amer- children, and his brother, he served with wisdom and tion agreement for the crimi- ican Zionist Council; member David, and sister, Dorothy, abbi Israel Miller, YU love.” nal theft that was part of the of the Board of Governors of who reside in Netanya, Israel. senior vice president Rabbi Miller’s communal barbarity of the Holocaust. He the Jewish Agency and execu- His funeral in Israel, held R emeritus and one of the career was intertwined with was chairman of the prestigious tive of the World Zionist Orga- at YU’s Caroline and Joseph nation’s outstanding Jewish that of YU and his association Conference of Presidents of nization; vice president of S. Gruss Institute in Jerusalem, communal leaders who cham- with the University spanned Major American Jewish Organi- AIPAC; president of the Rab- and burial, in the YU section pioned Jewish causes and ad- more than 60 years. After zations, the coordinating body binical Council of America; pre- of the Eretz HaChayim ceme- vocated Jewish human rights he earned his bachelor’s of religious, secular, and Zionist sident of the Rabbinic Alumni tery near Beit Shemesh, was around the globe, died in March degree and ordination, he groups in the US. of RIETS. attended by some 1,000 mourn- in Jerusalem at age 83. Funeral taught applied rabbinics at Rabbi Miller’s special interest A native of Baltimore, MD, ers, including YC alumnus services were held in Israel. RIETS and influenced count- in Soviet Jewry found expres- for more than 25 years Rabbi and US Ambassador Daniel A graduate of Yeshiva College less students. He received a sion in the three years of his Miller provided insightful and Kurtzer, Israel’s Attorney General in 1938 and of RIETS in 1941, master’s degree from Col- national leadership of the compassionate guidance as spir- Elyakim Rubinstein, and Dep- he was a high-ranking admin- umbia University in 1949. American Jewish Conference itual leader of Kingsbridge uty Minister of Defense Rabbi istrator at YU for more than 25 Rabbi Miller was awarded an on Soviet Jewry. Earlier in his Jewish Center in the Bronx, NY. Michael Melchior.

Israel Minister public policy issues. for the purpose of developing Michael Jesselson is pres- new day schools throughout the continued from page 1 ident of Jesselson Capital US for all branches of Judaism. was appointed by President Corporation, an investment Immediately following com- George W. Bush to the Pre- firm, and a member of the Board mencement on May 23, which sident’s Council of Advisors of Trustees of Yeshiva Univer- honored graduates of YU’s on Science and Technology. sity, the Board of Directors of undergraduate schools and Malcolm I. Hoenlein has the Yeshiva University Mu- several graduate programs, sep- been at the helm of the Con- seum, and the Board of Overse- arate hooding ceremonies were ference of Presidents of Major ers of Albert Einstein College held for recipients of degrees American Jewish Organiza- of Medicine. from Ferkauf Graduate School tions since 1986. As spokesper- He is active in a wide range of Psychology and Wurzweiler son of the American Jewish of Jewish philanthropic, cul- School of Social Work. community, Mr. Hoenlein has tural, and educational endeav- Albert Einstein College of Dr. David Schnall, dean of Yeshiva University’s Azrieli represented the consensus of ors in the US and Israel, in- Medicine held its 44th Annu- Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, that constituency at the high- cluding as a director of the al Commencement, Thursday, presents a Certificate of Achievement posthumously to Mr. est levels of American govern- Partnership for Excellence in June 6; Benjamin N. Cardozo Alan Hayman, father of Shoshana Greenbaum, who was ment and around the globe Jewish Education, an organ- School of Law held its 24th murdered in the summer of 2001 in the Sbarro terror attack wherever Jewish interests are ization he helped establish with Annual Commencement June 7. in Jerusalem. Ms. Greenbaum was in Israel to complete her at stake. Also, he serves as Michael Steinhardt and other (See commencement section, coursework for the Azrieli Block Program master’s degree. adviser to many public officials major philanthropists and Jew- page 8-10.) and is frequently consulted on ish communal leaders in 1998 PEOPLE Jeffrey S. Gurock, PhD, Libby M. Klaperman Professor of Jewish continued from page 2 History and academic assistant to Rabbi Marc Spivak, coordinator the president, his wife Pamela, Dr. of community programs through Jayne G. Beker, chairman of the new media for MSDCS, and wife board of Ferkauf Graduate School of Debra on the birth of twins. Rabbi Psychology and YU board member, Spivak made the pages of Jewish and Harvey Beker, on the birth of Week when he acted as mohel (ritual their granddaughter, Audrey Sofia. circumciser) for the two boys and also for the son of his wife’s broth- Dr. Richard Zerneck, director of er and sister-in-law, Daniel Price athletics and physical education, and Lea Rosenfeld. The triple brit and his wife, Barbara, on the birth milah (circumcision) ceremony was of grandson Joseph Zerneck. held at Weisberg Commons. Board Newsi

The following have been elected members of Yeshiva University boards: • Board of Trustees, Yeshiva University: Fanya Gottesfeld-Heller, J. Ezra Merkin • Board of Directors, Sy Syms School of Business: Michael C. Palitz Standing from left: YU Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Morry Weiss, Chairman Robert M. Beren, • Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: and YU Trustee Joseph Wilf. Seated with Dr. Lamm (from left), honorary degree recipients Michael Stephen Judlowe and Nathan Kacew Jesselson, Dr. Bernadine Healy, Minister Limor Livnat, Malcolm Hoenlein, and Arthur Cohn. • National Board of the Canadian Friends of YU: Samuel Z. Eltes, chairman. 4 YUToday Summer 2002 UNDERGRADUATE

Schottenstein, Abraham Honors Programs’ Students Mark Milestone

Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Jacob Yunger, “Numerical Simulations COMPLETED JANUARY 2002: Chava Kahn, “Prions: Protein Misfolding, Honors Program Graduates of Wave Propagations in Disordered Disease and Therapy.” Faculty mentor: Systems.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Gabriel Ayelet Pruzansky, “Tensions in the Dr. Chaya Rapp, Chemistry. Second reader, Cwilich, Physics Argument from Religious Experience.” Dr. Harriet Zuckerbraun, Biology. Faculty mentor: Dr. David Shatz, COMPLETED SPRING 2002: Philosophy. Second reader, Dr. Charles Tziporah (Lea) Kapustin, “On the Effect SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION Raffel, Philosophy of Sin: A Study of the Personality of Hillel Deutsch, “Subjects, Rebels, SUMMER 2002: Kayin.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Shalom Citizens, Americans: The Progression from Meira Reinstein, “Iyov Lefi Peshuto: Carmy, Jewish studies. Second reader: Complacency to Constitution.” Faculty Philip Green, “The Effects of Angle Strain Rashbam's Commentary on Job.” Faculty Dr. Mordechai Cohen, Jewish studies. mentor: Dr. Ellen Schrecker, History on Transition Metal Carbene Alkyne mentor: Dr. Mordechai Cohen, Jewish Benzannulation.” Faculty mentor: studies. Second reader: Prof. Naomi Bracha Kenigsberg, “Stem Cells: Science, Yakov Fleischmann, “Defending the Law Dr. Wayne Schnatter, Chemistry Grunhaus, Jewish studies. Ethics, and Public Policy Coverage.” of the Excluded Middle.” Faculty mentor: Faculty mentor: Dr. Harvey Babich, Dr. David Johnson, Philosophy Shlomo Koyfman, “Legal Exegesis in the Nina Taub, “The Shaping of American Biology. Second reader: Dr. Brenda Dead Sea Scrolls and Its Significance in Values.” Mentor: Dr. Ellen Schrecker, Loewy, Biology. Avi Helfand, “The Judaic Social Contract: Jewish Intellectual History.” Faculty mentor: History. Second reader: Dr. Hadassah Talmudic Traditions, Modern Models, and Dr. Moshe Bernstein, Jewish studies Kosak, History. Adina Levine, “Signing On or Signing Contemporary Conceptions.” Faculty Off: How E-mail Communication is mentor: Dr. Shalom Carmy, Philosophy Natan Krohn, “Abolitionist Movements Harming Social Interaction.” Faculty in England in Relation to the French COMPLETED MAY 2002: Mentor: Prof. Laurel Hatvary, English. Zvi Rosen, “The Boris Problem: Literary Revolution.” Faculty mentors: Dr. Jeffrey Second reader: Dr. Carole Silver, English. and Operatic Approaches to Boris Freedman, History, and Dr. Will Lee, Ruth Ephron, “A Biopsychosocial Godunov.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Noyes English Approach to Addiction.” Faculty mentor: Shoshana Frankel Posy, “Navigating Bartholomew, Music Dr. Joshua Bacon, Psychology. Second the Human Genome.” Faculty mentor: Elliot Stern, “Revelation in Jewish reader: Dr. Terry DiLorenzo, Psychology Dr. Brenda Loewy, Biology. Second Elie Rosenblatt, “Yiddish Melodies in Thought; An Analysis of Normative reader, Dr. Chaya Rapp, Chemistry. Swing: The Adaptability of Klezmer Approaches.” Faculty mentor: Lisa Helprin, “The Convergence of the Music.” Faculty mentor: Dr. Noyes Dr. Shalom Carmy, Philosophy Legal and the Superlegal as it Relates to Meira Russ, “The Student Nonviolent Bartholomew, Music the Field of Advertising.” Faculty mentor: Coordinating Committee: Its Founding Dr. Marcel Isaac Perlman, Psychology. and Activities, April-December 1960.” Jonathan Spielman, “Parents and Their Second reader: Dr. Charles Raffel, Faculty mentor: Dr. Ellen Schrecker, Adolescent Children: Transmission of The S. Daniel Abraham Philosophy. History. Second reader: Dr. Hadassah Jewish Identity Patterns.” Faculty mentor: Honors Program Graduates Kosak, History. Dr. Mervin Verbit, Sociology Yael Horowitz, “Modernism in Architecture and Design: Success or Yehudit Weinberger, "The Science of Baruch Stein, “Spectroscopy of Atomic Failure?” Faculty mentor: Prof. Susan Cloning: Medical and Legal COMPLETED SPRING 2002: Chains with Tunneling Microscopy.” Gardner, Art. Ramifications." Faculty mentor: Faculty mentor: Dr. Fredy Zypman, Dr Harvey Babich, Biology. Second Nechama Mina Shoshani, “Freedom Physics Michelle Humi, “Long Term Sequelae reader: Dr. Chaya Rapp, Chemistry. in Slavery in Isaac Bashevis Singer's The of Treatments of Pediatric Brain Tumors.” Slave.” Faculty mentor: Prof. Laurel Eliyahu Stern, “Other Theologies: The Faculty mentor: Dr. Terry DiLorenzo, Aliza Weinstein, "Tracing Failed Hatvary, English. Second reader: Social Thought of Rabbi J. B. Soloveitchik Psychology. Second reader: Dr. Joshua Communication in Literature: Parents Dr . Carole Silver, English and Emmanuel Levinas.” Faculty mentors: Bacon, Psychology. and Children." Faculty mentor: Dr. Carole Dr. Ruth Bevan, David W. Petegorsky, Silver, English. Second reader: Professor of Political Science, and Prof. Laurel Hatvary, English. Dr. Yaakov Elman, Jewish studies

Student Profiles

tic benefits of non-steriodal work he did on the neuropro- Joseph Sebeo Is Goldwater Recipient anti-inflammatory drugs tective effects of non-steriodal (NSAIDS) on target cells in anti-inflammatory drugs on Goldwater Scholarship. The research project, and his studies Parkinson’s Disease. dopaminergic neurons is on a son of an American father of were in both English and Certain of his career goals, level that I rarely see even in Italian origin and an Amer- French. Mr. Sebeo intends to pursue a an upperclassman majoring in ican mother who is a native “The reason I chose to go to MD/PhD track. “My particular biology.” of Russia, Mr. Sebeo grew up YU is that I wanted to broaden interests are neurodegenera- This summer Mr. Sebeo will in France but is very much at my knowledge of Jewish studies tive diseases such as Parkin- be a Roth Scholar for under- home in New York City. in addition to building a very son’s, Alzheimer’s and acute graduate summer research at “I always planned to come strong science foundation for neuronal death-like stroke as Albert Einstein College of to the US to pursue my post- my future studies. I have well as autoimmune diseases. Medicine, a research program secondary and graduate stud- learned a lot in terms of Hebrew My hope is that if appropriate for a select group of students. ies after graduating from language, Jewish philosophy and therapeutic and preventive The Barry M. Goldwater high school and obtaining Jewish literature,” he said. treatment can be rendered Scholarship and Excellence in my French baccalaureate,” A chemistry and biology before the appearance of clini- Education Foundation was Mr. Sebeo said. major, Mr. Sebeo knew early cal symptoms, many people established in 1986 honoring Mr. Sebeo is not only very on that he would pursue med- will be spared from developing Senator Barry M. Goldwater familiar with American cul- icine. During the summer of these diseases.” and offers scholarships to out- YC sophomore Joseph Sebeo ture, but throughout his form- 2001, after his freshman year, “Joseph was the most out- standing American students ative years was immersed in he did research at Montefiore standing student in my who demonstrate interest in, oseph Sebeo, a YC sopho- multiculturalism. He was en- Hospital through a fellowship ‘Principles of Biology’ class and have potential for, careers more this year and native rolled in an honors program in from the Parkinson’s Disease during the 2000-2001 academ- in mathematics, the natural Jof Paris, France, won high school, an intensive cur- Foundation. His research in- ic year,” said Dr. Carl Feit, asso- sciences, and engineering. the prestigious Barry M. riculum requiring a six-month volved the potential therapeu- ciate professor of biology. “The

brother and I spoke Spanish, through a direct marketing Francine Osorio Wins Diversity Award and being able to converse in campaign. English, Spanish, and Hebrew The award ceremony was tern student Francine Osorio she focused on advertising and for the award definitely syn- has enabled me to relate to held at The Waldorf-Astoria in merged separate aspects took courses in marketing at thesized my classroom experi- many more people.” Manhattan. It was preceded by Sof her life when she be- Sy Syms School of Business. ences at Stern and Sy Syms,” Criteria for award nomina- two days of workshops and a came one of 25 students nat- Three of her courses were said Francine. tion include membership in a job fair sponsored by the Ame- ionwide to win the Most taught by Dr. Deborah Cohn, It also united two other minority group, academic rican Advertising Federation Promising Minority Students assistant professor of market- important components—her achievement, and experience and several major corporations. Award from the American ing and faculty adviser to the heritage as a Hispanic woman working in advertising and/or “I felt it was really an Advertising Federation in American Advertising Federa- and as a Jew. marketing. Francine worked for honor to represent YU as a February. tion’s SSSB College chapter, “My parents were both Verizon Wireless last summer minority student. It’s an area A graduating senior at Stern who nominated Francine for born in Colombia and emi- where she conducted market in which the school does not College for Women majoring the prestigious award. grated to the US during their research for a new Verizon pro- normally find representa- in English communications, “The process of applying teens. They made sure my gram and helped launch it tion,” she said. Summer 2002 YUToday 5 UNDERGRADUATE

YC, SCW Seniors Earn Prestigious Scholarships

hoshana Frankel Posy, a Yeshiva College, has been computational biology awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Smajor and SCW covale- Foundation Graduate Scholar- dictorian, is the winner of a ship – the most generous grad- Howard Hughes Medical In- uate scholarship in the US. He stitute Predoctoral Fellowship. will receive $50,000 a year for The prestigious scholarship six years. is awarded annually to 81 Fifty scholars were selected graduates and provides an from a total of 675 applicants annual stipend of $21,500 for for the scholarship. They are five years. An additional the first cohort to have been $2,500 for expenses and a trav- selected for this magnanimous el budget for participation in award. conferences is also offered. To be eligible for the Jack Ms. Frankel Posy will attend Kent Cooke Graduate Scholar- Columbia University in the ship, a college senior has to be fall, where she will begin an a resident of, be attending a integrated program in bio- college or university in, or Shoshana Frankel Posy SCW ’02, Howard Hughes Yitz Brilliant YC ’02, Jack Kent Cooke Graduate physical studies – a combina- plan to attend a graduate Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowship Scholarship tion of basic biological school in the greater Wash- research, chemistry, and com- ington region (Maryland, filmmaker and in eighth grade passionate filmmaker, Mr. making at the School of Visual puter science. Virginia, and the District of he produced a gangster flick, Brilliant anticipates a side- Arts in New York City. He She will earn a PhD when Columbia). “Vendetta.” career as a graphic designer. plans to live in Israel and pro- she completes the program A speech and drama major At 14, he started his own Currently he is taking several duce Jewish historical feature and plans to be involved in with a concentration in film, business, Brilliant Productions, undergraduate classes in film- films and documentaries. genome analysis, either at the Mr. Brilliant was president and which he continues to run, university level or in the pri- founder of the Filmmaking shooting videos of bar/bat vate sector. Club at YC. mitzvas and designing invita- Yitz Brilliant, who graduat- In third grade he decided tions. Congratulations to the following students who ed summa cum laude from that his ambition was to be a An avid artist as well as a have been selected as Roth Institute Scholars for Undergraduate Summer Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine:

Brian Barr, Caryn Gamms, Julia Josovitz, Dr. Kanarfogel Invested as Ivry Gary Lelonek, David Rosenbaum, Meryl Sava, Professor of Jewish History Joseph Sebeo, Anna Sedlectcaia

SCW Students at National Science Conference

hree Stern College for in nickel oxide reduction by Women students pre- hydrogen at Brookhaven Nat- T sented posters at the ional Laboratory. 223rd national meeting of the Additionally, senior Elena American Chemical Society, Sedletscaia, a bio-chem major, held in Orlando, FL, in April. and junior Anna Sedletscaia, a Seniors Rachel Nivasch, a biology major, contributed po- chemistry major, and Bracha sters, though they did not Kenigsberg, a biology major; attend the conference. How- and pre-engineering major ever, highlights of their work, (in a joint program with along with those of the confer- Columbia University) Shira ence attendees, were included Frankel, a junior, were winners in a compendium of abstracts of the annual SCW poster published by the ACS. competition, coordinated by Dr. Blau also presented a Dr. Harvey Babich, professor of poster at the ACS meeting, on biology, and Dr. Lea Blau, pro- “Twenty Years of Bonding: The r. Ephraim Kanarfogel, dowed SCW’s Rebecca Ivry Belkin Literary Award, making fessor of chemistry and chair, Chemistry Club and the ACS.” chairman of the Rebecca Department of Jewish Studies him the only author thus far division of natural sciences Dr. Blau serves as adviser of the DIvry Department of Je- as well as the beit midrash and to receive that honor twice. and mathematics at SCW. SCW chemistry club. The wish Studies at Stern College student center at its newest Dr. Kanarfogel has served as The students depicted top- poster illustrated its activities for Women and a widely recog- dormitory building. chairman of the Jewish studies ics based on research they par- and the attendance over the nized authority on medieval Dr. Kanarfogel is the author department since 1984. He was ticipated in during last sum- years of students at ACS na- Jewish history and rabbinic of Peering Through the Lattices: appointed to the rank of full mer. tional meetings. During the literature, was invested as the Mystical, Magical and Pietistic professor in 1996. Ms. Ivry, a Ms. Nivasch, who last sum- April gathering, the club was E. Billi Ivry Professor of Jewish Dimensions in the Tosafist University Benefactor, was mer worked at The Weizmann recognized with a plaque for History at a ceremony at Je- Period, published by Wayne elected to YU’s Board of Institute in Israel, modeled the commendable achievement. rome and Geraldine Schotten- State University Press, for Trustees in 1987. That year, protein interferon alpha recep- At the conference, the stein Residence Hall in March. which he received this year’s she was elected to the SCW tor 2. Ms. Kenigsberg, who did students attended lectures by E. Billi Ivry, a member of YC Alumni Association Samuel Board. She has served on the research at Albert Einstein top scientists and were able to the Board of Trustees of YU Belkin Literary Award. In 1992 Benjamin N. Cardozo School College of Medicine, analyzed meet and see how other and secretary of the Board of he authored the National of Law Board of Directors since immune responses to recombi- undergraduates work. Also, Directors of SCW, endowed Jewish Book Award-winning 1985, and is a member of the nant BCG expressing a human they had the opportunity to the professorial chair, the first Jewish Education and Society in Board of Directors of the Bernard tumor associated antigen. Ms. explain their work to profes- for a full-time SCW faculty the High Middle Ages, for Revel Graduate School of Frankel investigated the kinet- sionals interested in their member. Previously, she en- which he also earned the Jewish Studies. ics and reaction mechanism fields of work. 6 YUToday Summer 2002

Karen Bacon a student at Yeshiva College. the early 1970s. Life was good the US. But the Torah curricu- Although Stern’s approach “He had a friend who sat in the Midwest, but New York lum wasn’t the strongest part to women’s education is not continued from page 1 down to eat with us,” she says, beckoned with its rich Jewish of the school; it didn’t chal- exactly in tune with main- “and that gentleman became culture and its career opportu- lenge the students sufficiently. stream feminism, Dr. Bacon place of Jewish study. my husband.” nities. To me, that was in urgent need believes it is no less empower- Dr. Bacon is now in her 25th Marriage would have to So after three years in of remedy.” ing. “There are a lot of women’s year as leader of Stern College wait awhile, however. For the Indiana, the Bacons moved In the years that followed, issues covered in our courses —a remarkable record of long- next four years, Dr. Bacon con- once again, this time with Dr. Bacon worked to strength- in Jewish studies as well as in evity, considering that the centrated on her studies, maj- three children in tow. He took en existing courses in Jewish general studies, but we don’t average tenure of an academic oring in biology. It was then a position with the Bronx VA studies, add new ones, and put a label on it,” she says. dean in the United States is less that she got a taste of big-time Medical Center, she with hire more scholars in the field. “This place is about women than six years. More impor- research, participating in a fac- Yeshiva University, and both Students were also encouraged understanding who they are, tant, she has become, in the ulty project funded by the have been with the same insti- to study in Israel. where they are going, and words of YU President Norman National Science Foundation. tutions ever since. helping them to get there.” Lamm, “a role model for Advanced study in science Empowering women observant women and women was the next logical step. “I Stern’s new dean Judging by the College’s Consciousness raising in general.” really didn’t plan ahead,” she In 1977, after two years as a steadily increasing enrollment, It has been decades now admits. “But it wasn’t odd to biology instructor at Yeshiva currently at 1,000 with an since Dr. Bacon has worked in Behind every great woman me as a woman to have a College, Dr. Bacon was invited additional 400 women at Sy a laboratory, which she misses. It is often said that behind career because I had seen my to join a search committee for Syms School of Business, “But I miss not being in the every great man is a great mother working all those years. Stern’s next dean. Soon after, Stern’s mission to meld the classroom probably even woman. Then, what is behind The faculty believed in me and she was asked to take the post sacred and the secular is working. more,” she says. While she loves a great woman? A great mother, assumed that I was going to herself. According to the dean, students running Stern, she admits she if Karen Bacon is any example. apply to graduate school. So Dr. Bacon inherited a col- recognize that a Stern educa- could easily forgo the politick- Dr. Bacon was born in all the pieces fit into place.” lege that was very different tion enables them to follow an ing that necessarily comes Brooklyn, the second of three Attending Stern “was the from the one she had attend- observant lifestyle, raise fami- with the job. children of Morris and Esther best decision I ever made in my ed. There was a new academic lies, and enter the workforce. Still, she adds, “I can’t imag- Kermaier. When she was still a life,” she reflects. “It reinforced building, a new dormitory, A recent survey, targeting ine working elsewhere. That toddler, her parents moved to my values. It gave depth to my and twice as many enrollees. the Class of 1990, revealed that isn't to say I can’t imagine what a small town in California and own Jewish experience. It gave Also, the atmosphere on virtually all Stern graduates I could do when I retire—I then to Los Angeles, where me a strong intellectual found- campus had greatly relaxed. have jobs—in law, medicine, could come up with a lot of Morris, a pharmacist, set up ation. And it connected me to “Back in my day, the dormito- social work, teaching, physical interesting things, but right his own shop. Esther was often a network of people that is ab- ry was heavily regulated, and therapy, and so on— and 85 now, this is my life.” at his side, somehow also find- solutely astounding.” you had to be in by ten or you percent of them hold a gradu- (That and her family, of ing time to run an observant would be locked out,” says the ate degree in one field or course, who have close ties to household and contribute to A marriage of equals dean. another. Yeshiva, too. All three of her the community. “My mother Dr. Bacon married straight “Somehow this was sup- Not surprisingly, the quest children, as well as a son-in-law was an inspiration,” says Dr. out of college, yet not for a mo- posed to be for our safety.” Dr. to “have it all” is stressful. and a daughter-in-law, have Bacon. “She took on enormous ment did her marriage hamper Bacon herself missed the cur- “Everybody talks about it now, attended one of YU’s schools.) responsibility. It was quite an her career. “My husband has few once, because of a wed- not just observant women,” Looking ahead, Dr. Bacon education for me.” always been very egalitarian ding, and had to spend the Dr. Bacon acknowledges. plans to focus more on devel- Since pharmaceuticals were and very supportive of my night in a seedy hotel. “I “Observant women carry this opment activities at the School. the family trade, discussions at career,” she says. pushed a dresser in front of the load especially because the “No university can finance the dinner table frequently “We’ve done everything to- door because I was convinced observant lifestyle puts so itself with student tuition centered on science, a subject gether.” In fact, they applied someone was going to come in much emphasis on family and alone,” she says. that Dr. Bacon grew to love. A to the same graduate schools and decapitate me,” she says tradition and community serv- “And for me, a major goal top student, she could have and jointly decided on attend- with a laugh. ice. It’s an enormous amount is to raise consciousness attended almost any women’s ing UCLA because it suited The curriculum had also to put on a plate. among alumnae, as well as college, yet she was drawn to both of them academically. He grown in her absence, but it “I believe they are educated people generally, that Stern because of its commit- studied clinical psychology still placed too little emphasis for it. I just hope they have the women’s education is still ment to Torah Umadda. while she studied microbiolo- on Jewish studies, in Dr. stamina and the emotional important, no matter what Which brought her to that gy. Toward the end of their Bacon’s view. “Stern College was strength to pull it off. On the opportunities are out there, terrifying day in the Big Bad stay in Los Angeles they start- created to extend the concept other hand, when it is done and that the Torah Umadda Apple. But it wasn’t so terrible ed a family. of Torah Umadda to women’s well, and you find some kind curriculum is absolutely essen- after all. Later that day, Dr. Another shared decision education,” she says. of balance in your life, it is a tial to the continuity of the Bacon was invited uptown for brought them both to jobs at “That’s our contribution to life of true fulfillment and con- Jewish people. I believe that dinner with her older brother, the University of Indiana in the constellation of colleges in tribution to society.” with my heart and soul.” Summer 2002 YUToday 7

When Muslim-Jewish Relations Flourished

espite daily headlines Arabic philosophy, linguistics, publication. interacted with one another that depict Muslims and and poetry. Now well into the next and the cultures around them. DJews living in colliding The 11th and 12th cen- phase of his research, he is “This subject plays a large worlds, there have been times turies, Cohen adds, “also wit- studying how the divergent role in my most popular cours- in history when those worlds nessed the flowering of an Jewish traditions merged in es at YU, and I find that my coexisted and even contri- exegetical school in northern the 13th century. David Kimhi students are eager to gain a buted to one another intellec- France in the work of Rashi and Nahmanides, two leading new appreciation for the tually. and his grandson, Rashbam.” interpreters who represent this Rishonim, the classical com- Such was the case during These authors, who became next stage of the tradition, mentators they have studied the early Middle Ages, when a popular in the Ashkenazic tra- were proud inheritors of the since grade school, by viewing vibrant Judeo-Arabic tradition dition, interacted with the sur- Sephardic heritage, but were them within their cultural of learning produced flourish- rounding Christian culture also open to the intellectual contexts.” ing cultural contacts, accord- and engaged in debates with currents of the northern French An alumnus of Yeshiva ing to Dr. Mordechai Z. Cohen, their neighbors over the true school. College, Revel, and RIETS, Dr. Mordechai Z. Cohen, associate professor of Bible at meaning of Scripture. In addition, they lived in Cohen began teaching at YU associate professor of Bible Yeshiva College, Stern College In an earlier phase of Dr. Christian, rather than Muslim in 1988 and was chosen by YC for Women, and Bernard Revel Painting the Jewish tradi- Cohen’s research, he focused lands, which gave them an students to receive the 1995 Graduate School of Jewish tion of biblical interpretation on the former school and outlook different than that of Outstanding Professor of the Studies. in broad strokes, Dr. Cohen showed that Jewish scholars predecessors such as Abraham Year award. During the spring semester, explains that, “In the tenth used Arabic methods of liter- Ibn Ezra and Maimonides. Still a popular teacher, he Dr. Cohen was on leave from century, Sa’adia Gaon pio- ary analysis to enrich their “My research has given me says that in his classes he aims YU to be a fellow at the Center neered a method that culmi- understanding of Scripture. greater insight into how the to make Bible “real and rele- for Advanced Judaic Studies of nated in the twelfth century in He outlined his thesis in an biblical interpreters whose vant,” but that “my success as the University of Pennsylvania. the works of Abraham Ibn Ezra article, “The Best of Poetry: commentaries appear in the a teacher is a reflection of my He was one of 15 scholars re- and Maimonides.” Literary Approaches to the Bible Miqra’ot Gedolot [Hebrew tradi- students, who are truly moti- searching medieval Jewish bib- He explained that authors in the Spanish Peshat Tradi- tional edition of the Bible with vated. My job is to properly lical interpretation in its in that tradition, which came to tion,” that appeared in The Medieval rabbinic commen- guide them to develop new Muslim and Christian cultural be known as the Sephardic Torah U-Madda Journal, (Vol. 6, taries] and who have been hal- skills and explore new avenues contexts. School, were well versed in 1995–6), a Yeshiva University lowed by Jewish tradition, of thought.”

Scholar-Athlete Carries on Wall Street Legends Come to Life in Family Tradition New Syms Course The Dr. Henry Kaufman Chair in Business and Financial History

ersonalities such as Tovey received a PhD from Goldman Sachs founder NYU graduate school of busi- PMarcus Goldman, finan- ness and an MBA in taxation. cier Bernard Baruch, and econ- “When we were putting the omist Edwin Robert Seligman course together, we looked for may be key players in the his- someone who possessed three tory of business and finance. main qualifications: academic But what can they pass on credentials, knowledge of the to the next generation of historical conditions of the financial leaders? For a student various institutions and the in Sy Syms School of Business, ability to relate them to contri- plenty. butions by Jewish institutions This spring semester, Sy and individuals, and also Syms School of Business someone who had practical offered its first course under Dr. Henry Kaufman, famed experience in finance,” ex- the aegis of the Dr. Henry economist and financial analyst plained Dean Snow. Kaufman Chair in Business “Dr. Tovey fits the descrip- and Financial History. The “Dr. Kaufman’s gift is espe- tion because he has an aca- course, “Historical Develop- cially significant because of his demic background, knowledge Yonatan Ellman with YC’s Dean Norman Adler and University ment of Modern Finance,” stature and distinguished of secular and Jewish contribu- Dean of Students David Himber examined the historical devel- career in the economic and tions to the world of business opment of financial institu- financial community,” said Dr. and finance, and thirty-five onatan Ellman, recipient of the Norman Palefski Memorial tions and markets from the Charles Snow, Sy Syms School years of practical experience.” Award to the Most Outstanding Male Graduating Scholar- Middle Ages to the present. dean. The course featured presen- YAthlete, comes from a family of wrestlers. Special focus was given to “By enabling us to offer tations by several business The finance major from Atlanta began wrestling while a stu- key Jewish individuals and business and financial history leaders, including Arthur dent at Yeshiva High School of Atlanta where his father, George financial institutions such as courses, the Kaufman Chair will Sheer, president of Sheer Asset Ellman, was assistant wrestling coach. At YU, Yonatan was a Bernard Baruch, Alex Brown, broaden the knowledge and Management, Inc., who spoke member of the wrestling team for three years—serving two years Goldman Sachs, Lehman perspective of our students, on asset management, and as captain—and was guided by his uncle, Neil Ellman, YU’s head Loeb, Rothschild, Schiff and and add a new dimension to Morris Feder, president of wrestling coach. Currently, Yonatan coaches the wrestling team Warburg. all our business concentra- Worldwide Cargo, Inc., who at Torah Academy of Bergen County and he previously coached Dr. Kaufman’s experience tions, including accounting, discussed how the evolution MSTA’s team. and reputation on Wall Street finance, management infor- of the financial world was In addition to the Palefski Memorial Award, he received the for accurate economic and mation systems, and marketing.” aided by the railroad and ship- Coach’s Award in Wrestling and, on the academic front, the financial analysis have made The course was taught by ping industry. Award for Excellence in Judaic Studies from the Irving I. Stone him one of the most sought- Dr. Joseph Tovey, a former Dean Snow said the addi- Beit Midrash Program. Yonatan intends to pursue a career in after consultants in the indus- petroleum industry analyst for tion of speakers in the course finance or corporate management but would like to continue try. He has served as chief eco- several prominent Wall Street offered a new perspective on coaching and competing. He said, “One of the most important nomist of Salomon Brothers, firms, a planner for Mobil Oil various aspects of business and lessons I learned from wrestling is that you can achieve anything and is president of Henry Corporation, and a tax special- how their experiences relate to if you really push yourself.” Kaufman & Company. ist with Lybrand, Ross. Dr. financial history. 8 YUToday Summer 2002 COMMENCEMENT HIGHLIGHTS OF

Yeshiva University Valedictorians L–R: David Nachbar, Adam Rapp, Danielle Harris, Yoel Samuel, Shoshana Frankel, Hoorbod Delshadfar, Rachelle Weinstein, Michael Helfand, Sarit Zauderer, Jonathan Meisels Yeshiva College

Stern College for Women

Sy Syms School of Business Undergrad Triplets

Yeshiva University sweep: The Feldman family of Toronto celebrates the graduation of Dov (center) Rosman triplets: L-R: Tzachi, YC; Racheli, SCW; and Eli Rosman, YC from Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. Brothers Ari (left) and Josh (right) are also alumni of Sy Syms, and their father, Eliot, is an alumnus of Yeshiva College and YU’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Ann Feldman is an alumna of YU’s Stern College for Women. Summer 2002 YUToday 9 COMMENCEMENT COMMENCEMENT 2002 Albert Einstein College of Medicine

President Norman Lamm; Honorable Adolfo Carrion, Bronx Boro President; Dr. Dominick Purpura, Dr. Renee Moadel, AECOM ‘96 hooding her sister, Dr. Nina Moadel Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Elena Mahgerefteh

Wurzweiler School of Social Work Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

Darren Skinner, PhD, and daughter Dr. Fred Foley hooding Jodie Ambrosino and her daughter 10 YUToday Summer 2002 COMMENCEMENT

Profiles in Excellence

Michael Helfand—Yeshiva College

ith an overall GPA of 3.99 and Talmudic Studies. Regularly burning oil far past numerous Yeshiva College awards midnight continues to pay off: he was accepted Wunder his belt, Michael (Avi) to study towards a PhD in political science at Helfand obviously enjoys intellectual chal- Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. lenges. This year’s YC valedictorian had earned Michael, president of the YC History Club the required number of credits to graduate last and editor in his junior year of its journal, year, but stayed on to complete the College’s Chronos, plans to become an academic when he prestigious Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors completes his studies. He also has an eye on Program. pursuing semikhah (ordination) at Rabbi Isaac A triple major in history, political science, Elchanan Theological Seminary. “Either I’ll and philosophy who won graduation awards in teach in a college when I’m done with grad all three fields, this high-achieving senior school, or I’ll panhandle,” he jokes. We have a simultaneously committed himself to Talmudic feeling it’ll be the former. study in Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of

Osayame Osemwegie—Wurzweiler School of Social Work sayame Osemwegie, a Nigerian student the past eight years, most recently as a supervi- at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, sor in pre-placement services at The Children’s Oreceived the National Association of Center in Manhattan. Social Workers Award at Commencement this Strong interactive skills have helped Ms. year. Ms. Osemwegie practiced as an attorney in Osemwegie get through to the many troubled Lagos before she came to New York in 1991. youngsters she has worked with in her field Here she worked as an elementary school placement at ACS’s Division of Foster Care and teacher in the public school system, but her Preventive Services in Brooklyn. desire to help her students with problems they Studying social work has given Ms. encountered at home pushed her into social Osemwegie a broader professional context in work. “I love helping people—sometimes to my which to apply her skills. “I wanted to get my own detriment!” she says. MSW so that I could serve my clients better. It She has been working for the New York City helps to put a name to what I have been doing,” Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) for she says.

Adina Levine—Stern College for Women

s. Levine, 19, is on the brink of decid- impressive array of institutions including YU’s ing on a career, and she has many Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Harvard, Mpossibilities. During her three years at Columbia, and New York University. SCW, the journalism major and American studies She may, however, take some time off to minor heartily involved herself in two extracur- study in YU’s Graduate Program for Women in ricular activities that have guided her choices. Advanced Talmudic Studies, or finish the Ms. Levine worked for The Observer, SCW's BA/MA program she is currently enrolled in at student newspaper, serving as editor-in-chief Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education during her senior year. She also established the and Administration. She also taught a course at Mock Trial Club at the College, which partici- the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County where pated in tournaments with other universities. she attended high school. “I truly feel that Stern “These activities incorporated my two passions College for Women has prepared me to face the in life—to work as a journalist and to become a challenges of choosing a career through its lawyer,” she says. For now, she has decided to classroom education and extracurricular offer- pursue law. Ms. Levine has been accepted to an ings,” she says.

Dee Dee Weberman—Sy Syms School of Business ee Dee Weberman is well on her way to confidence and gaining practical experience. reaching her career goals. The Sy Syms Her last internship, at Sony, resulted in her DSchool of Business finance major had staying on and being promoted to lead a small already secured a job after graduation early in the accounting division. She spent the past year and semester, as an operations analyst at Sempra a half commuting between her 20-hour-a-week Energy Trading in Stamford, CT. job and classes on the Midtown Campus. For Dee Dee, college has always been about Besides having guts and energy, Dee Dee says it equipping herself for a career in the real world helps to be “organized and responsible, and to of finance. She was president of the Max Stern go above what is expected of you. Investment Club, where participating students “Then you are given added responsibilities,” invest in a portfolio similar to a mutual fund, she says, “and that’s what makes the internship which gave her practical research experience. worthwhile.” She has interned every summer, building her Summer 2002 YUToday 11

Putting Terrorism Under Students Mobilize for Israel the Microscope ome 2,400 students from the major broadcast news web- puses and matched dollar-for- YU’s undergraduate schools sites carried front-page stories dollar by Student Organi- Sand affiliated high schools citing YU’s participation in the zation of Yeshiva and the Stern participated in the April 15 rally rally. College Torah Activities in Washington, DC, to show At the rally, more than 100 Council (for a total gift of their support for Israel. Fifty-three buses organized by students transported faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and family members. They departed for the nation’s capital from the Wilf and Midtown Campuses in the early morning. En route, faculty and stu- dents gave shiurim appropriate to the mood of the day to help support participants’ sense of purpose. President and Mrs. Lamm were among the bus contin- gent. Dr. Lamm said the day was “an awe-inspiring event, made even more so by the physically demanding nature Dr. Veena Thadani, assistant professor of political science of the day. Our students were magnificent in their industry, deadly mix of politics, coming of a new millennium) dedication, and sense of use- violence, and quests for and apocalyptic terrorism, cy- fulness to all people at the Apower formed the basis berterrorism, narcoterrorism rally. They are an inspiration of “The Politics of Terrorism,” a (involving narcotics and crim- and source of enormous pride new course at Yeshiva College inal gangs), and terrorism by for Yeshiva University.” offered by the political science fringe groups such as animal YC senior Reuven Brand, an department this spring. welfare, ecological, and envi- organizer of Operation Torah Reuven Brand YC ‘02, addressed the record gathering in Taught by Dr. Veena Thadani, ronmental policy advocates. Shield II, a student mission to Washington, DC April 15. assistant professor at YC, the The class was broken up Israel during intersession to course explored terrorism into teams and assigned a par- show solidarity with Israel, students carried large dona- $10,000). Ten families of vic- through different historical ticular terrorist group from dif- was the final speaker at the tion buckets, each bearing a tims of terrorism in Israel, cho- and political contexts, tracing ferent regions of the world, rally, which had an estimated photo and story of an Israeli sen by the students, each its changes throughout the which students presented to crowd of 800,000 from around citizen killed by terrorists in received $1,000 for Passover. ages from early religious and the class. Terrorist groups the country. recent attacks. They collected An additional $9,000 was political roots to modern apoca- included Aum Shinrikyo in YU’s participation was more than $35,000 for the raised by students at a tehillim lyptic expressions. Japan, Shining Path in Peru, reported by local and national Israel Emergency Solidarity (psalms) rally held in Man- The course was a direct Buddhist groups in the China TV and print news, including Fund, which distributes funds hattan’s Financial District a response to the world-chang- and Tibet region, Hezbollah CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, WPIX, and services to victims of ter- week after the Washington ing events of September 11, and Hamas in the Middle East, NY1, and the Associated Press. rorism in Israel. rally, bringing the total raised suggested by Dr. Ruth Bevan, Mau Mau in Africa, and Red President Lamm and seniors This collection was in addi- by students to $54,000, which David W. Petegorsky Professor Army Faction in Europe. Michael Davis and Shmuli tion to the recent $5,000 they also donated to the Israel of Political Science. Dr. Thadani, Student reaction to the Singer were interviewed. All raised by students on YU cam- Emergency Solidarity Fund. whose academic background is class was extremely positive. in international politics, noted “Terrorism is one of the major that the course did not focus issues that shape the globe in group of YU students launched a nationwide newspaper project called “Kol Haneshama” directly on Osama bin Laden the twenty-first century,” said (“Every Soul,” Psalm 150) to memorialize Israeli terror victims. The project and Al Qaeda, but looked at Hillel Deutsch, this spring a A features a full page of photos and personal biographies of Israeli victims. The inserts the changing phenomenon of YC senior and political science have been running in more than 20 newspapers nationwide since March and reach approxi- terrorism throughout the world. major. mately 1 million readers. “The course examined how “It is a threat to life in Coordinated by undergraduates Naphtali Weisz and Judah Elbaum, the project originated terrorism has changed de- Israel, and is becoming a factor during Operation Torah Shield II, when the 200 YU students who participated in the mission pending on where, when, for of American life. If we don’t to Israel wanted to channel their experience into a project that would have a lasting impact. what purpose, and with what know the cause, purpose, and Also, many students have pledged at least 1% of their gross summer earnings to help strategy it has occurred,” said methods of terrorism, we will support victims in Israel of Palestinian violence. Dr. Thadani. not know how to stop it.” “The study of terrorism is a Oren Goldhaber, a junior historical, political, and socio- political science major, agreed. logical interdisciplinary analy- “It is important for everyone sis of dissenting oppositional to understand the history and groups striving for some polit- geopolitics of terrorism.” ical objective. Since terrorist One of the key changes in groups have political objec- terrorism, Dr. Thadani pointed tives, it is therefore important out, is that it is no longer con- to study them to understand sidered only a domestic threat. what their goals are and why “There is no longer just one they choose terrorism as a group dissenting, provoking, means to promote those goals.” and attacking its own govern- Old and new expressions of ment,” she said. “The interna- terrorism used throughout the tionalization of terrorist groups world were discussed, includ- has now made terrorism a ing state-sponsored terrorism, global issue.” millenarian (relating to the

Faculty and administrators joined more than 1,000 YU students at the largest Israel Day Parade on record in NYC. 12 YUToday Summer 2002

Langfan Family Oratory Competition Extended to Undergraduates

he Langfan family, who The nine judges included in 1999 established a Michael Hecht, MSTA dean Tprize competition for and YC pre-law adviser; oratory at Benjamin N. Car- Bernard Revel Graduate School dozo School of Law, extended of Jewish Studies’ Dr. Arthur the competition this year to Hyman; Dr. William Lee, Jay include Yeshiva College, Stern and Jeanie Schottenstein College for Women, and Sy Honors Program director at Syms School of Business. YC; and YC and CSL alumnus The competition took place Menashe Shapiro. on April 24 for Midtown Participating students each Campus students and May 1 made their presentations in for Wilf Campus students. Dr. front of three judges, and six Nada Beth Glick,director of finalists were selected for the academic advisement, under- final round. graduate men, who coordinat- The three prizes of $1,400, ed the May 1 event, consulted $700, and $400 were awarded with the coordinators of to Hillel Deutsch, Alan Gold- Cardozo’s program on issues of smith, and Moshe Goodman, topic, length, and format “to respectively. Pictured from left: Mr. Deutsch, Dr. Glick, Mr. Goodman, and Mr. Goldschmidt at the competition. ensure that our program was At the Midtown Campus based on the model that law event, students spoke on the “The judges were very im- dent of the YU Debate Society, munity College to clinch the students use.” topic of “Drug Testing of High pressed with the level of pre- and the top YC competition top three overall places in the While Cardozo and Yeshiva School Students,” and the top paration by the participants,” winner. competition, and took a total of College held separate competi- prize was split between Abby said Dr. Glick. This past semester, the YU 7 of the top 10 places. Team cap- tions this year, they jointly Malen and Adina Levine. “I enjoyed the challenge of debate team took top honors in tain Hillel Deutsch was named agreed on a topic, Students were encouraged rhetoric and presenting an Cornell University’s fifth annual best debater for overall record “Government Aid to Religious to base their research on argument for a case that is open invitational impromptu (4-0) and speaker points (89 out Schools and the Role of the constitutional evidence and relevant to the American and debate tournament. YU debaters of a possible 90). Avi Holczer First Amendment Today,” Supreme Court cases, and the Jewish community, and specifi- defeated entrants from Cornell, came in second, and third place which the schools felt would participants showed a wide cally to us as YU students,” Yale University, Queens College, was taken by Miriam Bardi, the be suitable for both law stu- range of experience with oral said Hillel Deutsch, graduat- Osborne, New School Univ- first rookie debater at SCW to go dents and undergraduates. presentation. ing YC senior, outgoing presi- ersity, and Rockland Com- undefeated for three rounds.

Spotlight on Alumni: Helping Deaf in Israel to Cope Scholar Awards abbi Chanoch Yeres essential practical and psycho- family members are and has (YH’73,YC’76,WSSW’80 logical support, including no way to contact anyone. We RRIETS’80) is educational installation of special flashing provide them with the tools to coordinator of the Yeshiva Uni- lights that warn of gunfire in get vital information in real versity Israel Alumni’s (YUIA) the homes of hearing-impaired time,” Rabbi Yeres said. Jewish Heritage Program for the residents of Gilo, vibrating “Our support helps these Hearing-Impaired. beepers that display text mes- families overcome their fears A psychologist, he has been sages with instructions on what and learn to go about their nor- helping hearing-impaired resi- to do in an emergency, and mal lives. Our programs literally dents of the sometimes be- video telephones that enable are lifesavers for the deaf and sieged Jerusalem suburb of Gilo, the hearing impaired to “see” hearing impaired,” he said. which faces the Arab village of the person calling and com- In addition, YUIA spon- Beit Jala, cope with the emo- municate in sign language. sored a two-part family work- tional stress of living through “The deaf person sees peo- shop on dealing with stress for trying times. ple in states of hysteria or run- the hearing impaired, offering Supported by allocations ning in the streets and he or practical solutions to dealing Benefactor Benjamin Teitel with Amy Bergman (left) and from the Jewish Agency for she doesn’t know what is with danger. Karen Weiss, SCW students who were named Esther Teitel Israel, the program provides going on, doesn’t know where Scholars this year, in memory of Mr. Teitel’s wife.

Honors Program on the project begins during Observer, Hamevaser, and Derech continued from page 1 the second semester of the stu- Ha Teva. Graduates who will be dent’s junior year and contin- continuing their education in SCW valedictorian. Each of the ues throughout the entire sen- the fall of 2002 will be study- graduates completed a mini- ior year. Working one-on-one ing at, among other places, mum of seven honors courses, with her mentor, each student Harvard Law School, Ferkauf researched and wrote a Senior uses the three semesters to delve Graduate School of Psychology, Project under the direction of into a specific area of research and Columbia University a faculty mentor, and partici- within the area of her major. Graduate School (computa- pated each semester in a wide The results have been extremely tional biology), Hofstra Uni- range of required extracurricu- impressive. versity (clinical psychology), lar events. This year’s graduates were and YU’s Bernard Revel Grad- The Senior Project repre- awarded 17 departmental and uate School of Jewish Studies. sents the culmination of each college awards and included (See page 4 for senior honor honors student’s academic editors of a wide range of YU theses and project titles). career at Stern College. Work publications, including The Jack Rudin (third from left, back row), a Benefactor of the University and its Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with Jack and Susan Rudin Educational Scholars. Summer 2002 YUToday 13

Brian McNulty: From EMT to NYPD to Einstein MD

oing beyond the call of entered the NYC Police Aca- means he is trained to assist at 1995 and finished my under- and she emails them back to duty comes naturally demy in 1986. locations like Ground Zero, graduate work at SUNY Stony me. We believe in short term Gto Brian McNulty, a “Being a police officer where the rescue or recovery Brook in 1999 with a degree in sacrifices for long term goals.” third-year medical student at allowed me to continue help- of individuals is perilous. In biology. Most policemen be- AECOM has built a reputa- Albert Einstein College of ing people and put my previ- addition, he is a NY State radi- come involved with security tion for attracting a diverse Medicine. A volunteer fireman ous training to good use.” ological monitor, which quali- work after they retire or become student body in terms of eth- in his hometown of Bethpage, An unusually self-effacing fies him to assist in situations electricians or engineers. nicity and age. This policy fos- NY, since age 15, Mr. McNulty “Being a doctor was some- ters an environment that is has dedicated his life to help- thing I always wanted to do comfortable and reassuring for ing his fellow man. and it was a natural progres- the atypical student and en- After earning his emer- sion from my previous train- hances the quality and depth gency medical technician ing. Twenty years have passed of the student body. license, he became an AMT since that first time on the Mr. McNulty is undecided (advanced medical technician), Einstein campus and yet I real- as to whether to pursue family which is an intermediate para- ly felt at home when I came or emergency medicine. He is medic. He then joined the New back as a medical student.” considering a program at Long York City Emergency Medical Undertaking medical school Island Jewish Medical Center Service and after only a few at age 38, with three daugh- that merges internal medicine days was advised to take the ters, might present a daunting with emergency medicine but paramedic exam since he had challenge. However, Mr. Mc- the pace of a private practice is already gained a good deal of Nulty approached this with his enticing. experience during his volun- characteristic sanguine atti- Still an active member in teer service. tude. the East Farmingdale Fire “I didn’t have the money “Juggling school and family Volunteer Department when to pay for the tolls to go to has been my greatest challenge he is at home, Mr. McNulty Einstein to take the paramedic but we’ve done very well. The will always be performing exam and I had to hook up first year was the most trying emergency medicine and help- with another person in my Brian McNulty follows his dream at Einstein. because I tried to be home as ing those in need regardless of class,” Mr. McNulty said. “My much as possible for family his ultimate career choice. interview went very well and man, Mr. McNulty is certified in such as nuclear spills. reasons, which detracted from He also hopes that his jour- six months later I entered the an array of specialties, includ- Following a shooting epi- my study time. ney will serve as an example Institute of Emergency Med- ing extrication, underwater res- sode in which he was injured I have an apartment on for fellow policemen to follow icine at AECOM.” cue, rope rescue, and the han- in the line of duty, Mr. McNulty campus and now I commute their dreams after they retire After six years of service as a dling of hazardous materials. retired from the police force in on weekends and two or three from the police force. Mr. NYC paramedic, Mr. McNulty He is also OSHA-certified as a 1993. times a week. Fortunately, my McNulty is a true inspiration decided that he had to look for confined space attendant and “After getting my life to- wife, Barbara, has been very for anyone who has a dream another line of work to in- entrant. gether and recovering from my supportive. I write my papers in waiting to be realized. crease his earnings and he This unusual credential injury, I went back to school in longhand, fax them to her,

FGS, WSSW Reunion Days: Sharing Knowledge and Experience

leeping and Dreaming school was like ten years after I for “Learn From the Many Disorders” and “The Daddy graduated, and it was also an Faces of Social Work,” Wurz- SDilemma” were among opportunity for me to give weiler’s first daylong academic the diverse topics of a Ferkauf something back,” said Susan program, specifically for alum- Graduate School of Psych- Silver Bartell, PsyD ’91, who ni. It was attended by 65 ology alumni association spon- spoke on a father’s relation- alumni. sored event, “Ferkauf Today: ship to his children and re- The gathering consisted of Learning from Each Other.” cently published two books on four “classes” covering various The May 19 gathering, a day- the subject, Stepliving for Teens social work topics, given by long series of academic semi- and Mommy or Daddy: Whose expert alumni and Wurzweiler nars featuring faculty members Side Am I On?. faculty members. and prominent alumni, was Approximately 50 alumni The program was designed designed to allow alumni to and faculty attended the event, so that alumni affairs staffers reconnect with each other as and many expressed interest could meet alumni and get to well as offer psychology pro- in attending similar alumni know their special skills, and fessionals interesting lectures events in the future. “It was to offer them an opportunity The Honorable Vito J. Lopez WSSW '70 keynotes WSSW reunion. on timely topics. important for me to come to to enhance their professional The event was open to Fer- support the alumni associa- knowledge, says Adam M. kauf alumni and current Ferkauf tion, and it’s always good to Greenwald, director of alumni students. update your knowledge,” said affairs for Wurzweiler. The program began with Ellen Klausner, PhD ’93. The classes emphasized the breakfast and orientation, and “Events like these give us diversity of the alumni popu- included two classes per time the opportunity to share lation and the types of work slot for participants to choose knowledge with fellow alumni they do. They dealt with faith from. It concluded with re- working in the psychology and spirituality, ethics in nurs- marks by the alumni associa- field, and it allows our alumni ing homes, communal prac- tion copresidents, Ferkauf to play an active role in tice, and social work from an Dean Lawrence J. Siegal, PhD, Ferkauf, and reconnect with urban perspective. The Honor- and keynote address, “Shocks the School,” said Dean Siegal. able Vito J. Lopez WSSW ’70, and Aftershocks: The Cont- In April, a group of Wurz- New York State Assemblyman, inuing Significance of Stanley weiler School of Social Work 53rd Assembly District, gave Milgram’s Obedience Studies,” alumni returned to the School the keynote address about by Thomas Blass, PhD ’69. as “teachers” while many “Social Work and Politics.” Mary Ellen Carty ‘97FGS and Sherry Gaines Cutler ‘97 address “I wanted to see what the more came back as students fellow alumni. 14 YUToday Summer 2002

Einstein Roundup Dr. Soloveitchik Named Merkin Professor r. Haym Soloveitchik, a • Anna Velcich, MD, and Leonard Augenlicht, MD, of Albert member of the faculty Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, are Dat Bernard Revel Grad- the lead authors of research, published in the journal Science, uate School of Jewish Studies providing information that could be employed in the prognosis who is a leading figure in and prevention of colorectal cancer. A decisive experiment has Jewish academic scholarship, revealed that a particular gene and the protein it encodes are recently became The Merkin intimately involved in the development of the disease. The work Family Professor of Jewish also produced the first mouse model for rectal cancer. History and Literature at the School. • Richard Kitsis, MD, associate professor of cell biology, is among The first occupant of the investigators nationwide searching for the link between cell Chair, his investiture by Pres- mortality and human disease. Researching “cell suicide,” a natu- ident Norman Lamm took ral biological process that sometimes goes haywire, he is now place at the Fifth Avenue Syn- testing a compound that could inhibit key steps in the “suicide” agogue, where Lauren and J. program, thus perhaps reducing tissue damage after heart attacks. Ezra Merkin sponsored the inaugural lecture by Dr. Solo- From left: Lauren and J. Ezra Merkin with Dr. Haym Soloveitchik • The American Association of Anatomists recently presented its veitchik. It was followed by a and President Lamm prestigious Henry Gray Laureate to Dr. Peter Satir, professor of reception for members, friends, anatomy and structural biology at Einstein. The award, which is and guests of the Merkin family. Dr. Soloveitchik’s late father, Jewish community for many the highest honor accorded by the association, is given annual- Following opening remarks the revered Rabbi Joseph B. years. Mr. Merkin, recently ly to recognize the contributions to, and achievements in, the by Mordecai D. Katz, Revel Soloveitchik, was the initial elected to the YU Board of anatomical sciences. Dr. Satir was cited for his work in elucidat- Board chairman, Dr. Lamm paid occupant of the Leib Merkin Trustees has been a member of ing the structural basis of ciliary movements. tribute to the Merkin family Distinguished Professorial Chair the board of RIETS since 1984. for its leadership and philan- in Talmud and Jewish Phil- He serves as chairman of • Through its Academic Medicine and Managed Care Forum, thropic support. He then intro- osophy at RIETS. The Leib the Investment Committees of Aetna and the Aetna Foundation awarded researchers at Einstein duced Dr. Soloveitchik, Uni- Merkin chair was endowed by both Yeshiva University and a Quality Care Research Fund grant of $330,000 to support versity Professor and distin- Ezra Merkin’s late father, UJA/Federation of New York. research evaluating the impact of a skills-based educational guished Talmudist and histori- Hermann Merkin, who served In addition, he serves as intervention for primary care physicians designed to improve an, who spoke on “Halakhah, as vice chairman of the Uni- president of Fifth Avenue Syn- the ways asthma care is administered. Robert Morrow, MD, is Taboo, and the Origin of Jewish versity for many years. agogue and as vice chairman project director; Michael Mulvihill, MD, is principal investigator. Money Lending.” In addition, in recognition of the Ramaz School. He is a Dr. Soloveitchik received a of a gift by Hermann and graduate of Columbia College • Thomas Rohan, MD, PhD, has been appointed chairman of the BA from Harvard University, Ursula Merkin, the Isaac Breuer and Harvard Law School. Department of Epidemiology and Social Medicine at Einstein was ordained at RIETS, and College for Hebraic Studies His wife, the former Lauren and Montefiore Medical Center and associate director of the earned a doctorate in Jewish was named in memory of Dr. Korngold, is a graduate of Cancer Control and Epidemiology Program at the Einstein history from Hebrew Univ- Isaac Breuer, the father of Bryn Mawr College and the Cancer Center. Roman Perez-Soler, MD, has been appointed ersity. He is an expert in Jewish Ursula Merkin. Wharton School. Mrs. Merkin director of the Division of Medical Oncology at Einstein and medieval history and is the J. Ezra and Lauren Merkin serves as a trustee of the Avi associate director for clinical research at the Einstein Cancer author of several books and have been at the forefront of Chai Foundation. Center. numerous scholarly articles. leadership and support of the

MRI Research Center at Einstein Azrieli Initiates Jewish Thought and recent gift from Evelyn studies. The center will signifi- Gruss Lipper, MD, hon- cantly advance the school’s Philosophy Program for YUHS Teachers A ors the memory of her existing research strengths, parents and extends their including ongoing investiga- legacy of philanthropic leader- tions in diabetes, cancer, liver he Azrieli Graduate Additionally, participants may School for Girls. “The venture ship in education and med- diseases, sickle cell diseases, School of Jewish Educa- earn credit toward a graduate further solidifies the ongoing ical science. human genetics, and the work- Ttion and Administration degree at Azrieli. unique relationship between Throughout their lives, ings of the human brain. is offering a summer seminar “Directing this seminar is the University and its high Joseph S. and Caroline Gruss Dr. Lipper's gift to name the enrichment program for an exciting proposition,” Dr. schools.” touched the University in research center also relates to Yeshiva University high school Shatz said. “There's a real need Dr. Jeremiah Unterman, countless ways with their her own professional activities teachers to develop new cur- for Jewish thought at the high director of the Association of generosity and support. Now, and interests. “In my clinical ricula in Jewish thought and school level. Exposure to this Modern Orthodox Day thanks to a gift from the Gruss and research work with chil- philosophy. aspect of our tradition is essen- Schools and Yeshiva High Lipper Foundation to Albert dren, we are constantly seek- Dr. David Shatz, professor tial to helping students think Schools (AMODS), said that Einstein College of Medicine, ing to better understand how of philosophy at Stern College about religious issues in a seri- Azrieli will offer workshops for the 18,500 square-foot Caroline the brain functions,” she says. for Women, directs the program. ous, disciplined way. Un- teachers from other schools to and Joseph S. Gruss Magnetic “MRI technology plays a vital “This is an exciting initia- fortunately, the area is often demonstrate the program and Resonance Research Center role in this area.” tive that is modeled on the neglected.” its effectiveness. has been built on the Jack and Dr. Hoby Hetherington is annual seminars offered by the As part of the program, Dr. “Through the participation Pearl Resnick Campus in the one of the outstanding medical National Endowment for the Shatz conducts interactive ses- of Dr. Unterman, this effort Bronx. scientists who have found a Humanities,” said Dr. David sions and leads discussions on will develop models for excel- Dr. Lipper, an Einstein research home at the new Schnall, Azrieli dean. topics including “Faith and lence that can be adapted by alumna (class of ’71) and pedi- facility. The center’s director, “It goes well beyond, how- Reason,” “Science and Judaism,” Jewish schools throughout the atrician, is director of child he is an internationally recog- ever, in its attempt to empow- “Jewish Law and Morality,” country,” said Dean Schnall. development at New York nized expert in magnetic er high school teachers and and “Religious Zionism and “Bringing leading scholars Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical resonance who has pioneered allow them to develop their the Jewish Philosophy of such as Dr. Shatz under the Center. She previously served the application of MRI techni- own curricula.” History.” umbrella of Azrieli assures the as director of the Premature cal advances and techniques Two teams of teachers are “The program is exciting success of these endeavors and Follow-Up Program at in clinical research. Dr. Jullie participants—five from YU’s because our teachers will not further promotes interdivi- AECOM's Rose F. Kennedy Pan, associate director of girls’ high school and four only be learning inspiring sional collaboration, utilizing Center for Research in Mental the center, has utilized the from its boys’ high school. The material, but material that is the rich resources available at Retardation and Develop- technology in fundamental program spans two weeks and designed specifically to inspire our campus. Azrieli is proud to mental Disabilities. studies of multiple sclerosis, requires teachers to spend six our students,” said Rochelle serve as the engine for this col- Housed within the new epilepsy, and normal brain hours each day working in Brand, principal of Samuel H. laboration,” he added. research center will be some of metabolism. Both she and Dr. classes and on group projects. Wang Yeshiva University High the most sophisticated high- Hetherington recently came to field magnets ever developed Einstein from Brookhaven for basic research and clinical National Laboratory. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE YUToday PAID YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 SUMMER 2002

New Broadened PhD program in Jewish Studies at Revel

hen Bernard Revel depth knowledge of a specific expansion and development Graduate School of discipline, while at the same the School has seen since Dr. WJewish Studies open- time provide them with Hyman was appointed dean in ed its doors in 1937, it offered enough knowledge in other 1991. Nine years ago, enroll- an innovative program in fields of Jewish studies to make ment was 80 students, almost advanced Judaic studies for them effective teachers and exclusively from Yeshiva Col- Orthodox rabbis and academi- better researchers,” said Dr. lege and Stern College for cians, who were its original stu- Arthur Hyman, distinguished Women; now it has approxi- dents and who were destined service professor of philoso- mately 125 students from to make their mark on the phy and BRGJS dean. “The a range of schools, including American Jewish scene. This change will ensure greater Princeton, Columbia, Barnard, tradition of innovation contin- breadth in the training of doc- and Yale. The number of ues today with a newly brand- toral students and enhance women enrolled has also ed PhD program in Jewish stud- integration among the various increased substantially, and ies that has recently been fields of concentration,” he currently makes up about 40% approved by the New York added. of the student population. State Education Department. The New York State Edu- Additionally, a generous The new doctoral program cation Department formed a scholarship and fellowship Dean Arthur Hyman teaching medieval Jewish philosophy. offers concentrations in Bible, select committee of outside program has been instrumen- medieval Jewish history, mod- professors to review the cur- tal in attracting more students. rently numbers nine full-time age and nurture Judaic schol- ern Jewish history, medieval rent state of the academic pro- Revel Board of Directors and five visiting professors, are arship among teachers, acade- Jewish philosophy, and Tal- grams in the School. After Chairman Mordecai D. Katz, graduates from prestigious micians, rabbis, and lay per- mudic studies, and replaces spending two days there, the together with the Board, has Jewish studies PhD programs sons—is essential to imparting current, separate PhD programs committee highly recommend- been successful in securing around the nation. All the knowledge of Jewish history, in these fields. This change is a ed the PhD program change. financial support, especially Revel faculty are active in philosophy, and sacred texts reflection of the changing face Also commended by the com- fellowships. In 1991, only scholarly work, publishing to ensure Jewish continuity. of academic Jewish studies pro- mittee was the School’s facul- seven students received schol- books and articles, speaking at The School also trains men grams across the country that ty, student enthusiasm, the arships, which provide tuition national and international and women as teachers and are moving from specialized advisement program, and the assistance and fellowships. conferences, and receiving researchers in Jewish studies fields to a broader, interdiscipli- excellent library facilities and Approximately 45 students awards of recognition. and prepares them for posi- nary approach. resources. currently benefit from these The Revel School is an tions as specialized teachers in “This new academic direc- The new doctoral program awards. enterprise of intensive scholar- Jewish day schools and yeshiv- tion will give students an in- is also in line with the overall Revel’s faculty, which cur- ship. Its mission—to encour- ot throughout the nation. Summer 2002 YUToday 15

Turning a Campus into a Community

tudents attending any 90 couples and families living munity and many facilities are one of the undergraduate in the area. There is also an available,” said Shira. “I can Sor graduate schools on eruv (enclosure permitting use the YU library to study at the Wilf Campus may think of Jews to carry on the Sabbath), night, and Jason likes living Washington Heights as their a playground between YU right across the street from the home away from home. But apartment buildings, and RIETS building. Members of for many Yeshiva University many more kosher food stores, the community also organize students, faculty, and staff he said. events for everyone, which who live around the Wilf YU’s Independent Housing brings people together.” Campus year-round, Washing- Program (IHP) provides apart- Undergraduate and high ton Heights is not only a ments for many of the YU and school students living in cam- home, but also an attractive, RIETS-affiliated couples and pus dormitories are often in- thriving Jewish community. families in the area, who are vited to nearby homes for The community has grown attracted to the program by Shabbat, creating a stabilizing tremendously over the past the reasonable apartment rents environment for students, decade in large part due to a and convenience to University especially out-of-towners. successful effort by YU to cre- facilities, a yeshiva, and trans- “When students go to com- ate a viable environment for portation. IHP owns and oper- munity members’ homes in young University and RIETS- ates apartments in the Wilf the area for Shabbat, it gives affiliated couples and families. Campus area, from 188th to their parents a more comfort- Rabbi Daniel Rapp, assistant to 182nd streets. And, as more able feeling about sending Kaffeine owners Arik Lifshitz, Steve Martinek, and David Batalion the dean of undergraduate people consider living in the them here,” said Rabbi Rapp. Jewish and instructor in Bible, Wilf Campus area, the rate of Additionally, the increase ket, and an expanded bakery/ ington Heights can be incon- has lived near the Wilf applications to IHP keeps in kosher food stores and dairy restaurant. venient for couples and fami- Campus for seven years with increasing. restaurants in Washington “We wanted to open a café lies,” said Shmuel Alkolombre, his wife, Chaya, and has seen Shira and Jason Freuden- Heights, especially in the Wilf because it gives YU students SSSB alumnus and owner of a dramatic changes not only in berger, who are studying at Campus area, in recent years and faculty, young couples, new kosher minimarket on the area’s quality of life, but Ferkauf Graduate School of has attracted people and has and community members a Amsterdam Avenue. Mr. Alko- also in the number of people Psychology and RIETS, respec- given the area a competitive place to sit down and get lombre, who remembers trekking living there. tively, have been living in the edge comparable to other together,” said Steve Martinek, across Washington Heights to “I remember in 1995 the area for nearly a year in In- young communities in New former Sy Syms student and buy kosher groceries as a stu- community had twenty-five dependent Housing. They like York and New Jersey. Within owner and manager of Kaffeine, dent, wants his store “to cater couples, and nine of them had the convenience and commu- the past two years, the Wilf a kosher dairy café on 184th to those who live around here children,” said Rabbi Rapp. nity atmosphere. Campus area has gained a café, Street and Amsterdam Avenue. because it’s a necessity in any Now there are approximately “This a very close-knit com- a sandwich shop, a minimar- “Keeping kosher in Wash- Jewish community.”

Walter Wurzburger, Philosophy Professor and Rabbi, Dies

alter Wurzburger, at YU, died April 16 at the age MA and PhD in philosophy temporary society. “He was a from Munich, shortly after PhD, adjunct pro- of 82. He taught philosophy at from Harvard University. In very good teacher…the intel- Kristallnacht. A prolific author Wfessor of philosophy Stern College for Women and 1987, he received an honorary lectual of the Modern Ortho- whose work has appeared in Yeshiva College from Doctor of Divinity degree at dox rabbinate,” said Dr. Lamm. numerous religious and secular 1967 until earlier this YU’s Centennial Commence- Dr. Wurzburger served as publications and scholarly year, when he stopped ment. Most recently he was president of the Rabbinical journals, Dr. Wurzburger was teaching because of ill rabbi of Congregation Shaaray Council of America, the the editor for 26 years of the health. Tefila in Lawrence, NY, until nation’s largest Orthodox rab- Orthodox journal Tradition, The YU community he retired in 1994. Before that binical group, and of the and co-editor with Dr. Lamm held a memorial serv- he served at pulpits in Boston Synagogue Council of America, of A Treasury of Tradition ice in the Lipschutz- and Canada. a now-defunct organization (Jewish Publication Society, Gutwirth Study Hall A respected rabbi, President that represented Orthodox, 1994). He is the author of and Shul in the Leah Norman Lamm once called Conservative, and Reform Ethics of Responsibility: Plural- and Joseph Rubin Res- him a “prodigious intellectual Judaism. In 1983, he was pre- istic Approaches to Covenantal idence Hall May 13. A and moral activist whose lead- sented with the National Ethics (Jewish Publication sefer torah (Torah scroll) ership has been inspiring to Rabbinic Leadership Award Society, 1994) and God is Proof is being donated by his generations of rabbinic and from the Union of Orthodox Enough (Devora Publishing, friends, YU Guardians lay leaders of Jewish life.” Dr. Jewish Congregations of 2000). Rochelle and Edward Wurzburger was a distinguished America. He is survived by his wife, Berkowitz and their member of Rabbi Joseph B. He was also a member of Naomi; three sons, Dr. Ben- children, who were pre- Soloveitchik’s first generation the International Jewish Com- jamin of Jerusalem, Joshua of sent at the memorial. of students and was a close mittee on Interreligious Con- Manhattan, and Myron ‘73Y With a BA from friend of the Rav and his family sultations, the major Jewish of Hewlett, NY; and one Yeshiva College in for many years. group that is in dialogue with grandchild. Rabbi Walter Wurzburger inspired 1943 and semikhah He was outspoken about the Vatican. generations of rabbinic and lay leaders (ordination) from RIETS his belief that Modern Ortho- Dr. Wurzburger immigrated of Jewish life. in 1944, he earned an doxy should engage with con- to the United States in 1938