YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

∞ SPECIAL COMMENCEMENT ISSUE YUTODAY SUMMER 2013 Meet the Class of 2013 Profiles of the Graduating Students of Yeshiva University

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he greatest representatives of a university are its issue of YUToday, we are proud to feature a select group to pursue a range of personal and professional dreams, students. Yeshiva University is privileged to have of new alumni from YU’s high schools, colleges and from scientific research and medicine to law, Jewish Tan incredibly talented cadre of students who seek graduate schools—some of the best and brightest men education and public policy. As they embark on the next to harness their unique skills and YU education to en- and women from the Class of 2013. stages of their careers, they will always embody the rich the lives of others and make a lasting impact on the These remarkable graduates, of varying ages and powerful message that unites all Yeshiva University world around them. In this special commencement diverse backgrounds, came to YU with a common goal: students, past and present: the mandate to matter. n

Yeshiva University’s 82nd Commencement Rabbi Joshua Fass, YU Alumnus and Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, Tells Graduates to Script the Future Story of the Jewish People

undreds of students from Yeshiva University’s undergraduate schools were presented with Htheir degrees at YU’s 82nd commencement exer- cises, held at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ, on May 30. Excitement for the future was in the air as students and their families hugged and snapped pictures in the crowded box office area, but a shared sense of purpose and empowerment was also an essential theme of the day’s celebration. “Your experience at Yeshiva has been exciting, var- ied, formative and informative in magnificent ways,” YU Rabbi Joshua Fass ’91YUHS, ’94YC, ’96A, ’98R, delivers keynote address. President Richard M. Joel told the new graduates. “Ye- shiva instilled within you not merely the makings of ma- while being grounded securely in Torah and Halacha York State Board of Regents and chairwoman of the Met- terial success, but a mandate to matter in this world, to [Jewish law].” ropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. partner with God in somehow making it better.” Urging the new alumni to remain engaged and ac- Meirah Shedlo, valedictorian of Stern College for In his keynote address to the Class of 2013, Rabbi tive as members of the Jewish community and staunch Women, echoed the message of engagement and respon- Joshua Fass ’91YUHS, ’94YC, ’96A, ’98R, reflected on the advocates of the State of Israel, Fass added, “As YU gradu- sibility in her remarks to her classmates. “As we, the Class way his own YU education had equipped him to pursue ates, you are uniquely positioned to make a difference— of 2013, depart from the house of learning that is Yeshiva his difficult but world-changing vision as co-founder and you have the talent, conviction, passion and ideological University, we have been charged with the mission of executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization drive to script the future story of our people.” using our personal development in service of our com- that has helped more than 36,000 Western olim [immi- President Joel conferred an honorary degree upon munities,” she said. “At YU, we’ve had the opportunity to grants] actualize their dream of settling in Israel. Fass, as well as on Tony B. Gelbart, co-founder and chair- gain a stellar education and achieve a high level of accom- “Heroically and astonishingly, YU transmits a man of Nefesh B’Nefesh and a serial entrepreneur who plishment in our respective fields. Now we’re all starting unique and noble approach, a derekh ha-chayim [way of serves as a member of the national board of directors and on new paths that will build upon the ideas, challenges life], a mesorah [tradition] that resonates this extraordi- adviser to the president of the Jewish National Fund; and triumphs we have encountered here.” nary synergy,” he said. “We have been taught to open our businessman and philanthropist Abraham Naymark, Dr. Mark Skier ’83YUHS, ’87YC, ’91E, flew in from eyes and see the myriad number of concerns that need to whose contributions to YU include the establishment of Milwaukee, WI, to watch his son Rafi graduate from Ye- be addressed and repaired in our community and beyond, the Naymark Scholarship Fund at the Sy Syms School of shiva College. “I’ve been a member of the YU family for a to have the fortitude and courage to make those changes, Business; and Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, chancellor of the New long time and when Continued on Page 8 ç 2 YUTODAY

Azrieli’s Shapiro Enriching Education YUTODAY WEB EXCLUSIVES www.yu.edu/news David Pelcovitz really demon- strate expertise in a range of fields and a holistic approach to VIDEO education,” he said. But the peo- ple who had the greatest impact on him were his fellow students. “I never before had the opportu- nity to work with such a diverse and talented group of individu- als with such a high level of commitment to Jewish educa- tion and professionalism,” he said. “For me, it was a real op- portunity to meet and learn from people with many differ- ent approaches to the field.” Watch Rabbi Joshua Fass deliver the commencement address Eli Shapiro During his time at Azrieli, k yu.edu/rabbifass Shapiro completed his disserta- lthough Eli Shapiro has been immersed in tion on cyberbullying in yeshiva middle schools. the field of Jewish education for 15 years, He also oversaw a day school affordability initia- PHOTO GALLERY Ahe is continually looking for additional tive through YU’s Institute for University-School ways to enhance his knowledge and skills as an Partnership and managed a research study on the educator. Shapiro, a graduate of YU's Wurzweiler effectiveness of BRAVE, Novick’s school-based School of Social Work, spent much of the last de- bully prevention program. Those experiences cade focusing on the social and emotional func- opened his eyes to the complexity of Jewish edu- tioning of students and their families. He came to cation. “A yeshiva is an entity with many gears that the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education need to work in concert to maximize successful and Administration seeking out a professional ap- outcomes,” he said. “It goes beyond the classroom proach to education, with a desire to make a differ- and pedagogy; when a school is not maximizing its ence in the Jewish community. potential in one area, it often affects the others.” “I feel very strongly that if in some way, I can Shapiro’s work at Azrieli also taught him the effect positive change and bring more deliberate importance of professionalism, as well as a data- practices to such a significant component of Jew- driven approach to implementing any changes in a Yeshiva University’s 82nd commencement ish life, I have an obligation to do so,” he said. school. “Whether it’s related to academics, school k yu.edu/commencement2013 Shapiro, a resident of Far Rockaway, NY, was culture or school business, an intervention based drawn to Azrieli for its stellar faculty. “Professors on poor assessment of the issue is unlikely to yield like Dr. Scott Goldberg, Dr. Rona Novick and Dr. Continued on Page 5 ç THIS IS YU, THE APP. YOUR iPAD JUST GOT SMARTER. Download the latest iPad edition of This Is Yeshiva University, specially Revel’s Weiss: From Finance to Philosophy created to give you a window into our schools, our life and our mission. Available free on the App Store.

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

∞ SPECIAL COMMENCEMENT ISSUE YUTODAY SUMMER 2013

DR. HENRY KRESSEL Chairman, YU Board of Trustees RICHARD M. JOEL DR. NORMAN LAMM President Chancellor MICHAEL SCAGNOLI Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs

YUTODAY MATT YANIV YAFFI SPODEK GISEL PINEYRO Shira Weiss Director of Media Relations, Editor Art Director Editor in Chief Aliza Berenholz, Barbara Birch, Enrique Cubillo, Daniel Gordon, Linda Hsia, David Huggins, s a teacher and scholar, to Stern from the University at Revel and later became an Andrea Kahn, Elie Klein, Tova Ross, Perel Skier, Sam Ulrich, V. Jane Windsor Shira Weiss has made a of Pennsylvania just so I could adviser for my dissertation— Contributors career of exploring reli- study Jewish topics for my own are all paradigmatic religious [email protected] www.yu.edu/cpa A YUToday is published quarterly by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and is scholars who I emulate,” she gious convictions through the enrichment,” she said. distrib­­uted free to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends. It keeps them informed study of Jewish philosophy. While teaching courses in said. “I valued the opportunity of news from across Yeshiva University’s undergraduate and graduate divisions and affiliates. The quarterly newsletter covers academic and campus life, faculty and student research, com- That wasn’t always the Jewish philosophy and Bible at to learn from serious academics munity outreach and philanthropic support. It showcases the University’s mission of Torah plan. After graduating from the Frisch School and eventually who shared my religious com- Umadda, the combination of Jewish study and values with secular learning, through stories about the diverse achievements of the University community. Stern College for Women, at Stern as well, Weiss earned mitments, served as mentors © Yeshiva University 2013 • Office of Communications and Public Affairs Weiss, originally from South- a master’s and doctoral degree and influenced my intellectual Furst Hall Room 401 • 500 West 185th St. • New York, NY 10033-3201 • Tel.: 212.960.5285 field, MI, was ready to launch from YU's Bernard Revel Grad- development.” Stanley I. Raskas, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Yeshiva College; Shira Yoshor, Chairman, Board her career—in finance. She uate School of Jewish Studies. Her dissertation focused of Overseers, Stern College for Women; Alan Kestenbaum, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Sy Syms School of Business; Ruth L. Gottesman, Chair, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College began working at a hedge fund There, she developed a unique on the philosophical interpre- of Medicine; Leslie E. Payson, Chair, Board of Overseers, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; and planned to move into ven- theological perspective both in tation of free choice in the ex- Froma Benerofe, Chair, Board of Overseers, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Carol ture capital, but soon found and out of the classroom. “Dr. egetical part of Joseph Albo’s Bravmann, Chair, Board of Overseers, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; herself thinking of options in David Shatz, Dr. Arthur Hyman work Sefer ha-Iqqarim, or The Joel M. Schreiber, Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological a field that had always been and Dr. Warren Zev Harvey—a Book of Principles, furthering Seminary; Miriam P. Goldberg, Chairman, Board of Trustees, YU High Schools; Michael Jesselson and Theodore N. Mirvis, Co-Chairs, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum. close to her heart: Judaic stud- Hebrew University professor the academic case for the inno- Board listings as of June 5, 2013. ies. “I had actually transferred who taught a summer course Continued on Page 7 ç

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Stern’s Reinstein Taking Jewish Education Global Student Spotlight

for students, as well as programs such as Simcha Deliveries, Yachad Carnival and Cake Wars, a cake-decorating competi- tion Reinstein helped create that raises funds for breast cancer. One of Reinstein’s proudest leader- ship moments came in the wake of Hur- ricane Sandy, when she spearheaded a relief effort of more than 50 student vol- unteers. “As we carried cases of water up flights of unlit stairs in buildings in the Lower East Side where elderly people lived, we saw the difference we were making then and there,” she said. Stern College junior forward Making a difference was an impor- Rebecca Yoshor was named to Margot Reinstein tant theme in Reinstein’s undergraduate Capital One’s 2012–13 NCAA Divi- experience. During her first winter break, sion III Academic All-America wom- s the grandchild of four Holocaust first course at Stern, Rabbi Mordechai she participated in a Center for the Jew- en’s basketball second team. She survivors, Margot Reinstein of Cohen, professor of Bible, offered advice ish Future service mission to Kharkiv, a is the first female student-athlete ATeaneck, NJ, realized early on that that would shape her academic career. Jewish community in the Ukraine. “I was in YU history to receive Academic Torah education was integral to the con- “He challenged us to go to an event once a so inspired by the people I met there that All-America honors. tinuity of the Jewish people. “I wanted to week, write an article for a student news- I returned twice over the next two years become a Jewish educator to spread my paper, seek out professors and speak with and have developed a strong relationship Yeshiva College junior Gavriel passion for Judaism and love of learning them after class, stay in for Shabbos, take with that community,” she said. Brown won first place in the 2013 to others,” she said. “Education is power, the most rigorous classes we could han- Next year, Reinstein is considering Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics for his and I believe that’s one of the most im- dle and become active members of the her options: living in Moscow for a year essay on Hurricane Sandy. portant values you can have.” YU community,” she recalled. to create inspirational programming for She joined Stern College for Women Reinstein lived up to Cohen’s direc- students or spending time in Israel, pur- Gilad Barach and Eli Grunblatt, as a Legacy Heritage Fund Scholar. The tive, joining student clubs that ranged suing a master's degree in Tanach while Yeshiva College juniors, have been program provides full tuition support in from the Beit Midrash Committee to the teaching. “A dream of mine would be to awarded the Barry M. Goldwater the form of grants and forgivable loans Social Justice Society and the Israel travel around the world observing the Scholarship, a highly competitive for undergraduate study and includes Club, eventually becoming president of methodologies of schools and universi- grant that supports undergradu- one-on-one mentoring, professional de- the Torah Activities Council, which ties in different countries and communi- ates who intend to pursue careers velopment, intensive Hebrew language works to create a more vibrant Jewish ties. Then I’d make the trip again, staying in science, math or engineering. instruction and substantial fieldwork ex- atmosphere on campus. Together, the for some time in each place to improve perience. But Reinstein’s involvement ex- Council organized daily and weekly each institution.” n tended far beyond the classroom. In her chessed [acts of kindness] opportunities Stern College valedictorian Meirah Shedlo was selected as a recipi- ent of the Gilder Lehrman His- tory Scholar Award, recognizing top graduating seniors across the Yeshiva College’s Pearsall Hits All the Right Notes country studying American history. Yeshiva College students Barry amir Pearsall had been passion- Cohen, Eli Grunblatt, Yosef Korn- ate about music all his life. But bluth, Yoni Mehlman and Mark Zat Yeshiva College, the pianist Weingarten have been selected to from Houston, Texas, discovered a way perform advanced undergraduate to transform his drive for self-expres- level research under the guidance sion into a forum that connected oth- of YU faculty as part of the Henry ers. “Music plays a great role in my life,” Kressel Research Scholarship. he said. “After years of learning and ana- lyzing great compositions, I was curi- k Keep up with the latest student success ous to know what my own pieces might stories at blogs.yu.edu/student-success sound like.” After enrolling in classes at YU’s Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Music, it occurred to Pearsall that other music-loving students might feel similarly. Over the following summer, he re- there’s a singular belief or idea to point to, searched concepts in musical theory with but I’ve learned that Judaism is actually a practical composition applications and paradigm which accommodates a breath- formed the Songwriting Club, a group Zamir Pearsall taking number of perspectives, and all of where members were encouraged to cre- these perspectives ultimately lead back ate and share their own music. “Launch- American history. “I knew it had to be nected with these kids in a way that to our constitution, the Torah.” ing the club, moderating the discussion of fascinating, it had to strike at the heart counselors who had been born religious Next year, Pearsall, who was also its members and watching it take on a life of political science and it had to put forth weren’t able to. My input helped create a named a finalist for the Carnegie Scholar- of its own has been a once-in-a-lifetime empirical arguments,” Pearsall said. His style of programming that better spoke to ship, will begin his studies at the Univer- experience for me,” Pearsall said. hard work paid off; in May, he presented them.” sity of Colorado—Boulder Law School, He has had many of those during his thesis to the New England Political Pearsall honed his own religious where he has received a $50,000 schol- his undergraduate career, both in and Science Association. beliefs in shiurim [lectures] at YU. “The arship. There he hopes to jointly pursue out of the classroom. As a political sci- Pearsall was also deeply affected by courses I took with Rabbi Reuven Fink, a law degree and a master’s in public ence major, Pearsall spent years crafting a trip to Moscow he coordinated with Rabbi Michael Shmidman, Rabbi Mark administration. He’ll also keep pursuing a bold thesis that argues the self-expan- fellow YU students to teach English and Dratch and Rabbi Dr. Hayyim Angel that other dream. “I want to compose sion model, a theory that suggests people Judaic studies to Jewish students. Pears- all emphasized a variety of intellectual a powerful song,” Pearsall said. “My in- achieve control over their environment all, whose first language is Russian, acted strands in Jewish thought that I never fluences and inspirations have taught by expanding their sense of self to in- as a translator. He felt he had something knew could exist,” he said. “We get into me that it’s not enough just to compose clude others, is an accurate predictor of unique to bring to the group: “As a baal the habit of saying things like ‘according something—you have to compose some- close presidential elections in modern teshuva [newly religious person], I con- to Judaism’ or ‘the Jewish belief is’ as if thing with impact.” n

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Sy Syms Hosts Sy Syms’ Fogel: In the Business of Giving Back Gala Dinner; Earns AACSB Accreditation onina Fogel of Passaic, NJ, always want you to grow, they want knew she wanted a career that you to succeed and they want Ywould combine her love of work- to be there for every step of ing with people and solving complex your journey.” problems. In high school, through her But Fogel’s support net- involvement with clubs and chessed [acts work extended beyond Sy of kindness] organizations, she’d learned Syms and into the professional how much she enjoyed helping others as world, thanks to two programs part of a team—even taking the lead from specifically geared to help time to time. Though business felt like women achieve and succeed the natural choice, Fogel sought more in leadership roles. As a Wom- than just an outstanding business educa- en’s Leadership Fellow, Fogel Mortimer Zuckerman (center) with tion. “I had been studying subjects like had the opportunity to hear Sy Syms Student Council Co-Presidents Tanach and Halacha [Jewish law] since I accomplished women speak Jesse Nathanson and Ariela Geller was very young and I did not want to sac- about their experiences and rifice that,” she said, “especially antici- offer tips for balancing career Sy Syms School of Business cel- pating a career in the business world.” and family priorities. And as a ebrated its 26th anniversary with a She chose Sy Syms School of Busi- participant in the YU Career Gala Awards Dinner at the Museum ness because it offered both professional Center’s Women in Business of Jewish Heritage on April 23. The and religious enrichment—an environ- Initiative, she was paired with evening honored students and fac- ment where she could take challenging a mentor in her desired indus- ulty who excelled within their fields business classes and attend a shiur [lec- try—in Fogel’s case, a manager and demonstrated exceptional ture] afterward. “My goal was to develop at Citibank—who offered in- Yonina Fogel character. President Richard M. a well-rounded education about the mar- valuable insight and feedback Joel presented Mortimer B. Zuck- kets and the economy, while also taking as Fogel hunted for internships and jobs Career Center helped her secure. She is erman with the first-ever Sy Syms Judaic classes that were academically in finance and learned to tackle work- confident that her Torah values and the Humanitarian Award in honor of stimulating and offered in-depth analysis place challenges. strong sense of self she has developed will the media and real estate mogul’s of Torah subjects,” Fogel said. “At YU, I “As a woman, I know that she under- be an asset in her new position. efforts and ethics throughout many found that.” stands, because she has faced these hur- “I love working in wealth manage- years in philanthropy and busi- She also found a supportive faculty dles already herself and excelled in this ment because it’s all about helping people ness. The event also celebrated Sy and staff always available for guidance environment,” Fogel said. “She continu- with their financial problems and direct- Syms’ recent accreditation by the and mentorship, in and out of the class- ally reaches out to me to ensure that I am ing them to solutions that can make their Association to Advance Collegiate room. “Because Sy Syms is housed in a succeeding, too.” lives easier,” Fogel said. “I am excited to Schools of Business. small university setting, there are ample After graduation, Fogel will be work- start working as I go into my new job—a opportunities to become involved in clubs ing full time as a wealth management strong individual with a strong sense of and personally connect to deans and pro- analyst for JPMorgan Chase, where she my own values and ideals, helping others fessors,” Fogel said. “The school leaders recently completed an internship the along the way.” n

RIETS’ Roth: Young Rabbi Heads to Harvard Law YU Commemorates 20th in law—how do you master knowledge Yahrtzeit of The Rav and distill legal principles from a practical application of the law?” Roth will delve even deeper into questions like these in the fall when he begins his studies at Harvard Law School. Ultimately, Roth is interested in exploring the field of legal academia and the devel- opment of law, legal history and legal the- ory over time, with a strong foundation from his coursework at Revel and RIETS. But it’s the study of Halacha [Jewish law] and Gemara that he finds most rewarding. “What’s so amazing is that you can estab- Willie Roth lish a unique, personal relationship to the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Torah,” he said. Seminary (RIETS) and the Center fter graduating from Yeshiva riously in its kollel while gaining practical Roth found his time in RIETS Rosh for the Jewish Future (CJF) com- College, Willie Roth of Teaneck, experience for the future and broadening Yeshiva Rabbi Michael Rosensweig’s memorated the 20th yahrtzeit [anni- ANJ, sought rabbinic training that his expertise in Judaic subjects, thanks to shiur [lecture] especially meaningful. versary of death] of “the Rav,” Rabbi would prepare him for the many differ- a generous scholarship from RIETS that “The shiur’s thoroughness, meticulous- Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l, Torah ent roles that rabbis assume through- allowed him to pursue a master’s degree ness and depth have profoundly impacted luminary and YU Rosh Yeshiva, with out their careers: spiritual counselor, in medieval Jewish history at YU's Ber- not only my learning, but my outlook on a full-day learning program on YU’s Torah scholar, community leader, edu- nard Revel Graduate School of Jewish life. To learn from Rav Rosensweig, a Wilf Campus on April 14. Attend- cator, fundraiser and more. “You need Studies. “I think it’s important for rab- person whose wisdom is outdone only ees gained insight into the Rav’s training in many different areas and ex- binic figures to be knowledgeable in many by his character, has been a tremendous life through presentations given posure to many kinds of experts because areas,” he said. privilege,” he said. by his family and closest students, a rabbi’s job entails many different re- While Roth certainly has that, his Roth counts the hours of prepara- including his daughter, Dr. Atarah sponsibilities,” he said. two passions—Torah study and law—go tion and review for shiur among his fa- Twersky; Rabbi Herschel Schachter, At Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological hand in hand. “The requirement to un- vorite memories of YU. “The friends I’ve RIETS Rosh Kollel; Dr. David Shatz, Seminary (RIETS), Roth found a compre- derstand concepts clearly and have infor- made as we tried late at night to process professor of philosophy; and Rabbi hensive and holistic program that enabled mation at your fingertips is important to and clarify everything we heard that day Kenneth Brander, the David Mitzner him to learn from “first-ratetalmidei cha- the study of law, and the intellectual rigor are so unique,” he said. “I feel the friend- Dean of the CJF. chamim [Torah scholars], poskim [de- you develop through years of learning ships we’ve created, centered on Torah ciders of Jewish law], rabbis and mental definitely helps with that,” he said. “A lot learning and values, will last well beyond k Listen to recordings from the event at health professionals all under one roof.” of the critical analysis you put into learn- our years at RIETS.” n yu.edu/rememberingtherav He was also able to continue learning se- ing is also related to the approach you take

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Reunion Classes Celebrate Milestone

his year’s 25-, 40- and 50-year reunion classes had a daylong event on May 30 that began with the undergraduate commencement ceremony, Tcontinued with tours of the Wilf and Beren Campuses and culminated in a gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. At commencement, members of the Class of 1963 received special rec- ognition from President Richard M. Joel who reissued their diplomas. Felice Paley ’63S and Martin Braun ’63YC accepted the diplomas on behalf of their classes. The dinner program featured Elaine Witty ’88S, ’91C as emcee; words of Torah by Karen Bacon, the Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern College for Women; and remarks from President Joel. David Zomick ’63YC and Joseph Stechler ’73YC spoke on behalf of their classes. The program concluded with the presentation of the Reunion Class Gift, led by Izzy Kaufman ’88YC, to President Joel. The classes raised nearly $110,000 for scholarships. n

k To read more about the reunion, visit yu.edu/reunionrecap k To see more photos from the reunion, visit yu.edu/reunionpics

s STAY CONNECTED AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNI ALUMNITODAY 1 ALUMNITODAY CLASSNOTES

Sonia Galinsky ’62S announces the birth Rachayl ’75S and Rabbi Dr. Hillel Davis Ashira ’76S and Rabbi Joe Ozarowski of her granddaughter, Rena, and the Bat ’72YC, ’75BR, ’75R announce the birth of announce the birth of their granddaughter, YOUR NEWS IS OUR NEWS! Mitzvah of her granddaughter, Miriam. their grandson, Freddy (Yechiel), born to Serach Eliana, born to Chani ’07S, ’11BR Class Notes is where YU celebrates the Leora ’05S and Ezra Blumenthal ’07YC, and Yosef Newman. milestones and accomplishments of its Barbara and Dov Gilor ’67F announce ’08BR. alumni. In this section, you can catch up the birth of a great granddaughter, born to Rachel and Dr. Shlomo Pick ’71YC on everything your classmates have been Fraydel and Ariel Gilor, and the birth of a announce the birth of their granddaughter, up to over the years, from marriages great grandson, born to Yael and Shilo Gilor. Rosie Beila Bina, born to their daughter Yehudit and births to professional and personal (Barishman) Ariella and son-in-law Gavriel Stamler. achievements. Rabbi Dr. Wallace Einhorn ’79W Greene ’62YUHS, ’66YC, and Sherry Gittel and Rabbi Submit your class note by emailing ’69R, ’79BR was honored (Scheinberg) Tsvi Rogin ’73YC, [email protected] with the subject as the founder of the Zimmerman ’77R announce the line “Class Notes,” or by visiting Sinai Schools program ’74S published marriage of their www.yu.edu/alumni/notes to complete for children with special their book, daughter, the online form. We hope that you enjoy needs at the Annual Sinai Dating Smart: Shoshana, to reading about your fellow alumni and School Dinner held on February 10 in Navigating the Shlomo Teitelbaum. friends, and we look forward to hearing Teaneck, NJ. Path to Marriage about your achievements. (Menucha Alisa ’79YUHS and Rabbi Allen Schwartz Miriam and Dr. Philip Josowitz ’64YC Publishers, Inc ’79YUHS, ’85YC, ’86R, ’87BR announce announce the birth of their grandson, 2013). the marriage of their son, Moshe ’06YUHS, Nachson Or, born to Rachelle Avigail and to Renee Kestenbaum ’12S and the birth 1940s Itay Arie. of their granddaughter, Kamah, born to Bryna ’71S and Paul Epstein announce the Elana and Elyasaf Shweka. Mindella and Rabbi Dr. Drew Kopf ’64YUHS, ’68YC creates birth of their grandson, Nitai, born to Debbie Norman Lamm ’49YC, Sedrah Paintings, pictorial representations and Daniel Epstein. Kathy and Rabbi ’51R, ’66BR announce of the Biblical portions chanted by Bar and Harold Tzvi Stern the birth of their great- Bat Mitzvah students. His paintings are Sue ’74W and Joe Freedman announce ’72YUHS, ’76YC, grandson, Erez Micah, made with archival inks on watercolor paper the birth of their granddaughter, Liya, to ’80R announce the born to Ahuva (Warburg) made from high-density computer scans Maya Freedman and Liron Yankovitz. marriage of their ’09S, ’13C and Dr. Stu called giclees and are accompanied by son, Ezra Shimon, Halpern ’09BR, ’13A. Mr. Kopf’s written commentary. His works Rachel ’74S and Paul Glasser ’73YC to Ruchie Goldberg, are posted at www.echelonartgallery.com. announce the marriage of their daughter, daughter of Miriam and Michael Goldberg. Shoshana, ’00S,’02W to Howie Penina and Rabbi Joel Kutner ’60YUHS, Beigelman ’90YUHS, ’94YC. Shoshana is Dr. Chaim Sukenik 1950s ’68YC, ’71R announce the birth of their the former Associate Director of University ’72YC has been grandson, Eitan Zvi. Mazel tov to great- Housing and Residence Life. They also appointed president of Pearl ’52YUHS and Rabbi Aaron Borow grandmother Chaya Reich. announce the marriage of their son, Moshe, the Jerusalem College ’55YC, ’59R announce the marriage of ’05YC, ’07A to Elizabeth Ravkin ’07S. of Technology (JCT). their granddaughter, Shlomit, to Shmuel Ruth ’69YUHS, ’73S, ’77F, ’92A and Rabbi JCT is Israel’s leading Schneider. Elchanan “Charles” Lipshitz ’67YUHS, college of engineering ’71YC, ’71E, ’75F, ’76R announce the births for Orthodox students that combines of their granddaughters, Ma’ayan Hallel, academic studies with Jewish learning. Rabbi Abraham Cohen ’55YUHS, born to Leora and Yossi Barnet, and Kamah, ’59YC, ’62BR, ’62R published an article born to Elana and Elyasaf Shweka. Sherry (Scheinberg) ’74S and Saul in the July-September 2012 edition of Zimmerman announce the marriage of The Jewish Bible Quarterly entitled, Barbara and Dr. Joel Luber ’68YC their daughter, Shulamit (Shulie) to Yisrael “The Eschatological Meaning of the announce the birth of Joel’s granddaughter, Kalker. Book of Ruth: Blessed Be God: Asher Roni Sara, born to Shira and Nati Alkovy. Lo Hishbit Lakh Goel.” Rabbi Cohen has written on the Books of Jonah and Sheila ’63S and Shelly Schneider Esther (in “Judaism,” 1972 and 1974), announce the marriage of their daughter, 1980s and on the theological views of Rabbis Arona ’01S, to Moshe Berow ’09YC in Dr. Bryan Kagan ’76YC, a forensic Harold Kushner and David Hartman (in February 2013. podiatrist, lectured at the Educational Keith Brooks ’89SB is an IBM Champion “Modern Judaism,” 1996, and 1997). Conference of the Chesapeake Bay for 2013 Collaboration Solutions and Dr. Chaim I. Waxman ’63YC, ’66BR, ’66R Division of the International Association for Websphere. He was also honored to be is a fellow at the Oxford Centre for Jewish Identification in April. Dr. Kagan recently an IBM Redbooks Thought Leader. Annabelle ’56YUHS and Noah Horowitz Studies and participated in the seminar on published “Hand-Foot Dominance and Foot announce the marriage of their grand- “Orthodoxy, Theological Debate, and Morphology: A Comparison of the Dominant Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam ’81W is the daughter, Michelle, to Dima Bernat. Contemporary Judaism: A Critical Foot with Foot Morphology and Relationship director of the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New Exploration of Questions Raised in the to Handedness” in the Journal for Forensic England (MMBNE) in Newton, MA. The Yael and Dr. Monty Noam Penkower Thought of Louis Jacobs.” Identification. milk bank is accredited by the Human Milk ’59YUHS, ’63YC announce the birth of their Banking Association of North America and granddaughter, Heichal Eden Zion, born to Rabbi Ari Kahn has a Tissue Banking License from the NY Rochelle and Avi Penkower. ’78YUHS, ’83YC, Department of Health. 1970s ’86R, ’89BR Liza and Rabbi Benjamin Samson ’57YC, published his book, Revel Associate Dean Dr. Mordechai ’60BR, ’60R celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of Echoes of Eden; Cohen ’87YC, ’90R, ’94BR and their grandson, Netan Yaakov. Sefer Vayikra; In Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel ’73YUHS, Search of Holiness. ’77YC, ’79R, ’87BR, E. Billi Ivry University Fay and Rabbi Yitzchak Sladowsky (OU, Gefen Professor of Jewish History, Literature and ’50YUHS, ’54YC, ’56R announce the birth Publishing House, Law, were selected to participate in an of their great grandson, born to Shani and 2012). advanced Judaic Studies research group Moshe Sladowsky. with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. They join a On January 29, 13 Stern alumnae from the Robin ’79S and Simon Kahn ’74YUHS, group of approximately two dozen leading class of 1971 had a reunion in Jerusalem ’77YC announce the birth of their sixth scholars of Jewish, Christian and Islamic 1960s and then paid a bikur cholim visit to fellow grandchild, Yoseph Eliyahu, born to Ester social and intellectual history from classmate Sarah (Holstein) Maslow: and Chanoch Kahn. universities around the world to conduct Cheryl ’64YUHS and Rabbi Moshe Lynne (Weinberg) Steinberg, Huti research on the theme “Institutionalization, Abramowitz ’67YC, ’70R, ’70F announce (Ramras) Pomrenze, Debbie (Klaff) Rachel (Schein) Innovation and Conflict in 13th Century the birth of their granddaughter, Bina. Dan, Rachel (Majerowicz) Cohen, ’78S, ’78W and Judaism” and develop a more fully- Beverly (Fuchsman) Marcus, Lois Mark Meles ’78YC integrated account of Europe and the Pearl ’67YUHS and Rabbi Melvin Burg (Schwarzbard) Grabin, Gail Twersky, are pleased to Mediterranean basin in the 13th century. ’66YUHS, ’70YC, ’74BR, ’74R were Guests Lilly (Lubka) Cantor, Barbara Kessel, announce the of Honor at Yeshiva Derech HaTorah’s Holly (Quint) Pavlov, Brondie (Katz) engagement of their Drs. Orlie (Levy) annual dinner on March 10. Rabbi Burg has Levine, Janice (Cohen) Weinberg, and son Dovi Meles ’89S, ’95SG and Eli been the rabbi of the Ocean Avenue Jewish Bryna (Greenberg) Epstein. ’09YC to Dina Tyszler ’03YUHS. Mazel Tov Cohen ’91YC, ’97E Center in Brooklyn for the past 36 years. to the entire Meles and Tyszler families. received the Keter Leonard N. Budow ’77YC joined the New Shem Tov Award Beth and David Cohen ’67YUHS, ’71YC York office of Fox Rothschild. Budow will Rifka Monderer ’72YUHS, ’75TI from the Boca Raton announce the birth of their granddaughter, serve as co-chair of the firm’s fashion law announces the birth of her granddaughter, Synagogue at the Maayan Nechama, born to Anna and Ilan practice group. Shira Ahuva, born to Tovah and Itay Stern. 23rd Annual Journal Dinner on March 14. Cohen.

2 ALUMNITODAY SEARCH THE ALUMNI DIRECTORY FOR CLASSMATES AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNIDIRECTORY ß Cheryl (Rochwarger) ’84S and Yechiel Rabbi Baruch Dov Braun ’98YUHS, ’09R Rabbi Menachem Penner ’91YC, ’95R has Corn ’80YUHS, ’83YC and Linda was installed as the Mora D’Asra (leader of been appointed Acting Dean of RIETS and (Billauer) ’72S and Rabbi David Derovan the community) for the Young Israel of Undergraduate Torah Studies. Joelle (Tollinsky) ’97S ’83F announce the birth of their grand- Avenue J in Brooklyn. and Yshai Yavin daughter, Ta’ir, born to Adina and Yehoshua announce the birth of Derovan. Mazel tov to great-grandmother, Drs. Jennie their son, Yedidya Zev. Dr. Juliana Corn ’81F. Rabbi Dovid Cohen Rosenfeld ’94YC, ’97R published ’98YUHS, ’01S, Rabbi Peretz Hochbaum ’86YC, ’94R, “The Most Privileged ’04A and ’95A is the principal of the Jewish Profession” in Mishpacha David S. Educational Center’s Rav Teitz Mesivta Magazine on March 2. Ribner ’68YC, Ari Zoldan ’99SB Academy in Elizabeth, NJ. ’72R, ’72BR, covered the Presidential ’74W published Inauguration and Judy ’80S and Jay Kalish ’79YC, ’82C their book in Swearing-In Ceremony announce the birth of their grandson, Naomi and Rabbi Judah English, The in Washington, DC and Avraham, born to Leora and Yonatan Dardik ’98SB, ’01R, ’04A Newlywed was traveling with the Halperin. announce the birth of Guide to Physical Intimacy (Gefen White House Press Corps their son Hillel Meir. Publishing House, 2011), which will in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Dr. Batya L. ’84F and Dr. Mark D. Ludman now appear in Hebrew in June. and Amman, Jordan celebrated the marriage of their son, Aaron during Pres. Obama’s first Joshua, to Einat Richman, daughter of trip to the region. In April, Ari was quoted in Chana and Yuval Richman. Rabbi Eliezer Schnall, the online edition of MarketWatch on PhD ’95YUHS, ’00YC, Bitcoins, in FoxBusiness on social media Avram Morell ’89YC, ’93C, ’94R has ’02F, ’03R, ’06F, etiquette, and on Saudi TV on the transition joined Pryor Cashman LLP as a partner professor of psychology from developing nations into emerging in the Immigration Group in New York. at Yeshiva College, was markets. Ari is the CEO of Quantum Media A seasoned immigration attorney, Morell a scholar-in-residence Holdings, LLC and Senior Correspondent advises clients on immigration and at Congregation Bnai for Talk Radio News Service. Ari is press nationality law issues. Torah of Ontario, Canada. credentialed at the United Nations and Rabbi Joshua Fass ’91YUHS, ’94YC, He also presented on Capitol Hill. Dr. Esther ’86S, ’95F and Rabbi Meir ’96A, ’98R delivered the keynote address “Incorporating Jewish Storytelling in Orlian ’83YUHS, ’87YC, ’90R, ’93BR at the May 30 commencement ceremony Psychotherapy for Eating Disorders” at celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their and received an honorary doctorate. the 84th Annual Meeting of the Eastern son, Benzion. Psychological Association in New York. 2000s Penina ’99S and Rabbi Josh Flug ’98YC, Rabbi Dr. Schnall also authored “The First ’01R celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their Case of Drug-Dependent Memory: The Assistant Director Rabbi Yona Reiss son, Shmulie. Biblical Lot in Talmudic and Midrashic of Service Learning ’87YC, ’91R has been Exegesis,” published in the Spring 2013 and Experiential appointed Rosh issue of the Journal of the History of the Education at Yeshiva Yeshiva at RIETS and Neurosciences. University’s Center Av Beit Din of the Lisa Horowitz ’91S for the Jewish Future, Chicago Rabbinical and Dr. Sam Freedman Bonnie and Rabbi Gideon Shloush ’93YC, Aliza Abrams ’05S, Council. Mindy and announce the birth of ’97R were honored with the Leslie Nelkin ’09W was selected Rabbi Reiss also their son, Yoel Meir. Special Service Award at the National to be a Wexner celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Jewish Outreach Program Annual Dinner Field Fellow in the Yehuda Dov. on February 5 celebrating 25 years of inaugural cohort of the Wexner achievement. The dinner featured a Graduate Fellows and Davidson dialogue between Michael Steinhardt and Scholars of the Wexner Foundation. Ryan Hyman ’98YC was Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald ’63YUHS, Deena and Rabbi Morey appointed West Coast ’67YC, ’70F, ’76R on the State of American Schwartz ’85YC, ’90R, Director of Development Jewry moderated by Rabbi Joseph Batya ’08S and Rabbi Simon Basalely ’91BR announce the birth for Chai Lifeline. Telushkin ’70YC, ’73R, ’74BR. Bonnie and ’06YC, ’10R, ’11A announce the birth of twin of their granddaughter, Rabbi Gideon Shloush ’93YC, ’97R also daughters, Esther Ahuva and Miriam Atara. Yuval Leah. celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Yair. Dr. Rachel (Schwartz) ’96S, ’00BR and Yonina ’00S and Rabbi Etan Berman Rami Kidouchim ’87YC announce the ’00YC, ’05R announce the birth of their birth of their daughter, Atarah Hennah. son, Dovid Akiva. Dr. Josephine Tsakok and Bernard Mazel tov to grandparents, Natalie (Miller) Schneider ’84YUHS, ’87YC announce ’63YUHS and Joseph Schwartz and Tzivia The engagement of Simeon Botwinick the birth of their son, Amihai Tzvi Tsakok- and David Kidouchim. ’06YUHS, ’11YC and Adira Lautman ’09S, Schneider. Mazel tov to grandparents Paul ’12W was featured in the Cleveland Jewish and Mary Tsakok and Dr. Samuel Rabbi Jonathan Kroll ’96R, ’96SB, ’97A News on February 7. Schneider ’79BR, associate professor was appointed the new Head of School of Hebrew at Yeshiva University. of the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School in Tamar ’97S and Dr. Andrew Sicklick Adina ’04S, ’06C and Rabbi Yitzchak Boca Raton, FL. ’95YC celebrated the Bar Mitzvah of their Brand ’06YC, ’12R announce the birth of son, Sam. Mazel tov to grandparents, Ronni their son, Akiva Noson. Dr. Matthew Levitt ’63YUHS, ’67S and Rabbi Dr. Wallace Ben-Tzion Spitz ’92YC published a Greene ’62YUHS, ’66YC, ’69R, ’79BR and Dr. Nechama (Kanner) ’03SB and ’86YUHS, ’90YC was monograph, “Hizballah Fran and Dr. Marc Sicklick ’70YC, ’74E. Rabbi Reuven Brand ’02YC, ’05R, ’06A appointed as the Chief and the Qods Force in announce the birth of their daughter, Rabbi of Uruguay. Iran’s Shadow War with Atara (Fass) ’90S and Rabbi Maish Hila Eliana. the West,” which is drawn Taragin ’87YC, ’92R announce the from his forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Shoshi, to Rachel Gelles ’09S married Jonah book, Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Dr. Ari Kupietzky, grandson of Judi and Raskas ’08YC on April 28. Mazel Tov to Former Mayor of Englewood, NJ and Lebanon’s Party of God (Georgetown Rabbi Harris Guedalia ’57YUHS, ’63R. Rachel’s parents Caron and Steven Gelles adjunct professor of business immigration University Press, 2013). and to Jonah’s father, Stanley Raskas law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Dr. Orit ’95A and Jan Wimpfheimer ’65YC, ’69BR, ’69R and his wife Joyce. Michael Wildes ’89C officiated at the 35th Shani and Rabbi Uriel Lubetski ’91YUHS, ’86YUHS, ’89YC announce the birth of commencement ceremony of Yeshiva ’96YC, ’01BR, ’01R announce the birth of their daughter, Yarden Rivka. Mazel tov to Tziporah ’02S and Rabbi Shaanan University’s law school. their daughter, Rivka Bluma. grandparents Susanne and Michael Gelman ’97YUHS, ’02YC, ’06R announce Wimpfheimer ’61YUHS and Malka and the birth of their son, Shalom Yosef. Susan (Schanler) ’08E and Rabbi Sariel Moshe Schwartz. Malitzky ’98YUHS, ’04SB, ’09R announce Miriam and Rabbi Jonathan Gross ’01YC, 1990s the birth of their son, Yehuda Meir. Shoshana ’04R announce the birth of their son, ’98YUHS, ’02S and Joseph Zvi. Yeshiva College Board Sima and Sruly Mandelbaum ’95YUHS, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Member Joseph ’98SB celebrated the Bat Mizvah of their Yanklowitz ’09BR Joshua Klarfeld ’02YC Bensmihen ’91YC, ’95W daughter, Aliza. announce the birth was recognized as a received the Outstanding of their daughter, Rising Star by the 2013 Community Member Gytta ’91S and Alan Papier ’88YC Amiella Rachel. Ohio Super Lawyers, the award from Florida announce the birth of their son, Yehoshua Mazel tov to legal industry’s best Atlantic University for Dov. Mazel tov to grandparents Joan grandparents Helene lawyers under the age of his leadership of Boca (Papier) and Dr. Henry Lieberman and and Rabbi Kenneth 40 as nominated by their Home Care, Inc. Judy and Yankie Ehrman. Stein ’67YUHS, ’71YC, ’75R, ’76BR. peers.

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Small Business, Big Potential: YU Alumni at the Helm of Their Own Companies

mall business owners are the backbone of the American economy: they cre- the office by 9 or 9:30,” she said. “Staff members each have their own area of ate jobs, sell innovative products and display diligence, ambition and responsibility, and I focus on manufacturing operations, business growth and Ssmarts to succeed in a tough marketplace. Many Yeshiva University alumni sales.” belong to that group of captains of (small) industry, and we are proud to show- Thanks to flexible work hours, the benefits of owning a business for an case some of their success stories. Orthodox wife and mother are many, Rosenthal said. “It’s an exciting challenge and I am continuously learning from the people around me. I am also more than TAMAR ROSENTHAL ’04S: THE BABY ADVOCATE happy to share what I’ve learned with YU students who are looking to run their When Tamar Rosenthal ’04S co-founded Dapple Baby, it wasn’t only because she own businesses one day.” was business-minded, but first and foremost, because she was a concerned Rosenthal lives on the Upper West Side with her husband, Robert, and their mother. Her first child suffered from severe allergies and eczema. “I was trying four children, Yve, 9; Shmuel, 8; Sima, 5; and Moshe, 14 months. to learn different ways to man- age my daughter’s allergies, ARI GREEN ’01SB: THE FUNDRAISING WEB INNOVATOR and I was getting frustrated After graduating YU’s Sy Syms School of Business in 2001, Ari Green began work- by my lack of success,” said ing as an analyst at a private investment firm, a safe and solid path for a business Rosenthal. “I was discussing major, when his friend and fellow Syms alumnus Avrohom Liberman ’04SB the situation with my good approached him in need of his business acumen. Liberman was trying to organize friend, Dana Rubinstein, when a mishloach manot [Purim gifts] fundraiser to assist his synagogue, Ahavat Shalom, she asked me how I was wash- in Teaneck, NJ, with its development needs. ing my daughter’s bottles. I “I remember that the elementary school I attended, the Chabad Day School in was using dish soap and San Diego, now called the Chabad Hebrew Academy of San Diego, ran a similar became concerned about lin- fundraiser,” said Green. “After looking into it, I quickly discovered that Jewish gering soapsuds. Additionally, organizations everywhere ran similar fundraisers yet lacked an efficient method neither Dana nor I could ever for doing so.” completely get the breast milk Close collaboration between Green and Liberman produced HappyPurim. or formula residue out of the com, which debuted in Ahavat Shalom for Purim 2003. bottles. We both wished there “The project was instantly successful and we soon grew exponentially,” said were better, natural cleaning Green. “Word of mouth was the company’s primary means of growth, followed by products for baby items like cold-calling, which is a skill I picked up as an intern at Merrill Lynch while I was a bottles and pacifiers on the student at Syms.” market.” At Sy Syms, Green majored in finance and participated in many activities, At that time, Rosenthal, serving as president of the Max Investment Club and as a member of the Senior who grew up in Toronto, had Class Board, tutoring and playing intramural flag football. already earned her degree “My fondest memories from YU are definitely the friends I made and the ideas from Stern Col- and strategies for life that I was exposed lege for Women to and learned from my professors,” said where she ma- Green. “I believe that the wide diversity jored in psychol- of classes and professors with expertise ogy, as well as a in a variety of fields helped give me a Master of Public solid foundation from which I was able Administration degree at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner to succeed in the business world.” Graduate School of Public Service. “I had thought I’d be a sports Green also credits Happy Purim’s psychologist while I was at Stern but switched to work in the non- success to the company’s commitment profit sector by the time I graduated,” Rosenthal said. “I was never to keeping costs low for its clients. “We a student who always knew what my future career would be or are pleased that this is a fundraiser for what my ‘endgame’ would look like.” Jewish organizations focused on help- Though neither Rosenthal nor Rubinstein had a business back- ing their communities,” said Green. “We ground, their combined frustration with the lack of natural and are able to keep our costs low by leverag- effective cleaning products led them to spend a few months ing cloud-based computing and bring- researching and working with pediatricians and eco-friendly chem- ing on resources, such as independent ists before co-founding Dapple Baby, a line of natural and safe-for- contractors, only as needed, and usually baby cleaning products. “It’s not enough for these products to be on an individual project basis. This also safe, they also have to work,” Rosenthal said. enables us to move and adapt quickly to The line officially launched with Baby Bottle & Dish Liquid and, changes in our market place.” as their own children grew older, expanded to include other prod- The constant need to acclimate a ucts, including a toy cleaner, both wipes and spray, and laundry business in a rapidly changing techno- detergent. logical and entrepreneurial world is one Today, Dapple Baby products are available at major retailers of Green’s favorite parts of running a including Babies “R” Us, Buy Buy Baby and Duane Reade, and business. “You can run your business any through websites such as Diapers.com and DappleBaby.com. way you want, but the challenge is in For Rosenthal, the success of Dapple Baby has been rewarding making the right decisions,” he said. on many levels. “It’s very gratifying to see that Dana and I have helped meet this “When you inevitably make a wrong one, figuring out how to turn that mistake into need for an effective product that is also safe for people’s babies and their homes,” a win and learning from the experience brings success.” she said. “Parents are constantly educating themselves about safety measures, Aside from professional gratification, Green receives personal fulfillment such as the dangers of BPA, and I really think the trend is only going to get stronger. from his involvement with Happy Purim. “Our company is helping worthwhile My hope for the future of the company is that Dapple products are on the checklist organizations raise money for good causes,” he said. “We’ve been able to consis- for home staples whenever a baby is born. Personally, I have also seen the positive tently help our clients raise more money with less effort than they were able to effect Dapple has had on my daughter’s allergies, which makes it more meaningful previously. There’s nothing better than having a client tell you they wish they had to me.” found you sooner.” The Dapple Baby team, in addition to Rosenthal and Rubinstein, includes six Green currently lives in Teaneck, NJ, with his wife, Sharon ’01S, and their full-time employees in its Manhattan office and regularly utilizes other staffers, three children, Avigayil, 6; Micha, 4; and Nomi, 2. such as pediatricians and chemists, who are outsourced but completely dedicated to the product line and its goal. MELISSA KLEIN LOVY ’07SB: THE JEWELRY DESIGNER While each workday is different, Rosenthal says her 5:30 a.m. wakeup time is Melissa Klein Lovy ’07SB, a jewelry designer who started her eponymous line of generally the same. “Then it’s dropping off the kids at school before getting into luxury fashion jewelry, credits her father’s business acumen and her mother’s

4 ALUMNITODAY DOWNLOAD THE YU ALUMNI SMARTPHONE APP AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNI/APP ß sense of creativity for imbuing her with both an entrepreneurial and design spirit. retailers nationwide. Lovy lives with her husband, Andrew ’12E, an orthopedic Since she was a little girl, Lovy dreamed of being a fashion designer. As a teen- surgeon, in Manhattan. ager, she created cuff links for her father to wear to work one day. Admirers began asking her to create original cuff links for them, and Lovy knew then that she had LAWRENCE CLINGMAN ’10YC: THE ARTIST settled on a career. If you’ve ever passed a street fair in Manhattan and paused to look at a brilliant Lovy attended the Sy Syms School of Business and took classes at the Fashion photography print, you may have been admiring the wares of Elementem, a pho- Institute of Technology through its joint program with Sy Syms, from which she tography print business run by Lawrence Clingman ’10YC and Assaf Duek. Ele- received a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Following her graduation in 2007, she mentem works with photographers from around the world to sell high-quality, worked at YU’s Office of Alumni Affairs before returning to FIT to finish her stud- affordable digital landscape prints. ies there and obtain an associate degree in jewelry design. Clingman, who was born in South Africa and moved to Scarsdale, NY, as a “The opportunities I gained child, began studying at Sy Syms School of Business before switching to Yeshiva from being a student and em- College, where his religious observance was able to thrive. “YU was really able to ployee at YU have helped pre- foster my religious connection and gave me a great background in different secular pare me for the journey I am on subjects, which was great because I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” he today,” said Lovy. “As a student, said. I learned so much from market- After graduation, Clingman dabbled in different pursuits, including music, ing and entrepreneurial courses, education and environmental science. One highlight was interning at the Se- Career Center events and the phardic Music Festival, an annual large-scale arts and music celebration. “I uti- joint program with FIT. As a lized a lot of the skills I learned while running the YU Arts Festival as a junior and staff member in the Office of senior,” said Clingman. “That was the first time I worked to coordinate a festival Alumni Affairs, I created events dealing with deadlines and running a team, and those skills definitely came in and reunions for Sy Syms alumni, handy when I was an intern.” which taught me a lot about Following that internship, Clingman completed an environmental educa- being able to go up to anyone and tional fellowship at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute in Simi Valley, CA. “I loved pitch my own ideas.” working the land there… but I really had no idea what to do next,” he said. His With that experience in father told him of an opportunity with a technology company based in New York her arsenal, Lovy founded her and Clingman decided to go for it, despite his wariness with business. He was sur- jewelry company, Melissa Lovy prised to find that the job required him to flex his creative muscles in terms of Jewelry, shortly after. The brand designing Web pages and coming up with marketing campaigns. has its own motto—“when two After his workdays, Clingman would take long walks through the SoHo neigh- wardrobes collide”—which, Lovy borhood where he lived and came across a street art market. A purchase from explained, signifies the brand’s Duek, an Israeli vendor, led to a friendship between the two, and they soon decided ability to diversify and unite dif- to go into business together. In March 2010, Elementem was officially launched. ferent styles. “Our The company regularly sells its prints at jewelry really lends street fairs and holiday markets in New itself to layering York City and Boston, though the best and stacking,” she source year-round is through its website, said. “The motto www.elementem.com. can be interpreted A large percentage of Elementem’s in a few ways: West Coast meets East Coast, or style that goes from customers are people renting or buying day to night or work to weekend. It’s jewelry that fits into all aspects their first apartment who are looking for of your life.” modern décor that is also affordable. Lovy refers to her target market as the “Lovy Lady,” women of After building the business through tra- all ages, especially those in the 25–50 range, who value timeless ditional retail channels, Clingman and pieces of jewelry. Lovy’s website has a blog, The Lovy Lady, which Duek had a great push when they part- shares all fashion and style-related ideas with readers. Her goal is to nered with the online daily deal site see her brand in major department stores. Groupon. Lovy said her internships during her time as a student prepared “I always resisted the idea of enter- her for a career in fashion. “Despite the time commitment involved ing business, because to me, it seemed in an internship on top of balancing a dual curriculum, it really is like ‘selling out,’ ” Clingman said. “I later worth it,” she advised current students. “The time you put into realized, however, that business could be something has a direct effect on how successful you will be later on.” anything I wanted it to be, and it turned Lovy created an internship opportunity at her own company into a source of genuine creativity and for YU students who aspire to enter the fashion entrepreneurial excitement. Accounting and finance by world. Rosa Gottesman ’15S has been assisting Lovy throughout themselves don’t really excite me, but the 2012–13 school year, helping with design, trend forecasting and they do when I apply them to my art social media. “I was eager for a fashion internship as I hope to enter business.” the industry myself after I graduate,” Gottesman said. “I knew Clingman, who currently lives in this internship would be a significant step in helping me achieve Washington Heights, often speaks to my goal, and Melissa has been invaluable in showing me how the Michael Strauss, associate dean and a whole process works and how much effort and determination it really takes to clinical professor of management at Sy Syms, for entrepreneurial mentorship. make a business succeed.” “I’ve advised Lawrence many times about aspects of business such as pricing Lovy also shares what she’s learned with YU students by partnering with the distribution, marketing and more, and have always found him to be an extremely Career Center to mentor students interested in learning more about business. “It focused and committed individual who persevered and did not allow any setbacks is extremely important to me to give back and to try to encourage those with a to deter him from reaching his business goals,” said Strauss. “I encourage more dream to go for it,” said Lovy. Her generosity combines with philanthropy in her students and alumni to approach me and other Sy Syms faculty members, for guid- partnership with the Skin Cancer Foundation to raise awareness of the disease, ance on any issues that may arise. Every business owner, whether just starting out and she contributes some company proceeds to help fund research for a cure. or with years of experience, can always use a sounding board.” While most people would consider jewelry design as a primarily creative Sharing some important advice of his own with current students and alumni, career, Lovy said that she actually thinks of herself as a businesswoman before a Clingman said, “A lot of what you want to do with your business can initially be designer. “I thoroughly enjoy the business side of what I do, and it provides the done without a lot of money. Start your idea with the most basic version, and if it fuel for the designer in me to emerge,” she said. “I view the designing as the hobby works, spend more money on refining it and taking it to the next level. Elementem that I am lucky to do for a living.” started with a very basic website we built ourselves. That kind of mentality allowed Melissa Lovy Jewelry is sold at www.melissalovy.com as well as at select us to be profitable from an early stage and then continue to grow.” n

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ALUMNI FAMILY DAY AT THE SEFORIM SALE (MARCH 3, 2013) YU REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS EVENT “THE WORLD OF NEW YORK CITY” Alumni and their families were invited back to Alumni Family Day at Yeshiva University’s WITH GARY BARNETT IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL STOLER annual Seforim Sale. Author and illustrator Ann (Diament) Koffsky ’93S treated children (APRIL 17, 2013) and their parents to a lesson in how to create children’s books. Each child decorated a special Afikoman cover to take home and use at Passover.

m YU Trustee and Chair of the YU Real Estate Committee Josh Muss ’58YUHS, ’62YC with members of the Yeshiva University Student Real Estate Club

m YU Real Estate Professionals Co-Chair m Mark Kwestel ’87YC, Co-Chair Bruce Schanzer ’91YC, ’93C with Zev Skolnick of YU Real Estate Professionals ’80YUHS, ’85YC

o YU Real Estate Committee member Joel Mael ’79YC, Avi Lieberman ’06SB and Monty Steckler ’01YC STUDENTS RAISE FUNDS ON YOM HAATZMAUT (APRIL 16, 2013) Students Helping Students (SHS) is a student-driven effort that strives to promote school pride, educate students about philanthropy and raise awareness about the significant need for undergraduate scholarship support. As part of this year’s Yom Haatzmaut festivities, SHS gave students the opportunity to “pie” Joe Bednarsh, director of athletics, Yoni Cohen, director of operations for the Center for the Jewish Future or one of several student campus leaders in support of the YU undergraduate scholarship fund.

m Guest Speaker Gary Barnett speaks to a capacity crowd of over 160 alumni and friends

m Michael Stoler moderates the discussion

m Guests, including Jonathan Glaser ’92YC, m YU Real Estate Committee member ’95C and Jonathan Yoni Leifer ’88YUHS and host J. Philip Rosen ’74YUHS, m Faculty and students who were “pied”: Joe Bednarsh ’92YUHS (with daughter Charlotte), enjoy the reception sponsored by Meridian ’78YC welcomes the group to Weil Eli Shavalian ’14YC and Rotem Elias ’13SB Capital Group Gotshal & Manges

ROMAN VISHNIAC REDISCOVERED (APRIL 29, 2013) More than 80 people came to view Roman Vishniac’s latest exhibit titled “Roman Vishniac Rediscovered” at the International Center for Photography. Curators led tours of the exhibit which featured radically diverse groups of work displaying an important photographic record of Jewish life in Eastern Europe between the two World Wars. The event was sponsored by the Huberfeld Family.

o Alumni, friends, and supporters explore Vishniac’s photographic records of Central and Eastern European Jewish communities

m Bracha and Dr. Michael Samet ’65YC

m Vice President of Institutional Advancement o Sally ’64YUHS and George Dan Forman, Laura Huberfeld, Jessica Huberfeld Beren Frankel, Judah Harris ’83YUHS, ’87YC

6 ALUMNITODAY SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND AT WWW.YU.EDU/ONLINEGIVING ß Miriam Weiner ’92S, ’96C Models the Work-Life Balance

acebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg’s thinking she would use the degree for something else. She began the MPA pro- book, Lean In, recently reinvigo- gram at NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service during her final year at Frated the national discussion Cardozo and, within four years, received a JD and an MPA. on the work-life balance and women Weiner immediately found a position with the Claims Conference, though in professional leadership positions. she wasn’t very familiar with the organization or its work. “I saw that Rabbi Miriam Weiner ’92S, ’96C knows a lot Israel Miller, formerly a senior vice president at YU, served as president of the about those challenges: after receiving Conference, and I knew him personally to be a man of great integrity,” she said. “I a JD from YU’s Benjamin N. Cardozo was confident that the organization must be invaluable to the Jewish community School of Law and a Master of Public and greater society.” Administration degree from New York Fifteen years later, Weiner serves as the Claims Conference’s director of allo- University’s Robert F. Wagner Gradu- cations. Her department functions as a foundation, advising on how more than ate School of Public Service, she went $300 million annually should be spent and budgeted for the many organizations to work at the Conference of Jewish and social service agencies that exist to meet the needs of Holocaust survivors, as Material Claims Against Germany (more commonly known as the Claims Confer- well as programs that work to preserve the memory and lessons of the Holocaust. ence), where she is the director of allocations. She is also a mother to four young “We fund programs in over 40 countries around the world, and we are in children. One of Weiner’s best models for balancing numerous professional and constant communication with our partner agencies to help them plan and imple- personal responsibilities is a woman who inspires many students and alumni of ment high-level social services,” said Weiner. “People don’t realize that although Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women: Dr. Karen Bacon, the Dr. Monique the number of Holocaust survivors is diminishing, the social service needs for C. Katz Dean of Stern—who also happens to be Weiner’s own mother. homecare, food, medicine and more for those remaining are only growing. We “Some people might think that with my mother being the dean, I would have try to help the agencies balance these needs in the most equitable way possible.” run in the other direction from Stern,” said Weiner. “But in fact, it was just the As the manager of a growing staff, Weiner says the only thing typical about opposite. YU’s value system permeated my home life and is the value system I still her workday is how much work there is, and how little time there is to do it. “If have today. I was eager to attend Stern and immerse myself in the ideals my par- I only answered emails all day, I would still be behind,” she said. “We also have ents worked so hard to instill in me. It wasn’t just the place where my mom works; offices in Germany and Israel, and even a small satellite office in Austria, so even it was a place where I could continue my passion for Jewish studies and receive when I’m done working for the day, other staff members are just getting in and a great liberal arts education in an environment that supports a Torah lifestyle.” sending me emails.” She made the most of her years at Stern. “I loved my time at Stern and wished After she became a mother, Weiner scaled back the significant time she I had more time on campus to take all the amazing courses that were offered,” spent traveling, delegating that to other staffers, and also arranged to leave the said Weiner, who majored in Judaic studies and minored in political science. “It’s office at 3 p.m., so she could make it home for her children after their school day. nerdy to admit it, but when the course catalog came out, it was so exciting for me “I am fortunate to have a great deal of flexibility, but that also comes at a sacri- and I would pore over it for hours, trying to fit all the classes I wanted to take into fice,” Weiner said. After carpooling, dinner and spending time with her children, my schedule. If being a professional student was a job, I would have done it.” Weiner resumes working in her home office. “I have little free time. I am that ste- Weiner said there were many wonderful teachers, but Rabbi Moshe Kahn, an reotypical crazy person attached to her phone, checking emails and answering instructor in Jewish studies, was perhaps her favorite. “Rabbi Kahn was consis- calls at 1 a.m. That’s just the nature of my job.” tently challenging, fascinating and supportive of the students,” recalled Weiner. Weiner said she had no idea how hard it was to be a working mother. “I had After graduating from Stern, Weiner decided to spend a year in Israel to fig- assumed it was easy because my mother, who was a busy college professor and ure out her career plan, studying at both Hebrew University and Midreshet Lin- then a dean, was always there for me and my siblings, and she made it look so denbaum. She also interned with a correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, effortless. But for me, it’s a huge challenge to balance everything,” she said. “Peo- and still interested in pursuing political science, she applied to law school. How- ple need to be realistic and realize that you can’t hold a busy, high-level position ever, a cousin who was organizing a Pesach program in Kyrgyzstan, a country without significant support from your spouse, both emotionally and in terms of in Central Asia, invited her to come along as a counselor, and that trip, she says, physically being there for the children when you can’t.” became a turning point for her. Despite all the stress and little sleep, Weiner derives incredible satisfaction “It’s cliché, but the 10 days I spent reaching out to the Jews in Kyrgyzstan, and meaning from her work on behalf of elderly survivors. “Since that Pesach in who were so cut off from the greater Jewish community and thirsty to learn more Kyrgyzstan, I’ve devoted my career to helping improve other people’s lives,” she about Judaism, showed me for the first time the real impact one person could said. “My organization doesn’t feel like a big bureaucracy, because we see that the have on the lives of others,” said Weiner. “It changed my whole career direction.” work that we do has a direct, positive impact on survivors.” Though Weiner was interested in pursuing nonprofit work to help better Weiner is married to Mayer, a learning disability specialist at a school in society, her parents convinced her to attend law school. They assured her it would Manhattan, and is a mother to Avraham, 11; Elisheva, 9; Sara, 7; and Aharon, 4. offer her many professional possibilities. While at Cardozo, Weiner was already The Weiner family lives in Clifton, NJ. n

WALL STREET GROUP EVENT, “THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF COMMODITIES,” WASHINGTON, D.C. ALUMNI LUNCH (MAY 8, 2013) HOSTED BY BERNSTEIN GLOBAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT (MAY 7, 2013) Director of strategy and coalitions for the 113th Congress, Nick Muzin ’97YC, ’01E shared some reflections on the fall presidential elections with the greater Washington, D.C. alumni community. The event was hosted by director of Freedom25 Dave Weinberg ’05YC.

o Nick Muzin ’97YC, ’01E and Elie Krakowski ’64YUHS, ’68YC

m Panelists David Margulies of Finagra (UK), m Yigal Marcus ’96YC welcomes Michael Gamson of Freepoint Commodities, the group to Bernstein Global Alan Kestenbaum ’79YUHS, ’83YC of Globe Wealth Management Specialty Metals and Kathy Fisher of Bernstein Global Wealth Management

o Michael Gamson, of k Dave Weinberg ’05YC Freepoint Commodities, talks with guests with Henry Katz, Michael over lunch Jesselson ’69YUHS and Jonathan Jesselson, a current Sy Syms student

s WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS FOR PROGRAMMING IN YOUR REGION. CONTACT BARBARA BIRCH AT [email protected] OR 212.960.0848. ALUMNITODAY 7 ALUMNITODAY CLASSNOTES

Elana (Gross) Illana and Rabbi Rabbi Nachum Rybak ’06YC, ’10R Sari ’05S and Rabbi Simcha Willig ’00YUHS, ’04S Kenny Pollack ’06YC, married Devorah Cynamon. Mazel tov to ’00YUHS, ’10R, ’10A announce the birth and Rabbi ’10R, ’10A announce Nachum’s parents, Shoshana and Rabbi of their son, Azarya Yosef. Mazel tov to Naphtali the birth of their Dr. Solomon Rybak ’63YC, ’66R, grandparents Faygie ’72S and Rabbi Lavenda ’04SB, daughter, Chaviva ’80BR. Mordechai Willig ’68YC, ’71R and Evy ’09R announce Tzofia. and Sheldon “Shimmy” Stein the birth of their Rabbi Jacob Sasson ’73YUHS. daughter, Odelia Elliot Resnick ’08R published Shiurei Devora. Mazel tov ’06YC, ’10BR HaRav on Maseches to Karen ’79S published his book, Sanhedrin (OU Press, and Rabbi Stuart Lavenda ’78YC, Movers & Shakers: 2013), a compilation 2010s ’80W, ’80R. Sixty Prominent of the Shiurim of the Personalities Speak Rav on the first three Selma (Sutton) ’11S and Eli Kohli Rachel ’03S and Rabbi Yosie Levine Their Mind Prakim of Maseches Sanhedrin. Shiurei announce the birth of their son, David. ’05R announce the birth of their son, Ari. on Tape (Brenn HaRav is a project of the OU/Mesorah Books, 2012). and is edited by Rabbi Hershel Joshua Nankin The book includes Schachter ’58YUHS, ’62YC, ’67R and ’08YC co-founded several YU faculty members and alumni: Rabbi Menachem Genack ’65YUHS, The Jewish Week included eight 10MinuteDose.com, Zalman Alpert ’69YC, ’73R. members of the YU community a site that provides Rabbi Marc Angel ’67YC, ’70R, ’75BR in their annual “36 Under 36” a social support Rabbi Julius Berman ’56YC, ’59R Devora and Rabbi Simmy Shabtai section profiling Jewish leaders network for those Alan Dershowitz ’55YUHS ’06YC, ’10R, ’10BR announce the birth under the age of 36. facing a health Cantor Sherwood Goffin ’63YC, ’66B of their daughter, Avigayil Shprintza. challenge. The Dr. Jeffrey Gurock The Jewish Week selected: patient or family Rabbi David Holzer ’71YUHS, ’75YC, Josh Sladowsky ’09SB announces his Shira Greenland ’00S for members can create a site on which to ’77BR, ’80R engagement to Mindy Fersel, a student at empowering special-needs kids. post updates, upload videos and pictures, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Levine the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. or share a voice message and supporters Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff ’59YC, Doni Joszef ’09W for developing can comment creating an interactive ’61R, ’67BR P’nina (Weinberg) Seplowitz ’00SB an anti-bullying program called online community. An inspirational or Daniel Rynhold and Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg ’97YC, The Positive Project. motivational speaker can deliver a Rabbi Mayer Schiller ’99A, ’02R, ’04A,’08A have compiled 10-minute talk that is automatically Rabbi Gil Student ’94YC poetry, short stories, and personal Benjamin Ryberg ’10C for his broadcast to the patient’s supporters Rabbi Moshe Tendler ’48R memories from their grandmother, Helen, directorship of the Lawfare Project via their phones. about her Holocaust experiences to dedicated to combating attempts to create a book for middle school students use legal systems to delegitimize Zemira ’00S, ’04A and Rabbi Eli titled, White Angel. Israel and other democracies. Ozarowski ’01YC, ’04R, ’05A announce the birth of their son, Netanel Simcha. Dr. Ariella and Ari Spodek ’05SB Pedram Tabibi ’09C for founding announce the birth of a daughter, Genna the 30 Years After club encouraging Rabbi Gil S. Perl Bailey, sister to Gaby and Noah. civic and Israel activism for Iranian ’07R published his Jews. book, The Pillar of Volozhin: Rabbi Naftali Congratulations also to Director of Zvi Yehuda Berlin and Adria Weinstein Institutional Research and Sy Sym’s the World of 19th ’07F, ’10F married Assistant Professor of Management Century Lithuanian Daniella (Halstuch) ’04SB and Rabbi Bryan Gerber in Ariel Fishman and current YU Torah Scholarship Avi Robinson ’08YC, ’08R announce the East Norwich, NY. students Rivka Abbe, Daniel (Academic Studies birth of twins, Avigayil Ora and Yehuda Simkin and Rebecca Yoshor for Press, 2012). Simcha. their achievements and recognition.

In Memoriam Masechet Shabbat is difficult. Rabbi Herbert W. Bomzer ’45YUHS, Making a gift to the ’48YC, ’51BR, ’51R, ’84F Sara (Lamm) Dratch ’82S Yeshiva University Rabbi Gerald Engel ’40YC, ’44R Annual Fund is not. Rabbi Mallen Galinsky ’61F Rabbi Moshe “Morris” Ganz ’51YC, Annual Fund support touches every ’55R aspect of a YU education–every student Rabbi Dr. David Hartman ’54R Honorary Trustee of RIETS and every area of study, including Jacob W. Heller ’52YUHS, ’56YC Masechet Shabbat. Ethel Korn ’60S Rabbi Edmund Neiss ’45YC, ’48R, DONATE NOW. ’67BR Rabbi Joseph Rabinowitz ’79YC, ’81R Rabbi Herschel Schacter ’38YC, ’41R Rabbi Norman Strizower ’43YC, ’46R Rabbi Dr. Stanley M. Wagner ’53YC, ’54BR, ’56R Rabbi Yitzhak (Irwin) Yeres ’50YC, ’90R

Legend for school abbreviations:

A: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration • BR: Bernard Revel Graduate School • BS: Belfer Graduate School of Science • BZ: Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Visit www.yu.edu/onlinegiving, Music • C: Cardozo School of Law • E: Albert call 212.960.5373 or send your Einstein College of Medicine • F: Ferkauf donation to Office of Annual Giving Graduate School of Psychology • R: Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • S: Stern College Yeshiva University for Women • SB: Sy Syms School of Business • TI: 500 West 185th Street, FH530 Teacher’s Institute • W: Wurzweiler School of Social Work • YC: Yeshiva College YUHS: New York, NY 10033 Yeshiva University High Schools

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Einstein’s Weinberger: Mother of Two EINSTEIN ANNOUNCES $500 MILLION Practices Pediatrics CAPITAL CAMPAIGN amar Weinberger first saw the little in medicine. It seemed like an Dr. Allen M. Spiegel, the Marilyn boy in the emergency room, in a lot opportunity to combine her and Stanley M. Katz Dean of YU’s Tof pain and complaining that his love of science with her desire Albert Einstein College of Medi- ear hurts. After completing a thorough to contribute to patient care, cine, recently announced the medi- history and physical, she diagnosed him and she loved the challenge of cal school’s largest fundraising with acute otitis media—an ear infec- deducing the correct diagno- effort—a capital campaign to raise tion—and her team prescribed the appro- sis and treatment. But when at least $500 million, known as priate antibiotic. Weinberger heard about the “The Campaign to Transform Ein- Two days later, Weinberger saw the Anne Scheiber Scholarship at stein.” To date, Einstein has raised same child cheerfully bouncing around YU’s Stern College for Women, more than $400 million and is the clinic’s waiting room. When he spot- which awards up to full tuition poised to meet or exceed its goal. ted her, he promptly ran over and offered for Stern graduates pursuing On April 15, Spiegel revealed her a gumball. “I accepted his token of ap- medicine at Einstein, she real- that a bequest of more than $160 preciation, but watching his transforma- ized she had found a way to ful- million—the largest gift in the tion—from sick and in pain to healthy and fill her dream. school’s 60-year history—had been happy—was my real reward,” she said. “By alleviating much of the received from a leading Einstein It’s also one of the reasons Wein- financial burden, the Scheiber supporter, Muriel Block, who died berger, a new graduate of YU’s Albert Scholarship made me feel sup- in 2010 and generously provided Einstein College of Medicine, wants to ported and believed in,” said for Einstein through her estate. become a pediatrician. “Children have a Weinberger. “Someone there The gift, given in the name of Block greater tendency to bounce back quickly, thought it was important for and her late husband, real estate and you really see the impact your diag- religious women to achieve this Tamar Weinberger executive Harold Block, will sig- nosis and treatment can have,” she said. “I goal—the message was ‘You can nificantly advance Einstein’s goal of love not only the patient population but do it; we’ll help you.’ ” about my schedule,” she said. improving human health. In recog- the way that care is provided to children; That message continued at Ein- Based in the Bronx, Einstein also en- nition, the school will name several pediatricians fine-tune their treatments stein, which offered Weinberger an ideal abled Weinberger to work with a unique entities for the Blocks, including to the needs and emotional develop- family-friendly environment where her and underserved patient population a series of 10 new, fully endowed ment of each child, whether that means husband and fellow medical student, of various religious and cultural back- chairs, known as the Harold and using smaller test tubes, having extended Dov Weinberger ’02YUHS, ’08YC, ’13E, grounds. “I had to learn to understand Muriel Block Scholars. visiting hours and accommodations so and their two children lived with her on how my patients’ perceptions and feelings families can stay overnight or drawing on campus. “Einstein made it easier for me to about medicine and treatment were influ-

k Learn more about the campaign at incredible patience and understanding study medicine because it’s respectful of enced by their environment and find so- yu.edu/einsteincampaign when interacting with patients.” my religious beliefs—we’re excused from lutions that would work in their specific Weinberger, of Woodmere, NY, al- all clinical duties on Shabbos and Yom situations, both financially and cultur- ways knew she wanted to pursue a career Tov—and the deans were accommodating ally,” she said. n

Cardozo’s Levine: Former Journalist Fights Injustice

can refugees and survivors of torture. lowship project is rooted in my work as a “One woman described her journey reporter and shaped by my work experi- with her 2-year-old son from ethnic- ences throughout my time at Cardozo,” based persecution in Nigeria to surviv- Levine said. She’ll also work with clients ing months of torture at a Bedouin-run to obtain the state Medicaid that they be- smuggling and torture camp in the Sinai come eligible for upon the filing of their Desert, finally making their way, by federal immigration claims. foot, to Israel—a country they had never For Levine, it’s a dream job. even heard of,” Levine recalled. “It be- “The journalist is meant to educate, came real to me that it was now largely draw awareness and illuminate issues of my responsibility to help them apply for the marginalized, the struggling and the legal protection and to keep them safe. voiceless,” she said. “The lawyer, I have The ability to use the law to drastically realized, can give them a voice.” n change people’s condition—and the sense of tremendous responsibility that came with it—was exhilarating.” After graduation, Levine will inte- grate her passions for asylum law, human Azrieli’s Shapiroç Continued from Page 2 rights, immigrant advocacy and civil Sara Levine rights as an Equal Justice Works Fellow. the desired result,” he explained. Equal Justice is an organization that pro- Shapiro hopes to continue his work s a journalist for the English Protection Unit at the New York Legal vides opportunities for graduating law in the areas of student support and spe- nightly news on Israeli television, Assistance Group (NYLAG); the LGBT students and new attorneys to design a cial education by tapping into a multitude ASara Levine covered stories about Leadership Practicum at the American fellowship project that focuses on serv- of resources within the Jewish commu- marginalized populations’ struggle for Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT Rights ing a specific, unmet legal need in the nity. “My approach to any communal or the most basic and fundamental rights, Project in its national office; and the community. educational project is that nothing takes but she was frustrated by her inability Human Rights and Genocide Clinic, For her project, Levine designed place in a vacuum and therefore you need to help them. Convinced that law was where she co-represented a Syrian man the Legal Health Immigrant Access to the engagement of multiple systems to the key to making real change in soci- fleeing persecution. She spent her sum- Healthcare Project at NYLAG, which create a meaningful and lasting impact,” ety, she enrolled in YU’s Benjamin N. mers at NYLAG’s LegalHealth Unit, will enable her to provide direct immi- he said. “I look to create communal re- Cardozo School of Law with a mission to where she helped provide direct client gration representation to low-income sources where none currently exist or to fight injustice. services to low-income New Yorkers humanitarian-based immigrants who improve and make accessible those that Cardozo enabled her to do just that. with serious health issues in legal clinics have medical issues as she works within do. I’ll also continue to help schools Levine, originally from Boston, MA, inside city hospitals, and at an NGO in Is- existing Legal Health Clinics in hospitals tackle complex social issues like school- participated in the Immigration Field rael, where she worked in asylum law and around New York City and sets up her based and cyberbullying, substance abuse Law Clinic, working at the Immigrant refugee rights with newly arrived Afri- own clinics where necessary. “My fel- and improving school culture.” n

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Focus on Faculty Wurzweiler’s Lang Overcomes Obstacles to Help the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

rowing up, Savyon Lang riences has given her clients a of Somers, NY, always new perspective on the identity Gstopped in her driveway of hearing loss. That included to chat with patients waiting an 8-year-old girl Lang worked to see her mother, a psycholo- with who didn’t want to wear gist who worked from home. her hearing aids because she “They’d tell me ‘You have this was ashamed. “I needed to help great aura—I feel like I can talk her realize that the hearing aids to you about anything,’ ” she re- are helping her,” Lang said. “I’d Yeshiva College’s Dr. Moshe Bernstein called. That surprised Lang. But tell her, ‘Your hearing aids are and Dr. Yaakov Elman it also helped her discover a gift. like a butterfly—they’re helping Born hard of hearing, Lang you fly by giving you wings.’ ” Yeshiva College marked the investi- noted from an early age the way At Wurzweiler, Lang has ture of two new chairs in Judaic people around her fought to learned other techniques, such studies, endowed through a bequest ensure that her needs, and the as Cognitive Behavioral Ther- from the Herbert S. Denenberg needs of her sister, also hard apy, which have helped her cli- Trust. Dr. Yaakov Elman, professor of hearing, were being met. ents progress. Ultimately, she of Judaic studies at YC and Bernard “Speech therapists and patholo- hopes to improve her American Revel Graduate School of Jewish gists, audiologists, special edu- Sign Language and find ways Studies, was appointed the Herbert cation teachers, my mom and to empower the deaf and hard- S. and Naomi Denenberg Chair dad—even my hearing brother Savyon Lang of-hearing population to reach in Talmudic Studies, named for learned Cued Speech, a phone- out to make sure their needs Denenberg and his wife. Dr. Moshe mically based hand supplement to lan- Hearing Program. As the program’s first are met. Lang also wants to become a li- Bernstein, professor of Bible and guage, to better communicate with me,” hard-of-hearing or deaf professional, censed clinical social worker so she can Jewish history at YC, was appointed she said. Moved by their love and assis- Lang connected with clients who had open her own practice. the David A. and Fannie M. Denen- tance, Lang decided that she, too, wanted been wary of working with hearing so- Especially rewarding to Lang has berg Chair in Biblical Studies, to give to others. cial workers. “It’s a very challenging been the opportunity to use her experi- named for Denenberg’s parents. After studying psychology in col- community because it’s very unstudied ences to educate others about her clients. lege, she chose to attend YU's Wurzwei- and misunderstood,” she said. “The deaf “Wurzweiler gave me a chance to teach Dr. Raji Viswanathan, associate ler School of Social Work because of the and hard of hearing often aren’t treated people about deaf and hard-of-hearing dean of academic affairs and pro- program’s emphasis on mentorship and well by hearing people and they develop populations,” she said. “Everyone can fessor of chemistry at Yeshiva Col- effective implementation of social work a bias because of that. My clients feel I bring their own backgrounds to social lege, was selected as a Fulbright practices in field placements. There she understand them better based on our work to help people like them overcome Specialist. The competitive position began an internship at New York-Pres- similar experiences.” the obstacles they’ve faced.” n enabled her to visit Israel’s Bar-Ilan byterian Hospital’s Deaf and Hard-of- In some cases, sharing those expe- University in May, where she cre- ated new opportunities for collabo- ration between YU and BIU faculty and shared her research in compu- tational chemistry with an advanced cadre of Israeli scholars. Ferkauf’s Udhayanang to Help Thai Vets Battle PTSD

uttha Udhayanang’s first expo- sure to the field of psychology was Nan introductory course she took at West Virginia University. Intrigued, she decided to change her major from economics to forensic science, an area that was virtually unexplored in her na- tive Thailand. But when she returned to Thailand for a summer internship in The American Cancer Society criminology in 2004, her world changed; awarded a four-year $720,000 a devastating tsunami swept the country Research Scholar Grant to Dr. that December and Udhayanang, with Marina Holz, assistant professor her forensic science skills, found herself of biology at Stern College, to con- part of a relief effort working to identify tinue her work researching breast bodies and inform survivors whether cancer. Holz holds joint appoint- family members were alive or dead. ments in the Department of Molec- “I could see that these survivors ular Pharmacology at YU’s Albert had psychological and emotional needs Nuttha Udhayanang Einstein College of Medicine and that were simply not being met because the Einstein Cancer Center. there weren’t enough personnel—espe- order (PTSD), collecting and analyzing health professionals, which is extremely cially not enough trained personnel—to data about veterans suffering from the important.” Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel, the E. provide that kind of service for them,” disorder for the National Guard and the Now that she has completed her Billi Ivry University Professor of she recalled. “The environment was cha- State of West Virginia. At the recom- master’s degree, Udhayanang hopes to Jewish History, Literature and Law otic, even 12 months later. These people mendation of WVU professor Dr. Joseph pursue a doctorate in the United States at Yeshiva University, has won the needed some kind of counseling, and Scotti, she decided to pursue graduate and ultimately bring the advantages of 2013 Goldstein-Goren prize for the there was just no one to do it.” study at YU's Ferkauf Graduate School of her education and experience back to Best Book in Jewish Thought from According to Udhayanang, that’s Psychology so she could return to Thai- her home country. “I want to become a the International Center for Jewish partly because of the stigma associated land as an experienced mental health professor and use my expertise in treat- Thought at Ben-Gurion University with mental health services in Thailand. professional. ing veterans who suffer from PTSD in a for his recent publication, The Intel- “If you say you’re going to a counselor, “Ferkauf offered much more than clinical setting with soldiers from Thai- lectual History and Rabbinic Culture psychologist or psychiatrist, people in- in-the-classroom knowledge,” she said. land, where we have been experiencing of Medieval Ashkenaz. stantly think you’re really crazy,” she “My professors expanded my world and terrorist attacks for decades,” she said. said. my mind, deepening my knowledge of “I want to contribute something to those k Keep up with the latest faculty news at After returning to the United States, behavior, neuroscience, psychoanalysis veterans and others in my home country yu.edu/facultynews Udhayanang quickly became drawn to and cognition. I gained life experience who need the kind of assistance my field the study of Post-Traumatic Stress Dis- and built connections with other mental can provide.” n

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MTA’s Kahan Pursues Passion for Technology MTA’s Yishai Eisenberg Shares Bible 20,000 to 30,000 people who read it each Competition Crown month, which is kind of awesome.” But though he loves technology, Kahan’s activities at MTA ranged from choir to model congress to positions on the yearbook. He also took advantage of the Makor Chaim exchange program, which sends students from MTA to a Hebrew-speaking high school yeshiva in Israel for six weeks. “For me, it was a great opportunity not only to prove to Yishai Eisenberg with Israel’s Minister myself that I could do something really of Education Rabbi Shai Piron challenging, but also to live in a totally different and fully immersive culture,” Yishai Eisenberg, a freshman at said Kahan. Yeshiva University High School Next year, he’ll return to Israel to for Boys/Marsha Stern Talmudical Devir Kahan study at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. Academy (MTA), became the first Eventually, Kahan hopes to turn his pas- non-Israeli in 20 years to win the hat initially struck Devir Kahan technology. At 13, Kahan started a blog, sion for technology and innovation into Chidon HaTanach, Israel’s annual about Yeshiva University High BitQuill, dedicated to analyzing the lat- a career as a programmer. “I’ve been tak- International Bible Contest for high WSchool for Boys/Marsha Stern est developments in technology, review- ing a computer programming course at school students. The contest took Talmudical Academy (MTA) was its col- ing products, interviewing people in the MTA, which was something that I always place on Yom Ha’atzmaut, April 16, legiate atmosphere. “MTA feels like a field, drafting how-to guides and creat- wanted to learn,” he said. “I’d love to de- under the auspices of Prime Minis- university,” he said. “I liked the idea of a ing a space for others to exchange ideas. sign something really big—an application ter Benjamin Netanyahu and Edu- high school on a college campus.” Kahan wanted to know how to take that people can use and enjoy.” cation Minister Rabbi Shai Piron. Kahan had always been fascinated his site to the next level. So he signed up In the meantime, Kahan felt his first Eisenberg—who achieved the by big ideas. Growing up in Monsey, NY, for MTA LEAD, a partnership between impression—that he could accomplish big only perfect score on the quali- one of his favorite hobbies was magic. MTA and the Sy Syms School of Busi- things at a high school that felt like a col- fying test last year—competed He had read New York Times columnist ness that connects high school students lege—had proven true. against 58 contestants from 26 David Pogue’s Magic for Dummies and with business ideas to successful profes- “In 11th grade we met with YU Rosh countries in the international Chi- loved it because Pogue nailed the source sionals in the YU network. “We spoke to Kollel Rabbi Hershel Schachter,” Kahan don. Until his victory, no Ameri- of his intrigue—the awe of not under- someone who built a site where patients recalled. “We were asking questions to can had won since 1988, when standing how a thing worked, but want- can review their physicians and learned this posek [decider of Jewish law] who another MTA student, and current ing to figure it out. how he had developed marketing and ex- most people wouldn’t be lucky enough RIETS Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Jeremy Like Pogue, Kahan felt that the panded traffic,” Kahan said. “It’s cool to to meet. It’s just one of the things I got to Wieder took first place. need to understand the inner workings hear from someone who has already done experience here that I couldn’t have done of magic also encapsulated the appeal of what works. My site has grown to having anywhere else.” n

Central’s Auerbach Brings Love of Medicine to Stern Revel’s Weissç Continued from Page 2

amuel H. Wang Yeshiva University vation of his philosophy. Weiss presented High School for Girls’ (Central) a paper at the Annual Conference of the SMichal Auerbach of West Hemp- Association for Judaic Studies in Decem- stead, NY, had always been fascinated by ber based on one of her dissertation’s science. But it was an AP biology course chapters and hopes to publish it as a book taught by Ruth Fried that would shape soon. “Medieval Jewish philosophers her exploration of the field through- like Albo discussed many important out her high school years. “That class theological and philosophical concepts showed me that God is in every detail of that are still debated today,” she said. “I human biology,” Auerbach said. “I real- feel that my self-understanding as a Jew ized it was important for people to learn has been enhanced through my studies, as much as they could to interact with and my beliefs and practice have become His world in an educated way, which is far more meaningful.” the whole concept of Torah Umadda.” Now assistant principal at Frisch, Auerbach was hooked. She wanted Weiss continues to find her teaching to learn more. Michal Auerbach career incredibly rewarding and de- What followed were many research signs her courses to help her students projects and experiences, including grade. “Debate has been a great opportu- gether, with a lot of hard work, we’re able think about their religious experiences hands-on work studying DNA at Stony nity to educate myself about everything to make beautiful art projects with the in greater depth, too. “I often begin my Brook University and an internship at that’s going on in the world,” she said. kids. The most rewarding experience for classes with very general and relevant the Albert Einstein College of Medi- Auerbach also decided to partici- me is knowing I helped someone learn philosophical questions to elicit initial cine, where Auerbach shadowed doctors pate in mock trial: “How do I know I the Hebrew letters.” feedback,” Weiss said. “For example, if in a fertility clinic. “I wasn’t 16 yet, so I don’t want to be a lawyer?” As an attor- Auerbach will spend the coming God is all-knowing, how can man have couldn’t be in a real laboratory setting, ney presenting her case in a real court- year in Israel at Michlelet Mevaseret free choice? Does God dictate morality or but I could observe the doctors,” she room, she gained firsthand exposure to Yerushalayim before continuing her is there an independent standard of eth- said. “The way they interacted with their the legal world. studies as an S. Daniel Abraham Hon- ics?” Students analyze primary sources patients showed such incredible middot There’s so much Auerbach wants ors student at Stern College for Women. from medieval Jewish philosophers and [character]… and I thought, ‘This is such to experience that one of her biggest Eventually, she hopes to take advantage secondary sources from contemporary a cool way to improve people’s lives.’ ” challenges—and most important les- of Stern’s research ties with Einstein to writers to develop a more sophisticated Despite her affinity for medicine, sons—has been teaching herself to be pursue her dream career: fertility sci- understanding of each topic and, per- Auerbach wanted to make sure she kept patient. Volunteering at Sunday Smiles, a entist. “I’m so grateful to have had all haps, their own beliefs. an open mind about her future, trying a program at Hebrew Academy of Nassau these opportunities at Central,” she said. “There are no clear resolutions to little bit of everything that Central had County for children with special needs, “I couldn’t have pursued my interests in these great philosophical dilemmas, but to offer. A shy freshman, she joined the has helped her cultivate that skill. “Not science, Torah or anything else to the my hope is that I have enabled my stu- debate team to teach herself to speak out everything turns out the way you want same extent anywhere else.” n dents to appreciate the questions,” Weiss more and served as its captain since 11th it to instantaneously,” she said. “But to- said. n

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YU Celebrates Israel BURLINGTON, VT 05401 VT BURLINGTON, NONPROFIT ORG PERMIT NO. 215 NO. PERMIT US POSTAGE US PAID More than 1,300 students, alumni, faculty and friends of Yeshiva University show their support for Israel at the 2013 Celebrate Israel Parade. k To see the full photo gallery, visit yu.edu/parade

YU’s 82nd Commencementç Continued from Page 1 the time came to send our kids to college, we didn’t look anywhere else,” he said. “Where else could my son earn a world-respected ed- ucation in a top-level academic environment, surrounded by other religious Jews and Torah learning? I’m excited for the opportuni- ties and mentorship he’s had here, and I know they could only have happened at YU.” To Alexa Rosenberg, who received a degree in linguistics and plans to pursue a career in government, the most important part of the day was having her father, Bill, there to see her graduate. “It’s a big accomplish- ment,” she said. “My dad put a lot of time and effort into helping me succeed in my college career and I’m excited to make him proud today.” In all, more than 1,400 undergradu- Nine undergraduates (seven are shown) were recognized as valedictorians. Learn about their ate students from Yeshiva College, Stern YU experience at yu.edu/valedictorians2013. College for Women and Sy Syms School of Business, as well as graduate students in the fields of law, medicine, social work, education, Jewish studies and psychol- ogy, were awarded degrees from YU dur- ing its commencement season. The classes of 1963, 1973 and 1988 were also recognized at the graduation ceremony for their 50th, 40th and 25th reunions, respectively. Phyllis Siegel ’63S, in attendance to celebrate her 50th class reunion, couldn’t wait to watch her grand- daughter, Lauren Berger, march down the aisle. “I’m very proud that she chose to attend Stern College. YU serves a very important mission in the Orthodox world; it enables students to learn in an environment that supports Jewish values academically and professionally,” she said. “YU creates a sense of a greater family and community.” n

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