YUToYESHIVA UNIVERSITY • SUMMER d 2003 ay

the investiture of the fourth president of yeshiva university

Richard M. Joel

sunday, september 21, 2003 24 elul 5763 • 2:00pm Dr. Lamm Becomes Chancellor wilf campus • zysman hall lamport auditorium Witnessed by YU President and Boards 186th street and

Dr. Norman Lamm became chancellor of Yeshiva University after nearly 27 years as the University’s amsterdam avenue third president. The installation took place on Tuesday, June 10 during a joint meeting of Yeshiva new york city University’s Boards at the Harvard Club in Manhattan. Front row (L–R): Chairman of Yeshiva University’s Board of Trustees Ronald P. Stanton, Chancellor. Lamm, and President Richard M. Joel, who succeeded Dr. Lamm as president. Back Row (L–R): Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees David S. Gottesman, vice chairmen Ludwig Bravmann, Morry Weiss, and Dr. Ira Kukin. FOR INFORMATION: [email protected] 212-960-5285

Mideast Scholar Calls Israeli Concessions Premature

■ Daniel Pipes uses YU commencement to R. Kass, chairman of the Presi- director of the Philadelphia- outline roadblocks to peace dent’s Council on Bioethics; based Middle East Forum, said Julia Koschitzky, Canadian Israel’s deterrence power di- Jewish leader and philanthro- minished following the Oslo iddle East schol- among Arabs. You can make a pist; and Nathan Lewin, peace effort of 10 years ago, ar Daniel Pipes difference. The process of Washington, DC attorney. He when “Palestinians looked at called Arab op- formulating foreign policy conferred some 2,000 under- Israel and perceived it as vul- position to Is- allows you to be involved.” graduate and graduate degrees nerable and unwilling to Mraeli statehood the main ob- Dr. Pipes made his com- as well. fight.” stacle to peace in the region. ments May 22 in a keynote Among those graduating Further, Dr. Pipes said Oslo, Daniel Pipes He told Yeshiva University address at YU’s 72nd Annual from YU this year were 171 together with elements of the graduates that the Bush ad- Commencement Exercises at medical doctors, 118 medical US-sponsored “Road Map” and fighting in the region for ministration should demand The Theater in Madison researchers, 354 attorneys, 144 plan, concentrates on “tract- more than a century. fundamental changes in atti- Square Garden. There he re- social workers, 83 psycholo- able issues,” rather than ad- “There’s a war going on, tudes among Israel’s adver- ceived an honorary degree gists, 59 Jewish scholars and dressing more fundamental and we know which side we’re saries before pressuring Jeru- from then-president Norman teachers, 40 ordained , problems, most notably Arab on,” Dr. Pipes said. “ in salem for concessions. Lamm. Richard M. Joel, then- and 757 future business and antipathy to Israeli sovereign- Hebron will need as much He urged his audience of president elect, celebrated the community leaders. The Uni- ty within any borders. security as Arabs in Nazareth.” 4,000 students, deans, faculty, graduation of his daughter, versity is also expected to The plan calls for a series of The student speaker at this and other guests to become Ariella, from YU’s Stern Col- send some 600 students to concessions from both sides year’s commencement was activists in “educating their lege for Women. study in Israel next year under aimed at quelling violence Chaim Theil, of Sy Syms fellow Americans of the need Dr. Lamm also bestowed its S. Daniel Abraham program. and settling the religious School of Business, and one of to precipitate a change of heart honorary degrees on Dr. Leon In his remarks, Dr. Pipes, claims that have fueled hatred 11 valedictorians. ■

A MATTER OF YOU’VE GOT IN ’S DEGREES MAEL YARD Highlights of Alumnus Rekindles Learning Commencement Boyhood Dream in 2003 page 4 page 6 page 7 INSIDE

www.yu.edu/news/publications 2 YUToday August 2003

Faculty News Yeshiva University notes with sadness the death of US Marine Elchanan Adler, Eva and of Jewish mysticism and thought, on “Do Not Leave Your Language Staff Sgt. Riayan Tejeda, a Washington Heights resident, in Jack Rubin Professor of at BRGS, YC, spoke on “Athens and Alone!” at the 29th Annual Meet- Baghdad on April 11, 2003. He gave his life to assure the safety RIETS, authored “The Sabbath Ob- —Memory and Recollec- ing of the Berkeley Linguistics of Americans from terrorists and to free others from tyranny. serving Gentile: Halakhic, Hashkafic tion” at the Fifth Academic Meet- Society. Deepest sympathies and prayers go out to his family, who live and Liturgical Perspectives” in the ing between and Orthodox near the Wilf Campus. fall 2002 issue of Tradition. Christianity, Thessaloniki-Perea, Nancy Kramer ’83C was appoint- Greece. ed director of the newly estab- Harvey J. Babich, PhD, professor lished Cardozo Center for Public telling Network’s Lifetime Achieve- Sephardic community activities at of biology, coauthored a study, “In Louis H. Feldman, PhD, Abraham Service Law, which will coordinate ment Award, presented to those YU, presented songs of the Middle vitro cytotoxicity to human cells in Wouk Family Professor of Classics CSL activities in public service and who, “Through a lifetime of devo- East, Andalus (Spain), and Seph- culture of some phenolics from and Literature, received a Jewish public interest. tion to story, have expanded pub- ardic Oriental communities at a olive oil” online at www.science- Cultural Achievement Award in lic awareness of the art of story- Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Indepen- direct.com. Scholarship from the National Rabbi Yitzchak Handel, PhD, telling.” Also, she received the dence Day) celebration at the Cen- Foundation for . A associate dean of AGS and rosh Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice ter for , home of the Cantor Bernard Beer YH,’65CTI, teacher at YU for more than 45 mesivta at YUHS, was the com- Award for her book, Stories Within Yeshiva University Museum. BSJM director, was cantor/scholar- years, he is a leading authority on mencement speak at Merkaz Bnos Stories: From the Jewish Oral Tradi- in-residence at the Young Israel of the Jews in Hellenistic/Roman soci- High School in Brooklyn. tion (Jason Aronson). She opened Richard Zerneck, EdD, athletics Jamaica Estates, NYC, in December. ety and is considered the world’s the series, “Kultur: A Celebration of director, was honored by City Col- premier Josephus scholar. Will Lee, PhD, assistant professor ,” held at Florida Atlantic lege at its annual All Sports Night J. David Bleich, PHD, Herbert and of English and director of the Jay University, with a program, “Yid- Dinner in May for his “dedication Florence Tenzer Professor of Jewish Joshua Fishman, PhD, Distin- and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors dish Tales, Mostly English”; and to and a lifelong commitment to” Law and Ethics, spoke on “The guished University Research Prof- Program at Yeshiva College, was was the keynote speaker at the the institution’s Intercollegiate Ath- Case for Legal Exemption for Reli- essor Emeritus, was the main honored by the American Red annual “Sharing the Fire” Storytell- letic Program. An alumnus and gious Objections,” at the Confer- plenary speaker at a conference on Cross Bergen-Hudson Chapter at ing Festival at Massachusetts Insti- professor emeritus of City College, ence on Conflict, Conscience and “Empowerment Through Lan- its 15th Annual Grand Ball. He was tute of Technology in March. he is president of its alumni varsity the Law, Columbus Law School, guage” at the University of named a “Community Volunteer of association. Catholic University of America. Koblenz-Landau, Germany. He the Year” by the chapter, the Hayim Tawil, PhD, associate pro- spoke on “What Exactly is Power in largest in New Jersey. Dr. Lee fessor of Hebrew, was nominated Joshua Zimmerman, PhD, assis- Alan Brill, PhD, assistant professor Sociolinguistics?” Also, he spoke serves as chair of the Englewood by David M. Ransom, US Ambas- tant professor of Jewish history and (NJ) Historic Preservation Advisory sador to Bahrain (retired) to re- Eli and Diana Zborowski Professor Committee and trustee of the ceive the 2002 Eleanor Roosevelt of Interdisciplinary Holocaust Stu- Englewood Historical Society. Human Rights Award for his work dies, delivered a paper, “The Ori- We Mourn in rescuing the vestiges of Yemen’s gins of the Jewish Labor Bund’s Na- Norman Linzer, PhD, Samuel J. Jewish community. President Clin- tional Program Reconsidered,” at Tova Felman, wife of Dr. Meir Felman ’35Y, ’36R, ’49B who to- and Jean Sable Professor of Jewish ton established the award in 1998 the Ninth Annual Gruss Collo- gether were Guardians of Yeshiva University, and mother of Dr. Family Social Work, conducted a to honor Mrs. Roosevelt’s lifelong quium in Judaic Studies, University Yehudi M. Felman ’59Y, ’63A, ’99R, Shevi Cohen YH’61, ’65S, and seminar on “Ethical Dilemmas in commitment to human rights. of Pennsylvania’s Center for Ad- Naomi Bloom YH’58. professional staff of Fordham- vanced Judaic Studies, in May, Grace Heller, a Guardian with her late husband, Frank. Her devo- Tremont Community Mental Cantor Moshe Tessone, BSJM fac- where he was an adjunct fellow tion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Gift Shop and her Health Center in celebration of ulty member and director of this year. efforts on behalf of Jewish education together with her husband, social work month in March. Also exemplified their support of YU. in March, he taught a mini course on Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Stanley Kurtz YH,’75Y, accounting manager. He was a dedicated conception of human nature in employee since June 1975. Condolences to his wife, Rachel, and to “The Lonely Man of Faith” at Ye- their children Judah YH’01 and Elie YH’03. YUToday shivat Chovevei Torah. Sadie Silverstein, widow of the late Rabbi Israel Silverstein, a for- VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 7 mer member of the RIETS Board of Trustees, with whom she was a Prof. Edith Lubetski ’68B, SCW YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Guardian. They dedicated the Dr. Jerrold Silverstein Laboratory at head librarian, was honored with YC in memory of their son. Life Membership in the Association Ronald P. Stanton, Chairman YU Board of Trustees of Jewish Libraries. The award rec- Richard M. Joel Condolences ognizes outstanding leadership President and professional contributions to Esther and Martin Ehrenberg, on the passing of their son, Frank Norman Lamm the Association and to the profes- Chancellor ’01Y. sion of Jewish librarianship. Peter L. Ferrara David (and Simone) Eshaghian, member, YU Board of Trustees Director of Communications and Public Affairs and the YC Board of Directors and founding chairman of the Uni- Alvin I. Schiff, PhD, Irving I. Stone Joshua L. Muss, Chairman, Board of Directors,Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener versity’s Sephardic Council of Overseers, on the loss of his brother, Distinguished Professor of Jewish Blenden, Chairman, Board of Directors, Stern College for Women; Bernard L. Ike. In the tradition of his late father, YU Benefactor Ebrahim, who Education, spoke at Cong. Torah Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy Syms School of Business; Robert A. Belfer, Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Earle established the Ebrahim Ben Davood Eliahu Eshaghian Transgenic Ohr, Boca Raton, on several topics, I. Mack, Chairman, Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; including “In the Rav’s Image: The Facility for Biomedical Research at Albert Einstein College of Robert Schwalbe, Chair, Board of Governors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Medicine, and with his siblings, Ike was a devoted supporter of Golden Mean—Biblical and Post- Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Bernard Revel Graduate School Jewish education and scholarship for Sephardic students at YU and Biblical Antecedents to Modern of Jewish Studies; Katherine Sachs, Chair, Board of Governors, Ferkauf Graduate was widely respected in the community at large. Orthodoxy,” and “Bezalel as the School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, Azrieli Progenitor of Modern Orthodoxy Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Chair- man, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Erica Marvin Goldstein YH,’73Y, Yeshiva College Fellow, and wife —Synthesis of Spirituality, Worldly Jesselson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum. Helena on the loss of her father. Knowledge, and Scientific Mas- Adam (and Lori) Gottbetter, YU Guardian and vice chairman of tery.” His lecture at the Third In- YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY the Men’s Division at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, on the ternational Edah Conference was Hedy Shulman loss of his mother, Falene. canceled due to a snowstorm in Editor NYC but can be accessed on Norman Eisenberg Gladys L. Jordan, a YU Guardian and Sy Syms School of Business Edah’s Web site. Managing Editor Founder with her late husband, David, on the loss of son Robert, Judy Tucker Art Director husband of Karen and father of Jessica. Samuel Schneider, PhD, associate professor of Hebrew, attended a Jerry Bergman, Kelly Berman, Esther Finkle, June Glazer, Naomi Kapp, associate director, OPCS, on the loss of her mother. Norman Goldberg, Peter Robertson, V. Jane Windsor conference, “Aharon Appelfeld Contributors Zygfryd Wolloch, member, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and His work,” Cambridge Uni- www.yu.edu/news/publications Board of Overseers, and a founding member of Einstein’s Men’s versity, England, in April. Division. His wife, Helene, is a member of the Board of Directors of Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the both the National Women’s Division and of its Westchester-Fairfield Yeshiva University Department of Communications and Public Affiars, 401 Furst Peninnah Schram, MA, associate Hall, 500 West 185th St., New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is ditrib- Chapter. professor of speech and drama, uted free on campus to faculty, staff, and students. © Yeshiva University 2003 received a 2003 National Story- August 2003 YUToday 3

Einstein Roundup

● Researchers from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a nation- al study, have found that the combination of estrogen and prog- estin used in hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of ischemic (clot-caused) stroke among generally healthy postmeno- pausal women. According to researchers, led by Sylvia Wassertheil- Smoller, PhD, professor of epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the excess risk of stroke was apparent in all subgroups of women examined. The researchers reported their findings in the May 28, 2003 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

● A study coauthored by Norman Fleisher, MD, professor of med- icine and codirector of the Diabetes Research Training Center at Einstein, demonstrated how growing insulin-producing cells from human liver cells holds promise for treating, or perhaps curing, type 1 diabetes. The study appeared in a recent online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

● A study of 200 Ashkenazi Jewish centenarians and their children, conducted by Nir Barzilai, MD, associate professor of medicine, Geraldine Schottenstein shows that the subjects all have high levels of HDL, or “good cho- lesterol.” While the average woman has an HDL level of 55, Dr. Cultural Center Dedicated Barzilai found that the adult children of his centenarians have lev- els as high as 140. Dedication of The Geraldine Schottenstein Cultural Center on YU’s Midtown Campus took place June ● 17 at a ceremony honoring Geraldine Schottenstein Hoffman (right) of Columbus, OH. Mrs. Hoffman When moray eels in a special exhibit developed a mysterious attended the event along with husband Martin (left) and Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein (center). Dr. outbreak of lesions, Einstein researchers were the first to grow the Herbert C. Dobrinsky, YU vice president for university affairs, chaired the dedication, which included a disease and culture it, discovering a novel mycobacterium related luncheon at the Jerome and Geraldine Schottenstein Residence Hall for students of Stern College for to tuberculosis that they named Mycobacterium montefiorense, in a Women and Sy Syms School of Business. A $3 million gift from Mrs. Hoffman enabled the University to collegial nod to Einstein’s University Hospital Affiliate. convert a former movie theater on 34th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Manhattan into an ● Victor L. Schuster, MD, was appointed university chairman of the important cultural center for students and faculty, as well as for community groups. department of medicine and chairman of the department of med- The dedication underscored the Schottenstein family’s long and dedicated involvement in further- icine at the Montefiore Medical Center. ing academic and cultural life at YU. The family’s contributions include the establishment of an honors program and creation of the Schottenstein Center on the Wilf Campus that houses a theatre bearing ● An Einstein research team led by Michael Brownlee, MD, profes- their name and YU’s Belz School of Music. sor of medicine and of pathology, has found that a synthetic form of vitamin B1 used in Europe to treat nerve problems prevents the most common form of diabetes-related eye disease in rats. The online edition of the journal Nature Medicine published the findings People in February. ● Carol Derby, PhD, assistant professor of neurology and epidemi- ology and of social medicine, authored a study that suggests that Fanya Gottesfeld Heller, mem- University’s undergraduate Stern Congratulations women who wait until after menopause to reduce the risk of heart ber, YU Board of Trustees and the College for Women was estab- attack wait too long. “What the research tells us is that the time to SCW and YC Boards of Directors, lished in 1954 with a major gift Cantor Bernard Beer, YH,’65CTI, begin reducing your risk of heart disease is before you actually are was honored at the Annual Spring from Mr. Stern in memory of his BSJM director, and wife Barbara on at risk,” she said. Luncheon of the National Wo- parents. Mr. Stern and four others the birth of a grandson to Pamela men’s Division, American Commit- made the initial gifts that launched YH,’93S and Mitchel Froehlich YH; tee for Shaare Zedek Medical the campaign to found Albert and the marriage of son Jeffrey Center in Jerusalem. Karen Bacon, Einstein College of Medicine, on YH,’97Y to Gila Insler ’02S. PhD, The Monique C. Katz Dean, whose board he served. Mrs. Stern Bookshelf SCW, received the organization’s was a former honorary chairman Prof. Edith Lubetski ’68B, SCW Educators Award. The event was of the SCW Board of Directors and head librarian, and husband Meir Case Studies in Jewish Business Professor of Talmud, Caroline and dedicated to the memory of Ghity received an honorary degree from on the marriage of daughter Leah Ethics (Library of Jewish Law Joseph S. Gruss Institute in Stern, wife of the late Nathan YU in 1987. Luncheon honorary ’00S to Ari Feldman ’00SB. and Ethics, vol. XXII) Jerusalem Lindenbaum and then the late chairs included SCW Board chair Aaron Levine, PhD, Samson and KTAV Max Stern, who served for 35 Marjorie Diener Blenden, Gail Dr. Efrem Nulman, Senior Uni- Halina Bitensky Professor of A compilation of 11 articles on years as the University Board of Propp, and Ingeborg H. Rennert; versity Dean of Students, and his Economics, YC Torah study, it includes portraits of Trustees’ vice chairman and with chairpersons included Debbie wife Rochelle, on the bar Yeshiva University Press Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and whom she was a Benefactor. The Gibber. of their son, Joshua. New York Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. Written as a textbook, five areas are addressed: advertising, sales- By His Light: Character and manship, pricing policies, relations Values in the Service of God between labor and management Aharon Lichtenstein (in education as well as in busi- KTAV COMMENCEMENT KUDOS: ness), and general social ethics in Discusses Jewish values and the de- Three Stern College for the marketplace. velopment of the religious person- Women alumni were admit- ality. Explores one’s responsibilities ted into the Order of the Leaves of Faith, vol. 1: to God, community, and self. The World of Jewish Learning Coif, the law school equiva- Aharon Lichtenstein ’53Y,R, Rabbi Both books can be ordered at: lent of Phi Beta Kappa, at Henoch and Sarah D. Berman www.vbm-torah.org/ralbooks.htm. the Benjamin N. Cardozo commencement. Twenty- seven other Cardozo gradu- A 10th yahrzeit (date of death anniversary) commemoration ates, representing the top was held in Jerusalem for Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, a RIETS rosh 10 percent of the class, were yeshiva known as the Suvalker Rav. Rabbi Aaron Rakeffet- also admitted. Shira Hecht Rothkoff ’59Y,B,R, Gruss Kollel rosh yeshiva, delivered the ’99S (left), Ilana Blass ’95S, memorial address. Reflections were delivered by Rabbi and Netanella Cohen ’00S. Lifshitz’s grandsons Rabbi Ari Waxman ’88Y, AG,R and Rabbi Yoseph Kamenetsky. 4 YUToday Summer 2003

Highlights of Commencement 2003

The Honorable Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and Chief Judge of the State of New York speaking at the Cardozo commencement.

YU VALEDICTORIANS: Back row (L–R): Albert Jacob, Chaim Theil, Etan Schnall, Joseph Sebeo, Elior Shiloh, and Joshua Sturm. Front row (L–R): Shira Schwarzenberger, Yael Goldfischer (Strauchler), Lisa Misher, and Devorah Schreck.

President Richard Joel with his daughter, Ariella SCW’03.

FAMILY TIES: Dr. Stanley M. Wagner YC’53, Sara Holtz SCW’03, Frady Moskowitz WSSW’81, Avi Moskowitz YC’77.

Stern College for Women

Yeshiva College

HAIL TO THE ALUMNUS: Dr. Howard Dean, Class of ’78, marked his 25th graduation anniversary from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine by address- ing its graduates. The former governor of Vermont is seeking the Democratic PRIDE OF THE FAMILY: Goldie Naparstek-Schwarzbard and nomination for President of the United her son, Shlomo, share the limelight as they celebrate her States in 2004. graduation from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Shlomo’s graduation from Yeshiva College. Summer 2003 YUToday 5

The Human Touch would put on waterproof boots and reflective vests and go with the police into the tunnels,” she said. ■ Wurzweiler’s Marilyn Rivera “Some people had set up house in old rooms the Committed to Improving People’s MTA had used to store huge computer equipment. About 92 percent of the time we persuaded people Lives to move to private shelters.” For her degree, Ms. Rivera focused on community organization because she “could treat more than n 14 years as a caseworker, Marilyn Rivera one person at a time.” She saw evidence of this as steadily pursued her goal of becoming a social the director of the Alternative to Incarceration worker. “It took me eight years to get my under- Program at Friends of Island Academy, which pro- graduate degree because I was a single, working vides educational and counseling services to adoles- Iparent,” she said. “I knew that to get real respect in cent exoffenders. this field, you have to have a master of social work “Boys who go to jail have a higher rate of recidi- degree.” vism,” she said. “I’m teaching them how to go out Ms. Rivera said her most rewarding job was with into the community and not make the same mistakes. Metropolitan Transit Authority Connections, a So not only am I affecting that boy’s life, I’m affect- homeless outreach program to subway dwellers. “We ing his family and the community’s lives as well.”

Yehoshua Levine Shines coedited The Commentator, the YC student newspaper, after ■ YU Graduate’s Achievements Make Him previous stints as a reporter, a Man for All Seasons features and news editor, and columnist. “Being editor was the high- light of my time at YU,” he erhaps Yehoshua Levine is too young to be dubbed a Renaissance mused. “I worked on the man. But even at 22, his multiple achievements in academia, Commie because it was fun. Torah study, and research indicate he has the makings of one. It was great to hang out with Winner of numerous awards, Mr. Levine is the first student to the staff, especially after a full Pcomplete a senior honors thesis at an actual research institution, Yeshiva day’s work, and work on sto- University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He began the research in ries that I knew would interest 2002 when he participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research people.” Program. He completed it as a part-time research associate at Einstein In 2000, his first year at YC, during the 2002–2003 academic year. He plans to publish the research in Mr. Levine joined the fencing two articles for the Journal of Virology, rare for an undergraduate. team and played epee. The “Yehoshua is a role model for the kind of student who represents the following year he became future direction of Yeshiva College,” said Will Lee, PhD, director of the secretary of the Wilf Campus Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva College. “He is Senate, and was a tutor in the intelligent, serious, and a high achiever.” Writing Center. An honors student, he completed his thesis on how the For the Ira Marienhoff Distinguished Scholar and history major, suc- avian leukosis virus infects its target cell. cess often came from mastering YU’s challenging dual curriculum, includ- In his spare time, Mr. Levine plays the cello, which he began studying ing significant time allotted each day to Talmudic study in the Mazer at age 4. He also does community service in his hometown of Englewood, Yeshiva Program. Indeed, Mr. Levine considers his greatest achievement NJ, as a youth group leader and ba’al koreh (Torah reader). his ability to strike a balance between his Torah learning, academics, In the fall, Mr. Levine begins Harvard Medical School, where he plans research, and demanding extra-curricular activities. to focus on the interface between science and medicine. “If you make good use of your time, you can do a lot,” he said. “But His family boasts a large contingent of YU alumni: his sister, Shoshana you have to value what you’re doing. I was not prepared to compromise Levine Schechter, is a Stern College alumna and Bible instructor at Stern; my seder (specific time dedicated to learning) for other commitments, so I his brother, Zalman, is a YC, RIETS and Einstein alumnus; sister Chavie is made it work.” a Stern and Revel alumna, and his sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law And those commitments were extensive. In his senior year, Yehoshua graduated from YU as well.

Lisa Misher, High Stern College for Women basketball coach Karen Green attributed Lisa’s on-court success to hard Achiever in the Class- work. Coach Green is well acquainted with Lisa’s room and on the Court athleticism: she also coached Lisa in high school at Hebrew Academy–Five Towns and Rockaway, where ■ Sy Syms Graduate Flexes Mind Lisa was cosalutatorian of her senior class. and Body In Pursuit of Excellence “As a captain of the Lady Macs, Lisa displayed leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Hers will be a hard act to follow,” Coach Green said. In the classroom and on the court, Lisa shone. isa Misher did not have to choose academ- The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference recog- ics over sports. She simply excelled at both. nized Lisa with its Merit Award for Most Out- “Lisa was such a generous student,” said standing Graduating Female Scholar-Athlete. And, Dr. Martin Liebowitz, Joseph Kerzner Profes- in the “can you top this,” category, Lisa was also Lsor of Accounting at Sy Syms School of Business. named covaledictorian of Sy Syms School of “She would share her notes with other students who Business. had missed class or who were having trouble with Lisa begins her working career with Ernst & the coursework. She was an all-around class leader.” Young, one of “The Big Five” accounting firms. Lisa graduated from Syms in May with a 4.0 “Syms provided me with an excellent educa- GPA. Her impressive numbers extend to the hard tion,” she says. “I am confident the skills I acquired floor, where she averaged 15 points per game during and the lessons I learned, in the classroom and on her senior season for the Lady Macs basketball team. the basketball court, will help lead me to success.” 6 YUToday Summer 2003

ALUMNI PROFILE Joel Mael Rekindles Boyhood Dream

oel Mael ’79YC loves His family has also become crunching numbers, involved with the team. Son whether assessing cor- Jonathan, 14, has been a bat Jporate profits or base- boy during games “on at least ball batting averages. The 46- a half dozen occasions. year-old investment banker “And my two little girls, brings his “A game” to both, Daniella, 11 and Aviva, 9, are running his New York mer- avid Marlins fans. Their first chant banking firm while question every morning is helping analyze player trades ‘How did the Marlins do last for the Florida Marlins. night?’ They go to as many As the vice-chairman who games as they can when the advises the team on corporate Marlins are in New York or and financial matters, he has when we’re down in Florida.” almost unlimited access to the Mr. Mael splits time with game, including its players the Marlins and Tallwood As- Joel Mael (left) up close with the Florida Marlins. and executives. sociates, the banking firm he When discussing trades, co-founded in 1990. before purchasing the Mon- He also attended the Maimon- launching his career beyond Mr. Mael says, “I will primari- Previously he rose to the treal Expos in 1999. When Mr. ides School where its founder, baseball. ly look at the financial aspects rank of managing director Loria, a member of the Ben- Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, “Although as a kid I was a of the contracts and financial during 10 years in Drexel jamin N. Cardozo School of encouraged him to attend major Red Sox fan and went implications of doing the Burnham’s corporate finance Law Board of Directors, sold Yeshiva University. Rabbi to many games,” he says, “I trade, but I rely on our base- department. the Expos and bought the Soloveitchik, known as the sort of lost touch with the ball executives on whether a When he established Tall- Marlins in 2002, he named Rav, was Leib Merkin Prof- sport while on Wall Street.” particular trade will make us wood, Mr. Mael met Jeffrey Mr. Mael vice chairman. essor of Talmud and Jewish Now he combines Wall better.” Loria, who dreamed of own- Joining the Marlins rekin- Philosophy at Rabbi Isaac Street with an insider’s in- Thus, Mr. Mael learns about ing a major league baseball dled a love of baseball in Elchanan Theological Semi- volvement in baseball. “the inside negotiations that franchise. With Mr. Mael’s Mr. Mael, who grew up in the nary. After graduating YU, Mr. “This is just like playing go on behind trades and con- assistance, Mr. Loria explored Boston suburb of Brookline, Mael earned an MBA at Har- rotisserie baseball,” he says, tract and free-agent signings.” acquiring three or four clubs MA, rooting for the Red Sox. vard University in 1981 before “but playing it for real.” ■

Schottenstein, Abraham Honors Programs’ Students Mark Milestone Professors of the Year Named STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM • Reena R. Radzyner—Bereishis • Tova Yonina Warburg—The • Yehoshua Levine, Cellular S. DANIEL ABRAHAM HONORS Barah Elokim: The Convergence of Role of Reason in Generating Trafficking of Avian Leukosis Virus Three educators have PROGRAM 2002/2003 Torah and Science. Faculty Mentor: Religious Passion: A Critique of the Subgroup B Receptor Is Mediated by been named Lillian F. Harvey Babich, PhD, biology. Fideist Position. Faculty Mentor: Clarthrin. Faculty Mentors: Jurgen SPRING GRADUATES: and William L. Silber Second Reader: Brenda Loewy, David Shatz, PhD, philosophy. Brojatsch, PhD, virology, AECOM; • Tamara Dzhanashvili—Implicit PhD, biology Second Reader: Charles Raffel, Barry Potvin, PhD, biology Professors of the Year for Learning: Doorway to the Uncon- the 2002–3 academic • Rachel Rubin—The Effect of Level PhD, • Zvi Rosen, The Boris Problem: scious. Faculty Mentor: Joshua year. Bacon, PhD, psychology. Second of Religiousness within Orthodox • Sabrina Weisman—Genetic Literay and Operatic Approaches to Reader: Terry DiLorenzo, PhD, Judaism on Attitudes Towards those Screening for Jewish Genetic Diseases. Boris Godunov. Faculty Mentor: Deborah Y. Cohn, PhD, psychology Suffering from Mental Illness. Faculty Mentor: Harvey Babich, Noyes Bartholomew, PhD, music assistant professor of mar- Faculty Mentor: Terry DiLorenzo, PhD, biology. Second Reader: • Shira Freundlich—Psychotic keting at Sy Syms School PhD, psychology. Second Reader: Richard Weiss, PhD, biology TO BE COMPLETED BY SUMMER Disorders: A Closer Look at 2003: of Business; Aharon Fried, Isaac Schecter, PhD (not YU) Schizophrenia. Faculty Mentor: • Meredith Weiss—Mitochondria PhD, associate professor psychology • Shlomo Koyfman, Legal Exegesis Joshua Bacon, PhD, psychology. and the Process of Cellular Aging. in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Its of psychology at Stern Second Reader: Marcel Perlman, • Atara Sendor—The Authentic Faculty Mentor: Chaya Rapp, PhD, Significance in Jewish Intellectual College for Women; and PhD, psychology Voice of Judaism. Faculty Mentor: chemistry. Second Reader: Harvey History. Faculty Mentor: Moshe Hayim Tawil, PhD, associ- Ephraim Kanarfogel, PhD, Judaic Babich, PhD, biology • Julia Josovitz—The Role of Water Bernstein, PhD, Jewish studies ate professor of Hebrew studies. Second Reader: Charles in Protein Structure Stabilization. • Natania Dael Wright—Social at Yeshiva College, were Raffel, PhD, Jewish philosophy • Andrew Pepper, Interpretations Faculty Mentor: Chaya Rapp, PhD, Influence on Women & Heart of Wittgenstein’s Private Language elected by students this chemistry. Second Reader, Lea • Suzanne Stern—Synthesis in a Disease: A Comparison of Theoreti- Argument. Faculty Mentor: David year to receive the annual Blau, PhD, chemistry Dialectical Age: The Malbim’s Exe- cal Models. Faculty Mentor: Terry Johnson, PhD, philosophy special recognition. getical Approach. Faculty Mentor: DiLorenzo, PhD, psychology. • Leah Kohn—The Simulator: A Mordechai Cohen, PhD, Judaic Second Reader, Dr. Guy Mont- • David Rosenbaum, Integrated Computer’s Obstacle Course. Faculty Endowed by YC alumnus studies. Second Reader: Naomi gomery (Mt. Sinai) Architectural Study: A Paradigmatic Mentor: Michael Breban, PhD, and SSSB Board secretary Grunhaus, PhD, Judaic studies Beit Design. Faculty computer science. Second Reader: Dr. William Silber and his JAY AND JEANIE SCHOTTENSTEIN Mentor: Paul Glassman, PhD, art/ Arnold Lebow, computer science • Jean Yael Strauchler—Kierke- wife, the award bestows HONORS THESES COMPLETED architecture gaard and the Akedah: A Study of DURING THE 2002–2003 • Caryn L. Litt—A Spirit of Reform: three annual gifts of Religion and Morality. Faculty ACADEMIC YEAR: • Elliot Stern, Divine Revelation in Charles Dicken’s Use of Sarcasm $1,800 each to YC, SCW, Mentor: David Shatz, PhD, philos- Modern Jewish Thought: An and Sentimentalism to Achieve • Yakov Fleischmann, Defending and SSSB faculty members ophy. Second Reader: Charles Analytic Study. Faculty Mentor: Social Reform. Faculty Mentor: the Law of the Excluded Middle. whom students elect. Raffel, PhD, Jewish philosophy Shalom Carmy, PhD, philosophy Prof. Laurel Hatvary, English. Faculty Mentor: David Johnson, Richard Nochimson., PhD, English • Aviva Szigeti—Herbal Therapies PhD, philosophy • Joshua Sturm, The Role of Public as Supplemental Treatments for Interest Groups in a Political Choice • Lauren Pick—Microhistory: A • Philip Green, The Effects of Diabetes Mellitus. Faculty Mentor: System. Faculty Mentors: Elias Macro-Endeavor. Faculty Mentor: Angle Strain on Transition Metal Brenda Loewy, PhD, biology. Grivoyannis, PhD, economics and Jeffrey Freedman, PhD, history. Carbene Alkyne Benzannulation. Second Reader: Harvey Babich, Maria Pia Paganelli, PhD, Second Reader: William Stenhouse, Faculty Mentor: Wayne Schnatter, PhD, biology economics PhD, history PhD, chemistry Summer 2003 YUToday 7

FACULTY PROFILE

Moshe Sokolow education with modern schol- arship.” For example, in “Juda- ■ Azrieli Instructor Takes Pulse of both ism and Civic Responsibility,” he explores classical sources Students and Emergency Patients that mandate Orthodox - ish participation in civic ike most other faculty that terrible September day, affairs and social and political offices at Yeshiva Uni- “is the tableau of tens of thou- action. versity, Moshe Soko- sands of people running in Two decades after his low’s overflows with one direction and several epiphany, Dr. Sokolow is im- Lscholarly texts, article re- hundred uniformed person- pressed with the quality of YC prints, and student papers. nel going in the other. They students and their dedication Yet one item sets this academ- were running into the devas- to Jewish studies. “I’m still ic lair apart from the rest: a tated buildings because that is not quite satisfied with the fluorescent-orange EMT bag. what they are trained to do amount of time that is allocat- That, of course, begs the and those are the risks they ed to the study of things other question: what is a satchel of take. The only sense I can than Talmud in the modern medical paraphernalia doing make of it is that there must Orthodox day school, but in a professor’s office at the be a special place in Gan Eden, then again, it’s not my deci- Azrieli Graduate School of paradise, for those who save sion,” says the professor, who Jewish Education and Admin- people’s lives and that those lives on Manhattan’s Upper istration? Has the curriculum who died were in a hurry to West Side with his wife, Judy, become that rigorous? get there.” educational director of stu- Azrieli’s academic stan- measure up to post-under- A national resource dent programming at the dards have certainly risen in A teacher grows in graduates in their knowledge Following a three-year Ramaz Middle School, and recent years, but there’s Brooklyn of religious texts and their Jerusalem Fellowship in Israel, their son, Shalom, a student another explanation. In addi- Dr. Sokolow was born and analytical abilities. Dr. Sokolow returned to YU to at the Marsha Stern Talmud- tion to Dr. Sokolow’s many raised in Borough Park, Brook- To learn why, Dr. Sokolow teach at Stern College for ical Academy. “In spite of this, roles at Yeshiva and in Jewish lyn, where his parents ran a visited local yeshiva high Women. At Azrieli, Dr. Soko- I think I’ve done some good.” education, he is an emergency travel agency. Following in his schools, where teachers com- low was recently appointed to medical technician with Man- father’s footsteps, Dr. Sokolow plained that their students the Fanya Gottesfeld-Heller Remembering 9/11 hattan’s West Side Hatzoloh attended the local Orthodox were less prepared than in the Chair in Jewish Education. Last September, Dr. Soko- Volunteer Ambulance Corps. day school and high school past. At Jewish day schools, he (Actually, its his second Got- low represented Hatzoloh in He’s been known to drop and then enrolled at Yeshiva heard similar laments. Del- tesfeld-Heller chair —the first ceremonies at Ground Zero everything—from dinner with College, graduating in 1969 ving deeper, he found that is in a Hatzoloh ambulance marking the first anniversary his family to his classes at Ye- with a degree in Jewish stud- there was no consensus about donated by the same family.) of the World Trade Center at- shiva University—to respond ies. He continued his educa- what texts should be taught, He also directs a summer tacks. He declined, however, in to a medical emergency. tion at Bernard Revel Grad- and when and how they training program that pre- favor of an outstanding invi- The roots of Dr. Sokolow’s uate School, working toward a should be taught. pares educators to assume tation to speak at Kushner Ye- EMT work go back to the doctorate in Semitic lan- Compounding the prob- senior positions of leadership shiva High School in Living- 1980s, when he witnessed two guages, literatures, and cul- lem, he says, the quality of in day schools; assists the ston, NJ (originally scheduled separate medical emergencies tures, with a focus on medi- the instruction had declined. Association of Modern Ortho- for September 11, 2001). in a short span of time. “I sim- eval biblical analysis. “The teachers who taught me dox Day Schools and Yeshiva “Mourning the deaths of ply had to stand by idly, not Upon graduation, he joined in the 1950s and ’60s were High Schools with education- thousands who perished in having any idea what to do,” the faculty of Yeshiva College primarily European-born and al programming; conducts in- plain view mere yards from he explains. After the second and the Erna Michael College -educated. They were well- service training for Jewish where I stood is not some- incident, he enrolled in an of Hebraic Studies (forerunner versed not only in the classi- studies faculties of schools thing I want to do,” he wrote EMT course and joined Hat- of Isaac Breuer College of Heb- cal Jewish texts, but also in across the United States and in Ten Da’at. “Trying to im- zoloh. From then on, he was raic Studies). Teaching Jewish modern Hebrew literature and Canada in both general peda- press my concerns over the prepared to rush to the rescue, studies, he thought, would poetry. In the late ’70s and gogy and specific course lingering effects of the de- as he did when the World become his life’s work. After early ’80s, American-born and methodologies; and edits Ten vastation onto the minds of Trade Center was attacked in 10 years, however, he had an -educated day school teachers Da’at: A Journal of Jewish Edu- hundreds of Jewish teenagers 1993, and again on 9/11. epiphany: his students had came to the fore, and their cation published annually. is. So Kushner won—and so “What sticks in my mind changed, and not necessarily interests, “were narrower,” Dr. Sokolow takes every did I.” ■ most vividly,” he wrote about for the better. They did not says Dr. Sokolow. opportunity “to enrich Jewish

Bringing Torah to is bringing Torah learning to a record 30 locations this Scotland summer across North America. YSTS programs are tai- lored to the needs of each community. At some loca- tions, congregants request topics such as the meaning euven Brand and Chaim Loike have traveled of prayer or Jewish medical ethics, while others wish far and wide to bring inspirational Torah to study tractates of Talmud. YSTS groups also spend learning to small Jewish communities, so time meeting and learning with people on a personal hopping on a plane to Scotland for a week- basis, and in many places programs highlight Rend was a breeze. the visit. More than 200 YU and RIETS students have Veterans of RIETS’ community outreach programs, fanned out to various locations this summer. Mr. Brand and Mr. Loike were excited to be YU’s first Rabbi Moshe Rubin of Giffnock sought emissaries to visit Scotland and bring the values of enthusiastic YU students who could reach his con- Torah Umadda to this Jewish community. During gregants on new levels. “Reuven and Chaim were Shavuot, the two RIETS students addressed hundreds able to draw from their vast experience to cater to the of members of Giffnock Synagogue, Glasgow’s specific needs of the Glasgow community,” said largest, on how the Torah, given to the Jewish people Rabbi Ari Rockoff, coordinator of youth and outreach L–R: Chaim Loike ’99SB, ’02R, Rabbi Moshe Rubin almost 3,000 years ago, is still vibrant and alive. services for RIETS’ Max Stern Division of Communal and family, and Reuven Brand ’02YC. “It is incredibly rewarding to visit different locales Services. and make Judaism more accessible and meaningful Mr. Brand and Mr. Loike hosted community-wide everyone left the programs feeling more connected to to the community,” Mr. Brand said. Torah learning sessions and discussed ways for con- Judaism,” said Rabbi Rubin. “I hope that long-term Their undertaking was part of a wider initiative, Ye- gregants to strengthen their Jewish identity. “The bonds will evolve between our members and Yeshiva shiva University Summer Torah Seminars (YSTS), which young men engaged the entire congregation and University.” ■ NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE YUToday PAID YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 SUMMER 2003

ENTREPRENEUR-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM Sy Syms Uses Business Leaders to Educate Students for Real-life Challenges

osh Chaitovsky began Giving Mr. Chaitovsky and has gone through all his career as an under- other students practical tools the steps of establish- graduate entrepreneur for turning dreams into dol- ing a business, mar- Jwhile attending the S. lars is the impetus for SSSB’s keting a product, and Daniel Abraham Israel Pro- Entrepreneur-in-Residence finding customers.” gram. Using a video camera, Program. The new program The program is he offered his services, filming brings business leaders onto open to all YU under- snippets of students’ lives for campus to counsel students graduates who have their families back home. The starting their own enterprises. an entrepreneurial video postcards netted Mr. In May, seven groups of stu- spirit and want men- Chaitovsky a small profit. dents discussed their business toring on developing Now a marketing major plans with Philip Friedman, a business, according entering his senior year at Sy president/CEO and founder to Dr. Snow. It is one Syms School of Business, Mr. of Computer Generated Solu- of a number of initia- Chaitovsky exemplifies the tions, a multi-national infor- tives run by the Ren- business-savvy outlook among mation technology company. nert Entrepreneurial many Yeshiva University stu- Mr. Friedman, a SSSB Board Institute that intro- dents. He is embarking on his member, wanted to contri- duces students to real- CEO Philip Friedman counsels future entrepreneurs. fourth venture to date: a pizza bute his expertise to help ad- life applications of shop near a group of Jewish vance students’ careers. their classroom studies. the CEO’s advice helpful. “He believe in it. summer camps in Pennsyl- “Mr. Friedman is a natural Students converse with showed us what the right di- “I was impressed by the vania, following the previous choice as Sy Sym’s first Entre- business leaders and success- rection would be if we came students’ ideas. Most under- success of his sukkah and preneur-in-residence,” said Dr. ful entrepreneurs outside the up with something slightly stood how to go to market, video-editing businesses. Charles Snow, SSSB dean. “He classroom, said Dr. Lawrence different,” he said. “He told us and their plans were well- M. Bellman, assistant profes- the kind of research required thought out.” sor of management and mar- to launch a new product, the Mr. Chaitovsky consulted keting. “They don’t have to be financial gathering you need with Mr. Friedman on invest- Board News embarrassed to talk about to do, and how to approach ment issues for his pizza shop. Toby Gottesman Schneier has been elected to the SCW their idea, no matter how far- investors.” “I asked him how to deal with Board of Directors. out it is,” he said. Mr. Friedman said he hoped silent partners, and if I choose Allan Spiegel, a business to help students evaluate the to sell it one day, whether I Larry B. Scheinfeld has been elected to the Einstein Board of management junior at Sy financial feasibility of their should sell it together or break Overseers. Syms, said his meeting with ideas in today’s unforgiving it up,” Mr. Chaitovsky said. Rabbi Solomon Rybak has been elected to the RIETS Board Mr. Friedman gave him a dif- economy. “In some respects I “He also reinforced my belief of Trustees. ferent perspective. Although am challenging them,” he that entrepreneurs need a lot he realized his idea would said. “The person who came of drive to be successful. You probably not work, he found up with the idea needs to can’t be afraid to take a risk.” ■