he ommentator T The Independent C Student Newspaper of Yeshiva University

VOL. LXXXV MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020 ISSUE NO. 9

The men’s basketball team is the Skyline Conference Champion for the second time in YU history. See article on Page 4. THE COMMENTATOR

Following Haphazard Rollout, New Undergraduate Student Security Updates to Include Alumni Email System Announced

Restrictions and Shabbat ID events scheduled for undergraduate By Temmi Lattin students,” according to Stone. Requirement The email linked to specific guide- New undergraduate email guide- lines for emails, with a limit of three Wilf Campus and all buildings the same building, will remain lines for student club and event an- messages for each approved student By Avi Hirsch except the dormitories on the open to male undergraduate nouncements will replace the current event or initiative and a requirement Beren Campus. But absent alumni only. It is unclear how sstud/ystud policy in early March. The for the email’s subject line to include New security policies, which from the new list of locations or whether security will en- updated system will include new email only the event or club name and event include restrictions on which are all dormitory buildings on force the restriction on alumni policies that limit the number of emails date. A daily email listing all upcoming buildings alumni may enter as both campuses. The Rubin entering the dormitory rooms that can be sent per event and will events in the next two weeks will also well as a new requirement for Shul, Morgenstern Hall beit also located in Rubin Hall. eliminate “clickbait” in the subject line. be sent to students’ email addresses. students and other visitors to midrash and the Sephardi Beit All alumni will have to car- Prior to announcing the new email carry ID cards when entering Midrash are all located in dor- ry new alumni identification policy to the student body, Stone sent YU buildings on Shabbat, will mitory buildings and are ab- cards with them when enter- The updated system an email to student club heads asking go into effect on March 15, ac- sent from the list; Fischel beit ing any building on campus. includes new email policies them to acknowledge that they under- cording to a recent update to midrash, also in a dormitory Alumni who wish to access any stood the new changes. YU’s website. As of the time of building, is on the list of loca- location not open to them or that limit the number of A previous email, sent to the un- publication, students, alumni tions open to alumni. Other any location without the new dergraduate student body by Stone and other members of the YU locations seemingly no lon- alumni ID card will require emails that can be sent on Dec. 10, cited “feedback from mul- community have not been for- ger open to alumni are Furst the same “daily visitors pass” tiple student discussions [that] have mally notified of these upcom- Hall and Belfer Hall, and the as any other visitors, which per event and eliminates pointed to what, for many, is the in- ing security updates. only locations listed on Beren according to the website will “clickbait” in the subject effectiveness of those systems, which The website now includes a Campus that alumni will be require a staff sponsor and frequently inundate undergraduate section detailing a list of loca- able to visit are the library and “may be limited to only cer- line. students email boxes with messages; tions on the Wilf and Beren dining hall. tain buildings and times, and resulting in them not being read,” and campuses that alumni will be According to the updated certain purposes.” The new system was announced via stated that “new guidelines for student allowed to visit following the website, the Furman Dining New visitor policies also an email sent to the student body by to student ystuds and sstuds will be implementation of the new Hall, which is located in Rubin include special identification Linda Stone, director of student events announced shortly.” policies. At the moment, se- Hall, will remain open to all for the Office of Student Life (OSL), curity guards allow alumni to alumni, and the Max Stern Continued on Page 5 on Feb. 24. The system will aim to Continued on Page 4 enter all YU buildings on the Athletic Center, located in “improve communications regarding

NEWS | 4 FEATURES | 10 OPINIONS | 22 BUSINESS | 23 Citing Human Rights Investigation, Beren A Comprehensive Analysis: YU Partisanship and Our Jewish Sounds Good! How Streaming Services Student Court Declines LGBTQ Club Case Enrollment Data Identity Came to Be 2 From the Editor’s Desk Monday, March 2, 2020

The Commentator 2019-2020

Editor-in-Chief AVI HIRSCH

Managing Editor YOSSI ZIMILOVER

News Senior Editor Junior Editor YITZCHAK CARROLL ELISHEVA KOHN From the Editor's Desk Features Senior Editor Junior Editor YOSEF LEMEL JACOB ROSENFELD

Opinions Senior Editor Junior Editor CHANA WEINBERG MICHAEL WEINER

Business Senior Editor Junior Editor ELI FRISHMAN EITAN LAVIAN

Senior Layout Editor ROCKY PINCUS

The Case for Student Access to Course Social Media Manager Evaluations AHARON NISSEL

Committee (SAAC), a now-defunct branch yeshiva and has three older siblings who Website Manager By Yossi Zimilover of the student government, alongside attended YU versus a true freshman from ELAZAR KRAUSZ four Yeshiva College professors, had a Venezuela who is the first in her family In the days leading up to registration, developed plan to make this suggestion to attend our institution. He has many Business Manager a reality for Yeshiva College (YC). Yet more outlets for course information than students scramble to find out as much Senior Manager Junior Manager information as possible about the courses a follow-up article written in 2013 de- the student from a different background. SAMUEL KATZ MEIR LIGHTMAN they may take and their respective pro- scribed how that progress had stalled Yet even the Teaneck student is lim- fessors. WhatsApp and Facebook groups in the years since. Nine years since the ited to a few bits of skewed anecdotal blow up with requests for details, older SAAC’s proposal, YU’s undergraduate evidence from peers who come from a Programmer students and alumni are bombarded with students deserve better. similar environment as him. Making these OMAR FARUK questions and RateMyProfessors.com is To be clear, I am not suggesting that evaluations available will enable students scoured, all in the hopes of acquiring a these evaluations will be able to flawlessly from all backgrounds to have equal access Layout Staff clearer picture of what our course experi- assess a teacher’s abilities. Of course, to the opportunity to make an educated SHIRA LEVITT, RAIZY NEUMAN, ence will be like the following semester. like most reviews, there is often a strong choice when creating their schedules. MICAH PAVA, TEMIMA YELLIN And while these sources are sometimes sampling bias of respondents; students The release of the evaluations must helpful, more often than not, students are who either had an extremely positive be done with the utmost sensitivity to Staff Writers or negative experience are more likely faculty. Emphasis must be placed on laws left with only a couple of anecdotes or two SARAH BEN-NUN, MAYER FINK, SRULI ambiguously worded reviews from 2006 to complete the surveys. But if students of Lashon Hara and the gravity of writ- FRUCHTER, NOAM GERSHOV, ZACHARY that only confuse us more. knew that their fellow peers would be ing anything remotely negative about a professor. Students should only respond GREENBERG, NATHAN HAKAKIAN, if the information is truly l’to’elet, for a TEMMI LATTIN, JOSH LEICHTER, AVI The current system in which we complete a scavenger hunt constructive purpose. LEKOWSKY, DANIEL MELOOL, JACOB I also do not believe that evaluations METZ, MICHELLE NAIM, DONIEL before registration is absurd. Students should have the right should be made public for the world to WEINREICH see, nor am I advocating for students to make informed decisions regarding their education. to write reviews on RateMyProfessors. Instead, only current students should The Commentator is the student newspaper of However, there is a resource that is examining their words, the response have access to the evaluations in a Yeshiva University. totally untapped that could actually pro- rate among all students could increase password-protected database. Although For 85 years, The Commentator has served vide students with the answers to our significantly and the evaluations would this information must be kept secure to students and administrators as a communicative questions. At the end of each semester be taken more seriously. More evalua- protect our faculty members, it is vital conduit; a kinetic vehicle disseminating (and in Syms, in the middle of the se- tions completed would create a much information that can greatly benefit our undergraduate social, religious and academic mester as well) students complete course richer dataset that would also fulfill the students. beliefs across the student bodies; and a reliable evaluations — anonymous surveys in administration’s original intentions for The current system in which we com- reflection of Yeshiva student life to the broader Jewish and American communities. which students provide feedback to the the questionnaires. plete a scavenger hunt before registration administration on the classes they took. My proposal would not magically give is absurd. Students should have the right The Commentator staff claims students These evaluations have the potential to students a completely accurate represen- to make informed decisions regarding spanning the diverse spectrum of backgrounds be a substantive dataset that can guide tation of their classroom experience the their education. I urge the student body and beliefs represented at Yeshiva. following semester, but it is certainly bet- to advocate for this important issue. To students in making informed decisions We are united by our passion for living the and should therefore be made accessible ter than the status quo. Today, students the administration, I hope this can be the ideals of Torah Umadda, and a commitment to to the student body. who have a strong network from their renewal of a meaningful conversation journalistic excellence. This idea is not my own, nor is it rev- community or their yeshiva/seminary that needs to take place on campus. In olutionary. Other colleges around the in Israel are at an enormous advantage the meantime, I call on all the wonder- Views expressed in The Commentator are those of its writers and do not necessarily reflect country, including Columbia University compared to those from communities that ful professors at YU to pledge to release those of the editorial board or the student and NYU, have implemented similar pro- are less represented at YU. For example, the course evaluations of your respective body, faculty, and administration of Yeshiva grams. In fact, this idea isn’t even foreign there is a tremendous amount of infor- classes moving forward and help guide us University. to YU. In 2011, The Commentator re- mation asymmetry between a student on our academic journeys. ported that the Student Academic Affairs from Teaneck who attended a hesder Visit us online at www.yucommentator.org. Monday, March 2, 2020 7 Up 7 Down / Letter to the Editor 3

AIPAC When 1 If you weren’t able to attend, the Commencement Ceremony is around the corner! Disagreement Turns Dr. Michael Gerber Disrespectful 2 Lifehack: If you see him walk into an elevator, RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!! #chazakah To the Editor,

The Seforim Sale The YU Commentator, in its latest edi- tion, published an article entitled: “To the Not going to make the same joke again… @Doniel @Sam @Benjy (See issue 84.9 for reference) Silent Majority: We Need Your Voice,” 3 which bothered me for a particular reason. In the article, the author takes multiple swipes at the Editor in Chief of The YU The Bernstein and Rosenzweig families Observer, quoting two of her articles, a recent editorial and an opinion piece on Thank you for all that you do. Stern would not be the same without you. women’s roles in Orthodoxy from earlier 4 in the year. As an opinion editor of The YU Observer, I would normally encourage students to The scaffolding at Duane Reade is gone!!! respond to opinion pieces they disagree with. However, in this case, the author did 5 The sKy is bLuE!!! The air doesn’t always smell like weed!! #BrainInAVat not actually argue with any of the points that my colleague made in her article about women’s roles. Instead, he launched an ad hominem attack on my colleague by stating: Love is Blind “she reveals that she no longer identifies as Tying the knot within a week without having seen each other? Why do I feel deja vu? #chassidim Orthodox… As hard as it is to admit, the 6 administration does not need to conform to any other set of values and adjust itself to fit you.” Firstly, she does not explicitly No art floor, no art mention that she is no longer Orthodox, but rather attended a Conservative synagogue

It’s the new duct tape banana. on Rosh Hashanah. What’s most concern- 7 ing, however, is that the author’s argument

here essentially is that since my colleague

doesn’t fit the mold of a classic YU student, her opinion should not matter.

7 DOWN This is a criticism that I have heard on by Elisheva Kohn campus a lot, specifically in regard to the 7UP LGBTQ student movement. Many students are arguing that since LGBTQ students only make up a minority of the student body, their needs are unimportant and do not need to be addressed. Not only is this argument flimsy, but it is also quite frankly inappropriate in its strident dismissiveness. Farewell, bizarre y/sstud email subject lines Returning to the article in question, I Shiva will be held “on or about March 1” and Orthodox Israel Coalition student ambassadors was genuinely confused as to the author’s will be there to harass you. Bring babka! 1 main point. Based on the title of the article, it would appear that he wanted to encour- age all students to voice their opinions, even if they are the majority opinion. However, The humanities at YU he later concedes this thesis by stating: “There’s no need for us to start a ruckus “Say something I’m giving up on you.” 2 when YU’s stances fit us fine.” He then further states: “Modern Orthodoxy has worked for us our whole lives, there is no Handshakes reason to fight about it now.” Why exactly would the majority of the students need to To shake or not to shake, that is the question… raise their voices when the system works 3 in their favor? Additionally, the author states: The weed world truck is always parked at the same spot as the “Countless editorials in both of the papers seem like they were selected by throwing Chabad mitzvah tank darts at a board to randomly select what the writer is going to bash YU for this week.” “Lord get me high” just got a new twist. 4 Yet, he only cites examples of editorials from The YU Observer. While this may be Joint YU and YU Connects dating panel held at Stern coincidental, it is very careless and suspi- ciously telling to make the above statement Co-hosted by the baking club, NCSY, the Seforim Sale, the 2nd floor of the library, the shuttle, and and then cite an example from only one of Brookdale lounge. Special guest appearance by the minyan men! 5 the student newspapers. To me, it appears that this article was written with nothing more than the in- tention of attacking the Editor in Chief of Rats in restaurants The YU Observer, as it did not contain any substantive points to prove its thesis. To Remy’s ultimate comeback. This time, he’s making his famous ratatouille in the Heights. 6 the author: in the future, before writing a piece, please consider whether or not the arguments you are presenting are appro- No Commentator article on last week’s elevator incident priate to be published in a public forum. I’d rather blast “Yummy” by Justin Bieber at the dating panel than write one more elevator news piece. Observer, you take this one, please. 7 — Phillip Nagler (YC '20) 4 News Monday, March 2, 2020

Macs Propel Themselves to the NCAA Division III Tournament with Defeat of Purchase Panthers in Skyline Championship

Gabriel Leifer (SSSB ‘21) was named Most While Leifer continued his season-long Athletics Director Joe Bednarsh. “They By Chana Weinberg Outstanding Player, finishing the game with dominance on the glass, Ryan Turell (SSSB worked really hard all year to get here and a triple-double, scoring 16 points, pulling a ‘22) put on another show with his offensive deserve this honor. I’m excited to see where The unstoppable Yeshiva University career-high 24 rebounds and dishing out 12 consistency and efficiency as he led the team they’re going for the tournament and hope Maccabees men’s basketball team defeated assists. Reflecting on the win, the three-time with 29 points on 50% shooting from the we get to host it here! These are amazing the SUNY Purchase Panthers in the Skyline field. Turell averaged 22 points a game dur- kids and amazing players and I’m so proud Conference championship game on Sunday, “The crowd was awesome. ing the regular season. of them and our coaching staff.” March 1, by the score of 86-74. The Macs, “It was just a great effort. It was just an Besides being the longest active streak in who are undefeated in conference play for When we got down early they amazing experience,” said Turell after the DIII, the Macs' 27 straight wins is the longest the first time in program history, clinched win. “The crowd was awesome. When we win streak in YU history, surpassing the a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament were always with us, so hats got down early they were always with us, so 17-game win streak of the 2018-19 season. for the second time in university history. The hats off to them.” Additionally, the Macs received national Macs have now won 27 games this season, off to them.” Continuing his breakout was Eitan recognition as they became the first YU team the most in Division III. — Halpert (SSSB ‘21) who had 19 points on 7 in history to be named to the Division Three The selection show for the DIII tour- of 9 shooting from the field and 3-5 shooting top 25 ranking put out by d3hoops.com, nament, at which the Macs’ tournament Ryan Turell (SSSB ‘22) from behind the arc. But it was his defense finishing the season at number 15. The Macs opponent and the game’s location will be that stood out during the conference clinch- are also ranked second in the NCAA Division released, will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association ing win as he constantly beat the ball down III Atlantic Region, the highest ranking in Monday, March 2. The tournament begins (MBWA) player of the week said, “It means a the court on defense. The box score indicated program history. on March 6. lot, but we have a lot of unfinished business that he had one block and two steals. in the tournament.” “I am so happy for our guys,” said

This longstanding issue of stu- status, the current sstud/ystud sys- meant to announce. It’s nice to see policy changes, YCSA President EMAIL SYSTEM, dent discontent with the email tem serves as the main medium for the effort taken to improve the stu- Leib Weiner (YC ‘20) expressed, continued from Front Page system was described in an April event advertising and is often the dent listservs, but the new policy “It’s really exciting to see a change 2012 Commentator opinion piece first avenue through which stu- does not address the concern of to something that has been bother- Following the implementation expressing frustration with the dents find out about events. most club heads — the amount ing students for a while. I’m sure of the new email system, email lists “merciless barrage of studs.” The “The current waiting time for of time it currently takes for our this will be an ongoing process to [email protected] and [email protected] piece was followed by a news article emails to go out on the sstud list- emails to be sent out.” further refine the student email will be replaced with berenevents@ announcing plans to introduce an serv is quite frustrating,” said Sara Stone expounded on the im- experience and help keep them yu.edu and [email protected], re- events calendar to replace ystud Verschleisser (SCW ‘21), co-pres- plementation date of this new updated on events.” spectively. Stone explained that emails, an initiative that was not ident of SURGE, the Martial Arts policy, explaining that the “pro- just as the sstud address is for fully implemented. Club and YU on Organ Donation. cess involves partnering with the Beren students and ystud for Wilf, With 167 undergraduate clubs “I have sent emails that have taken IT department to make necessary the same students from each cur- on the two campuses and official almost three days to be approved, changes — we are hopeful to do so rent list will receive emails from guidelines requiring two events sometimes being approved after within the next week.” the replacement addresses. per semester to keep official club the events or deadlines they were Commenting on the new

Citing Human Rights Investigation, Beren Student Court Declines LGBTQ Club Case

“council presidents inherently dis- decision to abstain from approv- wording of both the clause in the to hear our case,” wrote the board By Avi Hirsch criminated against The YU Alliance ing the club. In their report, the Beren Constitution and the New of The YU Alliance in a statement on the bases of sexual orientation Alliance noted that “no other pro- York City law code is nearly identi- to The Commentator. “We be- The Beren Constitutional and gender identity.” The petition spective club was subject to this.” cal,” they had decided that it would lieve that SCWSC giving alterna- Council has decided against tak- was submitted on behalf of the A NYCCHR spokesperson declined “not be appropriate” for them to tive treatment to The YU Alliance ing up a case by The YU Alliance Alliance by Molly Meisels (SCW to comment on the investigation, take the case. They further empha- because of the fact that it serves against the Stern College for ‘21), president of the group, in an pursuant to the agency’s policy. sized that the decision is “final,” LGBTQ students is a clear violation Women Student Council (SCWSC). email to Chief Justice of the Beren of the Beren Campus Constitution.” According to the Alliance's petition Constitutional Council Shana Adler Added the Alliance, “By de- to the Constitutional Council, stu- (SCW ‘20) on Tuesday, Feb. 11. "The YU Alliance is immensely disappointed by clining to enforce the non-dis- dent council presidents — includ- Eight days later, on Wednesday, the Beren Constitutional Council refusing to hear crimination article of the Beren ing SCWSC President Aleeza Katz Feb. 19, Adler informed the Alliance Constitution, the Constitutional (SCW ‘20) — discriminated against in an email to Meisels on behalf of our case.” Council has rendered that article the group when they decided to the justices of the Constitutional effectively meaningless. While we abstain from a vote to approve the Council that they had decided to — recognize and appreciate that the club on Feb. 9. The YU Alliance “not hear this case before the stu- The Board of The YU Alliance Constitutional Council has the is an off-campus organization ca- dent court.” They explained that right to decline to hear cases, we tering to LGBTQ undergraduate they had been “made aware” of feel that by doing so here, it has let students at YU, and its application a report pending before the New In an email responding to the urging the Alliance to “realize it the student body down.” for official club status is current- York City Commission on Human Constitutional Council’s dismissal was made by fellow students who But Katz stands by the decision ly in the hands of the university Rights (NYCCHR) “charging the of their petition, the Alliance ex- thought through all the informa- to abstain. “If we believed that it administration. institution with discrimination pressed confusion at the decision tion we were presented with.” could have been seen as discrimi- In the petition to the Beren against the YU Alliance,” and thus of the justices, arguing that the “We considered the constitu- natory and that that was our goal, Constitutional Council, The YU would “allow the New York City NYCCHR report was irrelevant to tion,” explained Katz regarding the to shut down the club, to shut Alliance argued that the student courts to decide how this issue their petition and that by reject- student council presidents’ deci- down the conversation, then … we council presidents’ decision to should be handled.” ing their case, the Constitutional sion to abstain, “and the reason wouldn’t have made that decision,” abstain from the vote on the sta- The day before the Council was failing to enforce ac- why we felt confident and com- she commented. “We value our tus of a potential LGBTQ club on Constitutional Council responded countability. Clarifying their deci- fortable abstaining was because students and we would not try to campus had violated the non-dis- with its decision, The Jewish Week sion, the justices explained that we did not feel it violated the violate anyone’s rights.” crimination policy of the Beren had reported that on Friday, Feb. since the claim the Alliance had non-discriminatory policy or the Constitution, which the group 14, the Alliance filed a report with filed to the Constitutional Council general constitution in any way.” Yitzchak Carroll and Elisheva called “an unprecedented move.” the NYCCHR alleging discrimina- cited the “same incident and the "The YU Alliance is immense- Kohn contributed to this story. Citing Article IV of the constitu- tion on the basis of sexual orienta- same reasoning” as their report ly disappointed by the Beren tion, the Alliance maintained that tion following the student council’s to the NYCCHR, and since “the Constitutional Council refusing Monday, March 2, 2020 News 5

Morgenstern Hall THE COMMENTATOR the meeting with the impression that the but according to sources the requirement completely up to date. It does seem as though SECURITY UPDATES, prior points would be addressed. “I remain has been rarely and inconsistently enforced. the higher-ups do not effectively communi- continued from Front Page hopeful that some changes will be put into In late October, the listing of minyanim cate new policies to security guards, which place,” concluded Shlian, “but am disap- on YU Zmanim was updated with a message adds to a sense of frustration.” cards for spouses of alumni and students, and pointed that the new policy made it onto the warning students that since alumni will no No later than Feb. 18, a few weeks after those who wish to attend minyan regularly — official YU website prior to any communica- longer be allowed in dormitory buildings, the updates were removed from the website, in the Glueck or Fischel batei midrash only tion of minyan relocations or additions.” late night maariv minyanim that used to they were back online, this time with an — can apply for a Minyan ID Card, which Sy Syms School of Business alumnus take place in the Morgenstern Hall beit mi- “Effective March 1, 2020” heading. No later “will need to be approved by both Rabbi Etan Neiman (SSSB ‘17), who also lives in drash would be moved to the second floor of than one week after this, the date was up- Menachem Penner or Yosef Kalinsky and Washington Heights, was similarly con- Glueck. These minyanim, which take place dated to reflect the current expected rollout University Director of Security,” according cerned about the upcoming changes. He between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. week- date of March 15. to the website. explained that he recently met a student in day nights, were then moved once again to The long and troubled rollout of the new In addition to the new alumni and other a YU dormitory lounge to counsel him as a room in Zysman Hall, which prompted a policies, with no formal communication from visitor restrictions, the new policies indicate part of YU’s new MVP program. With the negative reaction from female minyan-goers, YU, has spread confusion among alumni that all students and visitors will be required new policies set to take effect in the com- as a mechitzah was not readily available in regarding when the new restrictions will to carry identification with them on Shabbat. ing weeks, he worried that he “will soon be the new location. be implemented and what exactly they will “All holders of valid Yeshiva University ID burdened in helping further students should Even after these minyanim moved, how- entail. “Since the rumors started trickling Cards wishing entry to the campus build- this published policy ultimately go through.” ever, the new security protocols that had in last August about a partial ‘alumni ban,’” ings and synagogues during the Shabbat “The Office of Alumni Affairs has been seemingly prompted the location changes explained Neiman, “I have been increasingly and Holidays will be required to present working in concert with YU’s security of- did not go into effect. But despite the fact frustrated and confused by a lack of formal their ID Cards to the Security Officer,” the fice to ensure that the interests of alumni that no new protocols were yet in place, communication to alumni.” website states. “All visitors will be required to are protected, while understanding that YU’s website was updated no later than early Shlian was similarly frustrated by com- present their valid government-issued photo munication problems regarding the new IDs, Minyan IDs or Alumni/Alumni Spouse/ policies. “[A]lumni, to my knowledge, have Student Spouse IDs to the Security Officer.” The long and troubled rollout of the new policies, with no formal not been made aware of even the general The website also links to a “Shabbat ID policy contours of the policy as it stands now, let ruling,” a halakhic ruling from RIETS rosh communication from YU, has spread confusion among alumni alone specifics,” he said. Regarding the new yeshiva Rabbi Herschel Schachter permit- regarding when the new restrictions will be implemented and alumni ID cards, he added that “at no point ting the carrying of ID cards on Shabbat were alumni made aware of the new card within the eruv. what exactly they will entail. requirements via any formal process by the Yeshiva College alumnus Daniel Shlian university.” (YC ‘17) lives near YU’s Wilf Campus in part Regarding the lack of communication due to the presence of YU-run minyanim the safety of our students is of the high- January with an early version of the new to alumni, Burkat explained, “Our plan has — some of which take place in locations est priority,” explained Director of Alumni visitor policies, including the alumni restric- always been to communicate the new policies that will soon be limited to current YU stu- Affairs Dina Burkat in a statement to The tions and the Shabbat ID policy. At the time, with alumni in the weeks before they went dents only. “Tefillah be-tzibbur is a crucial Commentator. “Alumni will maintain access multiple security guards stationed at the into effect, and our communication plan component of my religious life,” explained to all non-residential spaces on campus, and dormitories explained to The Commentator was adjusted to reflect the new March 15 Shlian, “and these changes are making me minyan times/locations have been added that there were no new security policies in implementation date. We still plan to make profoundly distressed about my current liv- and adjusted in order to accommodate the place yet despite the updates on the website. sure alumni are apprised of the new policies ing situation.” new regulations.” When asked to clarify the website update, a this week, which will give frequent alumni “In addition,” Shlian added, “it's impor- The rollout of the new security protocols security guard in the central security office visitors nearly 2 weeks to obtain their new tant to highlight that there are only two fa- has been haphazard, beginning with some on the Wilf Campus falsely stated that the ID’s, a procedure which only takes a matter cilities near campus with standing women's alumni claiming that for several hours on updates were already in place, only to be sub- of minutes.” sections throughout the week: Rubin and Sunday, Aug. 25, security guards had pre- sequently contradicted by Apfelbaum. When As of the time of publication, Apfelbaum Morg (in fairness, an ad hoc mechitza is vented them from entering YU dormitory The Commentator reached out to Apfelbaum did not respond to The Commentator’s re- consistently available in Glueck). Restricting buildings despite no such policy being in for comment on the website update — which quests for comment on the new security access to these locations means, essentially, place. Several days later, the Shenk Shul sent included no timeline for when the policies policies. that women in the community are being told an email to subscribers informing them that would be implemented — the pages were “Universities should celebrate when an they are only welcome in shul on Shabbat, “starting this shabbat, August 30, YU will quickly removed from the website. alumnus is on campus, not actively cut back which is extremely distressing.” be initiating a new security policy requiring According to Shlian, this was not the only on their access,” Neiman asserted. “This en- Shlian explained that in October of last photo ID to enter every YU building, includ- area in which security guards were misin- tire experience has been upsetting and will year, he had spoken with administrators ing the Shenk Shul” and linking to the ruling formed. “Different security guards seemed strongly factor into any involvement with including Dean of Undergraduate Torah of Rabbi Schachter. Shenk Shul Shabbat to be on totally different pages regarding YU’s fundraising and community.” Studies Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky and Chief newsletters beginning that week and con- the new requirements for the [Alumni ID] Facilities & Administrative Officer Randy tinuing until this past week’s newsletter have cards,” said Shlian. “Some seemed fully Apfelbaum regarding these issues, and left included the new Shabbat ID requirement, unaware of any changes, while some were 6 News Monday, March 2, 2020 After Comeback Victory, Men’s Basketball to Continue Historic Season in Skyline Championship Game

the second-fewest opening points first five minutes, as Farmingdale NCAA Division III. This streak is Solomon, the creator of the Jewish By Daniel Melool and scored in a conference match-up plowed its way back into the game. also the longest in YU history, sur- parody band Shlock Rock and an Chana Weinberg this season. The Farmingdale comeback was passing the 17 game win streak of avid Macs fan, from his home in After the opening minutes, both actualized when Rams senior the 2018-’19 season. Additionally, Beit Shemesh. “They have finally Editor's Note: This article was teams found offensive rhythm, guard Anthony Miller, Jr. hit a the Macs received national rec- mastered the motion offense and originally published online on bringing the score to 17-14 at the crowd-silencing three pointer to ognition as they became the first they get stops on defense. And they February 29. are playing for the Jewish people.” The two teams are playing for more than just the title as the winner will get an Bednarsh sounded off on how With a hard-fought win over this Macs team is unique from the Farmingdale State Rams, the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. last year, when the Macs lost in Yeshiva University Maccabees the Skyline Championship against secured a spot in the Skyline Farmingdale. “I think [the play- Conference Championships for ten minute mark. But that was the put Farmingdale ahead 52-49 with YU team in history to be named to ers] have all brought in to the mes- the third consecutive year. The closest the Rams got in the first half eleven and a half minutes to play. the Division Three top 25 ranking sage that [Head Coach] Elliot has top-seeded Macs will host the sec- as Yeshiva pulled away, ending the The Macs and Rams exchanged put out by d3hoops.com, finishing brought on. They care about the ond-seed SUNY Purchase Panthers first half with a 14-point lead, at points until the end of the game, the season at no. 15. The Macs are letter more than the number [on on Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m. in 43-29. Their offensive prowess was with the Macs eventually gutting also ranked second in the NCAA their jersey],” said Bednarsh. “They Max Stern Athletic Center. The two encapsulated by a deafening dunk out a 74-69 win. Turell led the team Division III Atlantic Region, the want that W. And you see, every teams are playing for more than by Ryan Turell (SSSB ‘22) and as- in scoring with 22 points, and Eitan highest ranking in program history. game someone else steps up. And just the title, as the winner will get sisted by Gabe Leifer (SSSB ‘21) at Halpert (SSSB ‘21) followed close The Macs are drawing atten- it's a beautiful thing.” an automatic bid into the NCAA the 5:30 mark, which got the crowd behind with 17 points of his own, tion from the broader Jewish com- “It's a bunch of selfless basket- tournament. of 950 spectators out of their seats. 12 of which came off three pointers. munity as well. “Coming to these ball between everybody here,” said The Macs came into the game The crowd was “as loud as I’ve Leifer pulled down nine rebounds games is an opportunity for my co-captain Dani Katz (SSSB ‘20). already having faced and defeated ever seen it,” Athletics Director Joe and dished out five assists to go boys to see the YU team and see YU “We don’t care about numbers in the Rams twice during the regular Bednarsh, who has been working along with nine points. The Rams’ and the Jewish guys act with great terms of our own selfish or personal season, once by a 7-point margin at YU for 27 years, said about that defense held three-point special- middot but with athletic ability,” ideas. We just care about getting a and once by 27 points. Both teams moment. ist Simcha Halpert (SSSB ‘20) to said spectator Yakir Wachstock, win as a team. Just play for every- played aggressive defense in the The exuberant spectators were a season-low 3 points, making his a Holliswood, New York resident body. Play like it's your last game. If first five minutes, limiting the to- quieted by a strong second-half younger brother’s breakout perfor- who was at the game accompanied you don’t give your full effort then tal points scored to 8, 6 of which start for the Rams. Farmingdale mance critical in this win. by his three sons. why am I playing?” were scored by the Macs. This was freshman Dominique Senat scored The team has now won 26 in a “They are a pleasure to watch. 8 of the Rams’ 13 points in the row, the longest active streak in It’s good basketball,” said Lenny

The Macs’ Pre-Game Huddle YUMACS.COM Monday, March 2, 2020 Features 7 Inspiration Through Music: An Interview with Tani Polansky family, even random people on the street. time we cry, dance, sing, these moments all will penetrate the heart). It can really be By Avi Lekowsky Part of the journey that I’ve experienced have the potential to be moments of prayer. challenging to be different, especially in our in seeing many things and being in differ- T’fillah is the emotional expression of our Jewish communities where conformity is Tani Polansky is a man who hears music ent places is trying to find thenekuda tovah deepest selves. And I know that when I’m preached as a virtue and the development speak to him! Whether you recognize him (inner good) in everything, just like Rabbi not feeling it, I know I’m not tapping into my individuality isn’t emphasized enough. These from his music, the Times Square Kumzitz, Nachman [of Breslov] says. Wherever you truest self in the right way. We have to find of course come from good intentions, but we or the Brotherhood of the Bands, his music go, whoever you meet, you have the mission ways to open our hearts, and music is one of often see it manifest in our music. And I’m has touched people from around the world. to find the good point in them and help bring the deepest ways to do that. Niggunim are doing what I can to change the status quo. On the verge of releasing a new album, The it out. I’ve been in many different communi- AL: What’s up next for you? Anything Commentator got the opportunity to sit ties and [have played] many different genres else you want to plug? down with him and find out his backstory. over the course of my life. I’ve drawn inspi- We have to find ways to open TP: My second single, “Soulful Living,” ration from all different zones… whether will be out on March 13th, and the album, Avi Lekowsky: Give us a little back- it’s country, pop, folk, alternative or even our hearts, and music is one of “TeFEELah,” should be out in the next few ground about yourself. gospel. You’ll hear “Soulful Living,” which the deepest ways to do that. months. Make sure to stay tuned to my social Tani Polansky: I grew up in Woodmere has a slightly more electronic sound, and media channels to find out more. I’m really and moved to Israel with my family when I then there’s “Elokai,” which is a whole dif- — excited to let you guys know what I’ve been was in seventh grade, which was really chal- ferent world. Tani Polansky working on! I also want to plug a message. lenging. I ended up bouncing from school to AL: You have an album coming out soon A year ago, I had all this music that I didn’t school, community to community, meeting – “TeFEELah” – where’d that name come know what I was going to do with. I decided all different types of people. By the time I from? deeper than words, which is why they were to go all out and make this fundraiser, and finished ninth grade, I’d been in around TP: I came up with that name when one brought into the Beis Hamikdash. It’s truly I hit that goal. If anyone can take any les- six schools, including a Breslov yeshiva of my rabbis, Rabbi Daniel Katz, taught me an expression of the neshama (soul); music is sons from this, it would be to not give up in Beitar, a dati leumi (religious Zionist) that the way you pray is the way you live. the language of the soul. Music has to inspire on your dream. I went for something, and school in Bet Shemesh and a yeshiva in Mea Whether in shul (synagogue) or out of shul, people, and I truly believe this music has the with enough work, it ended up working out. Shearim which I loved, because there was t’fillah (prayer) has the capacity to be — and capacity to do that, as my friends Shlomo and It doesn’t always work out, but eventually so much joy and dancing and music. It was is supposed to be — such a transformative, Zach of the band Zusha sing so beautifully: you will hit something, and you’ve got to go of the more open-minded of the Chareidi deeply personal and moving experience. “niggunim hayotzim min halev, nichnasim for it. The last thing I want to plug is your places I’d been. When I was in tenth grade, Every time we yearn for something, every el halev,” (songs that come from the heart dream. Don’t be afraid to go for it! circumstances forced my family to move back to America. I finished up high school in Darchei Torah — not so typical YU. I went to Rabbi Shmuel Brazil’s yeshiva in Israel for about a year and a half after that. That yeshiva was where music really started for me. Rabbi Brazil is one of the most underrated composers of the Jewish world. He wrote [the tunes for] Shalom Aleichem, Bilvavi and many classic songs we sing today. The yeshiva was burst- ing with music, chassidus and the pure joy of those who were free to express their Judaism in their own unique way. The first song I ever made was during that period. It was one of the hardest days I had there, and [I] ended up writing [the song] at the Kotel. Through my tears and Tehillim, I began reading and singing Mizmor L’Dovid, which evolved into one of my favorite niggunim (tunes). I came back to the States and decided to go to YU — once again, not an ordinary move from someone in my background. I didn’t know anyone coming here, but from day one, I was welcomed into the community, became a part of multiple student organizations — as well as the Camp HASC and NCSY worlds — and began really exploring music and Jewish leadership here. I’m currently in the RIETS/Ferkauf program here, and gearing up for PhD applications while working for NCSY and on my album! AL: You mentioned R’ Shmuel Brazil’s ye- shiva and how you picked up a lot of musical interest there. However, your latest single, “Long for the Day,” sounds very different than his type of work. So how did you get there? What was the journey like? TP: “Long for the Day” is a different kind of song than the rest of the music I’ve been producing. I wrote “Long for the Day '' with my NCSYers, and left it on the back burner. One day, I was in the hospital with a family member who was going through a really rough time. The lyrics to that song popped into my mind, and I thought the line “You can destroy or rebuild your world, the choice is up to you” was something they really needed to hear. When I sang it, nurses came in from the hallway, and we started singing and jamming out to it; the look on their faces when we finished said it all! With the help of my parents and a dear friend we produced it and it sort of just came out sounding like a country-rock record! Once I started recording that, I realized I couldn’t slow down; I had a ton of other songs to record. I made a fundraiser and ended up TANI POLANSKY getting $10,000 with the help of friends, Tani Polansky 8 Features Monday, March 2, 2020 The Coronavirus is Here to Stay For Now has killed thousands spreading at least 29 countries. South Korea they were in contact with were contain the virus to mitigating its By Malkie Rubin in the United States. “We expect has now reported the most cases of traced and isolated, leading the harm through reducing the spread we will see community spread the coronavirus outside of China, virus to be contained. However, by teaching people proper hygienic Over the past two months, in this country,” said Dr. Nancy with 602. The country’s president, since the spread of COVID-19 is practices and caring for the very the COVID-19 coronavirus out- Messonnier, director of the CDC's Moon Jae-in, has put South Korea similar to how influenza spreads, it sick. Recent outbreaks in Germany, break has spiraled out of con- National Center for Immunization on its highest level alert over the is very hard — if not impossible — France and the U.K. demonstrate trol. Increasingly, people outside and Respiratory Diseases. “It's not outbreak, giving cities the ability to trace every single person that an that high-income countries with of China, where the virus origi- so much a question of if this will to impose their own containment infected person had been in contact advanced medical resources may nated, have started to display its happen anymore, but rather more measures. Italy is also “now home with and quarantine them before be able to control the virus spread, symptoms. In response, countries a question of exactly when this will to the biggest COVID-19 outbreak they spread the virus. at least for now. However, as the around the world have imposed virus moves around the world and travel bans, quarantining millions there are increasingly more infec- and isolating hundreds of sick peo- Public health officials must accept the fact that the coronavirus has already tions, even high-income countries ple in an attempt to stop the spread spread, and need to move into a new phase of preparing for a pandemic. are likely to struggle with contain- of the new virus. However, as of ing the virus. We have to prepare Feb. 23, 2020, there were 78,000 for this and quickly, for a pandemic cases of COVID-19 in at least 29 happen and how many people in outside of Asia.” So far, 132 people Another reason the coronavirus that could spread across the world. countries, including a spike of cas- this country will have severe ill- have confirmed infections, includ- is turning into a pandemic is that However, our systems are bet- es in Italy, Iran and South Korea, ness.” On Feb. 25, Trump put Vice ing at least two deaths. Italy has countries are still only looking for ter prepared to protect than ever as well as an ongoing outbreak President Mike Pence in charge of imposed severe measures to try the disease in people who have before. Although the CDC does not on a cruise ship off of Japan. We the Coronavirus response. and stop the spread of the virus. traveled from China. But the virus currently recommend the use of are likely facing a pandemic or Public health officials must ac- Sporting, religious and cultural has already spread beyond this re- face masks for the general public, may already be experiencing one. cept the fact that the coronavirus events are being canceled as well gion. Diagnostic testing should be they recommend that the sick or The World Health Organization has already spread, and need to as university classes. Many people conducted on citizens from other non-hospitalized patients under (WHO) Director-General Tedros move into a new phase of preparing have been fined if they tried to en- countries, including Iran, Italy and investigation wear masks when Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Our for a pandemic. ter or leave areas where the out- South Korea. Even though the U.S. around other people. Health care window of opportunity [for con- What makes the coronavirus so break is present, including 11 towns Center for Disease Control and personnel should wear personal taining the virus] is narrowing so contagious is that it spreads by hu- in the Lombardy region. Prevention (CDC) maintains that protective equipment (PPE), in- we need to act quickly before it man to human transmission, just There are many reasons as to the risk of spread of the coronavi- cluding respirators, when car- closes completely.” as easily as the flu. As a result, once why we may soon see a rapid rise rus is low, it is beginning to change ing for confirmed or possible Other public health experts a few humans become infected with in infections. One is that the virus its screening strategy to look for COVID-19 patients. As of now, the think that the window has already the virus, the chances that oth- is very contagious and some people people with the virus who are not possibility of contracting the virus closed. They fear that new devel- ers will come in contact with an can infect others before they start necessarily traveling from China. in America is still very low. The opments in this outbreak suggest infected person increase rapidly. to show symptoms or very early The CDC will begin to use the na- best way to prevent contracting the that containing the virus may no Symptoms of the coronavirus in- in their illness. Researchers cur- tional flu surveillance tracking in- virus would be to maintain proper longer be possible. Anthony Fauci, clude coughing, fever and short- rently believe that one infected frastructure to test patients who handwashing hygiene, avoid trav- head of the National Institute of ness of breath. At this point, the person generally infects two to have flu symptoms for COVID-19 in eling outside the country — espe- Allergy and Infectious Diseases, outbreak could continue spreading more than three others, which five cities across the United States. cially to China — and for people remarked that once several coun- at a rapid pace, moving into new would make the COVID-19 more Currently, the coronavirus has to cover their mouths when they tries have widespread transmis- regions and across the globe quite contagious than other coronavi- a very low fatality rate, namely, cough. These safety precautions sion, spillover into other countries quickly, given the increasing mobil- ruses like Severe Acute Respiratory around 1 to 2 percent. However, can minimize risk if the virus starts is inevitable. One of the top officials ity and travel within and between Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East that small percentage can cause to spread throughout the United at the Centers for Disease Control societies today. Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). many deaths if COVID-19 contin- States; following them is the best and Prevention warned Americans As of Feb. 23, there have been When people began to show symp- ues to spread around the world. way to protect you and your family on Feb. 25 that health experts fore- more than 1,800 reported cases toms of the SARS virus, they were Public health experts say that coun- from the coronavirus. see the novel coronavirus that of COVID-19 outside of China in immediately isolated, and those tries need to move from trying to

The coronavirus has already spread to multiple countries across the world. PIXABAY Monday, March 2, 2020 Features 9 FROM THE COMMIE ARCHIVES Editor’s Note: The following collection of articles detail the suspension of The Commentator after it was threatened with censorship by the university administration over its coverage of minyan attendance. This threat followed previous run-ins — including a ban on the traditional Purim issue of The Commentator — in 1958 between The Commentator and members of the administration particularly Dr. Simeon Gutterman, dean of Yeshiva College, and Rabbi Moshe Tendler, assistant dean of Yeshiva College. Unlike 1958, The Commentator is currently not funded by the student govern- ment and thus cannot be censored by the university. From the Archives (March 24, 1958; Volume 23 Issue 11) — Ten Students Are Suspended From Dormitory

if their minyan attendance continues to be suspended, be compelled to attend seminars Student leaders pointed out that the sus- By Commentator Staff “unsatisfactory.” on the importance of t’fila b’tsibur. pensions were in direct violation of Residence The suspensions were issued by Rabbi The proposal was rejected by the admin- Hall Regulation VIII in the handbook issued Ten New York City residents have been Moshe Klein, dormitory supervisor. He ex- istration. However, a seminar is being orga- by the administration. This regulation states, suspended from the dormitory for one week plained that attending minyan two times a nized on a voluntary basis to discuss t’fila. “Repeated failure to attend services renders because of “unsatisfactory” minyan atten- week would be considered satisfactory by The Assistant Dean, Rabbi Klein’s im- the student liable to disciplinary action by dance. Thirty other students, most of them his office. mediate superior, told The Commentator he the student court.” The supervisor’s office, from out of town, received “suspended sus- When the suspensions were first -an was in accord with the suspension policy. He student leaders said, had ignored the court pensions.” This means they will be evicted nounced, student leaders proposed that felt that the religious guidance program this completely in this matter. the students involved, instead of being year had been “adequate.” From the Archives (March 24, 1958; Volume 23 Issue 11) — An Editorial: Compulsion of the term, stating that residence residents on notice that further student wishing to participate in a know about it? Or is it just another By Abraham Shapiro in the dormitory is dependent on delinquency of attendance will be seminar to discuss minyan and Tfila belated, half-hearted attempt at a and The Commentator satisfactory minyan attendance is, followed by permanent eviction, B’tzibur will please notify Rabbi desperately needed religious guid- Governing Board of sufficient. It must be kept in mind, it is as threatening as any verbal Klein as soon as possible.” This an- ance program? These questions are 1957-8 however, that such circulars have warning could have been. nouncement followed an action on now added to the ones we have been been regularly distributed through- We must also keep in mind his part which pleasantly surprised asking for years: Does the adminis- out dormitory history, and since that by taking eviction into its us. Out of the 40 who got notices, tration seriously think that a staff Recently, we have had the occa- their terms had never been car- own hands the administration has only 10 were actually evicted, the of resident assistants just out of sion to witness the lack of direction ried out, students had become ac- violated an agreement it signed rest receiving “suspended suspen- college (in fact, some of them are of the administration’s dormitory customed to disregarding them. with the Student Resident Court sions” upon presenting him with still undergraduates) with no pro- policy in a clear light. On Sunday, When students about to be evicted at the beginning of the year giving at least a plausible excuse for their fessional training in guidance can March 9, about 40 dormitory stu- pointed out to the dorm admin- the Court jurisdiction to decide on absence from minyan. Of course, if assist the troubled resident in the dents were notified to see Rabbi istration that they had not been suspension of residents. Even if their attendance does not pick up solution of religious problems? Klein before 4 p.m. Tuesday con- adequately warned, the answer they we postulate the premise that the within the next two weeks, they What are the aims of religious ed- cerning their imminent suspension got was “we did not want to make administration occasionally acts will also be served with an evic- ucation — to see that the student from the dormitory. Unsatisfactory this seem like a threat.” Why the upon, that a signed agreement is tion notice. is forced to go to minyan in his minyan attendance was the cause of administration should be so afraid adhered to only as it suits them, The administration’s contra- short college stay, and then, with this suspension, which was to last of verbally warning students after the student should not be told at dictory actions cannot but lead the compulsion removed, never go for one week. they had already threatened them the time of his suspension that the one to wonder. Why couldn’t the again? Might it not be much more No warning whatsoever pre- in mimeographed circulars, which agreement was abrogated. seminar on minyan have been an- ceded the notification, unless one they knew would be disregarded, Friday, March 14, a small an- nounced previous to the suspen- Continued on Page 10 feels that a mimeographed circu- escapes us. Furthermore, since the nouncement was put on the dorm sion? Doesn’t the administration lar, distributed at the beginning one-week suspension simply puts bulletin board. It read simply: “Any want the suspended residents to

A memorandum sent from Dr. Simeon Guterman to then-YU President Samuel Belkin notifying him of the THE COMMENTATOR potential censorship of The Commentator. From the Archives (April 2, 1958; Volume 23 Issue 12) — An Editorial: Governing Board Suspends Publication dean of Yeshiva College and concurred in by Commentator under this ruling. If the represents the student body of the University. By Abraham Shapiro and Dr. Samuel Belkin, president of the univer- ruling is not rescinded there will be no College students attend R.I.E.T.S., T.I., or The Commentator sity. A memorandum to this effect printed Commentator. J.S.P. and also live in the dormitory. The Governing Board of 1957-8 on page two of this issue specifically denies board is obligated to print editorials reflect- the right of this newspaper to mention a It is the feeling of the Governing Board ing the viewpoint of student government university problem which has caused much that The Commentator is more than just and also to print the opposing viewpoints The right of The Commentator to print comment and many letters to the editor. a newspaper put out by a few individuals expressed by students. articles, news stories and editorials on any to print only college affairs. Rather, The This is the responsibility of our news- problems which are not limited to the college The Governing Board has voted unani- Commentator, the only student newspaper paper; it cannot be questioned, nor will we has been denied by Dr. Simeon L. Guterman, mously to suspend publication of The in the University above the high school level, evade it. 10 Features Monday, March 2, 2020

remembers, and their continued maintain his balance. The admin- well be able to go more than twice presence be felt! Let him realize COMPULSION, failure to solve this problem is istration itself has defined satisfac- a week, and some may not be able that he is not just another cog in the continued from Page 9 basically due to their treating it tory minyan attendance as twice a to go even that much. We are con- university machine! Rather, let the beneficial if, instead of outward as a separate one. When will the week, a substantial concession to fident that an individual approach university make the student feel compulsion, professional religious administration realize that min- the thesis that regular attendance towards the minyan problem will that it is aware of his problems, and guidance brought about minyan yan is only a symptom of a larger will produce students who attend go far towards making the admin- is not interested only in presenting attendance from inner feeling? problem: the fact that synthesis, classes in a lethargic, half-asleep istration realize that maybe it isn’t a facade of meaningless regulations We do not claim that religious as found in Yeshiva University, is half-awake, state. the problem after all. In fact, an to the outside world. guidance will solve the minyan synthetic. The student cuts corners We urge the administration to individual approach towards all the problem entirely. Minyan has been wherever he can, simply because it go one step further, and to real- problems of the university is the The university exists for its stu- a thorn in the side of the dormitory is physically impossible for him to ize attendance requirements must only way we can envisage to resyn- dents, not vice versa. authorities as far back as anyone do good work in both departments depend on the status of the indi- thesize synthesis. Let the individual [religious and secular] and still vidual. Some students may very student opinions be heard! Let his

A Comprehensive Analysis: YU Enrollment Data

SSSB. This is in stark contrast to Yeshiva examined data regarding full-time students Upon further analysis of specific schools, By Jacob Rosenfeld College (YC), which actually decreased by 40 from 2008 to the present. This analysis em- some mitigating factors become apparent in students for an 8.4% change. Stern College ployed the multiplicative forecasting model the model. While it appears to predict future For the Spring 2020 semester, the for Women (SCW) had lower enrollment created by the software provider Tableau, YC and SCW enrollment relatively precisely, Yeshiva University undergraduate popula- compared to Fall 2018, losing 69 students which has a 95% prediction interval, to fore- SSSB enrollment for men and women varied tion has remained mostly stagnant, rounding for an 8.6% loss. cast future enrollment rates. greatly with a 25% and 40% margin of error, off at 1,865 full-time students. Compared to Trends in the Undergraduate Torah According to the model, total undergradu- respectively. Accordingly, these numbers are Fall 2018, this semester represents a loss of Studies (UTS) program continued from over ates are predicted to fall to 1,810 students by not statistically relevant. 99 students, a 5% decrease. the past six years (the beginning of available 2022, which would represent a 2.9% drop in “Yeshiva University’s enrollment is con- The Sy Syms School of Business (SSSB) data), with a decrease across all the morn- enrollment. All UTS programs are expected sistent with declining national trends relat- continues to grow with a small 1.5% increase ing programs. Notably, James Striar School to shrink over the next two years with the ing to undergraduate enrollment,” said Chief in enrollment on both campuses from Fall (JSS) enrollment decreased by 29% from Fall exception of the Stone Beit Midrash Program Enrollment Officer Chad Austein. “[W]e 2018 to Spring 2020. This is a peak for Syms, 2018 to Spring 2020. Over the same period, (SBMP), which is expected to stagnate at are projecting a robust incoming class of as it reaches its highest-ever number of total Isaac Breuer College (IBC) enrollment fell 265 students. first-year students along with new students students and the highest-ever percentage of by 21 students, nearly 10%. Mazer Yeshiva The model also predicted decreases to studying in Israel as a part of our S. Daniel undergraduate students, with 697 students Program (MYP) enrollment, however, rose the populations on both campuses of about Abraham Israel Program, which will inevi- representing 37.3% of the undergraduate from Fall 2018 to Spring 2020 by 1 student, 1.5% per year. This forecast fits with the tably result in strong numbers in years to student body. On the Wilf Campus, the ratio reversing a trend of falling enrollment dating model’s prediction of individual schools’ come.” is even greater, with 518 of 1021 (50.1%) back to 2014. enrollment decreasing, except for the male undergraduate male students attending In addition to this data, The Commentator SSSB program.

Enrollment data and forecasts for two periods broken down by undergraduate school. THE COMMENTATOR Monday, March 2, 2020 Features 11 Hillel Rogoff and the Fight for Secular Studies in RIETS

— was one of the first three students — Akiva late Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Spektor. school and college. By Yosef Lemel Matlin and Aaron Abromowitz being the In the following year, Rabbi Nahum During his time at City College, Rogoff other two — of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Dan Baron arrived in America from Slutsk, veered away from Orthodoxy and neglected For the past 49 years, Yeshiva University Theological Seminary (RIETS). These stu- Lithuania to be the mashgiach for the young his religious studies. He joined a Socialist has held an annual lecture series titled the dents wished to continue their Torah studies yeshiva. The 45-year-old, short, red-bearded club in 1905 in the East Side of Manhattan; Hillel Rogoff Memorial Lecture. Not many after their graduation from the Etz Chaim rabbi took care of the basic needs of stu- a movement which was — as Klaperman put students, however, are acquainted with the elementary school, an institution which dents, providing them with food and clothes. it — “for the Orthodox Jew was synonymous life story of Rogoff. Rogoff, an early alum- later merged with RIETS in 1915 into the Rabbi Baron was also an early advocate of with all evil.” In the following year, Rogoff nus of Yeshiva, was a consequential figure Rabbinical College of America under Dr. secular education in the yeshiva. At the joined the editorial staff of The Jewish in American-Jewish history. Fortunately, Bernard Revel. Matlin’s father, Rabbi Moses time, the directors of RIETS did not al- Daily Forward — a Socialist-leaning news- Rogoff’s time in RIETS is detailed in “The Meyer Matlin, assembled and personally low students to attend high school and col- paper — after the Editor-in-Chief, Abraham Story of Yeshiva University” by Rabbi taught the three young men in his apartment lege while pursuing their religious studies; Cahan, heard about Rogoff’s leadership in Gilbert Klaperman. in 1896. This informal assembly grew into a however, some students, including Rogoff, the Socialist movement. (Cahan was previ- According to Klaperman, Hillel (Harry) yeshiva that was officially founded in 1897 wished to expand their secular knowledge ously one of the first teachers in the English Rogoff — after emigrating to the United by Rabbi Yehuda David Bernstein at the base. Rogoff appealed to Rabbi Baron who Department of Yeshivas Etz Chaim before States at the age of 13 from Minsk, Belarus Mariampol Synagogue and named after the granted him permission to attend high being ousted when his Socialist sympathies were discovered. He certainly had much in common with the young Rogoff.) Meanwhile, in 1906, the directors of RIETS threatened to withhold stipends from students engaging in secular studies. The students consequently went on strike which only ended after a change in leadership, when Rabbi Moshe Zevulun Margolies — a man sympathetic to the pursuit of secular knowledge — was appointed head of RIETS. The directors of RIETS then made promises to initiate a secular curriculum. In 1908, however, 15 student protesters were expelled after demanding the actualization of the directors’ promises. The expulsions only caused more students to walk out of the yeshiva. The yeshiva, in danger of being shut down, asserted that its mission was the pursuit of Torah and hokhma (secular knowledge) “according to the spirit of the times.” According to Klaperman, throughout these controversies a slogan often used by those opposed to the study of secular knowl- edge was, “Look what happened to Rogoff.” Over 100 years after the RIETS protests, the presence of Hillel Rogoff is still felt at Yeshiva University.

According to Klaperman, Rabbi Baron “in all probability… sided with the students in their struggle against the directors.” He was subsequently replaced in 1908 and re- turned to Slutsk never to see the yeshiva again. Klaperman suspected that Rabbi Baron was forced out by the directors due to his association with the Rogoff. Rogoff continued to be one of The Forward’s most prolific writers, penning articles on topics ranging from the Yiddish theatre to Socialism to American history, sometimes using the pen-names Yitzchak Elchanan or Ger Toshav. He even ran for Congress on the Socialist Party ticket in 1926 and lost. He later was appointed the Editor-in-Chief of The Forward, a position he held from 1951-64. Rogoff passed away on Nov. 20, 1971. At the time of his death he was the second-oldest Yeshiva alum. (The oldest alum at the time was Mordechai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism.) On Dec. 14, 1971, with funding from the Rogoff family, Dr. David Mirsky, Dean of Stern College for Women, directed the Hillel Rogoff Memorial Lecture Series, inaugu- rated with a lecture on Yiddish poetry by Dr. Irving Howe of Hunter College. Ever since, the lecture has been a YU tradition, attract- ing speakers such as Elie Wiesel, Abba Eban, Robert Alter and Chaim Potok. Last year, the tradition continued with a presentation by Ezras Nashim, an all-female emergency medical services agency based in Brooklyn. Over 100 years after the RIETS protests, the presence of Hillel Rogoff is still felt at Hillel Rogoff MUSEUMOFFAMILYHISTORY.COM Yeshiva University. 12 Monday, March 2, 2020

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JANUARY 21 ‒ MARCH 11, 2020 VOTE SLATE #4 • OU.ORG/VOTE/YU Monday, March 2, 2020 Features 13 Bioethics in Practice Dietary Supplements — Helpful or Harmful? Prohibition era in the United States. Jamaica supplements” are not approved by the other unaddressed risks. For instance, the By Baruch Lerman Ginger, colloquially known as “jamaica gin- Federal Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA states, “Taking a combination of supple- ger,” was a medicinal product that contains FDA’s informational website states, “Federal ments, using these products together with As I was scrolling through Facebook one 80% alcohol by weight and was sold over law does not require dietary supplements to medicine, or substituting them in place of night, I came across a meme depicting a the counter before Prohibition. During be proven safe to FDA's satisfaction before prescribed medicines could lead to harmful, scene in which a woman in Whole Foods Prohibition, the Federal Government made they are marketed.” Additionally, the FDA even life-threatening, results.” Additionally, insisted that her items be entered by the this variety of ginger available by prescrip- states that, in general, the first opportunity to some supplements can have unwanted ef- numbers on the barcode, instead of by a tion only, but allowed stores to sell an over- take action against a company that produces fects before, during and after medical pro- scanner, since, as she said, “I don’t want la- the counter-version that had a much higher a harmful product is only “after the product cedures. An example is “bleeding” that can sers to touch things I am going to eat.” After ginger to alcohol ratio. Due to the high ginger enters the marketplace.” At this point, the be caused by supplements containing “ laughing for a good 30 seconds, I started garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and Vitamin thinking about the larger trend of health E.” Additionally, supplements containing food crazes and fad diets that run in the If supplements are truly working like medications to prevent and kava or valerian “can increase the effects of same vein as this story. Even if this story heal illnesses then they should be regulated like drugs to ensure anesthetics and other medications during itself is not factual, it is similar enough to surgery.” common experiences with health crazes that the safety of consumers. Health supplements can be helpful, as it is 100% believable. many of them provide needed nutrients to What exactly are the bioethical implica- people who otherwise would not be able tions of health crazes and fad diets? There content, the federal government thought product may have caused injury to a con- to get them. However, there is a need for are several: the first issue is the little to no that it would be impossible to be used as a sumer. This is shocking! The laws surround- much more oversight of the industry, or else regulation in the field of “health products” recreational alcohol product. Distributors ing dietary supplements — everything from a horror story like ginger jake may happen and the second is whether such health prod- of the ginger changed the recipe to make protein powder to vitamin supplements — do again. Producers should also be required to ucts actually work in execution. The second it more palatable by adding tricresyl phos- not ensure that products are safe to consume print clear labels and information on how issue is much easier to address. Most experts phate (TCP). Due to the low level of federal prior to their distribution, leaving the general different supplements react with common agree that the modern health crazes and fad regulation, they were able to get away with population at a huge risk. Additionally, the supplements and medications. This would diets are bunk and, in fact, are often harmful. it. However, there was an unintended con- FDA reports of multiple cases where action hold the producers accountable and ensure Proper nutrition — especially for a growing sequence — TCP was actually a slow-acting has been taken by the FDA due to unsafe that their products are safe. If supplements child — is essential, and when those needs neurotoxin. Due to the low level of federal products being sold. These products had “to are truly working like medications to pre- are not met irreparable damage, and perhaps regulation, many Americans were paralyzed be recalled because of proven or potential vent and heal illnesses, then they should even death, can result. in their hands and feet. harmful effects” only after they were sold on be regulated like drugs to ensure the safety An example of the effects of this lack Similar to Jamaican Ginger, many the market and potentially harming people. of consumers. of safety regulation can be seen from the of today's health products, and “dietary Beyond the lack of regulation, there are 14 Features Monday, March 2, 2020

A Modern History of the Wilf Student Constitution

(SBMP), Isaac Breuer College 2020 Constitution, the president College Experience Program are point forward. However, a big part By Daniel Melool (IBC) and the James Striar School of each council has the power to also enfranchised for the elections of resolving any complications re- of General Jewish Studies (JSS) fill any vacancies that may arise in of YSU President and VP of Clubs garding the Constitution will be The Yeshiva Student Union under SOY. It also changed the their respective council. The per- along with SOY President, Vice how keen the student council is (YSU) has released a tentative name of the Syms Council from Sy son appointed to the position must President and Public Relations willing to follow the procedures text of the updated Wilf Student Syms School of Business Student then be confirmed by a majority of Secretary. that the Constitution implements. Constitution, incorporating vari- Association (SSSBSA) to Syms the General Assembly. The 2014 The 2020 Constitution abol- The General Assembly is obligated ous amendments that have been ishes the position of YSU Vice under Article XIII, Section 1 to passed over the past few years. The President of Class Affairs and form an Amendments Committee, changes come amidst the recent “We hope to improve upon [the Constitution] as shifts the line of succession to the which under Article XIII Section controversy surrounding the eligi- much as possible and have it accessible for the full Vice President of Clubs if the YSU 2 “shall convene a Constitutional bility of Zachary Greenberg (SSSB President is unable to carry out his Amendments Convention each ‘21) to succeed Ariel Sacknovitz student body's use.” duties. Although the Vice President semester.” Greenberg told The (SSSB ‘20) as YSU President. of Class Affairs position was re- Commentator that a committee It was unclear if Greenberg — moved from the list of YSU posi- has convened twice this semes- would be allowed to serve as YSU Zachary Greenberg (SSSB ‘21) tions in the Constitution, the full ter to implement the new changes President since he was serving as description of the role and respon- and propose new amendments for a resident adviser for the seventh sibility of the position — outlined this semester. (Note: The author floor of Rubin Hall. Article II, Student Council (SYMSSC), with- Constitution required an election in Article II, Section 4 — remains of this article has been invited Section 10(1) of the Constitution out eliminating any positions or to commence the following fall in in place. Greenberg has recently by Greenberg to partake in the bars resident advisers from serv- changing any of the qualifications the event that a position was left appointed Ami Malek (YC ‘21) as committee.) ing as members of the General to serve on the council. vacant during a spring election; if Vice President of Class Affairs, even “The constitution has not been Assembly, of which the YSU The 2014 Constitution also the position was still unfilled af- though the description of the posi- updated in nearly 6 years. I am glad President is a part. The issue came dissolved various standing com- ter the fall it would remain vacant tion was removed from the body to say that my committee and I are before the Student Court until mittees, such as the Publicity for the rest of the year. The latest of the Constitution, since it is still working towards fixing it and get- Greenberg announced he would re- Committee, Blood Drive version also allows students who listed as an elected official. ting it up to date,” said Greenberg. sign from his position as RA to as- Committee, Communal Affairs are part of the Katz School’s un- The aforementioned updates to “We hope to improve upon it as sume the presidency. The Student Committee, Library Committee, dergraduate program to run and the Wilf Student Constitution, and much as possible and have it ac- Court, thus, did not formally rule Out-of-Town Committee and vote for the positions of Freshman the historical analysis provided, cessible for the full student body's on the question of whether this Shabbos Enhancement Committee. and Sophomore Representative. will hopefully contextualize and use.” clause applied to successive presi- Article VII, Section 3 of the pre- Students enrolled in the Makor resolve all quandaries from this dents or only elected presidents as 2014 version of the Constitution, the case was declared moot before which made the Yeshiva University it could be adjudicated. Computer Society (YUCS) the of- The case also renewed frustra- ficial computer and technology tions over the proper interpretation resource of the YU student body, of the Constitution as Chief Justice and Section 4, which governed the Phillip Dolitsky (YC ‘20), wrote for operations of MorgMart — a now- a unanimous court, “We write here defunct shop which was located in to raise awareness to what we saw the Morgenstern Hall lobby — were as the bigger issue than a contested also repealed in 2014. A mention presidency; a poorly designed and of The Guide For The Perplexed outdated Constitution.” in Article VIII Section 3, was also To help clear misunderstand- removed in 2014. ings regarding the Constitution, While many of these changes The Commentator looked into its were successful, there were many history. changes that were not completed. The Commentator spoke with The committee that supervised the Adam Zimilover (YC ‘14) who passing of the 2014 amendments served as Yeshiva College Student sought to eliminate the Executive Association (YCSA) President in Council from student government. 2014. According to Zimilover, the However, the Executive Council is current Constitution, which was mentioned six times in the 2014 written in 2014 and voted on by the constitution. The old Constitution student body the following May, also included a Student Senate, heavily amended the previous ver- something the 2014 Constitution sion by removing many positions was supposed to remove, but and committees that were seen mention of it remained in Article as unnecessary. After reviewing II Section 10(1) and (2) which the archives of The Commentator explains that a Student Senator and The Guide For The Perplexed may not serve as a member of the — the now-discontinued under- General Assembly. graduate student directory — The This brings us to the current Commentator has confirmed that 2020 Constitution which in- the pre-2014 Constitution was rati- cludes the various amendments fied in 1995. The authors of the old that were passed in Spring 2018. Constitution are unknown since YSU President Zachary Greenberg the Wilf Constitution — unlike the provided The Commentator with Beren Constitution — does not list a tentative copy of the updated its authors. Constitution. Before the 2014 amendments Article XIII, Section 2, of the Constitution, all the Jewish which stated that the text of the Studies programs, except the Constitution would remain uned- Mazer Yeshiva Program (MYP) ited, and all amendments would be — which was represented by SOY “addenda to the Constitution,” was (Student Organization of Yeshiva) repealed in the Fall 2018. In the — had their own councils — like past, a student running for YCSA the James Striar School Student Secretary/Treasurer had to be “at Council (JSSSC) — in the student least a junior” and “a full-time stu- government, previously known dent of the Yeshiva College for at as the Student Union. The 2014 least one semester prior to taking Constitution eliminated these office.” The latest amendments to councils and consolidated the stu- the Constitution remove these pre- dent governments of MYP, Irving requisites, paving the way for any I. Stone Beit Midrash Program student in Yeshiva College (YC) to run for the position. Under the The Wilf Student Constitution THE COMMENTATOR Monday, March 2, 2020 15

Never. Stop. Commentating.

Got something to share? Email [email protected] 16 Opinions Monday, March 2, 2020

From the SOY President’s Desk Be Happy, It’s Adar

unto them from sorrow to gladness looking to make Adar a fantastic, not only get ourselves mentally we should only be feeling swamped By Yoni Broth (Esther 9:22). Applied to our dis- special time. We are working to prepared for the excitement that by the workload that our profes- cussion, just like we should arrange create many programs and activi- Purim brings on its own, and not sors have given us. We should be In my years here at Yeshiva our court cases and be judged in ties, such as a hilarious game show only to remind ourselves that we energized and enthused by the fact University, during the spring se- Adar in a way that is favorable, night, midnight madness for no have lots to do to get ready for that it is the most exciting month mester, I have always felt a sense so too we should be judged on our reason and a poppers and kugel Purim, but to bring to campus the of the year. of “mishenichnas Adar, marbim midterms in Adar favorably. b’midterms" — when Adar en- However, I think that we also ters, we increase our midterms. need to take the statement at face We are working to create many programs and activities, such as a hilarious However, as we all know, the actual value. In these past two years, it game show night, midnight madness for no reason and a poppers and kugel phrase of this parody is the Gemara has been so hard to feel the “mish- in Ta’anit 29a: “Mishenichnas enichnas Adar, marbim b’simcha” Thursday night pump up event before Shabbat Zachor. Adar, marbim b’simcha" — When because of the fact that we don’t Adar enters, we increase our hap- see the big picture on a day to day piness. This is the goal of Adar, as basis. We get so bogged down with Thursday night pump up event words of that gemara, “mishenich- It really is going to be an amaz- it can serve as a building block for tests and all of our other work, and before Shabbat Zachor. We are nas Adar, marbim b’shimcha.” ing time this year, and we should the excitement of Purim, one of the we are so focused on the moment looking into making our buildings There is no reason that we should all be looking forward to such an most exciting days of the year, and that we are living in, that we forget more festive by hopefully adding blind ourselves to the time of year awesome month, and live with the really get our spirits up. But again, that it is already Adar and we are balloons and streamers to the halls just because we have shiur and mantra: “Be Happy, it’s Adar.” because we are all swamped with supposed to be experiencing the of Furst and Belfer. All of this, to classes. There is no reason that midterms, we never actually feel simcha of this special time. Purim approaching, and it blind- Last year, I decided that I want- sides us as we are about to fast on ed to start the Adar joy in advance, Taanit Esther. Only then do we re- so a friend and I decided to have alize that we need to truck on down “dress-up” days leading up to to the local supermarket to pick up Purim. We had NCSY Day, Trash some candy and cookies to give out Day, Nerd Day and a few more, and for mishloach manot. Only while we had a great time. The people we are fasting do we realize that we around us, on the other hand, gave need to make plans for the Purim us looks of confusion. They asked seudah and that Rabbi Simon has why we were dressed as we were. been trying to collect money for We naturally told them that we matanot la’evyonim, and only then were prepping for Purim and help- do we realize that we should have ing with the build-up and the hype. looked at the megillah to try and However, looking back, we were understand what the holiday of doing more than just building up Purim is about. Purim. We were actively attempt- Now, this is not without rea- ing to create a joyful atmosphere on son. Many acharonim, including campus. We were trying to create a the Chayei Adam and Magen happier environment for ourselves Avraham, quote the idea that and those around us. We were try- if you have a court case against ing to fulfill the idea of“mishenich - a non-Jew, you should try and nas Adar, marbim b'simcha.” Yes, have it done in Adar because of there were tests, and yes, we both the fact that Adar is a month of had tons of work to get done, but happiness. As it says in the me- it was Adar, so we planned these gillah, “v’hachodesh asher nehe- dress-up days anyway. pach la’hem miyagon l’simcha,” This year, the Student and the month which was turned Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) is The 2019 Wilf Campus Purim chagiga YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

We Hope to See You Again Soon: Reflections on the Seforim Sale interactions to be genuine. Hearing this tradition will always continue. remember. Because while it’s easy of history is closed between those By Josh Leichter the stories of the old-timers that As I sit and write this after fin- to forget, it’s not about the book we that have been coming every year have been coming to the sale as ishing the final night of the Sale, buy, but the fact that we buy them and those that are coming for their 10 hours of setup, 27 hours of far back as they can remember, I’m thinking of those conversa- in the first place. To me, the Sale first time. working behind a desk ringing peo- predating any current student tions with the grandparents, and exists as a place where we should This may have been my first ple up and, at the time of writing by at least 30 or 40 years, I was the love they expressed that was leave our preconceived notions year working at the Sale but being this, 10 more hours of clean up. For privileged to observe the kind of so clearly the catalyst for their about other sects of Judaism at behind that desk and seeing the four weekends in February with faces come and go, blending from my fellow cashiers of the Seforim one conversation into another, it’s Sale, I stood behind the cash reg- This may have been my first year working at the Sale but being behind that an experience I will definitely re- ister with a smile only a can of desk and seeing the faces come and go, blending from one conversation into member. So to those that helped nitrous oxide could have created make it possible, I’d like to say and the same memorized greet- another, it’s an experience I will definitely remember. thank you. And to those I chatted ing for every customer that came with as I bagged your books, cher- to us with their baskets of books. ish your reading. To the children It went like this: “Hi, welcome to introspection that we find so rarely purchases. After the initial recoil the door, where someone wearing whose parents bought them the the Sale, did you find everything in our culture, but which felt so at of hearing the final total, they all jeans and a t-shirt can shop along- books that will hopefully spark you were looking for?” We would home surrounded by books that had the same smile and uttered a side someone wearing a white shirt their love of learning in any way, then pause for the response, hoping do the same. A language that is similar phrase, “If it was anything and pair of black slacks. And maybe shape or form, you are all the future it would not spark an existential both very ancient and also recently else, I’d put it back. But these are this comes off as overly sentimental torchbearers of our nation. This discussion about how people never revived after millennia of disuse is seforim, so how I can say I’ll put or hopelessly naïve, but I saw what may mean nothing to you now, but find everything it is they set out to now used to write books that look them back?” Because to put even I saw. It reflected the best that our it will one day. And to the parents find. After all, those conversations to the past as a way of passing the one book back would be to weaken community has to offer. A place and grandparents that spent the were best left for the pizza breaks torch to future generations hun- the never-ending chain of tradition where we were able to help excited money to make that journey pos- we’d take in the back on Sundays dreds of years later. The excited that has gone back since the be- beginners take those first steps on sible, bask in the glow, you’ve more at lunchtime. faces we saw and the squeals of ginning of time itself, albeit in the the path of Jewish learning, and than earned it. So here’s to another But after this greeting and find- joy we heard from children whose smallest of ways. And even if you where others purchased full sets of successful Sale, and in times of di- ing the customer’s name in our parents bought them The Little came, perused or didn’t buy what the Talmud, eager to follow along vision, may it always continue to Shopify system, I found the conver- Midrash Says or one of the infinite would be deemed a “traditional with the recently restarted Daf be a place of unity among us all. sations to be eye-opening and the volumes of Kids Speak show that sefer,” it’s still an experience to Yomi cycle. A place where a gap Monday, March 2, 2020 Opinions 17

The beit midrash on the Beren campus THE COMMENTATOR Women Are Exempt From Learning Torah. So What?

Him, then the value and primacy serious level, there is still a very The value and emphasis of Adopting these ideas in a real By Yoni Schechter of limmud hatorah should hold significant amount of time before women’s Torah study should not way would force many changes. in regard to women as well. While and after this period to engage in be an idea that is difficult to stand The nature of women’s learning Torah is the foundation of there are certainly women who the serious study of Torah. And behind. It is purely calling for would probably have to be more Jewish faith, the secret of Jewish admiringly view serious talmud completely writing off those years Torah learning to be treated with independent or chavrusa-based continuity. It is what gives life Torah as a core value and driving may in itself be extreme; claiming the importance that it deserves. If across the spectrum. The focus meaning, it infuses one’s life with force in their lives, as a community that “household duties”' should we have time in our day, why not would need to be on building holiness, it is a source of pleasure, we sadly don’t seem to view this take up every second of the day no fill it with Torah? It is not as if it skills for serious, life-long Torah it sharpens one’s mind and most as a focus, and we don’t seem to longer holds much water, as the would be replacing a more impor- study, not just the accumulation of importantly, it is the ultimate path think that the emphasis of serious handling of day-to-day life is more tant value or a better use of time al- whatever knowledge is contained towards connection with God. Yes, and devoted Torah study should efficient than ever before. Children ready in place. (I don’t think Netflix in seminary classes. There would studying Torah is one of the 613 apply to women. If the primacy and are in school longer, we no lon- binging counts as a viable path to need to be a shift in the emphasis mitzvot. Yet it is very clearly so importance of Torah study does not ger milk our own cows, churn our God.) These ideas should then be of the value of time spent learning. much more. It is therefore very un- only stem from the mitzvah to do own butter or hand wash laundry. obvious and non-controversial, Similar to the way it is expressed in derstandable that learning Torah so, why should this be the case? It may not be easy; life may get and women spending their time the Glueck beit midrash, limmud is considered the most significant hatorah should be emphasized as a area of religious experience and prime way to spend one’s free time the most valuable way to spend The value and emphasis of women’s Torah study should not be an idea which throughout college, and any op- our time. It is why we as a com- is difficult to stand behind. It is purely calling for Torah learning to be treated portunity to maximize one’s learn- munity place so much emphasis on ing time should ideally be taken making time to learn in a serious with the importance that it deserves. advantage of. We would need to and structured way, sacrificing for be able to build a community of limmud hatorah regardless of the learners (which does exist in some busyness of daily life. The immense A classic response to such prob- busy; yet Torah should remain as seriously learning should be en- seminaries) where serious learning weight we place on Torah study ing is generally along the lines of a constant value, something worth couraged, respected and expected. is seen as “the frum thing to do,” is motivated by so much more “women have to maintain the making time for as much as pos- Yet unfortunately, this is not something that is expected. Night than the biblical commandment Jewish home, and therefore seri- sible. The fact that serious Torah the case. Not only is serious seder, which is just the concrete of talmud Torah; it is a result of ous Torah study is not practical.” study is more accessible than ever Torah learning for women often dedication of time in one’s day to the power that Torah contains and While historically this may have before, with endless high level shi- not encouraged, it is sometimes serious Torah study, should be just the profound effect it has on one been the case, we no longer live urim available on the internet and even mocked. The very beis me- as much of “a thing” on the Beren who learns it. in a reality in which that is a valid a plethora of diverse learning op- drash guy who places the utmost Campus. The obvious question in light excuse. Even if one believes that the portunities, should only make this emphasis on talmud Torah and Most importantly, a mentality of this is: why, as a community, traditional Jewish view is for the more of a reality. who sees firsthand the power it shift would be necessary. Women’s do we not extend this focus on upkeep of the home to fall solely This is not a halakhic issue. contains gives a condescending limmud hatorah must be taken and primacy of learning Torah on the mother and that that struc- Regardless of one’s stance on chuckle upon hearing about a seriously on a communal level; we to women? True, women are not ture must be maintained, we live in women’s gemara learning, the woman learning in night seder. cannot trivialize women’s chelek in commanded to study Torah. Yet an age in which young women are serious study of Torah does not The same guy that spends hours Torah. Talmud Torah is directly the lack of women's formal obli- (generally) not getting married and have to be gemara based. Torah upon hours every day delving into engaging in God and His thought. gation to learn should not affect rearing children in their mid-teens. is massive and can be studied in a the depths of Torah rolls his eyes It is broadening one’s mind and the immense value placed on their As such, young women have serious, structured way in any of its and quickly goes to the next resume infusing one’s life with meaning. experience of Torah, nor should the plenty of time to learn Torah in a areas, even if one is not comfort- if a potential shidduch option is It is the most real way of know- communal emphasis on the impor- serious and dedicated way before able with standardizing gemara described as “having tremendous ing God. It is one of the primary tance of spending time learning they have children to care for. Even learning for women. Any poten- hasmada, an intense motivation foci driving our daily religious ex- be any less. If Torah is chochmat if we were to completely write off tial remaining halakhic hangups to learn Torah.” This should be perience. An exemption from the Hashem, the wisdom of God, and the years in which a woman would with women’s learning have long shocking to us, and the fact that commandment to do so should not learning Torah allows us to be inti- be completely absorbed in raising been done away with across the it is often not treated that way is change that. mately unified and connected with children and would not be realisti- Orthodox spectrum through the concerning and demands serious cally expected to learn at a highly Beis Yaakov movement. reflection as to why. 18 Monday, March 2, 2020

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BUILDING TOMORROW, TO DAY 20 Opinions Monday, March 2, 2020 Why I Love the Opera and Why You Should Too: A Guide for Beginners Watch the orchestra; note the sea of violin literally brought on by a real horse. (The It’s recommended that beginners start By Aharon Nissel bows swaying in sync. Just being aware of Met Opera has a lot of big money thrown at with a well known show (La Boheme, La the music is more important than under- them and they don’t always know what to Traviata or Tosca are classics that are per- Most people, especially young people, standing the nuances therein. The libretto do with it). You are meant to lose yourself in formed time and time again) because, well, feel that opera is not for them. That they (lit. “the book,” the words, and therefore the the grandness of sets and in their immense they’re the classics. Personally, I’d recom- just don’t “get” it. That it is just long, lame plot, of the opera) is meant to reinforce the opulence. mend that beginners stay away from more and boring. That it is just fat women with contemporary stagings, such as highly styl- horned Viking helmets. That it is just an ized or minimalistic productions. While elitist enterprise for stuffy old white men The point of opera is not just the music, or just the singing, or these are certainly important to the opera to enjoy in their plush, gilded box seats. just the staging, but how the entire production comes together canon as an art form, they diverge from the And most people think they certainly don’t traditional grandeur of opera and generally have the money to pay for an opera ticket. as a holistic, extravagant sensation. don’t resonate as much with newer audience While these concerns are certainly valid members. Take a look at production pho- and understandable, they stem from certain tos to make sure it’s a staging that piques misunderstandings about the fundamental emotional nuances of the music. In earlier What must be emphasized is that opera your personal interest. Most important nature of The Opera. operas, librettos were written separately is both a passive and an active experience. when choosing a show is identifying that But they would be wrong. Historically from the music, although that trend changed You remain seated for the duration of the it is something that interests you. Also, you speaking, opera actually evolved in part as in the 19th century with the work of (anti- performance, still and observant, but you may want to listen to the music in advance, a popular art form. It developed as enter- Semitic) composer Richard Wagner. The must also be actively aware of everything that just to familiarize yourself with the sound tainment for the masses, who were seen by lyrics of the music will not be so relevant, is going on. In a sense, the opera experience before going in. aristocrats as being unable to comprehend especially if you don’t speak the language is an exercise in mindfulness. Be aware of You’ll probably want to read the plot in the complexities and intricacies of high- being sung. While you might only pick up a the music, and the singing, and the set and advance, too. Most classic opera plots are class theater. few key words and phrases here and there, every little detail. See how it comes together, simple, and not particularly compelling. You certainly don’t have to be an expert the lyrics and plot are less integral to the and then get lost in it all. They are certainly high in emotion — grief, in the music or the singing (very few people opera experience, so that’s okay. As far as prices go, while it’s true there love, hatred — but they are generally not in the audience actually are; most are just Naturally the singing is also an essential are tickets that can go for upwards of $400, meant to be over-analyzed or thought too pretending) to appreciate it. You just need component of the opera. A basic knowledge but most opera houses also have options and hard about. Trying to understand every nu- to be open to the production and enjoy the of the Fachs system, which categorizes Opera programs for us plebeians. The Met Opera ance in the plot can actually detract from theatricality of it all. Opera is bigger than singers’ vocal ranges, is helpful, but certainly offers tickets for as low as $25 in the family the overall experience. In this vein, the dia- Broadway. The sets are bigger, the orchestras not necessary. Instead, focus on the difficulty circle (the highest seating level), and offers logue is not particularly important either, are bigger, the theater is bigger, the audience of the singing, such as the length of notes rush tickets the day of the performance for especially given that it will probably be in is bigger, the theatrics are bigger. And opera or the smoothness of the sound (or even a $25 for orchestra seats that could normally a foreign language. Most opera houses will singers don’t use microphones. deliberate jagged sound). Notice the intense cost hundreds of dollars. Additionally, if either project English translations of the The point of opera is not just the music, emotions that pour out of the singers’ voices you register as a student, which is free to do lyrics from their original language, or, as or just the singing, or just the staging, but and how the singing matches the emotional with a valid student ID, you can purchase the Met Opera does, will translate them on how the entire production comes together flow of the music. Note that opera sing- orchestra seats to select shows in advance screens on the back of the seat in front of you. as a holistic, extravagant sensation. The ers are singing in massive auditoriums for for just $35. This can take some time getting used to, but audience is meant to get lost in the entire thousands of people with no microphones. And while yes, there will be plenty of you’ll become accustomed to it soon enough. opera. But what does that mean? It means It's a Herculean feat. Also, if you check your people wearing tuxedos and ball gowns at Going to school in New York City opens an awareness of the interplay between the program, you’ll see that opera singers are the Opera, it certainly isn’t at all mandatory up incredible opportunities for cultural ex- various factors that form the operatic gestalt. an incredibly diverse group. The current – ou’ll also see some people wearing jeans periences — the Met Opera is just a train Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, production of Le Nozze de Figaro at the and a t-shirt. That being said, I personally ride away. Give it a go! No art form is for is the music. Most audience members do Met Opera features singers from Venezuela, would recommend wearing your Sunday everyone, and opera is no exception. If you not know the fancy Italian words that de- Czech Republic and Alabama! best. Enjoy, just for a few hours, the lavish- don’t enjoy it, that’s fine too. scribe the notes and melodies. Most audience The spectacle aspect of the opera is cer- ness of the opera and the feeling of preten- Opera provides us with a way to forget the members probably can’t even name all the tainly my favorite part. An opera stage is tiousness that goes along with it. Glide up honking and hullabaloo of the city around instruments in the orchestra! The ultimate massive, and, because the audience can be the curving staircases, dragging your arm up us, and to take a journey to some other place goal is not to be wowed by the complexity four or five levels up, needs to be very tall. the gold banisters. Turn it into an experience and explore that world and its story. It’s an of the composition or the particulars of the This means that the sets must occupy an and enjoy yourself. opportunity to think about artistic ambi- music, although that may be a result, but immense amount of space, horizontally and Choosing an opera is an art form in and tion, diversity and the experience of going to be consumed by the emotion that lays vertically. The result is incredibly elaborate of itself. Most operas last several hours. The together to find something greater. It takes behind it. To realize when the music gets and exaggerated sets that take your breath Met Opera website is very clear about how a lot of motivated, creative people to put louder or softer, and faster or slower. These away. Take, for example, the street scene in long each show is, and exactly how long and together an opera. But the show is only com- are things one can notice without knowing all Act II of Puccini’s La Boheme. The current how many intermissions there will be in a plete when an audience has seen it. Now it's the jargon. In fact, a deep knowledge of the staging at the Met Opera by Fraco Zeferreli given show. Some performances will have time for you to make your entrance. technical aspects of the music and singing features a two-story set with close to 250 two intermissions, some will have none. can actually detract from the experience, performers on stage. When the diva Musetta Some productions give you more intermis- leading to an overly critical view. shows up in a horse drawn carriage, she is sion time then you know what to do with.

The Met Opera has a lot of big money thrown at them and they don’t always know what to do with it. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Monday, March 2, 2020 Opinions 21 A Touro Take: My Experience Working at the YU Seforim Sale

Sale staff sweatshirt and manning in the entire seforim sale. To the doubt many other students had to passionate about Torah, experi- By Elyanna Saperstein my beloved section, “scholarly and best of my knowledge, I am the face unique to my situation like, enced new and nuanced perspec- academic works.” first and only student to work at “how do I get into a YU building? tives, spent lots of time around YU has been at the center of The mess that I call my own the Seforim Sale from my institu- What if security stops me? Where incredible (and controversial) my underdeveloped religious hashkafa — a mad mix between tion of higher learning, and one of even are the buildings?” To my sur- books and am being paid in seforim consciousness ever since I can the chareidi and modern orthodox the few Seforim Sale staff mem- prise, people were friendly, security (which is obviously the best perk). remember having an underde- ideals in an attempt at a truth — is bers not currently attending YU wasn't an issue as long as I had my I want to take this opportunity veloped religious consciousness. beautifully reflected in the books of (shoutout to Yael Cohnen). Despite license and everyone seemed eager and platform to say thank you It's where my rebbeim came from, to my friends who encouraged where the people I admire stud- Even now I attend a college known to be a bastion for the chareidi world. It my love of books (and wrote ri- ied and where the biggest Jewish diculously long emails to various ideological debates today are therefore surprises most people where I spend my February nights — proudly Seforim Sale admins to try and get fought. I personally don't come me an interview) and to the people from a Modern Orthodox fam- wearing my YU seforim sale staff sweatshirt and manning my beloved section, who encouraged me to apply to ily or background — my brother the Seforim Sale despite going to wears a black hat, and a couple of “scholarly and academic works.” the “wrong” school. Most of all, I years ago you would have found in am grateful to all the people who me in my post-Bais Yaakov right- my section. Books with conflicting my outsider status, I feel distinctly to help me find whatever I needed. decided to look outside the YU wing Modern Orthodox-machmir ideas and ideologies juxtaposed at home in between the stacks of It seems that a shared love of books bubble and invite me into their high school, and later seminary. on each other as if in a dialogue, books, their singularity mirroring is a strong binder. And along with world filled with Torah, books and Even now, I attend Lander College all in a quest to uncover truth. my own experience. the unique downsides of working the wonderful experience that is for Women, a college known as a From treatises on Halacha and its It’s been a fascinating experi- at the Seforim Sale as an outsider the seforim sale. bastion of the yeshivish world. It process to biblical criticism and ence to be able to participate in an (like trying to fit my very non-YU therefore surprised most people rabbinic responses, the academic activity usually reserved for insid- schedule into Seforim Sale slots) Elyana Sperstein is a senior where I spent my February nights section has the privilege of being ers of a highly-specific university there are amazing upsides too. I studying marketing at Touro — proudly wearing my YU Seforim one of the most diverse sections community. I had anxieties that I have gotten to know people truly College.

It therefore surprises most people where I spent my February nights — proudly wearing my YU seforim sale staff sweatshirt THE COMMENTATOR and manning my beloved section, “scholarly and academic works.” 22 Opinions Monday, March 2, 2020

Marc Stern, Chief Legal Officer at the AJC, spoke to YU students at an event. SRULI FRUCHTER Partisanship and Our Jewish Identity

Feb. 18, at an event titled, “President Trump’s Stern went on to broaden the conver- political frameworks. Similarly, Gallup’s By Sruli Fruchter Order on Anti-Semitism.” sation to confront challenging questions 2019 report “American Jews, Politics and I had the distinct privilege of inviting facing the Jewish community: When does Israel” revealed that, despite 95% of Jews Whether from the media or our experi- Marc Stern, the Chief Legal Officer at the anti-Israel rhetoric cross the line into anti- having “favorable views of Israel,” there ences, we see that political conversations can AJC, to delineate the legal ramifications Semitism? Is BDS anti-Semitic? Are Jews a were still disparities in their perspectives quickly turn from productive to polarizing. of President Trump’s executive order on race, a nationality, an ethnicity, or a com- on former Presidential Candidate Hilary At Yeshiva University, however, we are able anti-Semitism, passed in December of 2019. bination of the three? How do we navi- Clinton, former President Barack Obama, to collectively transcend our party lines when Held within the intimate setting of Furst gate the legal system in combatting rising and current President Donald Trump, for dealing with our unique commonality: our Hall’s 206 classroom, this event successfully anti-Semitism on the college campus and example. The point is less so to focus on the Jewish identity. unraveled the complexities surrounding the world around us? All of these pressing intricate details on Jewish political opinions, In a 2014 religious landscape study, the President’s order. I initially presumed questions were answered from a place of and more so to acknowledge that the foun- Pew Research Center reported that 64% of that an event tackling this national contro- genuity, not a political agenda, and the at- dational aspects of our Jewish identity — our American Jews identify as or lean toward versy would limit the diversity of our pool tending students seemed to recognize that. history, our nationhood and our Zionism, Democrat, 26% of American Jews identify of attendees, isolating students like political When my fellow YU students embraced to name a few — remain strong, intact and as or lean toward Republican, and 9% did discourse often does. However, the event this event and the nationally contentious non-partisan. not lean either way. Further analysis from drew YU students from all dimensions of issues it addressed, they nullified the unwar- Partnering with the AJC and various YU this particular study showed the disparities the political sphere. ranted partisanship regarding Zionism and clubs created a space where the diversities of Jewish support regarding specific issues Organized primarily between the anti-Semitism. This, however, should not be within our student body were trumped by like abortion and environmental regulation, Jacob Hecht Pre-Law Society and Yeshiva conflated to insinuate that all Jews must be our identity as Jews. During that evening for example. University Political Action Club (YUPAC), politically in-sync; such a notion is far from event, whether Democrat, Republican or Coupling those findings with the the event was also co-sponsored by the the truth and is very dangerous. Libertarian, students were joined together by American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) 2019 Yeshiva College Student Association (YCSA), survey, “American Jews on Antisemitism Stern College for Women Student Council Partnering with the American Jewish Committee and various in America,” affirms that our Jewish iden- (SCWSC) and the Political Science Society. tity transcends partisan lines. For instance, Additionally, the event received unique “tri- YU clubs created a space where the diversities within our the survey showed that 88% of Jews found partisanship” when the YU Democrats, YU anti-Semitism to be a problem in America, Libertarians and the YU Republicans joined student body were trumped by our identity as Jews. and 84% of Jews deemed saying “Israel in co-sponsoring it. has no right to exist” to be an anti-Semitic During the event, students of various po- statement. These two examples indicate the litical and ideological affiliations leaned in as Jews, like all people, can ideologically our collective identity as Jews, disregarding Jewish unity can be found when confronted Stern simplified and sifted through the facts or philosophically differ on the correct ap- our political affiliations and ideologies. In with threats against our existence as a people and fallacies surrounding President Trump’s proaches to combatting anti-Semitism or today’s political climate, we see that many is- and Israel’s existence as our homeland; these executive order. He further broke down the resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, for sues have unnecessarily become politicized; are two fundamental factors of our Jewish International Holocaust Remembrance example; the plurality of ideas within our we must ensure that our Jewish identity is identity. Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of Jewish perspectives is healthy and necessary. not one of them. The reality of non-partisan Jewish identity anti-Semitism, a critical component to un- AJC’s aforementioned survey captured the is one I personally experienced on Tuesday, derstanding the President’s order. difference of opinion Jews have with broader Monday, March 2, 2020 Business 23 Sounds Good! How Streaming Services Came to Be wanted — putting a huge dent in the grow a music library with minimal services such as SoundCloud offers innovative marketing campaigns By Avi Lekowsky music industry’s profits and forever effort and no hit on a users wallet. a slightly different service catering and creative new ventures. changing the way people conceived Enter 2008, when listening to less to established musicians and The competition amongst As Generation Z-ers, we have of music. Eventually, after a series music through sites like YouTube more towards the up and coming streaming services has led to rising experienced many forms of mu- of tumultuous lawsuits, Napster and Pandora was already gaining artists. Many big names grew out revenues for music label compa- sic listening. Born into the rise of was forced to close their operations. momentum. More significantly, of the platform, lending the term nies. In the first 6 months of 2019, the CD era, now, the current Gen But Napster’s novelty paved the however, 2008 marked the begin- “SoundCloud Generation'' to re- music streaming brought in $4.3 Z-er likely has at least one mu- way for future streaming services ning of a new era of music: Spotify. fer to artists such as Bryson Tiller, billion of revenue, an increase of sic streaming subscription filled Shortly after the fall of Napster, 26% from the prior year. That ac- with playlists for every imaginable The Pirate Bay launched to assist counts for about 80% of the music mood. For many streaming enthu- users to easily acquire music. The These services, once thought to be the end of the industry’s money! siasts, the platforms have become Pirate Bay offered users the ability lucrative music business, now account for the Streaming music has been so almost social media-like, where to illegally acquire copied enter- successful that according to Warner fellow users can follow one another tainment ranging from games to majority of the music industry’s revenue. Music’s filing, many services will be and broaden their auditory inter- music. While many lawsuits have looking to raise their prices soon. ests. But current streaming plat- been filed throughout the years, Why would streaming companies forms are a culmination of years surprisingly The Pirate Bay con- Founded by Daniel Ek and Lil Pump and Chance the Rapper. feel comfortable doing this? Well, of innovation and creativity. These tinues to operate today Martin Lorentzon, Spotify be- However, Spotify’s biggest com- because they can! All-in-all, $10 a services, once thought to be the end However, for users seeking a le- gan development in Stockholm, petitor came in the form of a service month is not a lot to spend on mu- of the lucrative music business, gal route to acquiring music, iTunes Sweden in 2006 as a response to formerly known as Beats Music. sic (a number cut in half if you’re now account for the majority of the allowed people to easily purchase the growing piracy problem the After being acquired by Apple a college student). A quick search music industry’s revenue. music for $0.99. The quickness music industry was facing. The in 2014, the Beats Music platform online shows that CD’s generally While proto-streaming services and simplicity of iTunes alone concept behind Spotify was to of- was repurposed for the launch sell for around $10-$15, so to have originated in the ‘90s, the industry drew many people away from the fer users a sleek interface and an of Apple’s newest music plat- virtual access to millions of songs really began to take off in the early file sharing life. Within the first à la carte option of playing music. form: Apple Music. Featuring a pretty much anywhere is still a bar- 2000s, when radio stations made week of launching, over a million Initially, Spotify was only available star-studded launch, major ad gain. Plus, once people get used to their streams available online. songs were sold and iTunes quickly in European countries but quickly campaigns and initial exclusive that convenience, it’s hard to go Over time, online stations catered became the preferred way to buy expanded to the global market. streaming rights to albums from back. While the extra few dollars specifically to a user’s music genre music. Today, they boast of having over artists like Taylor Swift and Frank may be marginal to subscribers, started to emerge. But the biggest While CD sales reached a peak 270 million active monthly users. Ocean, Apple Music, like its prede- cumulatively however, streaming shock to the music industry hap- of $13.2 billion in sales in 2000, in But Spotify's success ushered in cessor iTunes, came out the door services will be increasing their pened during a 60-hour coding 2019 CD Sales were down to $1.8 a new era for the music world: the swinging. However, even with the annual revenues by the millions. marathon: Napster. The program billion; however, while iTunes of- streaming wars. While YouTube capital that has been poured into allowed people to freely share their fered a legal way to acquire music, and Pandora are established Apple Music, Spotify has still been favorite songs from any artist they piracy was still the easiest way to streaming competitors, newer able to maintain its lead through

Streaming services are becoming a major source of revenue for the music industry. PIXABAY 24 Monday, March 2, 2020

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