he ommentator T The Independent C Student Newspaper of Yeshiva University

VOL. LXXXV MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 ISSUE NO. 4 Alluf Returns to the Court for Men’s Basketball After a Season-Long Absence

provided to Yeshiva, we – Yeshiva By Chana Weinberg University and its community of students, faculty and alumni – take As first reported by Macslive. pride in holding ourselves to the com, senior point-guard Bar Alluf highest possible standards on and is suiting up for the ‘19-‘20 men’s off of the court. As such, we have basketball season after sitting decided that Mr. Alluf will not play out in ‘18-‘19 over NCAA eligibil- in the tournament in order to avoid ity concerns. Alluf was second in any possible impact these new al- three-point percentage, shooting legations may have on our team's percentage and average points participation.” per game and was named an All- After their beliefs were con- Conference First Team Player dur- firmed that his “eligibility was ing the Mac’s Skyline Conference properly certified,” he did not play championship-winning season in in the 2018-2019 basketball sea- ‘17-‘18. son, though he did play volleyball On March 2, 2018, as the men’s in Spring 2019. basketball Macs were about to In conversations with YU’s make their first appearance in the NCAA compliance officer Marty NCAA tournament, an undisclosed Craft and athletics director Joe team brought forward allegations Bednarsh, it was confirmed that about Alluf’s amateurism status. Alluf sitting out the ‘18-‘19 bas- “We immediately reviewed this ketball season was not related to information with the conference of- the allegations brought forward fice and experts on NCAA eligibility about his amateurism at the end rules,” said the statement released of the ‘17-‘18 season. In the con- by YU Athletics on March 2, 2018. versation, it was not made clear “While this review confirmed our what aspect of Alluf’s eligibility belief that Mr. Alluf's eligibility was properly certified based on Continued on Page 5 Bar Alluf in 2017 YU ATHLETICS the information that had been

Administration Admits Former Student Leaders Detail Past Failure at Meal Plan Town Efforts for LGBTQ Inclusion Halls three student council presidents submitted for approval under By Jacob Stone had a series of meetings with SCWSC on Beren Campus and — who represented the President’s the staff of the Office of Student under YSU and YCSA on Wilf By Yosef Lemel and office; Jonathan Schwab, Director Over the course of last year, the Life (OSL) and Dr. Chaim Nissel, Campus in spring 2019. The club Michelle Naim of Housing and Residence Life at presidents of the undergraduate University Dean of Students, to sought to “provide a safe space for the Wilf Campus and Dr. Karen student councils repeatedly met discuss ways to make LGBTQ stu- students to meet, support each In response to student com- Bacon, Dean of the Undergraduate with President Berman and oth- dents feel more welcome on cam- other, and talk about issues re- plaints regarding Yeshiva Faculty of Arts and Sciences. er university officials to discuss University’s new undergraduate Schwab was the primary speaker the issue of LGBTQ inclusion on “Our influence as student leaders felt like a meal plan, informational sessions at the Wilf event. Also in atten- campus. Amitai Miller, Shoshana were held on the Wilf and Beren dance at Wilf were Cohen; Rabbi Marder and Nolan Edmonson, facade. And it seemed that administrators felt campuses on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Josh Weisberg, Senior Director of last year’s presidents of Yeshiva Approximately 30 students were Student Life and Samuel Chasan, College Student’s Association similarly shackled by a system of hazy processes, present at each session. Director of Dining Services. (YCSA), Stern College for Women deflections of responsibility, and crippling Student Council (SCWSC) and Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) re- stagnation.” “We hear you and will be making changes. I am spectively, were heavily involved ___ hopeful that the changes will be announced within with these discussions. Miller, Shoshana Marder, former president of SCWSC Marder and Edmonson believed a few days.” that LGBTQ inclusion was a seri- ___ ous issue that needed to be ad- pus. With growing support among lated to the intersection of sexual the student body for some form of orientation and Jewish identity.” Dean of Students Chaim Nissel dressed in YU student life and tried to initiate discussion with an LGBTQ club, they discussed, Miller, Marder, and Edmonson the administration on the matter. among other things, the creation were contacted during the club Representing the administra- From the outset of his presen- “Our approach to addressing of a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) application process by members tion at the Beren event were Randy tation, Schwab stated, “The peo- LGBTQ inclusion was to collabo- on campus. During their discus- of the OSL, who told them that Apfelbaum, Chief Facilities and ple who would have made more rate with the YU administration to sions with the OSL and Dean the GSA could not be approved. Administrative Officer, who was sense to present tonight both were better understand and practically Nissel, they came to believe that They were informed that a club the primary speaker; Rachel Kraut, unavailable,” in reference to Dr. address LGBTQ students’ needs,” an application for a GSA during addressing tolerance in the Director of Housing and Residence said Miller. the spring 2019 semester could Continued on Page 3 Life at the Beren Campus; Yoni Continued on Page 4 In the fall 2018 semester, the be approved in some form. Cohen, Director of Special Projects An application for a GSA was

NEWS | 6 FEATURES | 16 OPINIONS | 17 BUSINESS | 23 Second Student Caught in Elevator Scare Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Why We Must Acknowledge Carlebach’s Would You Like to Hedge the on Beren Campus Dr. Neil Rogachevsky Sexual Abuses Verdict? 2 From the Editor’s Desk Monday, November 25, 2019

The Commentator 2019-2020

Editor-in-Chief From the Editor’s Desk AVI HIRSCH Managing Editor YOSSI ZIMILOVER

News It Is Time to End the Senior Editor Junior Editors YITZCHAK CARROLL JACOB ROSENFELD Failed Dining Plan Experiment ELISHEVA KOHN

scrambling to buy as much as they can forum was led by Director of University Features By The Commentator from YU’s cafeterias at the discounted rate Housing and Residence Life Jonathan Senior Editor Junior Editor Editorial Board (participating restaurants do not discount Schwab, who confessed to attendees JACOB STONE YOSEF LEMEL their prices) to avoid suffering a loss. that he was not one of “the people who In response to student dissatisfac- All of these complex calculations speak would have made more sense to pres- Opinions tion with high cafeteria prices and extra to the other major flaw with the plan: ent” and that he was merely reading off a Senior Editor Junior Editor money left over at the end of the year, it is not designed with transparency in PowerPoint created by another university CHANA WEINBERG MICHAEL WEINER the YU Dining Club plans were radically mind. Although some food items have administrator. At the session, Schwab restructured at the beginning of this year. both full and discounted prices listed in admitted that things “could have been Business the cafeteria, some do not have a listed done a lot better” — and they certainly The resultant system has been a mess, Senior Editor Junior Editor discount price; the membership discount should have. Meanwhile, at the Beren leaving many students with little to no ELI FRISHMAN EITAN LAVIAN money left with weeks to go in the semes- is applied only after an item is purchased, session, one administrator patronizingly ter. Chief Facilities and Administrative which makes scanning the item’s price to responded to Apfelbaum’s statement on Officer Randy Apfelbaum has contended ascertain the discounted price useless. overhead costs by remarking that students Senior Layout Editor Students have been left unable to budget “don’t care. They don’t care how much you that the new system was the administra- ROCKY PINCUS tion’s response to frustrations expressed themselves for the semester due to the pay for staff and pots. They’re students.” in student focus groups last year, but it frustratingly convoluted new payment One Beren student’s remarks in op- system. position to the dining plan revisions Social Media Manager remains unclear how those comments AHARON NISSEL led to a plan so unpopular that over 300 students have signed a petition in protest. What is clear is that the new plan, The new system is a violation of the trust we placed in Website Manager which is both confusing and expensive, YU’s administration to act in our best interest and must ELAZAR KRAUSZ negatively affects most students. It has become nearly impossible to live off the immediately be replaced with one that takes into account Business Manager lower level meal plan without resorting to Senior Manager Junior Manager adding additional funds. The reaction of the difficult financial situation of many of YU’s students, SAMUEL KATZ MEIR LIGHTMAN the administration to frustrated students has been to emphasize the optics of the treating them with the dignity they deserve. discount while dismissing the significant Programmer financial concerns of the student body. OMAR FARUK Additionally, while administrators con- One student concern that the new plan speak to the heart of the issue and the tend that the membership fee is neces- was supposed to solve was remaining imperative need for change. “I decided to sary to recoup operating expenses, they funds left over at the end of the year. But become kosher,” remarked the student at Layout Staff have neglected to offer a convincing ex- out-of-towners and international stu- the Beren info session. “I decided to take ARIELLA BENOVITZ, MICHELLE NAIM, planation as to how the overhead costs dents, an increasingly growing group on this challenge on myself. I am grateful TEMIMA YELLIN of YU’s Dining Services exceed those of campus, had the opposite problem. Unlike that we have a kosher cafeteria and it is other kosher food establishments and so-called “in-towners,” these students easy to be kosher when I’m here, but now often remain on campus for Shabbat, I am literally working my a-- off every day supermarkets. Staff Writers The new system is a violation of the eat meals in the YU cafeterias on Fridays of the week to pay for the $3,000 of my trust we placed in YU’s administration to and Sundays, and buy food on school reduced meal plan and now I see that I SARAH BEN-NUN, MAYER FINK, SRULI act in our best interest and must immedi- holidays. As last semester came to an have $100 left.” FRUCHTER, ZACHARY GREENBERG, ately be replaced with one that takes into end, these students were running out of Hearing the calls of struggling students NATHAN HAKAKIAN, AVI LEKOWSKY, account the difficult financial situation funds, with many forced to borrow their at info sessions is just the tip of the iceberg DANIEL MELOOL, MICHELLE NAIM, of many of YU’s students, treating them friends’ “caf” cards to buy food. With the and does little to rectify the predicament DONIEL WEINREICH with the dignity they deserve. Moving new plan, the YU administration has sent so many of our peers are facing. Tangible forward, our trust in YU can only be re- a message that these students will be left action must now be taken to right the stored through increased transparency to fend for themselves. wrong that was perpetrated upon our- and meaningful dialogue with those mak- Three months into the semester, selves and our classmates. ing decisions that impact us on our behalf. only after the student outcry over the Accordingly, we feel it is imperative Perhaps the most basic flaw with the plan reached its breaking point — with for the university to rectify the problems The Commentator is the student newspaper of new plan is that it charges students too articles in both The Observer and The that they themselves created. Reverting Yeshiva University. much for too little. For the average stu- Commentator, as well as the aforemen- to the simpler dining plan structure from tioned student petition — the administra- last year is the most basic step that must For 85 years, The Commentator has served dent — who is on the lower of the two students and administrators as a communicative plans — the flat “membership” fee of tion finally caved, only to schedule two be taken. Recognizing that cafeteria items conduit; a kinetic vehicle disseminating $1,350 for the year that they must now “info” sessions with the stated goal of are expensive, the university ought to undergraduate social, religious and academic beliefs across the student bodies; and a reliable pay amounts to more than all of the dis- responding to student questions to “bet- look into ways to mitigate these costs for ter explain” the plans as they are, with students, who are already struggling to reflection of Yeshiva student life to the broader count they will receive over the course of Jewish and American communities. the year for being a member. Students no mention of any intention to change make ends meet and pay YU’s hefty tuition have been urged to add more of their them. Over the course of the sessions, and fees. Recognizing student frustration The Commentator staff claims students own money to their chosen plan over the approximately 60 students questioned with leftover meal plan balances, perhaps spanning the diverse spectrum of backgrounds and beliefs represented at Yeshiva. course of the semester in order to break representatives from the administration, the university should push for solutions searching for some logic that would ex- to return unused funds back to students. even, since all funds added are discounted We are united by our passion for living the in the cafeterias. It’s important to keep in plain why the plan was changed in the Either way, something must be done to ideals of Torah Umadda, and a commitment to mind that however much money a stu- first place and what benefit the new plan fix the broken system and end the injus- journalistic excellence. dent has left over at the end of the year, was supposed to infer on the students. tice that has been committed against the The sessions did little to assuage stu- student body of YU. Visit us online at their membership fee has already been www.yucommentator.org. paid. To recover that fee, students are left dents’ contentions. The Wilf Campus Monday, November 25, 2019 7 Up 7 Down 3

The Elevator Manifesto LGBTQ, continued from Front Page “Under no circumstances should you hold the [elevator] door open to finish a conversation 1 or wait for your friend to get out of the bathroom.” – Unknown (nevertheless, my new university community would be allowed to form, but #YUhero) a club specifically addressing LGBTQ inclusion would not. The club application was denied. Thanksgiving After this, Miller, Marder and Edmonson had ad- ditional meetings with Dean Nissel discussing the issue A pumpkin spice-themed Shabbos meal with a bunch of crazy Americans who try to of LGBTQ students’ experience on campus. “We know 2 convince you that it isn’t chukas akum. But hey, at least you get to use your phone. that some of the student leaders were frustrated last #shabbospregame year,” said Nissel about the meetings. “But the conver- sations helped provide more insight into the LGBTQ+ students’ experience on campus and pave the way for See someone juuling? additional conversations this year.” Earlier, in December 2018, Miller, Marder and 3 I called, but nobody picked up. What kind of sick joke is this? #whistleblower Edmonson had emailed the President’s Office, asking to meet with President Berman regarding the club approval process and to discuss the importance of the Torah Tours: Building the Jewish Home Since 1969 creation of a space for LGBTQ students on campus. In the email, Edmonson wrote, “It has happened in The Start of Something New, or The Worst Trip Ever. There is no in-between. the past that events proposed by students and clubs 4 are rejected often without a clear reason as to why or a clear determination as to who rejected the event.” They hoped that in meeting with President Berman, Seforim Sale interviews they could create more open communication regard- ing club and event approval, especially concerning the Speed dating … but it’s frum and free!!! creation of a space for LGBTQ students on campus. 5 They also hoped that he would have the authority to make decisions on the issue that other members of the Rick and Morty season 4 administration lacked. In February 2019, they met with President Berman, “What did you do while you were waiting? Hope you didn’t sit around and waste your who argued that the issue of LGBTQ inclusion on 6 life!” -Mr. Poopybutthole campus should be solved through student-facilitated discussion, not administrative decisions. He did not articulate a standard by which LGBTQ-themed events Being our own top fans on Facebook could be approved. He also did not express support for the creation of a GSA but thought that student input Sounds about right. Get your badge now: https://www.facebook.com/ from the diverse community of students at YU was vital

7 YUCommentator/ in the discussion of LGBTQ issues. Miller, Marder and Edmonson left the meeting

frustrated. “I felt as though the administration gener-

ally, and President Berman particularly, regarded the issue of LGBTQ inclusion on campus as not important

7 DOWN enough to merit serious thought or consideration,” said by Elisheva Kohn Edmonson. “Additionally, it seemed that the school just 7UP did not value the input of its student leaders.” Following the meeting, Miller, Marder and Edmonson decided to arrange a conversation between a diverse group of students, hoping to create the type of dialogue that President Berman had requested. They invited LGBTQ and straight students, men and women, students who spent their day in the beit midrash and Sitting on the wrong side of the Monsey Trails bus others who did not. They also invited Dean Nissel and mechitza a representative from the President’s Office to sit in on 1 the discussion. They hoped the meeting would facilitate Still less traumatizing than sneezing on the 4th floor. communication between the spectrum of students at YU and members of the administration regarding LGBTQ Computer Science internships versus literally any other issues. “We were optimistic that this would not only start a dialogue but would reach practical solutions for internship out there President Berman to consider,” said Miller. 2 In March, while the meeting was being sched- FREE TRAVEL, FREE FOOD, FREE APARTMENT, AND FREE SWAG sound so uled, President Berman responded to them via email. much better than “coffee and payment not included." “Although the format you’ve described is not really what I had in mind,” wrote Berman, “I appreciate you WiFigate taking the initiative.” To facilitate further discussion, President Berman invited Dean Nissel and the seven It was either Baby Yoda or the Ukrainians. 3 student council presidents, including Miller, Marder and Edmonson, to another meeting “to talk about how best to facilitate discourse around important issues that Bio majors matter to our students and the campus community.” According to the three student council presidents, It’s not your fault, but we all hate you. 4 more conversations with the administration led them to feel that the administration would not pay atten- tion to the results of the conversation they had previ- No Keilim Mikvah near Stern ously arranged between students. Consequently, they abandoned the idea and focused on the new meeting Great. Now we can’t toivel all those prohibited kitchen appliances housing keeps scheduled with President Berman. warning us about. #Wedidn’tstartthefire 5 At the meeting, they were disappointed to find that President Berman tried to discuss other topics, such as women’s involvement on campus, while giving limited Open House time to the discussion of LGBTQ issues. “We had very different agendas in the meeting,” said Marder. “It was Ah, the sweet smell of naiveté, accompanied by clueless parents, hyperenthusiastic clear that President Berman wanted to talk generally, administrators, and FREE FOOD! 6 while we tried to prioritize the issue of dialogue around LGBTQ inclusivity, the reason we felt we were having the meeting to begin with.” Biweekly reminder that the elevators will never be fixed Continued on Page 4 Do they think we are going to jump over the fence…? Count += 1 7 4 News Monday, November 25, 2019

the students “had some comments and gather more student focus groups to sug- Wilf Q&A TOWN HALLS, tweaks which were incorporated. But, gen- gest changes to the current meal plan. “If continued from Front Page erally, the reaction was positive. Otherwise, the changes are technically feasible and fi- Throughout the session, Schwab apolo- it would have been dead on arrival.” nancially feasible we will absolutely make gized to students for the way the implemen- Chaim Nissel, Dean of Students — who Yossi Zimilover (SSSB ‘20), a member changes,” he said. tation of the meal plan was handled by the was not present at either session — and of the focus group, commented, “At the fo- After both meetings, Dean Nissel re- university. “For students to be frustrated Apfelbaum. cus group, they presented the plan and its marked, “We hear you and will be making by it is entirely reasonable and understand- Before the meeting, Mili Chizhik (SCW reasoning. It kind of made sense at first but changes. I am hopeful that the changes will able,” he said. “I think we could have done ‘22), a student who has advocated against the obviously, we didn’t know that they were be announced within a few days.” As of the a better job alerting the students that the current meal plan, mentioned that she had lowering the buying power of people and time of publication, Cohen did not respond meal plan was changed.” set up at least two meetings with Apfelbaum we weren’t going to whip out our calculators to a request for comment. When students asked what options the in the last two weeks, both of which he can- and figure it out.” university was looking into implementing celed, one of which was canceled less than 45 Another member of the focus group who Beren Q&A for next semester, Schwab stated that they minutes before the meeting was scheduled agreed to comment on the condition of ano- are considering “implementing a new meal to take place. Apfelbaum canceled the other nymity also recalled that students in the A common theme throughout the meet- plan that is just $1,500 with no membership meeting because he had to attend a funeral group “were unfazed and onboard” with ing was that students were more concerned and no discount,” among other options. in Toronto, Chizhik said. In response to the the plan which he “personally found pretty about their day-to-day experience in the After one student suggested the imple- informational session, she remarked, “I don’t shocking at the time.” “I thought that people cafeteria than the technicalities of the plan. mentation of a meal swipe system, Schwab think it’ll be helpful. And ask me after the were not going to be too keen with having One student even said that she can only eat indicated that it would be a complicated sys- meeting and I’ll say the same thing.” half of their money not be spendable,” he three bagels a day in order to afford to eat tem to switch over to. “It can be particularly The first part of both events was devoted stated. in the cafeteria. complicated given the nature of kosher food to a PowerPoint presentation prepared by The new meal plan split the overhead Another student relating her experiences and the eating habits of Modern Orthodox the university to address common concerns costs at the beginning of the process. said, “I decided to become kosher. I decided Jews which might be different than other of students regarding the plan. After the Instead of students paying for overhead to take this challenge on myself. I am grate- college populations. It’s something that we PowerPoint presentation, a question and costs throughout the semester, a fixed $675 ful that we have a kosher cafeteria and it is can explore, but very carefully. It has the answer session was held. fee was instituted on both the reduced and easy to be kosher when I’m here, but now potential for making things worse,” Schwab Last year’s meal plan consisted of three standard plans. The up-front fee allowed I am literally working my a-- off every day stated. different tiers and ran on a declining balance the university to reduce all food prices by of the week to pay for the $3,000 of my re- Schwab indicated that he had trouble program. First-year students were unable to approximately 40%. Students would be able duced meal plan and now I see that I have understanding why students who are on the buy in under the lowest tier. According to to add funds with no further fees incurred. $100 left.” same plan as last year are running out of Apfelbaum and Schwab, the administration Under the new plan, there are only two tiers “What’s the point of the meal plan? I am money earlier. According to Schwab, Dining heard a number of complaints regarding priced at $1,500 and $1,750 per semester. hungry. I eat five meals a week in the caf and Services have noticed that they are ordering this plan. One major complaint was that Furthermore, first-year students could buy I am out of money already,” remarked one more food than last year, which means that food prices were too high, especially when into the lowest plan as opposed to last year’s student. “The only facts that I know right students are eating more food overall. One compared to outside vendors. Additionally, plan. now is that my parents are struggling to student suggested that people may have it was found that students had excess money Apfelbaum explained that overhead and make ends meet. I am in Yeshiva University gotten “sticker shock” last year. “People left over at the end of the semester that was the cost of labor increased this year. If the and I don’t have enough money for food.” aren’t thinking about the balance; they’re not refundable. status quo meal plan was kept, prices would As Apfelbaum attempted to respond to just thinking about the price. They don’t “Both of these are pretty large intractable have been raised by 5-8%. “We didn’t raise this student he was met with interruptions think how much it is comparatively,” the problems,” Schwab stated. “But we wanted the prices because we figured that there was from a number of students. During the dis- student remarked. to create a system that allows, at least opti- only so much change we can do in a period turbance, Kraut stated, “I’m going to inter- One student expressed that he did not cally, for this to not look like as much of a of time,” stated Apfelbaum. “We actually rupt because people are getting angry and see a notification of the new plan by the uni- problem.” took the hit.” frustrated because I believe you guys are versity prior to its implementation. Schwab Apfelbaum and Schwab emphasized Apfelbaum mentioned complaints he thinking you’re not being heard. You are. responded that it was “actually spelled out in the expense of running University Dining received following the implementation of Okay? I think the responses [by Apfelbaum] the housing application.” He continued, “I Services. They explained that the expensive the current plan from students who were are logical and statistical and I hear you. think people just blew right past that because nature of the meal plan is to counterbal- running out of money early in the semester. You’re hungry … I get it, I really do. We don’t the meal plan is the least interesting part of ance the overhead costs — the fixed costs “In almost every case of students who com- want you to be hungry. We don’t want you the housing application.” to run a cafeteria operation. Furthermore, plain that they are running out of money, to eat three bagels a day.” After being asked whether the goal of while other universities have a non-kosher they were on a higher meal plan last year,” The interruptions did not stop there. the cafeteria is to be a moneymaker for the operation to offset the price of the kosher Apfelbaum said. “They will run out of money While Apfelbaum suggested raising the low- university, Weisberg stated that “the dining operation, there is no such system in YU. because they are eating at the same rate … est plan per semester from $1,500 to $1,700 service program is part of the larger not-for- Prior to the creation of the current meal but they just don’t have enough money on one student shouted, “Or you should just profit status of the university. Any profit that plan, Apfelbaum and his team looked at the plan.” stop taking our money!” The student con- the dining service makes has to be reinvested the meal plans of other universities in New Both Apfelbaum and Schwab indicated tinued to repeatedly interrupt as Apfelbaum into the university.” York. Once the current plan was formulated, that they would be interested in making attempted to answer her. Akiva Poppers (SSSB ‘22) presented Apfelbaum laid it out to student focus-groups changes to the meal plan in the future. When Cohen offered to show a student mathematical calculations which he claimed on both campuses. According to Apfelbaum, Apfelbaum told Beren students that he will “emails from hundreds of students” com- showed that “the only scenario where a stu- plaining about leftover money on their plans dent is better off is when he is on the stan- in years past, a student interrupted him say- dard plan and spends little to no money in ing, “Okay. Now reply to every single one and the restaurants. Should a student on the say: ‘What if we took away all of your money standard plan use all of their available Omni and you ended up running out?’” money [in restaurants], the comparative “Excuse me. You weren’t listening. We value of last year’s plan to this year’s plan aren’t taking away your money. We are divid- computes to a loss of 6.5%.” ing your money into two different buckets as Poppers concluded that if a student opposed to keeping it together,” Apfelbaum spends $500 in Omni funds at restaurants — responded. the yearly amount allocated on the standard Apfelbaum asked by a raise of hands how meal plan — “they would need to add $375 many people signed onto the lower meal to their standard plan to get to a breakeven plan as opposed to the higher plan. Almost point… If a student on the reduced plan uses every student in the room raised their hands up all $300 of available restaurant money, Cohen suggested that anyone who wants they will lose $270 in value” compared to him to compare their spending habits be- last year's reduced plan. “When students tween this year and last year should ap- say that the new caf plan is stealing money, proach him after the session. In response, a they’re right. It’s just not in the way they student retorted, “I feel like you want us to think,” Poppers asserted. prove it to you and it is frustrating.” Cohen invited Poppers to speak with him When Apfelbaum referred to overhead after the event to review his math. Poppers costs as a rationale for the membership fee, told The Commentator that Cohen men- Kraut replied, “They don’t care. They don’t tioned to him that if Poppers’ math was care how much you pay for staff and pots. correct, someone in the administration erred They’re students.” when calculating the pricing of the plans At one point during the session, Kraut for this year. If that was the case, the plan admitted that she didn’t think the new meal would be illogical to use in future semesters, plan “worked for the majority [of students].” according to Cohen. Cohen told Poppers that “It needs to be tweaked and changed in dif- he will schedule a meeting between them and ferent ways,” she stated. Apfelbaum to further discuss the details of

MICHELLE NAIM his calculations. Monday, November 25, 2019 News 5

to win the Skyline South division, the Macs ALLUF, dropped their first game against Occidental continued from Front Page With this fast start, it seems like another berth in the College in Los Angeles. Since that first loss, the Macs have gone 5-0, most recently de- was under question. tournament — where Alluf could finally make the appearance feating the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins “It’s really about the number of seasons 103-73, putting their season record at 5-1. that should have been available to him,” that eluded him almost two years ago — is their ultimate goal. Entering last season, Coach Stenmetz said Bednarsh. This seemingly refers to the declared that his team “had a target on its 10 semester/15 quarter rule of eligibility situation where anyone could slip in an al- and the team and the program.” back” — they exited the season with a repeat for Division II and III players. This rule legation,” said Bednarsh about Alluf missing “Obviously the addition of a First Team appearance in the conference championship. states that a student athlete has the first 10 the 2018-‘19 season. “Finding the right way All-Conference player to our roster helps With this fast start, it seems like another semesters or 15 quarters enrolled as a full- to present things and the right way to have us, but even more so is the leadership and berth in the tournament — where Alluf could time student to complete the four seasons everything go by the rules… we weren't able understanding of the system that he brings finally make the appearance that eluded him of competition eligibility. to do that in time for the season last year but with him,” said Coach Elliot Steinmetz to almost two years ago — is their ultimate goal. “The rule is not designed to keep a player we could this year.” Macslive.com. like Bar out,” said Bednarsh. Bednarsh added, “You want everyone to Alluf has averaged 20 minutes per game “I wanted to make sure that when we be unimpeachable... You are [looking into in five games this season. brought Bar back we would not have a the situation] to protect the student athlete After being named the unanimous pick

wanted to help but felt they didn’t have the to OSL at the meeting, claiming that they that many LGBTQ students created dialogue LGBTQ, power to do so,” said Marder. “Our influence were better equipped to deal with the issues with the administration and submitted re- continued from Page 3 as student leaders felt like a facade. And it Miller wanted to discuss. He again did not quests for events regarding LGBTQ issues. Throughout the semester, Miller con- seemed that administrators felt similarly express support for the creation of a GSA and In a September 2019 interview with The tinued to meet with other prominent uni- shackled by a system of hazy processes, stressed the importance of student discus- Commentator, President Berman said that versity officials, including Dean of RIETS deflections of responsibility, and crippling sion on the issue. Miller had already met he had formed a committee, led by Senior Rabbi Menachem Penner and Senior Vice stagnation.” extensively with members of OSL throughout Vice President Josh Joseph, to “address President Josh Joseph, regarding the issue. In April, Miller met with President the year, who said they did not have the au- matters of inclusion on our undergraduate “Through these meetings, I was hoping to Berman again, this time without Marder thority to discuss solutions to many LGBTQ college campuses, which includes LGBTQ+.” find support from leaders on campus who and Edmonson, to discuss solution-oriented issues on campus. They were tasked with formulating “a series have the influence and power to implement approaches to issues related to the LGBTQ Miller, Marder, and Edmonson left at the of educational platforms and initiatives that meaningful policy changes. These individu- student experience. At the meeting, Miller end of the year feeling frustrated with the will generate awareness and sensitivity,” by als have valuable perspectives and I believed advocated for the formulation of clear process of communication with the admin- meeting with students, administrators, and that pursuing one-on-one conversations criteria by which LGBTQ-themed events istration. “Yeshiva University claims to en- other institutions over the course of a num- would be conducive to reaching the solutions could be hosted on campus. He also spoke courage its students to be leaders within their ber of months. “I know the team is working needed to better our campus community,” to President Berman about the need for communities. Yet, when their students try to to continue to learn more and has already said Miller. He hoped through the meetings LGBTQ students to be able to create some lead in effective ways, they are consistently met with various individuals and groups, to convey to these offficials the necessity sort of community or club, as well as the need deterred and met with intense opposition,” both within YU and outside of YU,” said for LGBTQ students to feel more accepted for the administration to break the silence said Edmonson. Dean Nissel on the issue. “I am hopeful that on campus. on LGBTQ issues on campus by creating a They also stressed that their efforts were their work will provide additional guidance “Most people we spoke to genuinely forum for the discussion of these concerns. only one part of a greater struggle for in- to help identify ways for our campus to be President Berman redirected Miller creased LGBTQ inclusion on campus, noting more inclusive and respectful.”

The Wilf Campus plaza, with Furst Hall on the left and the Gottesman Library and YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Glueck Center on the right. 6 News Monday, November 25, 2019 Second Student Caught in Elevator Scare on Beren Campus the SCW senior. “I was scared, and elevator malfunction or not, this By Eli Azizollahoff the second I got out on the seventh still shouldn’t have happened,” floor, I started crying,” she said. said Lindenberg about this sec- A Stern College for Women For months there have been ond elevator ordeal. “Malfunction senior was taking the elevator in complaints regarding the eleva- or not, the message YU is sending Stanton Hall on Tuesday, Nov. tors that service the buildings of to its students is that they don’t 12, when it malfunctioned, falling Beren Campus. These grievances care enough about our safety nor three floors and stopping abruptly. The student, who wished to remain The student pressed the call communication button anonymous, was on her way to the cafeteria for dinner from the 11th in the elevator, but there was no answer. floor when the elevator abruptly stopped on the 10th floor. She then felt the elevator drop to the range from the inability of students do they care about the trauma seventh floor in what the student to get to class when the elevators that these incidents bring upon described as a “lurch.” The student are out of service, to difficulties its students.” pressed the call communication that out of service elevators pres- YU did not address the issue of button in the elevator, but there ent students and faculty members the emergency communications was no answer. with disabilities, to previous stories system failure. In March of last According to the student, the of elevators on campus malfunc- year, the university was issued a elevator stopped falling once it tioning with students inside. Last summons by FDNY fire inspectors reached the seventh floor because spring, The Observer reported for failing to comply with a previ- another student had pressed the that Shifra Lindenberg (SSB ‘21) ously-issued order that they must call button. The student jumped suffered a minor concussion after maintain two-way communication off the elevator as the doors closed experiencing what she described capabilities between elevators in behind her and warned the other as an “elevator free fall” in the the Schottenstein Residence Hall student of the situation. From Brookdale Residence Hall. In re- and the command station. Since there, she walked down the stairs sponse to this incident, Apfelbaum the summons, the university has and informed security of what had contended that YU elevators have a settled the violation in New York transpired. The security guard told number of safety redundancies to County Criminal Court, according her that they would shut down the prevent them from ever entering to state court records. elevator immediately. a “free fall.” “[YU] does great things, but it’s Randy Apfelbaum, Chief Regarding the most recent el- all overshadowed by their incom- Facilities and Administrative evator malfunction, Apfelbaum petence,” the SCW student stated. Officer at YU, commented, “When stated, “It seems that the safety She noted the irony of leaving a [our maintenance contractor] in- circuit on the elevator may have university-sponsored Physical spected the elevator after the inci- shut down the elevator momen- Therapy session and then imme- dent, they found the mechanisms tarily — its computer probably diately experiencing this ordeal in were all in working order … The reset itself. When that happens, the elevator. elevator didn’t fall — elevators, in- the elevator stops and then resets “It disgusts me that the eleva- cluding the Brookdale cars, have itself. The stopping action can feel tors are still putting students in multiple redundant safety systems, like a fall but is a part of the many danger,” added Lindenberg. “I all required by building code, to safety features on the elevator. don't think the university is doing ensure passenger safety.” Essentially, the elevator worked anything to show that they care Although she is physically fine, as designed and stopped.” about our safety.” the experience was traumatic for “Regardless of if this is an An elevator at Stern College’s Stanton Hall THE COMMENTATOR

University Plans ‘Info Session’ Regarding New Dining Plan Fees

information sessions as well as if any changes Randy Apfelbaum contends that the new That’s their only purpose.” By Yitzchak Carroll to the dining plan are forthcoming, Nissel meal plan was designed to cater to students’ Chizhik, however, disagrees with said he is keeping an open mind. “We want needs. “They are to discuss the current plan Apfelbaum’s assessment, and feels the in- Editor's Note: This article was originally to hear the student sentiment and fully un- and dispel some misinformation that has formation session should have been held published online on November 17. derstand the issues involved. At that point, been circulating,” he said regarding the fo- earlier in the semester. “After waiting seven we can see what the options are moving rums. “We would also like to hear student weeks for the administration to respond to An “info session” will be held on forward.” comments and feedback. Ultimately we want my [petition], they send the email inviting Wednesday, Nov. 20 at both the Beren and Chief Facilities and Administrative Officer the dining plans to work for the students. students to these meetings to try and explain Wilf Campuses to clarify the newly revised the structure of the meal plan,” she said. dining plan that was implemented earlier “Perhaps instead of explaining how everything works they “Maybe the meetings will allow students to this academic year, Dean of Students Dr. gain an understanding of why they will have Chaim Nissel announced via an email to should just take responsibility for the fact that they took money to start skipping meals to last the remaining the entire student body on Friday, Nov. 15. time in the semester.” “We understand that students have many from students, many of whom can barely afford tuition itself.” “There is no reason why we would need questions about the new meal plan struc- ___ to gain an understanding of the structure ture,” Nissel wrote. “Yeshiva University Mili Chizhik (SCW ‘22) of the meal plan,” she added, noting that Dining Services would like to invite all stu- students who oppose the revised dining dents to an info session to respond to your plan should make an effort to attend the questions and better explain the meal plan meetings. “Perhaps instead of explaining structure.” The Beren session will be held how everything works they should just take from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. in Yagoda Commons, responsibility for the fact that they took and the Wilf forum will be held from 5:45 to money from students, many of whom can 6:30 p.m. in the Rubin Shul. barely afford tuition itself.” Students were irked by changes to the Some students, like Sara Verschleisser university’s student dining plan instituted at (SCW ‘21), were concerned with the vague the beginning of the semester. Under the new language of the email. “Explaining the meal plan, participants are charged a flat $1,350 plan is pointless unless they are ready to “membership fee” for the academic year. take constructive criticism,” she remarked. Becoming a member provides discounts Other students, like Temmi Lattin (SCW of 35-40% from standard pricing for non- ‘22), reacted to the email with optimism. members on food sold in a YU cafeteria. “Taking students’ opinions into account in Mili Chizhik (SCW ‘22) garnered over 250 a formal setting by providing an opportunity signatures on a petition she drafted in op- to have questions answered seems like a position to the new meal plan. very positive step towards valuing student input,“ she noted. When asked about the purpose of the The Furman Dining Hall on the Wilf Campus THE COMMENTATOR Monday, November 25, 2019 7

Never. Stop. Commentating.

Got something to share? Email [email protected] 8 Features Monday, November 25, 2019 Bnot Sinai: The Grassroots Initiative Beit Midrash

years later, Bnot Sinai has become a home into a cohesive group of friends who bonded The Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36.”. People By Tamar Beer to 15-20 participants at the end of the sum- over a shared love of Talmud Torah.” are inspired by Bnot Sinai’s startup story mer, united by a love of Talmud Torah and It is inspiring for me to see this program’s and want to be involved in furthering the When a group of individuals share a com- the desire to further their religious growth. success and the support that it has received Torah education of women in the Orthodox mon dream and work together to bring their I plan the program each year with the help — whether it be through generous donations, community. ideals into reality, something beautiful is of a few particularly passionate participants. the women who choose to devote the end of created. This is what happened with Bnot The schedule at Bnot Sinai covers a wide their summer to learning Torah, the incred- Editor’s Note: For more information Sinai, an all-women’s summer beit midrash variety of topics such as Talmud, Tanakh, ible teachers and staff who put so much of about Bnot Sinai’s newest projects, visit program in the Five Towns, created by col- halakha and machshava under the guidance their time and energy into this project, or bnotsinai.org or the Bnot Sinai Facebook lege students and intended for Orthodox of renowned educators. Through chavruta the various features we have received in page. women college-aged and above. study, the students learn from each other publications such as The Jewish Action and I started Bnot Sinai after my second year and engage in the texts before shiur. Rivky in Israel because I missed the intensity of Elbgerger (Touro, 2021), one of the par- full-time beit midrash study. I suspected that ticipants of the program, said, “The teacher I was not alone in this, so I began to gauge talmida relationship fosters a more interest- interest for Torah-learning opportunities by ing conversation in the class, as opposed to creating a simple Whatsapp group of like- a more frontal-oriented shiur.” minded individuals. After only two days of The participants from Bnot Sinai come its existence, forty women had joined the from all walks of life and span a variety of

Two years later, Bnot Sinai has become a home to 15-20 participants at the end of the summer, united by a love of Talmud Torah and the desire to further their religious growth. chat. Rachel Fried (SCW '19, GPATS '21) ages. Having a diversity of backgrounds in said: “I was thrilled by the opportunity to the room makes for interesting and insight- learn Torah at a high level in a structured ful discussions, a respectful atmosphere environment with equally passionate peers.“ and unique bonds. Says Rabbi Dr. Frazer, A short while later, Yavneh and the OU a Bnot Sinai educator, “I was struck by how Women’s Initiative got wind of this grass- diverse the group was - a range of ages, The students of Bnot Sinai with Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier TAMAR BEER roots initiative and wanted to support it. Two backgrounds and hashkafot — yet it meshed YU Students Receive Mental Health First Aid Training

the Active Minds Club presidents Hadassah depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipo- “It was like watching something happen By Zahava Fertig Penn (SCW ‘20,) Shira Levy (SCW ‘20) and lar disorder, self-injury, suicide, panic and in front of me, but I couldn’t understand Aaron Purow (YC ‘22), invited Mental Health trauma attacks, psychosis, schizophrenia what the person who was talking to me was You are walking down the street. All of a First Aid (MHFA) to present a six-hour and substance abuse disorder. saying.” These short exercises allowed the sudden, a seemingly healthy, middle-aged course to train Yeshiva University students man stumbles in front of you; his legs seem to identify and respond appropriately to a Everyone knows that when someone requires emergency physical to have given out. He is gasping for breath, person who is experiencing a mental health his eyes are wide open in fear and he is sweat- crisis. MHFA “is a skill-based training course aid you call 911. However, when someone is experiencing a ing persistently. He can’t speak, and he’s that teaches participants about mental health clutching the left side of his chest. These and substance-use issues.” mental illness emergency, who do you call? signs are consistent with a heart attack. But Over the span of the course, the MHFA they are also consistent with a panic attack. instructor, named Blerim “Blaire” Cukovic, Cukovic used practical methods to simu- participants to be more understanding to- How do you know the difference? discussed how to identify if someone is ex- late the experiences of various mental ill- wards experiences of mental health panics. Everyone knows that when someone re- periencing a mental crisis. He discussed how nesses. For example, in order to experience Cukovic repeatedly emphasized that stu- quires emergency physical aid you call 911. to approach, ask and observe someone who what hallucinations might feel like, partici- dents who underwent the course are not However, when someone is experiencing a might be a risk to themselves or to others. pants were asked to try having a normal con- diagnosticians; they were simply there to mental illness emergency, who do you call? Students learned how to identify signs, versation while someone else was whispering learn how they can help in a situation only On Nov. 17, the YU Counseling Center and symptoms and disorders ranging from major into their ear. One participant remarked, when desired. Another goal of the training was to teach students how to adjust their language when it comes to the discussion of mental illness as it is a sensitive topic. According to Cukovic, the statement that an individual “commit- ted suicide” should be changed to “died by” or “completed” suicide. This adjustment is meant to disassociate suicide from crimes that are “committed.” Cukovic expressed that talking clearly and directly about suicide shows that you take it seriously. Small adjustments in our speech pat- terns can change a society that stigmatizes mental illness into one in which people get the help, support and treatment they need and deserve. Looking back on what she gained from the training, Hadassah Penn, co-president of Active Minds remarked, “The training ses- sion reminded me to view other people with compassion. Through the training, I gained some skills to actually help people. It was gratifying to see people who were invested in the program, who stayed the whole time, participating and engaged.”

Editor’s Note: For more information regarding Mental Health First Aid, visit mhfa.cityofnewyork.us. Students attended a six-hour course on mental health first aid training. HADASSAH PENN Monday, November 25, 2019 Features 9 Bioethics in Practice: Battle of the Sexes— Talent or Testosterone?

consistent with their 23rd chromosomal the determining metric for gender categori- height, natural agility and coordination, body By Bailey Frohlich pair, are termed “sex reversal”. zation in DSD athletes. While varying levels structure, and mental toughness. What dis- In April 2018, the International of testosterone contribute to the differential tinguishes Usain’s Bolt’s height and Michael Gender, as both a means of identification Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) performance of males and females in sports Phelps’s reduced lactic acid production from and a sociological construct, is constantly issued new eligibility regulations for female — such that testosterone contributes to the Caster Semenya’s advantageous physical evolving. The traditional two gender system athletes with DSDs, requiring them to reduce power and size of skeletal muscle and the traits? In fact, Eero Mäntyranta, a Finnish has been supplanted by an expanding lexicon their blood testosterone levels to below 5 number of red blood cells — the degree to Olympian skier who won seven medals, had a that includes nonconforming terms such as nMol/L — which the IAAF considers the which elevated testosterone levels confer a condition called polycythemia, which causes genderqueer, gender fluid and non-binary. upper limit of natural female levels — in significant competitive edge is a matter of abnormally elevated blood hemoglobin and In order to mitigate misgendering, it is now order to be allowed to compete in cer- scientific debate. red blood cell concentrations due to a mu- common in diverse workplaces to include in tain female events. They were advised to Proponents of the CAS ruling err on the tation in the erythropoietin-receptor gene. one’s email signature preferred gender pro- do so via hormone therapy. Although the side of caution: although the decision may Although his increased oxygen-carrying ca- nouns, such as “he/him/his,” “she/her/hers” International Court of Arbitration for Sport be discriminatory to DSD athletes, as it bans pacity undoubtedly conferred a competitive or the gender-neutral, “they/them/theirs.” (CAS) upheld the IAAF regulations in an them from competing in events based on a advantage, Mäntyranta competed without Whereas differential treatment by gender Executive Summary they released this past congenital condition that is beyond their con- opposition. How is his case different than is illegal in many domains, such as medical May, Semenya refuses to take any hormone- trol, it ensures athletic fairness and preserves Semenya’s? care, employment and education, sports suppressing drugs and continues to contest the original purpose of gender divisions in Furthermore, to take CAS’s decision to its remains one of the few areas in which it the decision in court. sports. Since there must be a concrete basis natural conclusion, what would the policy be is legal, and in fact necessary, to differen- against XX females who naturally produce tiate between males and females, conse- levels of testosterone that exceed 5nMol/L, quently creating an international bioethics Sports remains one of the few areas in which it is legal, and such as with women who have the inherited controversy. in fact necessary, to differentiate between males and females, disorder congenital adrenal hyperplasia? Most recently, the controversy sur- Although such a woman would have elevated rounds South African Olympic athlete Caster consequently creating an international bioethics controversy. testosterone levels akin to Semenya’s, the Semenya, who holds two 800-meter Olympic former would be allowed to compete simply titles and three world titles. Semenya was because her inherent chromosomal makeup born and raised as a female, as she has According to CAS’s report, both parties on which to distinguish between male and is typical of a female, regardless of the “sub- external female sexual characteristics and agree on the necessity of gender division in female athletes, testosterone levels seem like stantial difference” in athletic performance identifies as cisgender. Yet, after being forced sports, as “there is a substantial difference the best option since it can be scientifically that the IAAF and CAS claim is caused by to undergo “sex-determination testing” fol- in elite sports performance between males linked to athletically-superior traits. Thus, testosterone. lowing her 2009 Berlin victory, Semenya and females.” This assumption is the basis if a 46, XY DSD athlete can lower her blood As a female collegiate athlete, I appreci- was diagnosed with 46, XY disorder of sex of separate men’s and women’s teams in testosterone level to 5 nMol/L, she would ate the merits and shortcomings of both development (DSD), a congenital condition every athletic level, from Little League to be allowed to compete, as her competitive sides of the discussion. Although maintain- in which her chromosomal makeup is XY, the the Olympics, and it is at the heart of the advantage would be diminished. ing fairness in sports is a significant value, normal male chromosomal pattern, yet her historically-famous “Battle of the Sexes” However, the opposing opinion argues Semenya’s case begs us to consider the ethi- external anatomical development is typical tennis match between Billie Jean King and that testosterone cannot be used as a metric, cal implications of basing an international of a female. Individuals with DSDs are often Bobby Riggs. since biologically, it is not the sole determi- policy on controversial scientific evidence referred to as “intersex,” and conditions However, the ethical issue surrounding nant of athletic prowess. High testosterone and such a decision’s ramifications for future such as 46, XY DSD, in which a person’s CAS’s controversial policy hinges on the levels is just one single factor that contrib- gender-related policies. reproductive anatomy or appearance is not acceptability of using testosterone levels as utes to athleticism, among others such as

Caster Semenya WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 10 Features Monday, November 25, 2019 FROM THE COMMIE ARCHIVES Editor’s Note: Yeshiva University has recently initiated a new meal plan which has aroused much discontent among the student body. The YU students of 30 years ago faced similar cafeteria-related problems. Their dissatisfaction culminated in a Student Council sanctioned boycott of the Furman Dining Hall which led to further discussion between student leaders and the administration. From the Archives (September 21, 1989; Volume 55 Issue 1) — Cafeteria Prices Spur Student Anger

I’m only here for one semester I didn’t think By Shukie Grossman I’d finish my $600 card, but thanks to the new prices, I’ll have no difficulty.” Recent price adjustments at the Furman Mr. Jeffrey Rosengarten, Director of Dining Hall have evoked a voice of outrage Support Services and Personnel, maintains from students allegedly victimized by fiscal that the new prices in the cafeteria “reflect impropriety. reality.” Mr. Rosengarten contends, “prices In response to increasing student in- were calculated with a well accepted formula terest in a formalized meal program, the which attempts to capture the costs of food current fall semester marks the operative and labor,” thus, “for the first time appropri- commencement of the Yeshiva University ate prices are being charged.” Dr. Nulman Undergraduate Dining Club at the school’s explains, “our consultant expressed shocked Uptown and Midtown campuses. Along with over three price levels (existent in previous the implementation of this venture, however, years). Consequently, adjustments reflect increased prices on many popular food items one price which can be modified in an ap- have stigmatized the inception of this long propriate way each year, not haphazardly.” awaited program. Aside from general discontent over costs, many students insist that the structure of According to Dean of Students Dr. Efrem The Commentator archives THE COMMENTATOR Nulman, the system’s structure reflects “rec- the present Dining Club doesn’t meet pre- ommendations of last year’s Food Services vious expectations. According to Director discouraged a majority of students from students participating in the Dining Club Committee,” as well as the professional ad- of Yeshiva University Food Services Mr. J. joining the plan. Mr. Rosengarten believes, Plan.” vice of a hired consultant. The program’s Lieberman, the system of “declining balance” however, that six hundred dollars is “a rea- Dr. Nulman reveals an additional plan in objectives, as outlined by a midsummer currently utilized in the Cafeteria allows the sonable amount to part with on faith,” also conjunction with Yeshiva College Student mailing, include to “assure parents that students to “spend what they want to spend.” accentuating that refunds aren’t offered in Council to open an on-campus late-hour students will be eating well and regularly at Lieberman emphasizes that “if you’re not order to compensate the “major cost to the convenience store which would complement the University’s dining facilities,” as well as there, you’re not losing out,” as meals are University to implement such a plan.” the current offerings of the Division of Food “greater convenience, accessibility, and mon- paid for individually rather than in bulk. With approximately four hundred mem- Services. In reference to the current meal ey management” for the students themselves. Senior Josh Thomas responds, “the students bers from both campuses, Mr. Rosengarten plan, he hopes that “students are patient with But much to the student’s dismay, less of a didn’t say give us a credit card to eat in your underscores the fact that “the Dining Club something they’ve wanted for a very long breakfast selection, smaller portions, longer restaurant!” provides us with a guaranteed customer time.” Although patience is a virtue, many checkout lines, and exorbitant prices, don’t Other factors such as an initial mini- base, a key to improved food and service students wonder whether its limitations have correspond with these anticipated improve- mum deposit of six hundred dollars as well for all students.” “Ideally,” adds Rosengarten, been exceeded. ments. Senior Michael Paskas asserts, “Since as no refunds on remaining balance have “we would like to see a larger percentage of

From the Archives (November 21, 1989; From the Volume 55 Issue 4) — Archives Caf Attack Causes Resignation (December 20, By Daniel Oshinsky which joked, “Why did the stu- action, and we want to show the Chairman of the committee. dent cross the road? To get his students that they can take ac- Hyman remains skeptical of 1989; Volume A secretive anti-cafeteria or- chicken at HaBodega!” tion.” Members say they were ROTEC. “If these people want ganization helped renew student But Hyman, who says he has particularly incensed when at to work so hard with the Food 55 Issue 6) — protests against the cafeteria last been dealing with student an- a recent open forum on the caf- Services Committee,” he com- week, but also compelled Senior ger over cafeteria prices since eteria, administrators insisted plains, “and didn’t even know I Boycott Breeds Joseph Hyman, Chairman of the the beginning of the year called there would be no lowering of was the chairman, then I can’t Food Services Committee, to re- ROTEC’s first flyer “The last cafeteria prices. understand how they’re going Negotiation sign his post. straw.” According to ROTEC, the to be effective.” Hyman resigned after a sa- “Criticism to my face I can flyers were meant not just to “Bashing the cafeteria, and take, but having my name up on humor students, but to prevent blowing things out of proportion tirical flyer on cafeteria prices By Mark I. Koffsky appeared on dormitory bulletin the wall, that’s not something I the cafeteria from becoming a only makes them lose credibility boards and stairwells Sunday want to deal with. I wnt to deal dead issue. “The Commentator in the eyes of the administra- A YCSC-sponsored boycott brought evening, November 10. A com- with issues, not politics.” has come out with numerous ar- tion,” he adds. cafeteria service to a standstill on puter printout, the flyer asks in ROTEC claims its flyer was ticles. Then there was a meeting Hyman also states that, bar- Thursday, December 7. Throughout the bold letters, “Hey Jo, how much directed solely at the cafeteria, just to say there was a meeting,” ring outside donations to subsi- day, protesting students stationed at the was that salad?” “Jo” then an- and that the name “Jo” was cho- explained one member. “But dize a meal plan, the cafeteria will cafeteria entrances appealed to would-be swers, “Only $9.95, but I also sen arbitrarily. “Why would we nothing’s been done.” never be able to lower its prices. customers not to patronize the cafeteria. got a free one ounce drink!” The waste time attacking a commit- ROTEC members hope to Food prices are rising steadily, The boycott was honored by almost all flyer ends, “Signed ROTEC, Rest tee which is trying to do the same meet with the cafeteria after the he says, while Glatt Kosher meat, members of the YU community, including Of The Eaters Club.” thing we are doing?” asked one Thanksgiving break. “We want to Choluv Yisroel dairy products, MTA and WSSW students, leaving the ROTEC’s three organizers lat- ROTEC member. Another mem- be shown figures which justify and a full time Mashgiach mean Furman Dining Hall empty of customers er approached the Commentator ber said that before this incident their prices,” they say, “and to added expenses. for all three meals. and agreed to be interviewed, but he did not even know who Jo see if something better can be But ROTEC members say the To prepare the student body, YCSC said they wished to keep their Hyman was. done.” To demonstrate the stu- present price structure is unac- sold hundreds of “Boycott Survival identities a secret for the time Although the ROTEC mem- dents’ desire for change, ROTEC ceptable to students. They also Kits” containing deli sandwiches from being. bers apologized to Hyman, also plans to organize a one day feel students are being hurt by Bernstein’s on the night before the boy- ROTEC produced three other Hyman still termed thee incident boycott of the caf. the lack of a genuine meal plan. cott. Other activities to publicize the sarcastic portrayals of the caf last extremely aggravating. “Maybe Although they feel the Food “Right now, all we have is a credit boycott consisted of placing large signs week, surreptitiously distribut- it was arbitrary,” he says, “but Services Committee has been card,” said a member. ROTEC in the lobbies of the Residence Halls and ing the flyers around campus a lot of people didn’t look at it ineffectual, ROTEC members say members believe, that faced with writing “BOYCOTT” in red ink across during the early morning hours that way.” they wish to work in conjunction continued protests, the adminis- the cafeteria’s publicity posters that are In general, students showed Explaining the goal of with the committee. “We’re not tration will realize that changes posted in the dormitories. support for ROTEC. They were ROTEC, one member states, trying to take over here,” said a are necessary, especially if the especially amused by the flyer “We want to show the cafeteria member. It is still unclear who cafeteria ever hopes to win back Continued on Page 11 that students are willing to take will be succeeding Hyman as the student body. Monday, November 25, 2019 Features 11

Supporting Services, stated that he felt the Barry Kaye, Commentator Editor Dov 85 to 75 cents. BOYCOTT (ARCHIVES), boycott showed the inability of the student Pinchot, ROTEC members Jay Lehman, The committee also addressed itself to continued from Page 10 leaders to deal with the cafeteria issues in Steven Dyckman, and Steven Felsenthal, other issues such as the possibility of a man- According to Barry Kaye, President of a professional manner. He contrasted the former Food Services Chair Joe Hyman, datory meal plan for Residence Hall students YCSC and chief organizer of the boycott, uptown boycott with the Food Services and Eli Cohen, who served as chairman. Mr. next year. Mr. Rosengarten stated that the the boycott was implemented to call atten- Committee at Stern College, which meets Cohen opened the meeting with a statement possibility does exist since it may become tion to student concerns about the cafeteria. with Food Service administrators on a regu- expressing his desire to see the Committee an economic necessity for Food Services Kaye outline the four major demands that lar basis to discuss student concerns regard- become a strong force in resolving the caf- to be guaranteed a reasonable amount of are being sought: to lower the prices, to ing the Midtown Center’s cafeteria. eteria issues. business from the student body as many increase the portion size, to examine the According to SCW Junior Elizabeth Mr. Rosengarten indicated at the onset other universities do. He explained that Food Services’ books, and to ensure that a Botterman, Co-Chair of the Stern College of the meeting his unwillingness to allow a the $600 required to join the YU meal plan meal plan will not be mandatory next year. Food Services Committee, the committee student review of the Food Services’ books. is minimal compared to the costs of other Most students feel the boycott was a re- has addressed many issues of concern to He did, however, express his desire to hear university kosher meal plans. An example sounding success in that though it demon- Stern students such as food quality, taste, comments from the committee members cited for comparison from information pro- strated concretely their dissatisfaction with and presentation. Ms. Botterman admits about specific food items. The committee vided by Joe Hyman was Barnard College, the cafeteria, many were also impressed she is not entirely satisfied as there are is- then considered the price and portion size where kosher meal plans range from $2,412 with the student unity displayed during the sues still to be resolved, but it was felt that of various food items: the salad bar, fish, to $2,740 per year. boycott. a concurrent boycott at Stern would hinder chicken, bread, cereal, and french toast. Before the meeting was adjourned, Mr. Students hope that the success of the further progress of the Committee. Changes in cafeteria pricing that resulted Rosengarten asked for assurance from the boycott will convince the Administration In response to the boycott, a Food from the committee’s discussion included: student leaders that any complaints about to make concessions on prices and portion Services committee meeting was held up- a slice of bread would be free with a lunch the cafeteria be addressed through the Food sizes. town on December 13. Persons attending or dinner entree, the french toast portion Services Committee and not through sub- In an interview on the day after the boy- the meeting included: Mr. Rosengarten, would be increased from one slice to two versive signs and additional boycotts. The cott, Mr. Jeffrey Rosengarten, Director of Food Service Directors Mr. Alan Lieberman with no increase in price, and a cereal and committee closed the meeting by resolving and Mr. Allen Soloman, YCSC President milk combination would be reduced from to meet again in the near future.

From the The World of Eternity Archives possible become possible. There Yeshiva is about the building what is important. But in YU the By Jeremy Koffsky is an energy there that uplifts blocks of your life. What is im- choices we are making and the you into a stratosphere of spiri- portant to me? Who do I want people we are becoming have (November 21, There are many posters of tuality that you never thought to be? eternal reverberations, and quotes around campus. The reachable. When it ends, the If yeshiva is about question- there are an endless amount of 1989; Volume people quoted range from plane flies back and you are ing who we will become, YU is ways to get there. President John F. Kennedy to grounded. Initially, being on the about the act of becoming. I am The majors we choose will 55 Issue 4) Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks; all ground is strange. You think becoming a doctor, one student determine our career. Some of espouse the greatness of YU. I things should be like they were says at YU. I am becoming a the biggest decisions of our lives — Student feel that many of them come up in the air, but it seems as if lawyer, says another. To me, the are arriving. These decisions across as cheesy. But despite will ground us. We are asked to Dissonance their usual corniness, there is make sacrifices that we didn't one that continues to leave an But in YU the choices we are making, have to make in yeshiva. impact on me every time I pon- the people we are becoming, have eternal The decisions and their im- By Dov J. Pinchot and der it. It comes from the Rav pact never fades. It lasts for The Commentator himself: reverberations, and there are an endless eternity. While the transition may Governing Board of 1989-90 “When I enter yeshiva I am at home because I am amount of ways to get there. be tough, when walking in the grounded in the world of beit midrash in the morning Recent price adjustments at the eternity.” you are the only thing that has world of becoming — YU — of- and at night it's inspiring to see Furman DiMuch to the student’s dismay, The quote is reflective of the changed. fers so many unique opportuni- students in this incredible eter- the status of the Food Services remains a Rav’s typically complex vocabu- For many, the adjustment ties that the yeshiva, the world nal world. There, talmidim are neglected issue. Students are reacting to lary choices and really got me is not easy. We are given more of questioning who we will be- investing time just when time the cafeteria, even as the semester nears thinking about the differences responsibilities and to some it come, does not. When we are is pulling them in other direc- the Thanksgiving recess, with a fervor between my time in yeshiva and can feel like Israel was its own just beginning to realize who we tions. They are becoming who reminiscent of early September. my time in YU. In yeshiva, you little world. The people we were want to be in Israel, the choices they wanted to be in yeshiva. The reason for these sentiments is can fly. You fly to a different there seem to be irrelevant to of becoming are irrelevant. We Although they are grounded, clear-cut; Yeshiva College students have country, to a different world, who we are now. But from my are not picking our careers in it is not in a world that is stag- been abandoned in their quest for cafete- your personal capabilities flour- experience, I have found that yeshiva, most are not dating, nant — it is in a world of eternal ria changes not only by the University, ish. Things you never thought both serve a profound purpose. we are immersing ourselves in possibilities. but by Student Council. The “complaint session” of almost a month ago resulted in nothing more than 45 minutes of aim- less exchange. Unlike the cafeteria prices, talk is cheap. Words must be transformed into action. Since the beginning of the semester, students have been more than eager to actualize their ideas into reality. Indeed, The Rest of the Eaters Club and increased business at HaBodega are salient indica- tions of student opinion. So, where is the progress? The stu- dents are still speaking out. The Student Council must pay heed to these three month old complaints, especially if the University continues to ignore them. A suggestion for our student represen- tatives: a meeting between the students and the Student Council in order to gear student body input and recommenda- tions toward decisive action. The need to finalize this prolonged issue is imminent; its fate rests in the hands of a cohesive student body unit, leaders and laymen alike. A poster in the YU plaza quoting Rav Soloveitchik. JEREMY KOFFSKY 12 Monday, November 25, 2019 Monday, November 25, 2019 13

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BUILDING TOMORROW, TO DAY 14 Features Monday, November 25, 2019 Nishma Research Publishes Study on Modern Orthodoxy

A great number (37%) admitted the great- By Sarah Ben-Nun That 35% listed the changes that they’d wish to see. The top two est challenge they face in their Orthodox life is their relationships with their families; Nishma Research conducts sociologi- are, respectively: the role of women (52%), and LGBTQ (17%). this challenge manifests itself in things like cal studies analyzing various topics in the Shabbat, kashrut, and family activities. One Modern Orthodox (MO) community in the 77% say they’re “comfortable.” 77% of men on Baalei Teshuva. Close to half (42%) of to- respondent said, “I had to work really hard United States. On November 4, 2019, they are reportedly comfortable with davening, day’s MO communities are made up of Baalei to maintain a good relationship with [my published two new studies: “The Successes, followed by women, at 66%. The survey also Teshuva. Half (49%) of them come from mom]. That's not covered in kiruv.” Challenges, and Future of American states that “young people,” at ages 18-24, are Conservative or Orthoprax backgrounds. Compared with FFB (frum from birth) Modern Orthodoxy” and “The Journeys and the least comfortable with davening, at 54%. (Orthoprax is the state of not maintaining respondents, Baalei Teshuva reportedly Experiences of Baalei Teshuva.” Half (51%) say they remain consistent and any belief, but practicing some rituals.) felt less comfortable with different aspects The impetus for this survey is a survey rooted in their halakhic practice, but a sig- Various reasons are given for their attrac- of Orthodoxy (such as davening, “Jewish that was previously conducted in 2017. The nificant minority — 37% — “compromise at tion to Orthodoxy. Respondents were asked learning,” and “day-to-day Orthodox living”) issues that are explored here were indicated some level,” the most popular compromises to select up to five factors that they felt influ- by margins ranging from 12-18%. as being significant back then, warranting being Shabbat and kashrut. enced their decision. Top among them were As Nishma’s Method Statement states, further research. To do that, Nishma con- intellectual curiosity (53%) and Orthodoxy “We hope this research will further com- tacted shul rabbis through the RCA, who Baalei Teshuva being viewed as a more authentic form of munal dialogue.” passed the survey on to their community The second study focused its investigation Judaism (52%), among others. members. The findings are based on 2,629 respons- es, 1,817 (a little over half) self-identifying as Modern Orthodox. The religious identi- ties of the other respondents were charedi, Conservative, or non-Modern Orthodox. 888 respondents identified as baalei Teshuva (Nishma’s classification is that they became Orthodox at or after their bar/bat mitzvah age, or older); 744 of those self-identify as Modern Orthodox. The in-depth analysis that the study provides shows that a major- ity of responders (85%) consider Orthodox observance an important presence in their lives. In the first study, 51% of respondents were male, 49% female, with a median age of 49; in the second, 49% were male, 51% female, with a median age of 53.

Off the Derech 63% of respondents admitted concern about people leaving Orthodoxy and becom- ing not frum; 21% didn’t share this worry. An even greater number of people (67%) were extremely concerned that this issue is not being properly addressed by MO com- munal leaders. As a footnote, the compilers of the study state that they’ve experienced “quite a bit of leeriness among shuls and communal organizations about discussing the topic,” and that while it can be a challenging and sensitive subject, “people want it to be much better addressed.”

LBGTQ 12% of respondents felt that the Modern Orthodox community is too focused on change to the detriment of tradition. 35% responded that drawing fragmentation lines prevents much-needed changes from coming to fruition. 53% felt that there is an appro- priate balance. That 35% listed the changes that they’d wish to see. The top two are, respectively: the role of women (52%), and LGBTQ (17%). “Our current (male) leaders are (more) obsessed with figuring out what titles female leaders should have ... than in serving the needs of Orthodox women and girls,” said one respondent during an interview. On the LGBTQ issue, one respondent called for “compassion and welcoming to- ward LGBT members of our community.” Another claimed, “It’s not our place to judge them. We need to support these members of our community.”

Shmirat Halakha “In probing the responses, it became clear that secular society is having an impact on Modern Orthodoxy,” says the Introduction. The study proceeds to probe how much of that impact affects the visible acts of observance. The Breed Street Shul in Los Angeles, California, LBERTOCCI AT WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Regarding general day-to-day practices, which has deteriorated over time. Monday, November 25, 2019 Features 15 Average YU SAT Scores Released

students are slightly lower than years pri- percentile. Scores in the 25th percentile re- 2018-2019 year were 22 for the 25th percen- By Michelle Naim or. In 2016-2017, the score for SAT critical mained constant while those in the 75th tile and 29 for the 75th percentile. reading was 540 in the 25th percentile and percentile dropped by 10 points. 2016-2017 ACT English marks were 24 in Yeshiva University recently released its 680 in the 75th percentile. In 2017-2018, The average student score on the ACT has the 25th percentile and 31 in the 75th percen- average First Time On Campus (FTOC) stu- which features scores after the creation of not varied much over the past three years. In tile. The next year, in 2017-2018, students dent SAT and ACT scores for the 2018-2019 the New SAT, students in the 25th percentile 2016-2017, students in the 25th percentile earned ACT English scores of 23 in the 25th school year. The Common Data Set (CDS) is scored 600 and 710 in the 75th percentile achieved a composite score of 23 on the ACT percentile and 31 in the 75th percentile. In released yearly by YU’s Office of Institutional on SAT evidence-based reading and writing. and a 30 in the 75th percentile. 2017-2018 2018-2019, English marks were 23 and 33 Research and Assessment. The most recent CDS shows that students scores for the ACT brought a composite of for the 25th and 75th percentile, respectively. The CDS is an important statistical tool Between 2016 and 2019, there was an that universities produce annually for the increase of 10% of students who chose to public. As per YU’s website, “The Common The most recent CDS reported that 52% submitted their ACT submit ACT scores rather than SAT scores. Data Set (CDS) provides a common format In 2016-2017, 59% of students sent in SAT for supplying information to the College marks and 45% submitted the SAT, making the ACT the most scores, while a mere 42% sent in ACT scores. Board, Peterson's Guides, U.S. News & commonly submitted standardized test for the first time in YU’s The most recent CDS reported that 52% World Report and part of the Thomson submitted their ACT marks and 45% sub- Corporation. CDS covers such information history. mitted the SAT, making the ACT the most as student admission, enrollment, retention, commonly submitted standardized test for and graduation; academic offerings and poli- the first time in YU’s history. cies; student life; financial aid, etc. The CDS achieved 580 in the 25th percentile and 700 23 in the 25th percentile and 29 in the 75th According to the university’s Director is a set of standards and definitions of data in the 75th percentile on SAT evidence-based percentile. The most recent CDS exhibited of Institutional Research and Assessment items defined by these groups.” reading and writing. an ACT composite score of 22 in the 25th Yuxiang Liu, “The scores for the past two According to the CDS, from 2016-2017, For SAT math during 2016-2017, stu- percentile and 30 in the 75th percentile. years looks [sic] like a regular fluctuation, 59% or 321 first time on campus students dents scored 550 and 680 for the 25th and ACT math scores were 23 in the 25th with no dramatic up or down for either SAT submitted SAT scores, compared to the 75th percentile, respectively. In 2017-2018, percentile and 28 in the 75th percentile in or ACT. The ACT scores fluctuated less than 53% (330) in 2017-2018 and 45% (253) in students achieved a 560 in the 25th per- 2016-2017. The following year’s CDS (2017- SAT, and the transition from [the] old SAT 2018-2019. centile and 710 in the 75th percentile. This 2018) showed that students achieved a score to [the] new SAT may explain part of it.” A close comparison of the CDS charts past year (2018-2019), students scored 560 of 22 in the 25th percentile and 29 in the shows that SAT scores of current first year in the 25th percentile and 700 in the 75th 75th percentile. ACT math scores for the 16 Features Monday, November 25, 2019 Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Dr. Neil Rogachevsky

literary journal — Entrepot — that quickly academic research. While in Israel, he made publications over the years, including a By Yosef Lemel and became a “Canada-wide” student publica- a few contributions to The Jerusalem Post. forthcoming book on the founding of Israel. Michael Weiner tion. In contrast to the culture of American He also worked on the editorial staff of Discussing his personal perspective on universities, Rogachevsky noted that the Mosaic Magazine and has written for The Zionist thought, Rogachevsky shared that As the Associate Director of the Straus academic environment at McGill was less Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard though he marvels at the achievements of Center for Torah & Western Thought at competitive and ambitious, but rather fos- and The American Interest, among other the Labor founders of Israel — like David Yeshiva University, Dr. Neil Rogachevsky tered free intellectual inquiry for its own publications. Ben Gurion, Chaim Weitzmann and Abba has a mission. As he explained an interview sake. Soon after concluding his doctoral stud- Eban — he believes that their ideology had with The Commentator this past week, the After finishing his undergraduate studies, ies, Rogachevsky chose to conduct his post- certain intellectual limitations. In particular, goal of the Straus Center is to create a “cadre Rogachevsky completed a one year mas- doctoral research at Yeshiva University’s he is skeptical of their strongly-held view of leaders” who can combine their study ter’s degree in political science from the Straus Center for Torah & Western Thought, that all “moral and spiritual significance” of Judaism in the beit midrash with “deep University of Toronto, where he studied where he also taught classes in political phi- comes from working the land of Israel. engagement” in the Western philosophical with Clifford Orwin, a prominent political losophy. Rogachevsky stressed his “tremen- Instead, Rogachevsky asserted that “my tradition in order to meet the political and philosopher, before moving on to study dous admiration” for Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, kind of Zionism is a Zionism that I hope moral challenges of our time. at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, director of the Straus Center, who he has will be elevated by Chazal and by political Growing up in Toronto, Canada, which he considers to be the most “decisive worked with closely for the past four years. philosophy.” Rogachevsky inherited his love of litera- ture from his mother, who was a librarian. At YU, Rogachevsky guides his students through the “great works” of Western political theory — Additionally, in attending Bialik Hebrew Day School, a Labor Zionist institution, he Aristotle, Plato and Machiavelli, inter alia — and attempts to convey their relevance for thinking received an “intense education” in Israeli history and culture, where his lifelong pas- through contemporary political problems. sion for Israeli affairs began. While grate- ful for this experience, he now regrets the intellectual experience” of his life. While At YU, Rogachevsky guides his students For students interested in pursuing politi- “perfunctory” nature of his traditional Torah there, he lived a “quasi-yeshivish/monk- through the “great works” of Western politi- cal theory more seriously, Rogachevsky ad- education, recalling that upon graduation, ish” lifestyle, intensively studying ancient cal theory — Aristotle, Plato and Machiavelli, vises that they study an additional language, he could “barely read Rashi.” Greek, German and Hebrew, and reading inter alia — and attempts to convey their read “everything” while they still have the As he got older, Rogachevsky gravitated Spinoza’s philosophy in a seminar with relevance for thinking through contemporary time — “whether it be Thucydides, Plato, towards Russian literature and French phi- Professor Warren Zev Harvey. Though of- political problems. His hope is that students Machiavelli, Locke, Hobbes or Nietzche” — losophy but wasn’t particularly politically ac- fered the option to learn ancient Greek in learn to go beyond the latest political trends and spend a summer working in D.C. or local tive. Reflecting on that period, Rogachevsky his native English, Rogachevsky opted to and ideologies and ask the “deeper theo- government to get an insider’s perspective recalled that he gave a comical speech as a study in the Israeli program. While it was retical questions” about the proper uses and on the political world. 12th grader “advocating a politics of world a “killer experience” for the first semester, limits of politics. While Rogachevsky doesn’t think every- government,” based on reggae music. As a the knowledge he gained there prepared him In addition, he continues to focus on his one should study political philosophy, he college student at McGill University, he ex- well for his doctoral studies at Cambridge. own research, where he explores questions thinks that those who do must read great perienced a “political awakening” following Under the supervision of Robert Tombs, a like the character of the modern Israeli re- works of literature and wrestle with the most 9/11 and the Second Intifada, which drew noted historian of France and England, he gime and its meaning in “the sweep of Jewish difficult questions of what it means to be -hu “vicious anti-Israel protests” from fellow wrote a thesis on the bureaucratic despotism history.” Rogachevsky points out that while man and how to construct a political order students. In response to that, Rogachevsky of Napoleon III’s regime. there is a vast literature on the origins and that can enable human flourishing. Only with delved deeper into his political and philo- Rogachevsky considered a career in nature of the American political system, far this background is one well equipped to “face sophical studies, and also started a political journalism and has consistently written less such scholarship exists about Israel — a the den of sharks that is life in America.” articles and reportage to complement his lacuna that he has tried to fill in his various

Straus Center students with Dr. Rogachevsky overlooking the Temple Mount NEIL ROGACHEVSKY Monday, November 25, 2019 Opinions 17 Why We Must Acknowledge Carlebach’s Sexual Abuses

consider themselves close followers of his, has. But perpetrators nearly always have a widespread rumors, accusations and a By Doniel Weinreich it’s usually subordinate to his personality and great reputation. This tactic also tends to complete refusal on the part of commu- the stories about him. People are inspired also go hand-in-hand with accusations of nities around the world to protect youth Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach has been ac- by the acts of profound, selfless love and lashon hara, conveniently ignoring the fact and women against a charismatic leader. cused of sexually assaulting and harassing kindness Reb Shlomo performed during that the prohibition is inoperative when it In the deluge of requests pleading with numerous teenage girls and women, yet his life. They are moved that despite intense comes to preventing harm. But if you have us not to print the story two years ago, somehow I remained unaware of this until I opposition, a child prodigy left the ivory an a priori belief in the perpetrator’s in- callers reminded us of all the good Rabbi was 18 years old. Through all the elementary yeshiva to inspire the masses on the street. nocence, any allegation — no matter how Carlebach did, as if somehow his stature school music classes, the yeshiva stories No doubt, in a vacuum, it is very inspira- serious or substantive — is merely tarnishing would lessen the pain he was accused of and the Friday night minyanim, no one tional to hear of a man’s unhesitant embraces their reputation. causing. On the contrary, his greatness had managed to mention this, despite the may have worsened the pain. Their power allegations being public since 1998. I only and charisma make it that much more found out about them from a post on an How then do we practically respond to the fact that Reb difficult — and that much more impor- internet forum five years ago. The comments Shlomo was a sexual predator? At the bare minimum, we must tant — to bring such allegations to light. on that post indicated I was not alone in my ignorance; many people who went through acknowledge it. Some critics want to take extreme mea- establishment Modern Orthodox institutions sures. Some want to stop singing Carlebach were ignorant. Perhaps you are unaware as tunes altogether. I’m not convinced this is well. It’s probably not your fault. After all, of the criminal and deformed, of a man who These dynamics can be clearly seen in desirable, and even if it is, I’m skeptical of its Orthodox institutions continue to celebrate found himself in poverty because he unques- other cases of sexual abuse in the Jewish practicality given how entrenched the tunes the man without acknowledging his abuses. tioningly gave money he couldn’t afford to community. When Gary Rosenblatt publicly have become in our liturgy. I might choose And it’s time we stopped. those in need. I personally know rabbis who exposed the then Director of Regions of not to attend a Carlebach Kabbalas Shabbos, The first public allegations appeared treat everyone with extreme unconditional NCSY — and now convicted child molester but nearly every Friday night minyan I’ve in Lilith magazine over 20 years ago. The love and engage in interpersonal endeavors — Baruch Lanner in 2000, he was met with been to still uses his tune for V’Shameru. article in question documented several I can only aspire to — all because they were many of the same responses. One letter to Others claim that niggunim (tunes) cannot cases occurring over several decades where directly inspired by Reb Shlomo’s example. the Jewish Week mentioned the thousands be mekabel tumah (susceptible to impu- Carlebach harassed women and molested One such rabbi would host dozens of home- of Jewish souls Lanner had brought back rity), and in an attempt to preserve the good minors. In one particularly graphic account, less people every Shabbos and would spend to Judaism and criticized Rosenblatt for without the bad, propose we keep the music he dry-humped a teenage girl in camp until holidays in third world countries with sup- “defaming” him. Others invoked lashon but erase the figure. I fear many of the advo- achieving orgasm. In another, he groped a posed lost tribes. hara or accused the publication of having cates of this approach don’t understand that 12-year-old’s breast while whispering his Why then must we talk about the abuse? an anti-Orthodox agenda. those inspired by Reb Shlomo are inspired famous greeting of “holy maidele.” Carlebach Can we not let the man’s reputation stand? One can look even closer to home, at the far more by the example he set than by the was also known to make unsolicited phone He’s already dead. What purpose does ac- lawsuit YU is currently facing. The lawsuit music he played. His music is only a small calls to women in the middle of the night knowledging it serve now? The most im- details how despite molesting numerous part of his positive legacy. asking what they were wearing or profess- mediate and obvious answer to this question boys over three decades, MTA principal How then do we practically respond to the ing his love for them, and many reported is that sensitivity to his victims warrants it. Rabbi George Finkelstein was highly re- fact that Reb Shlomo was a sexual predator? hearing about this at the time. As with many Abuse doesn’t just occur in the moment — it garded and held up as a role model in YU At the bare minimum, we must acknowledge predators, it was an “open secret” among has lasting traumatic effects, which we ought promotional materials. He was honored as it. Children cannot grow up in our commu- those who knew him. not trigger. Educator of the Year and was given a pres- nity on Carlebach stories and minyanim The allegations did not end with the Lilith But acknowledgement is not just a mat- tigious Heritage Award upon his departure. in ignorance of his darker side. There can article, and there has been a renewed focus ter of justice or sensitivity; acknowledging The lawsuit also alleges that when continuing be no place for unadulterated celebration. on them in the past couple of years. On many Carlebach’s abuses is also practically effec- to bring up the incidents, the primary plain- If one attended the farbrengen last week, articles and blog posts concerning the issue, tive. It may be too late to stop Carlebach, but tiff was told by then Senior Vice President they would have been met with stories about you can find comments by women who also in order to stop future predators we need to Israel Miller that proceeding would not be how Carlebach was a gilgul (reincarnation) claim to have been harassed or assaulted by recognize past abuse and understand the good for Yeshiva, in an attempt to guilt and of Avraham Avinu and Dovid HaMelekh Carlebach. In real life, one does not have to factors and dynamics that contribute to it intimidate him into silence. and how he possessed ruach hakodesh (di- go far to find a second-hand account about going unaddressed. In both of these cases, there were nu- vine inspiration). This obviously cannot be their friend’s relative or teacher who also Inroads have recently been made on this merous instances in which superiors were tolerated. If we must tell stories about Reb had such an experience. The whispers have front in the Modern Orthodox community. made aware of the abuses and chose to do Shlomo’s mind-bending acts of love and become a roar, so loud that even Carlebach’s Two years ago, a special issue devoted to nothing. They either did not believe that the kindness, we cannot let the rest of the story daughter cannot deny it. the issue of sexual abuse was published abuses happened, or determined that it was go unsaid. Minyanim ought not be named And yet little has changed practically in in Tradition, the Rabbinical Council of expedient to ignore them. Because of this, for a predator. When we must mention him, our community. You can find many posts America’s journal of Orthodox Jewish the predators went on to abuse many more we must also mention his abuses. from rabbis on Facebook about the issue, thought. In one of the articles in that issue, victims over the course of decades. The dy- We cannot let the enabling silence be per- but I know of few institutions that have Shira Berkovits, the founder and CEO of namics that lead to denial and silence about petuated. If we cannot recognize Carlebach adjusted accordingly. We certainly haven’t Sacred Spaces, thoroughly detailed these Carlebach are the same as those that enable as a predator, how will we identify the fu- at YU. Carlebach’s name graces our Shabbos factors, many of which are relevant to the active predators. ture Lanners and Finkelsteins? If we do not schedule each week (twice this week), and case of Carlebach. These connections aren’t novel. The au- believe his victims, how will future victims last week a student and Rosh Yeshiva hosted One of these factors is cognitive disso- thor of the original Lilith piece also wrote a trust us? a YU-sanctioned farbrengen for his yahrzeit. nance. Berkovits explains how predators letter to the Jewish Week in which she linked We need to foster the sort of environment Needless to say, among the many stories told are often charismatic and respected leaders, them, remarking: where no figure — no matter how charismatic at the farbrengen, none made mention of and how many actively foster that sort of or respected — is untouchable and where his sexual assaults. image in order to deflect allegations. When In our reporting in Lilith magazine on victims need not fear coming forward. If we Many are inspired by Reb Shlomo in dif- faced with those allegations, supporters of- decades of alleged sexual misconduct do not, abuse will continue to flourish in the ferent ways. His music is the most prominent ten try to dismiss them by talking about the by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, the same future. In order to prevent this, we need to part of his legacy, but among those who fantastic reputation the alleged perpetrator pattern emerged as in the Lanner case: acknowledge Carlebach’s past abuses now.

The grave of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 18 Opinions Monday, November 25, 2019 Rosh Hashana in Venezuela

By Aharon Benchimol

Returning to Caracas to spend the chagim with my family and experi- ence the situation of the Jewish com- munity there inspired me to write down my reflections on what it is like to live in Venezuela today. As is well known from the news, Venezuela is currently experienc- ing the worst political and economic crisis since its independence in 1811. A corrupt authoritarian regime has turned the country with the largest oil reserves in the world into a coun- try full of poverty and desolation. An ideology that was supposed to make society more equal by dimin- ishing the upper class and “empow- ering” the working class has ended up just creating and enriching a new upper class. The country is paralyzed and people no longer have faith in the economy. The enormous level of inflation has eaten away at any re- maining hope for the economy. The majority of stores in malls closed. Traffic in transit no longer exists: routes that used to take 30 minutes now take 5 minutes. In a country with the largest oil reserves in the The Jewish cemetery in Caracas AHARON BENCHIMOL world, it takes hours to wait in line for some gas. weakened, threatening a new electri- The images of families rummag- cal blackout. Just a few months ago, Venezuela experienced a blackout ing for food scraps in the garbage It’s a Queens Thing on the street become more ordinary for over 3 days. every day, to the point that it is now During the rest of the chagim, I considered normal. Over four mil- attended two funerals. After leaving lion Venezuelans have fled the coun- the second one, I tried to remem- Earn the Credits You try to look for better opportunities. ber: when was the last time there Sadly, the Jewish community was a wedding in Venezuela? The Need This Summer cannot escape from this reality. Jewish community is getting older, Every day, the services of different and most young people leave their Jewish organizations are needed families after graduating from high Summer Session at Queens College school in order to find opportunities more and more, to provide food and ■ Four sessions: four, six, or ten weeks in other countries. basic household goods along with ■ Earn as many as 15 credits ■ Hundreds of undergraduate and graduate classes, including hybrid During the rest of the chagim, I attended two and online options funerals. After leaving the second one, I tried to ■ Free on-campus parking permit ■ Low-cost on-campus housing available remember: when was the last time there was a wedding in Venezuela? Visiting Students May Register Now www.qc.cuny.edu/summer • 718-997-5600 medical assistance. Before travel- Nevertheless, the community ing to Venezuela, my family asked struggles to keep everything as nor- me to bring several medicines with mal as possible. The Jewish club me. Some seemed unfamiliar. Upon Hebraica represents an oasis for the arriving home, I realized that they community and a place where you were not only for my family, but for can forget for a few hours what is several other families as well. I saw taking place outside. The synagogues that local WhatsApp groups are full strive to maintain their services as of members of the community asking usual. In addition, several Jewish for medicines that they cannot find organizations based in America are in the country. Another thing that aware of the needs of the Venezuelan shocked me about being home was Jewish community, and they bring seeing how busy the aliyah office a lot of assistance to our national was. In the midst of uncertainty, Jewish organizations. many Jewish families are now con- In spite of the terrible situation, sidering aliyah a precious opportu- the beauty of the Venezuelan nature nity to start from scratch in another remains intact. The vivid colors of country. the Avila mountain surrounding the Middle-class Jews have transi- capital give Venezuelans some hope. tioned from jobs like store managers The trees fill the streets with col- and lawyers to less secure work like orful mangos, and the union between reselling car articles and imported the enlightened blue of the ocean and food. With the minimum wage at the sky gives the Jewish community $8 a month, it is the only work still the strength to tackle this difficult available. situation. On the first night of Rosh Hashana, panic appeared in every Jewish home as the lights shook and

Adm_YeshivaUAd_11_22_19.indd 1 11/18/19 4:37 PM Monday, November 25, 2019 Opinions 19 Why YU Should Give Students Off on Election Day

and counted. Yeshiva University has the op- problem is to have better voter turnout, es- Voting is a fundamental civic obligation, and By Temmi Lattin portunity to encourage its student body as pecially by those who are not extremely pas- YU’s rhetoric about “building tomorrow” well as its faculty to actively participate in our sionate about an issue one way or the other. does not mean much if it is not accompanied Midterm season is undoubtedly one of the democracy by giving us the day off — and in Making it more convenient for students to be by the strong encouragement to vote. hardest and most stressful times of the col- turn, the time required — to get to the polls. able to vote promotes these more moderate Many universities have fall break, with a lege semester. With a number of cumulative weekend or even a full week for students to tests on half of the semester’s work piled on travel home for voting day. While that obvi- top of regular coursework and classes, there’s Voting is a fundamental civic obligation, and YU’s rhetoric ously wouldn’t make sense for YU, given all often no time to breathe. Then, right smack about “building tomorrow” does not mean much if it is not the days missed for the holidays, many YU in the middle of it all, Election Day falls on students live locally, and would only need the first Tuesday after Nov. 1. accompanied by the strong encouragement to vote. a day for traveling. Yeshiva University can Almost everyone can recite the impor- set an example and put the weight of their tance of voting, and most of us know enough institution behind the message that even history to appreciate the liberties provided As is discussed incessantly, the current voters to cast a ballot. If YU wants to shape during midterms season and beyond, as life to us through voting. Thank God, the move- political climate is enormously polarized the “leaders of tomorrow,” what better way becomes busier and more hectic, partaking ment to gain these rights was long enough and the average voter is often hard-pressed to do this than send the message that voting in our nation’s democracy warrants spend- ago that we can take suffrage for granted. to identify a candidate who fully represents is a crucial aspect of democracy, and one ing some time and effort, and yes, a day off. However, that creates a serious problem. their nuanced views. The solution to this that their student body should take part in. At YU, Election Day was just like any other school day. There were no signs re- minding students of the importance to vote and no reminders of when and where to go vote. There are many initiatives that we can, and should, start to change the culture of YU with regard to voting, such as voting drives and related events. Most importantly, however, I believe that YU as an institution can and should take a stand and make it substantially easier for students to vote with one simple decision: giving the day off for students who live close enough to travel to their county’s voting location. With the bombardment of terrible break- ing news happening in the U.S. and interna- tionally, it often feels like there are just too many societal issues to combat. The question often arises: which one do I devote my time, energy and passion to? Yeshiva University is an institution with many important ide- als and values. We have multitudes of clubs on campus dedicated to social and political issues, whether related to the American- Israeli relationship or about improving the Orthodox community in areas such as in- clusion and diversity. While the work these clubs do is crucial and substantial, one of the foremost actions we can do as citizens of a WIKIMEDIA COMMONS country is to vote and let our voices be heard, At YU, election day was just like any other school day.

A Boring NFL Season?

By Mayer Fink each other, though on Nov. 11 the Seahawks and the teams that everyone thought would many close, thrilling games, but we were (7-2) 49ers (8-1) will, but that was one of the be bad are bad. left disappointed as many were one-sided So far the NFL season has been boring. few outliers. The teams that are at the top of That being said, the season doesn’t look victories. This year we will be able to indicate As predicted, the good teams have beaten their divisions look like they will run away to remain boring. Many of the good teams if the postseason will be good depending on the bad teams with rare upsets victories. with them as there are very few close races. were granted an easy schedule to start their these weeks to cap off the season. If we get The bad teams are bottoming out, with six The records of the 49ers (9-1), Bills (7-3) seasons. The back half of the season has close games between the top teams, then teams having two wins or fewer; last season and Colts (6-4) have been pleasant surprises many great games in store. The Patriots only we should expect the same come January. only four teams had two losses at this point and some teams have underachieved more played three teams over .500 in their first Is this disparity between teams good for and no team has fewer than two wins (as of than expected but there hasn't been much nine games; in their final seven games they the league? The common trend in all leagues week 10 in the NFL season). It is like they unpredictability in what should be an un- will play five teams above .500. The 49ers, is despite the league being tainted by a large are trying to lose. Additionally, there haven’t predictable game. The teams that everyone the surprise of the season, will show us if imbalance in power, the fans want to see the been many games with top teams playing thought would be good this year are good they are contenders or pretenders as their top two or three teams try to become dynas- schedule gets significantly tougher including ties instead of a ton of teams have an equal or games against the Ravens (8-2) and Saints similar chance of winning a championship. (8-2) on the road later this year. When it comes to sports, equality isn’t appre- While the top teams may have gotten a ciated by the fans, they want to see greatness break in the early games of the season, many (and terribleness, inevitably). Baseball was of them will play each other in the remaining the national sport in the 1950s before football weeks. Week 12 gives us the Eagles versus became America’s game. During that time, Seahawks as well as the 49ers vs Packers. the New York Yankees won six titles in 10 Thanksgiving gives us a game that would’ve years and 10 titles in 16 years. If you were been considered boring before the season, watching the World Series, you were either but the Bills and Cowboys have both become rooting for the Yankees (as a fan of the team top teams and look to make noise in the or for the dynasty) or you were rooting for playoffs. the opposing team out of hatred. Moreover, due to the disparity in the Fans may consider the 2019-’20 NFL league, we should be in for a very good post- season may be considered great at the end. season. This season has given us around 8 If the playoffs are great and the finish to to 12 top teams with at least half of those the season is memorable than that is prob- teams looking like Super Bowl contenders. ably all we’ll remember. We have to keep in This year’s playoffs should give us many close mind that the main reason behind this is the games which should give us a great finish to disparity in the league, which may taint this The National Football League has had an overall PIXHERE the season. Last season had a similar hype season for those that want to see competitive unremarkable season so far. to the postseason where we were expecting football every week by every team. 20 Opinions Monday, November 25, 2019

Upholding Integrity Means Applying Standards To Both Sides

was no evidence to this claim, but she was actually lauded voter suppression, Clinton denied that Abrams lost the race By Daniel Melool by other Democrats, and declared to be the “real” governor in a fair manner. What happened to the moral indignation of Georgia. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said in a talk to the about direct threats to our democracy? A few weeks ago, on Nov. 5, it was Election Day. Don't National Urban League Conference, “But for voter disen- The present situation echos an idea similar to the one worry — you didn’t miss your chance to vote for or against franchisement, Stacey Abrams would be the governor of I spoke about in the second issue of The Commentator. In President Trump. These were local elections, held in several Georgia,'' Senator Bernie Sanders said, “Without the out- that piece, I talked about how the political divide has caused states such as Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia and New rageous voter suppression that took place, it’s likely that us to easily dismiss our opponents without examining the Jersey. The first two states held elections for the governor’s Stacey would have been elected governor of Georgia,” while details more in depth. The present issue is just as severe. mansion, while the latter two held elections for their respec- Senator Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg went There is a fine line between upholding the integrity of our tive state houses. Other states like Washington, Colorado as far as calling Abrams the rightful governor of Georgia. institutions and meaningless virtue signaling. All politicians, and Texas, among others, held elections on various state- Again, no conclusive evidence has been provided to sub- regardless of their political affiliation, should be held to a wide propositions. Since most of the election results were stantiate such claims. clear standard of accepting the fair and honest process of not particularly surprising, they didn’t receive any major media attention. If the only time you get outraged by a politician impugning the integrity of our However, Kentucky was a different story. Incumbent Governor Matt Bevin faced a tough reelection campaign, elections is when that politician is a member of the opposing party, are you honestly thanks to his extreme unpopularity. From the beginning of the race, Bevin trailed Andy Beshear, the state’s attorney concerned about upholding the integrity of our institutions, or is your umbrage general, in the polls — often by double-digits. Considering that President Trump won the state by 30 points in the dictated by political allegiance? 2016 election, reelection should have been a walk in the park. However, as the polls closed and the results were tal- In the 2016 presidential race, then-candidate Donald our elections. If they wish to contest the election results for lied, Beshear eked out a victory of about 5,000 votes, out of Trump said he would not accept the election results. For this any illegitimacy, they must provide conclusive evidence for more than a million cast. At first, Bevin refused to concede claim, he was met with rebuke even from his own party. One the claim. If the only time you get outraged by a politician the race to his opponent, saying that there were “a number particular individual that criticized Trump for his unwilling- impugning the integrity of our elections is when that politi- of irregularities,” and pointing to Kentucky’s past history ness to accept the results was Hilary Clinton. She sent out cian is a member of the opposing party, are you honestly with voter fraud. Bevin explained that his campaign would a tweet decrying, “Donald Trump refused to say that he’d concerned about upholding the integrity of our institutions, seek an official recanvass of the votes. He also claimed that respect the results of this election. That’s a direct threat to or is your umbrage dictated by political allegiance? We all “thousands of absentee ballots were illegally counted,” our democracy.” However, at an event hosted by the Albert must set a clear standard for how we judge politicians and and cited unconfirmed reports of voters being “incorrectly Shanker Institute, Clinton said, “We saw what happened in apply that standard to all sides. This is the next step in the turned away.” Bevin would finally concede the race nine Georgia where Stacey Abrams should be governor of that return to normalcy that America must take in order to be a days later, on Nov. 14. state.” Despite no conclusive evidence that there was any bastion of liberty and justice for all. For all of his claims about voter fraud, Bevin did not pro- vide any conclusive evidence. Robert Stivers, the Republican leader in the Kentucky Senate, called on Bevin to concede the race, saying, “It’s time to call it quits.” NPR sent out a tweet promoting an article about Bevin’s and other claims about voter fraud. The tweet read, “Without providing any evidence, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin questioned the election’s legitimacy. And he isn’t the first politician to do so. Election specialists worry that unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud erode confidence in democracy.” The article then goes on to talk about other instances of politi- cians claiming voter fraud, such as then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and then-candidate Donald Trump. Regarding the aforementioned candidates, NPR noted, “After the 2018 midterms, then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott alluded to "rampant voter fraud" that was never borne out in his Senate race,” and President Trump alleged that “millions and millions of people" voted illegally in the 2016 election, in order to explain why he lost the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton. Trump has never presented any evidence for that claim, and “a group his administration assembled to investigate voter fraud disbanded less than a year after it was formed, with no major result.” At first glance, NPR seems to be rightly pointing out that evidence-free claims about voter fraud are bound to have deleterious effects on the legitimacy of our institutions. Everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, should condemn politicians that blame voter fraud for their elec- tion losses without providing any evidence. However, the article did not give the same treatment to former gubernatorial candidate, Stacy Abrams. Abrams lost a close election for governor of Georgia in the 2018 midterm elections. She has constantly blamed voter sup- pression for her defeat. That same NPR article prefaced all the Republican claims of voter fraud with the qualifier “without evidence,” but when it came to Abrams’ claim, the article said, “Democrats also have continued to blame the results of the Georgia gubernatorial election on election administration issues that they say suppressed turnout.” The same Washington Post article that NPR cited concludes that it isn’t clear if there was any voter suppression, or if there was, whether it affected the outcome. NPR even promoted an article last year on social media about the Georgia gu- bernatorial race saying, “In a fiery speech, Stacey Abrams insisted this was no normal concession, decrying what she called "deliberate and intentional" voter suppression by Brian Kemp that she believes led to this result in Georgia's governor race.” Interestingly, this claim was not prefaced with the words, “without evidence.” When Matt Bevin claimed, without evidence, that there was voter fraud in his election, NPR rightly pointed out that there was no evidence to back this claim. However, when Abrams, a Democrat, blamed voter suppression on Former Governor of Kentucky Matt Bevin — the latest politician to WIKIMEDIA COMMONS her election loss, not only did NPR not point out that there allege election fraud. Monday, November 25, 2019 Opinions 21 The Rabin Assassination, 24 Years Later: Have We Learned Anything?

in the Israeli media — found that 20% of unremorseful assassin of their own prime In his remarks, R. Lichtenstein shared the By Michael Weiner Israelis believe Yigal Amir should be par- minister, if a supermajority of dati leumi following story: “Last week I visited mori doned from his life sentence in prison, and Jews want all Arabs to be “transferred” from ve-rabi, Harav Aharon Soloveitchik, whose Nov. 4 marked the 24th anniversary of 40% believe there is a medium-to-high like- Israel and if a prominent Israeli politician fierce opposition to the peace process is well- the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister lihood that there will be another political in dati leumi circles has no qualms about known. As soon as I walked in, he repeated Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by Yigal Amir, an assassination in the coming years, with a honoring a rabbi who publicly supports the over and over — a badge of shame, a badge extremist from the dati leumi (national- plurality of that group predicting it would murder of innocent people, I am left feeling of shame. We should feel deep shame that religious) community who was convinced likely come from a right-winger. extremely concerned about the future of this method of supposedly solving conflicts that Rabin’s signing of the Oslo Accords Buttressing this fear, a 2016 Pew poll Israel. These numbers clearly demonstrate has become part of our culture.” made him a rodef — a pursuer endanger- found that 70% of self-identified dati leu- that dangerous rhetoric is not limited to a Rabbi Lichtenstein did not avert his eyes, ing the lives of others — and thus liable to mi Israelis agree with the statement that handful of “bad apples,” but is rather far deflect responsibility, or insist that it was all be killed. This year, as always, the anniver- “Arabs should be expelled or transferred more firmly entrenched in dati leumi cul- leftist propaganda. Instead, he was honest — sary was widely commemorated in Israel, from Israel.” It isn’t at all difficult to see how ture, even if it is a minority position. The brutally so — about the moral failure that his most notably with a memorial gathering at the popularity of these threatening, vaguely consequences of this reality are concerning: own ideological community had nourished Rabin Square that drew tens of thousands violent sentiments could lead an especially for one, as many Israelis correctly point out and bred: “the self-confidence that arises of Israelis. devout (or disturbed) dati individual to “take when it comes to terror by Islamic jihadists, from commitment and devotion to a world 1995 was a long time ago. The internet matters into his own hands” and kill a future violent beliefs and actions do not have to be of values and eternal truths…sometimes has was in its infancy, Nirvana was in its heyday, Israeli leader who dismantles Jewish settle- accepted by a majority of the population in led to frightening levels of self-certainty and and today’s college students were not even ments in the West Bank as part of a peace order for them to be lethal. Rather, all that ultimately to arrogance. This arrogance has born. That being the case, it isn’t crazy to agreement, unlikely as that is right now given is needed is for a non-negligible minority to sometimes led us to act without sufficient wonder why anyone still cares about this current political realities. support such actions, and for everyone else responsibility towards other people, and at increasingly ancient event. Isn’t it time to times even without responsibility to other move on? If a fifth of Israeli society today wants to pardon the values. We are good, we have values, and Judging from the state of Israeli politics they are worthless - this attitude has seeped today, I believe the answer is a resounding unremorseful assassin of their own prime minister … I am left deeper and deeper into our consciousness.” “no.” Despite it being so many years later, I do not know what Rav Lichtenstein or Israelis still feel deeply traumatized by this feeling extremely concerned about the future of Israel. his rebbe, Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, would episode of political violence. Moreover, the say to us in our current moment of deep stark division of Israeli society that it re- While some might wave off these red to turn a blind eye or deny its existence at all. division and aggressive sentiments in the vealed continues to rock the country to this flags as fear-mongering or mere anti-dati Moreover, if non-religious Israelis perceive dati leumi camp. Even so, I feel the sharp- day. Just a month before the 24th anniver- prejudice, the ghosts of religious murder- violent rhetoric or support for violence as ness of his 24-year-old critique as if it were sary, a controversial new Israeli movie — ers past continue to haunt us. In August, being permanent, tolerated fixtures of the given today: indeed, as he wondered, can we “Incitement” — was released, and has taken Israel’s current Minister of Transportation, dati world, there will continue to be severe “understand the importance of the Medina, the country by storm. It provides extensive Bezalel Smotrich, attended an event in damage to the unity of the Jewish people. to understand the historical process in which footage of interviews with Yigal Amir in which an award was given to Rabbi Yitzchak Days after the assassination in November we live - without losing a sense of morality, prison, taking us on a psychological journey Ginsbugh, a hardline rabbinic figure no- 1995, R. Aharon Lichtenstein gave a sicha of proportion, of right, of spirituality?” into the mind of a murderous zealot who torious for his emphatic praise of Baruch in the beit midrash of Yeshivat Har Etzion I do not know the answer to that question, continues to believe he did the right thing. Goldstein, who carried out the 1993 Hebron in which he refused to take the easy way out but both recent events and long-simmering “Incitement” will be Israel’s entry for the Massacre, killing 29 Arabs at prayer in the and minimize the blame his own community trends have convinced me that it is still pro- Oscars next year, showing the resonance Cave of the Patriarchs. Facing backlash for ought to accept. Rather, he courageously foundly pertinent to contemporary Israeli and staying power of Rabin’s assassination his attendance, Smotrich defended himself exhorted his students to feel distraught, society and ought to be on the minds of all in the collective consciousness of the Israeli in a tweet by saying, “you don’t have to agree ashamed and yes — partially responsible religious Zionists, lest we run the risk of public despite the passing of over 20 years. with him on every single thing to believe he — for the tragedy that was perpetrated by losing everything we hold so dear. More disturbingly, a recent poll conduct- deserves an award.” a member of their camp. To put it more It is 24 years later, and the badge of ed by the Rushinek Research and Strategy Taking all of these facts together yields crudely than R. Lichtenstein ever would have shame remains. institute in advance of the anniversary of the some disturbing conclusions. If a fifth of — if it takes a village to raise a child, it also assassination — which got major coverage Israeli society today wants to pardon the takes a village to murder a prime minister.

Israel mourns Rabin WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 22 Opinions Monday, November 25, 2019

Paintings from Yayoi Kusama’s latest exhibition AHARON NISSEL On Creativity and Mental Illness: A Conflicted Appreciation of Yayoi Kusama all part of the same series — a series which that seem to ooze about space, despite being side. In some ways this mechanical means of By Aharon Nissel now contains over 200 works. Perhaps each made of stainless steel. The effect is that the art production deeply affects the paintings. painting is uniquely meaningful to her (as contorted confrontation with the viewers’ The artist is severely limited in her role as Walking through the new Yayoi Kusama evidenced by the overly expressive titles) vanity is intensified. a painter, as she does not have complete exhibition at the David Zwirner Gallery, but to everyone else, it’s starting to get kind The other work, which also uses mirrors access to the entire canvas and thus cannot one begins to wonder if it is really accurate of boring. (it’s a theme in Kusama’s work — she wants paint such large works. to describe these works as “new.” Sure, the Another example — and this one is per- us to confront ourselves, as we truly exist, in Kusama has long struggled from mental collection contains pieces that are technically haps even more disappointing — is the new an infinite universe) is “Ladder to Heaven,” illness, and has lived in a mental hospital for new creations and have never been exhibited infinity room, titled “Dancing Lights that and it features a ladder comprised of neon over 40 years. Her mental illness has deeply before, but it felt more like a recycling of old Flew Up to the Universe.” Kusama’s infin- bars that change color, wrapped in a metal affected her work. She paints how she feels, ideas that have not actually been updated in ity rooms are perhaps her most well known cage. The ladder extends from the floor to how she is. This should make audiences any new or complex ways. works. Each room is a cube, a few feet by a the ceiling, and mirrors at each end make it interact with her paintings in a more uncom- The Yayoi Kusama exhibition, titled few feet, and each wall is a mirror. Thus, the appear to go on infinite. Looking at the lad- fortable way: are we in fact romanticizing her “Every Day I Pray For Love,” opened to the viewer, and everything else in the room, is der elicits a powerful effect on the viewer: we mental illness? Is the Zwirner Gallery, and public on Nov. 9 at the David Zwirner Gallery reflected infinitely in every direction. These are on the ladder of the universe, as it were, other galleries worldwide, just trying to take in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. rooms have gained considerable popularity and it extends forever in either direction. advantage of her for monetary profit? The It features a body of works that were created for their “instagrammability.” But the new We are small and insignificant, but there is answer, it seems to me, is an unequivocal yes. specifically for this show. This comes just two room feels artistically weaker than the previ- always light and hope. There is a long history of the “mad ge- years after a considerably larger, hugely pop- ous ones, which seem to be more complex, But who is Kusama really? And what is nius” trope— the scientist, philosopher or ular show at the Zwirner Gallery two years for example featuring hand-painted pump- she getting at with all this? artist who is clinically insane, but whose earlier, which drew 75,000 visitors in the kins or hand-sewn creations. This room is Yayoi Kusama is now 90 years old and is insanity somehow allows them to tap into 23 days it was open. The Zwirner Gallery is just a number of hanging lights that change the most expensive female artist alive today. some greater creative impulse and unlock expecting this year’s show to reach 100,000 color. Of course, the effect is still amazing People wait for hours to see her works, which the truths of the universe. Perhaps the most visitors. Walking through the exhibition, it and existential. It asks us to question our sell for millions at auctions. She explores notable example of this is Vincent Van Gogh. was clear that they are trying to capitalize place in an infinitely expansive universe. It big themes such as the universe, the cosmos Van Gogh suffered from psychotic episodes on the same hype that the previous Kusama definitely works as a piece of art and viewers and our place in it. Her major question in and delusions and also spent time at a mental show created. Unfortunately, because this will take some epic selfies in the room, but this exhibit, if we were to distill it into one institution. It is there that he painted his show arrived so soon after the last one, it compared to other infinity rooms, this one question, is: how do we reckon with our most famous work, Starry Night. Mental just feels rushed — almost like half a show. just felt simple. Moreover, wait times for complex creative identities — encompassing illness actually inhibited his work, as it led For example, while this show features 42 the room tend to be over two hours, and the both biological and psychological aspects — him to be unable to paint for weeks on end. new paintings from the artist’s “My Eternal four viewers that enter the room at a time while existing in a cold, dead, universe that We have romanticised his mental illness and Soul” series, which cover just one wall, the only get one minute in the room. Is your operates far beyond what we think or do? attributed his greatest works to his mental previous one had 66, spread over four walls selfie worth a two hour plus wait for just 60 Over her career, Kusama has also presented instability. in a much more immersive presentation. seconds in the room, which you share with a lot of work that deals with sexuality, but This trope, creates a false and unhealthy These works were placed as they were to elic- three strangers? this exhibition seemed to lack that theme. view of what mental illness is and how it it the effect of walking into a space and being That said, there were two works that I feel It makes sense that her works have gotten affects people. The notion of the crazed, overwhelmed by the sight of an entire wall really stole the show. The first is “Cloud,” considerably more PG since she got famous, tortured artististic-genius is false and dele- covered in these paintings. However, com- which consists of 90 metallic mercurial blobs probably at the behest of whatever agents gitimizes their works. pared to last year’s collection of paintings, arranged on the floor. These evoke the art- and curators want to capitalize on her art So, as you walk through the Kusama this one just seems halfhearted. These psy- ist’s 1966 work, Narcissus Garden, in which with a wider audience. In 1969, in one of show, snapping selfies left and right (as you chedelic paintings, all of which are squares the artist stood amongst 1,500 large reflec- the works that helped make her famous, should), maybe it is time to think differently with each side measuring exactly 100.3 cm, tive marbles with a sign that read, “Your she painted a group of nude models with about her work. Of course, think about what sort of resemble cells under a microscope, Narcissum [sic] For Sale.” The field of balls polka dots and had them wander around the she wants you to think about as you look at with bold colors and thick brush strokes. reflected and distorted everything around MoMA, unauthorized. In this show, none of her works. Think about your place in the They feature names like “The Best of my Art it, including the viewers, who were forced her usual daring came through, and every- universe. Think about love, and emotion, Singing Everywhere the Infinite Beauty of to confront a distorted version of their own thing just felt muted. and ego. Think about all the epic selfies. Forms” and “A Hope for the Love of Blue and ego. Originally the artist sold the balls for At age 90, Kusama, who is already of Think about Kusama as a real human, deeply Orange Found Throughout the Universe.” $2 each, reflecting on the economic aspects a shorter stature, is wheelchair confined. flawed, and suffering, but also an artistic The paintings are impressive: each is unique, of art production and commercialization. When she paints, a canvas is brought over genius whose work has touched millions. each is — in its own way — mesmerizing. Cloud succeeds in taking this concept fur- to her and placed flat on a table before her. And also, at least for a moment, think about While each painting is different, they are ther. The mirrors are no longer so simple and She paints, and then her assistants turn the how she might be getting used and abused by conventional. Now they are amoebic blobs, canvas around so she can paint the other people who can make money off of her work. Monday, November 25, 2019 Business 23 Would You Like to Hedge the Verdict? to state. The reason this financial tool had an end to noblemen exacting judicial ha- After the financial crisis of 2008, there By Yaakov Metz not been used until recently dates to an an- rassment. A lot has changed since feudal were a lot of lawsuits with little to no money cient doctrine known as champerty, or the England: sliced bread, indoor plumbing and to fund them. In the years following the Inscribed above the door just outside of disallowance of outside parties financially this little thing folks like to call democracy. crisis, commercial financial litigation started the Attorney General’s office in Washington, benefiting from a lawsuit. The general un- Democracy is supposed to give citizens to gain traction. Lawyers began the risk DC is the following quote: “The United States derstanding in America in years past was that equal access to justice in the courts. Dispute analyses, weighing variables like the dura- wins its case whenever justice is done one tion of the court cases and the strength of of its citizens in the courts.” This ultimate the argument. Law and financial firms began proclamation of duty is a mantra that de- A lot has changed since feudal England: sliced bread, indoor posting higher gains than the portfolios of fines success in the eyes of the US justice plumbing and this little thing folks like to call democracy. top hedge funds. Business owners and major system. More broadly, justice within the corporations began to see justice where they courts speaks to the core values of America. wouldn’t have 10 years prior. By allowing However, with the current state of litigation, litigation finance was a prohibited practice, should be settled on the basis of legal fact and capitalism in the courtroom, it seemed as is that quote nailed high above the Attorney though not always explicitly outlawed per not financial situation. However, courts in though the Achilles heel of the justice system General’s door panel really within reach? se. The origin of this doctrine dates back to their current state don’t exact absolute jus- had been rectified. US courts are fatally flawed in one major feudal England when lords that had disputes tice. Verdicts are determined by how much Beyond the exhilaration of large returns way. In a civil court case, if one party has with other nobility would fund the lawsuits justice citizens can afford. Financing court and the newfound affordability of lawsuits, more or better resources to deal with expense of people in legal disagreement with their cases could restore balance to the justice there is a dark side to mixing justice with and risk, the party without that luxury is put rivals. Champerty was put in place to put system. capitalism. Although investors are only sup- at a massive disadvantage. A system where posed to write the checks, they are still able money skews outcomes does not sound like to place immense pressure on the plaintiff a just one, or one where the “United States or defendant. Lenders can do this because wins its case...” This system becomes less unlike lawyers, who have legal and ethical about right or wrong, and more about who obligations to their clients, 3rd party inves- can afford more right and wrong. tors do not. This power imbalance can favor Currently, there are three typical ways an outcome for the investor (who doesn’t one can fund a lawsuit. The first is to finance even have a judiciary claim to the case) over it yourself. The second is a contingency case, the plaintiff or defendant who they have where the lawyer does not charge up front, invested in. but gets a cut of the winnings (that is, if you Much like the reality of investments, fi- win.) The third is to try and convince a lawyer nancial litigation can have immense upside to represent you pro bono. and downside. It could solve one of the There is, however, a fourth option for age-old problems that have pestered courts funding a lawsuit that is slowly creeping for thousands of years, or it could give lend- into the mainstream. Litigation finance is ers a dangerous amount of control in judi- the practice where a plaintiff receives capital cial outcomes. Either way, it has arrived in to fund a lawsuit from a 3rd party investor. nearly all of America, exploding into a three The investor is then rewarded a portion of billion-dollar industry according to the most the financial recovery from the lawsuit. This conservative estimates. Did the lords and practice, although it has been around for ladies of feudal England have the foresight quite some time in countries like the UK, that current policy makers lack? Only time PIXABAY Hong Kong and Australia, is relatively new The Capitol, Washington, DC will bear witness to the new industry that in America, with laws varying from state could make or break justice in America. Finance and Networking Clubs Set High Bar for Future Events The dais consisted of students in their final year at YU Houlihan Lokey, and Avraham Novick (YC ‘20) in equity By Noam Gershov who had internships this past summer and are either pres- research at Cantor Fitzgerald. Nathan Hakakian (SSSB ‘22), ently employed or have jobs lined up upon graduation. In president of the Finance Club and MC of the event, welcomed On Oct. 30, the Finance Club and Networking Club no particular order, the following seniors sat on the panel: everyone and introduced the panelists. teamed up to host an event titled “What is Wall Street?” The Solomon Shulman (YC ‘20), who interned in investment The panelists shared their opinions, pulling from in- Sky Café was buzzing with excitement as students gathered banking at the Royal Bank of Canada; Ariella Kohansieh dividual experiences in the corporate world to advise the for one of the first club events of the year. A panel consist- (SSSB ‘20) in wealth management at Merrill Lynch; Tzvi students. They discussed choosing fields, tips for land- ing of six student speakers discussed business topics and Rotblat (SSSB ‘20) in sales and trading at Natixis, Samuel ing an esteemed internship and methods to differentiate aspects relating to the internship and job search. Over 50 Katz (SSSB ‘20) in real estate finance at Meridian Capital themselves from the ever-growing pool of competition. One students were in attendance. Group, Sam Schultz (SSSB ‘20) in financial analytics at speaker stressed the importance of proper preparation and The panelists shared their opinions, pulling from individual experiences in the corporate world to advise the students.

research about a company prior to the interview. Upon being accepted, another emphasized the qualities of alacrity and enthusiasm when performing tasks. Novick, for example, used his economics background to create spreadsheets and charts, pleasing and impressing his boss. Other sugges- tions included the importance of hard work and sincerity. Kohansieh noted that a friendly demeanor and the ability to work with others goes a very long way. The event drove home the idea that an intern must be skilled and well-versed in the language and techniques of his specific field while simultaneously being motivated to assist the company and capable of working alongside other employees. According to the speakers, the perfect intern is complex, knowing both the technical aspects of the job and having the people qualities of the environment. When the panel concluded, the students had the op- portunity to participate in the networking portion of the night. They mingled with the panelists who stayed behind to answer their questions. The success of the event prompted Hakakian to send an email later that night about the possibil- ity of having a more focused follow-up event with concrete topics and practical tools about internships. Nathan Hakakian, MC of the event, introducing the panelists ARIEL SCHNEIDER 24 Monday, November 25, 2019

Yeshiva University UNDERGRADUATES can take courses at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. Classes are open to students either within the BA/MA Program or as upper-class undergraduates taking graduate courses with permission.

CLASS SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2020

MONDAY TUESDAY 4:50–6:30 p.m. Leiman: BIB 5031 Introduction to Bible I 2:49–4:29 p.m. 2:49–4:29 p.m. Tsadik: JHI 5335 Jews in the Lands Dauber: JPH 6760 Messianism NEW COURSE of Islam I (via live video connection) in Kabbalah & Hasidut Mermelstein: JHI 6244 Diaspora and Exile in Ancient Jewish Thought Rynhold: JPH 5012 Survey of Modern NEW COURSE and Contemporary Jewish Philosophy Koller: BIB 6002 Mishnaic Hebrew 6:50–8:30 p.m. This course does not count toward the (This course also counts towards the Kanarfogel: JHI 6822 History of Biblical ten required MA courses, but scholarship concentrations in Medieval and Exegesis in Medieval Ashkenaz grants apply to this course. Available to Modern history). Zimmerman: JHI 5441 The Jews undergraduates without special permission. of Eastern Europe: 1914–89 (Via live video connection) 4:50–6:30 p.m. Cohen: BIB 8305 Book of Job in the Jewish 4:50–6:30 p.m. Exegetical Tradition THURSDAY Eichler: BIB 7350 Biblical Historiography Olson: JHI 6417 Jews and Empires 2:49–4:29 p.m. Carlebach: JHI 6409 Sabbatean Hurvitz: TAS 7544 Maimonides’ Dauber: JPH 5260 Introduction Controversies Halakhic Writings to Hasidic Thought This course does not count toward the Hidary: TAS 5804 Introduction ten required MA courses, but scholarship 6:50–8:30 p.m. to Amoraic Literature grants apply to this course. Available to NEW COURSE undergraduates without special permission. Fine: TAS 5872 Midrashic Literature 4:50–6:30 p.m. (Via live video connection) of the Amoraim Hidary: TAS 6877 Classical Rabbinic Thought

(This course counts towards the NEW COURSE MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY concentrations in Ancient, Medieval Grunhaus: BIB 6087 Rabbi David Kimhi a and Modern history) 4:40–5:55 p.m. nd his Exegetical Methods Tsadik: SEM 5112 Arabic II Hurvitz: TAS 5871 Midrashic Literature of the Amoraim This course does not count toward the 6:50–8:30 p.m. ten required MA courses, but scholarship Rynhold: JPH 6885 The Philosophy grants apply to this course. Available to WEDNESDAY of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik undergraduates without special permission. Angel: JHI 5215 Jews under Roman Rule 2:49–4:29 p.m. (Via live video connection) Tsadik: JHI 6399 Jews of Iran: History Perelis: JHI 6387 Varieties of Jewish Autobiography: From the Middle Ages 6:50–8:30 p.m. & Culture (via live video connection) to the Early Modern Period (This course counts towards the Karlip: JHI 5445 (This course counts for concentrations in concentrations in Medieval and East European Jewry Confronts Medieval and Modern history). Modernity: The Russian Haskalah Modern history). and the Rabbinic Response Berger: JHI 6652 The Jewish-Christian Eichler: BIB 6213: Patriarchal Narratives Debate in the Middle Ages

Please check our website for any updates at www.yu.edu/revel/courses For BA/MA Program requirements, please visit www.yu.edu/revel/ bachelor-arts-master-arts For information on taking a Revel course outside the framework of the BA/MA Program, please contact Rona Steinerman, Revel Director of Admissions, at [email protected]