VOLUMEYU 8 NO. 12 To • SUMMER d 2004 ay

Yeshiva Without Walls ■ YU students take Jewish learning to distant communities

and program coordinator. That was certainly the case in Baltimore last month when Congregation Shomrei Emunah and Suburban Orthodox Con- gregation Toras Chaim hosted a series of YU Torah seminars. Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch, a fel- low of RIETS’ Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon, lectured on Jewish law. YU students also provided instruction. In Atlanta, Rabbi Yona Reiss (l-r) Joshua Ross, Elysia Rothenberg, Anat Barber, Shira Rosenfeld, ’87Y,R, Yale Law School gradu- and Lisa Grundman, five of the eleven graduate fellows. ate and director of the Beth Din of America, a prominent Jeremy Bodek-Rosenbaum in an informal rabbinical court, is leading sim- educational session with children in Denver. ilar seminars, speaking on Beth Leaders in the Making Din procedures, business ethics, ewish life in the US is College for Women, Sy Syms and the connection between ■ Graduate Fellows take their place at YU broad and diverse. And School of Business, and Rabbi Jewish and secular law. Joining while options to live Jew- Isaac Elchanan Theological Rabbi Reiss are eight YU stu- ish lives are greater than Seminary have traveled to 26 dents and Rabbi Michael Jever—from university pro- cities in 16 states and 5 coun- Broyde YH,’84Y,R, a graduate of leven new fellows will to the president. grams to religious services to tries, delivering lectures on con- NYU School of Law and profes- assume positions in de- The 2004–05 fellows are informal education—access, temporary Jewish issues and sor of law and academic director partments around cam- Jacob Agatstein, Anat Barber, time, and guidance remain ob- providing one-on-one Torah of the Law and Religion Pro- pus, under a presiden- Rachel Horn Cyrulnik, Debra stacles for many people, espe- instruction. gram at Emory University. Etial initiative to train YU grad- Feinberg, Lisa Grundman, Ouriel cially professionals who are busy “The program’s hashkafa, or Professor Broyde, spiritual uates for leadership roles in Hassan, Shoshana Libin, Marisa building families and careers. philosophy, seeks to support leader of Atlanta’s Young Israel Jewish communal life. Parker, Shira Rosenfeld, Joshua Recognizing the opportunity an individual’s efforts to strike of Toco Hills, also taught classes The inaugural awardees of Ross, and Elysia Rothenberg. to fill a void, Yeshiva University a balanced interaction between and hosted participants. the Graduate Fellowship in They have been assigned to has created a spiritual peace tradition and modern society, In addition to Baltimore and University and Community the following departments: corps to bring intensive Jewish the hallmark of Modern Ortho- Atlanta, scholars from YU and Leadership at Yeshiva Univer- RIETS’ Max Stern Division of learning to smaller commu- doxy,” said Rabbi Ari Rockoff, RIETS have traveled to Omaha; sity are part of a broader effort Communal Services, Stern nities and major cities both here director of community initia- Los Angeles; Teaneck, NJ; Las to identify top graduates and College for Women Dean’s and abroad. Teams of students tives at RIETS’ Max Stern Divi- Vegas; Toronto; Vancouver; keep them connected to YU. Office, Sy Syms School of Busi- from Yeshiva College, Stern sion of Communal Services, Glasgow; and Melbourne. “My intention is to inspire ness Dean’s Office, Office of these young people not only to Student Affairs (on the Wilf pursue their professional and Beren campuses), Office of Yeshiva College Dinner Fetes Four Alumni dreams, but to remain com- University Life, Office of En- mitted to the university and to rollment , Office of ome of Yeshiva College’s oldest, and youngest, alumni joined more than 300 friends and the Jewish community by uti- the Vice President for Academic well-wishers at the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in June to celebrate 75 years lizing the very real, demanding Affairs, and Development. Sof quality Jewish higher education and pledge support toward future success. skills they will gain,” said “The fellows will be exposed Four alumni were honored for their achievements: Rabbi Dr. Jacob Adler YH,’46Y,R; Rabbi President Richard M. Joel. to the inner workings of the Murray Grauer YH,’41Y,R, who served as a pulpit rabbi in Miami and White Plains, NY, for 50 “They will play a meaningful university,” said Dean Gelman. years; Dr. Jonathan Halpert YH,’66Y,F, who has coached YU men’s basketball since 1972; and role in enhancing the academic “The program seeks to help Rabbi Dr. (Col.) Victor M. Solomon YH,’50Y,R, a retired and decorated US Air Force chaplain. enterprise.” these young men and women A nine-minute video presentation and a commemorative dinner journal celebrated the The students were selected develop leadership skills and achievements of the honorees, as well as the first 75 years of YC. after an intense screening and apply them to their chosen Norman Adler, PhD, YC dean, spoke of “the historical challenge” that began with YC’s review process by Morton fields.” founding in 1928. He called the college the “cornerstone of centrist Orthodox Judaism.” Lowengrub, vice president for The experience, said Presi- Richard M. Joel, president of Yeshiva University, described YU’s history as a springboard for academic affairs; Sheldon Gel- dent Joel, should broaden achieving greater success, and called the four honorees role models for future YC students to man, PhD, Dorothy and David Yeshiva University’s service to, “build lives of dignity, honor, and purpose.” I. Schachne Dean of Wurz- and visibility in, the Jewish Arthur M. Luxenberg served as dinner chairman. weiler School for Social Work; community. and Ed Fox, ’75T,CTI, deputy continued on page 7

GIVING BACK BRIGHT FRIENDS OR TEA FOR FUTURES FOES? TWO President’s Circle Undergrads Joshua Twins’ Tea Funds Student Win Places at Zimmerman Research Projects Top Schools Re-examines Among Summer Polish-Jewish Ties Internships Page 3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 8 INSIDE

www.yu.edu/news/publications 2 YUToday Summer 2004

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Norman Adler, PhD, YC dean, was 1954–2004” at the American Jewish at WSSW, co-authored “Classical Reli- Moshe Pava, PhD, Alvin H. Tamar ’02S to Philip Gross, son of honored on the 25th anniversary of Historical Society’s 2004 Biennial gious Perspectives of Adoption Law” Einbender Professor of Business Michael Gross YH’73 and wife the University of Pennsylvania’s Scholars’ Conference on American in the Notre Dame Law Review (Vol. Ethics, SSSB; Deborah Cohn, Shaindy. Biological Basis of Behavior (BBB) Jewish History, and “Orthodoxy in 79, Issue 2). PhD, assistant professor of mar- major, one of the largest under- America on Display in the Arena of keting, SSSB; David Schnall, Arthur Hyman, BRGS dean, and wife graduate programs at Penn. Dean Sports, 1920–2000” at the confer- Alvin Schiff, PhD, ’47Y,B,F, AGS, PhD, AGS dean; and Mordechai Batyah on the birth of a grandson, Adler was the founder of the BBB ence Imagining the American Jewish Irving I. Stone Distinguished Pro- Cohen, PhD, associate professor Nethanel Isaac, to children Joseph program, which has been adopted Community, at the Jewish Theo- fessor of Jewish Education, presented of Bible, are among the lecturers Isaiah and Rena Hyman. at Columbia, Harvard, and other logical Seminary. a series of five lectures titled “The in a series sponsored by Edah at schools. Roots and Shoots of Zionism” at Con- the JCC of Manhattan. Howard Jonas, member, YC board A review of Eschatological Themes in gregation Torah Ohr, Boca Raton, of directors, and wife Debbie on the Noyes Bartholomew, DMA, associ- Medieval Jewish Philosophy, by FL. He also presented “Mordecai, marriage of son Shmuel to Jocelyn Isabel K. Balson and Cynthia ate professor of music and coordi- Arthur Hyman, PhD, BRGS dean, the Paradigm of Jewish Communal Berger ’02S. Benolken have been appointed nator of humanities, and David appeared in the Jan. 2004 issue of Leadership.” CSL registrar and assistant regis- Glaser, DMA, visiting assistant pro- Speculum, published by the Medieval Ephraim Kanarfogel PhD, YH,’77Y, trar, respectively. Previously, Ms. fessor of music, premiered original Academy of America. Hayim Tawil, PhD, instructor in B,R, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Jewish Balson was assistant and then musical compositions at a perform- Hebrew, contributed an article to a History and chairman, Rebecca Ivry associate CSL registrar; Ms. Benol- ance of Glaux, a music ensemble of Ephraim Kanarfogel, PhD, YH,’77Y, Festschrift on studies in the Bible and Department of Jewish Studies, ken was a registrar at Fashion Temple University. B,R, E. Billi Ivry Professor of Jewish the Ancient Near East, in Hebrew SCW, and wife Devorah on the birth Institute of Technology. Before that History and chairman, Rebecca Ivry and Semitic languages. The volume of their first grandchild, Yehuda, to she worked in the registrar’s J. David Bleich, PhD, Herbert and Department of Jewish Studies, SCW, honored Prof. Yitzhak Avishur, in daughter Tova ’02S, a CSL student, office at the School of Visual Arts. Florence Tenzer Professor of Jewish was named vice president of the the department of Hebrew Lan- and Yosef Milgrom ’02Y. Law and Ethics, CSL, gave a talk, Association for Jewish Studies, the guage at the University of Haifa. “Self-organized Criticality in Friction,” “The New York Get Law,” at a con- leading professional organization an article co-written by Fredy Bradley Karasik ’96Y, assistant dean ference on new trends in divorce for Jewish studies professors in Moshe D. Tendler, PhD, YC profes- Zypman, PhD, YC professor of of students, and wife Adina on the law, sponsored by the faculty of law, North America. He gave a lecture at sor of biology and Rabbi Isaac and physics, that was published in the birth of third child Zundel Yaakov. University of Haifa. Dr. Bleich also the Center for Advanced Judaic Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, authored “Was Spinoza a Jewish Studies at the University of Penn- Medical Ethics at RIETS, delivered was chosen by the journal as one of Leslie Waltzer Pollak, WSSW and Philosopher?” for Cardozo Law Review, sylvania, “Prayer, Literacy and Literary “Defining Futility—An Ethical Per- its top papers for 2003. FGS director of development, and and “She’erit Yisra’el u’Moreshet Memory in the Jewish Communities spective” as part of the Grand husband Steve on the birth of a Yisra’el” for Or Ha-Mizrach. of Medieval Europe,” and one titled Rounds and Visiting Professor Series, daughter, Jamie Lauren. “The Role of Dreams as a Deter- Department of Medicine, Down- Congratulations to Hillel Davis, PhD, vice president of minant of Jewish Law During the state Medical Center. Also, he was Cantor Bernard Beer YH,’65CTI, Burton Resnick, AECOM board of university life, and wife Rachayl were Middle Ages” at Penn’s Tenth scholar-in-residence at Suburban BSJM director, and wife Barbara on overseers chairperson emeritus and guests of honor at the Hebrew Annual Gruss Colloquium on History Orthodox Congregation, Baltimore; the birth of a granddaughter, Chana YU board of trustees Executive Academy of Long Beach 49th Annual and Anthropology. In Jerusalem, he he was honored at the inaugural Aliza, to children Rabbi Jeffrey Beer Committee chairman, and wife Dinner, in March. presented “Between the Tosafist dinner of MESHI, which treats Israeli YH,’97YC and wife Gila (Insler) ‘02S. Judith on the birth of twin grand- Academies and other Study Halls in children with crippling disabilities; children, Alexander and Quinn, to Joshua A. Fishman, PhD, Distin- Medieval Ashkenaz” at a conference and he gave a lecture, “When Caring Ed Fox ‘75Y,CTI, deputy to the presi- children Peter and Andrea Resnick. guished University Research Professor cosponsored by the Hebrew Uni- Becomes Curing: A Torah Perspec- dent, and wife Debbie (Breidenbach) Emeritus, received the Linguapax versity and Merkaz Shazar, and was tive,” at the Jewish Home at ’78W, on the marriage of daughter continued on page 6 Peace Prize, an award given every named an editor of the Festschrift Rockleigh, NJ. year by the Linguapax Institute to published by Magnes Press in honor researchers and linguists who have of Prof. Israel Ta-Shma. Josh Zimmerman, PhD, assistant made outstanding contributions to professor of Jewish history and Eli the field. Chancellor , PhD, and Diana Zborowski Professor of ’49Y,B,R, was scholar-in-residence Interdisciplinary Holocaust Studies, YUToday Sheldon R. Gelman, PhD, Dorothy in March at the Chicago Loop Syna- delivered a paper, “The 1905 Russian VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 12 and David I. Schachne Dean, WSSW, gogue. He presented “Who is a Good Revolution as a Turning Point in the was quoted at length in the article Jew?”, “The Study of Torah: Know- History of the Jewish Labor Bund,” YESHIVA UNIVERSITY “Collaborating With Faith-Based ledge or Learning?” and “The Need at a Jerusalem conference, The Ronald P. Stanton, Chairman Services” in NASW News. He dis- of the Hour.” Revolution of 1905: A Turning Point YU Board of Trustees cussed the benefits and drawbacks in Jewish History?, in May. Richard M. Joel of services provided by faith-based Daniel Pollack, MSW, JD, professor President organizations. Dr. Norman Lamm Chancellor Pearl Berger YH,’62T, BEd, dean of libraries, completed her two-year Peter L. Ferrara Jeffrey Gurock, PhD, Libby M. term as president of the Association of Jewish Libraries at its 2004 con- Director of Communications and Public Affairs Klaperman Professor of Jewish vention at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, June 20–23. History, is a member of the Academic Yeshiva University librarians Leah Adler, Zalman Alpert, Shulamith Z. Joshua L. Muss, Chairman, Board of Directors, Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener Blenden, Chairman, Board of Directors, ; Bernard L. Advisory Committee of Celebrate Berger YH,’84B, and Dean Berger presented papers at the convention. Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy ; Ira M. Millstein, 350, the Jewish community’s com- Peninnah Schram, associate professor of speech and drama, led the Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Kathryn O. memoration of the 350th anniver- workshop “Read Me a Story/Tell Me a Story: So What’s the Difference?” Greenberg, Chairman, Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; sary of the Jews’ arrival in the US. He Jeffrey Gurock, PhD, Libby M. Klaperman Professor of Jewish History, Robert Schwalbe, Chair, Board of Governors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; delivered “Skirting and Ad (dressing) spoke about “Finding the Courage to Study American Jewish History: Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Katherine Sachs, Chair, Board of Governors, Ferkauf Graduate the Issue of Modesty: American Professional and Personal Reflections” at an authors’ luncheon. School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, Azrieli Orthodoxy and the Culture of Sports, Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Chair- man, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Erica Jesselson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum. Key to School Abbreviations Board listings as of July 1, 2004

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY

A, AECOM Albert Einstein College of Medicine • AG, AGI Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education Kelly Berman Norman Eisenberg Editor Managing Editor and Administration • BG, BGSS Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Sciences • B, BRGS Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies • BSJM Belz School of Jewish Music • CTI Cantorial Training Jerry Bergman, Esther Finkle, June Glazer, Norman Goldberg, Cara Huzinec, Peter Robertson, Hedy Shulman, V. Jane Windsor Institute • C, CSL Cardozo School of Law • F, FGS Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology • I, IBC Isaac Contributors Breuer College of Hebraic Studies • J, JSS James Striar School of General Jewish Studies • MSDCS Max www.yu.edu/news/publications Stern Division of Communal Services • Y, MYP Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies • SBMP Stone Beit Midrash Program • R, RIETS Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • S, SCW Stern Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the Yeshiva University Department of Communications and Public Affairs, 401 Furst Hall, College for Women • SG Sue Golding Graduate Division of Medical Sciences • SB, SSSB Sy Syms School 500 West 185th St., New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is distributed free of Business • T, TI Teachers Institute • T, TIW Teachers Institute for Women • W, WSSW Wurzweiler School on campus to faculty, staff, and students. © Yeshiva University 2004 of Social Work • Y, YC Yeshiva College • YH, YUHS Yeshiva University High Schools (MSTA The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy) (SWHSG Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls) Summer 2004 YUToday 3

Commencement Highlights ■ Speakers urge YU graduates to take hold of their future

emeritus of English at Baruch College, City Univer- sity of New York, and former YC professor of English. President Joel also conferred some 2,000 under- graduate and graduate degrees. At Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law’s 26th Annual Commencement Exercises at Avery Fisher Hall, Justice O’Connor urged graduates to pursue careers in public service, citing her own groundbreaking career as a female lawyer, lawmaker, and jurist. “Don’t succumb to the thought that society’s problems are too large for any one individual,” she said, recalling that her former colleague, Justice Thurgood Marshall, worked for years with other com- mitted lawyers to lay the groundwork for the historic 1954 decision outlawing school segregation. At Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s 46th Annual Commencement Exercises, also at Avery Fisher Hall, Dr. Cimino described medicine as “a serv- ing profession” and emphasized the need to provide compassionate, quality care to terminally ill patients. YU valedictorians: (l-r) Robert Weissbrot (IBC), Louis Nemzer (SBMP), Jennifer Gamss (SCW-General Studies), His address offered insights into palliative care, Tara Rabinowitz (SSSB), Justin Klein (SSSB), and Amir Sadighpour (JSS). which focuses on relieving the symptoms of incur- Not pictured: Yaacov Rydzinski (MYP), Ariel Bayewitz (YC), and Jeremy Bodek-Rosenbaum (SSSB). able diseases. Dr. Cimino’s son, Christopher Cimino, MD, an n 2004 commencement addresses, President trust—that require renewed resolve. associate clinical professor at AECOM, introduced his Richard M. Joel, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day “Humankind has within its grasp the power to father, who was also joined by Dominick P. Purpura, O’Connor, and James E. Cimino, former chief of eliminate much of human suffering,” the president MD, the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein. medicine for Calvary Hospital, encouraged grad- told a crowd of 5,000 that included students and their President Joel conferred degrees to 151 MD gradu- Iuates to pursue professions that both change and families, alumni, administration, and guests. ates, 18 PhD candidates, and 16 combined MD-PhD enrich society. He bestowed honorary degrees on Rabbi Marvin graduates. The 73rd Annual Commencement Exercises at Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal See photo gallery on page 4 for highlights of The Theater in Madison Square Garden were President Center; Dr. Ruth Roskies Wisse, Martin Peretz Pro- commencement exercises, including those held at Joel’s first since taking office last fall. He used the fessor of Yiddish Literature and professor of compar- Wurzweiler School of Social Work and Ferkauf occasion to discuss new challenges confronting mod- ative literature at Harvard University; and Yeshiva Graduate School of Psychology. ern society and old dilemmas—conflict, fear, and dis- College alumnus Dr. Maurice Wohlgelernter, professor

President’s Circle Awards Grants EINSTEIN ON THE CUTTING EDGE ■ More than $90,000 for student initiatives

• Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have he President’s Circle is revitalizing efforts to enhance student life with a slew of new solved the mystery surrounding the migration of messenger grants totaling more than $90,000 for campus projects. Fueled by new leadership, RNA molecules out of cell nuclei that allows genetic instruc- the President’s Circle reconnects accomplished alumni from YU’s undergraduate tions to be translated into proteins. The discovery was made schools to current campus life to improve student programs and facilities. possible by cutting-edge microscope technologies developed TSteven Selesny ’84Y and Daniel Gibber ’96S are the group’s new co-chairmen. “We in the Einstein lab of Robert H. Singer, PhD, that enable sci- want to give back to YU via its most valuable entists to view individual molecules and track their movement asset—the students,” said Mr. Gibber. They hope within cells. to attract more members and improve communi- cation with students, according to Mr. Selesny. • Students, fellows, and faculty at Einstein’s Hispanic Center “It’s a somewhat difficult process to coordinate of Excellence (HCOE) received honors, including scholarship with students, because we want written and well- awards from the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union thought-out proposals that often reflect a group’s and United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Laurie- long-term goals from student leaders whose terms Anne Swaby received First Prize ($2,500), John Paul Sanchez in office are inherently short,” Mr. Selesny said. received Second Prize ($1,500), and Yukmila Soriano received Students presented proposals to the group’s mem- Third Prize ($1,000). Lourdes Maisonet, MD, and Lionel bers at a meeting last December. Student groups Rodriquez, MD, received fellowship awards. President’s Circle co-chairs receiving funding include: WYUR, Yeshiva’s radio Steven Selesny and Daniel Gibber station, to purchase a radio console; the Uptown • Steven Almo, PhD, of the department of biochemistry, Independent Housing Program, to refurbish the delivered the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular student lounge; the Torah Leadership Training Program for Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women students; Lapid, the Stern College magazine celebrating its Jubilee; the Dean of Biology-Amgen Award lecture at the group’s annual meeting Students Chesed Fund; and MacsLive, the YC varsity basketball team’s Web site. in Boston. He spoke on the structural basis of T-cell The President’s Circle allocates funds to YU student organizations only, and encourages costimulation. independent fund-raising as well, Mr. Selesny said. It does not fund operating expenses or charity-type organizations not focused on YU students. • Michael Brownlee, MD, professor of medicine and pathol- “The President’s Circle is not simply a group of alumni determining what should be ogy and Anita and Jack Saltz Professor of Diabetes Research, funded,” said Lance Hirt ’87Y, member of the Circle and the YU board of trustees. “Rather, received the 2004 Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement it is a group of alumni listening to what the students need.” from the American Diabetes Association. The award is given Alumni who donate $5,000 per year can fund projects through the Circle. annually to recognize scientific excellence as well as the recip- “The President’s Circle brings student life and alumni relations together,” Mr. Hirt said. ient’s significant, long-term contribution to the understand- He and fellow YU board trustee and Circle member Sender Cohen were instrumental in ing, treatment, and/or prevention of diabetes. The medal is revitalizing the group based on their interest in enhancing student life. “Alumni are able the highest scientific award given by the ADA. to become directly involved in what is happening on campus, and it’s a great way to make an immediate difference at the university,” said Mr. Hirt. 4 YUToday Summer 2004

COMMENCEMENT 2004

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1 (l-r) Raphael Nadav Tolub, Andre Ghighi, and Mikael Landau, 5 Ariel R. Bayewitz, YC valedictorian and student speaker at YU’s graduates of Sy Syms School of Business commencement 2 Esther Stavrou, assistant professor of psychology, hoods PsyD 6 Wurzweiler School of Social Work held its exercises at Belfer Hall, graduate Brian Butler at Ferkauf’s commencement Wilf Campus 7 Albert Einstein College of Medicine granted some 230 degrees 3 President Richard M. Joel and Supreme Court Justice Sandra and 46 diplomas Day O’Connor, who delivered the commencement address at Cardozo’s ceremony 8 (l-r) Alisa Mandel, Atara Philips, Dina Lyman, and Zehava Machnikoff, of Stern College for Women 4 Stern College graduate Anat Barber Summer 2004 YUToday 5

COMMENCEMENT 2004

Outstanding Undergraduates Garner Top Honors

Anthony Wexler Johns Hopkins is highly selective Malka Zeiger fuses two areas of study, Tanakh and awards an annual stipend to the Simkovich (Bible) and music, both of which I six to eight students chosen on aver- love equally,” she said. Next year she Receives age per year. Studies will also teach Tanakh at Maimon- Johns Mr. Wexler credits his interest in Biblical ides School in Brookline, Mass., and Hopkins contemporary American literature to Poetry at mentor female students. She says she his YU experience. “I love YU,” Mr. plans a career in formal and informal Grant Wexler said. “After spending two years Harvard education and hopes to establish pro- learning in Israel, I came here look- grams for women. ing to combine textual learning with Michelle Levine, PhD, assistant secular studies, and the time I spent professor of Bible, mentored Ms. here changed how I thought and saw Simkovich for her honors thesis, the world.” “Critical Analysis of International Elizabeth Stewart, PhD, his adviser Prophesies in the Book of Isaiah.” in the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein “Malka’s knowledge of music had no idea I could make a living Honors Program at Yeshiva College, soteric to some, studying gives her an interdisciplinary sense reading books I love,” said YC witnessed his intellectual blossoming. Biblical poetry was a natural to rhythm and meter of Biblical graduate Anthony Wexler, who “Anthony did what not many people choice for Malka Zeiger Sim- poetry,” Dr. Levine said. received a full scholarship to the do in a lifetime: he gained a strong kovich, a 2004 graduate of “She is enthusiastic about her Igraduate English program at Johns grasp of Lacanian psychoanalysis, EStern College for Women and its S. studies and demonstrates the ability Hopkins University. strong enough to interpret the work Daniel Abraham Honors Program. to interrelate different disciplines of A Montreal native, Mr. Wexler of Coetzee in an original manner,” This fall, she will pursue a master’s research. Malka will make a fine majored in English with a minor in she said. degree and PhD in that field through teacher and scholar.” psychology. In his honors thesis, he Mr. Wexler aspires to be a professor Harvard University’s program in Near At Stern, Ms. Simkovich wrote for uses psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s of literature. “I would like to teach Eastern languages and civilizations. The Observer, tutored in the writing unique approach to evaluate the works the love of knowledge, the world of Ms. Simkovich double-majored in center, and sang in the choral of South African writer J. M. Coetzee. ideas, and the interplay of imagina- Jewish studies, concentrating in Bible ensemble. The English graduate program at tion and reality,” he said. and music. “A PhD in Biblical poetry

Chanoch Goldfeder Bella Tendler demia, where she hopes to broaden really wanted.” the Jewish community’s knowledge Mr. Goldfeder, who majored in Begins of Islam through teaching and writing. Wins math and computer science, will Ms. Tendler double-majored in Computer conduct research in the robotics lab of Near history and creative writing. “Bella Science Dr. Peter Allen, professor of computer Eastern was a remarkable student who stood science at Columbia University. Studies at out for the quality of her mind and Fellowship “I would like to be a professor and her inexhaustible intellectual curios- from US conduct research, and I’d also like to Princeton ity,” said Ellen Schrecker, PhD, pro- Defense be involved in Jewish communal fessor of history. “It was clear from services,” he said. the first minute she appeared in my Dept. At YC, Mr. Goldfeder was a mem- class that she was destined for a dis- ber of the Computer Science Society tinguished academic career. Having and the Dramatics Society. He was her in my classes was like having a also active in the Max Stern Division colleague there.” fellowship from the US De- of Communal Services of Rabbi Isaac ager to begin her Near Eastern At SCW, Ms. Tendler was presi- partment of Defense is help- Elchanan Theological Seminary. studies doctorate this fall at dent of the Dramatics Society, organ- ing YC graduate Chanoch “Chanoch showed a high degree Princeton University, Bella ized the poetry and prose perform- Goldfeder on his way to of creativity in his approach to prob- Tendler hopes to create a ances of the university’s arts festival, AColumbia University next fall, where lem solving,” said Gabriel Cwilich, Emutual understanding between Jews and was cofounder and editor of the he will work toward a master’s degree PhD, associate professor of physics at and Muslims that eschews harmful school’s literary journal. and a doctorate in computer science. YC. “I used to post online puzzles stereotypes. She is the granddaughter of Rabbi Mr. Goldfeder received the that related to creative applications “Whether protecting oneself in Moshe D. Tendler, professor of biology, National Defense Science and Engine- of the material covered in class. times of war or conducting dialogue Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Chair ering Fellowship, which covers Chanoch was so eager, he established during peace, it is crucial to work in Jewish Medical Ethics, and rosh tuition and fees and offers a stipend. a warning system in his pager that with accurate knowledge rather than yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan “I am really excited,” Mr. Goldfeder would alert him when I typed any- cultural generalizations,” said the 2004 Theological Seminary. said. “It was the first acceptance I thing in that Web page.” graduate of Stern College for Women. received and it was the fellowship I Ms. Tendler plans a career in aca-

Syms Graduates Land Places at Leading Firms taught by Michael Rothschild, MBA, adjunct assistant profes- sor in marketing, required stu- hen Robert Weiss- “The majors at number of other large compa- man Sachs, the office helped him dents to plan a direct marketing brot starts work as Syms are highly recruited, which nies such as American Express with his application, he said. campaign, said Ms. Friedman. an auditor at Ernst is a credit to YU,” said Mr. Weiss- and Grant Thornton, said The school’s courses also The advertising and inter- & Young in mid- brot. But leading up to the inter- Charles Snow, PhD, SSSB dean. emphasize professional pre- active advertising courses that WAugust, he will join the group views is a long process of pre- “We also have 2004 graduates paration. Marketing majors Mr. Silverberg took with of 2004 Sy Syms School of Busi- paration arranged by the school’s at the major investment banks— Chanita Friedman and Alan Deborah Cohn, PhD, assistant ness graduates working at top Office of Career Services (OCS). Goldman Sachs, J. P. Morgan Silverberg were hired as assis- professor of marketing, have accounting, financial, and mar- “The OCS helped me build Chase, Bear Stearns, Merrill tant media planners at mOne, become the focus of his work. keting firms. The accounting and my resume and prepared me for Lynch, and Lehman Brothers,” a worldwide digital and direct “Professor Cohn took us to in- finance double-major landed interviews,” he said. Dean Snow said. media buyer owned by WPP dustry conferences and brought the job after interviews with The placed When SSSB valedictorian Group, a major global market- in speakers, which made her the “big four” accounting com- graduates at all four of the major Jeremy Bodek-Rosenbaum found ing firm. classes about more than just panies on campus. accounting firms, as well as a his job as an analyst at Gold- “Direct Marketing,” a course academics,” he said. 6 YUToday Summer 2004

YU Builds Bridges with LA Community Board News ■ $650,000 raised for undergraduate scholarships and programs • Dr. Henry Kressel, managing director of Warburg Pincus and eshiva University is adopting a more activist, grassroots approach to Jewish learning and Co., was elected to the SSSB board of directors. community building in major cities and towns. The goal is to forge closer ties with YU constituencies, as well as the Jewish community at large, and is driven by President Richard • Shira Yoshor ’93S, a partner in the Houston, TX, firm of Baker M. Joel’s concept of a “yeshiva without walls.” The initiative entails distance-learning, Botts LLP, joined the SCW board of directors. Ysummer Torah seminars nationwide and abroad, extension programs of the kollelim (advanced Jewish learning programs), and other community-building programs to bring YU’s resources and • Madaleine Berley and Robin Meltzer, both psychotherapists, capabilities to many more Jews. have been named members of the WSSW board of governors. In early May, President Joel took his vision of community to Los Angeles for meetings and one- on-one sessions with parents and grandparents of YU students and alumni, including Melanie and • Psychotherapist Penny Randall, MSW, developmental psychol- Robert Rechnitz, whose son attends Yeshiva College, and Marilyn and Jaime Sohacheski, whose ogist Therese Rosenblatt, PhD,’94F, and child psychologist Lisa two daughters attended Stern College for Women. Hershberg Striar, PhD,’97F, joined the FGS board of governors. The two couples hosted a May 12 dinner at LA’s Four Seasons Hotel, A more at which guests raised $650,000 for YU undergraduate scholarship aid. Among those who pledged $25,000 or more were Susie and Dr. Ernie grassroots Agastein, Beverly and Sanford Deutsch, Maureen and Lawrence Eisenberg, Esthie and Walter Feinblum, Pnina and Jacob Graff, Trudy People in the News approach and Louis Kestenbaum, Gitta and Jack Nagel, Gittel and David Rubin, Yvonne and Abe Winter, Eileen and Daniel Wohlgelernter, Rosalie and continued from page 2 to Jewish Dr. Edward Zalis, and Mira and David Zeffren. While in LA, the president also addressed Jewish high school stu- learning dents to gauge their interests and to extend the scope of YU’s inclusive We Mourn Condolences to initiatives. Joseph Bukiet, who was a YU Carl Bennett, YU Benefactor, on the The California trip was one of several visits President Joel undertook this past year to build Guardian with his wife, Rose, and his loss of his sister, Sarah Bennett Potash. bridges between YU and local communities. Since assuming office, the president has addressed YU brother and sister-in-law, Al S. and friends and supporters in Montreal, Toronto, Palm Beach, Pittsburgh, Providence, Texas, and NYC, Belle Bukiet. They dedicated the Herbert C. Dobrinsky, EdD, YH, as well as in Israel. Bukiet Family Holocaust Collection ’54Y,R,F, vice president for university of Yeshiva College. affairs, on the loss of his mother, Lily. Condolences to his family. Labe C. Scheinberg, MD, former RIETS Dinner Honors Roshei Kollel professor of neurology, neurology John Krug, PhD, AGS adjunct assis- department co-chair, and AECOM tant professor, on the loss of his dean, 1970-72, in Feb. In the 1970s mother, Marion. he helped found Einstein’s multiple sclerosis center, which became a Eli, Jacob, and Jonathan Sasson, prototype for similar centers across YC/MYP and RIETS students, on the the nation. loss of their father, Dr. Azra Sasson.

Philip Zaro, member, WSSW board of Toby Schneier, member, SCW board governors. He and his wife, Dorothy, of directors, on the passing of her were fellows of WSSW and RIETS father, Natan Gottesman, a Holocaust and endowed a scholarship at WSSW. survivor.

David H. Zysman, vice president Michael Shmidman, PhD, under- emeritus of development, YU graduate Jewish studies dean, on Benefactor, and honorary alumnus the loss of his brother, Rabbi Morris of YU. He headed the development Shmidman. At its annual dinner at Manhattan’s Grand Hyatt, YU’s affiliated department for almost 12 years, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary honored four of its distinguished roshei kollel, and played a major role in the Rabbi ’68Y,R, (l-r) Rabbi J. David Bleich, Rabbi , Rabbi , founding of SSSB. The historic RIETS rosh kollel and Rabbi Dr. Sol and Rabbi Mordechai I. Willig. They were recognized for their role in producing David H. Zysman Hall on the Wilf Roth Professor of Talmud and Con- top-flight pulpit and communal rabbis, teachers, principals, and roshei yeshiva. Campus was named in his honor. temporary Halakhah, on the loss of his father, Rabbi Jerome Willig ’38Y,R.

little knowledge of their cause of freedom and democ- Polish-Jewish Relations Revisited homeland. His search for roots racy, and as a staunch ally of would take him to Poland Western democracies.” ■ Joshua Zimmerman wins Oxford and Fulbright funding for study eight times between 1987 and However, he said, new evi- 2001, and included a trip for dence based on survivor his doctoral research at accounts and unearthed docu- Two years ago, the YU his- Hitler’s death camps. Brandeis University in 1995, ments shows a Home Army tory professor, who holds the Funding for Dr. Zimmer- the result of which was the hostile to Jewish freedom Eli and Diana Zborowski Pro- man’s work comes from two book, Poles, Jews, and the fighters and indifferent to fessorial Chair in Interdiscipli- scholarships: a Fulbright schol- Politics of Nationality. their slaughter in the Warsaw nary Holocaust Studies, organ- ar award, for his research in As a researcher and histori- Ghetto uprising. ized a conference at Yeshiva Poland, and a grant from the an, Dr. Zimmerman said he is For his research in Poland, University at which interna- Oxford Centre for Hebrew and cognizant of the difficulties of Dr. Zimmerman plans to mine tional scholars presented Jewish Studies, for his study in opening up old wounds. In- Polish archives and library research that indicated Jews Great Britain. deed, he said, part of his task is holdings, articles from the living in fascist Italy before Dr. Zimmerman’s passion to explore the ways people Polish and Jewish underground and during World War II for Holocaust study in general have consciously and uncon- press, and thousands of un- endured far greater suffering and Polish Jewry in particular sciously shaped their memories. published memoirs at the than originally thought. began, he said, in his teens. His chief focus is the Polish Jewish Historical Institute in Dr. Joshua D. Zimmerman This fall, he will travel to His grandparents fled the “Pale Home Army—the main under- Warsaw. Poland and England for 10 of Settlement” (Imperial Russia ground resistance movement In Oxford and London, he oshua D. Zimmerman, months of research focusing that includes present-day Latvia, in Nazi-occupied Poland—and hopes to review archives of the PhD, is no stranger to stir- on the response of Polish re- Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, its role in Polish-Jewish rela- Polish Institute, official Home ring the pot, especially sistance fighters to Nazi war- and Ukraine) long before Nazi tions. Modern Polish history Army files, and extensive hold- when his research chal- time abuses, including the per- barbarism enveloped Europe, reveres the Home Army, Dr. ings of the underground Polish Jlenges time-honored percep- secution of Polish Jews, three and they, to his surprise—and Zimmerman said, as the “great and Jewish press at Oxford tions of Holocaust atrocities. million of whom perished in disappointment—could share liberator and fighter for the University’s Bodleian Library. Summer 2004 YUToday 7

Honors Students Travel Abroad and at Home finding transcendent truth in the world and ■ Learning about James Joyce in Dublin, sea creatures in Maine for sharing that truth,” said Rabbi Jonathan n June 16, 1904, Dub- in tribute to his creator, author of literary modernism. This was Rosenblatt, the trip lin’s most famous James Joyce, who immortalized the impetus behind “Under- chaperone who is a fictional Jew wan- Bloom in his seminal work, standing the City,” a summer Joycean scholar and dered the city streets Ulysses. course in the Jay and Jeanie senior rabbi at River- Ofor some 30 hours before re- During this centenary year Schottenstein Honors Program dale Jewish Center. turning home. A century later, of Bloom’s odyssey, Ireland’s at Yeshiva College. It brought YC Students in the S. hundreds of thousands have capital city is feting its most students to London and Dublin Daniel Abraham retraced Leopold Bloom’s steps important writer and the father to study how great artists weave Honors Program at urban locales into their work. Stern College for “Students in the course Women also ventured spent the first three weeks off-campus to study studying literature and their classroom sub- creative writing. Then they jects up close. Students explored London and in the marine biology Dublin for two weeks course, May 31–June through literature, art, 13, spent the first week music, film, politics, geog- learning about the raphy, and history,” said field on the Israel Stern students search for organisms while Dr. Gillian Steinberg, lec- Henry Beren Campus sifting through samples from mudflats. turer and summer course and the second doing coordinator. The trip, research at the University of stars, mussels, and shrimp, June 22 – July 5, included Maine’s Darling Marine Center. while the mudflat digs pro- visits to museums, the- They collected specimens duced worms and clams. aters, and universities. from various locales, such as The trip also introduced YC honors students with Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt “Joyce felt that Jews mudflats and rocky coastline, Ms. Weiss to the marine cen- (bottom right) in London. have a special gift for and returned to the lab to ter’s research into the medici- examine their findings. “We nal benefits of aquatic sponges learned so much in the week and corals, an area the Florida Graduate Fellows Take Their Place at YU we spent there because the native hopes to study later in work was so hands-on,” said her career. continued from page 1 Meredith Weiss, a biochem- Finally, students in the Rachel Horn Cyrulnik, former co-editor of enrich university and academic life. istry major who begins work archaeology and ecology field The Observer, will work in the Office of Univer- Joshua Ross, who will work at Sy Syms School on an MD degree at Albert course—open to both SCW sity Life. “I think this fellowship will be a good of Business Dean’s Office, said he hoped “this Einstein College of Medicine and YC students—traveled to learning experience, but more than that, it will will be a give-and-take learning experience.” in the fall. Israel July 6 – August 6 to work empower me—at a very young age—to make a “Senior administrators will be actively A dredge of the Damaris- at Tell es-Safi/Gath, an archae- difference,” she said. engaged in grooming these fellows and, in turn, cotta River, which feeds into ological site in the Biblical city Under the program, the fellows will be men- will be receptive to their ideas,” said the presi- the sea, yielded sponges, sea of Gath. tored by a university administrator. They will dent. “We expect that their contribution will tour YU’s four campuses and meet with execu- benefit the university in both the short and tives at major Jewish service agencies. They will long term.” also attend biweekly leadership seminars, devel- The program was made possible through the Cardozo Graduate oped by Dean Gelman, and earn up to three grad- generosity of Ronald P. Stanton, YU board uate credits per semester. chairman; Robert M. Beren, YU board chairman Kathryn O. Greenberg The fellows will meet with donors to learn emeritus; the Jesselson family; SSSB board mem- about their philanthropic interests and values. bers Sy Syms and Warren Eisenberg; Marjorie Elected CSL Board Chair Each fellow will receive $18,000 plus bene- Diener Blenden, Stern board chair; and Sender athryn O. Greenberg, who succeeded Earle I. fits, including a year of housing and health Cohen, YU trustee. Mack as Cardozo School of Law’s new board insurance. “After three years, following an evaluation, chairman, is the first alumna to ascend to the The fellowship program underscores a con- we hope the program will become a permanent position. Ms. Greenberg graduated from the certed effort to address YU’s chief constituencies feature of YU,” said Daniel T. Forman, vice pres- Kschool cum laude in 1982. and use participants’ insight and knowledge to ident for development. Dean David Rudenstine, Ms. Greenberg’s former pro- fessor, said, “Kathy’s election is a wonderful sign of Car- dozo’s coming of age. She graduated with the school’s fourth class. She brings to this position extraordinary insight, a passion for the school, and personal experi- David Pelcovitz, PhD, has scale sexual abuse cases. ence that enriches our ambitions.” been appointed professor As special assistant to Following graduation Ms. Greenberg joined the firm of education and psychology President Richard M. Joel, of Shea and Gould and served as a supervising attorney at Yeshiva University’s Dr. Pelcovitz will assist him at Cardozo’s Bet Tzedek Legal Services Clinic. She also Azrieli Graduate School of in bringing the knowledge, attended the Master of Laws program in taxation at New Jewish Education and Admin- experience, and programs of York University. In 1990, she founded the New York Legal istration, and special assis- YU to communities near and Assistance Group (NYLAG) to provide free civil legal tant to the president. far. “David Pelcovitz is the services for low-income Dr. Pelcovitz, a clinical newest addition to an excit- New Yorkers. Today, professor of psychology in ing and evolving team that NYLAG is a full-service, psychiatry at New York Uni- is building a premier educa- not-for-profit law firm. versity School of Medicine tional school and institution In addition to being and director of psychology at with sensitivity to emerging honorary board chair- North Shore University issues central to Jewish edu- man of NYLAG, she is a Hospital-NYU School of Medi- cation,” said President Joel. life trustee of the Hos- cine, is a leading expert in Dr. Pelcovitz will also pital for Special Surgery family trauma, child abuse, teach courses on counseling and sits on the advisory Expert on and at-risk youth, particular- and family education in the board of the women’s ly in the Jewish community. Bella and Harry Wexner committee of the Cen- Family For more than 20 years he has Kollel Elyon and Semikhah tral Park Conservancy. advised community agencies, Honors Program at Rabbi Trauma schools, and families nation- Isaac Elchanan Theological Kathryn O. Greenberg, wide after such tragedies as Seminary. Cardozo board chair Joins YU school violence or large- NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE YUToday P AID YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 SUMMER 2004

Wanted: Exceptional Undergraduate Opportunity ■ Years of Gottesman family support provide foundation for further funding

hether exploring the instructor Hayim Tawil, PhD, com- curative qualities of pile a lexicon of Biblical Hebrew’s green tea, decipher- little-understood words, using in- ing Biblical Hebrew, scriptions in Akkadian, the lingua Wor creating computer solutions for franca of the ancient Near East understanding life on a cellular level, around four millennia ago. The Yeshiva University students are YC senior is proofreading manu- spending their summer vacation scripts, checking facts, and com- conducting cutting-edge research. piling various appendices for Dr. Twenty-one students are intern- Tawil’s book. ing with 16 professors in biology, “I’m learning a tremendous chemistry, physics, English, com- amount about the methodology puter science, economics, and He- involved in comparing ancient brew. Their assistance often helps languages,” said Mr. Miller. “I’ve faculty publish books and articles, gained a breadth of knowledge, and present at conferences. The which I’ve applied in classes such as students, meanwhile, enjoy aca- Arabic and ancient Jewish history.” demic opportunities normally For Tamar and Ronit Gold, both unheard of for undergraduates. Juniors Ronit (left) and Tamar Gold (right), from Long Beach, CA, biology majors, the excitement Elie Wolfe, a junior majoring in are doing green tea research at Stern College. comes from learning new lab physics at YC, is working with techniques. Under Harvey Babich, newly appointed physics professor this summer research have come pre- tion for student internships from the PhD, SCW professor of biology, the Sergey Buldyrev, PhD, at Boston Uni- dominantly from Ruth and David S. Milton and Miriam Handler Foundation, Gold twins are measuring the effects of versity. (Dr. Buldyrev will join YC’s fac- Gottesman. Both YU benefactors have which provided stipends for 15 students. green tea on the growth of cells from ulty in the fall.) They are attempting to been instrumental in enriching the uni- “Undergraduate research is the best the human mouth. perfect a computer program to simulate versity’s academic atmosphere through learning experience that students can “You read about green tea in the protein folding. Folding is the process the Gottesman Program for Under- encounter,” said Morton Lowengrub, news, but here we are doing hands-on by which proteins—biochemical mole- graduate Academic Excellence. Along- vice president for academic affairs. “We work and seeing for ourselves how it cules that make up cells, organs, and side other initiatives, the Gottesmans are indebted to the Gottesman family works in the lab,” said Tamar, who is organisms—put themselves together. have supported summer faculty research and the Handler Foundation for helping considering a career in medicine. “I’m the only undergrad working on fellowships and student internships to raise academic standards through “There are many scientists doing this project, which is a big privilege,” since the summer of 2000. their giving.” green tea research all over the world. It said Mr. Wolfe. This year, the Gottesmans’ steady Another participant, Judaic studies feels good to be part of that,” she said. Over the past few years, grants for support was complemented by a dona- major Yonatan Miller, is helping Hebrew