VOLUMEYU 8 NO. 5 To • WINTER d 2003 ay

Richard Joel’s Election Heralds New Era F ACULTY PROFILE ❑ Praised as superb administrator and innovator in promoting Jewish renaissance Carl Feit That attempt at cultivating headed the University’s alum- a Jewish renaissance meant jet- ni affairs office and was an tisoning what he termed “one- associate dean and professor at Reconciling size-fits-all” Judaism that for Benjamin N. Cardozo School Two Cultures: some seemed exclusive. of Law. His idea was to “let a thou- He succeeds Dr. Norman Science and Religion sand Jewish flowers blossom” Lamm, president of YU since and to “allow each student to 1976. Mr. Joel also will become page 4 build his or her own room in chief executive officer of Rabbi the House of ,” a formula Isaac Elchanan Theological experts claim engendered great- Seminary when he assumes er grassroots enthusiasm and office in June. activism on campuses through- Dr. Lamm was a major force out North America. in furthering the University’s ven as a student at There was also Mr. Joel’s guiding philosophy of Torah Yeshiva University’s high emphasis on programs to help Umadda—traditional religious Dean Bacon Keynotes OU Eschool, Richard M. Joel students better combat anti- learning combined with con- believed that Jewish learning Israel propaganda and activi- temporary Western research Convention and peoplehood could not ties and understand Israel’s in the sciences, humanities, flourish in a vacuum. Indeed, importance to Jewish identity. and arts. At his election, Mr. r. Karen Bacon made through a distinguished Jewish history at the Orthodox communal career that contin- DUnion (OU) Conven- ued last December with his tion held in December. The Dr. election as Yeshiva University’s Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern fourth president, he has pur- College for Women was the sued that principle with singu- first woman to deliver a lar fervor. keynote address at the biannu- During 14 years as presi- al convention of the most dent and international direc- prominent Orthodox organi- tor of Hillel, he rejuvenated zation in the United States. the struggling confederation The selection of Dean Bacon of campus Jewish outposts— reflected a concerted effort by expanding programs and the OU to give a greater role to branches, infusing students women in Orthodoxy. to resolve conflicts between with values such as tzedakah, “Women’s voices must be their lives as observant and tikkun olam, increasing listened to at all levels of the and their interaction with participation in social action OU to confront and attack the the secular world. This con- activities, and forging links problems that face our com- flict, she noted, is a challenge with Jewish students world- munity,“ said Dr. Bacon. “If facing the modern Orthodox President Lamm welcomes his successor. wide, including Europe and not, we risk disregarding a per- community. the former Soviet Union. spective vital to finding effec- Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, His goal then, as now, was An attorney and former Joel said he looked forward to tive solutions.” the OU’s executive vice presi- to explore ways of making Bronx District Attorney, Joel’s building upon Dr. Lamm’s Women must play a partic- dent, and Harvey Blitz, presi- Jewish life meaningful, accessi- election is a homecoming of legacy, which emphasizes en- ularly significant role in family dent, responded that the ble, and stimulating to a new sorts. In addition to being a gagement in Jewish and secular issues, she said, emphasizing choice of Dr. Bacon to keynote generation of Jews. YU high school alumnus, he worlds. that the family unit is vulnerable. the convention underscores Dr. Lamm was successful in “Among the causes for this the intent of the OU to listen both spheres. He is credited growing crisis is the acknowl- better to the voices of women. TIMELINE: PAST YESHIVA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS with helping bring YU’s endow- edged stress on women whose “We are losing Jews faster ment to more than $900 mil- presence in the workplace does than ever before,” said Dean lion. An undergraduate school not obviate their major res- Bacon. “We must protect the Dr. Dr. Dr. of business was added during ponsibility for raising their core values of a modern 1915–1940 1943–1976 1976–2003 his tenure, and student enroll- families and caring for aging Orthodox lifestyle, and one of ment has climbed to 7,000. All parents.” the ways to achieve this is by Richard Joel the while, he has continued to Dr. Bacon also noted the ensuring the strength of the write extensively about Jewish pressures on adolescents and family.” ❑ 2003– college students who struggle continued on p. 3

AGE BEAUTY BRAINS BRAWN SCW’s First Louis Feldman: Ari Goldman: YU Basketball Dean of Classics Professor Marcia Robbins- Stars Achieve Students Seeks Beauty in Wilf Scholar-in- University Celebrates Ancient History Residence History 100 Years page 6 page 8 page 10 page 9 INSIDE

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

F ACULTY NEWS We Mourni Condolences Toi Noyes Bartholomew, DMA, as- Martin Leibowitz, PhD, assistant He also presented “By the Sweat of sociate professor of music, com- professor of accounting, was named Your Brow: Reflections on Work and Hon. Walter Annenberg, Pearl Berger, dean, University posed Lament (for two children occupant of the Joseph Kerzner the Workplace in Classic Jewish AECOM honorary Board member, libraries, on the loss of her mother, of Ben Luc) for solo cello. The com- Chair in Accounting at SSSB. Thought” at the Board of Jewish YU and AECOM Benefactor. Named Tova Rabinowitz. position was performed by cellist Education Annual Shiur. to the AECOM Board in 1954, a Jeffrey Solow at the Ester Boyer Yamin Levy, MS, instructor of year before the school opened, he Jerry Bergman, director, devel- School of Music of Temple University. Bible and Sephardic Student advis- Peninnah Schram, MA, associ- was also an honorary alumnus of YU. opment communications, and wife er, was the keynote speaker at the ate professor of speech and drama, Ellen on the loss of his mother, Ilse. J. David Bleich, PhD, Herbert and annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss reviewed Fables of a Jewish Aesop, Zvi Kolitz, former YU Jewish stud- Florence Tenzer Professor of Jewish Awareness Conference, North Shore translated by Moses Hadas, in ies instructor, honorary degree Harvey Blau, CSL Board member, Law and Ethics, CSL, published University Hospital. He spoke on Jewish Book World, fall 2002. recipient, scholar, author, film and on the loss of his mother, Rose. “Stem Cell Research,” Tradition. “Understanding the Scope of theatrical producer. He was best Harvey and Arlene Blau are YU Also, he was interviewed on Court Pregnancy and Infant Loss.” He is Hayim Tawil, PhD, instructor of known for “Yossel Rakover Speaks Guardians and CSL Fellows. TV about the Fred Neulander mur- the author of Confronting the Loss Hebrew, published articles in the to God,” a work of fiction written in der trial. of a Baby: A Personal and Jewish Journal of Semitic Studies (vol. 47, the voice of one of the last survivors Lawrence Ruben, CSL Board Perspective. no. 2, 2002); and the Journal of the of the Warsaw Ghetto who con- member, on the loss of his wife, Chaim Feuerman, EdD, Golda American Oriental Society (vol. 122, fronts God on the eve of his death. Selma. The Rubens are Guardians of Koschitzky Chair in Jewish Education, Edith Lubetski, MS, SCW head no. 1, January-March 2002). YU. Condolences also to her broth- AGS, presented “Motivate, Evaluate, librarian, chaired a session on “20th Melvin Roman, PhD, professor, er, Robert Belfer, AECOM Board Communicate, Elevate: Getting Century Research” at the European Moshe Tendler, PhD, Rabbi Isaac psychiatry and behavioral sciences chairperson. Educators to Teach up a Storm Association for Jewish Studies 7th and Bella Tendler Professor of who was director of group and Without Blowing Away,” at the Congress, Amsterdam. Jewish Medical Ethics, wrote a family research in the psychiatry Herbert Smilowitz, RIETS Board Torah Umesorah Annual National series of articles on organ donation department at Einstein. vice chairman and major supporter Mid-Winter Conference. He also Lata McGinn, PhD, associate clin- exclusively for “On the Beat,” the of RIETS, on the loss of his brother, spoke at the Long Branch, NJ, ical professor, psychiatry and New York Organ Donor Network Rabbi Bernard Siegfried, YH Bernard. Cong. Brothers of Israel Shabbaton behavioral sciences, AECOM, was newsletter. ’83, YC ’87, RIETS ’94, instructor of on “Evaluating Contemporary Op- quoted in articles that appeared in physics and mathematics, MSTA. Norman Stark, RIETS trustee, on tions in Yeshiva Education to Meet Parents magazine ("Is it Panic or just Condolences to his wife, Hadassah. the loss of his mother, Hanna. the Needs of an Open Society.” Stress?” Aug. 2000), Shape maga- PEOPLE Helene and Norman Stark are RIETS zine (“No Plans for Children" Dec. Pearl Unger, a Benefactor with Fellows and supporters of several Joshua A. Fishman, PhD, 2002), and Employee magazine Jacob Lieberman, AA, associate her husband, Milton. They estab- projects at YU. Distinguished University Research ("Commerzbank: The Return director, Food Services, was a fea- lished the Milton and Pearl Unger Professor Emeritus of Social Work, 'Home'" 2002). tured speaker at Kosherfest 2002, Department of Jewish Studies at Hilda Tejada, secretary, presi- was a plenary speaker at the an international kosher food and MSTA, where they endowed a dent’s office, on the loss of her sis- Second International Symposium Daniel Pollack, MSW, JD, WSSW food service trade show. major scholarship fund to enable ter, Yolanda Chaskin. on Bilingualism, Universidade de associate professor, spoke at the deserving and needy students to Vigo, Galicia, Spain. Child Welfare League of America Anya Sedletcaia, an SCW senior, attend the school. National Adoption Conference, is coauthor of “In Vitro Cyto- Anatoly Frenkel, PhD, associate held in Ft. Lauderdale, on recent toxicity of Protocatechuic Acid to professor of physics, is coauthor of developments in adoption law. Cultured Human Cells from Oral “Direct Separation of Short Range Also, he spoke a Columbus, OH, Tissue: Involvement in Oxidative Order in Intermixed Nanocryst- Jewish book fair on “Contrasts in Stress,” Pharmacology and Toxic- alline and Amorphous Phases.” The American and Jewish Law.” ology (92: 245-–253, 2002), with YUToday article was published in the Dec. now-alumna Bracha Kenigsberg, VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 4 31, 2002 issue of Physical Review David Rudenstine, JD, CSL dean and Harvey Babich, PhD, profes- Letters, a publication of the and Dr. Herman George and Kate sor of biology. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY American Physical Society. Kaiser Professor of Constitutional Ronald P. Stanton, Chairman Law, authored "Who Will Tell the YU Board of Trustees Aaron Glatt, MD, YH,’79Y, pro- People?" in the Books and the Arts Mazal Tovi Dr. Norman Lamm fessor of medicine, AECOM, pub- section of The Nation, Dec. 23, President lished a sefer (volume), Women in 2002 issue. It is a review of Secrets: June Glazer, senior writer/editor, Peter L. Ferrara the Talmud ( A Memoir of Vietnam and the CPA, on the marriage of son Ahron Director of Communications and Public Affairs /ArtScroll). Pentagon Papers, by Daniel Ellsberg. to Rena Rosenzweig. Jay Schottenstein, Chairman, Board of Directors,Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener Blenden, Chairman, Board of Directors, ; Bernard L. Joel Hochman, MBA, JD, assis- Alvin I. Schiff, PhD, Irving I. Happy birthday to Elizabeth Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy ; Robert A. tant professor of accounting and Stone Distinguished Professor of Gilbert Isaacs, first dean of stu- Belfer, Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Earle business law, was named occupant Jewish Education, announced that dents, SCW, on turning 100, and I. Mack, Chairman, Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; David I. Schachne, Chair, Board of Governors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; of the Philip H. Cohen Chair in the Board of Jewish Education of Bernard “Red” Sarachek, former Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Bernard Revel Graduate School Accounting at SSSB. Greater New York has published an Macs coach, on turning 90. of Jewish Studies; Jayne G. Beker, Chair, Board of Governors, Ferkauf Graduate English translation of his popular School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, Azrieli Ephraim Kanarfogel, PhD, E. guide for lesson planning, under Edith Lubetski BRGS'68, head Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, Billi Ivry Professor of Jewish History, the title Halakhah L’Ma’aseh: From librarian, Hedi Steinberg Library, Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary; Erica Jesselson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva spoke at Haifa University, under the Theory to Practice—Step by Step to SCW, and husband Meir on the University Museum. auspices of the Wolfson Chair in Effective Teaching. The manual was birth of a granddaughter, Mia YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY Jewish Thought, on “Dreams as the originally published in Jerusalem for Leora, to Saul Lubetski YH'87, Basis for Halakhic Decision-Making the Jewish Agency for Israel. YC'90, and wife Rebecca. Hedy Shulman Editor in Medieval Rabbinic Literature and Thought.” He lectured at a com- David J. Schnall, PhD, AGS dean, Marvin Resnick, director of Norman Eisenberg Managing Editor munal gathering convened in spoke on “Jewish Values in the accounting and auditing, Finance Doug Dayhoff Toronto by Canadian Mizrachi and Workplace” at the General Assem- department, and Jeannette Resnick, Graphic Designer Canadian Friends of YU on bly of the United Jewish Comm- Payroll department, on the birth of Jerry Bergman, Kelly Berman, Adam Cohen, Esther Finkle, “Mysticism, Magic, and Much unities. He lectured on “Managing grandson Jake Resnick to Dr. June Glazer, Norman Goldberg, Peter Robertson More: The Surprising Legacy of Relationships in Jewish Education” Jonathan and Sheila Resnick. Contributors Ashkenazic Jewry.” Also, he pub- at the Community Foundation for www.yu.edu/news/publications lished “Halakhah and Mez’iut Jewish Education of Metropolitan Amy Rotheim Sullivan, associ- (Realia) in Medieval Ashkenaz: Chicago. He delivered the keynote ate enrollment manager, Admissi- Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the Yeshiva University Department of Communications and Public Affiars, 401 Furst Surveying the Parameters and address, “Putting Jewish Values into ons, and husband Daniel on the Hall, 500 West 185th St., New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is ditrib- Defining the Limits,” in Jewish Law Action” at Jewish Family and birth of son Jacob. uted free on campus to faculty, staff, and students. © Yeshiva University 2002 Annual, vol. 14. Children’s Services of Philadelphia. Winter 2003 YUToday 3

Richard Joel Echoing Mr. Stanton was RIETS Board Chairman Julius New York Mayor Addresses Hanukkah continued from page 1 Berman, who called Mr. Joel “an educator who exemplifies Dinner and Convocation philosophy and mysticism. the highest standards of serv- He expressed great confi- ice to the Jewish community.” ew York City Mayor Feinberg, Charles Kushner, Waldorf-Astoria. dence in Mr. Joel’s ability to Mr. Joel said he “believed Michael R. Bloomberg Barry A. Shenkman, and Elliot Some 800 YU supporters maintain YU’s ranking as a passionately in the guiding Nreceived an honorary K. Wolk, at the University’s and friends heard Mayor leading academic research principles of YU and RIETS. doctoral degree, along with 78th Annual Hanukkah Dinner Bloomberg laud the University institution. “Yeshiva University is not Yeshiva University leaders Betty and Convocation at the as “an integral part of the city’s Officials inside and outside only the world’s premier growth and diversity YU also point to Mr. Joel’s Jewish institution of higher and among its leading charisma, drive, and vision, learning, but ranks among this academic research attributes that defined both country’s top research univer- institutions.” his professional career and sities in both undergraduate He also congratu- academic record. In many and graduate study.” lated the University ways, he has come full circle, He and his wife, Esther, on its recent election beginning with his early YU who holds a PhD from Ferkauf of Richard Joel as pres- experience—at 21—overseeing Graduate School of Psych- ident to succeed Dr. youth leadership training at ology, have six children, two Norman Lamm, who what is today’s Max Stern of whom, Avery and Penny, has held the office Division of Communal Service. are graduates of Yeshiva since 1976. “Richard’s energy and cre- College and Stern College, Through guests’ at- ativity will help shape the respectively. A third, Ariella, tendance, and support growth and excellence of YU attends Stern College, and for the evening’s Scroll in this important period,” said Avery is now a rabbinical stu- of Honor, more than Ronald P. Stanton, chairman dent at RIETS. $1 million was raised of the University’s Board of Mr. Joel received his bache- for Capital Campaign Trustees. lor’s and law degrees from New funds financing schol- He described Mr. Joel’s work York University, where he was arship assistance to at Hillel as “innovative” and a Root-Tilden law scholar. He Dr. Norman Lamm congratulates Mayor Bloomberg after awarding him an needy and deserving “visionary,” and said his recently received an honorary honorary doctorate at the University’s 2002 Hanukkah Dinner. Second students. ❑ administrative and leadership doctorate from Boston Hebrew from left: Ronnie Heyman, CSL Board of Directors secretary. skills will “serve YU and RIETS College. ❑ extremely well.”

Professor Soloveitchik to Head Summer Advanced Institute at Hebrew University

r. Haym Soloveitchik, the Max Planck Institute of their scholarly achievements, Dr. Soloveitchik has produced holder of the Merkin Heidelberg; the Fall School of the college functions as a an extensive article, to be pub- DFamily Chair in Jewish Comparative History headed “National Advanced Institute” lished in installments in the History and Literature at by Patricia Crone of the and sits at the apex of French forthcoming issues of the Bernard Revel Graduate School Advanced Institute of Prince- academic life. He also gave a Jewish Quarterly Review entitled of Jewish Studies, has been ton, and the Winter School in series of seminars at the Ecole “Halakhah, Hermeneutics and named director of the Summer Physics headed by David Gross des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Martyrdom.” It is also being School of Jewish Studies at of Hebrew University in Sociales (AHESS), founded by translated into German, and the Institute of Advanced Jerusalem. Fernand Braudel and home of will be published in a series of Studies at Hebrew University The Summer School of the Annales. monographs on hermeneutics in Jerusalem. Jewish Studies will convene The Annales School fuses and philosophy. The school, previously under Dr. Soloveitchik’s aegis history with other disciplines His newest book in Hebrew, headed by Professors Isadore in Jerusalem the week of of social sciences, such as scheduled to appear in Israel Twersky of Harvard University May 12, 2003, during which anthropology, sociology, and this spring, attempts to solve and David Ruderman of the scholars from America, England, geography. Whether it is “the the age-old problem of how University of Pennsylvania, , and Israel will dis- single most important forum Jews entered money lending had emphasized intensive grad- cuss: “Common Judaism or a for the revitalization of histor- in the Middle Ages. It, too, uate courses for elite doctoral attracting world-class scholars Plurality of ‘Judaisms’ in Late ical studies in the Western arose from a series of seminars students. to present, discuss, and debate Antiquity: The State of the world,” as noted historian in France at the Sorbonne (Ve) The incoming director of their research. Thus, he ap- Debate.” Stuart Hughes claimed, is open in late 1999, and refined in the Advanced Institute, Pro- pointed Dr. Soloveitchik as the This is not the first public to dispute. Even so, its promi- classes at SCW and BRGS. fessor Benjamin Z. Kedar, felt new head. recognition of academic excel- nence is documented in the This past October, Dr. that the existing program was The other four seasonal lence accorded Dr. Soloveit- Encyclopedia of Historians and Soloveitchik lectured at the geared toward transmitting schools are: the Summer chik in the past several years. Historical Writings, which states “International Symposium on knowledge rather than ad- School in Economic Theory In June 2000, he lectured on that the school has “played a the History of the Jews of vancing it. headed by Kenneth Arrow, “Martyrdom as a Religious decisive role in dictating the Europe in the Middle Ages,” His view was that the Nobel laureate in economics Phenomenon and Martyrdom agenda of 20th century histor- held in Speyer, Germany, and Summer School in Jewish of Stanford University; the as a Religious Norm” at the ical writing.” in late April this year, he will Studies should model itself Spring School in Life Sciences College de France in Paris. From these seminars, and deliver the Joseph S. Gruss lec- after the other four seasonal headed by Bert Sackmann, Choosing scholars from uni- from the courses at Stern ture on Jewish law at the Law programs at the Institute, Nobel laureate in medicine of versities throughout France for College for Women and Revel, School of . 4 YUToday Winter 2003

F ACULTY PROFILE

Carl Feit “Science without religion is lame, Forging links between science and religion religion without science is blind.”

— Albert Einstein

lmost a half century him, was ultimately a means For several years, Dr. Feit ago, C.P. Snow deliv- to understanding himself, the has been involved with Science Aered his famous “Two human organism, and the and the Spiritual Quest, a pro- Cultures” lecture lamenting world in general. Religion also gram of the Center for the void between scientific played an integral part in that Theology and the Natural and literary intellectuals. A quest, and it made no sense to Sciences at the University of similar case could have been him to abandon one for the California, Berkeley, that pro- made for scientists and theolo- other. motes dialogue among leading gians, two cultures that had Inwardly, he clung to both scientists on the connections been growing apart since at cultures. But professionally, between their scientific pur- least the Renaissance. he was all science. In 1975, Dr. suits and their religious or spir- Today, however, it appears Feit went to work for the itual practices. this gap is shrinking. A small Sloan-Kettering Institute for And in 2002, he helped but growing number of acade- Cancer Research, earning a found a new learned society, micians are forging new links stellar reputation for studies of the International Society of between science and religion monoclonal antibodies and Science and Religion, a think- in the belief that answers to “That assumption has certain- largely in medicine. My earli- human tumor antigens. A tank for scientists with a reli- many questions lay in neither ly been brought into question est memories are of sitting in decade later, he returned to YU gious bent, including several culture but in a combination by modern physics. For exam- my father’s lap, looking at the as an associate professor of Nobel laureates and National of the two. ple, if the Big Bang (simultane- books he was studying and biology, the rare refuge for aca- Academy of Science members. One of these scholars is ous appearance of space every- learning the letters of the demics with feet in both sci- “It is very important that Carl Feit, PhD, who holds the where in the universe) model Hebrew alphabet. And so both ence and theology. there be a rational Jewish voice as part of public policy discus- The wall begins to sions,” says Dr. Feit. “We have crumble a long and ongoing history of analytic and profound thought Over the years, the wall on the interface of science — dividing the two cultures or at least technology — and began to crumble and erode, religion. It tends to be in a and science began to lose its technical and insular language veneer of infallibility. “Cer- — rabbinic Hebrew — for our tainly after WWII, with the own community. But a lot of trauma of the atomic bomb, what we say is of universal the idea that there is some- interest. thing value-free and neutral “And one of the things I about science went out the can do is to take this world of window,” says Dr. Feit. rabbinic scholarship and put it Finally, as the 20th century into modern and contempo- ended, outsiders were invited rary parlance — not as a way

Dr. Joseph and Rachel Ades applies, then you can provide the world of Jewish learning Chair in Health Sciences at a new context for a discussion and the world of science are Yeshiva College. “It has become of a created universe. Topics like part of my genetic makeup; academically acceptable to this have become a legitimate they have always co-existed.” look at both science and reli- area of thought for scientists.” The two cultures rarely gion,” says Dr. Feit, an or- rubbed shoulders in the out- dained rabbi. A biologist who Part of his genetic side world, however. received his bachelor’s degree makeup After studying at Yeshiva at YC, he has been waiting a College, and Yale University lifetime for these two cultures To Dr. Feit, these topics Dr. Feit enrolled in a doctoral to begin a serious dialogue. were always legitimate intel- program in microbiology and “For the majority of my lectual pursuits. Brooklyn-born, immunology at Rutgers Univ- academic career,” he says, he grew up in a household ersity in 1967. Science, for the “my two interests had to reside that prized learning. At a time being, was his top priori- separately. If you wanted young age, Dr. Feit found a ty, but religion wasn’t far to be taken seriously as a scien- calling in both science and behind. “I made time for tist, you couldn’t talk about religion. learning every day,” he says. into the ivory towers, and Dr. of telling everybody what is religion.” “When I was five years old, Perhaps too much time, in Feit found himself in demand right and wrong, but of expos- But things have changed. I would steal the afikomen [the the eyes of one high-profile at scientific meetings and sym- ing them to thoughts and “From Newton in the 1600s to matzah eaten at the end of the faculty member, who ques- posia, not for his expertise on ideas and pros and cons that the 20th century, we thought Seder meal on Passover] and tioned Dr. Feit’s commitment cancer immunology but for are not out there in the litera- that science would always then ask for a microscope or a to science when he applied for his religious perspective on ture. I see myself as an ambas- progress and would eventually chemistry set. My heroes were a postdoctoral fellowship. ethical issues in science, such sador to the world at large who answer all the questions about people who made contribu- This came as a shock to the as cloning and stem cell is interested in science and the world,” says Dr. Feit. tions that changed humanity, budding scientist. Science, to research. religion.” ❑ Winter 2003 YUToday 5 GRADUATE

Ferkauf Awarded Federal Einstein Opens Hispanic Center Grant For Elderly he first Hispanic Center of Excellence in New erkauf Graduate School ing on faculty expertise in psy- TYork State recently of Psychology received a chology, social work, internal opened at Albert Einstein Ffederal grant for training medicine, and neurology. College of Medicine (AECOM). in clinical psychology. The Dr. Zweig believes Ferkauf is One of only 32 such centers funding, from the US Dep- well positioned to be one of nationwide, the College re- artment of Health and Human the nation’s leading centers for ceived a $1.2 million grant Services, enables the School to training gerontological psy- from the US Department of offer doctoral students special- chologists because of its inter- Health and Human Services to ized instruction and clinical disciplinary approach. establish the Center. experience in gerontological “Medical and psychological The grant recognizes psychology. issues are closely intertwined Einstein’s leadership in re- The grant establishes Ferkauf in older patients so they bene- search, education, and service as the only institution in the fit most from interdisciplinary to underrepresented commu- New York metropolitan area to assessment and treatment,” nities. Dr. Elizabeth Lee-Rey with Congressman Eliot Engel at the provide such training, accord- said Dr. Zweig, who trained in For nearly 50 years, AECOM Center’s opening. ing to Assistant Professor gerontological psychology. has made its home in the Richard Zweig, who oversees “This kind of collaboration is a Bronx, a borough of diverse the number of Hispanic doc- “Our center will focus large- the program. novel concept in doctoral neighborhoods comprised of tors, who currently hold less ly on teaching medical stu- Ferkauf approached the fed- training.” many cultures and national- than 1 percent of senior facul- dents and doctors about the eral government to address the Dean Lawrence J. Siegel said ities. The Hispanic community ty positions nationwide, and varying cultural attitudes that increased demand for mental- the grant showed the federal represents the largest and to teach current doctors about can impact on the care they health services among older government’s foresight in fastest growing population in Latinos’ special concerns. One provide and their interactions adults. planning for an imminent, the borough, approximately way to bridge the cultural gap with patients,” said Elizabeth Graduate courses and sym- rapid rise in the geriatric popu- 40 percent, yet has limited is through a medical Spanish Lee-Rey, MD, assistant profes- posia at Ferkauf now include lation. “The baby boomer gen- access to quality healthcare. language class, to help medical sor of family medicine and content on mental health and eration is hitting retirement “We are thrilled to have the students interact with His- community health and co- aging, and PhD students inter- age, causing an unprecedented opportunity to improve the panic patients. director of the Center at ested in working with older surge in the number of older resources available to the com- “It’s very important for us AECOM. populations can enroll in spe- adults in the US with mental munities we serve and to fur- to understand the diverse cul- “As an institution, we have cialized courses that have an health needs.” ❑ ther understanding among our tures we serve,” said Nerreida always strived to assess the interdisciplinary focus, draw- students and faculty of the Correa, MD, director of the needs of all of the people with- diverse health concerns of the Center, who is also assistant in our community and the people of ,” said A. professor of Family Medical, Hispanic Center of Excellence Hal Strelnick, MD. Dr. Strelnick and Community Health direc- allows us to continue in that is a professor of clinical family tor at Einstein. tradition,” said Dominick P. Groundbreaking Book medicine and community Communicating with pat- Purpura, MD, Marilyn and healthcare, and program direc- ients makes coping with seri- Stanley M. Katz Dean of the on Schizophrenia tor of the Center of Excellence. ous medical problems more medical school. ❑ The Center seeks to increase manageable, she said. ❑ Author is Wurzweiler Faculty

hen Susan Mason, Press accepted it for publication. PhD, associate pro- Before they found a willing Spotlight on Alumni W fessor of social publisher, however, the authors work, began writing a book, faced prejudice from com- Scholar. Karben was first elect- at Sy Syms School of Business. she and Rachel Miller, research panies and agents convinced ed to the Rockland County At the time, he would don a social worker at Hillside people with schizophrenia Legislature in 1997 at age 23, clown suit and visit NYC hos- Hospital, did something un- don’t read. “The frustrating during his second year of law pitals simply because it made heard of: they asked their part was that we really knew school. him feel good to entertain patients with schizophrenia at the truth—they do read. It’s children who were seriously or Hillside Hospital of the North hard to break in as social work- terminally ill. Shore-Long Island Jewish ers but we have shown that we Today the organization, Medical System, to help them have good ideas about how to with chapters nationwide and write it. work with these patients,” said abroad, includes renowned phil- “There was a substantial Dr. Mason. anthropists and businessmen need for a book written specif- The book answered a huge among its board members. ically for patients—there were market need, she said. It Volunteers include mostly already several books for fami- went to a second printing, college students—this year, for lies, care-takers, and students,” Amazon.com ordered more Ryan Karben ‘96Y was example, 2,500 applicants vied said Dr. Mason. “Our book is copies for sale, and the phar- elected to the New York State for 250 slots on Project the only one that has real maceutical company Bristol- Assembly in a hotly contested Sunshine at Texas A & M— interviews with patients. It’s Myers Squibb bought 900 race this past November. He and corporate types such really moving—every story is a copies to date to train their was majority leader of the as accountants and bankers real story.” staff. The book was also rated Rockland County Legislature participating as mentors In Diagnosis Schizophrenia: by the Library Journal as a until assuming his new duties. Joseph Weilgus ‘99SB, and big buddies for kids. A Comprehensive Resource for “must-have” for every library As the youngest member of founder of Project Sunshine, PricewaterhouseCoopers, at Patients, Families and Helping in the US. Author profits are the State Legislature, he says won the Harvard Business which Weilgus is a certified Professionals, 35 patients de- going to a patient fund at he feels “a special obligation to School Club of New York’s public accountant, is one of scribe how they got sick and Hillside in Glen Oaks, NY. speak for New Yorkers that are Nonprofit Entrepreneur of the many firms that sponsor their road to recovery. The Recognized experts in the starting out, trying to get an Year award. He was selected for Project Sunshine events. book also contains the latest field, the authors have ad- education, buying a first home, his success in building Project With funding from Credit research, as well as informa- dressed four international con- and raising young children.” Sunshine, a multinational Suisse, the Syms Corporation, tion about social services and ferences. “The book is opening An attorney, Karben gradu- organization providing free Wellmed, and Goldman Sachs, medication. the gates to a better under- ated from the Columbia programs for ill children. Weilgus hopes to build this According to Dr. Mason, standing of schizophrenia and University School of Law in Project Sunshine encour- largesse into national and the collaborative project allowing us to learn more from 1999 where he was designated ages volunteers to play an global support. “I think we’re proved therapeutic for the others to enhance our knowl- a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. active role in the recovery of just now at the tip of the ice- patients, particularly when the edge base,” said Dr. Mason. ❑ At Yeshiva College he was a youngsters. Weilgus estab- berg,” he says. ❑ prestigious Columbia University Max Stern Distinguished lished the project as a student 6 YUToday Winter 2003

YU CHRONICLES

Louis Feldman: Classics Professor Seeks Beauty in Ancient History

ouis Feldman carefully An intellectual journey Intimate learning straightens piles of tat- continues “Yeshiva College places a Ltered books and files that “My books, articles, and premium on the individual smother his tiny formica desk other writings are, in a sense, that allows me to teach cours- as if each formed a time cap- autobiographical. Like Yeshiva es for one or two students. Dr. sule. On the desktop piles of University’s defining principle, [Samuel] Belkin, when he was syllabi, nearly 2 feet high, abut , my interest president, once told me how stapled lexicons of ancient has always been in reconciling that degree of personal atten- Greek and Latin—handouts he the religious world to which I tion helped him raise money. prepares for classes that often was born and the secular People saw that when it came number one or two students. world in which I was trained. I to giving students a first-rate Nearby, a refrigerator, rusty do this through my writing education, we were true to our from disuse, seems just anoth- and by training students in word. Every single student is er artifact in Feldman’s uni- critical scholarship.” of infinite importance.” verse. “I love history and classical History unlocks answers History provides great literature,” he said, “because “What’s great about the theater it’s sort of human in scale— classics is that you find your- “ I consider my research fun infinitely complex, but always faced a deficit of 40 billion ses- plate retirement or a less de- self wrestling with the very and exciting. Why should I see tangible, always real.” terces, which Feldman says is manding schedule, Feldman same problems that confront- a movie, watch television, Arms crossed on his chest, the modern equivalent of bil- shows no signs of slowing ed Philo and Josephus. I have a even read The New York Times resplendent in a brilliant lions of dollars. down. And that pleases him— laboratory of 2,000 years that I and take time away from necktie, pale blue eyes keen Uncovering Vespasian’s and his students. can explore. And it talks to something I love. In that sense, beneath short-cropped gray method of financing, Feldman me. People haven’t changed I’m a hedonist. I also get hun- hair, the 76-year-old scholar is turned to an inscribed stone at Quality begets quality much. Fortunately these peo- dreds of letters and e-mails from truly a man in sync with his the main entrance. It was first “Quite a few of my students ple wrote about themselves people critiquing my books or times, whether braving 90- described in 1813, reanalyzed have become professors at and I can read what they said. articles on Josephus, and I minute subway commutes to in 1986, and newly deci- learn from these critiques.” Washington Heights from his phered in 1995 by pro- Forest Hills home or Mentors analyzing the bud- “One person who influ- get difficulties that enced me greatly was James plagued Roman Notopoulos, a professor of emperors. classics at Trinity College. He Interviewed in was so alive with what he was his shoebox office in Furst Hall, he offers a favorite maxim from Hesiod: “For the achievement of excellence, the gods have ordained sweat.” On that score, Feldman has more than kept fessor Geza Alfoldy of the his end of the bargain. University of Heidelberg. The Although his scholarly deeds inscription is from the fifth- have included developing new century and it tells of restora- theories in biblical archeology, tion of the Colosseum by later Feldman’s students know that emperors. his conception of beauty in Feldman, considered among classical literature refers partic- the nation’s foremost authori- ularly to discoveries that bring ties on Hellenistic Judaism, history to life. joined Yeshiva University’s One reason we have sur- teaching, and his excitement His passion is to share that history and humanities faculty vived as a people is was contagious. He was an beauty with others, in the lan- in 1955. He was appointed because we study and excellent scholar who really guage of literature. And so he professor of classics in 1966, learn about history.” got me started. Arthur Stanley is the author of more than 160 and has chaired the foreign Peae, who taught at Harvard, articles and 15 books, includ- language faculty since 1981. major universities in the US Making the grade was another great influence. ing Jew and Gentile in the He graduated from Trinity and Israel. Some, such as “Someone once said a pro- He didn’t write much, but Ancient World. College in 1946, was a Ford Moshe Bernstein of Yeshiva fessor reading examination what he did write—detailed Feldman takes particular Foundation Teaching Fellow College, David Berger of City papers is like a dog eating a commentaries on Cicero and pride in pursuits that connect there from 1951 to 1952, and University, Shaye Cohen of frankfurter—getting back his Virgil, in particular—stayed antiquity to a modern world. received an honorary LHD in Harvard, and Seth Schwartz of substance in a mutilated form. with you.” Two summers ago, he theo- 1988. In 1994, he was named the Jewish Theological Sem- I want to plant a seed in each rized in an issue of Biblical to YU’s Abraham Wouk Family inary, have earned doctorates of my students so they can cri- 48 years and counting Archaeology Review that the Chair in Classics. in the classics and allied fields. tique my lessons. I’ve had stu- “I am—always have been— Roman Colosseum—the Roman He holds a PhD in classical Others, such as Rabbis Saul dents who challenged and re- a one-man department. One Empire’s most magnificent philosophy from Harvard Berman of Stern College for futed me. It makes life exciting sea change of which I’m very building and most impressive University and received a Women and Shlomo Riskin of and worth living. Also, I don’t proud is our honors programs engineering feat—may have Guggenheim Fellowship, as Efrat [Israel] and Professors believe in original sin, so when at both Stern and Yeshiva been financed by plundering well as a similar honor at Benjamin Weiss of Jerusalem’s students turn in term papers, I Colleges. Here we attract some the biblical Temple in Princeton University’s Insti- Hebrew University and Gerald return them with typed cri- of the country’s top students, Jerusalem. tute for Advanced Study. Blidstein of Beersheva [Israel], tiques. They can then revise challenging them to fulfill the According to second-centu- Teaching, researching, and also took classes with me and them and improve their grade. best of their potential.” ❑ ry historian Suetonius, the writing are labors of love pursued other fields with great Only the final grade counts, Emperor Vespasian (AD 69- savored by Feldman. While distinction.” and the grade I give a student 79), who started the building, others of his age may contem- is the grade I give myself.” Winter 2003 YUToday 7 UNDERGRADUATE

YC, Stern, and Syms Students Post University Registrar Impressive Acceptance Rates to Medical Lea Honigwachs Looks and Law Schools to the Web

f 43 Yeshiva University Marsha Stern Talmudical ical schools posted similarly Lea Honigwachs, PhD, has we’ve done with them, Web applicants to medical Academy-Yeshiva University excellent scores on the MCAT been appointed new Univ- registration tops their list and Oschool this past fall, High School for Boys, terms exam (necessary for medical ersity registrar for the Yeshiva we plan to ensure that their 35 were accepted, including all the most recent crop of law school entrance). While MCAT University Manhattan cam- college experience matches six from Stern College for school applicants exceptional, scores for YU students de- puses. the latest technology,” Dr. Women—an 81 percent ac- as reflected in their LSAT clined slightly from last year, She was the registrar at the Honigwachs said. ceptance rate for YU under- scores. Four YU graduates 25.3 from 29, they still exceed- Midtown Campus from 1999 The University is planning grads versus a 36 percent aver- placed in the 99th percentile ed the national 24.4 average. to 2000 and at the Wilf to go live with faculty Web age nationally. or better, and another 13 Among medical schools Campus from 2000 to 2002. services, including grading, As for YU applicants to law placed in at least the 95th per- accepting YU graduates are In her new position, Dr. printing class rosters, and schools, 58 of 63 men from centile. Albert Einstein College of Honigwachs oversees efforts to monitoring enrollment. Cutt- Yeshiva College and 21 of 22 Law schools to which YU Medicine; Yale University, NYU, provide a wide variety of aca- ing out the clerical middle- women from Stern received students were accepted include Mount Sinai School of Med- demic record-keeping and man, she explained, will lead acceptance letters from at least YU’s Benjamin N. Cardozo icine, Penn, Chicago Medical course registration services to to accuracy in grading. one American Bar Association- School of Law, Harvard, School, Ben Gurion Univers- the academic community. She “Students can access grades accredited law school—a 93 Columbia, Georgetown, Chic- ity, Case Western, Emory, oversees the registrar’s office at quicker because they’ll be percent acceptance rate. ago, Penn, and New York Sackler School of Medicine. ❑ the Ferkauf Graduate School posted quicker,” she said. Michael Hecht, YU’s pre- University. of Psychology, Benjamin N. Dr. Honigwachs’ experience law adviser and dean of The Students applying to med- Cardozo School of Law, the at YU and with the communi- Midtown Campus, and the ties it serves has familiarized Wilf Campus. her with the institution’s dual She plans to use technolo- undergraduate curriculum, “as Biology at the Beach gy, particularly the Web, to well as the Israel yeshiva expe- dramatically improve services rience that attracts a vast ield trips aren't just for PhD, Schottenstein Professor how to take the information to both students and faculty. majority of our undergradu- kids, especially when it of Neuroscience and assistant they read and apply it to a sit- Dr. Honigwachs is part of ates.” Fcomes to exploring ma- professor of biology, took her uation in a practical way,” said an enrollment management/ She earned a doctorate in rine biology. That was certain- class to study oceans and bays, Dr. Prattis. MIS team working to intro- modern European history ly the case for Yeshiva College geology, environmental habi- An expert in neuroscience, duce online services for regis- from Columbia University and students in the Jay and Jeanie tats, and the impact of human pathology, and biotechnology, tration and the updating of has taught history on the Schottenstein Honors Program, population. Dr. Prattis embraced marine student records. The service undergraduate level. She has who traveled last semester to “NJMSC is a prime location science by participating in was launched this spring with assessed foreign student tran- Sandy Hook Field Station for this type of research and experiments run by other sci- a pilot group of Cardozo law scripts at City University of at the New Jersey Marine they have excellent education- entists. She discovered NJMSC students. New York to determine credit “Our students are very acceptance of courses taken computer savvy. In surveys abroad. ❑

marshes wearing water over- the laboratory back at YU. alls and used a sieve and net to They explored barrier beach collect marine invertebrates,” dynamics by measuring beach honors student Avi Levine topography with meter sticks. explained. By timing an orange tossed “Then we scooped up live into the ocean as it crossed fish and shrimp and calculated two points on the beach, they the total number of species we also calculated a longshore Sciences Consortium (NJMSC) al resources,” Dr. Prattis through the National Sea discovered. This trip gave us a current. courtesy of their fundamentals explained. Grant College Program and the first-hand view of what marine “The students were exposed of biology. In preparation, students National Oceanic and Atmo- biologists do in the field.” to biology, math, and social NJMSC (www.njmsc.org), a reviewed US Fish and Wildlife spheric Administration, which Led by an NJMSC guide, the science and got a glimpse into center for the study of marine and National Parks Service promote research and edu- students also tested the water career opportunities in marine and environmental science, reports and Marine Biology cation about marine resources. for pH, dissolved oxygen, and and environmental science,” year-round hosts The Coastal journal articles about environ- The honors group first stud- salinity. They collected their said Dr. Prattis. “This is an Experience, an educational mental conditions and biolog- ied salt marshes in Sandy own water samples from which important way to expand intro- field trip program. Susan Prattis, ical systems. “They learned Hook Bay. “We waded in the they could study organisms in ductory honors education.” ❑

Tobi Kahn: First YC Artist-in-Residence

rt and art appreciation in Long Island City, NY, High School for Boys. His rep- are not usually empha- launched the program late last utation has grown since his Asized in day schools year. Kahn’s work environ- works appeared in the 1995 and yeshivot.Students with ment helped students under- Solomon R. Guggenheim Mu- dual curricula find little oppor- stand the creative process from seum show New Horizons in tunity for their creative side. conception to exhibition America. This first-time visiting This semester Yeshiva College “It was really interesting to artist program coincides with offered students a rare experi- see how the artist goes about Mr. Kahn’s show at Yeshiva ence by having renowned his work and how he creates University Museum, Tobi Kahn: painter and sculptor Tobi different art forms,” said Meir Microcosmos, an exhibition of Kahn as artist-in-residence. Weinberg, a junior minoring 36 paintings based on the bib- “With Tobi’s help, we have in art. lical narrative of creation. wheted our students’ appetite, Said YC Dean Norman Adler, On campus, Mr. Kahn’s Tobi Kahn (right), Ms. Shoshana Coolin (center) with students in presented possibilities,” said “This experience brings a reli- gave a slide presentation of his his studio. Shoshana Golin, adjunct in- gious perspective to western art.” art, while critiquing students’ structor of studio art at Yeshiva Mr. Kahn is an alumnus of work. ars, doctors, lawyers, and busi- ing the community with College. The Marsha Stern Talmudical “Yeshiva University has nessmen,” said Ms. Golin. “We artists.” ❑ A visit to the artist’s studio Academy-Yeshiva University groomed generations of schol- have the possibility of provid- 8 YUToday Winter 2003

Ari Goldman: Marcia Robbins-Wilf Scholar-in-Residence ❑ Former Times reporter discusses media bias

or decades, many Amer- School of Journalism. In 1985- “It was there—when I saw Jews which Goldman believes is most journalists seek objectivi- ican Jews have had a 1986, he spent a year at attacked—that I realized that I “over-covered.” ty and accuracy and are not Flove-hate relationship Harvard Divinity School; his could not simply be objective. “It is smaller than New pressured by editors or produc- experience there was chroni- ers to tailor coverage. cled in his bestseller, The “I worked at The New York Search for God at Harvard. At Times for 20 years,” he the Times, he wrote about reli- remarked. “No one ever told gion, with emphasis on me to be tough on Israel. Judaism. Editors do not wake up in the At Stern College last semes- morning and say they will ter, he moderated a panel of ‘get’ Israel. News breaks in journalists that included Tara Israel almost every day. Re- Bahrampour, a New York Times porters and editors scramble to writer, and Tom Farragher, a cover it. They don’t always Catholic and Boston Globe know the context or history of reporter. The journalists dis- events. Journalism doesn’t cussed covering their own reli- always allow for that kind of gions in stories that docu- Tara Bahrampour Tom Farraaher treatment.” Ari Goldman mented abuse by Roman Finally, Mr. Goldman says with the press, especially over Catholic priests, relations it’s important for Jews to sup- what they perceive as biased between women and Islam, port the work of responsible coverage of the Arab-Israeli and Jewish-Black tensions in media watchdog groups in conflict. New York and nationally. exposing shoddy and mislead- Ari L. Goldman, a former Comments by panelists, ing reporting. “But they New York Times religion report- including Goldman (who cov- should realize that not every- er-turned-professor, under- ered the 1991 Crown Heights one shares their views,” he stands the frustration and riots) reflect the difficulty says. Major news organiza- anger with the way journalists reporters face from their reli- tions like the Times, National portray Israel in its battles with gious communities when their Public Radio, or CNN “are not Palestinians, but Mr. Goldman stories challenge sacred cows set up to be pro-Israel. They believes it’s a mistake to paint and automatic assumptions. struggle to tell both sides; all reporters as anti-Jewish, or That makes objective re- sometimes they succeed and as Arab sympathizers. porting difficult, if not impos- Stern students query Ms. Bahrampour sometimes they fail.” He Bringing balance and un- sible, he says. “Each of us attributes their failings less to derstanding to how journalists brings who we are to the I realized that there was anoth- Jersey, but gets more media malice than the pressures of approach complex stories, story,” he says. “I cannot help er side to the story (Blacks felt attention than all of Russia or daily journalism. including religion and the but write from the perspective discriminated against in hous- India,” he says. “No interna- He opposes boycotts as a Middle East, is the focus of of a white, American, middle- ing and police protection) but tional city, save for Moscow means for expressing displeas- Goldman’s spring semester aged Jewish male. I think I I could not say that the feel- and Washington, has more ure with a newspaper’s cover- course at Stern College for have demonstrated through ings of the other side justified foreign correspondents.” One age. Letters to the editor and Women. Mr. Goldman, a 1971 my work the ability to be fair. I the attacks.” reason for Israel’s lure, says opinion articles are far more graduate of YC, is this year’s cannot, however remove who Beyond attempts at objec- Goldman, is its strategic and effective response vehicles, he Marcia Robbins-Wilf Scholar- I am from the story.” tivity is the effort to generate historical importance, which says, together with expanding in-Residence. He was a For Goldman, the task of stories that enlighten—rather makes it “the epicenter of a one’s news sources. “With the reporter for The New York chronicling dispassionately than titillate—readers, espe- great story.” Internet, there are many Times from 1975 until 1993, the tensions between Blacks cially in regions saturated with While Goldman does not options. We can read the when he joined the faculty of and Jews in the 1991 riots foreign press. discount some bias in news papers and check the sources the Columbia University proved extremely challenging. A case in point is Israel, reporting, he believes that we trust the most.” ❑

T. Kenny Fountain, assistant director of the Writing Center, Yeshiva College. He was the Who’s New at YU? director of a writing and language center Faculty Members Bring New Expertise at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, where he taught literature and English as a second language. He has an MA in English from the University of Memphis, TN. Dr. Shantih Clemans, assistant professor of social work, Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She received her DSW from Hunter College School of Social Work, CUNY, and has taught Dr. Justin Hughes, assistant professor of law, at institutions including Columbia University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. A magna School of Social Work. She directed the Rape cum laude JD from Harvard Law School, he is Crisis/Victims of Violence Program at Long accomplished in government, private prac- Island College Hospital and is an experienced tice, and academics. He was attorney-adviser consultant, therapist, and advocate for victims at the US Patent and Trademark Office and is of sex abuse. a nationally known legal expert in intellectual property. Rabbi Daniel Feldman, instructor in Talmud, Stone Beit Midrash Program. A 1994 Yeshiva College alumnus, he studied at RIETS. Upon Dr. Joseph Luders, assistant professor of ordination, he was selected as a Fellow of the political science, Stern College for Women. Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon, where he With a PhD from New School for Social has been involved in intensive Talmudic stud- Research, he most recently taught at Bard ies for the past four years. He has taught in College. His interests include American racial numerous settings in Israel and the US, and politics, social movements, and public policy. has written extensively. Extending his prior published research, he is completing a book on the civil rights movement. Winter 2003 YUToday 9

AECOM Roundup SCW’s First Dean of Students Celebrates 100 Years

• Herbert J. Cohen, MD, professor of pediatrics and of rehabili- tation at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an expert in ith a quick smile Mrs. Gilbert grew up developmental disabilities, has been named the first holder of and girlish laugh, in Harlem and attended the Ruth L. Gottesman professorial chair. He is director of both WElizabeth Isaacs Wadleigh High School. Einstein’s Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center Gilbert readily recounts her She graduated from (CERC) and the Rose F. Kennedy Center for Excellence in days as the first dean of stu- Barnard College, un- Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Service, a dents at Stern College for common for an Ortho- federally funded training program at the College. At her retire- Women. This is impressive not dox woman of that ment last year, Dr. Gottesman was the founding director of the only because she held that time. She had been a Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of Learning Disabilities, position 47 years ago, but also French major and was a a CERC component. Expert in learning disabilities, she became a because Mrs. Gilbert recently tutor and substitute national leader in the struggle to better identify and correct celebrated her 100th birthday. French teacher in adults’ and childrens’ learning problems. She also served as An elegant and articulate Yonkers, NY, when Dr. director of CERC’s Adult Literacy Program. woman, Mrs. Gilbert was Belkin made her the approached in 1955 by offer. • Researchers at Einstein, led by Nir Barzilai, MD, associate pro- Yeshiva University President “She was an unusu- fessor of medicine and director of Einstein’s Institute for Aging Dr. Samuel Belkin to be advis- al and elegant lady, and Research, have demonstrated that the removal of visceral er to Stern students and direc- she gave her all to (abdominal) fat prevents insulin resistance and glucose intoler- tor of student activities of the Stern,” said Esther ance of aging. They reported their findings in the journal newly founded college. Zuroff, Mrs. Gilbert’s Elizabeth Isaacs Gilbert Diabetes. Increase in abdominal obesity, representing an accu- “I knew Dr. Belkin well,” assistant and later direc- mulation of fat inside the abdominal wall, is a risk for cardio- she said, “since my first hus- tor of student services. vascular disease and stroke, as well. band, Dr. Moses Isaacs, was a “She was a role model and Zelda Braun, current assistant chemistry professor and dean those students who recognized dean of undergraduate students • Gareth John, MD, is the lead investigator of a study that has of Yeshiva College. It had been that learned from her.” at Stern College. “She set a stan- identified a mechanism that may inhibit myelin repair in multi- Dr. Belkin’s dream to establish Stern College, the first dard about how women should ple sclerosis (MS). The loss of myelin is thought to contribute to a liberal arts college for school of its kind, made head- deport themselves and was the symptoms of MS. He and his researchers reported their find- women.” lines when it opened to train committed to their education.” ings in the Advance Online Publication of Nature Medicine. The In September 1954, Dr. Jewish women for active and Mrs. Gilbert retired in 1967 data may help develop therapies and treatments for MS patients. Belkin’s dream became reality significant roles both in the together with her husband, Dr. when Max Stern, a prominent community and in the home. Isaacs. Then, enrollment at industrialist and vice chair- The first college catalog reflect- Stern College was 400. She has man of the University’s Board ed the mores and values of its spent her retirement indulging of Trustees, made an initial gift day. “The program of the in her favorite pastime, gar- of $500,000. The College was College is designed to meet dening, and has been active in Camus’s The Plague: located at 253 Lexington realistically the goals of today’s various organizations, includ- Avenue, just down the street young woman for intelligent ing the OU and the Yonkers 2002 Book Project from its current location, and citizenship, cultural apprecia- chevra kadisha (burial society). had 32 students, including 11 tion, preparation for a career She lives on her own in out of state, when its doors and graduate study, and man- Riverdale and does her own hat is an individ- essays assigned in the past sev- opened. agement of a Jewish home and cooking and baking. Mrs. ual’s responsibility eral years. Added Dr. Jacobson, Mrs. Gilbert was appointed family,” it said. Gilbert is a great-great-grand- Wto his community “We made this decision in dean of students, following “Mrs. Gilbert embodied the mother; four of her grandchil- in times of tragedy? Does one direct response to students on the appointment of Dr. Dan values of the school and was dren are YU graduates. ❑ have an obligation to society the committee, who asked to Vogel as college dean. available to the students,” said at large, outside of one’s per- be more challenged and want- sonal circle, when disaster ed the Book Project text to be strikes? These two central one that would stay with them issues are posed in The Plague for the rest of their lives.” ture is compatible with learn- by Albert Camus, this year’s ing Torah. He pointed out that selection for the Yeshiva issues raised in the book about College Book Project. communal response to trauma The theme, “Writing in the are important for Orthodox Wake of Trauma: Responses Jews to consider in a Jewish and Responsibilities,” was context.” inspired partly by the Sept- Janny Scott, a New York ember 11 tragedy. “We hoped Times staff writer who wrote that the heightened condi- many of the “Portraits of Grief“ tions of communal trauma that it precipitated would give our discussion a particularly compelling and timely quali- ty,” said Joanne Jacobson, PhD, associate professor of Dr. Richard McCann (left) speaks with Shlomo Rydzinski English and book project fac- ulty coordinator. Janny Scott “Our hope in selecting The Other speakers included author volunteer discussion leader for Plague was to move our annual “The Plague was an interest- Dr. Richard McCann, of the project. “I sensed that the campus-wide discussion of ing choice since it involves American University; James committee chose a book that ‘tolerance’ into the area of discussion of Christian theo- Young, of University of may have been thematically individuals’ responsibility to logy and existential philoso- Massachusetts-Amherst and difficult in that the protago- the diverse communities of phy and advocates positions an authority on memorials; nist was an atheist and there which they are a part,” said Dr. that are incompatible with and YC faculty from diverse are Christian overtones. But I Jacobson. “One of our funda- Judaism,” said David Sidney, a disciplines. The discussions believe it was a courageous mental goals is to encourage sophomore majoring in eco- ranged from narrative strate- choice that stimulated intel- students to experience the nomics. “However, in his talk James Young gies in Camus’s work, to lectual debate, ” he said. ways in which reading opens at the orientation dinner, screening of the Battle of Now in its sixth year, the up their connection to the Rabbi [Yosef] Blau, mashgiach pieces, was one of a number of Algiers to Holocaust narratives Book Project was initiated by world outside the classroom.” ruchani (spiritual guidance distinguished speakers as part and memorials. Dr. Lamm and the Comm- The Plague is a longer and counselor) of undergraduate of a year-long series of discus- Anthony Wexler, a YC sen- ission on Human Values that more demanding text than men, said that reading litera- sions about writing on trauma. ior and English major, was a he established. ❑ 10 YUToday Winter 2003

ATHLETICS

YU basketball stars Eli Hami and Daniela Epstein achieved University history. YU athletic history occurred in January when two Yeshiva University basketball players, senior Eli Hami of the men’s team, and senior Daniela Epstein of the women’s team, each surpassed 1,000 career points in a 24-hour period. On Jan. 26, Daniela Epstein, of the Lady Macs, became the first woman in YU history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Eli Hami, of Los Angeles, is the 23rd player in YU history to score 1,000 career points and the 14th under current coach Jonathan Halpert. Both Hami and Epstein were honored in a ceremony at which school officials presented both with personalized, 1,000-point commemorative basketballs. Eli Hami Daniela Epstein

Lady Macs Win Shabazz Tournament

ove over Chris Childs Lady Macs scored a 72-63 vic- mate Shayna Greenwald, and Kerry Kittles, tory to capture the champi- freshman guard from Toronto, Mthe Lady Maccabees onship crown. was herself named Player of are on the march. Members YU’s Lisa Misher, senior the Week. of YU’s Stern College for guard from Oceanside, NY, was Additionally, a five-game Women’s basketball team took named tournament MVP, aver- winning streak in December December by storm, winning aging 24 points, five assists, was a first for Lady Maccabees the Dr. Betty Shabazz Mem- five steals, and four rebounds Coach Karen Green. “Five orial Women’s Basketball during the two-game event. straight wins is big for us.” Tournament for the second Ms. Misher scored 28 points in Those five wins included a year in a row. the championship contest. stunning 72–18 romp, one of The tournament, named for Lisa’s teammate, Daniela the Lady Macs’ biggest mar- the widow of civil rights leader Epstein, was selected to the gins of victory ever. Malcolm X, pitted four teams All-Tournament Team. Lisa Misher attributed the against each other in single- For her performance in the team’s success to camaraderie elimination games. The Lady tournament, as well as in two with contributions from each Macs defeated the College of other games, Lisa was also player. New Rochelle 63-38 en route named Player of the Week for “I think the advantage we Daniela Epstein Lisa Misher to a match-up with host the Hudson Valley Women’s have this year is that we have school Medgar Evers College, Athletic Conference (HVWAC) a lot of depth on the team,” really good bench. team effort. So far, this has where Dr. Shabazz was an edu- for the week ending December Ms. Misher said. “We all trust “Winning the champion- been the beginning of an ex- cator and administrator. The 8. The following week, team- one another. And we have a ship is a great example of that citing season for us.” ❑

Mac Madness: Students, Faculty Square off For Bragging Rights

arch madness a former teammate of his, Midnight Madness, a pep rally ate professor of history; Yossy it wasn’t. But scored more than half their for the men’s basketball team. Gev; Jeffrey Gurock, Libby M. Mthe 500 fans team’s points. Gev finished up The following year the event Klaperman Professor of Jewish who jammed Max Stern with 16 points, one more than became Mac Madness and History and assistant basket- Athletic Center last Neiss. included all 11 YU men and ball coach; Robert Himber, October got their money’s Alex Handeles, a senior women athletic teams. Cheers adjunct instructor of physical worth as Yeshiva Univ- accounting major from Los greeted each squad, which raf- education; Ira Jaskol, Sy Syms ersity faculty and students Angeles, led the students with fled off prizes, including School of Business associate squared off for bragging 16 points. Kenny Pollack, a Knicks tickets, a Sony Disc- dean; Andrew Leibowitz, assis- rights in basketball. sophomore majoring in psy- man, and free pizzas. tant dean of student services; It was the first-ever chology and also from Los The student team included: David Neiss, men’s golf coach; game between faculty Angeles, scored 8 for the stu- Ari Abromowitz, Jacob Asher, Mitchell Orlian, associate pro- and students, and the dents. Hendeles said he and Shai Barnea, Leeran Factor, fessor of Bible; Fred Palumbo, contest lived up to his fellow students got more Yaniv Gabbay, Josh Goldman, associate professor of manage- expectations, with exp- than they bargained for from Alex Handeles, Ovi Jacob, ment and marketing; Yitzchak erience overcoming the faculty. Jeremy Neiss, Kenny Pollack, Rosenthal, an instructor in youth, 58 to 57. “It was a lot of fun, but it Moshe Rosenbaum, Jake information services; and Leading the faculty was also more competitive Schindelheim, Yaakov Shien- Jeremy Weider, rosh yeshiva were Yossy Gev and than I thought it would be,” feld, and Gadi Yunger. and holder of the Gwendolyn David Neiss. Gev, an he said. Faculty players were: Joe and Joseph Strauss Chair in assistant YU basketball The student-faculty game Bednarsh, assistant to the Talmud. ❑ coach, is University’s was the focal point of this athletics director; Moshe all-time leading scorer, year’s edition of Mac Madness, Bernstein, associate professor Faculty wins 58–57 and together with Neiss, which began in 1997 as of Bible; Jeff Friedman, associ- Winter 2003 YUToday 11

RIETS

IN MEMORIAM Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky Appointed Rosh Yeshiva in Mazer Yeshiva Program

Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, a long- Rabbi Steven M. Dworken time instructor in the Stone Beit Midrash Program (SBMP), was named a rosh yeshiva in amport Auditorium on the Wilf Campus was standing-room-only when the Yeshiva Program/Mazer family, friends, and colleagues gathered to memorialize to Rabbi Steven M. School of Talmudic Studies LDworken, an esteemed and devoted leader of the Jewish community. He (MYP). In addition to teaching died January 13 of a heart attack at age 59. Talmud, Jewish law, and Executive vice president of the Rabbinical Council of America, Rabbi Jewish thought and ethics at Dworken was also assistant director of RIETS’ Max Stern Division of Communal SBMP, Rabbi Sobolofsky has Services. He also served as its director of rabbinic services and was a past presi- taught Jewish law and Jewish dent of RIETS’ Rabbinic Alumni. A doctor of theology, he was ordained at RIETS thought at Stern College. and earned degrees from Yeshiva College and YU’s Ferkauf Graduate School of He is rabbi of K’hal Adath Psychology. Jeshurun in Paramus, NJ. As a communal leader, he served with distinction as rabbi at Cong. Anshe Chesed, Linden, NJ, for 22 years, past president of the Rabbinical Council of An alumnus of RIETS ’90, YC and MYP ’87, Azrieli Graduate New Jersey and the Union County Board of Rabbis, and vice president, treasur- School of Jewish Education and Administration ’96, Rabbi er, and secretary of the Rabbinical Council of America. Rabbi Dworken possessed Sobolofsky authored Reishit Koach, a book on the Talmudic wisdom, grace, and humility. He was a man who embraced and embodied the tractate B’chorot and has contributed many articles to RIETS’ ideals of Torah Umadda. journals Beit Yitzchak and Beit Yosef Shaul. His lectures on Heartfelt condolences to his wife, Susan (Haberman ’99 AGS), children Jewish law have been recorded on CD and can also be Naomi (and Yechiel) Rotblat (‘93 SCW), Aliza (and Jonathan) Frohlich (‘94 found on the Web site www.shiur.net. He speaks regularly SCW,’96 AGS,’00 FG), and Arye (‘98 SSSB), and his grandchildren. at venues throughout New York and New Jersey and has been a scholar-in-residence in communities nationwide.

Eimatai Fosters High School Student Yeshiva University Museum Leadership Awarded Prestigious Grant

hat responsibili- hanks to a grant from its operations, from collections ties do American the national Institute of to public outreach. Today’s WJews have to their TMuseum and Library recipients are, indeed, among overseas counterparts? How Services (IMLS), a federal the very best museums in the does one build awareness of grantmaking agency in Wash- nation.” issues affecting world Jewry? ington, Yeshiva University Sylvia A. Herskowitz, YUM How can students make a dif- Museum was awarded $112,500 director, noted that of 839 ference? for general operating support grant applicants, only 179 Such questions surfaced at for the next two years. received funding. “We [YUM] the five-day Annual Eimatai Dr. Robert S. Martin, direc- received the highest amount Yeshiva High School Leader- tor of ILMS, said, “General possible, but what really elates ship Conference held last Operating Support grants are us is the comment by a review- November in Poyntelle, PA. only given to museums that er that our programming and More than 70 students from have the highest approval rat- organization are models to 13 yeshiva high schools HAFTR juniors and SCW advisors (left to right) Rafaella Birnbaum, ing of their peers. A museum others, especially university nationwide gathered to discuss Amanda Seltzer, Lauren Pick (advisor), Elianne Friend, and Shira must excel in every aspect of museums!” ❑ pressing Jewish issues with Freundlich (advisor) community leaders, educators, and rabbinic authorities. in which students can hone “One of the fundamental The annual conference is their leadership skills to posi- goals of this conference was to part of the Eimatai Yeshiva tively influence the Jewish examine issues that affect Jews YU Commencements High School Leadership community,” said Rabbi David in other parts of the world,” Project created by Rabbi Isaac Israel, director of MSDCS. said Judy Goldgrab, confer- THURSDAY, MAY 22 Elchanan Theological Sem- This year’s conference, “The ence organizer and coordina- YU 72nd Annual Commencement inary's Max Stern Division of Voice of the Jewish People: Kol tor of educational leadership The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 11am Communal Services (MSDCS). Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh (all programs at MSDCS. “Our Eimatai coordinates programs Jews are responsible for one objective was to empower stu- TUESDAY, JUNE 3 and events year-round that another),” featured lectures dents to be active in causes TMSTA Graduation develop leadership skills in and workshops on aiding trou- internationally, nationally, and Wilf Campus, 7 pm high school students. The bled Jewish communities in communally.” project offers methods to Argentina and the former Students came from high implement programs that im- Soviet Union. Students dis- schools in Atlanta, Memphis, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 prove and influence students’ cussed issues such as anti- Montreal, Houston, New Jersey, AECOM 44th Annual Commencement Exercises schools and Jewish communi- Semitism in Europe, Judaism and New York, in addition to Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, 6:30 pm ties. Students are encouraged in the former Soviet Union, The Marsha Stern Talmudical to develop opinions on cur- and the economic crisis in Academy/Yeshiva University SUNDAY, JUNE 15 rent issues and consider their Argentina. In turn, they organ- High School for Boys and SWHSG Graduation roles as communal leaders. ized fund-raising events local- Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva Wilf Campus, 10 am “Eimatai seeks to provide ly with guidance from YU University High School for the training and environment mentors to heighten awareness. Girls. ❑ NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE YUToday PAID YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 WINTER 2003

Renovated Cardozo Library Greets Students

he Benjamin N. Cardozo ing vaulted ceilings, broken by chairs. Upholstered chairs School of Law is boast- patterns of geometric forms. enliven the modern, sleek fur- Ting a sleek, new look Warm wood paneling graces niture in shades of blue and courtesy of its refurbished lobby the reading rooms, the circula- light green. Rich green tweed and Fifth Avenue entrance. tion and reserve desks, and carpeting and classic wood The 11-story building, at 55 book shelves, adding grandeur library chairs create a pleasant Fifth Avenue in Greenwich to this center of scholarship. and conducive environment Village, is nearing completion An attractive alcove near the for study and research. on a $40 million renovation. entrance features recent facul- The final stage of renova- One showpiece, which ty publications displayed in tion, set for next semester, will greeted students last month, is wood and glass cases. unveil the new 250-seat Jacob the library, whose four floors Some 30 new computer Burns Moot Court, as well as a offer an intellectual feast. workstations—Internet ready first-floor seminar room. ❑ Designed by SLCE Arch- —feature state-of-the-art black, itects, the library features soar- flat screen monitors and Aeron Library lobby sparkles

President Norman Lamm; Lynn Wishart, director of the law library and professor of legal State-of-the-art law library opens research; Chairman, Cardozo Board of Directors Earle Mack; and Dean David Rudenstine