he ommentator T The Independent C Student Newspaper of Yeshiva University

VOL. LXXXVI TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 ISSUE NO. 1 Senior VP Josh Joseph Leaving YU to Begin as EVP/COO at the OU

By Jared Scharf Joseph received semikhah from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Semi- Editor’s Note: This article was originally nary and a Masters in Jewish Philosophy published online on June 6. from Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies in 1999. Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph will be stepping He began his 15-year career at YU in down from his post as Yeshiva University’s 2005 as the director of special projects for senior vice president to become executive the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF); a vice president (EVP) and chief operating year later, Joseph was appointed as vice officer (COO) at the Orthodox Union (OU) president and chief of staff and began his on Sept. 1, announced President Ari Ber- role as senior vice president seven years man via email to YU faculty and staff on later in 2013. He served under both Presi- July 1. dent Emeritus Richard Joel and President As senior vice president, Joseph had Berman. the “operating responsibility for the ad- “I was immediately taken by [Joseph’s] ministrative and academic aspects of the energy, ambition, his manner, and his University, ensuring strategic planning seeming dedication. He is a very layered and implementation of restructuring ini- personality with endless facets,” Joel told tiatives.” At the OU, Joseph will be “re- The Commentator about his early years sponsible for all aspects of OU programs with Joseph. and operations, other than OU Kosher,” "We became close, and I saw in him according to the OU’s announcement. wonderful qualities. We would often travel Remarking on this new transition, Jo- together on business, and I was able to be seph told the Commentator, “While I’m myself with him.” leaving the Yeshiva University family that “I often said I could trust him with my I’ve been a part of for the last 16 years, I’m life,” Joel added.“He was the one person, YESHIVA UNIVERSITY truly excited to be heading to a place that who would come into my office, close the Josh Joseph will step down from his position as Senior Vice President shares deeply rooted values for Jewish door, and say ‘What the heck are you do- community and leadership.” ing?’” spend a year working and learning at YU, suming professional leadership at the OU, “We could not be more pleased,”OU During those years, Joseph also worked and Joseph would offer weekly sessions a key institution central to our flourishing.” President Moshe Bane stated, commenting under former vice president of YU Rabbi developing their skills. When President Berman became YU’s on Joseph’s hire. “Rabbi Dr. Joseph is one Kenneth Brander at CJF, developing lead- “We saw Yeshiva as a movement and a fifth president in the fall of 2017, Joseph of North America’s foremost dynamic Jew- ership programming for students, and university, and Josh was a key part of that worked closely with him to address issues ish communal leaders who brings vision, together with Moshe Bellows, created a evolution,” said Joel. “His commitment around campus. leadership and a new energy to the role of series of leadership training courses. Addi- to Torah, G-d and the Jewish people has chief [operating] officer. We are thrilled to tionally, Joseph led a program of presiden- informed him, and has positioned him to Continued on Page 6 have him on our team.” tial fellows, 15 recent graduates who would continue making a great difference, by as-

YU Celebrates 89th Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Commencement Former YU President, Dies at 92

Ceremony Virtually pointed the Erna and Jakob Michael Professor of Jew- By Sruli Fruchter ish Philosophy in 1966 after earning a Ph.D. in that and Yosef Lemel field of study from Rabbi Soloveitchik. By Elisheva Kohn A pulpit rabbi for nearly 25 years, Rabbi Lamm served in senior rabbinic positions in New York’s Editor’s Note: This article was originally published online on Editor’s Note: This article was originally published online on May 31. Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Kodimoh in June 15. Springfield, Mass. and finally the Jewish Center on Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, former president and the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 1958, serving The Yeshiva University community gathered online to virtu- chancellor of Yeshiva University, passed away on there until his appointment as YU president in 1976. ally honor the graduating Class of 2020 and celebrate its 89th Sunday, May 31. He was 92. Following the retirement and subsequent pass- Commencement Ceremony on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14. Born in 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, Rabbi Lamm Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sel- attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaath through elementa- "Norman Lamm was a defining ma Botman opened the ceremony, which began at 1 p.m., and ry and high school before attending Yeshiva College President Ari Berman addressed the graduates. Other speak- force in fashioning a Torah from 1945-1949, where he graduated summa cum ers included Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former chief rabbi of laude as the class valedictorian with a bachelor’s de- the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and Judaism of depth, texture and gree in chemistry. He continued to study advanced Moshael Strauss, chairman of YU; unlike previous years, this chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. year’s ceremony did not have a keynote speaker. The American color." During his time at Yeshiva College, Rabbi Lamm stud- ___ national anthem, followed by the Israeli national anthem, was ied Talmud under the tutelage of Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. recited by the Maccabeats. All eight valedictorians held brief President Emeritus Richard Joel Soloveitchik. speeches while photos and names of the graduating Class of Through the insistence of Rabbi Dr. Samuel Bel- 2020 appeared on the video. kin, his predecessor in the YU presidency, Rabbi The Commencement Ceremony also celebrated the first Lamm ultimately pursued a rabbinic career instead of ing of Rabbi Belkin, Rabbi Lamm was unanimously graduating class of the Makor College Experience at YU. “These one in chemistry and was ordained by the Rabbi Isaac appointed president of YU by the Board of Trustees. seven students and their families are the trailblazers,” Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 1951. His presidency saw a major fundraising campaign Rabbi Lamm joined the Yeshiva College faculty in Continued on Page 6 Continued on Page 5 1959 as a lecturer in Jewish Philosophy and was ap-

NEWS | 5 FEATURES | 13 OPINIONS | 22 Minyanim return to Washington Heights YU rises to the occasion amid COVID-19 Crisis Graduating during Coronavirus 2 From the Editor's Desk Tuesday, July 14, 2020

The Commentator From the Editor's Desk 2020-2021 Editor-in-Chief YOSEF LEMEL In Prospect: Yeshiva Is Yours to Build Managing Editor after graduation? with city and state officials.” ELISHEVA KOHN By Yosef Lemel These are legitimate questions that are Unsurprisingly, after the initial email unable to be answered at present, even students started to ask basic questions: Executive Editor Editor’s Note: This article was origi- by the university administration, however Will there be an online option for stu- YITZCHAK CARROLL nally published online on June 28, omniscient they seem to be. In place of dents who will not be able to be “physi- before Yeshiva University released a knowledge is a dark chasm of uncertainty. cally present?” When will the dormitories plan for Fall 2020. Given this reality, it would be unwise for open? Will there be a decrease in tuition me to call for specific policy reforms, as rates? Will the university accommodate News this is not a time for change but a “return the schedules of international students to Senior Editor Junior Editor Most inaugural editorials of new to normalcy.” I would, therefore, like to account for varying time zones? SRULI FRUCHTER ELAZAR ABRAHAMS Commentator volumes are optimistic use this forum to comment on two recent The Commentator inquired into the in nature. Generally, student journal- stories we covered and how they relate specifics of the university’s “plans.” At Features ists want to “start off the year on a good to The Commentator’s responsibility as that point, the provost provided clarifica- Senior Editor Junior Editors foot,” and as the semester rolls on, they Yeshiva’s undergraduate student paper. tion to us. She did not, however, send a start to “cynically” complain about the JACOB ROSENFELD MITCH GOULSON Students recently received an email clarification to the general student body, lack of transparency from the university TEMMI LATTIN although it was her responsibility to do administration, the lack of consultation so after causing much confusion. She with students about basic academic poli- Opinions At present, there is no did not explain why emails stating the cies and other such issues they may face. Senior Editor Junior Editor unfinalized “plans” were sent out. In fact, This inaugural editorial will not follow vision charted for the she later sent a second email on June 18 AHARON NISSEL JOSH LEICHTER that template; it will come off as bleak that repeated the contradictory state- and cynical with a light tinge of hope. immediate future of Yeshiva ment of the first. Cumulatively, this led to Business Candidness is important because, at pres- false rumors and an even more confused Senior Editor Junior Editor ent, there is no vision charted for the im- University; we are living in student body. EITAN LAVIAN YAAKOV METZ mediate future of Yeshiva University; we the most uncertain of times. Students and faculty are wondering: are living in the most uncertain of times. Will we be back on campus in the fall or There are many basic and obvious not? This is a serious question that re- Senior Layout Editor questions I, like most other students, from the university provost indicating quires a well-thought-out and thorough MICAH PAVA have. When, if ever, will I be back on that the university’s “plan is to begin answer. Short, mixed messages will not campus with my friends? Will I be able the fall semester online.” “Faculty and help the situation. If the university has Social Media Manager to live in the dormitory again? Will I ever students who are able to be physically a finalized plan, we should know. If the be able to sit in the library constructing SHIRA LEVITT present,” the email read, would be able to university does not have a plan, we should “Commie” articles until a security guard “return to face-to-face classes” after the know. This is a time for transparency, kicks me out at 2 a.m.? Will my class have Website Manager Sukkos break. The provost later admitted not ambiguity. an in-person commencement ceremony to The Commentator that the university Another recent story we covered cen- JARED SCHARF or will we be forced to relive another vir- is actually “still developing plans in con- tered on a change in academic policy. In tual celebration? Will I be able to get a job sultation with medical professionals and Business Manager Continued on Page 4 MEIR LIGHTMAN Programmer On Silencing Controversy: OMAR FARUK

Why The Commentator Would Have Published Layout Staff DEBORAH COOPERSMITH, SHIRA LEVITT, Sen. Cotton’s Op-Ed RAFAELA KAPITANKER, TEMMIMA YELLIN Did I find Cotton’s op-ed distasteful? promote ideas just because they represent By Elisheva Kohn Yes. a unique take or a majority on campus. Staff Writers Would The Commentator have pub- That’s a good question, but more on that SHLOMIT EBBIN, ZACHARY GREENBERG, Editor’s Note: This article was origi- lished his piece? Absolutely. later. DANIEL MELOOL, JARED SCHARF, nally published online on June 28 In fact, the very same day Cotton’s As we predicted, dozens of Facebook DONIEL WEINREICH op-ed was published, The Commentator’s users — most of them current or former “If liberty means anything at all, it leadership and opinion editors were faced YU students — commented on the ar- means the right to tell people what they with a somewhat parallel dilemma as ticle’s Facebook post in the harshest of do not want to hear.” The Times. We received an opinion piece terms. While the comment section con- — George Orwell titled “The Seventh Option: A Nuanced sisted of numerous users who engaged in Approach to the LGBT Debate on the public debate by directly addressing Recently, the New York Times Campus,” which established a difference the arguments in the piece — on a per- published an op-ed by Tom Cotton, a between showing “love” versus “respect” sonal note, I agreed with most, if not all, The Commentator is the student newspaper of Yeshiva University. Republican Sen. from Arkansas, calling in the attitude of Orthodox Jews towards of their points — other users seized the op- for the military to be deployed in order the LGBT community and calling for the portunity to denounce The Commentator For 86 years, The Commentator has served to deter further nation-wide rioting and formation of an LGBT club with “careful for publishing the piece in the first place. students and administrators as a communicative looting. The title of his piece, “Send In oversight” from the administration and Many of the 40 comments were responses conduit; a kinetic vehicle disseminating the Troops,” seems almost gentle com- RIETS roshei yeshiva. The paper’s lead- like “shame on the Commie for publishing undergraduate social, religious and academic ership and opinion editors were aware this” or “I lose more faith in humanity ev- beliefs across the student bodies; and a reliable pared to the potentially dangerous con- reflection of Yeshiva student life to the broader sequences of his suggestion to use an that the article may spark controversy, ery day from this disgrace of a magazine.” Jewish and American communities. “overwhelming show of force” towards however, the author’s approach is shared Four days later, The Commentator Americans. Cotton’s op-ed sparked a by lots of students at YU, many of them published a features article presenting The Commentator staff claims students in the “right-wing crowd” — arguably a in-depth perspectives from nine members spanning the diverse spectrum of backgrounds wave of outrage from readers and Times and beliefs represented at Yeshiva. journalists; its allegedly flawed editorial majority on the Wilf Campus. As a campus of the LGBT community and LGBT allies process ultimately led to the resignation newspaper, we felt that it was our duty to at YU. The article, titled “LGBTQ+ and We are united by our passion for living the of Editorial Page Editor James Bennet, as promote an opinion shared by so many Ally Student Insights on the LGBTQ+ ideals of Torah Umadda, and a commitment to well as five paragraphs worth of editors’ members of the YU community; thanks Discussion at YU,” took many weeks to journalistic excellence. to this article, the overall student body complete; the research process was de- notes to appear at the top of the original Visit us online at article, explaining that the piece “should is now aware of an alternate viewpoint tailed and the material gathered was vast. www.yucommentator.org. not have been published” in the first place. on this matter. Perhaps you may wonder whether it is The Commentator’s duty to Continued on Page 4 Tuesday, July 14, 2020 7 Up 7 Down 3

A Midsummer Issue of the Commentator This could only mean two things: Either a lot has happened over the last few months or there is so little going on that you might as well write 1 another option opinion article. You decide. Clapping Videos 2 You too can hire these professional clappers for your next Zoom occasion. Claps can be customized for your specific event needs.

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such policies could have a major impact inform students. We, the students of Yeshiva, the question of an LGBTQ club, a sexual- IN PROSPECT on their academic records. A simple email are Yeshiva; we must take it upon ourselves abuse lawsuit and, of course, planning the Continued from Page 2 would have sufficed. to create the ideal environment to foster eventual return to campus. It is now, more sum, the date students are allowed to drop a Rabbi Dr. Bernard Revel, the founding intellectual growth in both religious and than ever, that timely coverage is necessary. course without a “W” being marked on their president of Yeshiva, “prophetically” ex- secular studies. Only a mature and informed The Commentator has thus decided to transcripts was moved to the beginning of pressed in the last shiur before his untimely student body would be able to create this publish its first-ever summer issue, which the semester, whereas in years past that date passing, “My life’s work, my life is Yeshiva. ideal environment. will be fully released in a printable PDF regularly fell out after midterms. And the students are Yeshiva, and Yeshiva, The Commentator is dedicated to pro- format in a few weeks from now. To date, Notwithstanding the obvious ethical the students. You, and all who came before viding students, faculty and even the ad- we have published 30 articles in Volume problems with instituting such a radical you, and those who shall come after you, ministration with accurate information; it 86 on a wide array of topics. Though it is change in academic policy when the status are my life. Even if someone would deter is our raison d’être. Yeshiva would be in a longstanding “Commie” policy to officially of next semester is uncertain, the university you from the task I have set before you, tell scary place without the vigilance of student be on recess in the summer, the nature of had not communicated this policy change to him in my name that you must continue. reporters dedicated to providing this es- this year’s strange and uncertain news cycle students prior to registration, which began The Yeshiva is yours to build.” sential service. This institution faces many has necessitated our continued publication. on May 4. Instead of miscommunication, Although it is the responsibility of the challenges including — but certainly not Our pledge to the student body is this: We there was no communication. Students have administration to keep students informed, limited to — developing a substantive mis- will keep you informed at all times. We will the right to know what policies are being they may occasionally fail in that task. It then sion, financial worries, the role of the arts, strive to be fair and objective. We will not implemented and changed, especially when becomes the responsibility of students to the physical safety of students and faculty, abdicate our responsibility to you.

ON SILENCING CONTROVERSY this Senator is of what is really going on publish additional news or opinion pieces as Commentator was fulfilling its duty of in- Continued from Page 2 in American cities. Readers deserve to be supplementary materials to Cotton’s op-ed; forming the public on matters relating to exposed to the raw, uncensored words of they certainly have the resources to provide student sentiment. I cannot speak on behalf I recommend you read the article; it’s an people in power. their readers with a nuanced, accurate un- of The Times, but I would assume that Times important piece of journalism. As of publi- Despite the potentially dangerous conse- derstanding of the issue at hand. Similarly, editors would also pride themselves in pro- cation, this features piece generated just a quences of Cotton’s op-ed, his words were the opinion section of Volume 86’s first issue ducing a paper that presents a diverse array single comment on Facebook. The attempt not hateful. Cotton made a careful distinc- contains articles advocating on behalf of the of opinions. to diversify our paper, unfortunately, seemed tion between looters and “law-abiding pro- LGBT community at YU and challenging Ultimately, the debates regarding The to have gone unnoticed. testers” and argued that a “majority who seek the status quo in the Orthodox community, Times’ op-ed and The Commentator’s piece Essentially, those claiming that The to protest peacefully shouldn’t be confused thereby presenting contrasting perspectives revolve around one question: Do we, as edi- Times should not have published Cotton’s with bands of miscreants.” His op-ed repre- to “The Seventh Option.” tors, assume responsibility towards our read- op-ed, and similarly, the readers who con- sents an attitude shared by many communi- Is it The Times’ responsibility to present ers and provide them with a wide range of demned The Commentator for publishing ties across the nation, albeit a less politically a variety of perspectives in their opinion sec- perspectives, or should we rely on them the “Seventh Option,” were disturbed by correct one. tion? I think so. Publishing Cotton’s piece to explore various publications if certain the content of the articles. New York Times Similarly, “The Seventh Option” was was the right decision for so many reasons, viewpoints are not represented in our paper? readers and staff pointed to dishonest claims criticized for its questionable language and including the diversification of The Times’ Arguably, in a saturated market of news made by Cotton and Facebook users called failing to acknowledge recent efforts by YU opinion pages. and opinions, The Times may want to stand out the “Seventh Option” for its questionable students to implement LGBT-friendly poli- Prompted by this debate, a friend of mine out by offering a very specific angle. Why tone and failing to mention that a commit- cies on campus and establish a club, but it challenged my interpretation of journalistic should The Times be responsible for their tee, led by Senior Vice President Rabbi Josh did not spread hate. integrity. Would I, he asked, publish an readers’ intellectual honesty? Perhaps it Joseph, had already been formed to address Some who opposed the publication of interview with a known white nationalist, a really should be up to individual readers LGBT-related matters on campus. Cotton’s op-ed maintained that the Senator man who self-identifies as a “racial realist,” to properly inform themselves and actively I find The Times’ statement that Cotton’s could have published this piece in any other as Tablet Magazine did recently? (The jour- seek out contrasting opinions on various op-ed “falls short of the thoughtful approach newspaper. The New York Times, they argue, nalist who interviewed him argued that he matters. After all, the United States has be- that advances useful debate,“ as well as the is better than that; the paper’s editors ought wanted to show the world what anti-Semites come increasingly polarized; why not reflect outrage expressed by some readers, deeply to consider how utterly offensive Cotton’s and racists “sound like.”) Essentially, my that phenomenon in the media as well? This unsettling. Cotton is a Senator with close words are. However, if The Times had re- friend was wondering if my “publish all evil!” argument may be compelling with respect to ties to President Trump who could very well fused to publish Cotton’s op-ed, and he, in mentality had a limit. a publication such as The New York Times, appear as a presidential candidate in the turn, had published it elsewhere (perhaps I would not have published an interview which boasts a very large readership, but it near future. It is The Times’ responsibility to a more right-wing publication), those of us with that man. His statements spew rac- certainly would not apply on the same scale expose their readers to his opinions, regard- who look to The Times for a high standard ism and hate, and they are, quite frankly, to The Commentator, a smaller paper with less of how harsh they may seem, for they of journalism would have been deprived of unimportant. By contrast, Cotton’s words a niche audience. are highly relevant to the American public reading “Send In the Troops.” We would were extreme, but not outright hateful. “The Ideally, all YU students would be well- and can lead to public scrutiny and debate. not have been exposed to how certain seg- Seventh Option” was not popular among the acquainted with people from every possible This man is a policymaker; his op-ed is not ments of the American people view the pro- more “left-wing crowd” community at YU, corner on campus and have an accurate some vague suggestion; it is a testimony of tests that swayed the country; we would but it was certainly not evil. understanding of student sentiment across how Republican senators, and arguably, not have understood what reasoning lies I do not want to draw a direct parallel the spectrum. Sadly, that is not the case; YU roughly half of the American people (they behind Republican policies. In other words, between “Send In the Troops” and “The boasts a large, multi-faceted campus, and it did, after all, elect the current president), we would have lacked a disturbing yet highly Seventh Option.” The former is significantly is almost impossible to properly gain insights tick. I acknowledge that Cotton’s op-ed genu- relevant insight into American society and more problematic than the latter; a milita- into every micro-community. However, as inely frightened readers and Times employ- its leadership. rized response to the nation-wide outrage editors of a campus newspaper –– with a ees; many Times journalists responded to Another compelling argument those who would directly endanger American lives. more diverse editorial board than you would the publication of his piece by tweeting, condemned the publication of Cotton’s op-ed Cotton fails to address police brutality or expect –– we have access to a variety of per- “Running this puts Black @nytimes journal- presented was that The Times could have the potential repercussions of deploying the spectives. Thus, we are acutely aware of our ists in danger.” published a news article, not an op-ed, cover- military in response to rioters and looters. duty towards our readers –– primarily YU However, silencing evil will not make it ing Cotton’s recommendation to deploy the However, I could not ignore the fact that students, faculty and staff –– to provide a go away. Some argued that the op-ed should military to deal with the nation-wide unrest. both authors represent what may be con- paper that accurately represents all of them. have been edited more heavily; it included This, they argue, would expose readers to sidered a “silent majority.” Furthermore, I The Commentator will not shy away from inaccuracies and overstatements. Why read- Cotton’s views while not offering a platform could not overlook the controversial nature controversy, but we will also not actively seek ers would want to read a toned-down, gentler for him to spread questionable or inaccurate and scrutiny revolving around both articles. it. Some consider us kefira, others claim we version of Cotton’s article baffles me. Times statements without reasonable pushback and “The Seventh Option” deserved to be pro- are “the conservative paper on campus.” readers ought to know how extreme Cotton’s fact-checking by the editors. However, why moted –– I use the word promoted, not en- Either way, if you believe your perspective views are, and they should be properly in- would The Times want to serve as a second- dorsed –– in the pages of The Commentator has been overlooked, there is a simple fix: formed of the intentions of the people who ary source and cover something someone because the perspective it offered is unde- submit your article to The Commentator. run this county. Cotton made false claims in said somewhere else if they had the oppor- niably shared by many in the “right-wing his op-ed; that, too, is important to note, for tunity to present Cotton’s perspective on crowd,” a dominant group at YU. By giv- we are now fully aware of how ill-informed their own pages? The Times could (and did) ing their voice a platform in the paper, The Tuesday, July 14, 2020 News 5 RABBI LAMM Z"TL thodox journal of Jewish thought which he profoundly, and leaves a legacy of wonder- Our Continued from Front Page founded in 1958 — and other publications. ful family, timeless teaching, and impactful community has lost a legend, and we Throughout his writings and speech- leadership.” mourn the passing of our teacher and that contributed to the financial growth of es, Rabbi Lamm stressed the concept of “Rabbi Lamm was the premier exposi- guide.” Yeshiva and increased its endowment fund Torah Umadda, the pursuit and integra- tor of our community’s worldview. His Rabbi Lamm’s wife, Mrs. Mindy Lamm, to over $1 billion. Through this initiative, tion of Jewish and secular knowledge. teachings and writings anchored modern recently passed away on April 16 at the age an over $35 million debt was repaid to the Rabbi Lamm also spearheaded the Torah life in Torah values and taught us how we of 88 from COVID-19. They are survived Bowery Savings Bank of New York. Rabbi U’madda Project in 1989, which culmi- can grow from the interchange of history’s by their three children Dr. Chaye Warburg, Lamm also oversaw a mass renovation of nated in the annual publication of the To- great ideas,” expressed Rabbi Dr. Ari Ber- Dr. Joshua Lamm and Shalom Lamm, as the Wilf Campus and the creation of the Sy rah U’madda Journal. His scholarship has man, the current YU president who — like well as 17 grandchildren and 23 great- Syms School of Business and the Graduate been cited in multiple U.S. Supreme Court Rabbi Lamm — previously was the senior grandchildren. Their fourth and youngest Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies for cases including the landmark Miranda v. rabbi of the Jewish Center from 2000- child, Sara Dratch, passed away in 2013. Women. For 25 years he served as presi- Arizona. 2007. “As a visionary leader, sophisticated The Rabbinical Council of America dent until 2003, after which he continued “Norman Lamm was a defining force scholar, master orator and prolific writer, held a memorial tribute on June 2 featur- as the chancellor of YU and rosh hayeshiva in fashioning a Torah Judaism of depth, Rabbi Lamm left an indelible mark on ing remarks by various members of Rabbi of RIETS until his retirement in 2013. texture and color,” said President Emeri- Jewish history and was a central architect Lamm’s family, President Ari Berman, Rabbi Lamm authored 10 books — in- tus Richard Joel, who directly succeeded of the modern Jewish experience.” Rabbi Dr. Yossi Levine, Rabbi Herschel cluding “Torah U’madda,” “Faith and Rabbi Lamm as president. “I proudly con- President Berman reflected, “For my Schachter and Rabbi Dr. David Shatz. The Doubt, “Torah Lishmah” and “A Hedge of sidered myself his student. His words and part, his loss is deeply personal, as he was a tribute will be live-streamed on YouTube. Roses” — that primarily dealt with religious deeds will continue to inspire so many of mentor and rebbe. He generously and lov- and philosophical topics; these works were us. He and Mrs. Lamm were role models ingly gave me much of his precious time, Elisheva Kohn and Elazar Abrahams con- in addition to the many essays he wrote for a generation. He cared for our people sharing with me his Torah and wise counsel. tributed to this article. for Tradition — a prominent Modern Or-

Provost Botman Clarifies Misleading Email, Plans for Fall 2020 Still Pending

By Sruli Fruchter dents and look forward to your responses and Yosef Lemel to this survey by 6/26/2020,” wrote Bot- man. In her clarification, Botman wrote, Editor’s Note: This article was originally “The responses to the survey will help us published online on June 14. finalize our direction.”

Yeshiva University is still “developing plans” for Fall 2020 classes, Provost and "We are still developing Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. plans in consultation Selma Botman clarified to The Commenta- tor on Sunday, June 14. Two days earlier, with medical Botman had emailed undergraduate stu- dents that the university’s “plan is to begin professionals and with the fall semester online,” with in-person instruction resuming after Sukkot, “for all city and state officials… those faculty and students who are able to Specific and concrete be physically present.” Shortly following the email, The YU Ob- plans will be announced Provost Selma Botman YESHIVA UNIVERSITY server reported that the plan stated by Bot- pointment regarding the miscommunica- man was definitive. The Observer has since in the coming weeks." face to face instruction after the yomim ___ tions. “I think it's obvious that we are going published a clarification. In its “Breaking tovim [holidays].” Kest later received a to start online, but YU should wait to tell Commentator News” WhatsApp chat, The Provost Dr. Selma Botman follow-up clarification that “such a possi- us that until they know for sure. The back Commentator sent members of the group bility… is only being discussed,” which he and forth is very frustrating,” remarked a message summarising Botman’s Friday forwarded to students. Yehuda Bekritsky (SSSB ‘22). email, and upon receiving Botman’s clarifi- Some students were confused by the After seeing the message from Kest, Some major New York-based universi- cation, updated them on the matter. email’s mixed signals. “It was very negli- Alex Brody (SSSB ‘21), the incoming Sy ties have already announced their plans for Since Botman’s Friday email, The Com- gent to send out an email misleading the Syms School of Business Student Council the fall semester; NYU announced plans to mentator contacted multiple university ad- student body. It's also unacceptable that (SYMSSC) president remarked, “I was a lit- offer a “mixed mode” of in-person and re- ministrators regarding the announcement there was no follow-up email to correct the tle disappointed because although nothing mote classes, and Columbia University has with specific questions as to the universi- statement,” said Scott Stimler (YC ‘21). “All was ever for certain, I was looking forward expressed intent to return to campus in the ty’s plans for next year. Prompted by these Dr. Botman did was raise our hopes that to returning to campus in the beginning of fall. CUNY’s decision is still pending. inquiries, The Commentator received Bot- we would determine whether or not we fall semester.” man’s clarification. would come on campus and take classes Some had a positive reaction to the Elazar Abrahams contributed to this “We are still developing plans in con- in-person or online. It's baffling and dis- university’s plans and its efforts to com- story. sultation with medical professionals and concerting.” municate them. “I think YU is taking the with city and state officials,” explained Bot- Botman’s email was not the first in- responsible actions by only having online Editor’s Note: This article was updated man. “Specific and concrete plans will be stance of confusion regarding the univer- classes while this pandemic is going on,” to reflect the correction issued by the announced in the coming weeks.” sity’s plans for the fall. Professor Benjamin expressed Natan Appel (YC ‘23), who is an Observer to its original story. The June 12 email included a survey Kest, who teaches Intro to Statistics on the incoming YU student. “I understand why link that asked students to list their Fall Beren Campus, messaged his students via there is confusion and appreciate YU's at- 2020 courses and select their preference Canvas on June 3 that “I have just received tempts to relay over as much information for “Online” or “Face to Face” options. “We an email from the deans that the fall se- as they can.” are committed to serving all of our stu- mester will start online and transition to Others, however, expressed disap-

Minyanim Return to Heights at Community Shenk Shul

By Sruli Fructher for minyanim include a strict 10-person Rabbi LeVee’s efforts to safely begin min- Nearly a week after New York Gov. An- limit, a mandatory mask-wearing policy, a yanim, adding, “At this point YU campuses drew Cuomo released his executive order Editor’s Note: This article was originally shortened tefillah (prayer) service and a re- are not open.” It is unclear if or when the on May 20, which allowed religious servic- published online on June 7. quirement for attendees to bring their own batei midrash will reopen on the Wilf or es to resume with restrictions after a few siddur and chumash. Each minyan will Beren campuses. months hiatus, a Google Form titled, “YU Minyanim (prayer services) returned have a gabbai to enforce the size limit. At “They’re trying to get minyanim back Minyanim… if, when, and where,” began to Washington Heights on Friday, June 5, this time, the minyanim are only available slowly and in the safest way possible,” circulating among YU student and alumni with a 10-person capacity per service at the for Heights residents from Wadsworth Ave said Moshe Niren (SSSB ‘21), a resident WhatsApp groups. The form was for po- Shenk Shul, The Commentator learned. to Laurel Hill. of the Heights. “It’s nice to have a sense of tential minyan attendees who wanted to Under the guidance of Shenk Shul Rab- In a statement sent to The Commen- minyan back while we all have a sense of bi Matt LeVee, the shul’s safety standards tator, a YU spokesperson acknowledged safety.” Continued on Page 14 6 News Tuesday, July 14, 2020

JOSH JOSEPH tor on behalf of the unofficial YU Pride Al- every game he took the time to say ‘good istrators spoke proudly of their time to- Continued from Front Page liance, Chana Weiss (SCW ‘21), vice presi- game’ to every player and congratulate us gether. “It has been a pleasure and an hon- dent of the board, said that while the Pride on the win,” said Alon Jakubowitz (SSSB or to work with Josh Joseph,” said Dean of “Throughout his 16-year tenure, Josh Alliance board has “continuously met and ‘22), a member of YU’s men’s basketball Undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Scienc- played an integral leadership role at YU, worked” with Joseph, “there has been little team. es Dr. Karen Bacon. “As a strong advocate serving in a number of influential positions to no significant change to the status quo.” “This is a bittersweet moment for me,” for students and for academic standards, impacting the lives of our students, faculty, he brought passion and wisdom to every staff, alumni, and community at large,” policy discussion. This is a mighty combi- President Berman wrote in the email. "While I’m leaving the Yeshiva University family that I’ve nation in an administrator, and I will miss In September 2019, following prior his voice at the table.” efforts to address LGBTQ issues on cam- been a part of for the last 16 years, I’m truly excited to Reflecting on his tenure at YU, Joseph pus and just before a protest by LGBTQ be heading to a place that shares deeply rooted values for said, “During my time at YU, I’ve learned students and allies, President Berman ap- so much from our professional and lay pointed Joseph to form and lead a team of Jewish community and leadership." leaders, engaged with our faculty and rab- YU faculty to address “matters of inclusion ___ bis, and partnered with professionals at on our undergraduate college campuses, Senior Vice President Josh Joseph every level and in every area of our broad which includes LGBTQ.” Joseph assem- ecosystem — and I will miss them all.” bled multiple YU faculty members and ro- Joseph added, “Most of all, however, I shei yeshiva to create initiatives that would will miss our students whether they are in raise “awareness and sensitivity, [helping] “[The] Pride Alliance is motivated to Joseph said to The Commentator. “I feel student government or club leaders, ath- students develop a thoughtful, halakhic, continue working with the administra- like I have given a lot of myself to YU over letes, students in my classes and lectures, value-driven approach to their interactions tion and whoever is appointed to head the my tenure here, but it doesn’t come close or those of you who just stopped by for a with the wide spectrum of people who are committee to create lasting and impactful to what I have gained from YU — enriched cup of coffee or gave me a friendly nod in members of our community.” change for the YU LGBTQ+ community,” with deeper skill sets, blessed by enduring the elevator.” YU has not announced who, if anyone, Weiss added. relationships and more committed than President Berman is currently working will replace Joseph’s role and responsibili- An avid YU Macs fan, Joseph was also ever before to improve the Jewish world with Joseph on a transition plan; at pres- ties on the team. involved in campus life, attending many around me.” ent, Joseph’s replacement, if anyone, is In a statement sent to The Commenta- of the sports teams’ home games. “After Joseph’s colleagues and fellow admin- unknown.

VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENT Continued from Front Page Dr. Stephen Glicksman, founder and director of the Makor program, told The Commentator. “They are also the ones who had been waiting their whole lives for a program like ours to give them their place at YU … this year’s entire graduat- ing class is the one that first welcomed and embraced our guys on campus and set the bar for inclusion and acceptance at YU for many generations to come.” A segment of the program also paid tribute to loved ones of the university’s faculty, students, staff, alumni and friends who passed away from the coronavirus or other causes. A special tribute was dedi- cated to Saadya Ehrenpreis, a student of “It is still absolutely a celebration, even though I will experience it from my kitchen table.” ___ YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Sarah Ben-Nun A screenshot of the virtual Commencement Ceremony (SCW ‘20) Class of 2020 were posted on YU’s so- the spring semester, Sarah Torgueman live in the neighborhood. Dean of Students cial media accounts in the weeks preced- (SSSB ‘20) started an online petition titled Chaim Nissel, Senior Director of Student the Makor College Experience at YU, who ing Commencement. Among them were “Postpone YU 2020 Commencement to the Life Rabbi Josh Weisberg and Schechter passed away in May. actress Mayim Bialik, filmmaker Nancy Fall,” asking the YU administration to hold addressed the 10 socially-distanced gradu- Following the Commencement Cere- Spielberg, former basketball player Tamir a postponed in-person celebration instead ates. mony, a second, virtual and private “after- Goodman, Israeli journalist Sivan Rahav of a virtual ceremony. Once the petition “It was a wonderful surprise, especially party” celebration was held for the Class of Meir, human rights activist Natan Sharan- received over 500 signatures, Torgueman considering how quickly it was planned,” 2020, which included trivia questions and sky, former Senator and Vice Presidential emailed the deans to tell them about the remarked Yehuda Goldfeder (YC ‘20), one other interactive online activities. Nominee Joseph Lieberman and others. initiative, “to which they answered very of the graduates in attendance. “I got to In the weeks leading up to Commence- Senior Director of Events Aliza Beren- nicely and compassionately,” she told The march, throw up my cap and get a diploma ment, the graduates — international stu- holz Peled, in collaboration with Director Commentator. from a dean.” dents included — received their caps and of Marketing Matthew Schwartz, led the “There were ongoing meetings with the Graduating during a pandemic left gowns in the mail, as well as graduation arrangements for the virtual Commence- deans, the [student] council presidents, some students feeling disoriented yet viewing kits, which contained various YU ment Ceremony. “We wanted to make ev- and yearbook staff to organize something grateful. “I feel the emptiness of not be- swag items. In some cases, YU employees eryone feel part of the celebration, honor worthwhile and they certainly did,” ex- ing able to celebrate this poignant moment personally delivered the graduation view- those that we lost and highlight the resil- plained Torgueman. She hopes an in-per- with the people who’ve been there all along ing kits and garbs to students residing in ience of our graduates,” Berenholz Peled son ceremony will eventually be held to — my family and my friends,” remarked the Tri-State area. Graduates were asked to said. According to Berenholz Peled, “thou- “celebrate our accomplishments and our Ben-Nun prior to Sunday’s virtual Com- submit photos and videos of themselves in sands of pieces of content” were submitted time here at YU.” mencement Ceremony. “At the same time, their caps and gowns prior to the ceremony by the Class of 2020 prior to Commence- A YU spokesperson told The Commen- I am excited … this period of my life is com- to be included in the virtual event. ment and later used for both the ceremony tator that the university is “looking into ing to an end, it is getting recognized — al- Commenting on the graduation view- and the website. The photos and videos potential possibilities for an in-person beit in a much smaller way — by a lot of ing kit she received, Sarah Ben-Nun (SCW from the graduates “will live on as a virtual graduation for our graduates sometime in people and it is still absolutely a celebra- ‘20) said, “The gesture itself of sending me time capsule,” she added. the future.” tion, even though I will experience it from a graduation kit, of acknowledging that Not all members of the Class of 2020 Prior to the virtual Commencement my kitchen table.” this day should and can be celebratory ... were happy about graduating virtually. Fol- Ceremony on Sunday, a small gathering even if it’s not in person, is touching and lowing the announcement in early March of YU students and faculty members took meaningful.” that all in-person classes and events, in- place at noon on Associate Dean for Torah Videos of community leaders, politi- cluding the Commencement Ceremony, Studies Shoshana Schechter’s front lawn in cians and celebrities congratulating YU’s would be canceled for the remainder of Monsey, NY, in honor of the graduates who Tuesday, July 14, 2020 7

Yeshiva University Releases Plan For Fall 2020, In-Person Classes to Resume After Sukkot

Minyanim recently returned to the Wash- (MTA) and Yeshiva University High School “As an international student, I’m not By Commentator Staff ington Heights community on June 5 in for Girls (Central), YU’s high schools, will entirely assured, especially without the the Shenk Shul. be making separate announcements re- necessary safeguards regarding time zone Editor’s Note: This article was originally Various university facilities — includ- garding their plans for the fall semester. differences,” said Scott Stimler (YC ‘21), published online on July 1. ing both campuses’ cafeterias and libraries The Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological a psychology student from London, UK. — will open in October with “limited ca- Seminary (RIETS) will offer limited in- “After reading the booklet, it seems that Yeshiva University will resume in-per- pacity.” The cafeterias will exclusively have person courses for students enrolled in the YU have definitely learned a thing or two son classes under a “hybrid model” –– a a take-out service “until social distancing Smicha program beginning August 26, the from the previous semester. Hopefully, ev- combination of virtual and in-person learn- erything will start to upscale and fall into ing –– on Oct. 19, following the holiday The fall semester will begin on Aug. 26 and courses place.” break, President Ari Berman announced The plan, as mandated for submission via email to the student body on Tuesday will be held online until Sukkot. Following the holiday, by New York State, was crafted by YU’s evening, June 30. The email included a 20- Scenario Planning Task Force, a team of page reopening handbook that outlined students can choose to return to partial in-person three dozen university officials, includ- further details of the Fall 2020 plan. learning on campus or continue online classes for the ing Medical Director Dr. Robert van Am- The fall semester will begin on Aug. 26 erongen. According to President Berman’s and courses will be held online until Suk- remainder of the semester. email, the plan is subject to change “de- kot. Following the holiday, students can pending upon the progression of the virus choose to return to partial in-person learn- and/or applicable state and local govern- ing on campus or continue online classes rules are relaxed.” To adhere to social dis- start of the fall semester. The plans of other ment guidance.” President Berman also for the remainder of the semester. Students tancing regulations, alternate study carrels graduate schools — Azrieli, Revel, Ferkauf, announced that community calls — a me- who choose the in-person option can com- will be available in the library and only Katz, Syms and Wurzweiler — vary with dium of communication that was intro- mute to campus or dorm in the residence two students will be limited to large tables, some schools planning on holding classes duced early March — will be held over the halls, which will open on Oct. 12, after the while study rooms will be closed, according fully online while others plan on having next few months together with students, Sukkot break, and “operate at reduced ca- to the plan. Alumni and visitors will not be limited in-person options. The Benjamin faculty, staff and parents. pacity.” The university assured that an ef- granted access to YU library facilities. N. Cardozo School of Law has yet to make “While many of us knew more or less fort will be made to arrange “housing for Elevators will be regularly cleaned and an announcement regarding their plans. what the plan for the upcoming semester all full-time undergraduate students who have occupancy limits and floor markings The Makor College Experience will an- would be, I am glad that the administra- desire it, either on or near campus.” for students to properly distance. Follow- nounce the possibility of returning to cam- tion is being more transparent with us by According to the plan, housing and ing a year of numerous elevator malfunc- pus in “the coming weeks.” releasing an official statement even though meal plan fees will be prorated to the open- tions and code violations, YU has done Information specifically relevant to much of the information is still unknown,” ing of on-campus living, while tuition and “significant work on the elevators over the undergraduate international students was remarked Sara Knoll (SCW ‘21). “I am hop- fees “will remain the same.” As The Com- past few months,” according to the hand- not specified. According to the booklet, ing the administration will send more de- mentator previously reported, the univer- book. they will receive “a separate communica- tailed information very soon as housing sity will raise tuition by more than $1,500 The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy tion” with further details. payments are due on July 31,” she added. for the upcoming academic year, up to a As of the time of publication, represen- total cost of $43,575 in tuition and $2,900 tatives for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in fees. and the State Education Department did Upon students’ return to campus, the not respond to The Commentator’s inqui- university will provide reusable face masks ries for comment. to all students, faculty and staff, who will YU had previously teased the Fall 2020 be required to wear them in public spaces, plan to students, when Provost and Vice such as classrooms, workspaces and hall- President of Academic Affairs Dr. Selma ways. Gloves will only be mandated for Botman sent an email on June 12 saying certain university staff, including medical that the university’s plan is “to begin the and food service personnel. Additionally, fall semester online,” with in-person in- restrooms will be regulated with capac- struction resuming after Sukkot, “for all ity and accessibility limits to ensure social those faculty and students who are able to distancing of six feet; housekeeping teams be physically present.” Two days later, she will clean and disinfect bathrooms and clarified to The Commentator that YU was classrooms “on a regular basis each day,” “still developing plans in consultation with according to the plan. medical professionals and with city and There will be regular checks for students state officials,” and that “specific and con- who plan to stay on campus for COVID-19 crete plans [would] be announced in the symptoms. Daily self-monitored responses coming weeks.” “through the YU-approved app or other In-person classes were first canceled on technology obtained for such purpose” will March 4 on the Wilf Campus and March 5 be required for students to enter buildings, on the Beren Campus after a Wilf student under the plan. Students will also be re- tested positive for COVID-19. Classes were quired to undergo temperature checks at held online for the remainder of the spring the entrance of YU buildings. Quarantine semester and all summer classes are oper- areas will be designated in the residence ating virtually as well. halls “for residential students who are ill, “Character is formed and developed in test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed times of deep adversity. This is the kind of to individuals who are positive.” teachable moment that Yeshiva University The batei midrash on the Beren and was made for,” wrote President Berman Wilf campuses will incorporate dividers for in his email. “Our students will be able to chavrutot (Torah study partners) and only work through the difficulties, issues and be available to students and staff; other opportunities posed by our COVID-19 era building spaces are being “reconfigured” to with our stellar rabbis and faculty as well allow for additional “batei midrash space.” as their close friends and peers at Yeshiva.” Once students return to campus, the university will “encourage all students to Elazar Abrahams, Yitzchak Carroll, Sruli remain on campus for Shabbat and the en- Fruchter, Elisheva Kohn and Yosef Lemel tire weekend,” to “minimize student trav- contributed to this story. el” with small group meals being available. More specific plans are “in the works.” Minyanim will also be regularly held in accordance with city and state regulations. The cover of the handbook released by YU YESHIVA UNIVERSITY for its Fall 2020 plans 8 News Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Wilf and Beren Housing Plans Released to Students for Fall 2020

housing availability will be prioritized to first a take-out service, until “social distancing YU has yet to announce which classes will By Sruli Fruchter accommodate “newly enrolled students,” rules are relaxed.” be online and in-person after students are followed by students whose permanent ad- With the housing application deadline allowed to return to campus. “We recognize Wilf and Beren students can apply for dress is at least 50 miles from YU. less than three weeks away, some students that students have many questions about restricted, on-campus housing — which will The Fall 2020 Opening Plan noted that, feel unprepared to commit to living arrange- fall classes,” Provost and Vice President of first open on Oct. 12 — for the fall semes- “every attempt will be made to arrange hous- ments for the fall semester. “I appreciate Academic Affairs Dr. Selma Botman told ter, announced Wilf Director of University ing for all full-time undergraduate students that we’re able to go back to campus, but The Commentator. “We are finalizing the Housing and Residence Life Jonathan who desire it, either on or near campus.” I don’t see how realistic it is to go back” academic plans for the fall and plan to have Schwab and Beren Acting Director of University Dean of Students Chaim Nissel explained Neeli Fagan (SCW ‘21), a student more information by the end of July.” University Housing and Residence Life told The Commentator that YU is “still from Chicago. “The dorms are expensive, “We will be updating our FAQs and shar- Becky Ciment via email on Tuesday eve- exploring options to expand our housing I’m not even sure who’s going to be there, ing more information during the community ning, July 7. capacity.” and about 7-9 meals a week won’t sustain calls we will be holding later this month,” Only single-room housing will be avail- Botman added. able on Wilf campus’ Rubin, Morgenstern Given the uncertainty of whether inter- and Muss Residence Halls. Beren campus’ Wilf and Beren students must apply for restricted, on- national students will be allowed to return Brookdale dorms can total up to three stu- campus housing by July 24, in the hopes of returning to to American campuses in the fall, some stu- dents per room, compared to the four-to- dents are frustrated about their unknown five-person maximum of recent years, and campus as planned on Oct. 12. status come August. independent housing will hold up to two "While I don’t blame YU, the uncertainty students per apartment; 36th Street, 35th of the situation is very annoying in order to Street and Schottenstein Residence Halls “I think Housing is handling the situation someone who’s out-of-town who isn’t go- make a decision,” said Elia Lej (SCW '22), a will be limited to one student per room. very well,” said Moshe Gordon (YC ‘22), a ing to friends for Shabbos because of the student from Brussels. “We don’t know if we, All housing rates are prorated to reflect Wilf resident advisor (RA) for the 2020-21 coronavirus.” international students, will be able to return the eight-week delayed opening of housing academic year. “The order of precedence for Isaac Dobin (YC ‘22), a student currently to campus … I want to make a decision on for Fall 2020; this was based on each cam- rooms seems fair and reasonable, and the living in Houston, Texas where the number taking a semester of absence, transferring to pus’ standard dorm prices. Wilf students prorated costs compensate for the reduced of coronavirus cases are soaring, said that a school where classes will meet in person, can dorm in either Rubin or Morgenstern time that residents will be living on campus while he likes “the idea that everyone [on the or decide to continue classes online.” Halls for $3,284 or Muss Hall for $2,396. in the fall.” Wilf campus] has their own room because Other students, however, are just grateful Beren students may dorm in 35th Street All students living on campus must also we have to social distance,” he expressed for the opportunity to return to campus. “I Residence hall for $4,260 or either 36th enroll in either a standard or reduced meal uncertainty as to whether students “who live am looking forward to campus opening up Street, Brookdale or Schottenstein Residence plan for $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. out of state will even be able to come back in any capacity once again,” said Yeshiva Halls for $3,284; independent housing op- The standard plan offers up to 10 weekly to campus,” referencing the rise in cases. Student Union President Zachary Greenberg tions on 30 Park Avenue and 251 Lexington meals while the reduced plan provides up The announcement of housing arrange- (SSSB ‘21), who was formerly an RA. “The are also available for $3,284. to seven; these plans “consist exclusively of ments came on the heels of YU’s official reason many of us went to YU was for the Housing applications are due Friday, Dining Dollars.” plan for Fall 2020, which was announced to chevra (friend groups) and campus life, July 24, and students will be notified of their Dining services in campus cafeterias students last week on June 30, nearly four and I am very excited for that to return. application status one week later on July 31. are restricted to Monday-Thursday, and a months since YU first closed its campusfor My family is a little wary about my safety, According to the email, “Because space is “more detailed schedule” will be available Spring 2020 after a student tested positive but we trust that Schwab and the Housing limited, we may not be able to accommodate on Oct. 12. As mentioned in the Fall 2020 for COVID-19. Department will do a great job to make it all students who apply for housing.” As such, Opening Plan, the cafeterias will only feature Among the concerns shared by students, as safe as possible.”

THE COMMENTATOR Wilf Campus’ Morgenstern Residence Hall Tuesday, July 14, 2020 News 9 Course Drop Date Without a “W” Bumped Up Nearly Three Months for Fall 2020 Semester

academic calendar was created for the 2020- difficult time.” While YU has not named (SSSB ‘22). “If YU is attempting to be in line By Elazar Abrahams and 2021 academic year, we incorporated an an official date for returning to campus, with other colleges, they must also allow Yosef Lemel update to the withdrawal policy and time- Botman’s announcement said it would be students to add courses several weeks after line to be consistent with other colleges and “after the Holidays” in mid-October. the semester begins. Picking and choosing Editor’s Note: This article was originally universities.” After being notified of the policy change the worst policies of other universities is Some administrators echoed this senti- by The Commentator, all seven student irreconcilable with YU’s Strategic Priority published online on June 23 ment. “When I got to YU, I was surprised to council presidents from the Wilf and Beren to ‘Enhance Student Success and Wellbeing find that the Withdrawal deadline was much campuses jointly emailed Austein and vari- — Academic, Professional and Personal.’” The Fall 2020 course drop date without later than anywhere else I had been,” com- ous members of the administration on June “The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 a “W” has been set for Sept. 22, a date only pandemic turns this from an unjust decision four weeks into the semester and nearly three "The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic turns into a detrimental one,” Poppers added. months earlier than in prior years. On June 25, Greenberg started a peti- Traditionally dated in early December, this from an unjest decision into a detrimental one" tion to “halt” the “changes and return the after midterms, this deadline is the last day ___ calendar’s course-dropping deadlines to be undergraduate students can drop a class Akiva Poppoers (SSSB '22), SOY President consistent with prior years.” “If YU does, without any record on their transcript in- in fact, need to change their calendar drop dicating their withdrawal. After that date dates, then that is a conversation that should passes, students need permission from a mented Dr. Noam Wasserman, dean of the 16 expressing concern regarding the earlier be taken with the consideration of students’ dean or academic adviser to drop a class, Sy Syms School of Business. “There are many date. “This is a drastic change from previ- voices and not behind closed doors,” the which will be marked with a “W” on their ways in which a late deadline disadvantages ous semesters, when the deadline has been petition read. The petition currently has transcript. students in the long term. A modification of after midterms … We request on behalf of over 100 signatures. In Fall 2019, the deadline for dropping a the timeline will benefit our students.” the student body that the date be moved to Austein addressed the possibility for this course without a “W” was on Dec. 2, and in In his response to The Commentator’s in- after midterms,” the email read. policy to be reversed. “At this time, we are Fall 2018, it was on Dec. 11, 15 weeks into quiries, Austein did not address the fact that The student council presidents’ email evaluating the needs of our students and the the semester. The dates for the Spring 2019 students were not notified of these changes reasoned that “having the option to drop a uncertain nature of the upcoming semester and Spring 2020 semesters were April 12 to the academic calendar. class after midterms provides students with and will keep the community informed of any and April 23, respectively. In contrast, for Students expressed concern over the tim- a buffer, as it lessens the stress in test-taking revisions to this policy,” he said. the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, ing of this change. “It is so strange for YU and ensures that students are able to find the Dean of Undergraduate Faculty of Arts the deadlines fall out on Sept. 22 and Feb. to complicate things when students already perfect balance between learning material and Sciences Dr. Karen Bacon, one of the 15, respectively. No major changes were have no idea what to expect this coming se- relevant to their future careers and receiv- recipients of the email from the student made to the deadline for dropping a course mester,” said Elisheva Goldman (SCW ‘21). ing grades which will help them secure a job council presidents, told The Commentator, with a “W.” “Dropping a class without a ‘W’ is invaluable after college.” “I am supportive of Mr. Austein’s intention Although the changes are publicly avail- and to have that moved to a much earlier According to Yeshiva Student Union to review the policy in light of the current able on the university’s undergraduate date, especially during this uncertain time, (YSU) President Zachary Greenberg (SSSB uncertainties and to consider revisions if academic calendar, at press time students is nerve-wracking.” ‘21), after the student council presidents fol- appropriate.” remain unnotified about the revisions via “YU's proposed plan brings us back on lowed up a week later on June 23, Austein email or otherwise; registration for under- campus after this drop date,” said Efraim responded that the new date still gives stu- Editor’s Note: This article was updated to graduate students’ Fall 2020 courses began Goldstein (YC ‘23), referring to Provost dents the first month to freely add or drop include information regarding the peti- on May 4. and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. classes and students will be informed if there tion started by YSU President Zachary A committee of deans’ advisors and reg- Selma Botman’s announcement two weeks are any revisions to the new policy. Greenberg on June 25 istrars formulated the academic calendar. prior. “What happens when my in-person “YU’s decision to change the timing of the Chief Enrollment Management Officer Chad class is one I want to drop but it will stain ‘drop without a W’ date is an illogical and Sruli Fruchter contributed to this story Austein, a member of the committee, ex- my transcript? This decision makes school untimely one,” said Student Organization plained to The Commentator, “When the unnecessarily more difficult in an already of Yeshiva (SOY) President Akiva Poppers

Over 100 Students Virtually Celebrate Annual Yeshiva-Wide Seudas Preida By Jared Scharf making a siyum. upon the completion of a masechta — and Following the slideshow, the siyum’s pro- Joel M. Schreiber, chairman of RIETS Editor’s Note: This article was originally gram included speeches from Associate Dean Board of Trustees, completing the siyum. of Undergraduate Torah Studies Rabbi Yosef Michael Nassimi (YC ‘21) concluded the published online on June 24 Kalinsky, President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Seudas Preida by reading the first mishna Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Pesachim, next year’s morning program Over 100 students virtually celebrated (RIETS) Mashgiach Rabbi Joshua Blass masechta. their completion of either masechet (trac- and RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel “I really appreciate how the yeshiva made tate) Hullin or Avodah Zarah at the annual, Schachter. “You know Hullin and Avoda such an effort to recognize and congratulate Yeshiva-wide Seudas Preida (closing ban- Zara,” Rabbi Schachter remarked to the us,” reflected Moshe Gordon (YC ‘22), one quet) on June 22 at 7 p.m. Over 140 par- celebrating students, “and now Yoreh Deah of the celebrating students. “I found it very ticipants tuned in to the program via Zoom. will be a breeze.” meaningful that even from afar I was able Every year, the Seudas Preida is held to Afterward, guest-speaker Rabbi Osher to celebrate the accomplishments of our celebrate the siyumim (completion) of that Weiss, Rosh Kollel of Machon Minchas yeshiva. In particular, I would like to thank year’s respective morning and night seder Osher L’torah V’Horaah, spoke and com- Rabbi Etan Schnall for his efforts to engage programs’ masechtot, as well as the full mented that he was “impressed by the [stu- all sorts of minor details.” year of Torah learning. This year’s Seuda dents’] accomplishments of completing such Rabbi Schnall, one of the organizers of Preida was dedicated in memory of Saadya a large masechta such as Hullin, this being the program, told The Commentator that Ehrenpreis (Makor ‘20), who passed away the third-largest [masechta]”. this year’s Seudas Preida contained unique from COVID-19 almost two months ago. “The siyum was the perfect way to end off features, such as a pre-siyum party held 20 Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS an incredible year of learning,” said Eytan minutes before the program, in which the Rabbi Menachem Penner began the night’s Aryeh (YC ‘21), who was one of four students siyum-makers ate their personally-delivered, program speaking about Saadya. “[Saadya’s] to celebrate completing Hullin and Avodah YU-sponsored meals. name means Saad Ka — helper of God,” said Zarah. “Having the bnei yeshiva (students) “[The Seudas Preida] literally touches Rabbi Penner. “[He] encouraged people with join together after being apart for so many hundreds of our students, including the The annual, Yeshiva- YU a smile, a hug and an arm around your shoul- months to celebrate the accomplishments 100+ who are Misaymim, and many more wide Seudas Preida was der to greet everyone who came onto the of a year’s worth of growth in Torah was — as well as their rebbeim and parents,” held over Zoom. second floor in the beis midrash ... Saadya extremely special.” said Rabbi Schnall. “It celebrates the year and the impact he had was tremendous and A pre-recorded video of Rabbi Zvi Rimon, of successful learning for all — morning, is far from over.” Afterward, a tribute video Rosh Yeshiva of Lev Academic Center (JCT) afternoon and night.” to Saadya was shown over Zoom, followed was played over Zoom, followed by Aryeh by a slideshow of every individual who was reading the hadran — a short prayer recited 10 News Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Moody’s Downgrades YU’s Credit Rating in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic

rating will significantly affect YU’s ability to S&P Global, another prominent credit towards YU, citing “indication[s] of progress By Elazar Abrahams borrow money in the future and may cause rating agency, revised their 2020 outlook toward achieving a more sustainable busi- the university to pay higher interest rates toward many public and private universi- ness model” in their 2019 report. Editor’s Note: This article was originally on its current and future debts. ties (including YU) to “negative,” recogniz- As The Commentator previously report- published online on June 3 This year's report emphasized the unpre- ing “[exacerbated] pressures already facing ed, YU has already taken measures to secure its financial stability, such as raising tuition Moody’s Investors Service downgraded “While Moody’s acknowledged that YU ‘successfully and assorted fees for next year. President Yeshiva University’s credit rating from “posi- Berman and other senior officials have also tive” to “stable” in their May 20th report. narrowed the magnitude of annual operating deficits, taken pay cuts through December, while This report marks the first demoted rating some employees have been furloughed as since 2014 when the university was catego- in line with its ongoing fiscal stabilization plan,’ the a cost saving measure. Additionally, YU rized in the subpar B3 ranking. has launched an emergency scholarship Moody’s is the leading credit rating com- coronavirus outbreak imperiled many key revenue campaign to raise funds for students in pany that provides international financial streams, such as tuition with predicted lower student financial need. At the same time, the uni- research on both commercial and govern- versity refunded students’ remaining caf ment bonds. Their evaluation was based enrollment for the coming year.” card balances as well as 30% of this spring primarily on the COVID-19 pandemic and semester’s housing charges. its subsequent financial disruptions. While Moody's predicts that YU's progress over Moody’s acknowledged that YU “successfully dictability of the current situation. According colleges.” prior years will be hindered and the univer- narrowed the magnitude of annual operat- to Moody’s, the volatile financial market, the Moody's credit evaluation of YU has sity “will continue to draw down liquidity ing deficits, in line with its ongoing fiscal possibility of “downward pressure” on New gradually progressed in recent years. In through at least fiscal 2022, if not beyond.” stabilization plan,” the coronavirus outbreak York real estate prices and shrinking sup- 2014, the largely negative report was highly Vice President of Business Affairs and imperiled many key revenue streams, such as port from donors are substantial challenges critical of President Richard Joel and YU's Chief Financial Officer Jacob Harman did tuition with predicted lower student enroll- that YU will need to overcome to boost its board. In the days leading up to President not respond to The Commentator’s request ment for the coming year. rating. If, however, YU suffers a “more rapid Ari Berman's inauguration in 2017, YU's for comment. The lowered ranking of YU connotes a or steep decline in liquidity than currently rating was updated to mark new stability. red flag to investors and funds, as the B3 rat- anticipated” or cannot cut sufficient oper- For the last two years, however, the inves- ing reflects continued high-credit risk. This ating costs, their rating could drop lower. tor service has provided a positive outlook

Poppers to Assume SOY Presidency, Wilf Student Court Rules

counsel. They argued that Poppers’ current By Sruli Fruchter spring semester credits combined with his upcoming summer course credits would total Editor’s Note: This article was originally at least 79 credits making him an “upper published online on May 14 junior” by Fall 2020, the eligible class level for the SOY presidency. Akiva Poppers (SSSB ‘22) will officially “I would like to thank everyone who assume the Student Organization of Yeshiva backed my campaign, both by voting and (SOY) presidency, following the Wilf Student writing briefs on my behalf, as well as my Court’s 3-2 decision on May 13 to overturn Counsel and advisors,” Poppers said. “I ran the Canvassing Committee’s determination on a platform of representing the students that Poppers was ineligible for the position. of Yeshiva, and I look forward to fulfilling Head of the Canvassing Committee Jacob that promise and my Constitutional duties… Rosenfeld (YC ‘21) first told Poppers that I am excited to work with the other members he would not qualify for SOY president of SOY to make your experience in Yeshiva because of his current “lower junior” sta- University the best it can be.” tus on May 4, three days before the Wilf Associate Justices Bryan Lavi (YC ‘21), Student Government elections. Following Aryeh Burg (YC ‘20) and Avraham Sosnowik several message exchanges with Rosenfeld (YC ‘21) ruled in the majority of Akiva and Canvassing Committee Member Jacob Poppers v. Yeshiva University Canvassing Shiner (SSSB ‘21) in which they urged him Committee. “In summary, the Court sees no to suspend his campaign, Poppers continued distinction between Spring credits in prog- his write-in campaign. ress and Summer credits in progress,” Lavi, Poppers preemptively petitioned the Wilf Burg and Sosnowik wrote in their ruling. “As AKIVA POPPERS Student Court on May 6, and after he re- long as the candidate will have the necessary Akiva Poppers, Chief Content Officer credits, either filed or in progress, by the of MacsLive, will assume the SOY ceived the highest number of write-in votes presidency. for the position in the May 7 elections, the date of graduation he may assume office on molded by the hands of unelected judges. expectations for Poppers’ presidency. "I am excited to work with the other members of SOY to make Democracy can only flourish if the law’s “Poppers is a true leader at YU and is some- integrity is maintained and upheld by its one who has gone above and beyond for your experience in Yeshiva University the best it can be" courts. That wasn’t done today… Any onlook- ___ the students,” said YSU President Zachary er can realize how simple this really is; peti- Greenberg (SSSB ‘21), who won re-election Akiva Poppers (SSSB '22) tioner [Poppers] will remain a lower Junior on May 7. “I am very excited to work along- at the time of the 2020 Commencement, side him next year to improve student life graduation day… [Poppers] is eligible for Canvassing Committee ruled him unquali- thus deeming him ineligible to become SOY on campus.” the position of, and can be seated as, SOY fied for the position. Runner-up Zachary President.” “Akiva and I have known each other President as per winning the majority of Lent (SSSB ’21) was instead declared the In a statement sent to The Commentator, for a while now,” expressed outgoing SOY votes for said position in the Spring” winner of the election after receiving 178 the Canvassing Committee wrote, “[We] President Yoni Broth (SSSB ‘20), “and I'm Chief Justice Phillip Dolitsky (YC ‘20) and write-in votes, only one behind Poppers’ 179. felt our decision was strongly rooted in the sure that he's going to be a great leader as Associate Justice Jacob Stern (YC ‘20) held “What I feel may be forgotten in all of this Constitution, and [are] disappointed in SOY President and set a great example for the dissenting opinion. “The majority has is the power of a single vote, which was the the court's decision. Chief Justice Dolitsky students next year.” difference in both the election and the Court. committed a grievous error in its decision,” wrote a beautiful dissent outlining our basic wrote Dolitsky, with whom Stern joined. “It Never forget that you can be the difference- argument and explaining the flaw in the Yosef Lemel contributed to this story. maker,” Poppers reflected. has taken the Constitution and spun it on a Petitioner's reasoning. That said, we hope The court accepted to hear Poppers’ case lathe, whirling it around until it magically Mr. Poppers will fulfill his responsibilities on May 8, after he won the election; Daniel appears to say, or not say, what they wish. dutifully.” Melool (YC ‘22) served as his official legal Democracy doesn’t allow for the law to be Many student leaders have great Tuesday, July 14, 2020 News 11 YU Launches Event Series on Race in America, Affirms Solidarity with Black Community

Newman, a Black, Modern Orthodox Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police unattainable for all Americans.” By Shlomit Ebbin woman who penned the viral article “My officers. With the subject line “Standing in On Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating Black Father’s Legacy.” Speaking with Wilf Solidarity,” the email expressed the impor- the emancipation of slaves in America in Editor’s Note: This article was originally Campus Director of University Housing and tance of joining in “the national outcry for 1865, the university again took to Facebook, Residence Life Jonathan Schwab, Newman justice and reforms.” Citing Breonna Taylor Twitter and Instagram to “honor the many published online on June 30 told the over 50 students watching that she and Ahmed Arbery as other victims of police sacrifices and contributions made by African believes introspection is the smartest way to brutality, Berman added that “Racial vio- Americans in the United States,” and “join In response to the national conversation combat racism within their own communi- lence by any member of society is horrific. It in solidarity against racism, injustice, and about racism, Yeshiva University has held a ties: “If people are able to educate them- is especially horrific when those perpetuat- inequality.” number of online events and organized pro- selves, look within, and then take action, the ing it are the very same people who took an Ben Atwood (RIETS ‘23), a graduate gramming focusing on race in America and of Yeshiva College and current semikhah within the Jewish community. Additionally, "Racial violence by any member of society is horrific. It is student, was happy to see YU’s efforts but prominent members of YU’s administra- hopes there will be more down the line. “As tion have released statements standing in especially horrific when those perpetuating it are the very a university student, much appreciation solidarity with the Black community and must be directed towards Rabbi Berman victims of injustice. same people who took an oath to serve and protect our for unequivocally standing in solidarity with In an effort to take action, Jewish History George Floyd and the larger Black commu- Professors Ronnie Perelis, Steven Fine and communities... We join in the national outcry for justice and nity, but I would love to see practical steps Jess Olson have spearheaded a series of dis- the university will be taking to address the cussions titled “Crisis and Hope: YU Voices.” reforms that seek to prevent these tragic violent acts from issues,” he said. Two panels — one featuring YU Professor continuing to occur." Atwood added, “Will the university make of Jewish Studies Rabbi Saul Berman on ___ an effort to increase accessibility for Black “Lessons from Selma 1965, For American President Ari Berman Jewish students? Will it bring in more Black Jews 2020” and the other showcasing professors, considering, as far as I know, we Zion80 bandleader Jon Madof on “Race currently have almost zero, if any, Black pro- and Culture in Contemporary Music” — ripples of that are unimaginable. To me, that oath to serve and protect our communities.” fessors uptown? As almost completely white were held over Zoom on June 11 and June is the most important thing that the frum Echoing these actions, YU’s official social schools, will RIETS or Yeshiva College create 25, respectively, with plans to continue the community can do.” media channels posted a statement from opportunities to build relationships with series into the fall. The experiences shared at the event Provost and Vice President of Academic members of the Black community, perhaps “This series and other forms of out- strongly resonated with some students. “I Affairs Dr. Selma Botman. “The murder of especially its religious members?” reach and social action is the natural thing thought Yaffy brought a perspective and George Floyd is a tragic reminder that the Still, many undergraduates expressed for YU to do. We are a community rooted a voice that so many YU students need to sacred American commitment to life, liberty satisfaction with YU’s programming and in Torah and mitzvoth,” Perelis told The hear,” said Avigail Winokur (SCW ‘22). “Her and the pursuit of happiness is madden- commitments to combating racism. Kate Commentator. “We are shaped by our mil- story is reflective of how our community ingly out of reach for our fellow citizens of Weinberg (SSSB ‘22) said, “I think YU is tak- lennial history of exile and persecution needs to do so much better and be more color,” said Botman. “Let us mourn the in- ing the appropriate steps to stand with the which has taught us to care for the down- inclusive and accepting of all types of Jews, justices enabled by racism across our nation Black community, as well as making strides trodden and the marginalized and we are a not just the ones we’re used to seeing.” while we commit ourselves to the righteous to educate their students to further develop school in the heart of the most diverse and These initiatives emerged following a struggle for social justice, grounded in ana- their understanding of the issues present.” most global city in the world — New York.” June 5 email from YU President Ari Berman biding respect for difference and a humbling On June 17, the Office of Student Life in response to the May 25 murder of George recognition that this effort remains as yet held its own discussion on race with Yaffy

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A few of the YU event posters and statements regarding race. 12 Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Never. Stop. Commentating.

Got something to share? Email [email protected] Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Features 13 YU Community Rises to Occasion Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Shortly after the schools closed, START! YU alumnus Dave Weinberg (YC ‘05) was Akiva Kra, Shimi Kaufman and Shneur By Yossi Zimilover produced two resources to continue teaching involved in coordinating a larger-scale op- Agronin, a group of three 11th grade students their students at home. Under regular cir- eration to deliver kosher food to healthcare at MTA, Yeshiva University High School Editor’s Note: This article was originally cumstances, classroom leaders volunteer in workers. Journalist Bethany Mandel created for Boys, organized an effort to gather and the same classroom throughout their tenure. Kosher19 and partnered with Weinberg and distribute messages for the elderly. They published online on June 2. To continue maintaining this relationship Dani Klein from YeahThatsKosher.com to recognized that many seniors in old-age even in a distanced world, each of the class- raise upwards of $84,000 (at the time of homes may be particularly lonely during Numerous members of the extended YU room leaders created a personalized science publication) and deliver over 10,000 kosher this time and estimate that they’ve collected community have gone above and beyond in experiment video for their respective fourth- meals to nearly 200 hospitals around the and distributed around 100 letters in the two the midst of the chaos from the coronavirus weeks since beginning the program. They en- pandemic. Students, alumni and administra- courage anyone to send “messages, pictures tors have participated in a variety of initia- Numerous members of the extended YU community have gone or videos” to [email protected] tives to support healthcare workers and to and noted that “if someone sends one letter, help all those in need. above and beyond in the midst of the chaos from the coronavirus it can make over 500 people’s day.” In March, YCSA (Yeshiva College Student YU’s graduate schools have also launched Association) President Leib Wiener (YC ‘20) pandemic. Students, alumni and administrators have various programs during the pandemic that orchestrated the delivery of 60 boxes of food utilized their respective skills and abilities. items to P.S. 132 Juan Pablo Duarte, to help participated in a variety of initiatives to support healthcare Speech-Language Pathology students of support the local Washington Heights com- workers and to help all those in need. the Katz School of Health and Science have munity. Wiener said he reached out to four been staffing a clinic offeringfree telehealth public schools when it was rumored that grade classrooms. After that, the classroom country. speech therapy to “Yeshiva University fac- they were going to be closing and asked if leaders have created weekly videos that are The campaign has also simultaneously ulty, students, staff and all persons in need they could use any food donations. P.S. 132 sent to all of the students. sustained struggling kosher restaurants and residing in New York.” The Wurzweiler responded in the affirmative. START! also partnered with Bundle, a Weinberg said that “dozens of local kosher School of Social Work hosted numerous Wiener worked with the Office of Student child-care service that is currently offering restaurants won’t have to close thanks to “Care Café” events via Facebook Live, includ- Life, Director of Dining Services Sam Chasan individualized lessons in various subjects, in- Kosher19’s quick-thinking efforts to support ing yoga sessions and parenting workshops, and Director of Government Relations Jon cluding science and engineering, to children their businesses.” Weinberg, whose experi- “to help those in need manage direct and Greenfield to organize the effort. Greenfield via video-conference. Halpern and Charlat ences at YU included serving as a graphic indirect responses to trauma during this connected with State Assemblywoman stated that over 60 members of START! design for The Commentator, stated that global pandemic,” according to YU News. Carmen De La Rosa and local community signed-up to teach lessons on Bundle and students can “join the effort byclicking ‘do- They also reported that Cardozo School of leader Domingo Estevez to complete the fill a gap in volunteers. They noted that nate’ on our site then ‘fundraise’ to join the Law students and alumni have engaged in coordination. In a separate instance, Chasan, “START! has been able [to] thrive during Yeshiva University team.” He also encour- pro-bono work to support small businesses alongside the YU Food Services team, also this difficult time because of the amazing aged students to share Kosher19’s posts on impacted by coronavirus. arranged the donation of a dozen boxes of team of classroom leaders and volunteers social media and “give a buck or ten to the The examples listed above are merely perishables to the MET Council for distri- who care about spreading kindness and are cause.” a glimpse into all the acts of kindness that bution to families in need, according to a deeply committed to the Club’s mission of In other measures to assist healthcare have been (and are still being) performed Facebook post. providing a world-class education to all.” employees, YU donated 148 goggles and by those in the YU community. This piece Another student-led endeavor to as- A further example of undergraduate 400 masks to Mt. Sinai Hospital with an is a far cry from a comprehensive overview sist the Washington Heights community kindness was demonstrated by TAC (Torah additional 48 goggles coming from Central, of all the actions undertaken, and no nega- (and beyond) was initiated by the START! Activities Council) Vice President of Chessed Yeshiva University High School for Girls, tive inferences should be reached from the Science chapter at YU. Self-described as the Atara Levine (SCW ‘20). Levine helped pub- according to a Facebook post. The post exclusion of any initiatives. “biggest club on campus,” START! offers licize an Arts & Crafts drive for hospitalized thanked the Facilities and Food Services “weekly supplemental science lessons” to children and quarantined families organized team, SCW Biology Department Laboratory 11 classes across four elementary schools by Chai Lifeline. Donations can be given Specialist Tatyana Kievsky, Dean of Science in the Heights, according to Aline Halpern through an Amazon wish-list or by mailing Management and Clinical Professor of (SCW ‘20) and Maxwell Charlat (YC ‘20), new supplies to the Chai Lifeline office at 151 Physics Dr. Edward Berliner and Ruth Fried, the program heads. 22 YU students serve W 30th St, New York, NY 10001. TAC also the Chairperson of the Science Department as classroom leaders with 320 additional raised money to deliver pizza to a medical at Central, “for meeting this challenge with volunteers who visit the classrooms at least team at Mercy Medical Center. grace and courage.” twice per semester.

Members of the YU community have risen to the occasion to provide help to those in need in the COVID-19 crisis. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 14 Features Tuesday, July 14, 2020 CellyForward Challenge challenge began nearly a month of the coronavirus took a big toll Some examples of the prizes The NHL featured the Cellyforward By Zachary Greenberg and a half prior to its launch during on me and I couldn’t stop think- being offered are a signed hockey Challenge on its official website on the early stages of the COVID-19 ing about all the people who suf- stick by Kirby Dach of the Chicago May 26. Editor’s Note: This article was pandemic. Co-founders Karls and fered losses and then just faded Blackhawks (the third overall pick Eli Jonah Karls said he thinks originally published online on Solomon, who are also chavru- away into the background as the of the NHL 2019 draft), a gift card the challenge is important because sas (learning partners) in Rabbi next person got sick. Eli, Joe and I towards Akil Thomas of the L.A. he “realized communities are June 17. Yehuda Willig’s shiur, were no wanted to do something using our Kings’ personal apparel company mostly focusing on the problems of strangers to social media market- combined skills and platforms to and a signed baseball from minor today with all of the death and ill- In order to raise awareness for ing before creating CellyForward. help the world on a broader scale league pitching prospect Alex Katz, ness, but... are forgetting about the mental health during COVID-19, Karls has experience with social so we used our passion for helping in addition to a gift card to his cus- long-term damage of tomorrow.” two YU students and a professional media content creation from his others to put our ideas into action.” tom cleats company. According to Karls, “the mental ice hockey player have partnered and psychological damages caused together and created a social media by COVID-19 are only beginning campaign featuring athletes from “Eli, Joe and I wanted to do something using our combined skills and and we need to fight with the same across the globe called the “Celly ferocity as we are using against the Forward Challenge.” Eli Jonah platforms to help the world on a broader scale so we used our passion for physical virus.” Karls (SSSB ‘22), creator of The In addition to spreading aware- Daily Wiz, and graphic designer Ari helping others to put our ideas into action.” ness, the challenge encourages do- Solomon (SSSB ‘22) established the ___ nations to organizations that help initiative alongside professional ice Ari Solomon (SSSB ‘22) battle mental health such as Mental hockey player Joe Veleno, a pros- Health America, The National pect of the Detroit Red Wings cur- series The Daily Wiz which first Solomon handled the graphics The CellyForward Challenge has Alliance On Mental Illness, Anxiety rently playing for the Grand Rapids released a video on Jan. 28, 2020. for each luminary and created the reached over 40,000 Instagram and Depression Association of Griffins in the American Hockey Solomon has experience in sports website while Karls managed the users since its inception. Some of America and OHEL Children’s League. graphic designing, social media and Instagram page and video produc- the top athletes involved are Nick Home and Family Services. The CellyForward Challenge working on projects for numerous tion with his filmmaker Fabeeha Suzuki of the Montreal Canadians, “A ‘celly’ is short for ‘celebra- has participating athletes and ce- professional athletes. Karls and the K. Lodhi. Veleno reached out to Aidan Dudas of the L.A. Kings and tion’ and is used to describe an lebrities post videos on Instagram 20-year-old hockey star Veleno first hundreds of public personalities Cody Glass of the Las Vegas Golden athlete's celebration after scoring a explaining the importance of met in high school in Montreal, to recruit athletes for the launch Knights. Additional famous per- goal. However, it’s more than that. the CellyForward Challenge, en- Canada. Since then, Karls remained of the challenge. After many hours sonalities and social media influ- It’s a moment of euphoric inten- couraging donations to mental close friends with Veleno and has of discussion and planning, often encers who are involved are Jesse sity, infused with joy and excite- health organizations and spread- given him guidance in bolstering reaching 3 a.m, the CellyForward Pollock from the Candian Sports ment as a result of succeeding in ing awareness on mental illness. his social media platform. Challenge was introduced with half Channel The Sports Network, a long and hard-fought battle with These figures capitalize on their In describing the origins of the a dozen athletes posting their chal- Canadian Tennis Star Charlotte every ounce of strength that you fame to spread their message to CellyForward Challenge, Solomon lenge videos. There are currently 14 Robillard-Millette, YouTube have,” said Veleno, who scored 11 wide-ranging audiences. Each ath- said, “Watching my community and athletes featured on the page with Hockey Spoofer On the Bench goals with the AHL’s Grand Rapids lete offers a prize of their choice to friends suffering from the emo- more expected to participate in the and Canadian National Athlete Griffins this season. “Right now, one random user who meets the tional and psychological effects near future. and Hockey Trainer Pavel Barber. we are in the first period of our qualifications; in order to qualify battle. We have a long way to go for a prize, a fan must first fol- until we defeat the virus, but we low the CellyForward Challenge will keep fighting and moving for- page on Instagram, like the video ward towards a better tomorrow post for which contest they want until the final buzzer when we will to enter, tag three friends in the be able to ‘celly’ together as we can comments, repost the video of the declare complete victory after re- athlete or influencer’s giveaway on covering from the damage caused their story and tag @cellyforward- by COVID-19.” challenge. It is free to enter, but do- nations are recommended and can be made through the CellyForward Challenge website. THE COMMENTATOR The initial planning for the The Celly Forward Challenge

MINYANIM forward to minyanim happening again. Continued from Page 5 It’s been a while and I really miss the ex- perience of being in a community while be notified about when and howminyanim davening,” said Liam Aron (YC ‘20), an- would return. other Heights resident. “I am concerned, On June 4, an email notified those who though, because it’s very easy to cross lines signed the form that minyanim would be- when it comes to safety. If people go back gin that day; however, they were later told to normal too quickly, that can be danger- that the minyanim were delayed. The fol- ous. The implications of it are a bit nerve- lowing day, another email invited those wracking. However, I totally understand who filled out the form to join the “WH those who do in a safe way and am not say- Minyanim” WhatsApp group for “informa- ing if it’s right or wrong.” tion regarding minyan on the YU side of Dean of Undergraduate Torah Studies the heights.” The first-round of minyanim Rabbi Yosef Kalinsky first emailed stu- became available for shacharis (morning dents in the early stages of the COVID-19 services) at 7 a.m. on June 5, as the New pandemic on March 13 that, under the guidance of Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel "It’s nice to have a sense Schachter, there would no longer be min- yanim on YU’s campuses and batei mi- of minyan back while drash would be closed. Since then, com- munity leaders have banned minyanim we all have a sense of and warned against presumptuously re- safety" turning to prayer at the risk of endangering Minyanim at the Shenk Shul are under the WIKIMEDIA COMMONS ___ oneself and society. direction of Rabbi Matt LeVee The day following Gov. Cuomo’s May Moshe Niren (SSSB ‘21) announcement, 25 Long Island rabbis threatening situation). York City — which houses YU’s campuses emailed community members that, in ac- On June 6, Gov. Cuomo announced — will only begin Phase I on Monday, June cordance with the Orthodox Union and that once a New York region enters Phase 8; NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the city York State COVID-19 death toll continued Rabbinical Council of America, they would II of the state’s reopening plan, its places will enter Phase II in early July. to drop. continue to postpone minyanim gatherings of worship can reopen with 25% occupancy Some Heights residents are excited for 14 additional days. The email explained and with social distancing. While the rest of about the return of minyanim, but still that the circumstances still warranted con- the state is already entering Phase II, New expressed safety concerns. “I’m looking cern for pikuach nefesh (a potentially life Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Features 15

We Asked, Y(O)U Answered LGBTQ+ and Ally Student Insights on the LGBTQ+ Discussion at YU

students have ‘given up’ their Judaism be- “While I never expected the amendment Their responsibility is to the students, and By Temmi Lattin cause it’s too hard to reconcile with queer- to reach the 65% threshold necessary to they have woefully failed in that so far. Yet ness. Believe it or not, reconciliation isn’t pass, I was quite shocked at just how many the student body wants such students to be Editor’s Note: This article was originally the hard part. Many of us have managed it students were comfortable with protect- discriminated against which is empowering published online on June 17. and remain committed to Judaism. The hard ing their ‘right to discriminate.’ The hateful the student government to do so, which is part is trying to live side by side with fellow rhetoric circulating in WhatsApp groups frightening and sad to witness. Editor's Note: The Commentator's "We Jews who reject us. What queer Jews have prior to the vote was particularly disturb- “The YU Alliance club isn't about hal- Asked, Y(O)U Answered" column pro- to give up all too often is not their Judaism, ing to watch unfold, and I don't understand akha, it isn't about the roshei yeshiva. It's vides students with a forum to express but their place in the wider Jewish commu- how a population of students supposedly about protecting the emotional wellbeing of their opinions and/or experiences nity, because many such spaces are not safe committed to Torah values can twist those LGBTQ students at YU, and helping them regarding various aspects of student life. for Jews who are queer. And that is not our values into justifying such hate, bullying and to feel safe and fit in. The opposition to it is While The Commentator generally does fault, but yours, with your condescending discrimination. Furthermore, to have certain only succeeding in sending a message that not publish anonymous pieces, due to the claims about ‘the difference between love people tell me they voted against the amend- students either don't care about these stu- sensitive nature of this piece, we have de- and respect.’ If you can’t respect me, I don’t ment because of ‘redundancies between Title dents' wellbeing or that they don't want them cided to publish these anonymously. The want your love. IX and this amendment’ or because it ‘limits to fit in and feel safe at YU. I hope that in the author of this piece has confirmed that all future, students, administrators and roshei respondents are current YU student. “And to the students in YU who have gone even further into yeshiva can all recognize that preventing the establishment of a club is directly damaging With the Wilf Campus vote to not pass the closet because of this horrific incident and the articles to LGBTQ students, and they can prioritize the proposed Amendment Six, which would surrounding it, you are not alone. I promise you, we are here pikuach nefesh, equality and empathy over have added an anti-discrimination policy to discrimination.” the Wilf Campus Constitution, and renewed and we support you.” discourse surrounding Yeshiva University’s ___ Ally, She/her (SCW '20) Major: Jewish Education options to answer the efforts of undergradu- A Queer Education Major at Stern College ate students to obtain approval for an official LGBTQ club, this topic has been brought “I was honestly horrified to hear the re- back to the forefront of student’s minds sults of the Amendment Six vote. I under- yet again. The Commentator reached out “The fact that the majority of students already limited student government power’ is stand the desire to preserve halakha. I also to LGBTQ students and allies at YU to pro- voted against Amendment Six — and, in so intellectually dishonest, if not covering up understand that this is a matter of pikuach vide their insights on the amendment vote doing so, actively perpetuated campus-wide for homophobia. Title IX is meant to protect nefesh. Multiple studies in the United States and the recent articles written surrounding discrimination — is frustrating and demoral- students from discrimination, but YU has and abroad have shown ‘disproportionately this topic. Students were asked to share izing. As Jewish people, minorities ourselves, failed to enforce it in regards to LGBTQ stu- high rates of suicidal behavior among LGBT their identity, how they felt about the vote we benefit from anti-discrimination policies dents. The description of the Yeshiva Student adolescents and young adults.’ All of my outcome and if they were surprised, what on a regular basis. Where is the empathy for Union (YSU), a branch of the Wilf student religious friends who have come out to me their thoughts were about the larger context others who will be — and are — similarly government, states that ‘YSU board aims to revealed that they struggled with depres- with regards to the attempts to establish an subject to prejudice and hate? If this is the serve all groups within Yeshiva University sion and suicidal thoughts. How could you LGBTQ club, and what message they want to direction of campus culture, I worry for cur- fairly.’ However, the student government not, in a community that literally believes tell YU undergraduate students and/or the rent and future students.” has not sought to treat LGBTQ students you have no place there? In a community YU administration. The responses of nine fairly. Their responsibility is not to the rosh that wishes you didn’t exist? That’s what students are provided below. Ally, He/him (YC '21) yeshiva who people have been claiming will this vote showed me. It showed me that Major: Psychology leave if an LGBTQ club is instituted, or to 60% of the Wilf student population wishes Orthodx Jew and Happily Queer the outside pressures of the administration. that religious LBGT students did not exist (SCW '20) on ‘their’ campus. That more than half of Major: English the people you pass in the caf or sit next to in the library don’t believe their peers “For a long time, I told myself that any should be allowed to have a safe haven of a YU-related problems were institutional. I loving community, which is crucial for their liked the thought of a bold, educated student mental health. Rather, they should remain body collectively and successfully modern- underground or insolation, hidden — out of izing a change-resistant administration. The sight and out of mind. That is scary and sad, rejection of Amendment Six has forced me because it puts lives at risk. This club is not to confront the reality: that most students about promoting the violation of breaking can’t see past what affects them directly. halakha. This club is about one of the stron- That, of course, is why the new cafeteria plan gest principles of halakha — the sanctity of caused an uproar, while peer-to-peer support life, pikuach nefesh. It makes me wonder; if regarding LGBTQ+ spaces on campus is still before people voted, did they consider ‘will ridiculously lacking. this action bring myself, and those strug- “Students accuse the LGBTQ+ population gling, and this campus, closer to God, or at YU of being too loud. I don’t see loud. I see further from God?’ To me, it, unfortunately, tough. I see a group of passionate students seems they chose the latter.” who are learning to fight for themselves, since — apparently — most of the remain- Member of the LGBTQ Community, ing student body is willing to stand by in She/her (SCW '21) deafening silence. Major: Psychology “A recent Commentator article suggested that the YU Alliance is inappropriate because Member of the LGBTQ Community, She/ it has a ‘certain sexual light,’ more than her (SCW ‘21) other YU clubs. Please, tell me what exactly Major: Psychology about the YU Alliance screams SEX? Is it the “Thinking about the amendment vote, it Chanukka party they hosted? The shiurim feels like a piece of me died. The part of me they want to have? If you want to condemn that hoped and dreamed and cared about sexual activity that is prohibited by Torah acceptance is no longer a part of me; instead law, why don’t you police the Confessions I feel hardened and old. It was difficult for page, where mentions of heterosexual inti- me to get out of bed the days surrounding the macy run rampant? Write an article about elections and I lost all motivation to get my how the Seforim Sale is a dangerous gateway schoolwork done. I ended up binge-watching to the transgression of negiah? We are not Netflix shows, something that I rarely do, so the ones yelling about queer sex — it is the that I didn't need to think about how un- ‘concerned’ individuals who continually strip wanted I am. I am really involved on campus queer students of our privacy and humanity and I often think of YU as my home; this with these discussions. UNSPLASH LGBTQ students respond to recent events at Continued on page 16 “The same article suggests that queer Yeshiva University. 16 Features Tuesday, July 14, 2020

LGBTQ+ STUDENT INSIGHTS, who care, there are administrators who care, do not have a place in the Jewish commu- is to achieve in concrete terms complete continued from page 15 there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. nity. The gay people who I know in the YU equality and freedom for LGBTQ students “That all came crashing down on May 8, community are committed to Torah and are at YU. That goal will be achieved, eventually, was a cruel reminder that this is not a space after a member of the Canvassing Committee more learned than I am as a straight female. with or without consent from non-LGBTQ that values someone like me. Something I weaponized an anti-discrimination clause They struggle with their love of Halakhic students. Their consent (and hopefully do often is tell myself that I belong, that I to spread homophobia, and after a student Judaism and being gay and it’s painful for someday, their enthusiasm) can only make have a place in Orthodox circles; it may be council president backed this weaponization me to see my friends and others struggle the process easier for everyone. naive but it is much easier than facing the and others took the original message further with this constantly. I completely understand “Pride means relieving yourself of con- hate. The results of the elections was a reality by drafting an amendment that would make YU’s fear of pushing the envelope, and I cern over the judgments of others who do check that I didn't want to face. others feel safe and protected into an end- think we should remain an institution that not understand you. Pride means knowing “On top of all that, the recent article, ‘The all doomsday scenario. And no one said values halakha wholeheartedly, but I think that you are worthy of respect, even when Seventh Option: A Nuanced Approach to the a word. No administrator took a stand to we need to empathize with each other in a it isn’t given, and demanding equality, even LGBT Debate on Campus,’ encourages YU to denounce the blatant hatred, the Canvassing less narrow-minded way, and voting ‘yes’ if it comes without respect. show unconditional love to queer students Committee did not care about the action of to Amendment Six would have made YU “Conditioned equality is not equality at but not acceptance or respect. If you are one of their own. a more welcoming place in a halakhically all. No one at YU has the right to control not going to respect or accept me, why in “So how do I feel? Why would I tell an upheld way.” private behavior and the LGBTQ liberation heaven's name do you think I want your movement at YU is not obliged to condemn love? What is love going to do? Is it going anyone, especially not fellow LGBTQ stu- to stop my community from forcing me out? “What queer Jews have to give up all too often is not their dents. The kind of scrutiny and censorship Do you think your love is going to convince proposed in the various articles is not ap- me to stay? Your love is not unconditional; it Judaism, but their place in the wider Jewish community, plied to any other YU organization, and it’s is literally built on conditions, and I cannot because many such spaces are not safe for Jews who are obvious why.” understand why you think I would listen to your conditions if you don't show me ba- queer.” Member of the YU Alliance Board, sic acceptance. I don't think people realize ___ Queer (SCW '21) how painful it is to treat my existence as a A Queer English Major at Stern College sin when I am someone who values Torah Major: Education and halakha and I don't know what I’m do- ing that’s different from a straight person. “I do not feel safe in YU, now more than institution how I feel when they clearly do Bisexual, He/they (SCW '20) Orthodoxy is my home, yet I now need to ever — and I’ve had my fair share of ho- not care? face the fact that I am not welcome. All I can Major: English mophobia at this institution. I’ve sat through “To my fellow YU students, you don't get say is I’m glad that we are not on campus classes where professors have asked stu- to let us be loved by the Jewish community right now because I don't think I can face “As an outgoing student, I'm very worried dents in my class to debate whether or not but forbid us to find love on our own, that people knowing that a significant number about what the rejection of Amendment Six LGBTQ Jews/myself should be ‘allowed’ in is not your choice. I am someone who lives of my peers are in favor of discriminating means for the future LGBTQ students of YU. the Orthodox community. And as horrifying and breathes the many shades of grey that against me.” It signals to me a shift in the mindset of the as that was to have to sit through that, what surround us, that are the backbone of our day student body from a tacit, silent disapproval happened with Amendment Six was worse. to day lives, understanding that the world is Gay (YC '20) of people like us to a more outspoken one. 426 students voted in favor of discrimina- full of compromises. But telling someone that I will do all I can as an alumnus to help the tion. It is too horrific to even comprehend. Major: Biology they do not deserve happiness, to find love, students still there and those who have not And then, on top of that, to have to sit and to have a family, to grow old with someone, yet been to campus, and I implore everyone read through discussions people are having “Fear. Anger. Confusion. Frustration. saying that they are forbidden from having who cares about the wellbeing, mental and about me and my personal life, making me Isolation. These are all just some of the emo- the same happiness as everyone else so you, physical, of their LGBTQ friends to do as feel like an 'other' or a 'problem,' is some- tions I felt as my phone slipped out of my a straight cisgender person, can feel better much as possible, even without Amendment thing no one should have to go through. hands when the results of the current YU about yourself is nothing more than a pat Six, to let the voice of acceptance and prog- “To those on the Wilf Campus, please election came in around midnight of May 8. on the back as you step on the backs of the ress drown out the already blaring one of take a minute to try to understand what As a gay student in YC on the cusp of gradu- same LGBT students you claim to love. To disapproval. you have done when you voted against the ation, I thought I would be able to follow have a relationship that thrives and could “There's a lot of posturing I see from anti-discrimination clause. You have made through with one of my favorite life mottos blossom into a beautiful family tree takes people on and off campus — especially someone, who already does not feel safe that my grandfather always makes us chant time, commitment, communication and in Commentator think pieces, and nearly or loved, feel sick to their stomach, anx- as we would leave a campsite: ‘Always leave compromise. But no one should have to exclusively from the side against having a ious, afraid, alone, drowning, dehumanized, something better than when you found it.’ compromise whose arms they find that love Gay-Straight Alliance — that treats LGBTQ and hopeless. You have personally damaged “When I first arrived at YU several years and happiness in.” YU students as ideas, mere concepts to toy someone’s mental health when you voted ago I was terrified, I was behind most of my around with as the writer gazes at their own against that amendment and when you ca- friends who had just spent a year in Israel A Halakhically Commited Jew Who navel and postures about ‘hating the sin and sually expressed your opinion on someone and who already had a newly established is an Ally (SCW '21) loving the sinner’ and other such platitudes. else’s life. And that person who you hurt friend group, I still wasn't sure what I wanted Major: Biology I happen to be a human being, thank you could be someone who is very close to you. to do with my life and I was still struggling very much, one with feelings, experiences, “But you’ll never know if you have hurt with my sexuality. The first couple of months “I think the situation at hand as a result and thoughts. I'm not an abstract concept, your sibling, your classmate, or your friend, were some of my worst; I developed severe of the vote is disheartening. It is obvious a corporeal entity for you to acknowledge will you? I know you would never want to depression, refusing to leave my dorm room that the amendment was rejected because only when you need to flex your intellect hurt someone you care about. So please, and wondering if a jump from the third floor it had the potential to punish those who as a cudgel against accepting other people think about those who you have just hurt. of Rubin would be enough to end it. Then I discriminate against people who identify wholeheartedly, and I would appreciate be- Think about it and make a change. Because did the unthinkable, I came out to my room- as part of the LGBTQ community. While I ing treated like the real person I am.” change starts with you. mate. I still remember the second Shabbos understand that there are halakhic issues “And to the students in YU who in February, having one of our typical deep with the sexual acts of homosexuality, voting Member of YU Alliance Board, Gay have gone even further into the closet Friday night conversations, and when we ‘yes’ to Amendment Six doesn’t condone the (YC '20) because of this horrific incident and approached the topic of shidduchim I felt sexual behavior, nor does it pave the way for Major: Political Science the articles surrounding it, you are a knot grow in my chest, growing in weight it to be condoned. The Anti-Discrimination not alone. I promise you, we are here and size, suffocating me, yelling at me to not Amendment policy advocates for the Wilf “To say I am disappointed would not be and we support you. There is nothing say a word, to protect myself from the harm Campus’ student government to be a place entirely accurate. After three years on cam- wrong with you. We love you so very and retribution that would, of course, imme- where all people feel welcome regardless of pus, I should not have expected anything much and you will make it through diately follow. Then, without fully realizing ‘race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orienta- else, yet somehow my optimism held out this. There were so many people who it, I whispered to him from across the room tion, religious affiliation, etc.’ hope. Maybe it would barely scrape by, or mourned the outcome of the Wilf that I was gay, and life went on. “It pains me tremendously to see people more likely, it would be closely defeated. Election, allies and LGBTQ individu- “From that moment forward I learned who are gay rejected from the community Yeshiva University has established in num- als alike. You are valid in your feelings to not be as scared of opening up to people that they so badly want to be accepted into bers that which was already widely known; and you are not alone. Do you hear about this aspect of my life to the point where and be a part of because of who they love. I YU is a community which favors discrimina- me? You are not alone.” most of my friends are aware and accepting wonder what those students who voted ‘no’ tion over equality. of my orientation. This all culminated this would do if their son, daughter, brother or “What the amendment vote has not Chana Weiss contributed to this story. year when my friend asked for my help in sister came out to them as gay? Would they changed is the drive for LGBTQ equality at drawing up a charter to help YU become exclude and reject their relatives from the YU. The movement will not, and cannot be more inclusive for LGBT students. This was family out of religious zealotry? I’m not sure. stopped, no matter how many amendment one of the brightest days of my life, working I don’t think the halakhic details are taught referendums fail. The opinion of non-LGBTQ with the students and administration to help to ‘flipped out’ yeshiva students who have YU students is completely irrelevant, both make YU a better place for all. Unfortunately, been taught (or pressured to think for fear to me personally and to the movement for this didn't pan out as intended, but I thought of not being ‘frum’) include that gay people LGBTQ equality. The goal of this movement that groundwork is there, there are students Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Features 17 FROM THE COMMIE ARCHIVES Editor’s Note: In the wake of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s recent passing, The Commentator has published accounts of reactions to the deaths of past leaders of Yeshiva. (November 13, 1941; Volume 7 Issue 4) — Dov Ber Revel

again torn open. All of the pain which that apparent with the passing of time. the men whom he created. We, his students, By Julius Rosenthal and The great tragedy brought with it returns in its Yet despite this loss we go on. We go on go on, staggered by shock and sorrow, but Commentator Governing Board of terrible intensity. because above all our grief is the realization happy in the knowledge that in living Torah- 1941-42 We miss Dr. Revel. We miss his consum- that “The righteous are called living even true lived we are holding aloft that flaming ing devotion, his intellectual genius, his in death.” And Dr. Bernard Revel is living: torch of the spirit which was the essence of wide vision and fatherly love and guidance. living in his accomplishments, living in the the man — Dov Ber Revel. With the approach of Dr. Revel’s Yahrzeit, The amazing role which he played in all of building where the very stones and mortar the wound of grief and sorrow which we, his American Jewish life becomes increasingly sing his glory praises, but most of all living in disciples, felt when he passed away is once

(May 5, 1976; Volume 41 Issue 12) — Rav Delivers Belkin’s Eulogy, Analyzes the True Individual

oriented and technologically minded complex to believe me, just take a look at the young And, Dr. Belkin while he knew the impor- By Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik American economy. roshei yeshivas who sit right over there to tance of money as far as the institution was However, Dr. Belkin, the restless spirit, my right. They were trained right here. They concerned, he had no concept of, he had no The following are excerpts of the eulogy the arami ovaid, the restless nomad, had are the finestroshei yeshivas any institution, desire for money as far as he himself was con- delivered by Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik at another dream. And this second dream was here or in Israel, any institution, now, at cerned … He died a poor man. He died a poor Dr. Belkin’s funeral, April 20, 1976 in bolder, more daring than the first dream. This present or a hundred years ago… man because he was a saintly man. He was Lamport Auditorium. The excerpts were was his original dream. No one shared his Answer number two to the question who a saintly man because he was a great man, selected from a WYUR recording of the opinion, not even people who were very close was he. He was a restless dreamer, who was and he died a great man. He simply was a Rav’s remarks at the discretion of the to him … He wanted to show the Jewish, as an excellent teacher and who was in love soneh betza who raised so much money, who Editors. All errors in transcription and well as the non-Jewish community that the with Torah. He had a romance with Torah. was a wizard, a wizard as a fund solicitor… selection are those of the Editors. A full Orthodox Jew is as capable of establishing Dr. Belkin was a charming person. He Dr. Belkin was a saintly person for a dif- transcript will soon be available from the scientific, educational institutions as the radiated, I’ll use the Biblical expression for ferent reason. Dr. Belkin lived a simple life. Alumni Office. non-Jew or the secular Jew is. it, Chaine. Chaine is charm. The restless It’s very hard to find people nowadays who He told me once, when he presented the teacher, the lover of Torah, like Joseph of are satisfied with a simple life, plain simple plan of a medical school under the auspices old, again, attracted people. He was, indeed, life. Dr. Belkin lived a simple life because he There are two books, the open book and of the Yeshiva, to an internationally known charming. He enchanted them with his mag- was a simple man. A great man, but a simple the Sefer Hachasum. The two books are Jewish abdominal surgeon, that the latter netic personality even those who disagreed man… There was a streak of asceticism in concerned with two different questions, the became so indignant that he said the whole with him, and quite often I disagreed with him, a streak of prisha min hachayim. He Sefer Hagalul, the public book, the open project is not only impractical, but arrogant him, quite often. Even those who disagreed lived not to enjoy life, because he hardly book asks a very simple question. What did as well. And perhaps he was right, the sur- with him succumbed to his powerful charm. enjoyed it, but to create, to serve and to sac- this particular individual do? What did he rifice and to die on the altar of Torah. He had accomplish for society? What are his ac- saintliness. He could live a life stripped of all complishments? The private book, the Sefer We promise thee that Yeshiva will be guarded by us and it manner of frills and petty, petty enjoyments. Hachasum, asks a very different question. It He hated the formalities. I know that some doesn’t ask what did man do for society; it will continue to be a great center of Torah. Your name will people misinterpreted, misunderstood it. asks, who was he; not his accomplishments, never be forgotten. He hated the formalities and the protocol but who was the individual himself? and the public etiquette even though from The private book of Dr. Belkin remained a geon. It was arrogant. Well let me tell you, The charisma Dr. Belkin possessed was time to time he had to go through it. But he Sefer Hachasum, a sealed mysterious book. the restless Yeshiva student of Lithuania precipitated by two basic virtues. Virtue num- never enjoyed it… The first question of the private book is, was indeed … tough, tough and arrogant. ber one, let me use the Biblical expression Dr. Belkin was a saintly man for a third “Who was he?”, not what did he accomplish; However, his arrogance was translated into for it, he was a baal chesed, he was a man reason. He had, what shall I say? I’ll use the who was he? I don’t know … I would like reality. And isn’t a Jew an arrogant person, of lovingkindess. He was a kind person. And Hebrew term, a lashon nikiah, a dignified to use a certain verse from Sefer D’varim, defying for thousands of years the whole let me say his kindness was not due to char- speech. Judaism has always emphasized Deuteronomy, in order to portray Dr. Belkin. world? And isn’t little Israel an arrogant na- acter weakness. Sometimes people are kind the significance of the word. The latter, if It is a verse consisting of five words, but I tion, defying the united nations of the world? because the are weak, or character softness. uttered with dignity and sanctity may create believe those five words tell the story of Dr. … Who was he? Answer number one: He Sometimes people are kind because they are a world. The latter, the word uttered with Belkin. was a restless, arrogant, impudent student soft. Dr. Belkin was not a weak person. He vulgarity, may destroy a world. Dr. Belkin’s We just read those four, … five words in from Lithuania. He dreamt of moons and was tough, I said before, and firm. He was a speech wass clean and dignified. I’ve never the haggada; “Arami ovaid avi vayered suns, of heaven and earth. man who exercised power and he liked power. heard him malign anybody, ANYBODY, or mitzraima.” I will interpret it in accordance Let me give you the second answer. The He practiced what the Talmud calls gemilus make some derogatory remarks about people. with the ibn Ezra. A straying, wandering arrogant dreamer, the restless Yeshiva bo- chasadim bimamono ubigufo. Kindness as Enemies, who indeed wanted to destroy him, restless Aramean was my father and he went chur, the arami ovaid, was a great teacher, a far as money is concerned and kindness as physically and spiritually, he never said a bad down to Egypt. Let me paraphrase this pa- rosh yeshiva … I spent my life in teaching, I far as physical efforts are concerned. If there word about them. suk. A restless Lithuanian yeshiva talmid, know teachers. He was a magnificent teacher. was a person who was not appreciated by his He was also a saintly person in his rela- student, who was my friend, Dr. Belkin. He He was, perhaps, the teacher par excellence own friends, this was Dr. Belkin. He was the tionship to Yisroel. Dr. Belkin knew how to also dreamt. He also became a visionary. … His disciples were the best trained boys most unappreciated restless dreamer, an accept suffering; he suffered with dignity. Whenever I entered his room unannounced in the yeshiva… excellent teacher and kind person. The most Dr. Belkin knew, as I said, to suffer, how to (I didn’t do it frequently) I used to find him He always moved in a straight line. He unappreciated in the world… meet crisis and how to confront disaster. dreaming. I simply saw the dream in his eyes. knew neither of angles nor of curves nor of … I’ll tell you something. He was, and this He never complained. He never asked any His gaze used to be fixed on something far: corners. His thinking was two-dimensional. will come as a surprise to many of you in the questions. He never engaged in self-righteous it was something unknown, to me at least. His code, so to say, his coat of arms. His hall, he was a saintly person. He possessed monologues. Vayidom Aharon, and Aaron Now the question is, what did he dream lamdus, the symbol od his lamdus was the saintliness. I don’t say holiness, I say saint- said nothing. A great man, a saintly man says about? He was an arami ovaid, a restless geometric plane. He did not engage in so- liness. Kindness alone does not generate or nothing. He was silent, Dr. Belkin. A saintly Lithuanian. What did he dream about? He called analysis of depth. He had no trust in precipitate charismatic chaine, unless it is man must possess the heroic quality of being dreamt of a generation of young American the thin abstractions of three dimensional tightly knit with saintliness. And Dr. belkin mute at a time when one is ready to talk… Jews who combined the good components of thinking. But whatever he said, it was logical, was a saintly person. And I understand if you … We prayed for miracles. Apparently we both an excellent secular and Torah educa- it was plain, it was understandable… ask me in what manner, in what respect, did were unworthy of a miracle, it happened. We tion. Let me tell you, Dr. Belkin’s standards He is responsible for the fact, only he, that he manifest saintliness, I’ll tell you. He felt ask just, we bid you farewell. Lech Lishalom, of lamdus, of halachic scholarship were very Yeshivas Rav Yitzchak Elchanan, now, as of it in four respects. visanuach bikaitz hayamim kechol chai. We high. I repeat, he dreamt of a generation of today, is a great center of Torah, and that as First, he was a soneh betza, he hated gain. promise thee that Yeshiva will be guarded by young American Jews who would combine far as the attainment of lamdus, good, real You know the Biblical expression soneh us and it will continue to be a great center of both an excellent Torah education with the genuine scholarship is concerned it is the best betza, to hate gain, to hate profit, to hate Torah. Your name will never be forgotten. capability of participating in the scientifically place in the United States. You don’t have money. The saintly person is a soneh betza. 18 Features Tuesday, July 14, 2020 (April 28, 1993; Volume 58 Issue 12) — “Only the Rav Could be Maspid the Rav”

talmid, and rescued his theory and ego. But forth new and exciting words. He combined seriously, not as an inconsequential academic By Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm the Rav did nothing of the sort! He taught by preparation and openness, determination flirtation or a superficial cultural ornamen- example the overarching goal of all talmud and freedom, the fixed and the fluid. What tation, or as a way of impressing benighted This selection is an excerpt from Rabbi Torah as the search for Truth. Bakashat a master pedagogue! and naive American Jewish students who did Lamm's hesped delivered at Sunday's ha-Emet was of the essence of his activity Above all, the Rav was a man of inde- not know better. There is no doubt where his azkara. in Torah, and we witnessed it in action. He pendence. He was a true heir of his great- priorities lay — obviously, in Torah — but he encouraged independent thinking by his great-grandfather, R. Hayyim Volozhiner, did not regard Madda as a BeDi’eved or a de "Sar V'Gadol nafal hayom b'yisroel- sar pupils as a way to ensure his own search for who held that in talmud Torah one must facto compromise. The Rav Believed that hatorah v'gadol Yisrael" the truth of Torah. The Rav was authoritative go after the truth no matter who stands in the great thinkers of mankind had truths but not authoritarian. No mussar shmuess your way; respect no person and accept no to teach to all of us, truths which were not Surely, such a prince and such a giant, could have so successfully inculcated in us authority but your own healthy reason. So, necessarily invalid or unimportant because who became a legend in his own lifetime, respect for the truth at all costs. the Rav was his own man, and often went they derived from non-sacredn sources. deserves an appropriate eulogy. The second lesson came with the anti- against the grain of accepted truths and con- Moreover, the language of philosophy was I therefore begin with a confession. I feel climax to the story. The very next day, it was ventional opinion. Once, after a particular for him the way that the ideas and ideals of uncomfortable and totally inadequate in the a Wednesday, the Rav walked into class with original shiur, a stranger who was not used to Torah can vest be communicated to cultured role of a maspid for my rebbe, the Rav. Only a broad, happy grin on his face, held out his such unusual independent creativity, asked people, it is Torah expressed universally; and one person could possibly have done justice copy of the Chidushei HaRan, and said to him, “But Rabbi Soloveitchik, what is your he held as well that his philosophic studies to this task, and that is — the Rav himself; helped him enormously in the formulation everyone and anyone else remains a maspid Attending his class, I always felt, was like being present of halakhic ideas. shelo kihalacha … Nevertheless, we owe it to The Rav had no use for the currently him to try our best. And so I ask your — and at the moment of creation, like witnessing the act of popular transcendent parochialism that his — forgiveness at the very outset. considers whole areas of human knowledge His genius was recognized while he was ma’aseh bereishit in all its raw and primordial drama, as and creativity as outside the pale. We must still in the crib. At age 6, his father had hired guard, therefore, against any revisionism, a melamed to come to the house to teach him conceptual galaxies emerged from the chaos of kushiyot, any attempts to misinterpret the Rav’s work … At the age of ten, he presented his father as mountains collided and separated … as finally, a clear in both worlds — akin to the distortion that with his written chidushei torah. His father has been perpetrated on ideas of R. Samson was so impressed that he showed them to and pellucid light shone upon us, bringing forth new and Raphael Hirsch. The Rav was not a lamdan his father, Rav Chaim Brisker, who was so who happened to have and use a smatter- impressed that he sent it to his dayan, Rav exciting words. ing of general culture and he was certainly Simcha Zelig. And, of course, he prophesied not a philosopher who happened to be a greatness for his precocious grandson. talmid chacham. He was who he was, and The Rav’s development continued unim- he was not a simple man. We must accept peded and fulfilled and exceeded the hopes the talmid, “Here — now read it correctly!” source?” He answered, “a clear and logical him on his terms, as a highly complicated, of father and grandfather… The Rav had been right all along. mind…” profound, and broad-minded personality, His most characteristic form of analysis What we learned was a secret of his great- He was an independent thinker not only and we must be thankful for him. Certain in his philosophic essays and oral discourses ness and success as a teacher, namely, his in his Halakha and his philosophy but also burgeoning revisionism may well attempt was the setting up of topological conflicts, attention to preparation. Ii always thought in his communal leadership. He had great to disguise and distort the Rav’s uniqueness of theoretical antithesis: Adam I and Adam that there was a vast difference between his respect for some of his peers — eminent by trivializing one or the other aspect of his II; Ish ha-Halakha and Ish ha-Elohim; the formal drashot and his shiurim in class. The Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivot of the gen- rich personality and work, but they must be covenant of fate and the covenant of des- former were finished, polished, conceptually eration — but he did not allow that respect confronted at once… tiny; majesty and humility… And ultimately, and erratically complete products, a joy to to intimidate him … He was not afraid to be But the most important to us — his stu- conflict and dissonance make for alienation behold, each of them a marvel of architec- in the minority, and refused to be cowed by dents and their students and thousands who and loneliness. tonics. The shiurim he gave in class were pressure of the majority. He was horrified came under his or his students’ influence — is He saw not wholeness but conflict, chaos, of an altogether different genre. They were by extremism and overzealousness as well what he meant to us as our Rebbe. and confrontation in the very warp and woof dynamic and stormy, as formulated ideas, as superficiality and phoniness in commu- Despite the austere majesty and the ir- of life. Man was constantly beset by a torn experimenting with a variety of sevarot, nal policy-making almost as much as he repressible dynamism of his shiurim, and soul and a shattered spirit, by painful para- testing, advocating and discarding, proving contemptuously dismissed them in “learn- despite the fear of coming to a class of the doxes, bedeviled by dualities and each day and disproving, as he brought us into his ing.” And if he sometimes seemed to waver Rav unprepared, we intuitively knew that was forced to make choices, often fateful circle of creativity and forced us to think as in setting policy or rendering a decision in we had a friend — a father, an older brother ones, in the confrontation of savage contrar- he thinks, and thus learning his methodology communal matters, it was because he saw — in him. We invited him to our weddings, ies, of the jarring clash of claims and counter- in practice. A shiur by the Rav was always all sides of an argument and was loathe to and later to our children’s weddings and he claims in both conception and conduct. a no-holds-barred contest, a halakhic free- offend or hurt even ideological opponents. came. We consulted him on out personal as Permit me to relate a story that I have told for-all, and open-ended process instead of Thus, for instance, almost alone contem- well as rabbinic problems and he listened and elsewhere as well. It was my second year in a predetermined lecture. porary gedolei torah, he viewed the emer- advised. We presented our sh’eilot and he his shiur, and I was intimidated and in awe Well, this incident proved otherwise. gence of the State of Israel as a divine chesed; taught us “et ha-derech asher yelchu bam.” of him as was every other talmid — that is, The Rav actually pulled out of his breast he saw its appearance as opening a new He exerted a powerful emotional pull on almost everyone else. There was one student, pocket his hand-written notes for this shiur! chapter in Jewish history, one in which we his students. I know so many, each of whom the youngest and one of the brightest who We were confounded: It was all prepared enter the world stage once again. He was not secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) was clearly the least frightened or awed. The in advance! Yet his greatness was that, on afraid — despite the opinions of the majority knows that he was the Rav’s favorite disciple! Rav had been developing one line of thought the one hand, he prepared assiduously for of Roshei Yeshiva and his own distinguished Who knows? — perhaps all were, and then for two or three weeks, when this talmid every shiur, leaving as little as possible to family members — to identify with the goals again, perhaps none was. He so profoundly casually said, “but Rebbe, the Chidushei chance, On the other hand, despite this care- and aspirations of religious Zionism. affected the lived of so many of us — in the HaRan says such and such which contradicts ful preparation, the shiur indeed was open- Perhaps the most significant area where thousands — and yet remains somewhat your whole svara.” The Rav was stunned, ended because he listened carefully to any he diverged from other gedolim an followed remote, because hardly a one fully encom- held his head in his hands for three agoniz- serious challenge by even the youngest of an independent way was with regard to limu- passes all of his diverse areas of expertise, ingly long minutes while all of us were silent, his students and was ready to concede and dei chol, to Torah U’Madda. The Rav was an let alone the acuity of his intellect. Those then pulled a sheaf of papers from his breast error. And all through this, so successful intellectual colossus astride the various con- who were his talmidim in halakha gener- pocket, crossed out page after page, said that was he in engaging us in the act of creation, tinents of human intellectual achievement ally were not fully informed or sensitive to we should forget everything that he had said, that we never realized that he had thought and all forms of Jewish thought. Culturally his machshava, and those who considered and announced that the shiur was over and it all out ahead of time! Attending his class, and psychologically, as well as intellectually, themselves his disciples in philosophy hardly that he would see us the next day. I always felt, was like being present at the this made him a loner amongst the halakhic appreciated his geonut in halakha. So, he had I learned two things from this remarkable moment of creation, like witnessing the act authorities of this century. How many gedo- many students, and no students … But cannot episode. First, we were overwhelmed by his of ma’aseh bereishit in all its raw and primor- lim in the world, after all, have read Greek the same be said of the Rambam — some of astounding intellectual honesty. With his dial drama, as conceptual galaxies emerged philosophy in Greek and the Vatican’s docu- whose students followed his halakha, and mind, he could easily have wormed out of from the chaos of kushiyot, as mountains ment on the Jews in Latin? A Ph.D. from the some his philosophy, and very few, if any the situation, manipulated a text here and a collided and separated … as finally, a clear University of Berlin in mathematics and es- at all, both? thought there, maybe insulted the chutzpidik and pellucid light shone upon us, bringing pecially philosophy, he took these disciplined Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Opinions 19 In Memoriam of Rabbi Lamm

"[Rabbi Lamm] once defined the educational ideal as a person at home in traditional Jewish learning, academic Jewish research, humanistic study and the natural sciences. He was thinking of the Rav but could have been describing his own enormous beadth of interest and curiosity." ___ Rabbi Shalom Carmy my feelings. From occasions when he assigned me to converse with potential non-Ortho- dox donors I "[Rabbi Lamm] once defined the educational ideal as a person at home in traditional Jewish learning, academic Jewish research, humanistic study and the natural sciences. He was thinking of the Rav but could have been describing his own enormous breadth of interest and curiosity.” could infer how much patience, charm and sheer expenditure of time it took to gain support from people who had their own ideas about education, religion and life, or those who didn’t have such ideas. Can you imagine a major talmid hakham, a creative mind, eager to leave his imprint on the institution he loved, to found journals like Tradition, organize the Orthodox Forum, build a religious-intellectual edifice, discovering that school on the brink of bankruptcy? Can you imagine the five years of unrelenting pressure during which YESHIVA UNIVERSITY vision and initiative were subordinated to stubborn perseverance and endless solicitation? There will, I hope, be other opportunities to discuss Rabbi Lamm’s legacy as a thinker Editor’s Note: To honor the memory of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, The Commentator and lamdan and shaper of opinion. In speaking to you, to the talmidim, most of whom reached out to prominent members of the Yeshiva University community to share their did not experience him during his 27 years as President, who did not enjoy his shiur kelali personal reflections of Rabbi Lamm’s life and work. Yehi Zichro Baruch. and are not aware of the subtle skills that enabled him, together with Rabbi Charlop, to navigate the Yeshiva in the 1980s when it became clear that the Rav’s days were numbered, Rabbi Yosef Blau I want to go back to the beginning. Despite, or perhaps because, Rabbi Lamm had a healthy estimation of his gifts and his mission, he was a team player. Though he could easily and Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm hired me to become mashgiach at Yeshiva one year after honestly have blamed others for bad decisions and outcomes, he chose not to do so. For assuming the presidency of Yeshiva University and RIETS. I will focus my recollections a man saddled with the burdens of running a large, complicated school, with unrelenting on his critical role in saving and expanding Yeshiva. demands on his time, he was remarkably accessible to students. He continued to keep his Rabbi Lamm was the first American-born leader and graduate of Yeshiva to become eye open for young talent. We are his beneficiaries beyond what many of us can imagine. its president. He inherited an institution on the verge of bankruptcy and whose rabbinical Yehi Zichro Baruch leadership was European. Though his rabbinical experience had not required significant Rabbi Carmy is an assistant professor of Jewish philosophy and Bible at Yeshiva fundraising, Rabbi Lamm quickly learned a new skill and enabled Yeshiva to survive. University. He was the editor of Tradition, a journal founded by Rabbi Lamm. Balancing the Yeshiva and the University was an ongoing challenge. Rabbi Dr. Lamm was a Talmudic scholar who had the respect of the roshei yeshiva and guided the yeshiva through the transition after the Rav stopped teaching. He turned the slogan “Torah Umadda” into a coherent philosophy with a number of modalities. At the same time he was able to give direction to the university, including its secular graduate schools.The pressures of the job were endless and criticism came from both the right and the left. The term “Centrist Orthodoxy,” which he introduced, reflected his personal commitment to the golden mean of the Rambam. As an outstanding orator and writer, Rabbi Lamm’s unique skill set, which was critical to his success as a pulpit rabbi, had to be translated to his role as Yeshiva president. Rabbi Lamm played a historic role in the resurgence of Orthodoxy in America and the world. Without his efforts Yeshiva might not exist today and Orthodox Judaism would not enjoy the respect and prominence he helped it achieve.

Rabbi Shalom Carmy

“Tell me, Shalom, how long have we known each other?” So began my last serious conversation with Rabbi Lamm. And I told him that long before we met, he had sent me a note about something I had written in a student newspaper, ending with an expression of interest in my future as a thinker and writer. At the time he served at a prominent synagogue and taught in what today is IBC on Monday mornings. I was a teenager without any YU connections. Although he then had no official position at YU, he took on the responsibility of identifying and encouraging young talent. Rabbi Lamm excelled in many different areas. Had he done nothing else, he would still YESHIVA UNIVERSITY have been a leading Orthodox intellectual force. He once defined the educational ideal as Rabbi Berman and Rabbi Lamm a person at home in traditional Jewish learning, academic Jewish research, humanistic study and the natural sciences. He was thinking of the Rav but could have been describing Rabbi Saul Berman his own enormous breadth of interest and curiosity. Thanks to his range of reading and mastery of spoken and written language, he succeeded more than almost anyone else, in Rabbi Norman Lamm, Z”L, was the most successful leader of integrated American communicating serious ideas to varied audiences, from the beit midrash and intellectual Orthodoxy in the second half of the 20th century. In that period, most Orthodox Jewish circles to lay people and individuals somewhat at a distance from intense religious life. leaders were devoted to the successful transplantation of European Orthodoxy to the United Add to this a pleasing personality, an elegant, civilized manner of speech and the ability States, sustaining the generally separatist character and authoritarian Jewish communal to inspire like-minded individuals to seek and follow his leadership. characteristics of their Orthodox forbearers in Europe. A skeptic like me may wonder whether this was too good to be true. I suspect that Rabbi Lamm set out to form an Orthodoxy for American Jewry which would have a dis- those of us who interacted with Rabbi Lamm only intellectually, or rabbinically, or ad- tinctive set of values, more consistent with the character of American democratic society, in ministratively, will have difficulty grasping the multiple talents and accomplishments of which this new Jewish Orthodox community could flourish with total integrity to halakha. the man. And in that division of eulogistic responsibility, I see myself consigned to the There were four fundamental values, which I believe Rabbi Lamm viewed as essential intellectual-philosophical box. It may take a great deal of research and review to properly Jewish values, which he consciously and systematically attempted to implant in The Jewish assess and to celebrate this extraordinary combination of talent and hard work over a long Center, as its rabbi, and in Yeshiva University, as its third president, and in the Modern and adventurous lifetime. All the same, the obligation of eulogy cannot be deferred and we Orthodox community, as its leading spokesman. who benefited from his works and labors must shoulder the responsibility. 1.Tolerance: Rabbi Lamm viewed tolerance of all Jews, including the varied denomi- B’nei Torah, and especially those who study and teach at our Yeshiva, are grateful for nations, as an essential manifestation of the Torah mandate to love all Jews. He therefore Rabbi Lamm’s willingness to bear the burden of the YU Presidency and leadership of the viewed individual and institutional collaboration with all other Jews as spiritually vital Yeshiva. At best this work is back-breaking, often heart-breaking and, for a person who and practically essential endeavors. knows the pleasures and fulfillment of learning Torah or even the enjoyment of other studies, it can be deadly dull. In the good years, Rabbi Lamm once told me, over 60% of Continued on Page 20 his time was consumed in fundraising; when I repeated this comment to someone in the know, I was told that 60% was an underestimate and the president was probably sparing 20 Opinions Tuesday, July 14, 2020

In Memoriam of Rabbi Lamm

Continued from Page 19 We had delightful times together. We spoke of Torah, academic issues, Jewish life issues, 2. Persuasion: In contrast to the authoritarian orientation of some rabbinic lead- hopes and fears, and family dynamics. (Mrs. Lamm reached out to my wife Esther and ers in the Orthodox community, Rabbi Lamm believed that Torah was persuasive when they built a lovely relationship.) I trusted him completely, and he let me know him. In the presented appropriately and that therefore, the approach to all Jews in matters of belief last several years, our contacts were fewer. We loved when the Lamms would join us for and halakha and public policy, was to explain how and why the position of Torah was the celebratory dinners at our home, at our annual Rosh Yeshiva dinners, or, preciously, just best that could be adopted. He never expected everyone to be persuaded, but he knew that the four of us. I always wanted him to know how much he meant to me and YU, and how people would respect the position that was argued intelligently and respectfully. much of what we did during my tenure was based on his hopes. His legacy is monumental 3. Meaning: From the time that Rabbi Lamm wrote “Hedge of Roses,” through his — one of the giants of Jewish thought in the last 60 years. His scholarship championed later writings, his engagement with the ideas of Torah Umaddah was based on his belief our commitment to the Maimonidean ideal. He helped fashion a principled Orthodoxy that Torah provided a level of spiritual and ethical meaning to the life of the individual of complexity, nuance and beauty, and made the education of “synthesis” we offered into and to the character of a society, in the spirit of Maimonides and of Rabbi Samson Raphael a sustainable lifestyle. Of his many teachings, I so much identify him with his work The Hirsch and the long tradition of study and teaching of Ta’amei Hamitzvot (the reasons Royal Reach. He refers to David Hamelech, who, in Tehillim 27, had as his one wish that of the commandments). he could “dwell in the house of the Lord.” Indeed? David was presumptuous enough to 4. Moderation: Rabbi Lamm’s insistence on the use of the term “Centrist” rather aspire to dwell with G-d? Talmudists argue the issue. David could have wished for triumph than “Modern” as the best adjective to describe his kind of Orthodoxy, was not just a public over his enemies, for honor and glory. But he dared to transcend normative aspirations, relations step. It was a manifestation of his deep conviction that the Jewish philosophi- for he displayed a Royal Reach, daring for greatness, as befits a king. cal teaching of the Golden Mean, truly meant the need to avoid extremes of left and right President Lamm believed it was our challenge, as b’nei Torah, to reach high, to dream in thought as in action. He held that even extremes in spirituality and observance were big dreams, to dare to dream as David dreamt. He deeply believed in the capacity of Jews suspect as divisive, and therefore destructive to Klal Yisrael. to aspire to greatness. But not the greatness of fame or fortune; the true greatness of I believe that Rabbi Lamm impacted deeply on the integrated Orthodox community of meaning and goodness, and closeness to G-d. He taught us to reach for a values-driven the United States. Through his mastery of Jewish thought, his depth of halakhic knowledge life, informed by Torah values. He knew that our Jewish story, our Torah, sacred wisdom, and his elegance of written and oral expression, he succeeded to a substantial degree in sense of history and destiny, and d’veykus to Hashem, enriched by Western knowledge, embedding these values in his beloved synagogue and university, and in the broad Modern arts and science, was the Royal Reach that could help us build a better world. He will Orthodox community. continue to inform our lives. Tehei Zichro Baruch

Richard M. Joel is the president emeritus and Bravmann Family University Professor at Yeshiva University. He succeeded Dr. Lamm to the Yeshiva presidency in 2003 and served in that position until 2017.

Pearl Berger

There was an inherent dignity to Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Z”L. He had a majesty of spirit and bearing, an aura of kevod harav somewhat reminiscent of European rabbis of old. Yet he was approachable and exuded warmth in his personal interactions. Notwithstanding his countless concerns and responsibilities as president of Yeshiva University, there was not a single instance that I can recall during my 35 year tenure at Yeshiva when he failed to respond to an inquiry or return a phone call. A visitor to the presidential suite of offices at a university would not be surprised to find the president ensconced in a book-lined study. In the case of Rabbi Lamm, however, the suite was more like a mini-library, where several rooms housed shelves filled with seforim and books. Indeed, at one time a member of the library staff spent several days at the president’s suite to help organize Dr. Lamm’s “office library,” so much had it grown. And these volumes were not for show, as evidenced by his many publications and by the rich content of his speeches and lectures. Torah and scholarship remained constants in YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Richard Joel and Rabbi Lamm "A visitor to the presidential suite of offices at a university would not be surprised to find the president ensconced in a Richard M. Joel book-lined study. In the case of Rabbi Lamm, however, the I was privileged and intimidated to be the successor to Rabbi Lamm as YU’s president. He was one of the defining giants in the blossoming of Torah Umadda, Modern Orthodoxy. suite was more like a mini-library, where several rooms In so many ways, Yeshiva University defined Dr. Lamm, and Dr. Lamm came to define housed shelves filled with seforim and books" Yeshiva University. ___ For those of us growing through adolescence in the ‘60s and early ‘70s, Rabbi Lamm’s voice was clear, majestic and profound at encapsulating what we aspired to as serious Pearl Berger Jews in the modern world. He spoke and taught with elegance and eloquence. Though a modest and private man, he had a forceful presence. He and his wife Mindy modeled a Jewish couple, appearing both warm and regal. And the Lamm children, younger con- Rabbi Lamm’s life, while he worked to achieve academic excellence and financial stability for the yeshiva and the university. My most significant and most currently relevant interaction with Rabbi Lamm was in "Rabbi Lamm's vioice was clear, majestic and profund at the creation of Derashot Shedarashti, the digital publication of his sermons, delivered dur- ing the rabbinical career that preceded his presidency of YU. His practice was to record encapsulating what we aspired to as serious Jews in the the full texts of his sermons, primarily in typewritten form, and most of the sermons had modern world. He spoke and taught with elegance and formal titles. He saved these texts and after a few decades had passed, he approached me about the possibility of transferring them to CDROM. (Remember those?) We agreed eloquence." instead to create a web publication. ___ Rabbi Lamm presented the Library with the files of his sermons, and he gave us free President Emeritus Richard Joel reign to proceed with the project. The files are currently preserved in the Rare Book Room at the Mendel Gottesman Library. When I asked him if he was concerned about his sermons temporaries of mine, were all warm, outgoing and unaffected. In the family that was YU, being used without attribution, Rabbi Lamm thought for a moment and then responded they sat at the head of the table. without hesitation. He had no problem with letting people use them. That was the inten- Dr. Lamm served as president for 27 years: years of growth, change and challenge. tion after all! As Rabbi Lamm wrote at the conclusion of his article discussing shiurim Think of America or Israel from 1975 through 2002. Dr. Lamm shepherded YU through and sermons, “The end of both is and should be identical—le’hagdil Torah u-le’haadirah. consequential societal changes, social and religious challenges and financial stresses. YU (See “Notes of an Unrepentant Darshan”) Judging by the many hundreds of hits per week added a law school, many new programs, explosive growth in shana b’aretz programs (fu- soon after the website was launched, Rabbi Lamm’s sermons were very much in demand. eled by YU), and so much more. Thousands of alumni received an education and a lifelong In fact, to this day, even after publication of the Derashot Ledorot book series and other community on his watch. I was elected president in December of 2002. He supported my volumes based on the website, people are still searching the Lamm Sermons website. candidacy, even though I was not the model he expected. During the interregnum, when It was a privilege to have led Yeshiva University’s Libraries during Dr. Lamm’s presi- I would spend three days a week on campus, he oriented me in many ways. I joined his dency and to have enjoyed his confidence. cabinet meetings; we would have lunch once a week, and I think he was checking me out Yehi zichro baruch. (properly). When he became chancellor, he would attend all my cabinet meetings, wel- comed me in every way, and would have lunch with me in his office weekly or biweekly. Pearl Berger is the Benjamin Gottesman Librarian and Dean of Libraries, Retired. He made it clear he would offer any advice I asked of him, on the condition that I felt free to not accept it. Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Opinions 21 My Three Graduations: Coronavirus Silverlinings

ceremony was conducted a month prior to gowns and many relatives who couldn’t which prompted an opportunity for a small, By Yehuda Goldfeder graduation. Still, going into the week leading make it called in to say hi, including my socially-distant gathering. We had a front up to graduation, I did not have the highest brother in Israel, even though it was 3 a.m. lawn celebration with 10 graduates, and I got Editor’s Note: This article was originally of hopes that my time at YU, a very special for him. Feeling comforted that I would to march, throw my cap in the air, celebrate time in my life, would have a satisfying con- at least have this wonderful graduation, I with friends, as well as receive a celebratory published online on June 18 clusion. I found that I was very wrong. no longer pinned all my hopes on the YU fake diploma from a dean. It was a uniquely In fact, I was fortunate to have not one but graduation. touching experience and I give my warmest Graduation is an important part of the three graduation ceremonies. The first was But that wasn’t all. On this past Motzei thanks to all those who planned it and made college experience. It provides closure, an a complete surprise. My family members, Shabbos, the night before graduation, I it possible. opportunity to reflect and a chance to say spearheaded by my cousin, got together and was informed of an impromptu gradua- Enough with my personal experience. goodbye. I’d been looking forward to my cer- All this led up to the virtual graduation that emony since arriving at Yeshiva University, YU planned for all graduates, regardless of and when the coronavirus pandemic hit location. Despite my initial doubts, I was and resulted in the prospect of a traditional Commencement may not have been in Madison blown away by what YU provided under graduation being canceled, I was devastated. Square Garden, but it was something amazing and the circumstances. The ceremony was truly When it was officiallyannounced in March amazing, proving to be both personal and that the commencement was not going to be unforgettable. As I say goodbye to my time at YU, to the meaningful, and the afterparty was also a lot in person due to a ban on large gatherings, it of fun. It was great to see, at least virtually, seemed unlikely that I would be able to get great friends I’ve made along the way, I am thankful that friends and peers celebrating our success a satisfying feeling of closure to my college together for one last time. years, especially because many of my closest I was able to have a commencement, special in its own Sure, 2020 has been and will continue to friends lived so far away. way. be a challenging year, but we can also try to I was very vocal about the need to have a see the silver linings. Commencement may satisfying ceremony to provide that closure not have been in Madison Square Garden, and as a result of my advocacy, I was added planned a surprise party for me — socially- tion ceremony being planned by Associate but it was something amazing and unforget- to a committee consisting of a fine group of distant of course. My parents told me I had Dean for Torah Studies Shoshana Shechter, table. As I say goodbye to my time at YU, to student leaders. We had two meetings over a package outside, so I followed them out. Dean of Students Chaim Nissel and Senior the great friends I’ve made along the way, I Zoom, but I was unsure how successful the I was met with blaring music and shouts of Director of Student Life Josh Weisberg for am thankful that I was able to have a com- endeavor was. We were assured that the Mazal Tov as I was thrown into a cap and all graduates in the Monsey area. They real- mencement, special in its own way. I hope commencement would be more than just gown and marched around my front lawn. ized that there is a high concentration of YU we can all stay in touch. a Zoom session, which is how the award Several people were dressed in makeshift students and faculty in their neighborhood,

A Language Ignored for So Long Finally Heard would be spitting in the eye of the grieving By Josh Leichter After all, this is not something that deserves to be bogged families of the deceased. This is not to say that murder will cease Editor’s Note: This article was originally down in parliamentary disputes or shelved by politicians to exist; yet when those who are doing the killing are the very same individuals that published online on June 11 who shrug with indifference. These are not numbers of the took an oath to serve and protect their com- munities, it is necessary to call for changes One of the most iconic and well-known coming year’s budgetary allocations nor are they simply to be made in a rational and sensible way. phrases in all of American political thought At the same time, the groups of rioters — comes from the Declaration of Independence: homicide statistics, they are real people with names and whose sole contribution to the protests is “We hold these truths to be self-evident, by bringing violence and property dam- that all men are created equal, that they families like all of us. age to various communities — ought to be are endowed by their Creator with certain denounced wholeheartedly for poisoning unalienable Rights, that among these are history would have played out differently. solve this issue should be mind-boggling to the sea of change with their selfishness. To Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Yet, largely left to their own devices, the any open-minded individual. After all, this juxtapose their actions with those of the Over the past two weeks, a question I can’t Southern States never did their part, nor did is not something that deserves to be bogged peaceful protesters would be doing a dis- help but ask is: To whom are these truths any president for nearly 100 years. There was down in parliamentary disputes or shelved service to the true meaning of the movement self-evident? If these truths that Thomas and has continued to be unequal treatment by politicians who shrug with indifference. and causes us to lose focus on the issues that Jefferson asserted were so self-evident, of minorities throughout this country, and These are not numbers of the coming year’s warrant our attention. These are issues our George Floyd would have gone home on at some point, enough has to be enough. budgetary allocations nor are they simply government has ignored for far too long. To May 25 and would not have been sense- 47 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. stood homicide statistics; they are real people continue on this path can only lead to further lessly murdered by a police officer. Jefferson in front of the Lincoln Memorial and shared with names and families like all of us. To tragedy. And haven’t we seen far too much was no prophet, but for the past 244 years, his dream of a nation that was equal and do anything less than putting forth policies of that lately? America has been sold the lie that our society ceased to judge based on skin color, yet that provide helpful solutions to the issue is one that is equal and just. If this were the we are here now, and the dream is still a case, there would be no need to continue to dream. The progress we have made is far march for the rights of African Americans. from enough for us to resume the slumber. If this was truly fact, as we are often told by If the dream were to at long last be a reality, socially ignorant politicians on both sides of there would no longer be murders driven the political spectrum of our government, by racism, and there would be no need to why was Ahmaud Arbery murdered on the remind people that black lives matter be- streets of Georgia? cause it would finally be as self-evident as The obvious answer is that we have been Jefferson claimed from the moment he put well aware that the fight for the basic civil ink to paper to ring in the ears of all future rights of people of color has been going on citizens of this country. for centuries, and despite the freedoms When it comes to this subject, we should that Abraham Lincoln laid out with the not and cannot allow ourselves to fall into the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, the traps that come with the partisan politics of job was far from complete. Following the today’s day and age. These are people’s lives declaration, African Americans were emanci- that are being fought for; it is the prevention pated and freed from the bondage of slavery, of further death and suffering in a communi- yet they were never integrated into society. ty already subjected to failing school systems Had Lincoln not been assassinated, perhaps and forgotten public programs. The fact that there is even a need for debate about how to A Black Lives Matter protest WIKIPEDIA COMMONS Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Opinions 22 Coronavirus vs. Student Justices: An Appreciation of Wilf Campus Student Court

highlighted the legal flaws inherent in the get tough, the tough do indeed get going.” both occasions. But in spite of the dissen- By David Tanner student government’s governing document, This, to me, showed the student court in its sion, the court maintained its poise and thereby galvanizing student leaders to revise full glory: justice with empathy, pertinacity civility throughout. In the chief justice’s Editor’s Note: This article was originally the constitution, which passed in the recent with encouragement. recent dissent (the first of this academic election. Some have criticized the student court’s year), he, joined by Justice Stern, withheld published online on May 18 The bulk of the remaining caseload for “unchecked power,” but every legislative no punches, calling the majority opinion a the student court this semester consisted of branch needs a judiciary counterpart, every “grievous error” and bringing to mind the As this most unusual of semesters comes sometimes contentious electoral questions, constitution an unquestionable interpreter. scathing tone of late U.S. Supreme Court to a close, I follow outgoing Commentator starting with the challenge of attempting The constitution ensures that justices may Associate Justice Antonin Scalia (invoked Editor-in-Chief Avi Hirsch’s lead of looking to pass an early constitutional amendment use their office with discretion by providing by name in the first sentence of the dis- retrospectively at the past academic year. But that would lower the required number of guidelines for the removal of any justice sent). However, the (as-of-yet) sole dissent instead of examining the Yeshiva University signatures for student government candi- and requiring a new court to be selected of this year’s student court teaches a lesson administration, I’d like to focus on a subject dates. I saw this as my chance to play a each academic year, as seen in Article XI, no number of unanimous opinions could, perhaps less exciting, but no less significant: role in the judicial process and submitted Sections 1(4) and 1(3), respectively. The one we would be prudent to take with us: the Wilf Campus Student Court. a brief to the court based on my reading of court, therefore, remains an independent Disagreement need not engender disrespect. The first time I ever heard of the Student the constitution. Though my claim was ulti- yet accountable institution, one which the I’ve often admired Android’s motto: “Be Court came in the form of an email from mately overruled with the court’s unanimous leaders of the student government revitalize together, not the same,” and a crucial aspect Chief Justice Phil Dolitsky this past January. decision that the early passage of an amend- each year as Wilf Campus’ undergraduate of “being together” is treating differences of The case revolved around the vacancy of the opinion with respect, civility and decorum. Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) presidency, The Wilf Student Court has modeled de- but more interesting to me was the newfound The Wilf Student Court has modeled dependability in a time of pendability in a time of instability and good knowledge that we even had a student court humor in a time when disagreements over to begin with. As it was my first semester at instability and good humor in a time when disagreements over key issues divide and sometimes polarize the YU, I had little knowledge of the Wilf Student student body. I thank Chief Justice Phillip Government structure, and I naively thought key issues divide and sometimes polarize the student body. Dolitsky, Associate Justices Jacob Stern, that any dispute or need for clarification of Bryan Lavi, Avraham Sosnowik, Aryeh Burg, the Wilf Student Constitution was dealt with ment was unconstitutional, I felt satisfied student body's sole judiciary authority. and Justice Pro Tempore Jacob Friedman by the YU administration. How wrong I was. knowing that Chief Justice Dolitsky and Unfortunately, the remaining cases be- for showing the student body that disagree- In that first decision of the 2019-2020 his colleagues had spent time considering fore the student court, both those it declined ment need not result in hostility. With their academic year, the chief justice and his col- the arguments for and against, analyzing to hear and those it ruled on, took a more conduct, they have echoed the words of wis- leagues displayed their modus operandi for the constitution, and arriving at a ruling divisive turn, focusing largely on the eligi- dom in Mishlei 8:20 by “lead[ing men] in the year to come. Though the court recog- based on democratic principles. The court bility of students for student government the way of righteousness, in the midst of the nized that the question was moot, seeing also bolstered my spirits when, in inimitable candidacy. What remained constant, how- paths of justice.” as the legal challenge to Zach Greenberg’s fashion, Chief Justice Dolitsky concluded, ever, was the court’s calm, steady leader- ascension to the YSU presidency had been “We recognize these times [of off-campus ship in times of turmoil. The last two cases removed, it took the case as an opportunity elections due to COVID-19] are unique and brought an unexpected twist: Instead of the to highlight the inadequacies of the Wilf challenging. But the Yeshiva University com- unanimity the court enjoyed in its previous Student Constitution. Rather than simply munity is a strong community. Over the past decisions, these resulted in 3-2 splits with reject the petition due to the accepted sug- few weeks, it has shown that when the going Chief Justice Dolitsky in the minority on gestion of mootness, the court’s justices

PIXABAY 23 Opinions Tuesday, July 14, 2020 The Sixth Option: A Response to Michael Broyde

LGBTQ clubs that existed in Einstein and that the complaint with the New York City on campus for all students, of all By Doniel Weinreich Cardozo were unimaginable in undergrad Commission on Human Rights is “coordi- sexual orientations and gender iden- — when there was major controversy over nated and not coincidental, as is noted in tities, to feel respected, visible, and I am in no way remotely qualified to dis- the widespread lack of Shabbat observance many places.” represented. pute Prof. Broyde on matters of law, nor do I in the dormitory. I’m not sure where this is noted (Broyde Conversation is at the heart of our intend to. However, much of Broyde’s analy- Broyde claims that YU’s undergraduate neglects to specify in his 26 footnotes), but as community, in order to foster aware- sis hinges on assumptions about Yeshiva schools “employed tight admission stan- the one who submitted the initial complaint ness and sensitivity to the unique ex- University’s history, mission and culture, dards that selected only students who were in February and spoke to the investigator periences of being a LGBTQ+ person as well as the reality on the ground today. deeply interested in an Orthodox life and afterward, I can assure him that this was in YU and the Orthodox community, As a current YU student directly involved lifestyle in a gender-separated institution.” done on my initiative and was coordinated and to advocate for their uncondi- in the push for an LGBTQ club, as well as This doesn’t seem to jibe with the reality that with no one other than the six other LGBTQ tional tolerance and acceptance… an amateur YU historian, I feel very com- as far back as 1972, a Commentator survey of and allied students who make up the board fortable questioning his understanding in 502 students (about half the student body) of the YU Alliance. I can further assure him Where do they ask YU to recognize same- these areas. indicated that 53% wanted Yeshiva College to that I meet any standard for “tradition- sex relations as consistent with Jewish law? Broyde would have you believe that the become coed. The same survey indicated that ally Orthodox,” and no one who knows me What about this mission constitutes conduct current conflict over an LGBTQ club at YU 13% of students did not consider themselves would dispute my commitment to Modern inconsistent with Jewish law? Are support- is the result of changing demographics of observant Jews. Similar surveys did not have Orthodox ideals. ive spaces for the vulnerable assur? Or is YU students. With admissions no longer more encouraging results. A 1960 survey What Broyde seems to not understand is it sensitivity and communal acceptance of limited to the strictly Orthodox and ye- by two sociology students indicated that that the push for an LGBTQ club has arisen individuals that are proscribed? shiva-oriented, an influx of bare-headed, 8% of RIETS did not consider themselves from firmly within the Modern Orthodox I know Broyde doesn’t believe this to be Sabbath-violating students have infiltrated Orthodox, 46% participated in mixed dances community. His frequent insinuations that the case. His own short essay on the topic and are trying to bring their secular agenda and 18.5% would “go further than kissing a tightening enrollment policies could coun- says otherwise, as does the Statement of to undermine the religious character of the girl.” The numbers in the Teachers Institute teract the demand are nonsensical. This Principles he cites. institution. were about double, and 45% of them said movement is being pushed by graduates of In fact, based on Broyde’s essay, I would This characterization is dubious in two they either violated the Sabbath, ate non- yeshiva high schools and yeshivas/seminar- think he would be in complete agreement ways. First, historically, it is not so simple kosher food or shaved with a razor. ies in Israel. Many of the advocates spend with the Alliance’s mission. He writes to claim there are a greater number of non- Contrast this with the data from the most large parts of their free time learning Torah “Homosexual individuals within our com- observant students than there were previ- recent Commentator survey, where only 5% and attend minyan diligently. Of course, not munity regularly experience anguish, sup- ously. Broyde claims that there are now “a of students said they mostly do not observe all fit into these categories, but no superficial pression, and depression, sometimes to the greater variety of programs for both men and extent of self-endangerment. These cases women that are not classical text study.” I There’s nothing wrong according to Jewish law with a club for deserve our empathy and understanding, can only assume — at least when it comes to albeit not to the point of any compromise in the men — that he is referring to the Isaac the expression and support of LGBTQ students. No part of YU’s our commitment to halacha and our belief in Breuer College (IBC) and the James Striar free will.” Regarding communal toleration School (JSS), the two morning programs mission or values mean that LGBTQ students must continue to and acceptance, he says, “Even as halacha that are based in academic Judaic classes clearly labels the act a sin, Judaism does not rather than traditional beis medrash learn- live in shame, fear or silence. seek to label the actors as evildoers whom ing. IBC, however, evolved from the Teacher we must shun. The halachic tradition has a Institute, which has existed since even before halacha, while 22% identified as Yeshivish. winnowing will be effective in eliminating longstanding policy of diverse attitudes to Yeshiva College, and while the program has None of these examples are to nitpick LGBTQ students and advocates. transgressors, and only in the most rare of changed significantly over the past century, details of Broyde’s narrative or to make grand Likewise, the idea that raising “the thresh- circumstances does it mandate excluding it was always an alternative to learning in claims about a shift in the religious orienta- old of student signatures needed to form a people from the community, especially for the traditional yeshiva and was perceived as tion of YU students. Quite the opposite. An social club to such a high number so as to wrongdoing that does not explicitly harm less religious. JSS was started as the Jewish analysis of that would require much more reduce the likelihood of such a club being others.” Studies Program (JSP) back in 1956, years rigor than a newspaper article could provide. able to be formed” would have no effect. This You might think Broyde believes that before YU’s charter was secularized. But It should merely be noted that simplistic semester, when the YU Alliance applied for nonetheless, public identity and expression this didn’t stop students from being worried historical narratives are almost always much club status, it submitted triple the necessary as LGBTQ constitutes some sort of breach. that “the introduction of irreligious boys more complicated at best, if not outright number of signatures, and more could have But this is not the case either. He notes, on campus will take away from the Yeshiva inaccurate. been acquired if necessary. A further peti- “Halacha condemns homosexual acts, but atmosphere,” according to The Commentator The far bigger issue with Broyde’s charac- tion by the Jewish Activism Club received 57 the phenomenon of ‘Orthodox homosexu- at the time. terization of the situation is how he under- signatures just from student leaders. als’ does not represent a major threat to the It’s also difficult to argue that religious -ob stands the present. Broyde seems to indicate As Broyde notes, the Modern Orthodox integrity of our community. Ultimately, we servance has waned. Dr. Haym Soloveitchik that the movement for an LGBTQ club at YU community has become much more sympa- are afraid that disproportionate condemna- recalls that in the early ‘60s, hardly any is being brought about by students who are thetic to the LGBTQ community in recent tion of this phenomenon gives unproductive students attended minyan, and the beis “not traditionally Orthodox” and who are years. Few can even write about the issue focus to a red herring, leading to inappro- medrash was empty at night. Or let’s look a “bad fit for the religious mission of the without paying lip-service to how empathetic priate responses to individual struggles and more recently to 1989 — back when the undergraduate college.” He further claims they are, though our author has managed. distracting us from the central problems While very few deny the existence of certain truly plaguing our community.” practical prohibitions, they are no longer I agree, and I fear both Broyde and YU seen as obstacles to communal acceptance have fallen into this trap. of LGBTQ people or their social support. The Neither Broyde nor any YU administra- Modern Orthodox community has become tor has adequately justified how the LGBTQ further acquainted with the LGBTQ experi- club students have been advocating for is in ence and have realized how intensely vulner- opposition to any of YU’s principles. What able LGBTQ Jews — especially adolescents about the club is so threatening that YU and young adults — are and how imperative should seriously consider relocating, radi- their expression and social support is to al- cally restructuring, or even closing? What leviating this. is the “emotional appeal” of YU’s president Which brings us to the assumption un- becoming a “prisoner of conscience” over derlying Broyde’s entire analysis and all of this? Is refusal to provide recognition of or his suggested responses: that an LGBTQ club support for LGBTQ constituents such a fun- must be ideologically opposed by a Modern damental principle of Modern Orthodoxy? Orthodox institution. Is the past Broyde describes where LGBTQ But why? students “stayed deeply in the closet, either Broyde asserts that “Yeshiva simply can- due to their own choices or due to commu- not view same-sex relations as consistent nal pressure (or both)” an ideal to which with Jewish law as it understands it.” But we aspire? who ever asked them to? Broyde implies I understand that many are uncomfort- that “allow[ing] such clubs to open” would able with the fact that this issue is now sub- “permit students to conduct themselves in ject to secular legal action. The community of a manner not consistent with Jewish law.” LGBTQ students and allies at YU is too. This But how? was a last resort. It only arrived after years The YU Alliance’s mission statement of being strung along and lied to by an obsti- states: nate administration. After hours of meetings with administrators “behind the scenes” to The Yeshiva University Alliance is a discuss how to do this in a way agreeable to group of undergraduate YU students everyone. After following all the rules and THE YU ALLIANCE hoping to provide a supportive space The YU Alliance Logo Continued on Page 27 Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Opinions 24 The Seventh Option: A Nuanced Approach to the LGBT Debate on Campus

By Yehuda Dov Reiss However, this being the sole defense against a societal re- a step which I doubt our leaders would deem appropriate. ality where LGBT advocates demand total acceptance, one Furthermore, even to the extent that we might include them Editor’s Note: This article was originally published gets at least the vague impression that the Pride Alliance in our communities, it would seem to be clear that we can- online on June 28 demands complete acceptance even where people aren’t not show acceptance of their sins in any form. Thus, while following Torah law, even if they believe in the theory of ambiguous in Weinreich’s article, we cannot as an Orthodox The Commentator recently published an article by Rabbi the law. While some may argue that it is unfair to ask pro- community attend the weddings of or wish Mazel Tov to a Michael Broyde, explaining five legal strategies Yeshiva ponents of an LGBT club to explicitly disassociate the club same-sex couple. The practical parameters of avoiding signs University could employ to avoid allowing an undergraduate from sinful activity since other co-ed clubs are not asked of acceptance are so extensive that, practically speaking, LGBT club. In response, Doniel Weinreich (YC ‘20) wrote to explicitly disassociate themselves from the promotion of they must be stigmatized to an extent. about a “sixth option,” claiming that an LGBT club, and in premarital relations, this is not a valid comparison; unlike What we can do is accept their struggles and desires, particular, the Pride Alliance, would not undermine YU’s other clubs, there is a strong societal context surrounding and offer unconditional love. Love is different from ac- core values and in fact would further them, and urged YU LGBT clubs in general that clearly puts it in a certain sexual ceptance in that we can show zero respect or tolerance for to ratify the club. Rabbi Broyde clarified that for the sake light, unless otherwise clarified. one’s behavior — it may at times even be painful — while of the article’s main purpose, he took for granted YU’s cur- If this is indeed what Weinreich was proposing, then simultaneously caring for that person as a fellow Jew and rent stance — right or wrong — that an LGBT club would the thesis is simply contradictory. To show acceptance of wanting that they should be happy, successful and overcome be inconsistent with its values and would not be allowed. sin while simultaneously condemning it is superficial and their inclinations towards any inappropriate behaviors. We After reading both articles, one gets the impression insincere. Halakha mandates complete condemnation of sin, can — and very likely must — show our unconditional love that these are the only six options (or really two options: not only on a theoretical level, but a practical one, as well. for every member of the community and respect where full acceptance of the club or full rejection); I think that a they are coming from while remaining firm in our refusal significant portion of the student body feels that is not the to show respect for their sins, analogous to a loving family case. We acknowledge the needs of the LGBT community We can — and very likely must — show with a member who has left the fold. emphasized by Weinreich while also fearing that allowing There are many great crises facing Modern Orthodoxy the club as it is presently contemplated would not be the our unconditional love for every member today, but one of the greatest is self-doubt. Some have been right approach for navigating the halakhic nuances involved of the community and respect where they led to believe that living a fully committed Orthodox life (this will be elaborated on shortly). As such, we feel that YU just isn’t feasible anymore; we have to make a compromise must look to a seventh option: innovative solutions that will are coming from while remaining firm in here and there. This has happened many times before in our best navigate this tension (which will also be elaborated history, and each time it ultimately leads to a complete turn upon shortly). our refusal to show respect for their sins. away from Orthodoxy. We believe the Torah is immutable In his article, Weinreich argues that the Torah’s value and must be fully upheld in every generation. After read- of humanity would warrant complete acceptance of LGBT ing Weinreich’s piece, one gets the vague impression that members of the Jewish community and that this does not To properly understand this point, I would like to re- members of the Pride Alliance have given up. They want to necessitate a communal condonation of sin. While it is true turn once more to the broader issues at hand. It is true be fully Orthodox Jews, but they believe that in the area of that the Torah mandates love and — to a certain extent that mainstream Orthodox theology does not look down Torah-prohibited sexuality — while they acknowledge it’s — respect towards all, and it is also true that having such upon people with sinful desires, and being homosexual or wrong — it’s just too difficult for them. Whether or not this attitudes towards LGBT members of our community do not struggling with gender identity should not be a reason for is ever made explicit in the activities of the Pride Alliance necessitate condonation of sin if executed properly, I found stigmatization. However, a community’s attitude towards is not entirely relevant. The mere fact that they leave their the phrasing and proposed execution of his thesis danger- homosexual or transgender people who act on their desires conduct open to this interpretation is reason enough why ously ambiguous. He fails to explicitly condemn forbidden is not as straightforward. Weinreich cites Rabbi Broyde as the Pride Alliance is inconsistent with the core values of relationships or acknowledge any practical limits of accep- pointing out that Yeshiva. We must unambiguously affirm our commitment tance of these relationships, and instead merely asserts that to not only believing in, but practicing all of the mitzvos, he doesn’t seek to reconcile same-sex relations with Jewish Even as Halakha clearly labels the act a sin, and cannot be seen to condone anything less. law. Given the social reality that LGBT activism and clubs Judaism does not seek to label the actors as evildoers Thus, something like the Pride Alliance, with the proper generally imply such relationships, he seems to imply that we whom we must shun. The halakhic tradition has a nuance, is indeed feasible; there is a Seventh Option. With can successfully embrace and respect all aspects of the lives longstanding policy of diverse attitudes to transgres- careful oversight, the administration could fashion a club of LGBT individuals, including any sinful activities, while sors, and only in the most rare of circumstances does where the goals and expectations are unambiguously under- somehow still condemning the sin. This becomes evident it mandate excluding people from the community, stood, where the struggles and well-being of each individual multiple times throughout the article, where Weinreich especially for wrongdoing that does not explicitly are clearly supported while sin is clearly condemned. This had the perfect opportunity to express something along the harm others. can be accomplished by appointing a trusted committee of lines of “The Pride Alliance condemns same-sex relations organizers, supervisors and moderators, perhaps consisting and solely addresses the emotional and social issues facing This may be true, but it has always been up to the rabbinic of faculty, and with oversight from RIETS roshei yeshiva. Orthodox Jews struggling with sexual orientation or gender leaders’ assessment of the individual situation to determine Additionally, we can do more to inform the whole student identity.” Instead he says: the correct approach. Even if the rabbinic leaders of our body about the difference between love and respect, and community ultimately decide that communal exclusion show every individual that they are members of our nation’s is not necessary or effective, to completely destigmatize Broyde asserts that “Yeshiva simply cannot Continued on Page 25 view same-sex relations as consistent with active sinners may be seen as practically condoning them, Jewish law as it understands it.” But who ever asked them to? Broyde implies that “allow[ing] such clubs to open” would “permit students to conduct themselves in a manner not consistent with Jewish law.” But how? The YU Alliance’s mission statement states: “The Yeshiva University Alliance is a group of undergraduate YU students hoping to pro- vide a supportive space on campus for all stu- dents, of all sexual orientations and gender identities, to feel respected, visible, and rep- resented. Conversation is at the heart of our community, in order to foster awareness and sensitivity to the unique experiences of being a LGBTQ+ person in YU and the Orthodox com- munity, and to advocate for their unconditional tolerance and acceptance…” Where do they ask YU to recognize same- sex relations as consistent with Jewish law? What about this mission constitutes conduct inconsistent with Jewish law? Are supportive spaces for the vulnerable assur? Or is it sensi- tivity and communal acceptance of individuals that are proscribed?

Weinreich’s only statements against same-sex rela- tions are in the realm of theory: We acknowledge Jewish law forbids this, and we’re not advocating to change that. Zysman Hall on the Wilf Campus THE COMMENTATOR 25 Opinions Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Reflections on the Elections from a Disheartened Member of the Canvassing Committee

calls and texts from unknown numbers, parsha about the severity of onaat d’varim, discriminatory person, because I don’t be- By CJ Glicksman saying things like “I did not vote for you,” verbal harassment, and we read in the weekly lieve this to be true, nor do I think it would be or “You are not my president.” I was put parsha only two weeks ago the unambigu- productive to try and change anyone’s mind Editor’s Note: This article was originally over the edge, however, when I heard an ous phrase, “v’ahavta l’reyacha kamocha,” on how they voted. However, I sincerely undergraduate student say, in jest, that he love your neighbor like yourself. How could hope, and believe, that there isn’t anyone published online on June 13 “wishes death” upon a particular member of someone in good conscience defend the un- on our campus who can honestly attempt to the undergraduate community because of a just and hurtful treatment of others on any religiously justify discriminating based on I hope that I do not sound too caustic proposed amendment to the Wilf Student grounds? race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender or abrasive, but I write this out of anger Constitution supporting anti-discrimination. The importance of condemning poor identity. If I am wrong, our community is and frustration. My three years at Yeshiva truly headed to a dark place. University have been the most valuable years I am only able to speak for myself, but I of my life. I have learned a lot and grown What has become of the undergraduate body of Wilf urge any student who agrees that we cannot tremendously. This institution has given me tolerate spiteful rhetoric or hurtful actions more than I can put into words. However, Campus? Is this Lord of the Flies? Do we condone bad- to please make your voice heard. I don’t in just one week, I’ve grown terribly dis- tolerate discrimination of any kind. I don’t heartened by what I’ve seen happening “on mouthing? Outright bullying? Using public platforms to tolerate bullying. I don’t tolerate “wishing campus.” death” upon any member of the YU com- Election season seems to have truly defame our peers and arrogantly tout our self-righteous munity in order to make my friends laugh. brought out the worst in people. I’m a Unfortunately, The message that the Wilf member of the Canvassing Committee. I behavior under the guise of religious zealotry? Campus student body has been sending in was behind the scenes, watching dozens of recent weeks has been quite the opposite. Student Court lawsuits filed both against What has become of the undergradu- treatment of others is also directly relevant Please, if you agree with me, say something. and by candidates, each more contentious ate body of Wilf Campus? Is this Lord of to our attitude towards discrimination. As a Let people know that this is not who we are than the last. I saw dirty campaigning and the Flies? Do we condone bad-mouthing? community, we should be uncontroversially as a yeshiva, university, or community. anonymously authored ballot suggestions Outright bullying? Using public platforms and unequivocally opposed to discriminatory claiming to speak for the yeshiva. I saw to defame our peers and arrogantly tout our words or actions of any nature. This should textbook cyber-bullying, with some candi- self-righteous behavior under the guise of not be construed as implying that by voting dates receiving aggressive, unsolicited phone religious zealotry? We read in this week’s no to Amendment Six one is, de-facto, a

What Should Have Been: On Graduating During Coronavirus

By Elazar Krausz no “bro hugs,” there was no “see you around” the world. It has uprooted the economy and staring into the camera and tossing my cap — only internet lag, squinting at pixelated taken the lives of countless innocent victims. into my parents’ ceiling, in front of the only Editor’s Note: This article was originally figures and the abrupt jolt back into solitude It is easy to try to minimize our disappoint- white wall I could find. These are the particu- that accompanies the “leave meeting” button. published online on June 13 Over the Zoom chat, a friend messaged me, “I think I’m going to cry.” "For me and the rest of the class of 2020, though, it is It was the final session of my playwriting For many, the coronavirus pandemic and class with Professor Blatner and — as I had the accompanying cancellation of in-person not a disruption but an unceremonious termination. the previous few weeks — I sat by my desk classes are a strange intermission to their in my childhood bedroom and stared at the Our entire college experience, three or four of the most college experience. They await the return grid of rectangular video feeds that now to campus, the return to normalcy. For me constitute a classroom. There’s a certain formative years of our lives, have come to an end over and the rest of the class of 2020, though, it intimacy to sharing your creative work that is not a disruption but an unceremonious videoconference. Goodbyes are never easy, but they had, over the semester, turned this disparate termination. Our entire college experience, group of classmates into friends. Now, as the three or four of the most formative years of shouldn’t be this hard." minutes of our final class ticked away, I had our lives, have come to an end over video- to say goodbye. conference. Goodbyes are never easy, but Goodbyes are not the same over Zoom. they shouldn’t be this hard. ment by putting our own situations into a lars of my situation, but the experience is a Like all my classes this semester, when my The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged wider perspective. After all, how bad is a shared one. The class of 2020 is not getting playwriting class came to a close, there were Zoom graduation when people are dying all the send-off it deserves. around us? But as attractive as that outlook My mother works as a therapist, and she may be, it isn’t fair to our own experience. We tells me that a lot of her clients are feeling deserve to acknowledge that, quite frankly, a similar sense of loss right now. “There’s a graduating from college in the midst of a lot of grief,” she says, “from canceled gradu- global pandemic sucks. ations to weddings, people are mourning the I’m over 1,500 miles away from most of loss of what was supposed to be.” So I’ll fight the friends I made during my three years at the impulse to end this piece on a happy note, YU, and I have no idea when I’ll see them because this isn’t a happy time for anyone. again. I have a vacant Heights apartment full The class of 2020 has worked incredibly of clothing, books, and furniture, and I don’t hard to finish our undergraduate education, know how I’ll retrieve my belongings before devoting years of our lives to our studies. my lease is up. I’m graduating with no real We deserve to be able to acknowledge our plans for the future, into an economy that’s losses without feeling selfish or tone-deaf, ground to a halt, where job prospects seem and recognize that we don’t have to be okay slimmer than ever. Instead of throwing my with the way our senior year has turned out. cap into the air at Madison Square Garden, Right now, we deserve to be able to mourn. I’ll get to watch a video clip of me awkwardly PIXABAY

family, such as through the vehicles of si- can, with a little effort, innovation and atten- We just have to choose the Seventh Option. SEVENTH OPTION chos mussar, Yeshiva-wide events and other tion to nuance, resolve this crisis once and for Continued from Page 24 forms of clear and direct communication. We all and satisfy every reasonable individual. 26 Opinions Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Letters To the Editor

A Clarification Shallow Understanding from People of Good Will

By Michael J. Broyde By Micah Pava

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published online on May 12, before the Editor’s Note: This article was originally published online on June 17 publication of “The Sixth Option: A Response to Michael Broyde.” Recently, The Commentator published an opinions piece, titled “A Language To the Editor, Ignored for So Long Finally Heard,” in which its author, speaking about the fight for In light of some of the feedback I have received on my most recent article, “The racial equality, writes “when it comes to this subject we should not and cannot allow Ghosts Have Become Alive,” I would like to provide a clarification: ourselves to fall into the traps that come with the partisan politics of today’s day and Over the years, the leadership of Yeshiva University has made it clear that they age.” Although I am hesitant to pick out the words of a single student at our university viewed the formation of an LGBTQ student group or club of the type sought now as for criticism, given that this is the only article The Commentator has published on the incompatible with YU's core mission. My article was premised on that view, as it is wave of anti-racist activism currently taking place in this country and the world over, the position of YU’s leadership. Whether this view is correct is a different I feel it is necessary to dispute several assertions made in this article. conversation which I did not have in this article and which I am not hav- Although it is convenient to say that partisan politics is irrelevant when making ing now. Furthermore, from my perspective, YU is free to reconsider its view. The the call for “rational and sensible” change, I find it difficult to avoid the fact that white article aimed to provide a legal analysis of YU's various options given the pending supremacy in America exists at a systemic level and any call for change — whether it be case mentioned in the article. I had no intent to discuss what YU’s religious agenda for specific police reforms, a more generalized defunding or even wholesale abolition should be. of the police force — must be enacted through legislation driven by political will. It Of course, I very much empathize with and do not wish to minimize the is readily apparent that many politicians are incapable of providing any meaningful pain felt by the LGBTQ members of YU (and in general), both as a com- change; one such example that quickly comes to my mind is President Donald Trump, munity and as individuals. I have been and continue to be a staunch defender of who has publicly promoted police brutality and encouraged the use of lethal force in civil rights for the LGBTQ community for 30 years (you can see this in my article in response to recent looting. Although I risk “falling into the trap of partisan politics,” Jewish Action from 1993 entitled “Bullets that Kill on the Rebound: Discrimination I would argue that a necessary step towards a more just society would be to engage Against Homosexuals and Orthodox Public Policy” which advocated extending civil in political activism and vote with one’s conscience in November, if one is truly com- rights protections to the LGBTQ community, and the response to it by Rabbis Marc mitted to an anti-racist agenda. Angel, Hillel Goldberg and Pinchas Stolper, as well as the 2019 blog post linked to “A Language Ignored” concludes with the statement that “the groups of rioters — in this article). My more thorough analysis of the relevant halakhic issues can be whose sole contribution to the protests is by bringing violence and property damage to found here. various communities — ought to be denounced wholeheartedly for poisoning the sea of change with their selfishness.” It may be easy for those of us sitting in a position of privilege to condemn the violent riots we see on the news while still making calls for The article aimed to provide a legal analysis of YU's some nebulous notion of change and posting our black squares on Instagram in an various options given the pending case mentioned in the empty gesture of solidarity that verges on self-parody, but it is possible that many of the conversations and actions currently taking place would not be happening without article. I had no intent to discuss what YU’s religious the sense of urgency created by forms of disobedience that are less than civil. At the same time, one should acknowledge that the aggressive actions of a militarized police agenda should be. force are an important contributing factor to recent escalations in violence and the increasingly blurry distinction between protest and riot. Regardless, in condemning violent reactions to a system of oppression, one propagates a narrative that downplays But this was not the focus of the article. The focus of the article was the gravity of the black community’s grievances and ignores the fact that far more is YU’s legal structure. at stake than property destroyed. This is not an endorsement of violence; however, I encourage my fellow students to reflect upon their own commitments to nonviolence Michael J. Broyde and recognize that these commitments are often suspended when the safety of one’s own body is compromised. Enough with the Status Quo Although it is convenient to say that partisan politics — A Response to “The Seventh is irrelevant when making the call for “rational and Option” sensible” change, I find it difficult to avoid the fact that

By Natan Pittinsky white supremacy in America exists at a systemic level and any call for change — whether it be for specific Editor’s Note: This article was originally published online on June 24 police reforms, a more generalized defunding or even To the Editor, There exists a major issue at Yeshiva University in the rhetoric and actions surround- wholesale abolition of the police force — must be enacted ing the creation of an LGBTQ club. While many will make some statement declaring through legislation driven by political will. empathy for the struggles of LGBTQ individuals, that nominal declaration is constantly undermined by the actions of the administration and the obstinance of the student body to entertain the idea of implementing a club. Administrators may pay lip service to be In conclusion, I turn to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Although he wrote empathetic, yet are unwilling to take any action which actually supports and protects this statement in a larger discussion about nonviolent forms of direct action, his the LGBTQ community at YU. Individuals may claim to “listen” to LGBTQ students, words nonetheless address the problem inherent in the kinds of judgment made in “A yet are not willing to provide them with a platform from which to speak. Language Unheard” and challenges the prerogative of outside observers to distinguish In the last few years, student leaders worked tirelessly to meet the administration’s between acceptable and unacceptable forms of outrage: conditions and desires for an LGBTQ club, only to have their requests denied and rejected. Gestures made by administrators to hold meetings appear empty when ulti- "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's mately nothing results from them. President Berman even said in December of 2018 great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White that the decision about such issues should be left up to the students, yet when a few Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, weeks later student leaders were in the process of approving a Gay-Straight Alliance who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative club the administration took the decision out of their hands and rejected it. This year, peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the there was a student-led initiative to put up safe-space stickers in the counseling center, presence of justice; who constantly says: “I agree with you in the goal a necessary space for LGBTQ students to feel comfortable and safe while discussing you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action”; who issues relating to their mental health and identity, yet even that was denied. Meetings paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's between YU Pride Alliance leaders and roshei yeshiva this year have been ineffective, freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly and in one case, students were even presented offensive ideas about how conversion advises the Negro to wait for a “more convenient season.” Shallow therapy can work for some individuals, rather than a genuine discussion as to in what understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than ab- form a club could exist. The trend and message are clear: Decision-makers at YU have solute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance demonstrated that they are either unwilling or unable to truly hear the pain of their is much more bewildering than outright rejection." LGBTQ students. Continued on Page 27 Letter from a Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963. Tuesday, July 14, 2020 Opinions 27

STATUS QUO least the vague impression that the Pride for stigmatization,” yet this is what he is expectations” would need to be understood Continued from Page 26 Alliance demands complete acceptance even doing with this double standard. for his version of an LGBTQ club, it would where people aren’t following Torah law, Reiss goes on to make a very problematic appear based on his article that the specific A significant portion of the student body even if they believe in the theory of the law.” statement about love. He says “Love is dif- expectations he would necessitate would on the Wilf Campus also seems to hold simi- These claims about the club are simply not ferent from acceptance in that we can show fail to accomplish the goals of LGBTQ stu- lar beliefs, given the messages that were true. Does YU vet every student to make sure zero respect or tolerance for one’s behavior… dents and club advocates. The YU Pride spread in WhatsApp groups prior to the they are carefully following every halakha? while simultaneously caring for that per- Alliance wants to create “a supportive space spring elections, in addition to the results It is true that the club is asking for total son as a fellow Jew and wanting that they on campus for all students, of all sexual of the Amendment Six vote itself. This was acceptance of LGBTQ individuals, but that should be happy, successful and overcome orientations and gender identities, to feel further demonstrated by a recent article in has nothing to do with their choices. LGBTQ their inclinations towards any inappropriate respected, visible, and represented.” If an The Commentator by Yehuda Dov Reiss activism is about acceptance and equality of behaviors. We can... show our unconditional LGBTQ club comes with a specific condem- called “The Seventh Option: A Nuanced a persecuted individual so that they don’t love for every member of the community and nation of behavior that is not attached to any Approach to the LGBT Debate on Campus.” have to live thinking that they are alone, respect where they are coming from while other club, then it is no longer a supportive Despite it attempting to directly respond secretly in suffering. But it seems to those remaining firm in our refusal to show respect or safe space. Discriminating against such to ideas presented by Doniel Weinreich in critical of the YU Pride Alliance that LGBTQ for their sins.” There is a huge issue here, students and extending love absent of “re- his article, “The Sixth Option: A Response identity is just about a single action. In real- as Reiss nominally calls for unconditional spect or tolerance for one’s behavior” or with to Michael Broyde,” Reiss’ article still fails ity, the club is about recognition of LGBTQ love while describing conditional love. If one “respect where they are coming from while to actually address the issues at play and individuals as equal people, which is a Torah –– who cannot relate to the struggles of the remaining firm in our refusal to show re- value, considering the extreme suicide risk LGBTQ community –– is showing zero re- spect for their sins” will not serve to support spect or tolerance for an individual’s behav- LGBTQ students’ emotional wellbeing or The trend and message are clear: Decision-makers at YU ior, they are not unconditionally loving that help them to fit in within YU, but will likely individual. Reiss’ definition of unconditional only ostracize them further. Reiss’ solution have demonstrated that they are either unwilling or unable to love does not recognize the struggles of does not address or solve the goals of the YU LGBTQ individuals, but actually minimizes Pride Alliance in any meaningful way and is truly hear the pain of their LGBTQ students. and disregards their experiences in a way another example of a failure by opponents of that does not engender feelings of love but the YU Pride Alliance to hear what LGBTQ instead uses straw man arguments, in ad- rather of persecution. To apply this notion students need and are asking for. dition to false assertions and homophobic LGBTQ individuals are subject to when they of “unconditional” love would in actuality In summation, there are a number of notions, to strongly oppose the institution of are not seen as equals, do not feel like they be loving what the individual “should be” clear problems with the “Seventh Option,” the YU Pride Alliance as currently called for. fit in or are actively discriminated against. or who the person is, independent of those despite it purporting to be a “nuanced ap- Reiss’ article falls into the same trap There is significant research that outlines actions; in other words, it would be to only proach.” This includes the author advocating which Weinreich notes that Broyde and this suicide risk and its causes, as well as love the individual contingent upon certain for conditional love for LGBTQ individuals, the YU administration fell into, where they further data which actually establishes how realities being met, which is the epitome of promoting a fallacious homophobic “societal assume that the YU Pride Alliance would such risks are significantly lower in schools conditional love. context” about LGBTQ clubs having any- be an inherent violation of halakha with- that implemented a Gay-Straight Alliance out legitimately explaining how that is the club compared to those that did not. This case. Reiss demonstrates this with two in- further establishes the implementation of The club is about recognition of LGBTQ individuals as stances of straw man arguments, stating that an LGBTQ club as an issue that has to do equal people, which is a Torah value. “Weinreich argues that the Torah’s value of with saving lives, which the author is failing humanity would warrant complete accep- to recognize. tance of LGBT members of the Jewish com- Reiss then attempts to justify the con- In regards to his proposed “seventh op- thing to do with sexual relations and calling munity and that this does not necessitate flation between the YU Pride Alliance and tion,” the author demonstrates a lack of for a seemingly novel committee to address a communal condonation of sin” and then unrelated actions. He declares that “there understanding of what has been going on all these issues which, in reality, was already later stating that Weinreich “fails to explic- is a strong societal context surrounding around campus. He posits that “With careful formed and miserably failed. However, the itly condemn forbidden relationships... and LGBT clubs in general that clearly puts it in oversight, the administration could fashion main issue with this article, and with the instead merely asserts that he doesn’t seek a certain sexual light, unless otherwise clari- a club where the goals and expectations actions of the administration and roshei to reconcile same-sex relations with Jewish fied” to support his claim that an LGBTQ are unambiguously understood … This can yeshiva, is a failure to hear the outcries of law.” What Weinreich actually said is that club would need to explicitly “condemn be accomplished by appointing a trusted pain and suffering by our fellow students at “Neither Broyde nor any YU administrator same-sex relations.” Having been involved committee of organizers, supervisors and YU. When the issues are honestly engaged has adequately justified how the LGBTQ in such activism during my time at YU, moderators, perhaps consisting of faculty, in, and we pay attention to what the LGBTQ club students have been advocating for is and after reading the YU Pride Alliance’s and with oversight from RIETS roshei ye- community at YU is advocating for, one can in opposition to any of YU’s principles.” mission statement and Weinreich’s article, shiva.” It's incredibly ironic that the au- understand that the YU Pride Alliance is not Likewise, in Weinreich’s article, there is no I can attest that the context around such thor mentioned a committee comprised of antithetical to halakha, rather a necessary mention of “seek(ing) to reconcile same- clubs is a safe space where allies and LGBTQ faculty members with oversight by roshei space and forum for students which does not sex relations with Jewish law,” because he individuals can get together for support in yeshiva, because such a committee was currently exist. What they are asking for is instead asserts that an LGBTQ club is not a space free of fear of homophobia and dis- actually formed in September of this past not unreasonable and begins to address the a violation of Jewish law. Reiss misses this crimination. There isn’t a “societal” stigma year. However, the committee failed to meet deep suffering of LGBTQ students at YU and important shift from not reconciling the of LGBTQ clubs being rampant with or in good faith with the LGBTQ community within the Jewish community. The YU Pride halakha, to the halakha not being relevant even connected to sexual behavior; this is at YU all year and did not come up with Alliance helps those basic human needs to to an LGBTQ club. He mistakenly applies his just the stigma opponents of the YU Pride any proposed solutions or actions for the be met and has the ability to save lives and own views about how to deal with LGBTQ Alliance are inaccurately trying to apply to community. Rather, all that they seem to help students feel safe on campus. Enough individuals relative to halakha, rather than such clubs. This doesn’t amount to a real- have done was meet with student council with any “option” that doesn’t begin and end addressing how those ideas apply to the ity, unless the author would go so far as to presidents before their abstention regarding with such a club being established. Enough club specifically. As such, Reiss continues a suggest that LGBTQ individuals shouldn’t the vote for the LGBTQ club in the spring with pointless meetings and broken prom- trend of simply assuming that the existence be halakhically allowed to meet publicly in semester. It would be great if they were ises. It's time for human decency, equality, of the YU Pride Alliance would constitute a a group with individuals of the same sex. To engaging in good faith discussions, but by compassion and for students' psychological violation of Jewish law without adequately treat LGBTQ individuals differently, because meddling in student affairs without even well-being to be recognized. explaining why that would be the case. of a fallacious “strong societal context” the having any members of the LGBTQ com- Reiss’ article further misinterprets the author associates with the club, would be a munity present, the committee is clearly purpose and nature of the YU Pride Alliance double standard and, frankly, homophobic. not familiar with the adage “nothing about with statements like, “given the social real- This seems to go against the author’s own us, without us.” ity that LGBT activism and clubs generally point that “being homosexual or struggling Furthermore, while Reiss neglects imply such relationships” and “one gets at with gender identity should not be a reason to specifically outline what “goals and

SIXTH OPTION advocates have always been amenable to to them. There’s nothing wrong according strategies to enable continuing to marginal- Continued from Page 24 p’shara [compromise]; it is the administra- to Jewish law with a club for the expression ize and victimize LGBTQ Jews. tion who has forced us to turn to din [justice]. and support of LGBTQ students. No part of The Rav’s fears remain unrealized 50 doing things the “right way” repeatedly, If, nonetheless, the legal predicament YU’s mission or values mean that LGBTQ years later. The ghosts are still dead. only to be rebuked or ignored. Eventually, YU faces still disturbs you, I propose you students must continue to live in shame, dejected students have been forced to con- advocate that YU take a sixth option that fear or silence. If there are stakeholders at clude that the administration is not acting Broyde does not consider: recognize that YU who do not currently realize this, invest in good faith, and that the only way change the demands of the students do not conflict your efforts into convincing them rather than will come about is through compulsion. The with YU’s mission and enthusiastically yield conceiving of complex legal and practical