Interview with Rav Kahn Polonetsky- .. ····-··------·-·· Apologizes--·-· .. .. -- page 12 page JO
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' ·: . ;fi±g --;; .r fi'·±I' , ;; .;,,,t . ;J;;·;_�{/j;'/!""\�f!/:c'''' (ff t�t\/".dtH�a·:'::,)�l).'114, f,r , t/·,_\:c/·<'\;,'':: October 6. 1997 / 6 T1shrei 5758 The Official Undergraduate Newspaper of Yeshiva College Volume LXII No. 4 Rosen Resigns MAN BEHIND THE MESSAGE SUCCEEDED BY LIVING LEGEND
BY MORDECHAI FISHMAN publicity torch to Rosen, calling Vice-President for Public Affairs him "the ultimate professional." at the University of Chicago, and David Rosen, Director of the Rosen arrived at YU with an the Vice-President for Public Yeshiva University Department impressive public relations Affairs at Brandeis University. of Public Relations and the "Man resume and extensive contacts in From Brandeis he was recruited behind the Message" of the the media world. He spent ten by YU to head the department University for the last four years, years as a journalist in New left leaderless by Hartstein 's has announced his resignation. England, during which he was a retirement. ,, His departure for one of the pre two-term president of the "One of my major concerns eminent public relations firmsin Massachusetts State House Press coming here," said Rosen, "was New York, ,Howard Rubenstein Association while working for succeeding Sam Hartstein. He and Associates, promises to publications such as the Boston was a living legend with 50 years leave a sizable void at the helm Heraldand Newsweek.Moving to of service and a genuine pioneer of YUPR. the public relations field, Rosen in university public relations. He YUPR was founded by a man worked as the Director of Public was one of those who created the Rosen calls "a living legend," Information for the US field." And successfully succeed Sam Hartstein. Created by Commodity Futures Trading him, Rosen did. Hartstein in 1943 and headed by Commission, and then as the He revamped and computer him for more than fifty years, Chief of Staff of former ized the entire YUPR office, and YUPR grew froma single desk in Massachusetts Lieutenant redesigned the alumni maga 1947 to the series of offices and GovernorEvelyn Murphy. zine, updating its features and Death Threats E-mailed studios staffed by nearly 30 His true calling, however, improving its graphics to reflect people on the fourth floor of Rosen found in the field of uni the more modern standard for to College Professors Furst Hall. After Hartstein versity public relations. He was such publications. He also inau served YU for five decades, an Associate Vice-President for gurated a new university news- he retired to the position of News and Public Relations at Alleged' Perpetratoran Undergrad Senior Advisor and passed the Harvard University, an Associate Continued on page 6 BY ARI KAHN al arts education conjoined to a com mitment to the primacy of Torah. Nearly three weeks cif quiet Manyadmirable talmidei hakhamim Attempted Burglary Causes confusion mixed with fear came regard liberal arts· as unnecessan; to an end last week as YU, securi and some even as an impediment in ty announced· that they had the quest for ahavat Torah and yirat Concern Among IHP Residents uncovered the identity of a stu Shamayim. It is impossible,however, BY ADAM MOSES the effectiveness of this type of with security matters. Some dent who had been sending to be a decent human being or an apartment break-in. propositions advanced by stu death threats to professors via e acceptable Jew if one is lacking ele The attempted burglary o'fan The IHP residents surveyed dents include alarm system mail. mentaryyirat Shamayim and kevod Independent Housing Program their building and observed that installation, triple locks, and pro The first set of threateriinglet ha-briyot. (IHP) apartment underscored virtually every door in the build tective steel door panels that ters was sent on Thursday, 3. It is Elul. Do teslruva! student concerns that security ing except those that the would impede the picking of September from the ymail 4. I cannot comment on the intel efforts effected by the University University is utilizing for the locks. account of Edward11, Zoltan.. The lectual substance of yo11r note. It to its fledgling emergency hous Independent Housing Program Belief that current security Commentator obtained a copy of stands to reason that you were ing program are inadequate. The bore a protective steel panel. conditions are inadequate was the correspondence sent to Rabbi aroused by something published incident occurred on Sunday, They were displeased that their not, however, shared by all. Shalom Carmy, Associate recently and readily available. The September 14, in an apartment at apartment had not been fur University Chief of Security Professor of Bible in Yeshiva only thing published recently in 475 186th Street The apartment is nished with basic protection and Donald Sommers indicated his College: , which Torah UMadda-tlze place of a University-controlled studio contended that the University conviction that "current security "so many students here don't liberal arts education in the context occupied by Josh Muskat, Yossi was saving money at the measures are sufficient. All nec believe in it [Torah U'madda] so of a Torah education was champi Mosak, Benjamin Balint, and expense of student safety. essary precautions are being how come all the intellectuals do. oned is Rav Lichtenstein's piece in Alex Usdan. Yossi Masak, a YC senior, taken to make sure students are what am I missing? If G-d wanted. *Judaism's Encounter with Josh Muskat returned to his wondered why "Stern has securi safe." us to believe in it, he would have p11t Culture.* But he can hardly be apartment in the evening. He ty pel'sonnel operating elevators Dean of Student Services Dr. it in 011r /reads. The next g11y who described as my henchman. I am, in had moderate difficulty opening in Brookdale [Hall] and serving Efrem Nulman expressed his writes anything abo11t it here at yu fact, his student. his apartment door but thought as glorified doormen while interest in "doing his utmost to is going to get it. and i [sic] mean 5. I have tried to take your com little of it at the time. · Once can't even be assured that myI make sure students are secure. the real thing, I will kill you or any munication seriously. In that light, inside, he found that the. dead University residence is minimal want them to feel safe and moreI of your henchmen." and given the Mitzva of Pikk11ah bolt lock had been nearly entire ly protected from the dangers of importantly to be safe." He also The immediate response of R' Nefesh, yo11 will understand why I ly dislodged from his. door and a rough neighborhood." noted that an IHP student repre Carmy was to forward the letter am forwarding our correspondence dangled tenuously with the sup- Current University provided sentative body was assembled to to various members of the to others, including, if deemed port of a solitary screw. protection measures directed at provide students with a mecha administration including Deans advisable, tirelocal police. Muskat relayed his findings maintaining the security of nism for voicing concerns with Artier, Hecht, and Horowitz, as If you are contacted by the police, to his roommates who promptly Independent Housing Program the apartments. well as R' Blau and Yeshiva I would suggest that you act with summoned YU Security officials apartments are limited to a The representative body Security. He also formulated a greater civility than you have dis to the scene. The New York patrol by a Daihatsu security which Nulman mentioned is to five part response to the letter played to your brother in Torah u Police Department was also vehicle that circlesthe regionof the be comprised of IHP residents which indicated the serious mitzvot, alerted, however, its officers took brick tenements and a University designated by YCSC President manner in which he dealt with , Shalom Carmy" · a good deal longer to arrive. security for thosewho Ira L. Tannenbaum Jr. Delegates the threat: It subsequentlylearned that Both University Security and request it.escort Unlikeservice residents of the include IHP Resident Advisor "Dear Mr Zoltan: on thatwas same day Dean Norman NYPD suspected that the would adjacentUniv ersitydormitories, IHP Avi Goldenberg in addition to 1. The tone of your note indicates Adlerreceived a letterfrom 2.oltan's be burglar attempted to kick residentsdo not enjoy the protec other students not associated an appalling lack of yirat Shamayim accountthat to' thoughts of down the door. . They also tion of a constant security pres with the Office of Residence and simple kevod lra-briyot. suicide. Thehinted writer spoke of observed that a protective steel ence in their buildings. Halls. At press time, however, It is possible to be a good "stepping in front of oncoming door panel that adorns every Students have requested the body had had two scheduled human2. being and a good Jew with trucks." other apartment door on the additional University protective meetings postponed and had not out believing in tire value of a Uber- Continued on page 14 floor would probably prevent provisions to allay their concerns yet conducted a session. �v11'f.. /fr 6, 1997 �-Page 2 ------October 1w-,re w,.onmten t a t nrI1------
•· Watch and Learn • If a student said that something "could only happen at Yeshiva Wlft Q.tommentator University," people would expect the next words out of his mouth.to be 500 West 185th Street, New York, NY 10033, E-Mail: [email protected]. negative. With all the exasperations that students here face, this kind of Telephone and Fax: (212) 740-2155. Published bi-weekly during the academic year by jaded response is understandable, but in the past week we have witnessed the Yeshiva College Student Council. The views expressed in the signed columns are events that would never be seen anyplace else. those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The When Rav Kahn stood up to give a mussar schmooze to the students Commentator, the student body, the faculty, or the Administration of Yeshiva University. before Rosh Ha'Shana, he made a mistake. In an attempt to bring in a We do not endorse any of the products or services advertisedin . these pages. Copyright counterpoint illustrating the strength of his own hashkafic position, R' 1997, The Commentator. One issue free, $1.00for each additional issue. Kahn attributed the position he attacked to R' Lamm. This miscalculation resulted in more students remembering the attack than the message of the mussar. ARI KAHN NOAflSTREIT This could have been a typical university occurance in which a faculty Editors-in-Chief member attacks the administration. However, the nature of the inteUectu al disagreement and the personalities involved combined to produce an ARI GRUEN atypical result. ExecutiveEditor The following week, R' Kahn again stood before the students in the beit medrash where he publicly apologized to R' Lamm. R' Kahn showed a MORDECHAI FISHMAN NIR KNOLL EDON HIRT great deal of courage and conviction by admitting that he was wrong ADAM MOSES Features Editor YOSEF·LEVINE when he gave the impression that the statements quoted from R' Lamm's News Editors Business Managers speech represented the philosophical positions of R' Lamm with regards to the nature of our yeshiva and university. AYLON GLASER R' Lamm, who by taking philosophical positions in the middle, finds himself under attack by both the Right and the Left, showed enormous Layout Editor restraint by not responding to the attack and instead, reportedly forgave • R' Kahn. Chazal tell us that we are to be Ro'eh divrei cha'chamim, not sho'meah, to ASSOCIATE EDITORS • hear what they say, but ro'eh. Seeing how our rebbeim conduct themselves • Photography Hadar Weiss is the best way to learn fromthem. The actions of R' Lamm and R' Kahn Art Ari Steiner V:) provided the real mussar. Business Joshua .Bender
� Electronic Crime STAFF COLUMNISTS Benjamin Balint. � and Punishment Elisha Goldberg � The technology that graces our modern era, like so many other human � advances, is a double edged sword. A most pertinent example is elec- STAFF WRITERS SPORTS EDITORS � tronic mail. This past week a Yeshiva University student was accused of Gil Bloom,Akiva Herzfeld Mark Hecht, Josh Parver sending death threats to professors, some of which were sent through e � mail accounts belonging to other students at YU. "-,) Though it is understood that the student was not expelled but for the . .. ,.. ,. .., American Associated it:",. • ·:� t_ . content of his e-mails, we hope that this event will also serve to highlight Colleglate . ' . Jewish Press � that hacking into e-mail accounts wiJI not be taken lightly. Press �... . Association '"•----�
FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR YOU C·AN GET ARI GRUEN YOUR Fl. RST. TASTE OF Rosh Hashana and _the Ten Days of l:lis life and death. It was through Repentan_ce are a time forself-e valuation, these words that I had the opportuni for understanding who we are todayIt, anc;I. ty to know, admire, and be inspired who we want to be in the future. is a by Moty. SUCCESS. time for pondering the successes ;md fail- As a teenager, it was very hard for ures of our personal development during me to imagine my .own death. Death the previous year, and for planning our was something that happened to old · CO Yo u're ready to cake on clic ;_.,.ortd... and you c:an .,. growth f9r the coming one. people. I don't think I was ever naive & a succeed a� Richard A Eisner Company, UP . ,_ ·. Thus, these days are also an apt tinte to enoJigh to believe that I would live � - one of thc f.isu:sc growing regional ;u:cuuming reflect upon and appreciate those who forever; I think I just went on the �• ai1d consulting firms in 1hc counuy. have influenced our 1tves and helped us .· assumption that I would . be around 0 grow and develop into the people we are. for a very long time. After reading ·o f FroJn the morncnr you join our firm, today. l'dUke to teUyou about one such Moty's life and death; · that assump :0..0 0. . conuiburing member of person in my life. tion no longer held any validity in -� you will be a · After graduating high scho�l, my par- my eyes. I was forced to face the �- chc ccam. Yo u'll inceract daily wi1h ents granted me the opportunity to study reality that my days in this world � everyone in clic department It • in Israel at Yeshivat Sha'alvim. Was in are limited, and only G-d knows - incluclinb ,t:niorpannc.:rs. fJ We'll work with you m und<:rstand the -Yeshiva's library several weeks afterIt how limited they truly are. For Sukkot that I first inet Moty Hornstein. seventeen years I had read the /!� your inccr.:.�t� and gear your is to his inspiration thatiowe a large mea- Unetaneh Tokef prayer of Rosh assignmcncs:co your pcr�mal s1rength.\ sure of my personal maturation and spiri- Hashana and Yorn Kippur which � •· and career goals. tual growth during the. last several reads: "On Rosh Hashana it is tr, f What distinguishes a career at RAE? years. inscribed, and on the fast of Moty was a dynamo in Yeshiva, Yorn Kippur it is sealed: How The scopl' and lcvcl of business txposun: we always doing, always involved in one m any will pass away, and how � � offer you. Our commitmc:nc1. to your project or another. On top of the many will be created; who will , professionalde\ ·dopmcn An already rigorous schedule of learning live, and who will die; who will go i accclcraced cam:r path within a in Sha'alvim, Moty took upon himself in his appointed time, and who � more relaxed atinnipherc. the commitment to learn Ta nach before his time," yet the words %. Our dedication ro hdping you . every night immediately following had never affected me . . Ch succeed. supper. At various times during the . Twice a year, the litu4i·forces us • year, he also volunteered to shelve to consider our mortality, to consider Fo r mort information, call Nancy books in the library, raised funds for that we might not live to see the next Gremfader, Director of Rtcmiti11g various Tzedakah drives, and Rosh Hashana. How many of us take (2 12) 891-4011. designed the annual Yeshiva sweat- that lesson to heart? How many of us shirt.In focus on devoting the time G-d grants an essay he wrote several months us to what is trulyimportant in our lives? after leaving Sha'alvim, Moty explained For that matter, how many of us have RichardA. Eisner & Company, that his extraordinary drive to achieve actually taken the time to decide what we LLP Ill was based on "a civic responsibility to consider �o be most important in our Accomitauls and Co11s11lla11ts accomplish something significant with lives? Is it our. friends, our family, our my life." Moty believed that he had to jobs? Are we committed to learning Jmp://v,tww.rae.com achieve simply because he could. He Torah, to living in Israel? Assuming knew he was blessed by G-d with a multi- we've come to some conclusions tude of talents and he was determined to on these issues, do ·our daily It you have contributed to others. is impact the world with the gifts'G-d had choices reflect the decisions we've less tal'ented peers. not what gifts and talents you are · bestowed upon him. made? Are we living our beliefs And Moty never took for grant blessed with, but how you utilize Towards the end of the year, Moty and ideals or do we push off hav ed the greatest gift of all, the sin them to change the world. poUed all the Americans at Sha'alvim ing to make tough choices by gle gift that G-d grants to each of The partnership we entered into with a survey meant to gauge their com- assuming "I'll be around for a us every single moment of our with G-d at the time of our creation is mitment Jo making Aliyah, moving to long time; I have plenty of time to lives - the gift of time. In almost an everlasting one. It is not only of Israel. He asked three questions: Do you make the choices. I should be mak every personal recollection Adam that G-d inquired, "where are want to make Aliyah, do you think you . ing, to live the way I really should recorded in the book dedicated to will, you?", but the question lingers eternally ever actually and if so, at what age? be living later on in my life?" his memory, Moty's friends and It for each and everyone of us. is our Moty was not satisfied with "paying lip A teacher once shared with me the teachers write in awe and admira daily responsibility to make the service" . to ideals such as living in Israel. idea that on Rosh Hashana when G-d tion of his zealous use of his time. choices in life that will allow us to He was interested in checking the results inscribes one in the "Book of Life," Whether in high school, where stand proud and tall so that we too of his poll every few years to see how and decides to let an individual Moty juggled commitments to the many of his friends had remained true to live, he does so as an investment math and wrestling teams, while can respond, as Avraham did at the their dreams. He himself intended on in our future. G-d is counting participating in the Model United Akeyda, "Hineni": I am here, I accept making Aliyah and, following a year of on each individual's desire and Nations and fulfilling his respon the challenge, I will do my share, I study in Israel, made his course s.elections ability to do something with the sibilities as editor-in-chief of the will help complete your picture. I at Harvard University based on which life he has been granted. G-d puts MTA newspaper, or in his three will make a difference. degree would most likely facilitate his in the capital - our specific talents short weeks in Harvard, where, in entry into Israeli politics. and abilities - and He counts on addition to his classes, he set Just like Moty did." ...... each of us to produce a return 'for aside time for daily Torah study ,.. His investment. and Hebrew tutoring, while Moty was critically injured in a freak Moty Hornstein was aware of becoming active in the local Moty, "Some people come into our accident while walking in a park with his this awesome challenge and AIPAC chapter and a student lives and quickly go. Some stay for a parents on Shabbat Shuvah in 1989, and responsibility. He was an unbe leader in the campus Hillel, Moty while and leave footprints on our heart passed· away a day later, on Erev Yorn lievably talented and gifted indi was aware of the preciousness of and we are never, ever the same."life The Kippur. He was 19. vid u�l - and he knew it. But his• time. impression you've made on my since I never had the chance to meet Moty in despite all his gifts - his intelli ...... that first time we "met" in Israel has only the true sense of the word - I attended gence, wit, and artistic ability, to gotten stronger iri the years that have fol Sha' alvim in 1993-94, four years after his name a few- and his awareness of In an essay titled "A Message for lowed. I can only imagine the effect untimely passing. Instead, I "met" Moty these traits, Moty was able to Moty's Friends and Wo uld-Be you've had on the lives of those who in the library, in the pages of a book on retain his humility because he Friends," Moty's mother writes: were fortunate enough to have known prayer which Moty's friendsand Rebbeim realized his abilities were a chal "As you, Moty's peers, forge you in your lifetime. put together in memory of · their friend lenge from G-d to do more, rather ahead with your life-long goals, I you, and student. Included in the book are than a G-d-granted excuse to put posit to you that the true measure Thank Moty. I will not forget you. perssomeonal of thoserecollections who were of touched Moty by in less effort while still achieving of success in life is not .in what you by results compar�ble to some of his have amassed for yourself, but what Kesiva V'Chasima Tovah. Caf Under OU Supervision BY URI GOLDSTEIN working on "bringing facilities up to OU standard." The duties . of the OU, said In an effort to raise the standards of Steinberg, are to remove problematic kashrus to a higher level, YU has secured ingredientsand products,and to setup a prop the services of the Orthodox Union to er system forthe management of thekitchen. supervise the cafeteria at each of the uni Rabbi Steinberg described the system versity's four campuses. A brief state by which the university kitchens had ment issued by the Office of Supporting been run up to this point as appropriate Services stated that, "The University has for a private kitchen, but not for an indus arranged for the Orthodox Union to assist trial one. Noting that the OU is still in the . in kashrut supervision of its food service process of bringing the YU kitchens up to operations at all four New York City cam par, Steinberg would not specify any of puses. As you know, the OU is a national the problems encountered by the leader in providing kashrut supervision · mashgichim, stating only that "the Uncle to countless number of food processors, Ben's rice was a symptom of a problem institutions and food establishments." that was there before." YCSC Holds Club Fair The OU was brought in after a kashrut Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, dean of MYP, BY PINCHAS SHAPIRO controversy, centering on a shipment of said that he was unaware of the probleflls The excitement generated over the Uncle Ben's rice with non-kosher season in the kitchen management, as he never recent additions to the pool of clubs and societies complemented the interest in the ing that led students to question the stan was involved in the kitchenB'nei untilHa'Y eshivathe Continuing its efforts to invigorate dards of supervision in the Cafeteria. Last problems arose. ''The extra-curricular activity on campus, the perennialCommenta chilitor, favor ites. Organizations like Commentator . year the reported that stu came to me, so I was under an obligation Yeshiva G�e Student Council held Oub The in its· 62nd year, the J.P. dents on the Student Organization of to see what we can do." Fair1997 ori� esdaySeptember 16 as a forum Dunner Political Science Society, the Yeshiva Yeshiva (SOY) Kashrus Committee dis Defending Reiss, R' Charlop . stated for students to explore opportunities to get College Dramatics Society, and Sigma Delta covered that the flavor packets and sea that he believes there had always been an involved in student-run activities. The fair, Rho, have remainedpopular. sonings of the Uncle Ben's Wild Rice and honest, and extremely competent attempt which was held in Belfer Hall's W!issberg In the past, many clubs, despite having Rice Pilaf, which was being served in the to oversee university Kashrus. Both R' manyCommons, was thesecond of its kind at YU in large membership bases, failed to conduct a Cafeteria as side dishes during lunch and Charlop and Director of Supporting years. It featured.represe11tatives from reasonableamount of credibleactivities dQring dinner, lacked any symbol of Kashrus cer Services , Jeffrey Rosengarten, also point all registered clubs and societies under the academic year. "As far as I'm roncemed, tification. Taking their own initiative, the ed out that Reiss has been at Yeshiva for the jurisdiction of YCSC. the majorityof the dubsin schoolexist merely students contacted the Uncle Ben' s Plant the last ten years had previously been a Even with a relatively small turnout, for peopleto pad their resumes," said Mendy in Houston and inquired as to the status member of the OU administration. most clubs reported that there were satis Miller,YC '98,rommenting 011 his observations of the rice season Rosengarten factory numbers of new students interest of club activity last year. ''There seems to be a ings. The students added that aside ed in their respective societies. seriousdeficiency of hueclub activity." were alarmed to from Reiss, it was . The Yeshiva University Debate Society, YCSC, recognizing the concern over club find out that primarily semicha a society that is makingits cronefirstappearance on inactivity, has decided to rontinue the .crack Uncle Ben's uti students who campus in over thirtyyears, away with down on idle clubs. The Club Affairs lized products supervised the themost impressive enrollment numbers. .It Committee, which YCSC President Sruli • l from non-kosher cafs and kitchens. boasted over. seventy-five students expressing Ta nnenbaum chaired last year, isprepared to animals. Rosengarten interest. 'We werehoping to get thesociety off take al necessary actionwill to ensure that clubs After con- had much praise to a good start, and it seems as if we did just remainactive. 'We not tolerate club;s that fronting Rabbi for the OU, and that,"said Elan Weinreb, thesociety's executive exist merely on paper," said Ta nnenbaum, Reiss with this their handling of officer. who will personally keep a watchful eye information, he the various Cafs. · The founding of the Yes}:liva University on the clubs this year to guaranteethat they assuredCommentator the "They are on Ftl m AnalysisSociety by Adam Moses and perform as theyshould.' that once the Kashrus board as much as someone could want. Oren Margulies represents an institution Commenting on the success of Club Committee members informed him of them to be on board. The OU is a huge al first. Moses, the society's co-president, Faf r�7', Dror Barber,·the fair's organizer the organization, and we have become a huge reported that approximately sixty students said that it was "far more productive than their discovery, he made sure that during kitchen staff refrain from serving the rice food provider. They have the wherewith enrolled in the student �· Ire I had . expected." One enthusiastic first and had all the packages sent back to al, backing and number of people which �
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· ,' -❖ • ... . >/' ,, ;'>lt\;; , · · ; ; .;, ,,(':!Y; :fi�� t.,:,: ..\,·; _,,;i_ t_i,;;i;�,;f '"c :• . .. . ".' . ', ,.;'_;,�: ,' :· ;:�:;-,-_v,; , . --'�- 1- o_c_to_b_,e _6,_1 _99_7 _Pa ...=g;_e_B ______,W4e (!fonunentidnrl ------The Tenth Siyum Hashas Personal Reflections
BY YISHAI FLEISHER t a e t o o r o o om t o m r ous occasion nd rxperience.t t sec i n f O th d tx factions,a fr m thaw ofto Nachshr n Wax anra to rb ing The event celeb a ed he culmination Chassidic Rebbes o YU R bbei , Je s gethe in song and p ye . t t r e t t r a t m r ta a t t of the Daf Yomi cycl , bu in essence i fa mong he : Unive sity President raeNo rbly absentr w as he ement ione ofa S anding tou sidet Madisonro Squao t e a e ra m m exceeded mere c leb tion. The Rabbi La m, and MYP Rebbei , Is e l o of contew oversi l i�sue rs ahat es p Garden I con empla ed thea it ny e f. hisr ro t ew a R b rate world J o ry today. Tha o g nize rs ofr building'so ot purpose. rToad y he v nde rs \� J.\i\��1.S}g e a , eth eeventa ch sev to put side ath diffe w uld n sell Range s nd Knicks appa :1;! f�;;;; �t t�e � ol�� n� � . ')-. :!ons;;:; ��� bb�:::; t a or o o o C'?;) a nc s nd iewpoints th t would el, but ins e d the vend s ffered c m gave ff a sens f � "'-.} · ,...t \> . , Ha1m, nd Rabbi a a e a ot m rat ra a t t t t c.,' ·· · ,:, .. � · .. a inevit bly alien t one group from n h me o ive Talmuds. The t dition l ho uni y ha , sadly, has S c h c h t e r ; e o r o a r w r ot o r o t 'i , a a r. This was not a night for s lving p ob m s often been ·� · · � • .Ashken zim nd a a e e d gs ndw beer o er e n ts ld,r buta koshee t ro J.,... e a r lems, this w s night that transc nd d achieved h ugh 1', · e ere e a e t a snacks r e e ffe ed int t heir pl cr . Theo a . · ·.• . . S p h r da i m ; :?; ·•:: 0 tha diffe nc s nd str assed h t whichto wee fans we e as loud, bu hei chee s c n deat nd destruc-t f.J.1 A rm e i c n s , r r o h v in common.a As R bbi Lamme t e ld ma trolled and unified in p aye and s ng. tion. "Unio y, " ·;. ;� B its, and a w re r t e or a onr athe rd is, "Thist magnifica n aev ntit is The f ns e decked out fo h imp seemedt w t rbe the f-,1 ::,j!.� IsraeHs. P st, t tt o r )J:.•. re a r g ea t t ibutea to he org nizers,t nd o iso a ca ch o d of · • tant event,t bur watheir a ire moret as mbe t. v · :J ,pe asent nd efae he lthy nd hopeful sign tha Orth d x the e ening, w a achdut e And yes,r w he e s a wmain reven , n even r e r . .);'}l:l ,; xp enses w r Je s rac n achieve through th study that d e many. Ho eve the event was st essed by ve y ·. . ,:,t?k. o t ra r r · :·rabridge d to form a of To h." e e e f a dis inctly Jewish cha cte as speake . � o to t a r o o a ? s··:}H 'IJ:] J r displaywer of One ea t eachnicala not , thr Agudare e pposed the conven ion l G ec As s m ny will � ·1-· o a r a . . .,., . :,{' �i,' · Jewish po and des rv s gr t pr ise for thei ince dible R m n offe ings. ttest, the S1yum ch- / ? e o a o m e JOJ ,. , 'W-0 ' unity. organizatione ewithin the vGarda n its lf. A s nse f anticip ti n and excite ent maxed during th i • , · ·- ·· . . r w m wa a r a r v r .. ·. . . . ,/_<: "{\2•\ "(). <:v '· It was malso an With th excv ption of eseerer l speeches b ewed ithin e. I s bout to ente ' t a a o a o ?, g running o ertime, v ything rane the Ten h Siyum H sh s f O f Y mi. �!:�� 2;,��o�::� p::;ing ,) ··s0 v a r o o a e \�,,i,'9 tion� �: : c��n:e :�:;::�e smoothly and punctuae lly. Furthermor I Se en and a h lf yea s ago my Rebbi to k in unis n; the udienc 's o a e e e t e r e wa unitye withoutve rem omberinga those · was most impr ssedee with the coordinated me t the s m v n . Howev r, the e r sponses bouncing off the lls of w a rev a r felt e whoma w ha lost. The c ntr ost betw en simulcasts betw e n MSG aand e Nassau as stark contrast between my p ious MSG in deafening oar. I th r e a a a o o er a e m ourar re lity at this momentand eur grand Colesiuma and th facta th t th Siyumr expe i nce - youth h s w y f v sh d shiv rs running down y spine. w e w re w re ee e p ents'e reality only fiftye ye ars ago Hashe os was broadc st to groups ac oss o ing events, and this experi nce as no The e many sp ch s in Yiddish e o a m a ere r e sudd nlyTalmidei da-wned Chachamim on m . Th w sight veof th w rld.e exc pti n. I h ve spent ti e in yeshiv , I (they w t anslat d to English and a a a m e e e great r e ho ha r Thea T nth Siyum Hashase was ane extra have p rt ken in the study of that which tr ns itt d on an FM fr qu ncy within wa e ra ave ma rve e ev gone th ough th r Shoah singinga and o dinv ry nighte which salute d thos who s to b celeb ted. I h tured. And MSG) which se d to giv the ent a e a a felt e e o a e e dancinge at the-Ga denrv va was powerful ha e dilig ntly _ studie a d ToAmrah, Yi sroeland as I ntered M dison Squ re Garden, I s ns f uth nticity and history. On th ar o ar a mo a re r e e o testam ntit to our su ei l. It's unfortue acknowledged the ert n city of prep ed t truly p t ke in this men- dais sat R bbis p es nting a hug cr ss nat that usually tak s a tragedy lik throughout the gen ations.
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··.,.,_ . _6 _6 _T ls_ht<_e/_5_75_8______,'fil qe llfonunentntor l..... ------P_ag_e_9_ It's the Morality, Stupid: Jews for Gingrich
BY BENJAMIN BALINT samequr Scriptures; we seek the same things for then life is meaningless. The threat of such and AOL say one thing," Feder said, "the childrenand our nation/' and vowed that meaninglessness compels the atheistic Torah says precisely the opposite." Elliot WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 - If the the evangelical Christian community, unlike individual or society to look elsewhere for Abrams (former Assistant Secretary of views of Rabbi DanielLapin are any indication, theliberal American Jewish community, "will meaning; hence the two great evils of our State) concurred and said of these organi the long-standing monopoly liberalism has never walk away fromIsrael." century, Nazism and Communism. "Why zations: "They are not secular because lib exercised over Jewish loyalties is aumbling. Secularism vs. Conservatism would I want the decline of Christianity eral, but liberal because secular." Lapin and �he organization he founded, in America when I know what it brought Global Conservatism GOP Gedolim Toward Tradition, sensethat we stand on the Rabbi Lapin, in his charismatically in Europe: Stalin and Hitler?!" & verge of a major shiftin the political history of cadenced keynote address, proposed that If there is no God, Prager said, then The conference, it is true, sometimesfor AmericanJew ry,and Lapinis workingactively the ideas of liberalism, though not neces there must be only orderless chaos, a digressed from its strict agenda and to hasten thatshift. sarily those who espouse them, are the chaos reflected today in the arts. In fact, ayed into more general conservative top In thepast, Jews -searedby centuriesof per "condensed essence of evil." Citing, Prager continued, the most chaotic beliefs ics. Dinesh D'Souza spoke persuasively secution - fought to heighten the wallkeeping among others, the late Columbia propagate themselves in the drivel and against affirmative action, WilThliame Kristo!Weekly Ouistianity from encroaching on, or influenc University literary critic Lionel Trilling as stupidity of that secular temple known as Sta(editorndard) and publisher of ing the sphere of public policy or governmen evidence, he proposed that "the central the university, "where more nonsense is rather monotonously mean talaffairs. Asa religiouskeptminority, � Jews believed thesis of the liberal project is to dismantle believed in than anywhere." (Later, Rabbi dered through modern conservative his thatreligion was-best fromthe reinsof the root of the Judeo-Christian tradition." Meyer Schiller called universities tory, and Rabbi Meyer Schiller (MTA politicalauthority. In Lapin's view, one is confrontedwith "Stalinist loonybins.") rebbe and hockey coach) spoke of the But, acrording to Towanilradition, the tide a stark philosophical choice: one must If there is no God, Prager concluded, steady decline of "European civilization" is shiftingas Jews realizethat liberalisin, along choose either the religious, theocentric . then sensitivity to the holy, to the meta and of "Anglo-Saxondom" caused by the . with its icleological partners - relativism and ethic, divinely inspired, or the atheistic physical, to the transcendent, disappears, left, which, in his opinion, represents secularism - actually poses afar more perni ethic of "rampant secularism and total and a materialistic emphasis on physicali "egalitarianism, secularization, global materialism.I/ This is essentially the choice ty predominates. Hence, the American destruction of white peoples," and the cious threat. Forliberalism, say Jewish conser ! vatives, rull?.shown itself responsible for this of which Deuteronomy 30 speal BY NIR KNOLL twofold: to establish a place where learn Institute in Jerusalem. But the cave is the pogroms of Chelminitski, ing would take place on a high level in the not the natural habitat of Torah; a Bolshevik Russia, and Nazi Germany. The Rambam writes that regarding tradition of the European Yeshivas, and 'house of study'- a beit ha-midrash Therefore, Rav KhanLimud arguedhaTorah that there sins between an individual and his neigh to give students the opportmJity"al tahara tos - is where Torah flourishes, not a is no excuse for to die in bor, Yo rn Kippur will only atone if the haKodeshstudy secular." subjects 'cave' of study. We do not and should YU, within the comfortable confines of person personally apologizes to his Then, as he began to not aspire to educate our st_udents to America. However, Rav Khan said that he friend. Last Monday, MYP Rebbe and explain his current vision of YU, Rav live in caves once they have left the understood that YU students had their Kahn described the current · Rosh Kolle! Elyon Rav Aaron Kahn Yeshiva." own problems and distractions, but urged talmidim as a generation that the demonstrated the practical applica Rav Kahn went on to challenge that students not be discouraged and con- early rebbeim would have been the description of the Gruss tion of this principle in front of the proud of and would have felt hon , . tinue to learn as our ancestors did despite Beis Medrash, when he publicly apol Institute and the Yeshivas in Israel the greatest horrors of Europe. Rav Kahn ored to give shiurim and teach as "caves." In addition, Rav Kahn ogized for statements which he made Torah to. added that students must overcome the questioned the expressed content a week ago during an hour-long mus As he continued to discuss the cur various challenges which life p�ts in the ment with only one year of intense sar schmooze concerning a speech rent status of the Yeshiva, Rav Kahn path of their Torah study as a respon Torah studying asking "Are we then made by Yeshiva University President referred to Rav Lamm's centennial . to allow that H is sufficient to be in sibility to the past rebbeim of YU and Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Norman Lamm. address. Rav Kahn quoted Rav the cave, which is a valuable thing he and for their own self respect. Rav Kahn opened his mussar talk Lamm's statement that "We who [R' Lamm] admits, for one year?" Rav Although Rav Kahn used RaVLamm's of September 29th by referring back study and teach at Yeshiva essen to the history of RIETS and noting Kahn continued by explainirig that it is statement as a polemical device to tially live in a private community describe the centrality of Torah in the sacrifices made by the early - a marvelous enclave, one of study hard to believe that so much can be RIETS rebbeim and their wishes to one's life, stating that "I am not play:.. and thought and research, of vibrant ideas accomplished in one year, as he referred create a bastion of Torah in ing to· the gallery and I don't see any and creative concepts and novel interpre to the fact that previous gedolim, such as Washington Heights during a time television cameras," many students tations and spiritual growth, all on the the Rav, immersed themselves in years of when America was "a barren waste study before they could reach any level of interpreted. his disagreement with Ravi land, when the notion of someone very highest levels. But it is an enclave, not a cave; we are riofhermetically sealed prominence in To rah or enter ·the secular Lamm's statement as an attack on R learning [Torah] seriously did not world of study. In shock Rav Kahn stated Lamin's philosophies: exist." Rav Kahn described the vision off from the world. Yes, the 'cave experi ence' can be, and indeed is, a vital ele�ent that "I cannot believe what I am reading" In his shiur the next day, Rav Kahn of RIETS as "the history, the amalga expressed his regret that students did not mation of the histories of the Roshei in one's To rah development, and that and evoked laughter from the crowd by take what he said as a way to clearly illus Yeshiva and the bnei haYeshiva from is why we recommend (at consider making reference to his now famous the day that it was established." In able cost to us!) a year of intensive schmooze on fraternitylife by saying that trate his point of view by using a counter addition, Rav Kahn explained that · immersion in Torah in Israel and, for "I once said that about something else." point, but instead viewed it as an attack the original vision of the Yeshiva was Semikha students, at our Gruss Rav Kahn then discussed the sacrifices on both R' Lamm and his ideology. made by Rabbi Akiva to )eam a�d Therefore, in order to clarify any miscon teach Torah on the highest level. Rav ceptions, to the shock of the entire Beis Kahn explained that "Rabbi Akiva Medrash, Rav Kah'n approached the If you -close your eye!i knew that what he was doing was sui Bimah exactly a week later and cidal, but in that act of suicide he offered an apology for the statements saved klal yisroel from suicide." Rav which he had made. & open your heart Kahn demonstrated how this inten Rav Kahn began by admitting that he limud haTorah had "inadvertently and unintentionally sive did not affect his chazal: 'chachamim violated the words of love for his fellow Jews by reminding hizha' artt b'di vreichem:"' you'll hear.•. However, the students that it was Rabbi Akiva 'Vahavta l'reiacha kamocha, zeh Rav Kahn did not feel that he was who said 1 k/al gadol baTorah. absolved of responsibility. stating Moreover, Rav Kahn shogeg davka nusathat ch"even 'chataa ti avmustiti pa shati'use the said that "I suggest that only of ... one who knowsdavka no limits to the learn because for the human being there ing of Torah, such a person has ahavas yisroel, shis ogeg."no such thing as a complete no one else. Because only Rav Khan explained that in the someone who neshamaunderstands yisroel the . very heat of the moment he had erred and that essence of the of can; ahavas yisroel." . "my quotation was meant to serve as a have real Rav Kahn speaker's foil, aspeak er's device." brought down the sacrifices of the Kial mesi"Irus failed n_efesh; to convey R' Lamm's ChafetzYisroel Chaim to foster Torah in the sleepless nights; I inlimud conjunction Torah. with his immer failed to convey his tremendous sion in achievements foe Torah · here in Rav Khan began to lament the attitude Y�s'Shelfhiva. v'she/ochem In many waysshelo wehu' can all say: that one should be content with a minimal [my Torah Torah education. He warned that YU learning and your Torah learning could become aamei place ha'a thatretz" produces belong to him.]" "sophisticated with no Rav Khan . also stated tha_t· he was relationship to other yeshivas. Rav remisshakar(Js hainTo notv conveying his "personal Kahn went on to state that this "will me me'achurei forhaTzon Rabbi Lamm for taking talmideinot be. chachamimThis ,Yeshiva is producingtalmid�i ...and providing me chachamim and with the opportunity ... to be able to teachall means Talyearsmidei ofchacha seriousmim· Torah with so much dignity. It is all, to learning ofme Tosirasrah. nefesh his credit." means a Talmideifor chToachamimrah on Rav Kahn concludedtalmidei by yeshiva,saying thatmechi "I the highest level: cravela from you, the means that you cannot a couple' of for not making my words of last week hours a night watch the ball game and mor� perfect and morebifnei pure." kohol am, a couple of hours a night schmooze "And of course, Nossie,I crave. with your friends, and a couple of ,. arid ask respectfully of the R' hours a night stay up on the Internet Lamm himself [for forgiveness]. I did and then the nextBeis day Medrash your going to beinhim keseh an injustice le'esor; and I publicly admit it, .go back to the in the kiddushMay shemHashem Shomayim accept this morning." It is this .vision that Rav moment as a and Kahnkiddush feels Hashem should define YU and be-the may it serve to achieve,hagdil Tor as9h R' Lammu'l'lia'a oftendero, "Ashreinu matovdescribed chelkeinu in the11'ma statement nayim concludes,Omien."· L' gora/e{nu." Availabl� on Cassette.i,_CamR¥t::oi�c Furthermore, Rav Kahn And the Talmidim, certain with the . . . . . demonstrated that the history of the DISTRIBUTED. .BY SAMEACH.· MUSIC' ' · .. INC... . 71847. . 94507'. ·. · . . . .. - ; ' '.· '' ''' !· . ,.; �-.'· "}.; _;' .. : • "\', ... ._., � . ..;-._ knowledge that Rav Lamm would grant . : . . . . : /:1.-MAMEA� � ,·. : , : mechila, Beis Jewish people serves testament to the · Mrdrash.·felt the shalom invading the· fact that Torah can flourish even in 11 _6_Tls_h_re_l 5_75_ B______,wqe O!Iromt1tntatnrI1------P a__; g;._e___ RIETS Refuses to Place Musmach in Orthodox BY HILLEL LEVIN a e e e a e e as the m n behinds manye of his probl ms] tation of his being "ignor d" by th insti ordinary c s s, the [Rabbinic ePlacem nt) committee will honor all r quests for a e a 'courageou ly' take r fuge behind a tution. One thise mattere , Rabbi Hirt is verye e bureaucratic 'no comment,' no doubt hop- clear: "Ev ry J w, r gardless of wher he ref rral." This document, found in a 1982 muRabbismach aDr. Bernhe rd Ros nberg, YU a e s e Chavrusa ing th t will end the matter... " edition of was drawn up by nd th aspiritual leader ofa the is on th spectrum i welcom toany support few; e e Rabbi Hirt hims lf. Wh n Rabbia Hirt Conservative eg litariane Congregas tion Catriel is correct in his statement that the To rah of this institution ... it The Commentator, spokee with he exp nded Beth-Elr in aEdison, New J rsey, h been YU/RIETS and Rabbi Dworken will not has nothing to do with ideological labels comment on Rabbi Rosenberg's case. or affiliations." on the ambiguouss "extraordinarye cases" very c itic l ofe modem eOrthodox institu e e s The Howev r, Rabbi Hirt explained this "no Whil discussing hi situation with claus , and tated that on who "identi tionsa as of lat . Rosenbe rg acame through The Commentator, a s e the r nks of the Jam s Stri r School and comment" policy in an interview with R bbi Ro enb rg frankly fied shimself Rabbinically" with other semicha from RIETS in Commentator a e e e a e Jewi h movements (including Reform, received 1974, at by saying, "it is inappropri- st t d that it is his b li f that " vend tta, e a e which a e Halachic a e Cons rv tive, and R constructionist) ate from a st ndpoint [and] from largely of Steven Dwork n" is behind his e a time,"non-m he says,echitza, he cc ptede a posi e r e e "would not [b ] consider[ed] ... as a c n the point of vi w of p of ssional ethics to current situation. Ros nberg points to the e synagoguetion in a recommendedCons rvative"him by r a s a fact a r e didat that would be appropriate for discuss the pe son l or profe sion l life of th t, prior to wo king for th RCA, e re a /RIETS. Rabbi Rosenbergto e r e a e r ref rral to Orthodox cong g tions." any individual with whom we hav , or Rabbi Dwo k n w s th Di ector of e theYU RIETS placement assertshas since that a a a a This in itself is uncl ar, because though are in cont ct." He went on to say th t Rabbinic Services t YU ( nd in charge of a refused to refer him, againstservice its own a e it was not offici l policy, RIETS did send such discussion would be in violation of placement); in oth r words, Rabbi musmachim a as well as his own wishes, poli s some to Conserv tive-affiliat the ethics of confidentiality, and that it Dworken ha been involved with the two e s s a cyOrthodox synagogue. Because heto was an a a a r d synagogues. Rabbi Hirt in ist th t would undermine ny credibility that organizations th t R bbi Rosenbe g feels a e RIETS has amongst those ...------have wronged him. unable to secure a position in an thisa w s only in cas s in which proper a e Orthodox shul, Rosenberg maintains that Hal chic authorities werer consulted.r sIn it de ls with. Th paintinge of Rabbias he was forced to accept several rabbinical fact, Rabbi Hirta prefe s to refe to theae Conservativeegalitarian RIETSWhen has asked a rightwhether to Dworkenmind as th mbehindter- synagogues s "Orthodox with devi positions inRabbi Rosenberg also explainssyn e tion," even though some (including Rabbi defend itself against e r e a thatagogues these. a Roasenberr g's "d struction Rosenb rg's) we e op nly affili ted with attacks such s this, e e Rabbinical factorsAssembly led to (RA)his joining the a r aas n O thodox Rabbi" is th Conservative Unit d Synagogue orga R bbi Hirt esponded a Conservative Movement. of bit acurious, though, niz tion. that "[YU doesn't] need e s Until the late Rosenberg on r j since R rbbi Dworken did When asked why h is making thi any defense. We' e open. if s a the Rabbinical 19Council80's, America'ssat e r not wo k in YU untilafter an i sue if he is h ppy with his cur W have a t ack record." (RCA) Holocaust of under a 1;; 1988a - fourteen yearse rent position, Rabbi Rosenberg whose auspices he Commission,popular Rabbi e Dworken lso -l R bbi Rosenb rg was answered, "this fight isn't on my co-edited the indicat d that he would e a Theological and Halachic Reflections on the The sentfact, to his efirst pulpit.a In behalf." H explained th t it is not speak to_ e e e Holocaust. However, after Commentator a betw en 1974 nd his goal to nsur that no futur bout indi- e musmachim position, r acceptingasked his to a 1988, Rosenb rg had of RIETS will ever let vidu ls with whom he e e e e leavecurrent the RCA, whoseRosenbe g was s a e been plac d by YU in th plac ment s rvice send them to ha h d d alings because non-mechitza a e a members who servepolicy it is not ato two other Conservative syn gogu s. it would be inappropri- O O s synagogues.ccept in egalitari n c n g r e g a t i n . According to Rabbi Dworken, though, ate. a e Local Jewish newspapers have picked M o r e o v e r , R ab b i when h worked in the placement office familiarAnonymous with the sources situa- Dworken did not t ke a up on Rosenberg's story, making a hot a of RIETS (1988-1993),e it was his policy to it position in the dminis- tell job-seek rs that taking positions in topic in the Jewish world. A June, tion have suggested that a e a e 1997 YU/RIETS may also be L--______:;;_. tr tion of the RCA until article TheJe wish Voice characterized the ears after Cons rv tiv synagoguese mightr "impact" in s ar 1994 - two y situation as follows: ''The only institution acting cautiou ly because they e con- e r a a e and "jeopardiz " thei futures in a Rabbi Ros nbe g w s offici lly ask d to that seems to want nothing to do with him cemed with the possibility th t Rabbi e r Orthodox synagogues. a Moreovera , when a resign. Th question of how this enti e [Rosenberg] is his alma mater and a Rosenberg will sue. sR bbi Hirt denies this e easkede whether such situ tion could history could be a "vend tta" of iates the Modem Orthodox communiits ffil as emotive for refua ing to comment on v ne arise e in modern-day America, in sp cifics of the c se; Rabbi Rosenberg Dworken's, who was not involved from spok speopl for RIETS indicated that YU ty." would only say that he has not yet decid- the beginning, remains unanswered. e e Such Rosenberg's e a a e placemente s rvic s willmu smaclno timlonger d whether he is considering legal ction. Rosenberg still maint ins that "Dwork n · ref r/place recent in tion havedepictions many of r situa s e e e e e When pre sed on the matter, Rosenberg hates my guts," v n though he admits Cons rvativ synagogu s. Thus, at the e communitycaused to r membe s of the r e a a e e s e epli d, "I am not saying anything. I m that he has "n v r had words with the very least, Rabbi Ro enb rg need not J wish a letter to Thec Jewishiticize Vo YUice, for a its s not saying nything." man." actions.alumnus In condemned YU/RIETS and YU a a a e a worrye about this issue - RIETSe graduate Though it is true th t YU /RlETS nd R bbi Ros nberg's fundament l claim, ar no longer sent to Cons rvative syna RC A for, what terms, ethe e a e a th RCA will not comment on th t RIETS would not forward his resume a e he "the sham aful e e a e e "mechitza" e e e gogu s, anyw y. e Rosenb rg's cas , both re v ry op n to shuls, does d s rv investi tre tm nt meted out to Rabbi Bernh rd e a e Throughe all ofe this, Rabbie Rosenb rg about r l ted policy issu s. Furthermore, gation. According to Rosenberg, this was Rosenberga." a s a e professe s a de p lov for Yeshiva while it is impossible to di prove any of in viol tion of RIETS' own 1982 r vision Univ rsity and many of the values it onlyThis a Catriel, p rticular points lumnus, to the fact identified that nei e e e e Rosenb rg's allegations, certain questions of Rabbinic placement policy, which states advocat s. He says that h considers th s r e e a a s a s about those allegations must be th t ny musmach of Ye hiv Univer ity institution to be his family and his home; ther YUe no th RCA would allegationsd ny - or e s r e e e he hopes his childr n will att nd Yeshiva aevenproof r spond their to - Rosenberg'sCatriel puts addras ed. s e woulda bee refer ed, upon r quest, to any a a College. He dds th t he is "not here to "theys [YUof and Rabbiguilt. Steven As Dworken it, R bbi Ro enberg pointsa to th fact that availThebl Commpositions.entator a e hurt YU. This is just not th YU I want to the RCA, identified by Rabbi Rosenbergof YU /RIETS will not ccepr t contributions e obtained ecopy of the e and support that he offe s as one manifes- policy, which stat s that, "exc pt in extra- xist." An Evening With Rabbi Goldwicht BY YISHAI FLEISHER s e s omething h e feels i integral to the yeshi a va experienc anda Torah learning. e The Rabbi pl ns on giving a bi-w ek W lking down a hallwayr of 475 186the shiur St., peoplea nearing apa tment 4E h arda ly whicha woulds have a dual-cur the w rm ande familiar voice ofe R v riculum.e H lf of the ubjecta matter wille be Goldwicht, sp ;iking in ea ton that dedicatar ad tor issues eof h lacha, thes w ek soothed the soul. Upon ent ring throughby ly p sh , o a tim ly topic.e The econds the wide open door they were greeted halfa will deal with the s nsitive issue of a rooma packed full of YU students,e entic de ting a and shidduchima ands would sing c kes,e and a source she ts fore the ncour ge students to sk que tions on hiur th rabbi was about to giv . The these pertinent topics, utilizing Rav Goldwicht's vast guidance experience in whole scene, coupled with ethe ra booming s e November Hebrewa a remanating from th bbi'se lips the e matta rs. a e Celebrate America RecyclesDay on ISth. w s s eminder ofa evenings sp nt in The R v'a s ch rismatic p rsonality and It would mean theM world to all of us. For a free brochure, Rabbi s' homes far aw y ina the Holyr Land. the inform l atmosphere will aundoubted call 1-800-CALL EDF or visitour web site at www .edf.org Thi is precisely the tmosphe e that ly make the' shiurim stimul ting, wha ilee being both informative and pleasur bl . Rav Goldwicht is attempting to cultivate. e a e e fif,..... As he explained, throughs giving a shiur Th se shiurim re asch dulard to continuea in his apartment he i striving to givee throughouts the ye r and e open to ll talmidim a sense of home and openn ss, student who wish to attend. 1- ,'fil4c l ------o _ct_ob_ e_r _6,_1_9 9_7 _P a....;;g_e_1_2 ______filmnnrentalnr ------ N ./ ill.\ E /.\ w 7111 • s YU Alum Running for Public Advocate BY CHANAN HOSCHANDER AND cross party lines and join Mayor Giuliani in the coming election, the Mayor asked for more teachers. Another example is, ADAM MOSES his bid for reelection? Polonetsky, who is a lifetime Democrat, to that city residents pay about 66 percent of Polonetsky: Four years ago, when I joinCommentator him on a fusion ticket. In response to the tolls collected by the Triborough traveled around this city, to be honest it Jules Polonetsky, a graduate of TMSTA a inquiry, Giuliani's office Bridge and Tu nnel Authority, but a large wasn't a very pretty situation. People and Yeshiva College, is running for the provided the following statement. share of that money goes to subsidize sub were moving out of this city because position of Public Advocate of New York Concerningthe launch of the partnership, urban commuters. City. He is challenging incumbent Mark the Mayor asserted that, "Jules What I am saying is that the Public drugs and crime were taking over. People Green, who is vying for a second term. Polonetsky, with his Albany legislative Advocate has an enormous bully pulpit. did not feel safe, they didn't want their Polonetsky is currently serving in the experience, understanding of the rich cul When t_he Public Advocate decides an children growing up here, they felt like New York State Assembly for the 46th tural diversity of New York City and abid issue is worth talking about, people pay the city was unmanageable. If someone District, which comprises the communi ing commitment to working solely to pro attention to it. If elected, I would use that said to me four years ago that they were ties of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Sea tect the interests of New Yorkers make bully pulpit to focus on the fact that going to make New York the safest large Gate, and Bay Ridge. him the perfectrunning- mate." Albany and Washington are shortchang city in the country, I would have said it can't be done. If someone said I'm going Following his graduation from YU, The followingThe Commentator is a transcript of an ing New York [City]. My opponent has Polonetsky earned his law degree from interview conducted used the bully pulpit to focus attention on to take on the unions and the welfare New York University School of Law. He with Assemblyman Jules Polonetsky: himself. advocates and start a workfare program - I'm going to start a program where then practiced law with the Wall Street Commentator: What aspect of your So it's a very easy question to answer. I people are asked to earn their welfare Firm of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. In Ye shiva University experience was most use would do a better job of getting more September 1990, Polonetsky served on the fulin your subsequent political career? money fromthe state and federal govern checks - I would have said it can't be staffof Congressman Stephen J. Solarz as Polonetsky: ments because I'm the only one who done. But, Mayor Giuliani made those district representative to the communities One aspect of my Yeshiva . thinks it is an important part of the job. promises and he has kept them. He . has he currently represents. In 1992, turned thiscity around. Polonetsky acted as Jewish Community Although I am a Democrat, I don't Liaison for New York Attorney General want things to go back to the way. they Robert Abrams' U.S. Senate campaign. were when David Dinkins was the mayor. Subsequent to that campaign, Polonetsky I want to see the city continue to move . was enlisted as a legislative aide to U.S. forward, I want· to see crime continue to · Congressman Charles Schumer. In 1994, fall and I want.this to continue to be a· �ity he was elected to the 46th District where more and more people are moving Assembly seat in a February special elec to, rather than away from. That is why I tion. am supporting Mayor Giuliani and why I Throughout his political career, am honored to be running for Public Polonetsky has involved himself with a Advocate as his running mate. He kept wide range of issues. While working with his promises and he should be commend�· · · ed for that. Congressman Schumer, Polonetsky dealt Commentator: When elected. Public. with New Yo rk City issues as well as for Advocate, what favorable contributions· · do eign policy concerns. There he devoted you wish to make to the city? his efforts to the Pollard case, the Crown Polonetsky: Heights difficulties, and aid for Israel. He The Public Advocate .has also had a significant hand in the been given the responsibility of being the Congressional passage of the Religious city "watc_hdog" � he's supposed to Freedom Restoration Act. In the · watch over city agencies and identify Assembly, Polonetsky serves on the problems. · My . opponent believes that Comme11tator: How do you balance your · Codes, Agriculture, Health, and Housing University experience that was useful in identitlJ as a religious Jewish politician with "watchdog" means city "critic." For the committees. preparing me for political life was my your responsibility to a wider constituenci; past four years, every time he has discov Polonetsky has a record of standing early morningto late evening schedule. If and range of issues? Does a conflictexist? ered a problem, he has written a report against bigotry and intolerance. After you're going to make it in politics, you Polonetsky: and called a press conference so he can get learning that the Nation of Islam was need to be able to work incredibly long There really isn't a conflict himself some publicity and announce to simultaneously distributing propaganda hours. Secondly, the big picture idea of between my religious beliefs and serving the world thatthink there is a problem.is while fulfilling a contract with New York To rah U'madda as a basis for understand a constituency that includes people of I don't that this the most pro State to provide security for a state-run ing many aspects of life experience has other religions. My Assembly District is ductive way to do things. I will also be the housing complex, Polonetsky headed the been helpful. I find insights into Judaism the perfect example. It's made up not only city watchdog. But when I findwilla problem, successful effort to have that contract ter in legislative issues. This approach adds a of people of many diverse religions, but I will handle it differently. I go to the minated. dimension to whatever you encounter. many different ethnicities as well. Yet, I Mayor and tell him that I have found a The officeCity of the Public Advocate of Thirdly, as a legislator who wears a · have been very popular in my district problem. Then we can come up with a New York was created in 1993 to yarmulke while working, I appreciated because I try to do what is right and most solution and announceIt that we have solved a problem. may not get me as replace the City Council President. The having had a college environment in people support me for that. I think a very Public Advocate is elected independently which I could comfortably practice my much publicity as calling a press confer good example of that was when I found and is next in line to the Mayor. He serves religion. It assisted me in realizing that ence, but I think that is a much better way out that a Nation of Islam security compa as the middleman for the citizens of the my religion is part of who I am. YU helps to contribute to the well-being of the city. ny was patrolling a state regulated hous city, acting as their representative, thereby to integrate the religious identity with the Also, as I have said, I will be fighting to ing complex in my district. They were allowing them access to the City govern professional identity. make sure New York City gets its fair Commentator: Yo ur campaign contends providing good security, but they were ment. The New York City Charter states that you will enjoy greater success in securing share from Albany and Washington. It is that the Public Advocate is responsible for also handing out copiesThe of Finaltheir Call.racist, not a "sexy'' issue, but if we are going to federal and state fundsfor New York City than anti-Semitic newspaper, I reviewing "complaints ... relating to ser your opponent will. How do you intend to do it solve the city's problems, we have to have did not think was right for the state to vices and programs, and make proposals so? the money to do it. Remember,fair I'm not be supporting Louis Farrakhan. I con to improve the city's response to such Polonetsky: asking for more than our share, but complaints ..." Also among the require It's very simple-my vinced Governor Pataki to end itthe con right now we send more to Albany than tract. Some people may think was a ments of the Public Advocate is the main opponent doesn't intend to ask the feder weCommenta get back. That'stor: Why not right. might a voter be tenance of government compliance with al and state governmentsfor more money. "Jewish issue" because of Farrakhan's inclined to view your candidacy more favor the City charter. Mark Green won· the first Let me explain my position. Every anti-Semitic record. But Jews, gentiles, ably than that of your opponent, Mark Green? election to the post. He was elected to the year, New York City gets shortchanged in and people of every ethnicity supported Polo11etsky: newly established office in 1993 and Albany. For example, the city school sys me for standing up to Farrakhan. If there There are so many. rea began his term on January 1, 1994. The tem educates 38 percent of the state's chil were a similar situation, but the person sons, but let me outline just a few. First of upcoming election is to be held on dren, however, we receive only 34 percent involved had a record of discriminating all, Mark Green has already said he no November 4. of the state education aid. That doesn't against Catholics, Muslims, or any other longer wants to be the Public Advocate. In a somewhat uncharacteristic politi seem like a tremendous difference, but it religious group, I would have done the Althoµgh he is running for re-election, he cal move viewed by pundits as yet anoth equals about $300 million each year. same thing and people would have sup er example of Republican Mayor Rudolph That's a lot of money that could be used to portedCommenta me for tor:it. Wh at inclined you to Continued on next page Giuliani endeavoring to blur party lines in buy more books, computers and to pay ,'fil4t 1 - _6_Tls_h_re_l 5_7_5B______([ommmhdorl ..... ------P a_g_e__3 Jules Polonetsky Addresses Students THURSDAY MAY 21 11 AM BY SHAYA SHTERN Polonetsky believe� that, if reelected, the incumbent" Public Advocate would use THE THEATF;R New york City Public Advocate candi his position to gain publicity for his MADISON SQUARE GARDEN date Jules Polonetsky addressed over campaign for Senator, while ignoring sixty undergraduate students at the his responsibilities to the people of downtown campus at the request of the the city. College Democrats, Republicans, and Polonetsky concluded by saying that Political Science Societies; "the future of the city is ours and it is our Polonetsky began his address by responsibility to go out and vote. Because encouraging all in attendance to go if we don't go and vote then those who out and get involved in the political believe in Sharpton will go out and process, saying, "Just because you are vote!!" young doesn't mean you can't do it." Student reaction to the speech was He also told the crowd that "The positive. The College Republican direc Mayor is Yarmulke blind," and judges tor, Andrew Weiss, said, "It is a great people on merit not on their religion. honor for us that the Assemblyman was Polonetsky emphasized that he was here and that the students are getting not running on Jewish issues, but on involved in the political process. We hope broader campaign issues. He said he that this will be the first of many success is looking forward to another four ful political functions." J.P. Dunner years of reduced crime and improved Political Science Society President Ben SENl Continued from previous page has already announced that in 1998 he is campaigned for him in 1993 when he lost going to run for the United States Senate. to Mayor Giuliani. Mark Green supports That means that the day he takes office, if Ruth Messinger. Do you want the city to he is re-elected, he will be spending a return to what it was like in 1993? I don't, tremendous amount of time traveling Mark Green does. And that is a very around the state campaigning for another important thing to remember because if job. In fact, he is already doing it. The anything happens to the· Mayor and he Public Advocate is suppose,d to preside can no longer serve, the City Charter says over all City Council meetings, but since the Public Advocate takes over as Mayor. he began campaigning for Senate, he has Finally,people should know that Mark attended only 50 percent of City Council Green refused to distance himself from meetings. That is not a very impressive Rev. Al Sharpton. When Green was asked record considering there are only two City who he would support for Mayor if Council meetings each month.So my first Sharpton were the Democratic nominee, reason is I want to be Public Advocate. I he refused to answer that question. will do the job for a full four-year term Reporters asked himover and over, yet he and I will show up to work. Mark still refused to answer. I made it very Green only wants to be the Public clear that I do not think that Sharpton Advocate if he doesn't get the job he is qualified to be the Mayor of this really wants. And instead of serving city or' of any city for that matter. He the city, he will spend the first year of is a divisive person who says he is a second term campaigning for that trying to bring people together, but job. By the way, if he does get re only moves them further apart. I elected and then becomes a U.S. think all responsible elected officials Senator, the city will have to spend should have done what Comptroller $5.2 million on a special election to Alan Hevesi had the courage to do elect a new Public Advocate. I also think it and should have said that they would is important for people to know that Mark not support Sharpton. Mark Green Green worked for David Dinkins and refused to do that. .:..:::...:.. ______Otl------_Pa ge_1 _4 � time or'the distance . .''' :.'."'. ;:'.�_fi'9���· ·'AT�T<,�df(t.�,i�:t,�1�� ,ll!l'.d/�ig9•::�p:, (or,·�f�T-.Ono R;ltc: F.1·Qc, You'll :' ' ;�,;/��i-.){:r,:cii::Qfftzi:�·,/�·.�n.j{)��::i.hi�{��s:l;��;��l A(lv,:�i\t;L�� .t,\c' J,trt�iL . • . .' c{;fi:t 'd}1?:· \tf)B'.q.y{�ial o('yo.�n· fdvodt� :ne,gh�orl1()(){1;pl.IC�$ ..,1r1d n.i l ,on ,11 s'pr,oso, ,_ ,;�. . ··"Hk�J<· ,nko�. . !..· Tower' ·., · ·R�..cdl"ds'· . ,tn < > .;:,,J:,,· . . Gct AT&T o�e R;ue . 1 . .ipd.·•·�··.·.scu.�.�nt •• i}'.':)ii�m,{,r:{;p-·':::··••i' ..· ··•··•;· .· .��."-�ht:l·ge .. •�c.�bcrs_hi.p .. f.R.ijE \,· ••;c·,··'·, 1,-r::,, ,, . s oo, a· 1 a . 3 a 7 2 i�t.Y;';,�i.i:1:t1f 1• �.l,t.,::,,.;,. • ·; ··· • • �'· . , · .c:: ·;-·/,,; i·.. : • : ·J ·:·:()t· �,-;;.�-'. ·.i .., , · ...... lt·ts afl within your reach. . ' . .. -.-· . � . .Kl'.. .• . I::.·· _Pa ...;;g;....e_1 6______1-- ,�qe OionmumhdnrJ ------o_c_to_be_r _6,_1_99 _7 Business Ethics BY GIL BLOOM the theoretical level to. the applicable. 'Tu I addressed. To respond to this inquiry, R' in China .let's.. faceit, the Wes ternworld is a defend the actions of the Orthodox Jews Lamm relateda storyattributed to the Rav. prettydamn� indifferent gro up ofpeopl e, ancl [_involved in illicithandling of federalfunds] to This past week, YU students once • A yeshiva in a certain community was hav if everygro up that was persecuteddecides that my goyish friends and acquaintances? Of ing financialtroubl es.One of itsrablxlim went to it isgoing tocontin ue its lifeviolating by (laws] again convened in Morg Lounge to listen coursenot!" RabbiLamm boomed. "Unless, of theRav and stated, "Rebbe, if we don'tpro to and respond to Rosh Ha Yeshiva Rabbi course,I want todefend cJu1lul Hashem them. to and hurting everybcxly else, then we are back Norman Lamm's discourses on contem Now, what foolis going todo that?!!" duce some money through some illegal to a civil war of global extent It is not an porary religiocentric matters. The selected The Presidentsent messagethe home with method,w e will have toclose down th e yeshi excuse." topic of the"Serious evmingwas Business: Jews the fearfuland enraged sentimentthat such a va." The Rav, unhesitatingly answered, "then on the&lge of theLaw;' largely focusing on defense may come to greater hann. ''Defend close it." Dina D'Makhusa Dina the actions of your Oithodox friends? What? -=''To study Torah_ which is acquired by the range of white-collar crimes commit Stealing? Cheating, How about killing, are In consonance with the second topic, That is unthinkable!" cried Rabbi ted by Jews with more frequency than the you goingto defend that too?" gneiva? which invo_lved the smuggling of valua.ble vast majority arewilling to admit. Lamm, "fhal's not Torah. Better to have contraband into Soviet Russia, R' Lamm The atmosphere was somewhat differ "Orthodoxy'' less Torah and [not to]· steal...This [ques invoked the concept of dina d'malchusa ent from that of the "de rigeur" Dorm tion of stealing for the sake of Torah] is a dina. He established that even in this par · The next issue on the agenda was e tragic question, because · the reason· most Talks, mostly as a result of the larg ly · Orthodoxy vs. Observance. Orthodoxy is ticularcase, in which the offense was not e e e diminished audience. Apparently, corpo a misused label in today's Jewish commua [oft n] giv n [as an xplanation] why punishable, except by confiscation of the e e e e rate crim and workpla� thics. doesn't nities observed the Rabbi, "regardless of [one] ch ated or stole is to give to their item in question, the smuggling was assur, · e u possess th draw of a talk on polygamo s the shul [a Jew] davens at or is the Rabbi institutions, especially torah institutions.". it being a violation of dina d':malchusa. dating. The panel consistedof Rabbi Yosef of." Likewise, he claimed, a Jew's dealing Rabbi Dr. Lamm closed the_ first seg� The parameters of the law according to Blau, RIETS . . and MYP Mashgiach . falsely in business is no less a chillul ment of Dorm Talks with advice for those the Rambam, and explained by R' Lamm, Ruchani, Ra�bi Joshua Cheifetz, Director Hashem thanwere he "to incur an issur d' o entering the professional Jields, and. par are that the law be "a continuation of that of Residence Halls, Rabbi, Dr. Norman raita, an express prohibition of the Torah. ticularly those ; entering the . business · country's constitution, _or at least its legal Lamm, President and Rosh HaYes hiva, "I would not say that a Jew who cheats on world: "If you wear ·a yarmulke or your traditions fromthe past/ and that it refers and Rabbi Dr. Michael Shmidman, Dean his income tax is an Orthodox Jew.. .He is head ... that sensitizes peopieto who you "only to when the law applies t� equally of Undergraduate Jewish Studies. not an Orthodox Jew! He's dressed like an are. It means that whatever you do that is to all citizens.".• Otherwise, · "it is . prima Several aspects of businessethics were facie unjust. When the law is obviously . tackled. The overall topic was subdivided unjust, . the law does not .-have to · be into three scenarios, beginning with the observed." highly visible offenses, moving on to The Rabbi further oommerited that ''The those that may even seem justified; and [lawdealing with a item]applies to closing with the more common situations all people... to Uzbeks,con� to Ukranians, to nearly every young Jew will encounter on Russians, toJews, and you have to obeyand it, his rise up the corporate ladder. that's the Jaw." In a show of emotion, the Chillul Hashem vs. Kiddush Hashem President claimed, ''Ifthey say you can't btjng in tefillin, then you tellto them go to awarm The first issue discussed was painfully apropos - illicitly using federal fund,ing for place. That they have no right_ to do, Jewish-oriented. causes.· It may well have because then they are discriminating been this topic which was the entire moti against Jews, or if you will.. . against ,reli vation for this session of Dorm Talks, gion. Andin thatcase, it isnot dinad'malchusa where only a few weeks prior to the dis dina." cussion, "ultra-Orthodox" Jews·. were . At one moment of wry humor, the caught utilizing federally-funded Pell Rosh HaYeshiva addressed the question Grants to finance yeshivas and other of whether or not it is permissible to cheat Jewish causes. Pell Grants are intended to· the government of Israel if not the Soviet be usedfor attaining a collegeed ucation, pro government. "I don't get it," he mused, viding schoollunch money and the like, and no shaking his head, "Ooes that mean that beautiful... is tenfold more be_autiful Russia you cannot cheat, but Israel you matterhow worthy theperpetrator's ends, the Orthodox Jew, he speaks poorEnglish like means was judged unilaterally to be an Ortllodox Jew (audience and panel becauseyou arereligious. And if you do can cheat? That · sounds like · a Neturei unquestionably unethical. laugh), [but] say what you will, He's not anything that is deplorable· or unethical, Karta question to me.No, you're not even Rabbi Lamm primed his response to an Orthodox Jew," stated R' Lamm · then it is ten timesas bad as if anyone else . allowed to cheat Israel."' the presented issues by quoting the To cheat the government, expressed would do it. [Your religiosity]magnifies Rambam in Hilchot- Geneiva V'aveida, the President, is a violation of dina whatever you do." Tzedek TzedekTirdof where the Rambam statesthat to returnthe d'malchuta dina ("the law of the land is the . The final topic was perhaps the most lost object of an idol worshi is forbidden, pper halacha"), and that klal is one held almost On CivilDisobedience applicable tp the lives of the burgeoning because to do so is to "support the wicked." universally to be on level with any issur Dean Norman Adler, seated to the rear young Jewish professional; should one, if Rabbi Lamm qualified this statement by d'oraita. rather than with the panel, took advan- asked to participate in a questionable explaining that this law is not applicable today tage _of the question d a swer eriod t A subtopic of the first issue questioned ?� � p � business . practice, even one that is �ot due to contemporary circumstances. ''This ask the status of crvd dtsobed.1ence. R the handling of a situation in which rabid uncommonly practiced, involve himself Juilacha applies to a· society where the goyim Lamm reflected. for a moment, and made . . . anti-Semitism was the cause. Rabbi Lamm , sueh an activi; ty, even 1"f 1t means rece1v- were risheiolam, the most wicked, where they a 1·u d tgm en call a s th t hi "hea rt. tes 11 [him 1·t • m responded that in those cases he blamed g a inks u· ?The answer, sru"d .R'.Lamm, IS• were... cru el, indecent, sadistic people. is OK]." He then rationalized• the situa- m P P· e e e bsolutely not. To demonsbate the prio Otherwise... th e whole thing does not apply, th J ws for "giving th anti-Semite more tion: "You'�e not doing it for profit, you're � �� [since] they are not rishei olam." Rabbi reason than is abso_lutely necessary to hate not doing it [in and ·underhanded way], tion that one must undergo when � Lamm then came to the heart of the rele Jews." He stated his belief that these cases you simply are demonstrating, ·and you bah ethicsversus job security,the Rabbi cited vant halacha, and quoted the Rambam are Hashem' s method of ·teaching us that are demonstrating in a �ay that you want hisfatherastheappropriate model. Intheearly further: "'[I]f [the Jew] is returning [the we must change something; if we are to break a law that in your mind is part of this century, when it was nearly object to the non-Jew] to be in'kadesh et doing something illegal, then Hashem immoral. I think it is OK." impossible for Jews to remain shomer to glorify G-d, in order that Israel Hashem, makes us look bad. "And if we are guilty," DeanAdler followed up wi_th another·ques- shabbos ·and work simultaneously, the be praised, and all will know that[the Jews] concluded Rabbi Lamm; "than we will tion: How does one respond to those who Rosh HaY eshiva's fatherrefused to work on arebaalei emuna, truthfulpeople, this is praise have to have a red face, and simply swal claimthey are trying to rebuildinstitutions the . Saturday. "'How did you manage todo itr I worthy; in a place where there will be achillul · low our pride, and make sure that we Wes tern world attempted to destroy in the asked him.said He 'How canI work on shab Hashem, a denigration of Gd's name, one is obligatedto thereturn object."'Thus, expressed expel such cancers from the body of Holocaust, andwill do soeven if it means vio- hos? A Jew doesn't do such things.' That's the Rabbi, the root of the matter is set in Orthodoxy." lating their laws? "I don't buy it," R' Lamm · really the sacrific� you make for ben adam whether or not one is creating a chillul Hashem finnlyanswered,''That theWes ternworld was lanJakom. Why shouldn't the same element or kiddush Hashem, "that expresses the real Stolen Torah indifferent to us, yes ...but you have to of sacrifice e xist for ben adam lachaveiro? moral intent of halacha." 'C an you steal to help torah institu understand that the Western world was indif- How can you take a job where you have to Rabbi Lamm brought the discourse from tions?' was the next subcategory ferentBiafra, to and to the plight of Christians steal? The Ribbono Shel Diam made us into ..:.::.:.::;._:_:...:..:..;:..:, l- ;;_ .:..6 Tls·h�el 5758_____ ..;..______,wqi OLnnunmilltnrl ______Pa_ ge_1_7·_ ,,... program e_ver. F.REE. ....;;; _Pa g_e _1 s______,w4e (!fonmrentidorl1------o_c_to_b_re _6 _1, _99_7 Music, Theatr e, Restaurants, Cinema ...... NTER TAINMEN L.A. Confidential Starring Kevin Spacey, Danny De Vito, and KimBasinger FILM REVIEW thing can happen, including the death of look to why the elements mix so well. The and a son. BY YA IR OPPENHEIM the protagonist." The specific plot of this casting of a group of relatively unknown The actors in this film are lucky to film revolves around the death of drug actors (with the exceptions of DeVito, work with a script like this. They don't play the parts of detectives or jour Does the phrase "trouble in paradise" kingpin Micky Cohen in Los Angeles, Basinger, and rising stars Spacey and nalists; they play the parts of people. ring a bell? Do you consider lines like along with the succession of murders that Cromwell) works for a reason other than It appears that the actors worked on "Just the facts ma'am" or "Thank you for result from some unknown individual's helping a low budget film get off the this idea, which is why they didn't offer the assistance, ma'am" tiring cliches? particular interest in acquiring the fran ground: it provides suspense. If the cast cliched performances. What stunned me Look further, because this film will .make chise of the deceased. In comes the police list included Harrison Ford or Sylvester in this film was the fact that the actors you forget all of those cliche-ridden department, a crew of mostly unre Stallone, we'd all know that neither of played out who they were to a point of Dragnet teleplays, as you'll start thinking deemable souls. They are so far removed them would come to any real harm dur LA from the true image of a cop, that any ing the course of the story. This is why uniqueness. There may be five different thatConfid thisential was their source material. is a smart, well written, well movement towards the route of pure new actors are easy fair game to the twists cops in the film, but they don't play acted, and well directed crime-drama, intentions would be met by awkward and turns of the plot (and boy, does this "cops." Kevin Spacey was supposed to be whose only vice lies in the fact that many ness. It was well put by one of the char plot have them). This film also includes a popular cop,so he played his cop like he people won't see it until it gets nominated acters: "Don't start doing the right thing the best duo you could ever find: a was a Hollywood star. Russela Crowe for handfuls of Oscars. For those of you boy-o, you haven't had the practice." good plot and interesting characters. played a tough cop with touch of hon who only enjoy watching the best of the The characters are very clear cut. The film's script is directed with esty, so he had the chance to show best, this one is it. I can guarantee, based Kevin Spacey plays Jack Vincennes, a clockwork and precision; there's not a it. Even Danny DeVito was able to on the mutual opinions of a majority of popular narcotics cop, who answers moment wasted. Every scene is shine in his performance as a · critics, that nominations for best picture to the calls of Sid Hudgeons (played by included for advancing the plot or sleazy journalist, because every and director, along with numerous acting Danny DeVito), the local tabloid journal developing a character. The films time he got a dirty story,· he nominations, are not out of its reach. ist, who offers him money for the "Jack score kicks in at the right moment to smiled like a kid who ate his first This film is a thinking film so filled to Vincennes retirement fund" by having provide tension with the rumblings of piece of candy. The actors played people, the brim with numerous subplots him bust criminals for the stories• that a tuba or a trombone; not to just add not roles. This is what separates the hack and intricately written char acter he follows with his press entourage. generic sounds that "should be there." neyed from the fresh. relationships that any attempt to Spacey gets involved in the investiga- . Everything works. Another �urprising part of this film summarize it would do it injustice. tions of officers Bud White and Ed The most interesting part of the film was that even the director and writer It's a story about cops, drugs, mobsters, Exley, played by unknowns Guy was the acting. The performances were were virtually unknown. If I was to duplicitous blondes and tabloid journal Pierce and Russell Crowe, respective top notch, and for a reason: the script tell you that director Curtis Hanson ism. Sound familiar? This is the basic ly. These two are such contrasting developed the characters to the point previously dirTheected River Wisecold,nd ratThee thrillers like and plot description of film noir.(Raging Notable Bull, personalities that when they aren't at where they could existoutside of the film. Ha nd That Rocks The Cradle, director Martin Scorsese each other's throats, they define the That, to me, is the best part of a film. and that Goodfellas, Casino) writer Brian Helgeland' s previous Newsums Yo uprk theTimes genre nice game of "good cop, bad cop" to such When relationships between characters Elm ly in a recent article perfection, you'd have thought they are so well developed or familiar, they can creditsStreet.4 includeAssa ssins,Nightmare on (September 26, 1997): "It created an image invented the idea. Other casting transcend the situations of the films them and It you'd be quite of the world . . . because of its brooding includes James Cromwellb as Dudley, selves. Case in point: The relationships surprised. makes no difference, . though, because a film like this makes nature, because of its sense of fatalism. a wise, experienced police captain, Fieldbetween of RayDreams Kinsella and his father in [The plot] is all in the mood and atmos and Kim Basinger as Lynn Bracken, the was so powerfully you forget all your troubles, everi the phere. In film noir, the plot is never sewn obvious femme fatale. formed that I can easily make a case fadthat you'll never see another film up too tightly. Most of these films Films like these shouldn't be virtual and say that the movie wasn't about · like this in a long time. touched a chord; they were about wonders to the audience. To the average Kevin Costner's love for baseball; it was **** Stars of David descending into a labyrinth where any- eye, everything works. Nobody seems to about the relationship between a father THEATER REVIEW BY M0RDECHAI LEV0VITZ of them in its own rightis astounding and created the intriguenecessary to carrythe culture is automatically brilliant.It Just · amusing. If the play was over in three show for two hours. lookat the success of "Rent." won the acts it would· have been an enjoyable The only "stamper" that expressed Tony award for best musical, and is the Finding a respected play with no sex, evening. There is no reason to play all personality .and aroused intrigue was hardest play to get tickets to.· Yet after no love, and no women singing is a diffi nine acts; it is just the same gimmick Anthony Sparks. He single-handedly waitinga whole day to get twenty dollar cult task indeed. This must have been a every time. The actors expect that by the stole the show. This skinny flamboyant front row seats, I was Itextremely disaJr dilemma for the student council when seventh number we should still be sur African-American stomped with style. pointed with the play. was loud, over they decided to take YU out to a play dur prised thatIt they can make music with He enhanced his motions with slinky fem acted, and simple. Therewas no emotion ing orientation week. Finally it hit them; . spoons. is at this time when the audi ininity. His provocative twists subtly that lingered on with you· after the play. "STOMP," the popular off Broadway ence starts to appreciate the creation of added sexuality to-the dance (and not just There was no tune that you find yourselfIn the musical instrument. During the any sexuality, but homosexuality). This show which features people making humming.theRent next day at work. short, music with janitorial tools, would be the eighth act, I for the first time yearned for was incredibly refreshing being that the as a musical, sucked! Yet, becauseit perfect solution. Hence, during orienta the sweet sounds of the cello, the moving rest of the cast, including the two women represents the rebirth of bohemia,. it · is harmonies of the piano, or even the cheer seemed exceedingly macho; But while the tion week the student council managed to now the bestreviewed Rentplay on Broadway. give a good part of both YC and Stem ...a ful ping of the triangle. I mean after an audience could not get enough of him, the People say theylikeStomp's just to fitin with massive headache. hour the show starts to sound like an cast seemed almost embarras11ed by the latest fad. bohemian tones In small lettering, on pageStomp nineteen, annoying neighbor endlessly knocking on Anthony. This was yet another flaw in certainly accounts forit's success. the play's playbill, reads is per the door. The show should have been this romp. To end on a lighternote, if I had to pick a formed with out an intermission." This called "STOP!" The play's rave reviewsand popularity sex, playkol to isha, attend, that could not have love, line should be printed on every ticket as a "Stomp" had the potential of being a only exemplify a current phenomenon,'.'Vive la or I would choose the ne� play surgeon's general warning. It's not that I good full length play; it just needed char the new respect for bohemia. boheme." Barrymore.Sound of Music Christopher Plummer (of The was not impressed with the incredible acters. I wanted to see stomping with per Bohemia (as a movement), 'dead fame) returns to BI'()adway . percussions one can make with a broom, I sonality "Cats" has no plot either, but it for almost two decades ·now, seems to and gives a knock-out performan�. The totally acknowledge that each performer has characters. It is the stage personalities have come back to life and to have play is smart, funny and touching.'.i1' A full must be incredibly talented. The problem that make the show. Personality instills taken theater by storrri. The media review of this play will follow a few is basically that the show is too long. flavor into whatever is being done, even if seems to be attracted to this counter weeks. For now, keep this in 'mind: If you The play is made up of approximately it is banging tubes on the floor. culture. Anything that in the · slightest are interested in music, learn to play an nine thirteen-minute acts, of which each Interesting characterization would have form challenges the traditional form of instrument,not the brootn. __ _6_Tls_h,,_e _l 5_75_ B______,wqe ([otnntenfaior-l ------P_og_ e 19_ Music, Theatr e, Restaurants, Cinema ...... NT ERTAINMEN The Game Starring Michael Douglasand Sean Penn FILM REVIEW appear intentional, and this is exactly Alternatives ,, BY YAIR OPPENHEIM what keeps the film riveting: audience BY DAVID RAPPAPORT Mom 3: My daughter would never buy involvement. this. ·� Close your eyes for a brief moment The film makes an effort to show how Vote Tipper Gore this upcoming presi Me: Too late. and reflect upon your childhood. Do you it's possible to yank the soul out of some dential election. Her policies regarding Mom 2: You know who I like? remember finding yourself the victim of a one's life. The screenplay does it piece by censorship in music are not only appeal Me: Who? cruel game orchestrated by one of your piece. First, it starts with simple contrap ing, but refreshing as well. Why should Mom 2: Those three young blonde best friends? I'm sure you have. In retro tions not working, continues with sensi America's youth be exposed to harmful boys ..... spect, an occurrence like that would be tive pushes of privacy invasion, rejection, language in a society already degraded by Me: Hanson. meaningless; like a drop in a bucket. loss and other feelings that can potential violence and talk shows featuring obese Mom 2: Yes!!!! Now stop in your tracks. Catapult this ly hurt. It's largest blows come with white trash declaring, "I take care of my We have a winner! Why should we situation to the nth degree. You're financial insecurity, loneliness, and, ulti kids and I ain't never been to jail," all even bother wasting our time on a devil now talking to your friend in present mately, full-blown depression. The total whilepresenting an open palm into their ish mastermind such as Marilyn Manson day 1997 when suddenly, he pulls a loss of a sense of security is one that can neighbors' face? What place do these col whose only desire is to initiate more gun on you. You notice it's really drive anyone to undertake extreme mea loquialisms have in a society filled with young nai've children into his nefarious loaded. You then wonder: is this sures. This is exactly what fuels Douglas' people whose entire existence is defined cult? Not only does he insult the public's some sick joke? breakdown. by their undying desire for the betterment intelligence, he is downright banal. And This is the premise of David Fincher's The acting potential is maximized by of mankind? I endeavored to find a what of our young slacker friend Beck? slickly executed thriller, The Game. the stars of the film. Michael Douglas glimpse of the first hand reaction of the I'm unsure as to whether I can recall one Fincher successfully convinces his audi returns to familiar territory as he "right" people. In order to achieve my article written about him that did not use ence that even a sliver of suspicion is a plays a rich investment banker with goal I decided to assemble 3 upstanding the term "slacker" at least ten times. sign of trouble. The less-convoluted ver the same cruel elegance that he had in mothers of children in their early twenty's Many people like to call him brilliant. sion of the plot is as follows: Nicholas Van his Oscar-winning role in Wall Street. and placed them in front of the MTV and Young people see him on the TV and say Orton . (played chillingly well by Michael As Douglas' rage and patience hit observed their respective reactions. "wow! look at that dance! that's brilliant!" Douglas) is a billionaire without a soul. their boiling points, he relies upon Mom 1: Why are those bees chasing or "his lyrics are brilliant man!" "I've got As a birthday present, his estranged the experience he got from his role in that poor man? a devil's haircut in my mind." Since when younger brot11erConrad (played by Sean Falling Down, where he portrays an Me: Those bees will tum into the Wu- is being vague considered brilliant? I've Penn) decides to offer him what he calls average Joe that suddenly cracks. Tang Clan. read horrible college poetry in homage to "a profound life experience", which, by Sean Penn also revists the past as he Mom 2: What religion is that? the beat writers that have three times as his standards, translates into a gift certifi plays a reckless youth dealing with Mom 3: Are you in a cult young man? much substance. Beck is about as brilliant cate for a "service" offered by the vaguely the results of bad choices, a role he Me: No. Of course not. as my left cheek. This. leads us right to named company, Consumer .Recreation played once too often in such films as Mom 2: I don't like this in the least bit. Hanson. Their lyrics aren't oblique, they Services (CRS). After a bit of hesitation, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Racing Mom 3: Look at him. What in the world write nice melodies, and are wholesome Douglas, infatuated by curiosity, accepts With The Moon. The production design, is he meant to be? and clean. They make music fun again. the challenge and redeems his certificate, score, costumes and editing are all of · Me: That's Beck. They don't stand in one place while still unaware of the implications. As he average quality,as therewas nothing spe Mom 1: I don't like his brazen hand singing their songs like all forlorn, obse continues his daily routine, Douglas has cial that this film needed. shandy. quious college complaint rock artists do. unknowingly made the first move in what As far as direction goes, it seems that Mom 2: Nor do I like his foot action. They move around, smile and entertain. could only be considered "the Twilight David Fincher will soon be able to pro Mom 1: He's got way too much foot They give me more bang for my buck. Zone of games." Little accidents start to nounce himself as the new king of cine action. They represent everything right about befall Douglas, and puzzling as they may matic suspense. Though only having Mom 3: Who are those half naked America today ... be,. he dismisses them because what else three films to his name, he has managed women? I've got one turntable and a lot of could they be, but "little accidents?" Soon to touch on different aspects of the nature Me: That's the Spice Girls. Beatles records. little accidents become bigger accidents of suspense. Alien 3, though suffering and the game seems more than a string of from a lack of amiable characters, gave coincidence. Fincher a conduit to express the nature of Telemarketers Though initially maintaining a rather fear. By using the audience's familiarity flat trajectory as "game pieces" spring to with the. alien and through a creative use confront him, the challenges that Douglas of camera angles, Fincher was able to needs to overcome begin to contain a force a long-hidden fear of the unknown higher · amount of dramatic significance. to come to light and add a sense of claus Gone are the silly annoyances of day to trophobia to boot. Seven offered day work, and thus arrive more life Fincher the chance to portray sus threatening situations and issues that pro pense through an a venue of moral voke retrospection. As the situations decay and gruesome shocks. The Let's face it The education you're with clearly, articulated diction. We become more and more extreme, Douglas' Game offers Fincher an opportuni working on· is· priceless. Soon, you'll understand class schedules can be level oftoleranceis put to the test. Being ty to do this from a classier angle cash in on your diploma. But in the tough, that's why we offer Flexible that CRS has a complete file on him, no by throwing real life-crushing meantime, you needi dough. Lots of it. Daytime Hours at our Convenient To stone from Douglas' life. is left unturned. blows to an already broken man. That's where IOMA comes in. We're a Campus location. You'll also enjoy a Every object or person with whom There are no monsters or serial leading national publisher of monthly salary of $10-17 per hour (base + Douglas has been in contact with is part killers that are used as tools to professional newsletters.And our suc bonus), attractive benefits,daily incen of this game, and therein lies the problem. convey this message, only a feel cess is your financial reward. Growthis tives, and a team-spirited workplace Douglas is compelled to second-guess ing of insecurity. The audience is happily forcing us to expand our tele environment every uncertainty that occurs during the instead offered a very realistically marketing efforts. day. This is a pleasure for any viewer controlled (compared to his other Doesn't It make sense to learn and who wants to keep guessing at what films), Hitchcockian take of a sus Right now we need.outgoing, friendly earn? For an over-1111-phoneinterview comes next, because it's impossible. pense story; a character study of a individuals who possess a persuasive, man in a situation gone wrong, and withreading materials in bnd, please There is rto end to the open amount of highly-professional telephone manner call Monday-Friday, 10AM-6PM: possible "game targets" that could be all that's needed to heighten the sus used; it is the largest possible canvas for a pense are a cup of soda and your com storyboard: someone's life. It generates plete attention. (212) 244-3014 excitement within the audience, as every I_.., IOMAo..-,MllillllnllN,llc. I camera movement or close-up may ***1/2 Stars of David. ' f I \ I fl ., I> , II f \I "i I I � � ',! I' l � I � •v?rh f-11' . October 6, 1997 Pa e 20 t J g I W-,fe \U-onttnen f & nr1-______..;...... ______It Takes All Sorts of People l BY COMMENTATOR STAFF o t e e e to t e o e t o e \Va11t To l\)ake A stratae f h l ad rs o t he l w s eof th wat r carriers. If any f h Jewisho p ple e o o o e e i o e Th T rah p rti n r ad annually before· ar m ssingo r exclud d, eall o f us arete lack o t Nitzavim. ar c mple . It is Differe11ce l11 \'our R sh Hashana is parsha In it, inge and n ne oft us to e te n e e e e o to o es lf Mos s ass mbles the J wish pe ple utto rly unaccepo ableo e s parae e e i e e o i t his fell w J ws ven if th y are r ce v his final charg and t hear h s las fro mo anye f e e o o o t t t ei e e e t n th same l vel of soci ty r religi us w rds o hem as h r l ad r. Th parsha on o Scl1001'? e i i tion o bservance. A group composed solely f the g ns with a descr p f the way the "Rosheichem," o e o ben e e o e fth leaders and heads fJewry tir J wish pe ple app ar standing ot o e i i o ..is e e o "Atem 11itzav1m l,ayom k11/cl1em is n nly incompl te in tscompos ti n, 1t a r A Committee! blifnayfor Hasl,emG d, Elokaychem." groupthat is unfit tostand before �- Volunteer.Fo The pasuk e it e te o Th Ohr Hachaim Hakadoshtakes a step is included in Kahal Am e t t o Library d lineae s"Roslieicltem wh si,ifteicl1e111, zikne- further. H explainstha no only was M ses Ap�rtment .. Yisra l: e e t o o t e e icliem, v �lwtreichem- kol ish Yi srael." bringingo th t n ire nati on t ige h r befor Food Services/ Student Welfare e e o t - G d, bu he was enj in ng them with e t Academic s · iadards Curriculum e"The h ads oof yo ur e ribes, yourt e Dvar a"Arei sacredvut," pact. This was a covi nan of lde rs, ande y ur ffico rste - all t h t Deis 1\fedr 'sh Sp�ial Events of literally makto ng each mt n ofe Isra l." Thele T rah ells use ha and every Jew a "guaran r" for his SeclJfi .Athletics by e o e heei J wishe peop aret h ad d e t To rah w J Every Jew was required foll tow. Ca11 ssing ·· Reg�•r•r the r l aderso and o he promint t nt ���!!!! t strive help his fellow Jew in his o "L bal yamx,r · Communal Affairs m mberst t oef the natio n. Bute t ha is noo Hashem," .s · �bos bservanceo o o pi all, ha d s not c mpl te he dem - . i o e o e e (in rder that n ne sh uld transgres.<, the Co11stitutiona' .. ·_.. . , �iA. -:·. mendme11ts. . . . o . graph co makeupe f th Jewish"Tapch peem,pl neslte-. Th . .· _ . w rdof i God).te Each e and i eveiy Jew is inextrii pasukicltem, cv �erchantinu s asherand saysbekerev machanecha, rtwin d w th all of his Jew sh cablyet n o e i AH .applications·-111 lisfbe �nd 1nclude: meclwtev eitzecha shoevmeima:ht"- o br hren in ne ov rarching l ving . typ� : ad ''Y ur t e o o i e o o e o t enti y of th "Kingd m f Pr ests an .· -�orlllRo�1"1 "' Phone #.. in o io childrt e i n, your w men, and oth c nveroo a H ly Nat n." h m dst f your camp, fr m the w d o i -Year in School o e to e t One f theHas dic mastersexpounded and ch pp r th wa er carrier." e e i n e elaborated on this principle. � know that · -·Goals 'fo�: C6111mittee Th r s a klal, a ge eral rul , that what o o o e e to i t e o i t prayer before G d sh uld be d ne with a w ar ld n h T rah s everlas ing, and o i e t e t "Tzibbur," a qu rum of Jews, and this is . ··�Q#�@��'�ps· .. t o e o s ias po r in ttnt odayi as itt wase when iton was o -Put experience sa d r wri en. Th s is h foundati f he ptimumo manno r fore tur prayerso and o i i supplicati ns t be acc p ed bef re the ur fa thi as Jews. To rah s immutableo t ando l o heaven y thr ne. The word "Tzibbur" unchangot ng,e and theo passage itf imee d est i e e I I Oct 9th n dull th messagen r modify in th leas . s made up of the Hebrew l tt rs e e e t ot e e t e e ' ' ' : " : ', : I ! ' I I \ \ ! ' ! t • " zadi," ''bet," and "reish." Th se l tters, i Tho r fore Mosesi ieon merely ed scrib i e e . ' 1 1 : , , ' i 1 • '\ inge how tth Jew sh p ple appt ar d too hise sa d thee Hasidic R bb , eare ano acronym " , , ! 11 \1 'I _ eyt s tn ohat day in the distano past s m repres nting the thre maj r classes r:�.: ··.,: : ·.• hree h usand oddt years ag . He ise pree of Jews: "Tzaddikim," the righteouso o scribingo o for all eime and fore all g n ra ones; "Beinonim," those wh are in consisting of all f these classes: It is not creator on the Judgement Day and ask ti ns ef Jews tth requirem nts for'hvrstand echa thee middle ofo theo scale and are neither pos.sible for one group of Jews toexclude or for his forgiveness and blessing. ingb brit b Hashemfore Elokheireclm," Ma ker,(to "Lii e May it be the will of the Almighty pass nto th p rfectly pi us r grave sinners; and denigrate anothersection of therequest Jewish people l "Reshaim," the. wicked sinners and stillbe aviable conduitto relestial that all of his peop e be inscribed in covenant of Hashem your God). o l the Book of Life and that no Jew am ngst us. To truly be a "Tzibbur," b essing& Rather it is only an all inchl'>ive And ehow musto e the entire Jewisho peoo o t should be excluded from the Achdut t ruly represent the Jewish people body with representation from each of plei app ar? As on entiety, one c ntinue us e of Gmarthe Jewish Chatima people. To va! L !;hana Tova oun tt, ewhich i enc mpass os all theo segme ents and pres nto our prayers before the the segments that make up the Jewish u'Metukah! f h Jew sh populati n fr m th lite Almighty, ne must be part of a group Nation that is able to stand before our ALTRUISM ON CAMPUS A Club Devoted To A Kind, Ye t Onerous Ta sk BY AKIVA HERZFELD l has been difficu t for the bikur cholim pleasure factor. The small turnouts indi- · World War II, and othershave told us sto e t o e o i clubo to attract a large following. Bikur cate that most students do not view visit ries about Stalin." Sh ise cer ainly n t a St rn girl, n r s ch elimo means visiting the sick, and refer ing the sick and elderly as enjoyable. One The point about Stalin made Mike she evo n Jewish,o but every itSaturday enc s f visits to the sick date back to student, Pinchas Kunin, who participated recallsomething else: ''We need a stud�nt Yanat n Kagan ff paysher a vis . For the when the angels visited Abraham, but in in the club only once, describedhimself as who speaks Russian," he said. "There is past three weeks, after a luncho of kugel, theo twentieth century the sick and elderly "downright miserable" after performing one patient there who only speaks . okishka, t and cholent, Yanat n has stavedo d n't seem to be as interesting to young his good deed for the day. The leaders of Russian, no English. Although his wife ffi hea and rain to nwalk 15 minutes to sters as they used to. the club describe how they · actually get doesspeak English, she is the only one h� Daniel Robbins, the president of the vesit Peggy Anderso . He sings songs t very few second time customers. can talk to, and he looks lonely." types h r, he shakes hero hand, and he happily club, said, "People seem to be concerned Unfortunately, while a student might be The bikur cholim club needs all reminisceso oab ut life with her. But with other things." He added that the convinced to participate on one Sabbath, of students. The club leaders put out a Yanato en is n t alone in his visits toe Peggy number of students participating always when the next week comes, the chances special·call to "charismatic'' students who - v r 20 oYeshiva bochrimo havo gone declines in the winter because of the bad are that he won't be there. arejovial and friendly, but they said they with Yanat n to talk t and j ke with weather and short afternoons. As for In describing the club, Robbins was will take anyone. There are six floors in Peggy. o Robbins, he has been omakingtrips to the hard-pressedto find practical benefitsfor the nursing home, but because there are oThey are the members f the. bikur nursing home for alm st three years, and students. Robbins suggested that walking not enough students for all the floors,the cho lim oclub, andn on shabbat they hike up he has undertaken a commitment to stay up to the nursing home often facilitates students have only visited patients · on t the F rt tTryo nursing home to visit th� in YU for the Sabbath to make sure the the digestion of the cafeteria food. In three.In futureweeks, as student partici sick and he elderly. In comparison to club functions properly. addition, he initially stated that pation continues to decline, the club will years past, the student turnout this year o From a practical point of view, there is talmidim build llong-lasting relation visit two floors, and then only one floor. for the bikure cholim club has been tremen n t much incentivel to be active in the ships with elder y patients. However, Although this year the bikur cholim dous. Mik Samuels,e the publico relations bikur cholim c ub. While other communi Robbins quickly retracted this, when club has had record numbers of stu ty active clubs (i.e. community literacy directore for th bikur ch lim club said, he remembered. that all the patients dents participating, with each week "last y ari we averaged five to six stu club) ohave receivedo widespread news whom he had strong relationships the number of students involved has attenti n and gener us praise, the bikur dents, wh le this year we haveMike had moree o o with have passed away. declined. Despite the obvious lack of than twenty every week." attribut s ch lim club c ntinues to owallow in Mike lSamuels,.assessed the value things to do at YU on a Shabbat afternoon, this year's successful turnoute t to his savvy anonymity. Moreover, for th se students of the c ub with more success. "The little interest in the club has been shown. PR skills. He has istart d o publicizeo the preoccupiedt with ameliorating their students learn to appreciate the elder With no signs that this is likely to change club,i puttingt up s gns and pers nally ask resumee o impress Joe Finance, their ly more," he said, '"both in terms of in the future, no sign that more students ng studeno s e to come.o poto ntial boss, to Joe, the words ''bikur understanding what they are going will join, when winter comes· only the oIt is n asy j b oto market the •bikur ch lim" sound more like gibberish than through, and, more importantly, by same five to ten altruistic and magnani ch lim tclub. With there Sabbath afterio nserious substance. But, perhaps the most realizingo that there is sometimes mous students will participate; and if one noon ac ivitiesi such as sle p, constipat n, t egativeo aspect of the club, which leads much t be learnedo from them. A few week a few can't make it, Peggy will be. and med tation drawing large crowds, it he m st students to stay far away, is the patients have t ld us stories about lonely. ,mq! THE FUTURE OF ORTHODOXY - MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING BY ADAM MOSES have been erected in the Orthodox com ed important leadership for the "modem" healthy sense of personal theological munity to advance the spurious distinc Orthodox community. However, by identity, should not provide the impetus Much ink has been spilled and institu tion between the warring fledgling fac virtue of this role it has also served to per for dividing an institutional rubric whose tional blood let in contentious intra tions. The Orthodox Union, although petuate the egregious fallacy that there is supporters do not differ in their essential Judaism denominational crusades. These encompassing a larger constituency in its some semblance of a denominational dis theological conviction of the primacy of repugnant displays of resentment have scope of kashruth authority, has been tinction between the "modern" and traditional religious observance. pigeonholed as a body predomin,antly While Yeshiva University and its lead accelerated in their vociferousness over "yeshiva/chasidic" ap_proaches to the past few years culminating in the reflective of philosophically "modern" Orthodox observance. ership are undoubtedly showered with a unparalleled imbecility of the fatwah Orthodox perspectives. Agudath Israel The conception of either an indepen veritable multitude of denigrating epi issued by the Agudath Harabonim earlier ·represents the "yeshiva/chasidic" Orthodox dent "modern" or "yeshiva/chasidic" thets related to their purported "modem this. year. While reprehensible and communityand defendsits interests. Orthodox denomination is misguided, ill• agenda," and I am convinced we at YU absolutely unjustifiable, these conflicts A comprehensive arsenal of deprecat conceived, and unfortunately portends receive the brunt of this odious invective, have been predicated on fundamental dis ing rhetoric has been assembled and is communal calamity. This is primarily a we must assume a mature leadership role sension over core theological matters. In employed in fervent, animosity-driven result of the fact that there is no doctrinal in fostering communal unity. It is not our contrast, the emerging chasm between exchanges between the two sects. distinction between the "modem" and role to civilize the primitive chasid or "modern" Orthodoxy and "yeshiva/cha "Yeshiva/chasidic" Orthodox Jews are "yeshiva/ chasidic" groups on an elemen enlighten the savage yeshiva devotee just sidic" Orthodoxy is all the more appalling characterized. as doseminded, unable to tal theological level. Any denominational as it is not the role of adherents to a since it -is bereft of any substantive theo cope with contemporary times, uneducat divide is therefore gratuitous and con "yeshiva/ chasidic" philosophical per logical difference. ed, intellectually dishonest, having an trived. spective to reveal the truth to the heathen American Orthodox Judaism is minus outmoded lifestyle, extremist, conformist In an era in which the once powerful infidel who professes centrist convictions. cule relative to the Conservative and masses. "Modern" Orthodox Jews are torrent of Jewish continuity has been We can appreciate a Rousseauesque nobil Reform denominations. Estimates vary viewed as not according halakha adequate reduced to a meek trickle and an increas ity in the simplicity of the "yeshiva/cha but generally place American Orthodox respect, placing modernity before ingly combative tone has emerged among sidic" lifestyle even if we do not concur Jews at 8-12% of the American Jewish Orthodoxy, Jt1daically unlearned, halakhi existing Jewish denominations, additional with every facet of what it represents population. Despite our minute ranks, we cally revisionistic, materialistic, overly lib fractiousness within one denomination philosophically. If we, as an institution, have devised an artificialmeans of engen eral exhibitors of rabbinic irreverence. cannot conceivably yield a productive are to facilitate the maintenance of an dering that divisiveness which at times Yeshiva University has not been absent outcome. There is an obvious confluence effective, productive, cohesive sense of unfortunately appears to be the preemi from this melee. YU is �onsidered the of interests and values among Orthodox Orthodox community, we must take deci nent element of our collective Jewish intellectual bulwark of "modern" Jews. Differences in religious philosophi sive and affirmative action to encourage identity. Entire institutional structures Orthodoxy. In this capacity it has provid- cal orientation, although integral to a coalescence not division. p l C T 0 R A 11ll1ltte 1- _Pa ...;;;g _e_22______,m4e IE nbdllrl ------o_c _to_b_,e _6,_1_99_7 Tolerating Sy. Syms ... Tentative F To the Editor: how to use the thesaurus function in To the Editor: actually declined," etc. Note the proper Microsoft Word, and second, that he has. use of "etc." Upon reading your last issue, I came no tolerance or patience for anyone I received your essay (''.Thank You Sy "Both A and B" is adequate conjunc across Elisha .Goldberg's column on the engaged in anything other than in what Syms," Commentator, September ?, p: 15), tion,· ''both A as well as B" is redundant. but am forced to return it to you for revi Either "cultivate" . or "nurture" is suffi Op-Ed Page thanking the Sy Syms School he is interested. !:! of Business for being the foil of Yeshiva In his· attempt to support his argument sion. Please cons�der the eff ct of boasting cient, you repeat yourself when you use College. I must admit that since I am an with words of Torah, Goldberg uses the about your superior intelligence, evi both words. If something is already alumnus of SSSB, upon reading it initially traditional "Issachar/Zebulon" accord to denced by your training in Engµsh, when "extreme" and "overwhelming," you do I grew quite distraught. However, after help deliver his point. I believe that he said boast is filled with grammatical a}\d .not need to refer to a "full ·measure" of it. more closely examining the c�ntents, or used the wrong reference; his column usage .error�. You display a fine grasp of When you "send a message" it is assumed lack thereof, of his piece, the direction of more closely echoes the relationship of business principles and have a shrewd to be "explicit" unless otherwise speci my hostility changed. Yaakov and Esav, in which one was com contrarian instinct. However, at Sy Syms, fied. To my ear, the problem is not redun I was no longer angry at the "shots" pletely intolerant of the other. "In a mod we demand i:nore in an essay, it must be dancy, it is overuse of modifiers. Simple that he took at the SSSB Administration, ern corollary" - Elisha Goldberg vs. The · written in intelligible English. prose is more powerful than exciting, for they are capable of defending them Student Body of SSSB. I suggest you start by pulling out your wordy, and spectacular literary fireworks selves. Nor was I incensed at the lack of Please don't get me wrong, I am not dictionary and learning the difference. tJ:tat distract rather than dazzle. respect for h_is fellow student, since I am suggesting that Mr. Goldberg is a modern between "disinterested" (impartial) and You use "whom" as the object of the not. I was completely enraged by his com day Esav. I am simply submitting that if the word you obviously intended "unin V!?rb "decided," "who" is the correct pro plete and total lack of tolerance. he were in a position of authority, YU terested" (bored, indifferent). While you noun. If you cannot learnthis distinction, You see, dear Editor, YU is a very frag would resemble a small communist country. are in the "O's," go back a few pages. I I suggest you always use "who." You may ile place. I would like to conclude by thanking hope you meant you wanted to "depreci be incorrect on occasion, but you will not YU is a smorgasbord of people with a Mr. Goldberg for attempting to create yet ate" Sy Syms and its students (belittle, be both incorrect and pretentious. Your plethora of different beliefs and needs. another 'rift' on campus. It was not mildly disparage), not "deprecate" "whom'; is doubly offensive since it What makes YU such a remarkable and enough that one exists between the Judaic (deplore, condemn) themas you said. You applies to the SySyms School of Business, unique place, is that it goes out of its way Studies programs, now one has to exist use "prototypical" when plain "typical" is which is an "it." to cater to those individual- needs with between the Secular programs as well. the correct word. "Burgeon" means to put I was puzzled that your second-year four Judaic Studies schools and two forth b�ds, you apparently think it means Latin class studies "the fluid P,0etry of Secular Studies schools, covering majors Yasher Koach, and Shana Tova. to grow: These are similar concepts, but Homer." Perhaps it would have more from Accounting to English Literature. Joshua M. Feldman each has its own woras. "Etc." should be than two students if you studied works In his diatribe, Mr. Goldberg demon SSSB '97 italicized and refers to other unspecified written in Latin, or if it were renamed sec strated two things: First, that he knows Commentator Editor-in-Chief; '96-'97 things of the same class. It is incorrect to ond-year Greek. use it to break off a quotation before the Please do not be discouraged. I am end (ellipsis is the proper tool for that). impressed with your . business acumen Where Have I "Corollary" does not mean "parallel." and I am _further impressed that you Mixed metaphors obscure your mes devote_yourself to.English classes despite Heard This· Before? sage. The "spleen" is a highly vascular your difficulty with the subject. Your lymphoid organ. It does not "froth." It is essay is arrogant, but arrogance flows sometimes metaphorically vented, but from defensiveness. Once you learn to To the Editor: phers who think they can att�in wisdom what are we to_ think when ·you· daim · express yourself .as an educated person, in the fugitive hours when they are not yours has turned into bubbles? You seem your shame will disappear, and your arro There was something oddly familiar eating, drinking and pursuing other mun to have an obsession with bubbles, in gance will mellow into confidence. I about Elisha Goldberg's article on SSSB. dane goals. In the grand finale of the book another mixed metaphor a ''burst bubble" much prefera student with the intellectu He claimed, if I understand him correctly, he appears to exclude from the circletalmidei of stops an "overflow." I can imagine a burst al energy to be arrogant than a passive that the school's existence is justified hakl1amim.the elite the mass of journeyman bubble causing an_ overflow, albeit with student. Energy can be directed through because the revenue it generates enables some difficulty, but how d�s it stop one? education, �ducation does no good to a Yeshiva College to offer courses in In any event, the parallel between the A "stance" cannot ''burgeon" even if we passive person. Classics and other humanities depart Rambam's outlook and Mr. Goldberg's is · allow your misuse of the word ''bur- Take heart! If you continue your ments for the chosen few. In what obscure remarkable. Whether the resemblance is geon." English studies, one day you will be able author do I recall something like that accidental or deliberate; if the latter, I am sure all your readers were grati to do work at the level demanded in Sy argument? whether Mr. Goldberg neglected to refer fied by your prom1se not "to simply reit Syms. I suggest you resubmit your essay · Mr Goldberg's possible precursor is, in to his illustrious predecessor because of erate" previous writing. They would have next semester. fact, so well known that sick people in space limitations, or because h_e didn't been even more grateful if you had Borough Park, Anglo-Jewish joumali�ts, want to embarrass the Administration promised not to split . infinitives. Sincerely, and their accountants, all know his name. with the divreilegal Torahproblems attendant upon Unfortunately you filled your essay with Aaron Brown · The Rambam (Maimonides), in the intro injecting into a secular univer others such as "to categorically squan- . Professorof Finance duction to his Perush haMishna, asks why sity debate-these matters must, of der," "have greatly · contrib�ted," "has SSSB G-d created so many people who waste course, be left to future intellectual histo their lives in a vain quest for useless rich rians. The C ·o,11111c11talor es, vapid pleasures, and meaningless sta Another question is whether the tus. He offers two answers. Rambam would have endorsed the legiti- In-brief: . macy of the analogy. Perhaps he would \\ L' k11111L'" ktll'r" lr11111 11" ll\llk·r" ( ·The labors of the inferior masses have drawn the line differently, identify 1.l' lll'I" 111u"1 111L·iulk till· ,, ritL·r· " 11;1111l·. ;1ddrl''-" ;111d facilitate life for a small religious-intellec ing as the elite, not a small number of Il·kp\11111l' lllllllhl'I "lllllkllh ....1i1 1L1\ll ;11',() llll·l11 dl· tual elite devoted to the pursuit of Torah majors in Classics and similar subjects, and wisdom, who merit undistracted but an even more select group of individ "l° li1Hil l· 1m1lkd i11 ;111d t_2r;1dL1:11i1111 d:1ll'. leisure to study. religious-intellectual uals dedicatedahavat to haShem the yediat haShem. T\1l· c ·11111111l·111:11111 1l''-l'l \l''- 1\1l· rit_2l11 2. Wise people are few and far quest for and between. Isolation is not healthy for any (Might this group include a couple of lu l· dit ,ill kill'!\ !111 ":,11L1\ ,Jilli "i/L' . one. Ignorant, mediocre people provide SSSB majors?) Elisha and I must, of 0 the elite with company and amusement. course, leave this difficult question to the l\ The Rambam was young when he experts on the ideology 0£ To rah Tl1,· ( ·, ,111111'- l ill.1I, wrote this, and he never used such ablunt U'madda. I await expectantly YU's next :'illll \\ l,,:�111 \1. '\l' \\ l "I k . \ l I I II I ; ; formulation again. But his sense · of ·reli press release. gious-intellectual aristocracy remained Shalom Carmy • ()/J/J///1 (,, \I/Ill/I. \ II.{ d1 1 strong until the end. Early in the Moreh Associate Bible Professor he showers contempt on pseudo-philoso- YC _6 _Tls_h,,_e _l 5_75_B______,ffiqt tllnmmtntidori-l ______Pa_g_ e_2_3 _ Mature Mussar To the Editor: Casein point:earlier last month three Most students missed the point. The student into a fine, upstanding individ prominent Rabbis in this Yeshiva weekly, or daily, "mussar schmooze" ual, who is able to comprehend - and at Whatever happened to the halcyon launched into fiery diatribes concerning became showtime at the Apollo: another least attempt - to grapple with the dis days of the past, when a good "mussar the public's reaction to Princess Diana's chance for these Rabbis to hone their crepanciesbetween thetemporal and reli schmooze" was a pithy anecdote about sudden death. Taking the moral low road, stand up skits beforeperforming over the gious worlds. Mussar serves a vital niche how the Parsha, and the central conflicts these rabbis chose to comment on the weekend in prirnetime at their respective in our daily lives. If done correctly, it can and themesfound within it, related to our more salacious details of her life; the congregations. be paramount in facilitating this meta lives? When relating these moral teach cavorting half-nude on the beach, the Unfortunately, these threeRebbaim, by morphosis. The fiery orations about our ings, Rabbis, all of a sudden evolved into bulimia. They branded her a "harlot"; a using such inflammatory language and storied heritage and daily struggles reconnoiters, infusing life into the staid' "common street hooker," whose only broad generalizations, only undermined engenders great pride and introspection. environment of the classroom or syna claims to fame - adulterous liaisons and their roles as conciliators - voices of It can bethe easiest way to increase one's gogue. Although sometimes didactic, proffigate spending expeditions - helped reason - in the Jewish community. observance. these sermonsusually left their mark on a put the monarchy in the precarious situa Impugning the name of a dead mother But when Rabbis use the "mussar captivated audience, who, for the most tion it is now in today. That her compan loved by millions three days after her schmooze" as a time of grandstanding part, gleaned the underlining messages ion at the time of the accident was a death, and finding light in the fact that a and showmanship, the contract has been while sifting through the flowery lan "lowly'' Arab (Dodi Al-Fayed) only lent dead man is an Arab, are callous and broken. Their minimizing the power of guage. humor to the tragedy. classless acts anyway one looks at it. The mussar is malpractice; an affront to the Unfortunately, today it has become The putative point behind this fiery cackling Rebbaim were incarnations of audience's integrity. If rabbis want to feel increasingly en-vogue for rabbis to see rhetoric was simple: the public's emotion Beavis and Butthead: tactless nitwits and in touch with today's student and think themselves as sociologists; social pundits al outpouring was yet another manifesta grinning yodels, reveling in the tragedy of humor is the only way to do it, then let who shamelessly use the pulpit to share tion of the spiritually vacuous lives peo others, findinghumor in the mostsolemn situ them go perform at a comedy club in the their "witty'' insights and personal rumi ple live today. The press' deifying of ations. And to think: these sophomoric village. nations with their congregants and stu some lascivious, middle-aged temptress barbs came minutes after erudite words of While some talmidim might deem it dents. Most of the time, these speeches as a saintly figure only underscores the Torah had emanated from their mouths. blasphemous, the obvious must be stated: are well-packaged rantings, devoid of any diminutivestature of G-d and morality in Clearly, being recognized communal Rabbis, especially ones that teach in this substance. The "mussar schmooze" contemporary Western society. While leaders absolved them from adhering to institution, are not omniscient; their becomes another chance for rabbis to their underlining message might have basic social etiquette. Clearly, being words are not divinely inspired. If one become fire breathing demagogues, been worthy, the crass and tasteless way respected educators gave them a green claims otherwise, then maybe he should lamenting the celebrated hedonism of an these Rabbis went about presenting it was light to engage in puerile antics. not be giving a shiurin this yeshiva. increasingly perfidious and pervasive certainly not. Instead of trying to play up The Talmid-Rabbi relationship is a American culture; another chance to air this angle, they spewed venomous innu symbiotic one predicated on a tacit con Sincerely, out certain agendas, no matter how inap endoes •aimed at inciting servile sent: the mentor is empowered to do David Anziska propriate to the situation at hand. "talmidim" into raucous fits of laughter. whatever is needed to mold the prodigal YC/MYP '99 Declaring Independence To the Editor: the time of your own choosing is cost and time effective. Once again the students at YU have 3) Limit the number of students per reacted to changes in the status quo like apartment to keep the living room a com frightened cubs. Independent Housing at mon space, and reduce the strain on the ;c ;, . 475 West 186th St has been in unofficial bathroom and kitchen facilities. 'orgo _ exalll/ anci doi�g, i� an. NCSY existence for years. As a Senior in 1990-91 4) Dorm rules and regulations are not my roommates and I lived in Apt. 3D at appropriate in an independent environ 475 and loved every minute. The added ment. A set of standards and rules must 1 l privacy, additional living space, and be written and enforced but they should {� f ;5: s ly t o-fold.. wastesf,�;gr:&i _p�ciO\IS ti;ne' cWd w i ; I-IJ� 4�� _, I�f t_µqe.ll!,'\ i� increased freedomof living "off-campus" be differentthan the rules fora dormitory. x�l�:;"'\ Ji.· .. ·,il.�Ity.ii!iif�! u more than made up for the lack of clean 5) Assign the �partments based on Y'..'.. , ·:.w� · \:9,(6t,h� •,JJa��y��r :.epergy from one's own effo.rts\at IIlOI'al ing services. Best of all, we had a full a lottery system: · Students should choose Mi :no ' ' ""•"sal�ijiz;J\llieris : and : iritellectual· advancemeiit.: :Ihos'e :✓',:,,: ;·•:¼. kitchen. We worked together to keep the their potentialroommates and sign up as a apartment clean and stocked with all a group for a lottery to determine which ___,;_ __ ,;;i��ti���fju;��tt�:ff�: �i�t!�t;��tJht� necessities including food, bathroom sup apartment will be awarded to each group. .ey,;�4¢\n¢i,thet'·'..'t��nj,lo\Ving the fi�l4�-of the•m,(i.ses; plies, and cleaning supplies. . (This system works effectively on cam .Jtt#ii�•:t:�8s�el f,�r\;·,_� t alsoJ�a�s- l<> a/ fr�itl�(i\�ffort -to·• try Some advice to the students and puses around the country). ,;;J.<>}!h•�;J�,fJ�f<>�4;\ : �<>; t?I\COUl'age ·;�tt1.qe��� 't(j.' "leami the administration to make the program work In 1991; three people sharing a one (and to make it an Independent HOU$ing bedroom apartment with the dinette used . i�w,r: ,y,,,,,:.(·:�,;�1J,1iit11:i'l���:::r�::;)(:WRi;�;;;tJfg���i t\i1�!-.;::: Program in fact, not just in name): as a second bedroom cost less than :.,�Y�i:1!}\!l.�,m• g,Jro,Jl,l(':<>µWc:l e, : fr9ll\ ;tpe :ll\UCk.()f.the ir sty.· ()f 1gno� 1) Limit the program to volunteer three dorm room fees .. If the cost of �,-�s�:r-'"" . Juniors and Seniors who want to escape living in an apartment will be the same as the noise and cramped living conditions . the dorm, then the students are definitely t{/�1Itiir.�:l!�thrrrtt.!E of the dorms. This should get rid ofcom entitled to be reimbursed in the form of plaints like "for 4 times market rent all I cleaning services and additional security ��ij1'i!g'.�Yf�wa�t<>,:)pSt:ifi,cation_·. • f()r•• •• · I,lings. _Bllj}dfo,r yoll!5e� an �nclavew1th re�tio?:,9fc<>urse,,they I\otsitting ii, fa .the <:ollege;.share, your • creed with all dent existence. independently is a privilege, not a pun- � i . . 2) · J i�lll.'. �s •• : the>se Who . may•.join,you� -but doi_not.be TURN THE STOVE ON . AND ishment. ��},�1-��'.(e�!�it}JJi:J thfil- Jti(la __ , _ _ MAKE THE CAFETERIA CARD �lfu,q'�('.'.��:.��fuftf!£fa,l i' a�\t�¢!� 'getj�tal. i �sappg!nted if. your table· lacks apostles· . OPTIONAL. The point of living in an Sincerely, i .. ·.·. . •.· .. "independent" environment is to be Richard Langer 'if� iit;ff independent. Cooking one's own food at SSSB '91 iiiii&1■i:�;·i _ a ort-______o_c_tob_ e_r _6,_1_9 9_7 _P a....;; g:;....e_2_4 ______. ,'filqe Qfomnrent t l The Unbeatable Tennis Team BY SHAI SAMET AND JON BANDLER and Danny Nassimi hope to add team spirit through their desire to play and will The YU tennis team, coming off an to win. Finally, freshman Adam Aftergut unprecedented three straight undefeated and sophomores Jeff Taub and Micha YES HIVA seasons, will try to extend its 29-match Porat, high school competitors at Taft winning streak when competition begins High, HANC, and MTA, respectively, will this spring. The Mac stars look forward to demonstrate their experience on the court another promising season in the yet to be as well. established IAC, and for good reason. To get a head start, on Friday, Six of the team's top eight players September 26, the top 3 seeds traveled to return from last year's record-setting 11-0 Vassar College in Poughkeepsie for the record, including the top three seeds, Ro lex Northeast Division III senior captains Josh Hasten, Zvi Championships, the first time YU haspar SPORTS Zilbershteyn, and Shai Samet. ticipated in the tournament. The tourna Zilbershteyn, a fourth year player, has a ment featured 64 players from 16 colleges shot at setting the Yeshiva record for most around the region, some nationally career singles victories. ranked. Top-notch teams like NYU, David Schwartz and Edon Hirt will Binghamton (ranked in the top 10 of also see regular action at singles following Division III), Vassar and many more The Center the graduation of Doron Katz and Daniel entered the competition. Kraft. Swiss import and 1996-1997 rook Each YU player lost in the first round; ie-of-the-year Steve Langer is nursing a Hasten to Vassar's Ryan Lee, Zilbershteyn of Attention sore knee but hopes to be ready by March. to Hamilton's Greg Nussbaum, and BY JEREMY KROLL siveness made him a sensation. He will be counted on for strong play in Samet to Nazareth's Chris Peets, the 5th Opponents gaped in awe at the awesome singles and doubles. seed overall in the tournament. In the talent that he possessed. Joel lead the Other returningplayers Oren Koslowe consolation round, Hasten rallied from a He stands an imposing and menacing team in scoring and rebounding last sea and Jeff Rothman provide power and 5-2 deficit before losing in a tiebreaker six feet, seven inches tall. He weighs a son with averages of 16.8 points and 9.7 extra strength for the team. For the sec to Skidmore's Dan Cummings. Rich rock solid two hundred and fifty pounds. rebounds respectively. ond year in a row, Koslowe will team with Whitmore of the Rochester Institute of His enormous frame is supported by two Jacobson is also the team's captain, Schwartz in #3 doubles, and Zilbershteyn Technology defeated Zilbershteyn, while equally enormous · feet, that require cus which carries a special responsibility. "My will join Langer in #2 doubles. Hasten . Samet's comeback was not enough to beat tom made size fifteen shoes. Yet despite a j�b is to keep the team on the same page. and Samet, who have been unstoppable Minh Lu, also fromRIT. body of such colossal prop9rtions he is I have to make sure that everyone is com the past two years, will pair up for a third ''The caliber of players of the tourna quick and nimble. He moves his six foot fortable and relaxed in the system. Team timein #1 doubles. ment was far superior to anything we've seven inch frame with the flair of a fla unity and the cohesiveness of its In his fourth year as coach, Jon Bandier seen in the past 3 years," said Bandier. menco dancer and the grace of a took seven new players this year includ "Getting a few wins would have been ballerina. The fluidity of his players is essential forsuccess." PlaY,.er Jacobson, praising Coach ing Chaim Herman and Steven Pollack, nice but I think it was a good experience motions are breathtaking. This two hard-hitting contenders from last for our guys." immensely talented individual ProfileJonathan Halpert about the year's practice squad. Other new team The official matches will resume in the is Joel Jacobson, a star on the great influencethat Halpert has members such as juniors Joseph Weilgus 1998 Spring semester. Good Luck! Yeshiva University basketball exerted on his game, said, "He team. always stressed the mental Joel was bornin Champagne, Illinois, a aspects of the game. As for the physical small college town in the heartland of part of the game, Coach Halpert has real America, where he attended University ly polished my skills; I'm not strictly a High School. His first love was soccer. He post up player anymore, I can now play was a star forward on his soccer team as · effectively facing the basket." he lead the team to a division title, but Joel has also accumulated a long list of that summer Joel grew an amazing seven awards and accomplishments, including inches and realized that basketball was ECAC player of the week, MVP of the his calling. "I am the tallest Jew in all of Metropolitan Collegiate Basketball Champagne and I realized that my great Festival, and the Red Sarachek Award. height would be best utilized playing bas While Joel has devoted countless ketball," said Jacobson. painstaking hours on the basketball court Joel began-to climb the ladder to great attempting to perfect his game, he has ness in basketball, winning numerous spent many more hours in the classroom awards. Displaying consistency, he was attaining the skills necessary to succeed in selected as a four time conference all-star. life. Joel is an economics major, who takes He was paid tribute to by his high school a- high concentration of computer science in a touching ceremony before his final courses. This year he created his own Midnight Madness Hits Y.U. home game. Joel was elected into the computer consulting firm called school's hall of fame, and had his leg Compuhension Inc. He serves as both its BY JOEL JACOBSON student competitions. Following the endary number 1 jersey retired and raised president and C.E.O. refreshments, the Y.U. basketball team will to the rafters of the gymnasium. Joel was This past summer Joel participated in Midnight Madness at Yeshiva University be introduced and will showcase their var extremely grateful to his high school for the tryouts for the Maccabi Games, com is quickly becoming a popular annual ious talents with a short scrimmage, slam bestowing these honors upon him. "It peting against top Division I players. He was one of the proudest moments of my event at the Max Stern Athletic Center. On dunk contest and three point shooting made a tremendous impression on the athletic career. I could hardly contain my Sunday, October 28, Yeshiva University contest. Some fans will be _randomly coaches, and made it all the way to the emotions out there. I had to battle back students will be entertained with an event picked to participate in a number of com� . final cut. Joel also maintained a rigorous the tears. Having my · number retired workout. usually reserved for fansof big name uni petitions with a chance to win a variety of schedule, which included hours meant so much to me; it was a culmina a day of jumping ropeto increasehis agility. versities. Midnight Madness, for those prizes. Last year's event was attended by tion of a career that I built with hard work In regards to the upcoming season, who are not familiar, is an interactive var nearly four hundred students. With more and dedication." Jacobson envisions great success. "We lost sity basketball practice that is open to all pizza and prizes to be given away this Joel moved on to YU amid much fan some important players due to gradua students . Beginning at 11:30, there will be year , it promises to be an exciting fare and immediately secured a starting tion, but the core of the team is returning, free pizza and drinks outside the gym in evening. All students are encouraged to position on the basketball team. His com and I have confidence that the new play addition raffle tickets will be given out for participate in cheering on their team. bination of strength, speed, and explo- ers coming in will do a nice job." W:qe @onumnhtior 500West 185th Street New York, NY 10033