Sephardic Stern Class Maccabees Acquiring Community Combines Art Capture a Piece of Thrives on and Jewish Cross Country Jewish Campus Philosophy Crown History 4Page 2 4Page 3 4Page 5 4Page 6

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

∞ WINTER 2014 YUTODAY ∞ VOLUME 18 • NO. 1 YU: A ‘Necessary Counterculture’ David Brooks Keynotes 89th Annual Hanukkah Convocation; Jack A. Belz, Dr. Susan Band Horwitz, Harvey Kaylie and William Zabel Honored

cclaimed journalist and New York intelligently not only training Adam I, but Times columnist David Brooks is training the two sides of life, both the Adelivered the keynote address at Adams, the majestic and the humble. It’s Yeshiva University’s 89th Annual Ha- impressive to be here, in the middle of a nukkah Convocation and Dinner on De- profound and necessary counterculture.” cember 8 at The Waldorf Astoria in New President Joel also conferred honor- York City. President Richard M. Joel ary degrees upon Jack A. Belz of Mem- bestowed an honorary doctorate upon phis, TN, chairman and CEO of Belz Brooks, calling him “a noble exemplar of Enterprises and a YU Benefactor and what we hope our students will become” Trustee; Harvey Kaylie of Great Neck, NY, and drawing on the words of American founder, president and CEO of Mini-Cir- poet Robert Frost to praise the moral- cuits International and a YU Benefactor; ity in Brooks’ writing: “In a world which and William Zabel of Manhattan, found- has moved inexorably down a path paved ing partner of Schulte Roth & Zabel and with hyperbole, cynicism and categori- head of the Individual Client Services cal one-dimensionality, you have mus- Group. tered the courage and integrity to take Belz joined his father in the fam- the road less traveled.” ily business in the late 1940s to develop Brooks has been a New York Times commercial and residential real estate, columnist since 2003 and is a political and businesses and other properties. Belz’s cultural commentator on “PBS News- parents, Philip and Sarah, established Hour.” At the Convocation, he called YU YU’s Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jew- “a contrast with the world,” citing Rabbi ish Music in 1984. Belz and his wife, Mari- Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s work on the bib- lyn, are community leaders in Memphis, lical figures of Adam I and Adam II and supporting a variety of organizations and his belief that Adam I was driven by the David Brooks delivered the keynote address at YU’s 89th Annual Hanukkah Convocation. institutions. desire for greatness, stature and success, Kaylie graduated from City Col- while Adam II sought to build a moral and fulfilling internal life. lege of the City University of New York and earned his master’s degree from New York “Soloveitchik’s point was that the good life involves a permanent confrontation be- University. He and his wife, Gloria, who serves as the secretary and treasurer of Mini- tween these two sides of our nature within ourselves, but we happen to live in a society Circuits, support a wide range of charitable organizations, including the Hampton Syna- that nurtures and encourages and bloats Adam I while neglecting and leading to the at- gogue, Shaarei Zedek Hospital, Beit Izzy Shapiro, Harei Torah and Ohel. Kaylie recently rophy of Adam II, the internal Adam,” Brooks said. “To be here is such an honor because provided funding to launch YU Global, an initiative that will help the University expand Yeshiva is one of the rare institutions in the country that is consciously, intentionally and its reach. Continued on Page 5 ç

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and Ambassador Danny Ayalon Join Faculty

abbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of the United The Honorable Danny Ayalon, an Israeli Kingdom has been appointed to a dual diplomat and politician, has been appointed Rprofessorship at Yeshiva University and the Rennert Visiting Professor of Foreign Pol- New York University. icy Studies at YU for the spring 2014 semester. A world-renowned scholar, philosopher, Ambassador Ayalon will teach on both the Wilf religious leader and prolific author, Rabbi Lord Campus at Yeshiva College and the Israel Henry Sacks served as Chief Rabbi of the United He- Beren Campus at Stern College for Women, and brew Congregations of the Commonwealth will participate in public lectures and events. from September 1991 until September 2013. “Ambassador Ayalon will surely bring to At YU, he will serve as the Kressel and his professorial role at Yeshiva the same com- Ephrat Family University Professor of Jewish mitment to the State of Israel, to integrity, to Thought. thoughtful discourse and careful analysis of the “The voice, the philosophy and the spirit of geopolitical world, that he brought so success- Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks has been a gift to the fully to his assignments in the foreign service United Kingdom and beyond for many years,” and foreign ministry,” said President Joel. said President Richard M. Joel. “It has long been Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Ambassador Danny Ayalon Ayalon served in Israel’s Foreign Service our desire to welcome him into this next stage of for over 20 years, most recently as deputy for- his life by having him work at Yeshiva University to both inspire the next generation eign minister from 2008 until 2012. In 2006, Ayalon joined Nefesh B’Nefesh and the of Jewish leadership and to be a voice to the Jewish people and world for our timeless OR Movement for settlement in the Negev and the Galilee. In February 2009, he was values.” sworn in as a member of Knesset representing the Yisrael Beiteinu party. “I am excited at the opportunity to teach at Yeshiva University, one of the world’s “I am honored to join the distinguished faculty of Yeshiva University, led by Presi- great institutions of higher Jewish learning and at NYU, a university of global reach dent Joel,” said Ayalon. “This institution is exceptional in its support of the State of and distinction,” said Rabbi Lord Sacks. “This dual intellectual challenge is the perfect Israel and in spreading knowledge and education that have always made it a center of context to take forward the project of a Judaism engaged with the world in conversa- excellence. I look forward to a fruitful, insightful and stimulating dialogue with our tion with students in one of the major centers of Jewish life.” students.” n 2 YUTODAY

Sephardic Community Thrives YUTODAY WEB EXCLUSIVES www.yu.edu/news Half a century later, Sephardic studies continues to expand at YU

program at Yeshiva Uni- needed to feel as if they had a son who students can turn to WEB versity that began with a home at YU, where they would after classroom hours to help Ahandful of participants be able to grow not just academ- give them the spiritual and reli- will soon mark its 50th year and ically, but also on a religious, gious guidance that they need has never been stronger. cultural and spiritual level. We beyond academics,” said Rabbi The Sephardic Studies Pro- want to attract them to YU—stu- Tessone. “He is there for stu- gram at Yeshiva University, co- dents who we train to become dents in the capacity of a cam- founded by Dr. Herbert C. future leaders of the Sephardic pus rabbi to provide hashgacha Dobrinsky, YU’s vice president world—and give them the feel- ruchanit [spiritual guidance] on of university affairs, started out ing that they could have a great an ongoing basis. Our goal is to with just seven students back in experience here at Yeshiva.” make the Sephardic Beit Mi- 1964 and has been steadily ex- To augment these efforts, drash a warm spiritual haven on panding and flourishing over Rabbi Simon Basalely was ap- campus.” the last five decades. Today, the pointed this fall as the Edmond Last July, the SCP also cel- The Year in Pictures Sephardic Community Program J. Safra Sgan Mashgiach for the ebrated the dedication of a new From orientation, athletics and exciting events with notable speakers, (SCP) boasts more than 300 un- to the Celebrate Israel Parade, commencement, chagigot and Yom dergraduate men and women Haatzmaut festivities, 2013 marked another memorable year at YU. and serves an additional 100 k yu.edu/2013 graduate students, including a dozen rabbinical students. “The Sephardic world is VIDEO multifaceted, and YU is the only place in North America that has such diversity of Sephardic stu- dents and makes a concerted ef- fort to educate them in both secular and Jewish studies, Rabbi Simon Basalely learns with students in the Sephardic Beit Midrash. while giving special apprecia- tion to their Sephardic heri- Sephardic campus community Torah scroll, donated by a great tage,” said Rabbi Moshe at YU, a newly established posi- uncle of Rabbi Basalely, Benja- Tessone, the program’s director tion. He serves as a role model min M. Aminoff, in memory of since 2001. “This began with Dr. and mentor for students, run- his nephew, Sam Aminoff,z”l , to Dobrinsky’s vision nearly a half- ning minyanim in the Sephardic be used in the Sephardic Beit century ago, and now we have Beit Midrash during the week Midrash. Watch David Brooks’ keynote address at YU’s 89th Annual an opportunity to do better than and on Shabbat and coordinat- On November 24, YU’s Hanukkah Convocation and Dinner we’ve ever done before.” ing events, Torah lectures and Center for the Jewish Future k yu.edu/davidbrooks Over the last few years, de- other programs that enhance and Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel mographics have been evolv- the religious and cultural envi- Yom Rishon and Millie Arbes- ing, with a dramatic increase in ronment of the Sephardic com- feld Midreshet Yom Rishon Visit our Social Media Hub at yu.edu/social the number of Sephardic stu- munity. presented a tribute event dedi- dents attending Orthodox day “I feel privileged to work cated to the legacy of Sephardic schools that serve as primary with a group of such wonderful, spiritual leader HaRav Ovadia feeders to YU. energetic students, aspiring to Yosef, zt”l, which featured re- “The synergies are poten- learn and to take advantage of marks by Rav Yosef’s daughter, tially explosive as the number of the opportunities to further Rabbanit Adina Bar Shalom, Sephardic students at YU connect with their heritage,” founder and chief executive of- grows,” said Rabbi Tessone. said Rabbi Basalely, ’06YC, ’10R, ficer of the Haredi College of “There was a sense that these ’11A. Jerusalem. n incoming Sephardic students “Rabbi Basalely is the per- YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

∞ WINTER 2014 YUTODAY ∞ VOLUME 18 • NO. 1

DR. HENRY KRESSEL Chairman, YU Board of Trustees Einstein-Ferkauf Researchers Secure RICHARD M. JOEL President MICHAEL SCAGNOLI $2.5M NIH Grant to Study Diabetes Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs

YUTODAY City Department of Health at Einstein. “One of our goals MATT YANIV YAFFI SPODEK GISEL PINEYRO and Mental Hygiene, have is to develop a treatment strat- Director of Media Relations, Editor Art Director been awarded a $2.5 million egy that can be widely used in Editor in Chief Aliza Berenholz. Barbara Birch, Perel Skier Hecht, Linda Hsia, David Huggins, grant from the National Insti- clinical practice that can sup- Megan van Huygen, Tova Ross, Adena Stevens, Sam Ulrich tutes of Health (NIH) to study port patients with diabetes in Contributors a telephone-based approach to their efforts to make changes [email protected] www.yu.edu/cpa improving diabetes self-man- and adhere to their regimen. YUToday is published quarterly by the Office of Communications and Public Affairs and is distrib­ ­uted free to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and friends. It keeps them informed agement and treatment out- We also want to learn whether of news from across Yeshiva University’s undergraduate and graduate divisions and affiliates. The quarterly newsletter covers academic and campus life, faculty and student research, com- comes in primary care. this intervention can help re- munity outreach and philanthropic support. It showcases the University’s mission of Torah “People who successfully duce emotional distress related Umadda, the combination of Jewish study and values with secular learning, through stories about the diverse achievements of the University community. self-manage their diabetes can to diabetes, a common problem © Yeshiva University 2014 • Office of Communications and Public Affairs reduce their risk for complica- that often goes along with self- Furst Hall Room 401 • 500 West 185th St. • New York, NY 10033-3201 • Tel.: 212.960.5285 tions, but many patients have management difficulties.” Stanley I. Raskas, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Yeshiva College; Shira Yoshor, Chairman, Board trouble sticking with their Gonzalez will oversee the of Overseers, Stern College for Women; Alan Kestenbaum, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Sy Dr. Jeffrey Gonzalez five-year grant, Translating Tel- Syms School of Business; Ruth L. Gottesman, Chair, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College treatment regimen and making of Medicine; Leslie E. Payson, Chair, Board of Overseers, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; the necessary health behavior ephonic Diabetes Self-Manage- Froma Benerofe, Chair, Board of Overseers, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Overseers, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Carol esearchers at Yeshiva changes,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gon- ment Support to Primary Care Bravmann, Chair, Board of Overseers, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, University’s Albert Ein- zalez, assistant professor of Practice, which was awarded Chairman, Board of Overseers, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Joel M. Schreiber, Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological stein College of Medicine psychology at Ferkauf and assis- by the National Institute of Dia- Seminary; Miriam P. Goldberg, Chair, Board of Trustees, YU High Schools; Michael Jesselson R and Theodore N. Mirvis, Co-Chairmen, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva University Museum. and Ferkauf Graduate School of tant professor of medicine and betes and Digestive and Kidney Board listings as of January 1, 2014. Psychology, and the New York epidemiology & public health Diseases, part of the NIH. n

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New Wurzweiler Certificate Program Provides Professional Training in Jewish Fundraising

s Jewish causes face more fundrais- because there are hundreds, if not thou- ing challenges than ever before, sands, of Jewish nonprofits competing for AYeshiva University’s Wurzweiler the Jewish philanthropic dollar in New York School of Social Work has developed a new alone,” said Dan Forman, vice president Certificate Program in Jewish Philanthropy for institutional advancement at YU, who to provide Jewish communal professionals helped design the program and led several of with the tools they need to succeed in the its class sessions. modern philanthropic arena. The two courses hit on all the key ele- “This is a win-win situation for Wurz- ments of modern Jewish fundraising from weiler and our affiliated Jewish agencies,” the inside perspective of successful pro- said Dr. Carmen Ortiz Hendricks, the Doro- fessionals. Sessions on annual and thy and David I. Schachne Dean of Wurzwei- capital campaigns, major gifts de- ler. “Jewish agencies are seeking qualified, velopment, women’s philanthropy professional fundraisers to help advance and legacies and endowments go their mission and goals. The graduates of hand-in-hand with lessons on how this program will help to fill this gap, and our to harness technology and social MSW students can add these new special- media for maximum impact and the ized skills to their professional practices.” changing nature of fundraising. “Meaningful philanthropy will ensure Participant Melina Rosenberg, the Jewish future both through raising funds a resource development operations and raising sights,” said President Richard associate at the JDC, recalled dis- M. Joel. “This certificate program seeks to covering a book in her office titled train the best and brightest to do both.” Melina Rosenberg collaborates with fellow The Seven Faces of Philanthropy. The program kicked off in October with students in Wurzweiler’s Certificate Program “I picked it up and started participants from a wide range of Jewish or- in Jewish Philanthropy. reading it and saw how much psy- ganizations and professional backgrounds, chology, motivation and personal including the UJA Federation of New York, Joint Distri- “We aim to address the development was involved with bution Committee (JDC), American Jewish World Ser- chronic shortage of skilled, being a donor—the personal in- vice, Yachad and American Friends of Shalva, among knowledgeable and committed vestment in the money you give,” others. Classes meet twice a week and are offered on two fundraisers for Jewish organi- Rosenberg said. key topics: the Art and Science of Fundraising and the zations by preparing profes- Dr. Saul Andron Working primarily in the world Jewish Philanthropic Tradition. Both are frequently sionals who are firmly of nonprofit project management, guest-taught by leaders in the field, such as Jeffrey Solo- grounded in fundraising skills as well as the most Rosenberg was already thinking of professional courses mon, president of the Charles and Andrea Bronfman Phi- current and effective strategies for resource develop- she could take to expand her skills when her supervisor lanthropies; Ruth Messinger, president of the American ment,” said program coordinator Dr. Saul Andron, the suggested the certificate program at Wurzweiler. “I can Jewish World Service; and Yossi Prager, executive direc- Hausman Chair in Communal Social Work and associ- tell that the same amount of heart and soul that I’m put- tor of the AVI CHAI Foundation – North America. ate professor at Wurzweiler. “Fundraising has become ting into this course is being put into it by the organizers,” The program also features a 56-hour internship with increasingly sophisticated and complex, with new she said. n top-level mentoring in a Jewish development office, ei- methods of raising money and cultivating and inspiring ther within the institutions where participants currently prospects.” k For more information about the Certificate Program in Jewish work or as an independent project. “Modern professionals need this kind of program Philanthropy, contact Dr. Saul Andron at [email protected]

Stern Course Bridges Art and Jewish Philosophy

The exchange was said Rabbi Soloveichik. representative of the The idea of bridging art and Judaism was originally larger dialogue be- suggested by Moshael Straus ’70YUHS, ’74YC, founder of tween art and Jewish the Straus Center and member of YU’s Board of Trustees. philosophy at the heart “We wanted it to be an integrated dialogue, not just a of this interdisciplin- Jewish thought lecture and an art history lecture,” Rabbi ary course. Wisse and Soloveichik said. “What may even be pioneering about Rabbi Soloveichik took this course is the way it created conversation between turns hosting class ses- two worlds.” sions that examined The class began by addressing the juxtaposition the subject matter— of art and religion in general, with a particular focus on which included image, Judaism, before turning to specific mitzvot, drawing on paintings, sculptures, essays as well as objects within the collections at the YU Dr. Jacob Wisse discusses Michelangelo’s artwork in the Sistine Chapel. architecture or ritual Museum to consider how beauty can enhance or detract objects in conjunction from the proper approach to fulfilling those mitzvot. new course offered this fall at Stern College for with readings from Jewish thought—from the alternating The course benefited not only from its complemen- Women, “The Image and the Idea,” explored perspectives of art and Jewish philosophy. This created a tary pairing of faculty, but also from the diversity of stu- Athe intersection of art and Jewish philosophy. unique class structure that allowed students to see not dents enrolled in it. The class was co-taught by Dr. Jacob Wisse, associate only how the fields of study gain from each other, but also “We wanted students to feel that these various inter- professor of art history and director of the Yeshiva how their professors gain from each other’s knowledge. ests they have, whether personal, professional, familial University Museum, and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, “A team-taught course is at its best when the faculty or worldly, do speak to each other and shouldn’t exist in assistant professor of Judaic studies and director of come at a subject from different directions but with equal silos,” said Wisse. the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and intellectual vigor and passion,” said Dr. Karen Bacon, For Victoria Chabot, a studio art and Judaic studies Western Thought. the Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of Stern College. “Drs. major, the course was essential. “We looked at images During one class, Wisse discussed the religious and Soloveichik and Wisse meet—and indeed exceed—these ranging from the Pantheon to the Hagia Sofia and the historical context of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of professorial criteria and are presenting our students with imagery described in the Book of Psalms, as well as the Adam,” touching on his sculptural style and his goals as a uniquely Yeshiva University experience.” image of the chupah [bridal canopy] and what it means an artist, while Rabbi Soloveichik weighed in on the bibli- “We’re not just teaching, we’re learning from each in Judaism,” she said. “It truly enhanced my life as a cal aspects of the fresco, which graces the ceiling of the other and bringing the students into that process, which practicing Jew and made me more sensitive to the world Sistine Chapel. I think added a real element of excitement to the class,” around me.” n

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Grant to Support YU Programming Commemorating Menachem Begin’s 100th Birthday

eshiva University’s Zahava and Moshael Straus Rabbi Soloveichik himself feels an emotional con- Center for Torah and Western Thought recently nection to Begin, with a shared heritage of both their Yreceived a $100,000 grant from the Menachem families originating from the community of Brest- Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem to sponsor a series Litovsk, or Brisk. of programs on Zionism and the Begin Legacy in honor “I realized that to truly honor him … we needed to of the former prime minister’s 100th birthday, which demonstrate to people what Begin’s vision was and how was commemorated in August. that vision was manifested in different parts of his life,” Hart Hasten, president of US Friends of the Men- said Rabbi Soloveichik. “That involves educating stu- achem Begin Heritage Foundation, was instrumental in dents and the wider Jewish community … What I want securing the grant for YU. Phil Rosen, vice chairman of to do is expose his philosophical vision, his intellectual the Yeshiva College Board, and Hasten’s son Bernard, vision and his religious vision and what that can teach a member of the Yeshiva College Board, also played us as religious Zionists and Jews in today’s world. That’s significant roles. Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and what I believe would truly honor Menachem Begin.” “Menachem Begin became my hero and my mentor, philanthropist Hart Hasten As part of the grant, Rabbi Soloveichik will speak a role model and an icon,” said Hasten, who along with about Begin and the history of Zionism in different com- his wife, Simona, were close friends of Begin for 25 years. of the Straus Center, Hasten felt that he would be the munities around the country. On November 17, he deliv- “His honesty and integrity were unbelievable. He was a best person to lead the project. ered the keynote address at the annual Chanukah dinner great statesman, always yearning for peace. He took ev- “Soloveichik is brilliant and has such a talent for at the Hasten Hebrew Academy in Indianapolis, and erything he did very seriously, but looked at himself with speaking,” he said. “We are very excited and so are the also gave the Hart and Simona Hasten Lecture in Jewish great humility. He was the complete intellectual, but by people at the Begin Center, to partner with Yeshiva Uni- Studies, “From Generation to Generation: Menachem the same token he was very unassuming. There have versity, the Straus Center and Rabbi Soloveichik to share Begin’s Covenantal Zionism” at the Helene G. Simon been some outstanding Israeli leaders, but no one comes Begin’s legacy with a new generation of Americans.” Hillel Center at Indiana University Bloomington. close to his talent for leadership.” Hasten has multiple family connections to Yeshiva The Straus Center has a host of activities planned for A Holocaust survivor who arrived penniless to the University, spanning several generations. His son Josh— this year, with guest speakers including Yehuda Avner, United States, Hasten rose to the top levels of finance at whose bris Begin served as sandek [godfather]—gradu- author of The Prime Ministers, and Dr. Daniel Gordis, and industry and today is a successful businessman, ated from YU and three of Bernard’s children, Erica ’13S author of a forthcoming biography on Menachem Begin Jewish leader and philanthropist, residing in Indianapo- (married to Zev Dlott ’13SB), Joseph and Samantha are to be published in the spring of 2014. Rabbi Soloveichik lis, IN. In 2002 Hasten authored a memoir, I Shall Not currently students at YU. Bernard’s wife, Laurie (Lau- led a seminar at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Die, an account of his escape and rescue from Nazi-oc- licht), is a member of the advisory council for YU’s Seminary last semester and will teach an undergraduate cupied Poland, his formative years in Europe’s displaced Institute for University-School Partnership, and his fa- course on Begin and Zionism in the spring. A day-long persons camps and his personal relationship with Begin. ther-in-law, Murray Laulicht, is a member of the Stern academic conference that will lead to a published vol- “To celebrate the centennial, we wanted to do College for Women Board and received an honorary de- ume of essays is in the works as well. n something special,” said Hasten, who dedicates much of gree from YU in 2010. his time and resources to supporting Jewish causes and “Thanks to YU and programs of this type, we may k To contribute to this project or to learn about other giving opportuni- spreading Begin’s message of Zionism around the world. be assured that Begin’s accomplishments will continue ties, please contact Alan Secter, associate dean for institutional advance- After meeting Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, director to be recognized over the next 100 years,” said Hasten. ment, at [email protected] or 212.960.5481

YU High Schools Celebrate 25 Years of Great Debates

would push that even further.” a court, all while developing rational arguments and Having loved her own experience as presenting them effectively,” said Spinowitz, noting that a high school and college debater, Levitt all of those skills prove critical to him on a daily basis in wanted YUHSB students to be able to par- law. “Mrs. Levitt also helped build a strong atmosphere ticipate in the National Forensic League, of camaraderie among the debaters that made it not just but the League’s debates all took place a great educational experience, but a great social experi- on Saturdays. Undeterred, Levitt began ence as well. I stayed in touch with her over the years and recruiting judges and organizing debates she’s been a key mentor.” between YUHSB and the Samuel H. For Yehoshua Levine ’99YUHS, ’03YC, that atmo- Wang Yeshiva University High School for sphere of camaraderie helped him feel connected not Girls. Levitt and her husband, Dan, also a only to other debaters on his team, but to members of college debater, invited other schools, and different schools in the League as well. “Debate helped in 1988, they formalized the first Yeshiva us cross class and school lines,” he said, recalling Levitt’s Debate League. policy of having senior debaters coach freshmen. After Now comprising close to 20 local ye- graduating from Harvard Medical School, Levine found shivas and celebrating the 25th anniver- that as a practicing cardiologist, he regularly draws on sary of its first Annual Cross-Examination the communication tools he honed in the League. “Medi- Debate Tournament, or “Great Debate,” cine calls for a lot of quick decision-making, critical the League has made an impact on hun- thinking and multidisciplinary communication and in- dreds of students and alumni. teractions as you navigate the health care system, and “I remember being pretty nervous those are all things I learned in debate,” he added. at the beginning of my first debate, and That Levine and Spinowitz are still using their de- then, a couple minutes in, feeling thrilled bate skills in two different but similarly high-powered Harriett Levitt helped form the Yeshiva Debate League in 1988. and energized,” said Moshe Spinowitz careers more than 15 years later is no accident; Levitt ’97YUHS, who joined the team as a fresh- has always coached her students with an eye toward the hen Harriett Levitt began teaching English man and found himself hooked right away. He enjoyed future. at Yeshiva University High School for Boys debate so much that it played a role in his decision to “When I give students a topic, they learn every pos- W(YUHSB) / Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy pursue a legal career; after attending Harvard Law sible fact about it, becoming mini-experts … I tell them it in 1982, she saw a tremendous opportunity to enrich her School, Spinowitz went on to clerk for United States Su- will help them to know the opposition’s arguments and students’ education through a competitive sport that preme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and later became an better equip them to respond,” Levitt said. “They come had long been her passion: debate. “The degree of intel- associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. out of the experience asking good questions and with re- lectuality that exists at the high school was amazing to “I loved learning how to focus on the key issues that ally considered, in-depth conclusions. All of this is train- me,” she said. “Our students argue gemara [Talmud] back are likely to persuade your audience, whether that’s a ing for the mind that can’t happen in any way other than and forth every morning. I realized the activity of debate judge presiding over a debate or a judge presiding over debate.” n

s WWW.YU.EDU/NEWS WINTER 2014 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/YUNEWS ß YESHIVA UNIVERSITY ALUMNITODAYWINTER 2014 Building the Future: Alumni at the Forefront of Fertility

t’s a biblical story and a lesson we know well: Eve’s transgressions in the not comport with a dry analysis of diagnoses and probabilities. Even a com- Garden of Eden earned her the punishment of pain during childbirth. pletely nonreligious couple will often drift toward the spiritual realm as they IMore painful than the aches of labor, however, is the anguish of people grapple with why they are having trouble. I find that such couples find a sense who wish to have children but find it difficult to achieve. The science of fer- of security in knowing their doctor is also an ordained rabbi.” tility—encompassing many different roles and specializations—has made Other daily responsibilities include performing reproductive surgery; astounding progress in recent decades. providing treatment to correct or overcome certain problems that may Four YU alumni on the forefront of the fertility field are helping many inhibit a successful conception; and removing eggs from women’s ovaries people realize their dreams of building a family. and working with embryos in his laboratory as part of the in vitro fertili- zation (IVF) process. RABBI DR. ZALMAN LEVINE: THE REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST For Levine, the best part of the job is changing people’s lives by helping Rabbi Dr. Zalman Levine ’84YUHS, ’88YC, ’94R, ’95E, a native of Englewood, them become parents. NJ, believes that “YU is an integral part of who I am.” Prior to entering medi- “Every time I see tears well up in the eyes of future parents when we hear cal school, he received semicha [rabbinic ordination] from YU-affiliated a brand-new fetal heartbeat on the ultrasound in a long-yearned-for preg- Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. “I knew that a strong foundation nancy, I cannot imagine accomplishing anything greater,” he said. “When a in learning and a greater knowledge of Halacha [Jewish law] would make me couple comes back to visit me in my office with their newborn baby, I feel a better doctor,” he said. overwhelmed by the seismic change wrought by successful fertility treat- Levine was a third-year student at YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medi- ment: a man and woman are now parents, a brand-new human being now cine when he was first exposed to the field of reproductive endocrinology. “I exists who will impact humanity and an entirely new branch of the world’s was fascinated by the interplay of science and art, technology and theology, family tree has been created.” and embryology and ethics, and by all Levine, who lives in Teaneck, NJ, credits Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Daniel the halachic and hashkafic [Jewish Feldman, leader of his shul, Congregation Ohr Saadya, as a tremendous thought] issues that arise,” he said. resource for his halachic questions. Levine gives back to YU in various ways: Levine eventually went on to Har- he writes for YU publications such as the “To-Go” series, helped edit Rosh vard University for a three-year fellow- Yeshiva Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky’s book on hilchot nidda [laws of family purity], ship in reproductive medicine. “Even spoke at YU’s Student Medical Ethics Society conference and spent Shabbat after leaving my YU cocoon, if only for a as a scholar-in-residence at Stern College. temporary period, I didn’t shy away Levine and his wife, Gila ’88S, have five children: Zeeva ’12S, Doron from wearing a yarmulka on my head or ’12YUHS, Moreet, Dafna and Leeby. Zeeva, who was part of the S. Daniel YU’s Torah Umadda ideals on my Abraham Honors Program at Stern, is also the college’s newest calculus sleeve,” he said. “I believe that my col- instructor, a job she balances with her graduate engineering studies at leagues and mentors in Boston devel- Columbia University. Doron is currently a student at Yeshiva College. oped a respect for these ideals and the richness of perspective they bring to ESTIE (BURNS) ROSE: THE GENETIC COUNSELOR the practice of medicine.” Estie (née Burns) Rose ’07S knew the odds were not in her favor when she Levine studied and taught repro- applied to graduate programs in genetic counseling. Rabbi Dr. Zalman Levine ductive medicine and surgery at Har- “There was another Stern College student who applied to genetics pro- vard Medical School and its affiliated grams at the same time, and we knew that the chances of both of us getting in Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and later at the New York Medical College. were slim,” recalled Rose, who cited the competitiveness of the programs, In 2002, he joined the Fertility Institute of New Jersey and New York in most of which accept fewer than 10 students each year. Westwood, NJ. To Rose’s great relief, both students were accepted. A typical day for Levine—now a board-certified reproductive endocri- “I had always planned to be a physician and was taking premed courses, nologist and fertility specialist—includes consultations with couples who but during my junior year, I made a list of priorities I really wanted out of my are having difficulty conceiving or maintaining a pregnancy and couples career in health care,” said Rose, who who carry genetic risks for potential children. While Levine works to iden- majored in biology. “Like most people, I tify a reason for their fertility struggles and designs and explains a treat- wanted to have patient contact, but it ment plan, he also establishes a personal rapport with the couple and offers had to be in a specialty that was exciting emotional support. and evolving. I realized that genetic “The desire for children is such a basic human drive that a failure to counseling, which I observed at Monte- conceive wreaks emotional havoc with a couple in a way that other medical fiore as a high school student during a problems may not,” he said. “As a fertility specialist, I feel I’m responsible six-week work study program, was for attending to the couple’s emotional needs in addition to their medical actually the perfect combination of diagnosis.” both.” Because human reproduction is fraught with weighty halachic issues, Rose shadowed a genetic coun- nearly every form of treatment Levine considers for observant couples selor at NYU Cancer Institute to con- involves consequential halachic decisions. “While I do not pasken [decide firm her passion. “I’m so happy I made Jewish law] for my patients, I help guide their thinking about treatment that decision, because I absolutely love options in a way that is sensitive to Halacha, and I help couples communicate what I do now,” she said. “I deal with effectively with theirposkim [deciders of Jewish law] while also explaining patients every day and genetic counsel- my medical recommendations,” he said. “Beyond the halachic aspects, I also ing is one of the fastest-growing, most Estie (Burns) Rose feel responsible for helping couples put their suffering into ahashkafic exciting fields around.” perspective and for giving them spiritual strength.” Rose studied at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in an intensive two- Levine’s dual role as a doctor and rabbi serves him well. He speaks year program, with many clinical rotations and a curriculum divided among frequently with YU rabbis and roshei yeshiva, and many of them refer their science, medicine, genetics courses and psychosocial and counseling classes. students and congregants to him for medical help with fertility issues. She was hired to work at Montefiore Medical Center’s Reproductive Genetics Levine observed that his rabbinic education and spiritual outlook also Clinic in 2009. When YU launched its Program for Jewish Genetic Health enhance his treatment of non-observant couples. “They say there are no athe- (PJGH) the following year, she was recruited to work there, too. She now ists in the foxhole, and there are few atheists in a fertility office,” he said. “For splits her week between Montefiore and PJGH. couples suffering from infertility, the desperate yearning to have a child does PJGH was created to serve the Jewish community Continued on Page 2 ç

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Forefront of Fertilityç Continued from Page 1

and its unique genetic concerns. One of with a relentlessly inquisitive mind, shiurim [lectures] at Einstein on medi- Interestingly, the two largest its main objectives is to provide acces- hungered for greater intellectual Jew- cal ethics, especially those given by groups of patients that Leiter treats— sible and affordable options for carrier ish and secular learning. At age 15, she Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg, who was Hasidic and urban professional testing for Jewish genetic diseases that packed some belongings in a couple of taking part in a fellowship there at the women—have fertile tracks that are could affect offspring, so that couples garbage bags and took the train to Mid- time. “It was a wonderful continuity of almost completely opposite. “Just a can ensure the health of their children town, where she would attend Stern my learning at Stern,” she recalled. few weeks ago, I saw one young as much as possible before getting College for Women for the next three- Leiter fulfilled her residency in Hasidic woman who had her first baby pregnant. and-a-half years. obstetrics and gynecology at Mount at 18 and then, in the next room, I saw a Rose, who championed the cause Sinai Hospital and then started in pri- 45-year-old woman who had just given of genetic screenings as an active mem- vate practice at Park Avenue Women’s birth to her first baby after a couple of ber of the Student Medical Ethics Soci- Center, where she has been ever since. IVF treatment cycles,” said Leiter, who ety while she was at Stern, says that Her focus is on delivering babies to a often counsels those professional based on her experience, approxi- varied clientele and treating women’s women who tend to put off childbear- mately one in three Ashkenazi Jewish health issues such as pelvic pain, dys- ing by freezing their eggs. individuals who undergoes screening functional uterine bleeding, meno- Leiter also holds other roles at is identified as a carrier for at least one pause and osteoporosis. Mount Sinai, including serving on the Jewish genetic disease. One in 100 cou- Leiter has delivered thousands of faculty of the medical school as an ples will be a carrier couple. babies, but for her, the experience associate clinical professor of obstet- “For those couples who are carri- never gets old. rics, gynecology and reproductive sci- ers, it’s much better to know prior to “Each pregnancy and each couple ence, supervising third-year medical conception so that they may take pro- experiencing a birth have different students on their ob-gyn rotations and active steps, like undergoing preim- dynamics, so the pleasure I get from helping with the admissions process plantation genetic diagnosis,” said delivering their babies is really unique for aspiring students. She is also presi- Rose. “When a couple finds out that each time,” she said. “I enjoy seeing a dent of the Attending Association at they are both carriers when they are Dr. Gila Leiter wide variety of patients—I can be treat- Mount Sinai, which represents the already pregnant, very difficult deci- ing a 45-year-old CEO from the Upper 3,000 doctors affiliated with Mt. Sinai, sions, many of which run counter to Leiter knew no one when she first East Side and a 20-year-old Hasidic and serves as secretary of its medical one’s own ethical and religious beliefs, arrived at Stern but her assigned big couple at the same time, each with board. need to be made in a short time. I hate sister, an upperclassman, helped make their own fears and concerns. And Even in her spare time, Leiter is to think of all the times this heartache the transition easy. She introduced her when the couple has experienced dif- active; she is a competitive cyclist, run- could have been avoided.” to a large circle of wonderful friends ficult fertility histories or difficult ner and swimmer and frequently com- As evidence of the program’s and to the teachings of Rabbi Saul Ber- pregnancies, the joy of delivering a petes in triathlons. “I know it’s gotten commitment to serving the Jewish man, who quickly became her mentor healthy baby is indescribable.” boring because everyone’s read [Sheryl population’s specific needs as they and cherished professor. Many of Leiter’s patients are from Sandberg’s] Lean In 42 times by now, arise, Rose pointed to the increase in “Rabbi Berman and I come from Hasidic communities. Even with her but you also just have to do the best you Sephardic patients who have come in similar backgrounds and I was imme- awareness of the many religious and can,” she said. “I give it my all when for preconception screening. Because diately taken with his expertise in Hal- halachic guidelines involved, Leiter I’m at work and I give it my all when they have different genetic concerns acha,” said Leiter. “I took every class said it’s “both a challenge and a lesson” I’m at home.” than those of Ashkenazi Jews, PJGH that he taught, and they helped rein- to find solutions for ultra-Orthodox A supportive spouse, like her hus- is working on a pilot program geared force my passion for Jewish learning.” women. “It is a constant learning expe- band, James Lavin, is also helpful. specifically toward screening and Leiter’s deep interest in science rience to find a balance between the “Women ask me about the work- educating Sephardic Jews. was also nurtured at Stern, where Dr. desires of my patients to obey strict life balance all the time, especially But Rose said she is not the first Nathaniel Remes and Dr. Betty Rosoff Halacha and the recommended care I after they’ve just had their first baby stop for a couple who is experiencing taught courses in organic chemistry feel is best for them,” said Leiter, who and are worrying about going back to trouble conceiving. “Instead, the first and biochemistry. Leiter majored in lectures medical students at Mt. Sinai work,” said Leiter. “I always encourage professional that a couple facing infer- biology and also took graduate courses on cultural and religious sensitivities. them to try and do so because I think tility should see is a reproductive at Einstein and YU’s Bernard Revel Thanks to Leiter’s long-standing, it’s tremendously beneficial for chil- endocrinologist, who will most likely Graduate School of Jewish Studies. family-based practice, she often sees dren to see their mothers working to send the couple to a genetic counselor Following graduation, Leiter multiple generations of patients. “It’s contribute to the world with some- like me as part of a comprehensive deferred admission to Einstein and especially gratifying to treat everyone thing they are passionate about.” workup,” she said. “I can then look for, traveled to Israel to study at Midreshet from the grandmother to the mother to Leiter regularly lectures on gyne- and hopefully rule out, potential Lindenbaum and the Hadassah Medi- the daughter in a given day,” she said. cological and reproductive health. She genetic issues that can affect fertility.” cal Center. When she returned, she “I’ve delivered many babies of women also counsels at-risk teens through the In addition to her busy work was pleased to find many courses and who I delivered as babies themselves.” Continued on Page 8 ç schedule, Rose mentors YU students who are becoming more aware of the unique professional opportunity that genetic counseling provides. She tells students that internships shadowing genetic counselors and volunteering at support groups or crisis hotlines are part of the trifecta of preparing to apply to graduate programs; the other two are good grades and stellar inter- viewing skills. “I assume that more graduate programs will open, or that the graduate programs in existence will expand their programs, because I see such a huge interest and need in the field now,” said Rose. Rose is married to Srulie Rose ’07YC, ’10C, an immigration lawyer. They live in North Woodmere with their two sons, Daniel and Rafi.

DR. GILA LEITER: THE OB-GYN Dr. Gila Leiter ’78S, ’83E, is the daugh- ter of Holocaust survivors who settled in Brooklyn. Leiter, a devoted student

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Rivka ’75TI and Rabbi Howard Rabbi Benjamin Yudin ’66YC, ’69YC Ezra Wohlgelernter YOUR NEWS IS OUR NEWS! Finkelstein ’69YUHS, ’73YC, ’76R, ’77F published his book, Rabbi Benjamin Yudin ’78YC lectured at the Class Notes is where YU celebrates the announce the marriage of their son, on the Parsha (Mosaica Press, 2013). Wharton School of the milestones and accomplishments of its Netanel ’13YC, to Judith Frankiel ’13S. University of alumni. In this section, you can catch up Pennsylvania and on everything your classmates have been presented at the up to over the years, from marriages 1970s Pennsylvania Association and births to professional and personal Dr. Charles Freundlich for Justice’s annual achievements. ’62BR published his Sharon ’72S and Rabbi Shimon Altshul premises liability seminar book, Vyse Avenue ’72YC, ’76R, ’76F announce the birth of a in Philadelphia. Submit your class note by emailing (CreateSpace, 2013). grandson, Yakir David, born to Anat and [email protected] with the subject Rabbi Asher Altshul. line “Class Notes,” or by visiting www.yu.edu/alumni/notes to complete Joanne ’75S and Rabbi Kenneth Auman 1980s the online form. We hope that you enjoy ’71YUHS, ’75YC, ’75BR, ’78R announce reading about your fellow alumni and Rabbi Menachem the marriage of their daughter, Leni, to Sheba and Rabbi Gary Beitler ’89YC, 92R friends, and we look forward to hearing Genack ’65YUHS, Donny Kazarnovsky. announce the marriage of their daughter, about your achievements. ’69YC, ’73R published Batya, to Yitzy Simon. his book, Letters to Faye Debbie (Klaff) ’71S and Herby Dan President Clinton: announce the birth of their two grandsons: Batya (Shulman) ’80TI, ’84BR and Rabbi Biblical Lessons on Faith Yedidya Elimelech, born to Yona Chana David Berlinger and Beverly and Rabbi and Leadership (Sterling (Meirerovitz) ’10W and Meir Chaim Dan, Aharon Simkin ’85R announce the birth of 1940s Ethos, 2013). and Amitai Shmuel, born to Bina (Dan) and their granddaughter, Miriam Bracha. Mazel Shlomo Beychok. tov to parents Devorah and Pini Berlinger. Mindella and Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm ’49YC, ’51R, ’66BR announce the birth of Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn Dr. Maureen ’74E and Rabbi Lippy Anita ’88YUHS and Rabbi Ari Berman their great granddaughter, Sara Ruchama, ’68YC co-edited Jewish Friedman ’66YC, ’69BR, ’69R announce ’87YUHS, ’91YC, ’94BR, ’95R celebrated born to Shlomit and Ari Lamm ’10YC. Theology and World the birth of their great grandson, Yoseph the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter, Tamar Religions (Littman Library Tuvia, born to Talia and Yedidya Fishman of Rivka. Mazel tov to grandparents Rosalie Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm ’49YC, ’51R, of Jewish Civilization), a Yad Binyamin. They also share the birth of ’62S and Ted Berman ’62YC. ’66BR published Derashot LeDorot finalist in the 2012 Jewish their grandson Itamar Yehuda, born to David Exodus and Derashot LeDorot Leviticus Book Awards. His essay and Naomi Friedman of Karnei Shomron. Daniel Y. Gielchinsky (YU Press, OU Press and Maggid in that volume, ’88SB, ’01C has joined Books, 2013.) Both editions were “Rethinking Christianity,” has been Ruthie ’72YUHS and Ahituv Gershinsky Higer Lichter & Givner as edited by Dr. Stuart Halpern ’09BR, translated and published in Hebrew and ’71YUHS, ’75YC, ’77W announce the birth Of Counsel. He will focus ’13A. The former has a foreword by Italian for use by the Israeli and Italian of their granddaughter, Tohar born to his practice on bank- Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter, Senior Rabbinates. In October 2013 he was invited Hanannel and Bat Hen Gershinsky. ruptcy and commercial Scholar of the Center for the Jewish to give a paper on “Ethical and Religious litigation. Future and University Professor of Challenges to Contemporary Religion” to Ira Herman ’75YUHS, ’79YC of Thompson Jewish history and Jewish thought, and the International Liaison Committee of & Knight LLP was included in the 2013 list Michael “Moshe” Karash ’86YUHS, ’91YC the latter has a foreword by Rabbi Jewish and Catholic Leaders in Madrid, of New York Super Lawyers. was appointed administrator of the Fort Mark Dratch ’79YC, ’82F, ’82R, ’12W, Spain. Tryon Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing in instructor of Jewish philosophy. New York forensic podiatrist Dr. Bryan B. Washington Heights. Phyllis (Curchack) Kagan ’76YC had his study, “Comparing Rabbi Mordechai Schnaidman ’48YC, Kornspan ’69S Dynamic Shod Foot Impressions with Chana and Rabbi Joshua Kupchik ’52BR, ’52R announces the birth of his announces the Dynamic Barefoot and Shod Foot ’80YUHS, ’85YC, ’87R celebrated the Bar great grandson, born to Shoshan and marriage of her Impressions,” featured in the October Mitzvah of their son, Avi. Yaakov Siberman. Mazel tov to grand- daughter, Terry, to Amir edition of Forensic Magazine. parents Esther and David Schnaidman. Kogan. Dena (Greenspan) ’88S and Mark Carrie and Morrie Klians ’76YC announce Lehrman ’85YC, ’92BR, director of Yeshiva Rabbi Max N. Schreier ’49YC, ’52R was the birth of their grandson, Aviel Shalom, University in Israel, announce the marriage honored at the 91st Anniversary Dinner of Lucy ’69S and Rabbi Eliezer Langer born to Sharona and Nachman Rosenberg. of their daughter, Temima, to Binyamin Avenue N Jewish Center in Brooklyn for his ’68YC, ’75BR, ’75R announce the birth of Greenberg, son of Rachel and David 50 years of service as their Morah D’Asra. their grandson, born to Baila and Naftali Cookie ’70S and Rabbi David Klavan Greenberg ’80YC. Mazel tov to Temima’s Langer. ’69YC, ’71R announce the birth of their grandparents, Gala and Rabbi Alan granddaughter, Masos, born to Yael and Greenspan ’58YC, ’61R, ’61BR and to Barbara and Dr. Joel Luber ’68YC Chanan Ariel. Binyamin’s grandparents, Chana and Rabbi 1950s announce the birth of four grandchildren: Aharon Greenberg ’46YUHS. Yehuda Elisha, Eitan, and twins, Moshe Dr. Jack Mermelstein ’71YC was Dr. Morton Frieman ’56YUHS, ’60YC, and Anna’el. presented the E.C. Nurock Award for Rabbi Daniel Mann ’64E sculpted a giant menorah for the IDF Lifetime Achievement by the New Jersey ’86YC, ’89R Golani Brigade’s training base and was Edith Lubetski ’68BR, head librarian of the Society of Optometric Physicians. published his book, named Sculptor of Israel Defense Forces. Hedi Steinberg Library at Stern College for A Glimpse at Women, delivered a lecture on “Database Deborah ’71S and Morris Robinson Greatness: Studies Elke ’59YUHS and Nachman Kupietzky Searching for Biblical Studies” at the World announce the birth of their granddaughter, in the Works of ’55YUHS, ’59YC and Judi ’63YUHS and Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. Rachel Chaya, born to Yehudit (Robinson) Giants of Lomdus Rabbi Harris Guedalia ’57YUHS, ’63R and Sam Daitch. (Eretz Hemdah, announce the birth of their great grandson. Charlene and Rabbi Dr. Bernhard 2013). Mazel Tov to parents Miriam and Rabbi Rosenberg ’69YC, ’74R, ’74F, 92A Mignone ’72YUHS and Ezra Rosenfeld Eitan Kupietzky; to grandparents Allison announce the birth of their grandson, Asher ’77BS announce the birth of their grandson, Mindy and Yeshiva University Trustee Ira M. and Dr. Ari Kupietzky and Sue and Zev Tzvi, born to Ilana and Joshua Merl. born to Hadass and Amichai Rosenfeld. Mitzner ’81YC announce the marriage of Gershon; and to great great grandmother their son, Steven, to Stephanie Perl ’09S Mrs. Els Bendheim. Eitan is the great Rabbi Marc in December. Mazel Tov to Steven’s siblings, grandson of the late Charles H. Bendheim, Charles Sherman Schneier ’76YUHS, Laura (Mitzner) ’11S and Steven Paletz a YU Benefactor. ’67YC published his ’80YC, ’83A, ’83R ’11YC and Michael Mitzner. book, The Broken and with Imam Shamsi Monty Noam Penkower ’59YUHS, ’63YC the Whole: Discovering Ali published Sons of Dr. Esther ’86S, ’95F and Rabbi Meir published his book, The Swastika’s Joy after Heartbreak Abraham: A Candid Orlian ’83YUHS, ’87YC, ’90R, ’93BR are Darkening Shadow: Voices Before the (Scribner, 2014). Conversation About pleased to announce the birth of their Holocaust (Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). Issues That Divide granddaughter, Hod. Mazel tov to great and Unite Jews and grandparents professor of Bible and Muslims (Beacon Hebrew Rabbi Dr. J. Mitchell Orlian Aviva ’69YUHS and Marvin Sussman Press, 2013). ’51YUHS, ’55YC, ’57F, ’73BR and associate 1960s ’64YUHS, ’68YC and Rochelle and Leo dean of Stern College for Women Ethel Goldberg announce the birth of a grandson Brenda and Rabbi Elihu Turkel ’72YUHS, Orlian ’57 YUHS, ’61S. born to Shari ’82S and Josh Goldberg and ’76YC, ’79R, ’81F and Dr. Jessica ’76YUHS Aaron Bernstein a granddaughter, born to Amanda and David Jacob announce the birth of their Leslie and Jeffrey Silber ’84YC announce ’66YC, ’66R (Sussman) ’97YUHS, ’00S and Meir Katz grandson, Ezra Pesach, born to Dahlia and the marriage of their daughter, Ariel Rose, published Future ’01YC, ’04C. Nathaniel Jacob. to Yedidya Rothner, son of Adina and Mysteries: A Vision Yehuda Rothner. of 2020, available Rochel Sylvetsky ’63TI and Raaya and Sara ’76S and Rabbi Aryeh Weil as an eBook on Rabbi Yakov Shapira announce the birth of ’70YUHS, ’74YC, ’77BR, ’77R announce Faige and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mayer Amazon.com their granddaughter born to Avital and the engagement of their daughter, Miriam Twersky ’85R announce the marriage of Rabbi Avraham Sylvetsky. Aliza, to Ian Schrier. their daughter, Rivky, to Ariel Diamond.

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in Brooklyn. He has also been invited to Rabbi Ari Kellerman ’05YC, ’09A received CLASS OF 1954 | 60 YEAR CLASS OF 1964 | 50 YEAR present to the Bronx County Dental Society the Distinguished Alumnus and Faculty in April on the topic of “Atraumatic Teacher of the Year Award at the 44th Exodontia: Principles, Concepts & Anniversary Gala Dinner of Robert M. Beren Techniques.” Academy in Houston, Texas.

Rabbi Eliezer Schnall ’95YUHS, ’00YC, Surie and Aaron Krakowski ’05YC SAVE THE DATE! ’03R, ’06F, associate professor of announce the birth of their son, Daniel psychology at Yeshiva College, lectured at Shlomo. Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, eunion 2014 NJ at an event marking the 120th Jonathan Mantell ’03SB, ’10W became STERRN COLLEGE FOR WOMEN • SY SYMS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS • YESHIVA COLLEGE anniversary of the synagogue. the chief operating officer of Water Waste Prevention, Inc. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 Yocheved and Rabbi Avraham Willig ’99W, GRAND HYATT NEW YORK ’02R announce the birth of their son, Yosef. Dr. Chani ’97S, ’00BR, ’13A and Rabbi Mazel tov to grandparents Faygie ’72S and Shmuel Maybruch ’97YC, ’02R, ’13W RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai announce the birth of their son, Yaakov Willig ’68YC, ’71R. Simcha, and the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Dovid.

Tzippy and Rabbi Gershon Meisel ’09YC CLASS OF 1974 | 40 YEAR CLASS OF 1989 | 25 YEAR 2000s announce the birth of their son.

Daniella and Jonathan Dyckman ’01SB Avi Sinensky ’01YUHS, ’04YC became an were honored at the Kehilas Ishei Yisrael associate at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein, and Dr. Robert van Amerongen ’82YC, ’86E Fifth Annual Dinner for their many Breitstone, LLP. has been appointed medical director of Chava and Rabbi Yonah contributions to the shul community. Urgent-MD Family Urgent Care Centers. Gross ’98YUHS, ’04YC, Rabbi Eli Slomnicki Dr. van Amerongen is also chief of Pediatric ’06R announce the birth ’01YC, ’04A was Emergency Medicine at New York of their son, Yosef Leib. Rebecca ’07S and Greg appointed assistant Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Eliason ’06SB announce principal of Yeshiva the birth of their son, University High RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Jeremy Wieder John K. Houten ’91YC Daniel Aharon. School for Girls in ’88YUHS, ’91BR, ’91YC, ’94R has been became professor of Holliswood. appointed Scholar-in-Residence at Clinical Neurological Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun. Surgery at the Albert Lauren ’03S and Yael ’05S and Rabbi Akiva Willig ’01YC, Einstein College of Rabbi Eliezer “Josh” ’05R announce the birth of their daughter. Chair of the Stern College Board of Medicine. Friedman ’97YC, ’01R Mazel tov to grandparents Faygie ’72S and Overseers Shira Yoshor ’89S received announce the birth of RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai the Dena and Baruch Brady Award for Aaron Katsman ’93YC their daughter, Esther Willig ’68YC, ’71R. Dedicated Service at the 44th published his book, Liba. Anniversary Gala Dinner of Robert M. Retirement GPS: How to Beren Academy in Houston, Texas. Navigate Your Way to a Secure Financial Future Karen ’01BR and Rabbi Aaron 2010s with Global Investing Goldscheider ’94R have been appointed (McGraw-Hill, 2013). to the faculty of Nishmat as co-directors of 1990s the Alisa Flatow International Program, Josh Geller ’12SB was which offers English-speaking women of all hired as the South Florida Ann Koffsky ’93S ages, backgrounds and nationalities the Director of Institutional Betty and Jake Arjang published her book, Frogs in opportunity to study Jewish texts. Advancement for ’97SB announce the birth the Bed: My Passover Seder Southern NCSY. of their son, Akiva. Activity Book (Behrman Heather Goldstein ’00SB is now vice House, 2014). president of marketing for Net-A-Porter.com. Rabbi Herschel Hartz 13R, ’13BR was Noam Greenberg ’04YC of Thompson & acknowledged in The Jewish Week for Sara (Silverstein) ’97YUHS, ’01S and Chaya and Rabbi Jonathan Krimsky Knight LLP was recognized as a New York kickstarting Inwood’s Jewish community. Rabbi Yaakov Blau ’93YC, ’93BR, ’96R, ’98YC, ’02R announce the birth of their son, Rising Star in 2013 by Thomson Reuters. He is founder and Executive Director of ’97A announce the birth of their son, Akiva Pesach. Inwood Jews (www.inwoodjews.com). Yehuda Shabtai. Mazel tov to grandparents, Rabbi Micah Greenland ’00YC, ’02R, ’10A Dr. Rivkah ’58YUHS and Rabbi Yosef Malka ’97S and Rabbi Ely Landman was elected International Director of NCSY. Tova (Gardin) ’09S and Peter Kahn ’11YC, Blau ’55YUHS, ’59YC, ’60BS, ’61R, senior ’97YC, ’99R announce the birth of their ’13R were honored at the 100th Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva University. daughter, Shalva Emuna. Shevy and Aaron Gropper ’02SB Anniversary Dinner of Congregation Sons announce the birth of their son, Elazar of Israel of the Bronx. Rabbi David Brofsky ’94YC, ’94BR Ahava (Aaron) Leibtag Dov Ber. published his book, Hilkot Mo’adim: ’97S published her book, Understanding the Laws of the Festivals The Digital Crown: Leba ’02S and Rabbi Gary Guttenberg Dena Block ’11S , Nechama Price (Koren Publishers Jerusalem, 2013). Winning at Content on the ’04YC, ’07R announce the birth of their ’01S, ’05A, ’08BR, Tova Warburg Web (Morgan Kaufmann, twins, Yehuda and Yosef Shalom. Mazel Tov Sinensky ’03S, ’08A, and Avital Rabbi Avi Cutler ’93YUHS, ’00YC, ’01W, 2013). to grandparents Sandy ’78S and Aryeh Weissman ’00S, ’03A were members ’02R was scholar-in-residence at the Young Guttenberg ’72 YUHS, ’76YC, ’79C and of the first American class to become Israel of Woodmere where he lectured on Rabbi Bini Maryles ’97SB, ’01R, ’10A Rayla and Ben Zion Krupka ’77YC. Mazel yoatzot halacha, female advisors of “The Significance and Relevance of the became the Executive Director of Yeshivat tov to great grandparents Fay and Rabbi Jewish law, from Nishmat, a Jerusalem- Rebbe: Talmid Relationship in the 21st Sha’alvim. Yitzchak Sladowsky ’54YC, ’56R. based Torah study center for women. Century.” Dr. Vivian ’91F and Rabbi Moshe Neiss Dina and Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg ’06YC, Rabbi Joshua Fass ’91YUHS, ’94YC, ’96A, ’68YUHS, ’72YC, ’75R, ’75BR announce ’09A announce the birth of their son, ’98R was honored by the World Orthodox the birth of their granddaughter, Dahlia Shlomo Tzohar. Leadership in November for co-founding Chaya, born to Alison and Jeremy Neiss In Memoriam Nefesh B’Nefesh. ’99YUHS, ’03YC. Ariella (Joel) ’03S and Shlomo Benzaquen Dr. Shlomo Charlap ’75YC Solomon Genet ’96YC served as a panel Amer Ranish-Randell announce the birth of Dr. Herbert A. Friedman ’54YUHS, ’58YC speaker at the Cuban American Bar ’91YC celebrated the Bar their daughter. Mazel tov Rabbi Nehemia Gellman ’44YC, ’50R Association Conference: Legal Aspects of Mitzvah of his son, Ethan to Dr. Esther ’83F and Rabbi Ezra R. Labaton ’72YC, ’74R, ’75BR Doing Business in the Americas, a one-day (Ephraim Aryeh) in President Richard Joel Leon Mir ’54YUHS conference to discuss the complex November. ’68YUHS. Rabbi Jacob “Jack” M. Sable ’44YUHS, regulatory, legal, market and cultural issues ’48YC, ’56R, ’64BR, ’99W relating to conducting business in Latin Rabbi Dan Segal ’93YUHS, ’97YC, ’02E America. Dr. Dale Rosenbach Elisheva and assistant dean of under- Cheryl Stern ’81S ’99YUHS, ’03YC joined graduate Torah studies Rabbi Yosef Rabbi Arnold Wieder ’49YC Hila ’95A and RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi the faculty of the Kalinsky ’00YC, ’03R, ’09A, ’09W Meir Goldwicht announce the birth of their postgraduate department announce the birth of their son, Dovid. grandson, Oriel, born to Ariella and Eitiel of periodontics and Mazel tov to grandparents Sandy and Goldwicht ’05SB. implant dentistry at Rabbi Alan Kalinsky ’69YUHS, ’73YC, Lutheran Medical Center ’76R, ’77F.

4 ALUMNITODAY DOWNLOAD THE YU ALUMNI SMARTPHONE APP AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNI/APP ß From Small Start-Ups to Big Business, Attorney Joey Nussbaum Finds his Niche

or someone who wasn’t sure vastly different than a corporate law firm or start-up. what he wanted to do profes- Nussbaum, who thrives on the stimulating and “from-the-ground-up” atmo- Fsionally until his senior year sphere that exists in start-ups, said his biggest fear was that Time Warner would of college, Joey Nussbaum ’94YC, be “a real corporate bureaucracy with all the associated politics that go with it.” seems to have managed just fine. To his relief, he found that it wasn’t like that at all. “I’m in a group within Time “I majored in English but Warner that’s made up of about 700 people, so it’s not too huge, but I can still take didn’t really know what kind of advantage of the resources and opportunities that come along with being a part career I wanted to pursue, and of a major company,” Nussbaum said. then someone suggested that I A day at the Time Warner headquarters in Manhattan is typically filled take the LSAT,” said Nussbaum, with drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial agreements, such as who ended up attending Harvard software licenses, health and welfare contracts and professional services agree- Law School. “That suggestion ments. “I work for a very diverse client base, so I never really know what will worked out pretty well for me.” come up or what kinds of things I’ll have to deal with in a given day,” he said. “It One thing that Nussbaum, a keeps things interesting.” Chicago native, was clear about The job does come with its challenges, such as “managing attorneys when I was his intention to attend Yeshiva hadn’t managed anyone before,” said Nussbaum. “But overall, it’s a positive career University. “I come from a long development and much more stable, which is important now that I’m married line of people who attended YU, and have a child.” starting with my grandfather, Rabbi Gersion Appel ’38YC, ’41BR, ’45R, z”l,” said Nussbaum said that his experience there has been overwhelmingly posi- Nussbaum. “Attending YU just makes sense for a Modern Orthodox family who tive and that the company is very accommodating of employees who are trying cares about Jewish learning on a higher education level, in addition to excellent to balance their professional and home lives. secular studies.” Nussbaum’s wife, Tamar Kaplan-Marans, is an attorney at WilmerHale. Nussbaum fondly recalled his wonderful rebbeim, English classes with They describe the balancing act they do to manage their busy jobs and raise Dr. Joanne Jacobson and Dr. Joan Haar and Hebrew courses with Dr. Samuel their 2-year-old, Harry, as challenging but workable. Schneider; the close friends he made; his time working at the Commentator, “My wife actually works longer hours than I do, since I can usually leave my Yeshiva College’s newspaper; and intramural basketball. office by 6:30,” said Nussbaum. “When I need to take a day off or come in late, my After graduating from Harvard in 1997, Nussbaum accepted a position at the office is very understanding. I can also work remotely from home.” law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he had been a summer associate, and Nussbaum recognizes the different market that now exists for young law- worked there for two-and-a-half years. “I soon got the itch that many associates yers, as opposed to when he was a new Harvard graduate. “It’s tough out there,” get—to do something outside the realm of a corporate law firm,” said Nussbaum. he said. “It used to be an asset to have a law degree no matter which professional “Being young and single, I figured there was no better time to try an opportunity field you wanted to pursue, but employers don’t look at it the same way today.” elsewhere.” Still, Nussbaum said, if you have a passion for the law, you should pursue it. That opportunity came at Comstellar Technologies, a start-up tech com- “There are jobs out there, and networking is a must,” he said. “YU students are pany that created cutting-edge hardware, software and service solutions, where lucky that they have a great Career Center and a huge network of lawyers to tap he served as director of corporate development, which led to more than 10 years into. I am always happy to speak with students and offer my perspective to them.” at different technology start-ups. After a year at Comstellar, he went on to Leap- Nussbaum’s family tradition of attending Yeshiva University continues stone, where he served as in-house counsel and directed both corporate develop- through his nieces and nephews, many of whom are current students or grad- ment and legal affairs for seven years. He then joined LightSquared, a wireless uates. Nussbaum and his wife are proud to support YU and contribute to its broadband company where he spent three years working as director of com- Annual Fund. mercial transactions. In 2012, he became the assistant general counsel at Time “YU is an incredible institution with an incredibly important mission, Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with businesses in and ultimately, I think it achieves its goal like no other,” he said. “It continually television networks, film and publishing—offering a professional environment turns out a very impressive product, and I am proud to be associated with it.” n

s CHECK OUT WHAT ALUMNI EVENTS ARE HAPPENING ON CAMPUS AND AROUND THE WORLD AT WWW.YU.EDU/ALUMNIEVENTS ALUMNITODAY 5 ALUMNI IN ACTION

STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS PIZZA-MAKING KICKOFF EVENT NAHSHON SOCIETY FALL MEETING (OCTOBER 16, 2013) (OCTOBER 2, 2013) The Nahshon Society held their Fall Meeting at the Yeshiva University Museum. Participants Students Helping Students is a student-run initiative that educates undergraduates about had a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibit, “Threshold to the Sacred: The Ark Door of Cairo’s the role philanthropy plays in funding a YU education, with a particular focus on the need Ben Ezra Synagogue,” led by Museum Director Dr. Jacob Wisse. Following the tour, Nahshon for scholarship funds. This year’s kickoff event took place at Lake Como Pizza on the Wilf Society members participated in a discussion titled “From Student to Alum: Identifying Your Campus. More than 30 students created their own personal pizzas while showing their New Role,” featuring Lawrence Askowitz ’87YC, member of the Yeshiva College Board of appreciation for alumni support and doing their part to raise money for undergraduate Overseers and co-chair, Yeshiva University Wall Street Group; Joel Strauss ’82YUHS, ’86YC, scholarships. ’92C, member, Undergraduate Alumni Council and chair, Subcommittee on Career Planning and Placement; and Jocelyn Coalter, director of Employer and Alumni Relations at YU’s Career Center.

m Members of the Nahshon Society enjoy a tour of the museum’s newest exhibit m Students create their own personal pizzas

o Seth Feuerstein-Rudin, president of Students Helping Students, demonstrate how to prepare crisp, thin-crust pizzas

m Nahshon Society members Gabriel Unger ’12YC and Sarah Rosenbaum ’13S attend the Fall Meeting at the Yeshiva University Museum

m Participants show their support for Students Helping Students by designing posters

SILVER AND GOLDEN SHIELD SOCIETY TOURS JEWISH HARLEM (OCTOBER 13, 2013) Silver and Golden Shield Society members joined Stern College for Women students on a m Daniel Danesh ’13YC speaks with panelist Joel Strauss tour of Jewish Harlem led by Dr. Jeffrey S. Gurock, Libby M. Klaperman Professor of Jewish History. The group visited various Harlem sites that were keystones of Jewish life in the early part of the 20th century. The tour was followed by lunch on the Wilf Campus. YU REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY FORUM (DECEMBER 11, 2013) Yeshiva University Career Center, Sy Syms Student Council, Real Estate Club and the Office of Alumni Affairs hosted a panel discussion at Anchin, Block & Anchin, moderated by partner Steven Kahn ’95SB, with panelists Benjamin Blumenthal ’12SB, Jason Muss ’93C, David Rosenberg ’93SB and Lynette Tulkoff. The speakers shared insights about the profession with current students interested in pursuing careers in real estate.

6 ALUMNITODAY SUPPORT THE ANNUAL FUND AT WWW.YU.EDU/ONLINEGIVING ß ANNE SCHEIBER SCHOLARS BRUNCH (OCTOBER 27, 2013) Forty Stern College for Women graduates who are pursuing their medical degrees at YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine joined together to honor Dr. Harvey Babich ’64YUHS, ’68YC. Hadassa Klerman ’11S, a member of the Stern-Einstein Scheiber Connection, thanked Dr. Babich for his dedication as an educator and mentor to Stern students.

m Dr. Harvey Babich and Tirtza Spiegel ’11S m Dr. Ariella Nadler ’07S, ’11E, Dr. Temima “Timi” Strauss ’07S, ’13E and Shira (Roszler) Steinburger ’08S.

ALUMNI GAMES (NOVEMBER 17 AND DECEMBER 15, 2013) Alumni of the Yeshiva University women’s volleyball team, men’s fencing team and men’s soccer team came back to play against the current squads.

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY WRESTLING ALUMNI REUNION Come back to campus to see Yeshiva high school wrestling in action at the annual Wittenberg Tournament and celebrate the growth and success of Yeshiva University wrestling under the leadership of Coach Neil Ellman ’68YC.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014 | HENRY WITTENBERG WRESTLING TOURNAMENT High School Meets, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. | Yeshiva University, Max Stern Athletic Center 2501 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10033

ALUMNI DINNER 6:30–8 p.m. | SkyCafe, Belfer Hall, 12th Floor | 2495 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC

Please RSVP at www.yu.edu/wrestlingreunion For more information, call 212.960.5373

s WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS FOR PROGRAMMING IN YOUR REGION. CONTACT BARBARA BIRCH AT [email protected] OR 212.960.0848. ALUMNITODAY 7 EXCLUSIVE OFFER ON ALUMNITODAY AUTO AND HOME Forefront of Fertilityç Continued from Page 2 INSURANCE FROM Ohr Naava organization in Brooklyn RIETS, and saw the deep and endur- Drawing a distinction between LIBERTY and serves on the medical board of ing impact rabbis can have through his training at RIETS and the course, Sharsheret, a nonprofit organization powerful classes and internship he said, “I was able to filter the MUTUAL that supports Jewish women with experiences, including a stint as a classes and anecdotes that are cov- Get personalized breast cancer. summer rabbi in Botswana. “I was ered in the sessions through the lens protection and Leiter and her husband live in hooked,” said Rabbi Posy. of the experiences that I have had as exceptional service Manhattan and Teaneck, NJ. They After RIETS, he spent four a practicing rabbi in the field.” through Liberty Mutual. have four daughters: Yonit, an MD/ years in Baltimore, where he taught Rabbi Posy regularly uses what Yeshiva University PhD immunology student at Mount at Yeshivat Rambam and served at he learned from the course. “I’m alumni could also get Sinai married to Kobi Luria; twins Congregation Shomrei Emunah. At always referring back to my notes or special savings and Talia, an intern at the Jewish Tele- the same time, he commuted for contacting the course’s presenters other discounts on graphic Agency and recent Fulbright weekends to Los Angeles, where he to apply the information to practi- auto, home, and renters insurance coverage.* Scholar and Sarah, an associate at was hired to work with the young cal situations in both counseling Finn Partners in Israel; and Leore, a professionals demographic at Con- and shiurim,” he said. “As in many Find out more freshman at Harvard University. gregation Beth Jacob, a 700-fam- areas of Halacha, the rabbi’s unique about Liberty Mutual ily Modern Orthodox shul. He and challenge is to present the halachic Auto and Home RABBI ADIR POSY: his family moved to Los Angeles facts when the emotions and the Insurance. Or call THE RABBINIC COUNSELOR two years later so that Rabbi Posy stakes are very high. The course did 855-948-6267 for Yeshiva University was always in his could work at Beth Jacob full-time. a great job preparing me to translate a free quote. blood, said Rabbi Adir Posy ’04YC, He was soon promoted to associ- sometimes challenging halachic ’06R, citing his mother, Fayge (née ate rabbi, assisting Senior Rabbi restrictions in a way that displays Butler) Posy ’69S, a proud alumna Kalman Topp ’96SB, ’97R, ’97A on empathy and loyalty to the Halacha.” and former editor of the Observer, all aspects of shul leadership, from Rabbi Posy was unaware of

Stern College’s newspaper. “YU was life cycle events to pastoral coun- the extent to which he would be *Discounts and savings are consistent with what I was looking seling and everything in between, a couple’s advocate, but quickly available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary for: a quality secular education in an while maintaining his original role realized his significant role in the by state. Certain discounts apply environment where I could grow in working with young professionals. process. “Fertility and other treat- to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, Torah,” said Rabbi Posy. In 2011, Rabbi Posy eagerly ments often require the couple to applicants are individually signed up for Reproductive Health & interface with a wide variety of underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. Please consult a Halacha, a 40-hour course launched medical and rabbinic resources, Liberty Mutual sales that year by Rabbi Kenneth Brander, and I can help the couple navigate representative for additional information. vice president for University and that maze—and sometimes speak Community Life and the David on their behalf either to medical Mitzner Dean of YU’s Center for the professionals or poskim and batei Jewish Future, and Machon Puah din [Jewish courts] as appropriate,” (an Israel-based organization offer- he said. “The course also allowed ing resources to couples experienc- me to solidify an ‘in’ with many ing infertility), to counsel rabbis on world-class professionals and offer issues of fertility from both a medi- access that a congregant might not cal and halachic perspective. Over have had on his or her own.” Rabbi Posy is also assistant 40 rabbis from three countries came Another world-class profes- director of the Orthodox Union’s together in person and online to dis- sional and source of support and West Coast office, where he serves cuss contemporary topics like egg information for Rabbi Posy is his on the programming and consult- and sperm donation, fertility treat- wife, Dr. Hindi Posy, a practicing ing staff of the Department of Syna- ments and the latest methods in high-risk obstetrician on the faculty gogue Services. He and Hindi have contraception. at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. four sons: Yitzy, Eitan, Ami and Rabbi Posy majored in psy- “I never see myself as a fin- “My wife and I have frequent Ariel. n chology and minored in sociol- ished product when it comes to conversations where I benefit from ogy, planning to pursue a “helping” my development as a rabbi,” said her expertise and in-depth knowl- profession. He threw himself into Rabbi Posy. “There is always more edge of women’s and reproductive learning at YU, where he was “most to learn and new prisms in which health to better understand some- touched by the knowledge that you to view my work. This course thing I’m researching,” he said. “She get back exactly what you put in,” was especially interesting to me also has an added depth of under- CORRECTION he said. He continued pursuing his because of my niche in my com- standing in her role as rebbetzin, A profile of Gary Rosenblatt passion to help others and connect munity and because it was an oppor- and we work as a team to be a printed in the fall ’13 issue to high-level Jewish learning at tunity to stay connected to YU.” resource for our community.” of Alumni Today incorrectly identified several of his family members. His father, Rabbi Morris D. Rosenblatt, z”l, was a 1938 graduate of RIETS, and his son, Avi, and daughter, Tali, did not attend YU high Deciphering medieval piyutim is schools. difficult. Making a gift to the Yeshiva University Annual Fund is not. Legend for school abbreviations:

Annual Fund support touches every Visit www.yu.edu/onlinegiving, A: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education aspect of a YU education–every student call 212.960.5373 or send your and Administration • BR: Bernard Revel Graduate and every area of study, including piyyutim. School • BS: Belfer Graduate School of Science donation to: • BZ: Philip and Sarah Belz School of Jewish Office of Annual Giving Music • C: Cardozo School of Law • E: Albert Einstein College of Medicine • F: Ferkauf MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY. Yeshiva University Graduate School of Psychology • R: Rabbi Isaac 500 West 185th Street, FH530 Elchanan Theological Seminary • S: Stern College New York, NY 10033 for Women • SB: Sy Syms School of Business • TI: Teacher’s Institute • W: Wurzweiler School of Social Work • YC: Yeshiva College • YUHS: Yeshiva University High Schools

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A ‘Necessary Counterculture’ ç Continued from Page 1

Zabel practices in the area of estate planning, wills, trusts, charitable foundations, income and gift-tax plan- ning, estate administration and family law. A prominent advocate for civil liberties and human rights, he is in- volved with many charitable causes and organizations. In addition to the honorary degree recipients, Presi- dent Joel bestowed the Presidential Medallion on Dr. Susan Band Horwitz of Larchmont, NY, who is the Rose Falkenstein Professor of Cancer Research and co-chair of molecular pharmacology at YU’s Albert Einstein Col- lege of Medicine and whose pioneering cancer research has touched the lives of thousands of people. During the dinner, President Joel recog- nized eight Points of Light—students, faculty and alumni who embody the mission of Ye- (L-R) Standing: William Zabel, President Richard M. Joel, shiva University—calling each one up to light David Brooks and Chairman of the Board Henry Kressel. Seated: a symbolic candle on the menorah. Jack A. Belz, Dr. Susan Band Horwitz and Harvey Kaylie “It remains our sacred mission to ensure purposeful survival and provide enthusiasm others in the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities for a life of meaning to a society still searching overcome their disabilities. for light,” said President Joel. “At this annual • DR. ARIEL FISHMAN, director of institutional research gathering, we have made it our tradition to in the Office of the Provost and assistant professor of identify eight Points of Light who are exem- management at the Sy Syms School of Business, who be- plars of the array of inspired excellence that came an active volunteer spokesman for the New York makes this University like no other.” Blood Center after surviving a horrific car accident and The Points of Light included: now gives motivational speeches about his experience. • NICOLE SCHREIBER-AGUS, assistant pro- • BRITTANY BROWN, an alumna of YU’s Benjamin N. fessor of molecular genetics at Einstein and Cardozo School of Law, a Cardozo Immigration Justice program director of the Program for Jewish Fellow at the Brooklyn Defender Services and a member Genetic Health, which aims to educate the Point of Light Mark Weingarten with President Joel of the New York Immigration Defenders Team. Jewish community about genetic health is- • ADAM MOISA, a freshman in the Business Honors and sues and provide affordable care for testing. for students with outstanding scholastic and athletic Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Sy Syms, who • MARK WEINGARTEN, a premed major at Yeshiva Col- achievements. founded a startup, Cloudifyd, which aggregates cloud lege, who created Music Vs., a student club that performs • SHMUEL LEGESSE, a doctoral candidate at YU’s Azrieli storage services and changes the way information is music for the elderly, veterans and sick children in hospi- Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administra- viewed and displayed. tals and has expanded to universities across the country. tion, who plans to build a school that will help Ethiopian The convocation and dinner, which serves as the • REBECCA YOSHOR, an English literature major at Stern Jewish teens integrate their cultural and Jewish back- University’s main annual fundraising event, raised more College for Women who plays forward for the Lady Mac- grounds and prepare them to succeed in Israeli society. than $3.5 million. n cabees basketball team and became the first female in • SAVYON LANG, a hard-of-hearing graduate of YU’s YU history to receive the Academic All-America honor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, who works to help k View the full photo gallery from the dinner at yu.edu/hanukkahdinner

Macs Run Away With Conference Championship First Joint Research Day Highlights Undergraduate Students’ Work in Wide Range of Fields

On November 15, Yeshiva College and Stern Col- lege for Women hosted their first joint Research YU’s men’s and women’s cross country running teams took home the HVIAC championship this fall. Day across multiple disciplines. The event cel- ebrated the research of undergraduates in fields eshiva University’s women’s cross country run- director of athletics. “I can tell you from personal expe- ranging from the humanities to natural and math- ning team claimed first place of eight schools rience, I was positioned at the finish of the race and not ematical sciences and allowed students to share Yat the Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic a single runner left anything out on that course.” their work and hone their presentation skills, while Conference (HVIAC) championship in October, earn- The men’s cross country running team also won the providing attendees an opportunity to learn from ing its first ever HVIAC women’s cross country running HVIAC championship, for the fourth year in a row, beat- their peers and get a taste of the rich, exciting championship. ing out six other teams. Oliver Sax was Yeshiva’s top run- world of research. The Maccabees, with 41 points, finished 14 points ner, finishing eight kilometers in 27:16. Teammates Dov The program began with presentations from ahead of runner-up Albany College of Pharmacy and Levine and Isaac Markel placed second and third for YU. students, followed by a poster session in Furst Hall Health Sciences. Stephanie Greenberg was the top fin- “I am so very proud as a coach of the men’s and showcasing the work of about 35 undergraduates. isher for the Maccabees, sprinting through five kilome- women’s teams this year,” said Head Coach Stephen Topics ranged from “Plasma Imaging in the Colum- ters at 19:26, with Talya Rhode and Sarah Mizrachi right Begley. “Their dedication, hard work ethic and unity in bia Non-Neutral Torus” to “Perceptions of Jewish behind her. bringing each other to the next level, individually and as Criminality and the Jewish American Gangster in “This is a historic occasion, the first champion- a team, is what makes coaching Yeshiva so special and an the Early 20th Century.” n ship for our women’s program,” said Joe Bednarsh, YU’s absolute pleasure.” n

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Focus on Faculty Faculty Bookshelf

Dr. Anatoly Frenkel, professor of physics at Stern College for The following is a sampling of Kol Zvi on tractate Yevamos (Yeshiva 2013) by Dr. Moshe Bernstein, David Women, has been awarded three books recently published by University Press, August 2013) by mem- A. and Fannie M. Denenberg Chair in separate grants to study energy, Yeshiva University faculty bers of the RIETS Kollel Elyon. Biblical Studies and professor of Bible totaling more than $1 million, from and Jewish history. the United States Department of Energy, Brookhaven National Lab- Art and the Historio- Learning to Teach, oratory and Chinese petrochemi- graphy of Judaism in Teaching to Learn: A The Laws of Cooking and cal company Sinopec. Frenkel’s Roman Antiquity (Brill Guide for Social Work Warming Food on Shab- research on catalytic studies was Academic Publishers, Education (2nd edition, bat (Koren Publishers also recently recognized in Science November 2013) by Dr. Council on Social Work Jerusalem, December Magazine, where it was selected Steven Fine, professor Education, November 2013) written by Rosh for an Editor’s Choice review. of Jewish history. 2013) co-authored by Yeshiva Rabbi Morde- Dr. Carmen Ortiz chai Willig and edited Hendricks, the Dorothy and David I. by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Educating in the Divine Image: Gender Schachne Dean of the Wurzweiler Daniel Z. Feldman. In October, Rabbi Benjamin Issues in Orthodox Jewish Day Schools School of Social Work, along with Blech, professor of Talmud, pre- (Hadassah Brandeis Institute Series Jeanne Bertrand Finch and Cheryl L. sented on “The Three Great Spiri- on Jewish Women, October 2013) co- Franks. The Philosophical Quest: tual Truths That Can Change the authored by Dr. Chaya R. Gorsetman, Of Philosophy, Ethics, World” at the Fifth Worldwide Meet- clinical associate professor of educa- Law and Halakhah ing on Human Values in Monterrey, tion and co-chair of the education de- Legal Emblems and the Art of Law: (Koren Publishers Jeru- Mexico. The conference attracted partment at Stern, and Elana Maryles Obiter Depicta as the Vision of Gover- salem, December 2013) more than 15,000 people, with lec- Sztokman. nance (Cambridge University Press, by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi J. tures on topics ranging from edu- October 2013) by Peter Goodrich, pro- David Bleich, Herbert cation rights for women to science fessor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of and Florence Tenzer and spirituality. Esther in Ancient Jewish Law and director of the Program in Law Professor of Law and Ethics and pro- Thought (Cambridge and Humanities. fessor of law at Cardozo. University Press, Janu- Dr. Joshua Bacon, associate pro- ary 2014) by Dr. Aaron fessor of psychology and chair of Koller, assistant dean of Letters to President The Tragedy of a Gene- the psychology department at Stern, Yeshiva College and as- Clinton: Biblical Les- ration: The Rise and Fall received a $1 million Grant for Mul- sociate professor of sons on Faith and Lead- of Jewish Nationalism in tiple Sclerosis Innovation, awarded Bible. ership (Sterling Ethos, Eastern Europe (Har- by EMD Serono, Inc. October 2013) by Rosh vard University Press, Yeshiva Rabbi Men- July 2013) by Dr. Joshua Having It All in the Belle achem Genack. Karlip, associate pro- Époque: How French fessor of Jewish history. Susan Crawford, professor at the Women’s Magazines In- Benjamin N. Cardozo School of vented the Modern Outside the Bible: An- Law, was recognized by Time mag- Woman (Stanford Uni- cient Jewish Writings Thomas Hardy: The azine as one of the most influential versity Press, July 2013) Related to Scripture Poems (Palgrave Mac- minds in tech, and named “one of by Dr. Rachel Mesch, (Jewish Publication So- millan, September 2013) the most respected and authorita- associate professor of ciety, December 2013) by Dr. Gillian Stein- tive U.S. voices on technology and French and chair of the department of by Dr. Louis H. Feld- berg, associate profes- telecom policy.” Crawford, who has foreign languages and cultures. man, the Abraham sor of English and been a visiting professor at Harvard Wouk Family Chair in director of First Year and Yale, served on the National Classics and Literature; Dr. Lawrence Writing Program. Economic Council as a top telecom- House Hold: A Memoir H. Schiffman, vice provost for under- munications advisor to President of Place (University of graduate education and professor of Obama. Wisconsin Press, Janu- Judaic studies; and Dr. James L. Kugel. Yesamach Av: Essays and Observations on ary 2014) by Dr. Ann Topics in Massekhes Brachos and Pesa- k Keep up with the latest faculty news at Peters, associate profes- chim (Yeshiva University Press, August blogs.yu.edu/facultynews sor of English at Stern. Reading and Re-Reading Scripture at 2013) by Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Eli Baruch Qumran (Brill Academic Publishers, June Shulman.

Rock of Ages: Acquiring History In Memoriam, lished an article in an archaeology jour- Adrienne Asch nal about Jewish tombstones in ancient Israel. The piece caught the attention of YU mourns the passing of Carl Morgan, curator of the Woodland Dr. Adrienne Asch, director Museum of Biblical Archeology in Cali- of the Center for Ethics at fornia, who sent Fine a photo of a lime- Yeshiva University and the stone gravestone in his collection—one of Edward and Robin Milstein the stones about which he had written. Professor of Bioethics, who Fine and his students, who were later passed away on November featured in the New York Times, began 19. Asch taught courses at corresponding with Morgan and spent Wurzweiler School of Social the semester deciphering the stone—a Work, Cardozo School of gravestone dating to 430 C.E. from the Law and Albert Einstein College of Medicine on bioethics, reproductive rights, biblical city of Zoar along the Dead Sea. professional ethics and disability. A prolific scholar and engaged activist, Asch’s Dr. Steven Fine Morgan eventually donated the stone work focused on the ethical, political, psychological and social implications of to YU, where it is now in the collection of human reproduction and the family. She authored numerous articles and book n March 2012, Dr. Steven Fine, profes- the Yeshiva University Museum. n chapters and was the co-editor of Prenatal Testing and Disability Rights and The sor of Jewish history and director of Double-Edged Helix: Social Implications of Genetics in a Diverse Society. IYU’s Center for Israel Studies, pub- k Read the New York Times story at yu.edu/nytimes

s WWW.YU.EDU/NEWS WINTER 2014 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/YUNEWS ß EVENTS 7 YUONTODAY CAMPUS

t Knesset Members Visit YU Last semester, students had the opportunity to meet several members of the Israeli Knes- set. On November 13, Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron discussed the halachic, political and educational challenges fac- ing Israel; Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett spoke about his vision for Israeli innovation on November 19; and Deputy Minister of Transportation Tzipi Hotovely shared her views on Israel’s identity as a Jewish state on December 19. n

MK Rabbi Shai Piron MK Naftali Bennett MK Tzipi Hotovely

u Alumni Offer Insight Into Israeli Entrepreneurship On October 9, the Sy Syms School of Business presented “The Silicon Valley of the Middle East: Under- standing Israeli Entrepreneurial Suc- cess.” YU alumni living in Israel offered advice from their own professional jour- neys about how to get involved in Israel’s business landscape. Speakers included Michael Eisenberg ’93YC (pictured), a partner at the $140 million venture capital fund, Aleph; Jeremy Lustman ’96YC, a partner at DLA Piper’s Corporate and Securities Group; and Alon Harris, an innovation facilitator and key accounts p Landmark First Amendment Cases On November 6, Yeshiva University’s Zahava manager at Tel Aviv-based Systematic and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought hosted a conversation Inventive Thinking. n between United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and renowned attorney Nathan Lewin ’57YC on “Synagogue and State In America.” n

p Putting on a Good Show In November, the Stern College Dramatics Society presented its fall musical, The Wizard of Oz, under the direction of Reuven Russell. In December, the Yeshiva College Dramatics Society performed Terra Nova, directed by Lin Snider. n

p Cardozo Examines History of Blood Libels In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of a blood libel trial in tsarist Russia, the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of p Washington’s Broken Politics Veteran investigative reporter Bob Woodward Law hosted “A Thousand Years of Infamy: The History of Blood Libel” on November 14 (pictured, left, with Professor Bryan Daves, assistant professor of political science) and 15. Organized by Cardozo Professor Richard Weisberg (pictured, left), the Walter shared his thoughts on the origins and impacts of Washington’s dysfunctional politics Floersheimer Professor of Constitutional Law, the conference brought together a group at the Dr. Marcia Robbins-Wilf Scholar-in-Residence Program at the Center for Jewish of distinguished legal and literary scholars. n History on November 13. n

s FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/YESHIVAUNIVERSITY WINTER 2014 WWW.YU.EDU/NEWS ß YUTODAY YESHIVA UNIVERSITY • 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 • WINTER 2014 • VOLUME 18 NO. 1 Chanukah Celebrations Light up the Campus

From chagigot to the Chanukah Concert featuring Alex Clare (above), students celebrated eight exciting nights at Yeshiva University.

k To view more pictures from Chanukah on campus, visit yu.edu/chanukah2013

Revel Reflects on the Teachings of Nehama Leibowitz

come a larger than life figure, a sort from Leibowitz. In his lecture, “Nehama Leibowitz’s of celebrity,” said Cohen. “Yet Ne- Lasting Impact on Bible Scholarship,” Cohen noted hama regarded herself as a simple that the traditionally Orthodox Leibowitz rejected the teacher, who sought to guide oth- scholarly method of “source criticism” that contested ers in their study of Tanach [Bible].” the Bible’s divine origins, though she had no problem In 1930, at the age of 25, Lei- quoting non-Orthodox Bible scholars. She also rejected bowitz (1905-1997) earned a doc- the “historical” school’s assertion that there can only be torate in Bible from the University one legitimate explanation of the biblical text. of Marburg in Germany and sub- Instead, Leibowitz preferred to apply to the Bible sequently immigrated with her the literary method analysis known as “New Criticism,” husband to Jerusalem. Over the following the lead of German Jewish scholars such as next 67 years, she became one of Franz Rosensweig and Martin Buber, as well as his stu- the world’s most esteemed Bible dent Ludwig Strauss. “Nehama Leibowitz, following scholars, winning the Israel Prize the tenets of new criticism, makes a fundamental dis- for education in 1956. At the begin- tinction between literature and history,” said Cohen. ning of her career, from 1930 until “She therefore argued that the text alone—and not the 1950, Leibowitz taught at Jerusa- history behind it—determines what is the correct inter- lem’s Mizrachi Women’s Teach- pretation. Hence, if the text is open to multiple interpre- ers Seminary. One of her students tations, they are all valid.” there was Esther Manischewitz Additionally, said Cohen, Leibowitz stressed the Esther Manischewitz, z”l, shared her memories of Bible scholar Nehama Leibowitz (née Ostrovsky), also Leibowitz’s Talmud’s observation that the Bible is written in “the neighbor at the time, who entered language of man.” For example, God’s question to Adam he Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish the seminary in 1938. —“Where are you?”—in the Garden of Eden does not Studies held its inaugural event of the year, “Ne- “I wasn’t afraid of her, but a lot of people were,” said indicate God’s lack of knowledge, but rather serves to Thama Leibowitz and Tanakh Study: Yesterday Manischewitz in a video presentation about her experi- start a conversation with His human creation. and Today,” at Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus on ences in 1930s Jerusalem. “She was tough, but also very “I thought the event was fabulous,” said David Mo- October 22. The event, which attracted more than 200 kind and very nice. She was an excellent teacher.” ster ’07YC, ’09A, ’10BR, a doctoral student of Bible and people, included personal recollections of Leibowitz Manischewitz immigrated to the United States Ancient Near Eastern History at New York University. by one of her earliest pupils, Esther Manischewitz (re- in 1951 when she married her American husband, Bill. “Mrs. Manischewitz’s oral history was the perfect com- cently deceased), as well as an academic lecture about Together, they helped found Teaneck’s first Orthodox plement to Dr. Cohen’s fantastic lecture about Nehama Leibowitz’s Bible scholarship by Revel Associate Dean synagogue, Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. Leibowitz’s scholarship and its intellectual context.” and Professor of Bible, Dr. Mordechai Z. Cohen. In the 1980s, while pursuing his doctorate in Bible The Dr. Monique and Mordecai D. Katz Endowed “Nehama Leibowitz, the master teacher, has be- from Revel, Cohen too had the opportunity to learn Lecture Fund sponsored the event. n

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