VOLUMEYU 8 NO. 4 To YESHIVA UNIVERSITY • FALL 2002 d ay

Stanton Elected New Board Chairman ❑ His support has been instrumental in strengthening US News University’s financial base 2003

former treasurer, was also For a full text of Ronald Rankings elected as vice chairman, and Stanton’s acceptance speech Bernard L. Madoff was elected to the Board, see p.3 to succeed Mr. Bravmann as or the seventh consecutive year, Yeshiva University treasurer. $337 million has been raised. has been ranked one of America’s top universities Mr. Stanton joined the The campaign was officially Fin the annual US News & World Report survey. The University’s Board in 1976, the launched in May 2001, and 2003 survey ranked YU in 40th place, up one place from same year that Dr. Norman Mr. Stanton and his wife, Mei, last year. Lamm began his tenure as were among its earliest and The national university category includes YU along with president of YU. Over the past most generous contributors. 249 other schools. Yeshiva’s ranking places it among the quarter century, the two lead- Their most recent gift, to top 50 schools that comprise “tier one.” Other schools in ers have worked closely to- establish a revolving capital tier one include Columbia, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Princeton, gether on establishing a firm fund, is one of the campaign’s and Yale. financial base for the institu- most innovative initiatives. “Our outstanding faculty and students, our dedicated tion, building its endowment, The gift gives YU the resources deans, administrators, and trustees play a key role in this expanding courses and pro- and flexibility to pursue continuing recognition of the excellence of our academic grams at the various schools opportunities to enhance facil- programs,” said President Norman Lamm. onald P. Stanton, chair- and affiliates, modernizing ex- ities and acquire new ones as Factors that account for YU’s steady rise in the rankings man and chief executive isting facilities and acquiring space needs arise. Assets drawn in recent years include a high rate of retention and gradu- Rofficer of Transammonia, new ones, and strengthening from the fund are replenished ation among students, high SAT scores, strong faculty Inc., was elected chairman of overall academic excellence. as subsequent contributions resources, availability of faculty to students due to small the Board of Trustees of In 1992, Mr. Stanton was support facilities. class size, and strong financial resources. Yeshiva University at the elected vice chairman of the A previous gift from Mr. This year US News changed the names of the ranking Board’s annual meeting on Board. More recently, he Stanton endowed the Hedi categories to better reflect their missions. Colleges and uni- September 18. He succeeds played a pivotal role along Steinberg Library on YU’s versities are divided into four categories: national universi- Robert M. Beren, the Board’s with Mr. Beren, Mr. Syms, Midtown Campus in memory ties-doctoral; national liberal arts colleges-bachelor’s; uni- chairman for the past two Executive Committee Chair- of his mother. Mrs. Steinberg versities-master’s, and comprehensive colleges-bachelor’s. years, who was elected chair- man Burton P. Resnick, and was a social worker with the The national universities-doctoral offers a full range of man emeritus. other YU Trustees in the devel- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society undergraduate majors, plus master’s and PhD degrees, and Dr. Ira Kukin, Sy Syms, and opment of the University’s for 25 years. emphasize faculty research. Morry Weiss were reelected as $400 million capital campaign Other gifts include: The Schools are categorized primarily by mission and, in vice chairmen of the Board. and served as chairman of the some cases, region, and data is gathered from each school Ludwig Bravmann, the Board’s Campaign Cabinet. Thus far continued on p. 3 on up to 16 indicators of academic excellence. The ranking formula gives greatest weight to reputation that ultimately impacts on the success of graduates in gaining entry to top graduate programs. Scheiber Scholarship Program Begins The complete rankings are available on US News Online at http://www.usnews.com. ❑ Opens Doors For New Generation of Students

he second largest gift in Lauding her generosity, loans for students enrolled at F ACULTY PROFILE Yeshiva University his- President Norman Lamm Stern College who have high Ttory, the Anne Scheiber noted, “Anne Scheiber lived to scholastic standing, demon- Scholarship and Loan Fund, be 101, and her spirit will live strate financial need, plan to has recently been made avail- forever at Yeshiva University. study medicine, physical and able for select students at Stern Her enduring legacy will be natural sciences, and to be in a David Shatz College for Women and stu- the countless generations of “helping profession.” Grad- dents attending YU’s Albert Jewish women who, thanks to uates of Stern College and An Intellectual Einstein College of Medicine. her magnanimity, will assume those attending Albert Einstein Journey Worth The $22 million bequest— positions of leadership in their College of Medicine are also Taking now $36 million following chosen fields and the commu- eligible, as are Yeshiva College several years of investments nity at large. Her memory will students under certain circum- page 4 during probate—will assure surely be a blessing.” stances. significant scholarship assis- In keeping with Ms. “The Anne Scheiber Scholar- tance for quality higher educa- Scheiber’s wishes, an endow- ships represent something tion unequalled anywhere in ment was established to fund the world. scholarships and interest-free continued on p. 3

PURSUING TRUTH DREAM FULFILLED NEW TEAM Rabbi Tendler on Rangoon native arrives Student Services Talmud and Science at YU welcomes familiar page 7 page 8 faces page 9 INSIDE

www.yu.edu/news/publications 2 YUToday Fall 2002

F ACULTY NEWS

J. David Bleich, PhD, Herbert and Supreme Court of the United ical Notes” in the recently pub- YU, and wife Marsha on the birth of the late Max Stern, who served for Florence Tenzer Professor of Jewish States—From Alexander Hamilton lished second edition of Sefer Ha- granddaughter Rachel Tzofia, born 35 years as the University Board of Law and Ethics, CSL, spoke on to Alexander Bickel,” at the annual Neyar, a 13th-century code of to children Ely and Zippora (Feuer) Trustees’ vice chairman and with “Stem Cell Research” at the Twelfth conference of the Pacific Northwest Jewish law. A halakhic compendium Razin SCW‘95. whom she was a Benefactor. Stern Biennial Conference on Jewish Law, Academy of Legal Studies in Bus- covering a full range of Jewish law College for Women was established Jerusalem. iness, Vancouver. Rabbi Greenberg from Talmudic, Gaonic, and post- Marlene Schiffman, Judaica cata- in 1954 with a major gift from Mr. also presented “An Analysis of Gaonic sources, it was edited from loguer at Mendel Gottesman Stern in memory of his parents. Mr. Jerome A. Chanes, MSW, SCW Different Business Law Topics and rare manuscripts. Dr. Appel is for- Library of Hebraica-Judaica, and Stern and four others made the ini- and WSSW adjunct professor, Principles According to American mer chairman, department of phi- husband Lawrence Schiffman, pro- tial gifts that launched the cam- authored chapters, “Who Does Law and Jewish Law,” Cong. Schara losophy, SCW, and adjunct profes- fessor of Hebrew and Judaic paign to found Albert Einstein What? Jewish Advocacy and Jewish Tzedeck, Vancouver. sor of Hebrew studies, NYU. Studies, NYU, on the marriage of College of Medicine, on whose ‘Interest’‚” in Sandy Maisel and Ira Leah, a YUHS alumna, to David, son board he served. Mrs. Stern, former Forman, Eds., Jews in American Cantor Joseph Malovany, Distin- Arthur Hyman, PhD, Distinguished of Rabbi and Mrs. Samson Helfgott honorary chairman of the SCW Politics and “‘America is Different!’: guished Professor of Liturgical Service Professor of Philosophy and and a PhD student at Ferkauf Board of Directors, philanthropist, Reform Judaism and American Music, BSJM, was named Honorary dean, BRGS, this past summer Graduate School of Psychology. and communal leader in the US Pluralism,” in Dana Kaplan, Ed., Chief Cantor of Vilnius’ Synagogue delivered the annual Aquinas and Israel, received an honorary Platforms and Prayerbooks: A History by the Jewish Religious Community Lecture on “Eschatological Themes degree from YU in 1987. of Reform Judaism in America. He of Vilnius. Cantor Malovany is the in Medieval Jewish Philosophy” at We Mourni delivered a seminar, “The Chang- cantor of the Fifth Avenue Syn- Marquette University in Milwaukee. Dr. Meyer Feldblum YC ’51, RIETS ing Contours of Jewish Public agogue. The Jewish Religious Com- He gave a similar talk at the ‘51, BRGS ‘58, former university pro- Condolences toi Policy,” Columbia University semi- munity of Vilnius is “the perpetua- University of Arkansas at Fayette- fessor of Talmudic literature, BRGS, Rabbi Yosef Fridman, director of nars; a lecture, “Rav Soloveitchik, tor of the glorious traditions of the ville. His summer activities also and noted Talmudic scholar, in Israel. operations, Caroline and Joseph S. Revisionism, and Modern Ortho- pre-war community.” Many rev- included participation in the Se- Gruss Institute in Jerusalem, on the doxy,” at a “Yom Iyun on Rabbi ered cantors served the synagogues venth Congress of the European David Goldman, founding mem- loss of his father, Aaron. Joseph B. Soloveitchik”; and a sem- in Vilna, called the Jerusalem of Association for Jewish Studies in ber, WSSW Board of Governors. He inar, “Redefining the Protocols for Lithuania before World War II. Amsterdam, where he lectured on and his late wife, Muriel, were YU Rabbi Manfred Fulda, associate Measuring Anti-Semitism,” to the Jewish philosophy. Guardians who supported many professor of Talmud, on the loss of Graduate Faculties, Yale University. Rabbi Hershel Schachter, MHL, initiatives at WSSW and established his sister. He lectured at Oxford University on rosh yeshiva and Nathan and Vivian the Muriel and David Goldman “anti-Semitism and Jewish Security Fink Distinguished Professor of Tal- PEOPLE Scholarship Fund. Steven Major, YC alumnus and in America and Europe: Lessons for mud, spoke at the July conference Board member, on the loss of his the Post-Holocaust Generation,” of the Rabbinical Council of America, Elinor Grumet, Hedi Steinberg Ghity Lindenbaum Stern, wife of father, Dr. William Major. and was a scholar-in-residence, Renaissance Jerusalem Hotel, Israel. Library reference librarian, com- the late Nathan Lindenbaum and College of Charleston. piled a bibliography about Rabbi David Schnall, PhD, AGS dean, was Saul Lieberman that was included Yaakov Elman, PhD, associate pro- scholar-in-residence, Shaarei Shom- in the recently published book Saul fessor of Jewish studies, has been ayim Cong., Toronto. Also, he Lieberman (1898–1983), Talmudic made a Harry Starr Fellow in spoke on “Religion and Healing in Scholar and Classicist, edited by Judaica in the field of modern bibli- Jewish Tradition,” Maimonides Soc- Prof. Meir Lubetski. cal scholarship and Jewish belief, iety, Tampa, FL; “Caring and Com- CORRECTION: The scholarship established by Benefactor Benjamin Teitel was created in memory of his mother, Esther Teitel, not his wife as 2002–03, at Harvard University. He munity in Classic Jewish Text,” David J. Azrieli, Benefactor, YU was incorrectly mentioned in the picture caption on page 12 of YU Today, has been elected a member of the Jewish Federation of Central NJ; trustee, and AGS director, was hon- Summer 2002. board of directors, the Association “Managing Relationships in Jewish ored by State of Israel Bonds at a for Jewish Studies. Education,” Flatbush Yeshiva; “The reception in Montreal that featured Future of Jewish Education,” Heb- special guest Ambassador Alon Mareleyn Schneider, PhD, associ- rew Academy of Nassau County, Pinkas, Consul General of Israel in ate professor of sociology, edited where he also ran a training work- New York. Wisdom of the Heart: Expanding the shop for senior administrative staff; YUToday Jewish Mind—Learning Through Art and “Staff Resiliency in Jewish Bernard Pittinsky, director of VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 4 Projects, a teaching resource pub- Education,” Sinai School. finance, recently retired after 27 lished by the Coalition for the years of service to the University. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Advancement of Jewish Education Peninnah Schram, MA, associate Ronald P. Stanton, Chairman (CAJE) and distributed to 4,000 Jew- professor of speech and drama, was YU Board of Trustees ish educators across North America. Shabbat Scholar for Families at the Congratulationsi Dr. Norman Lamm President annual Coalition for the Advance- Eleanor Chiger, YUM office man- Peter L. Ferrara Joshua A. Fishman, PhD, Distin- ment of Jewish Education Confer- ager, and husband Rabbi Jacob on Director of Communications and Public Affairs guished University Research Prof- ence, held in August. Her topic, one the bat mitzvah of granddaughter essor Emeritus of Social Sciences, of several keynote presentations, Eta Rachel, daughter of Aaron and Jay Schottenstein, Chairman, Board of Directors,Yeshiva College; Marjorie Diener Blenden, Chairman, Board of Directors, Stern College for Women; Bernard L. FGS, contributed an article, “The was “Traveling in Time: Sharing Our Shifra (SCW‘87) Siegel; and on the Madoff, Chairman, Board of Directors, Sy Syms School of Business; Robert A. Primordialist/Constructivist Debate Family Stories.” She and singer/gui- birth of grandson Michael Jeremy Belfer, Chairperson, Board of Overseers, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Earle Today,” to Ethnonationalism in the tarist, Gerard Edery, performed a (Reuvain Moshe Menachem) to I. Mack, Chairman, Board of Directors, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law; Contemporary World: Walker Connor program of stories and songs of the parents Adam (CSL‘89) and Tzippi David I. Schachne, Chair, Board of Governors, Wurzweiler School of Social Work; and the Study of Nationalism, edited Jewish people at the annual (YH‘87, WSSW‘93) Rosen. Mordecai D. Katz, Chairman, Board of Directors, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies; Jayne G. Beker, Chair, Board of Governors, Ferkauf Graduate by Daniele Conversi. He also spoke American Conference of Cantors. School of Psychology; Moshael J. Straus, Chairman, Board of Directors, Azrieli on “The Languages of Judaism” at Judah Feinerman YC‘47, R‘49, YU Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration; Julius Berman, the international colloquium “Soc- Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, MS, was and RIETS trustee and former RIETS Chairman, Board of Trustees, (affiliate) Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological iology of Language and Religion,” appointed a rosh yeshiva at YU’s Board chair, and wife Shepsie on Seminary; Erica Jesselson, Chairperson, Board of Directors, (affiliate) Yeshiva Roehampton University of Surrey. undergraduate Yeshiva Program/ the birth of great grandson Zvi University Museum. Mazer School of Talmudic Studies Shmuel to Ephraim and Zahava Moss. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY TODAY Samuel Schneider, PhD, associate at the Wilf Campus. For the past Hedy Shulman professor of Hebrew and chair of five years he has taught in the Howard Jonas, YC Board member, Editor the department of Hebrew lan- Stone Beit Midrash Program. and wife Debbie on the birth of a Norman Eisenberg guage and literature, published “A daughter, Miriam Batya, their ninth Managing Editor Partisan in the Ghettos of Western Joshua Zimmerman, PhD, Eli and child. Doug Dayhoff Graphic Designer Galicia,” a review in Hebrew of Sara Diana Zborowski Professor in Inter- Rosen’s book about Itka Ginot’s disciplinary Holocaust Studies, was Harriet Levitt, YUHS for Boys Jerry Bergman, Kelly Berman, Adam Cohen, Esther Finkle, June Glazer, Norman Goldberg, Peter Robertson ordeals in the Bochnia ghetto, in named an adjunct fellow at the English department chair, and hus- Contributors Hadoar, Sept.–Oct. 2001. Advanced Center for Judaic Studies band Dan, a YU Master Builder, on www.yu.edu/news/publications at the University of Pennsylvania. the marriage of daughter Jonina to Robert J. Greenberg, JD, LLM, Norman Steiner. Yeshiva University Today is published monthly during the academic year by the assistant professor of business law, Gersion Appel, PhD, professor Yeshiva University Department of Communications and Public Affiars, 401 Furst SSSB, presented a paper, “Political emeritus, Jewish philosophy, au- Stuart Razin, YC’63, FGS‘68, nat- Hall, 500 West 185th St., New York, NY 10033-3201 (212-960-5285). It is ditrib- uted free on campus to faculty, staff, and students. © Yeshiva University 2002 Questions, Judicial Review, and the thored an introduction and “Crit- ional director, Canadian Friends of Fall 2002 YUToday 3

TIMELINE: PAST CHAIRS OF YU BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1930–53 1953–77 1977–89 1989–93 1993 1993–2000 2000–2002 2002–present

Hon. Samuel Levy Max J. Etra Hon. Herbert Tenzer Ludwig Jesselson Hermann Merkin David S. Gottesman Robert M. Beren Ronald P. Stanton chairman chairman emeritus acting chairman emeritus 1989-93 April 4–June 14 1977-87

Board Chairman continued from page 1 Remarks spoken by Ronald P. Stanton, YU’s new Chairman of the Board of Trustees, at its annual meeting on September 18 Sephardic Reference Room in memory of Judge Edgar J. Nathan II and Ivan Salomon, Dr. Lamm, fellow Board members and members of the • The University will recognize the importance of its own Board, of blessed memory; The administration: but also will give its help and assistance to the various colleges Beatrice Kern Library at and schools. Samuel H. Wang-YUHS for I want to thank you for selecting me to be the next Chairman of Girls memorializing his mater- Yeshiva’s Board. I follow the tenure of Bob Beren, who displayed And we will make a continuing effort to keep our relationship with nal grandmother; and the Yad such great dedication and worked with such intensity and with RIETS close and fraternal: Belkin Room in Gottesman such vigor. We are grateful for Bob’s outstanding contribution to •We will try to have greater interaction between the college Library in memory of Dr. this institution. boards and the University Board so that the contact between Samuel Belkin. them will be more frequent, more illuminating, and more The duties with which you have entrusted to me fill me with both Mr. Stanton was born in effective. joy and humility. The joy results from the challenge to lead Yeshiva 1925 and earned his BA degree in these exciting times; the humility comes from the fear that I will •We will have continuous contact with the student body and will in economics at City College not succeed in satisfying YU’s many constituents. Whatever the endeavor to create a friendlier and kinder atmosphere with cur- of New York. He formed outcome of my term of service, I want to make certain pledges to rent students and alumni. I will appoint a committee of board Transammonia in 1965. The all the concerned members of our community, including faculty members, faculty, staff, and students to accomplish these goals. company, which trades, dis- members, administrators, college board members, and particularly tributes, and transports fertil- the student body, for whom, after all, Yeshiva University exists. We will review, and if necessary, restructure the University and its constituents to adapt to today’s challenges, but do so in an open izer materials, liquefied petro- “give-and-take” atmosphere. leum gases, and petrochemi- One of the Jewish newspapers referred to me as a Lamm loyalist. cals, is listed by Forbes maga- This I am, without any equivocation. At the same time, however, •We will maintain the University’s financial strength, and give zine as one of the nation’s 100 I believe that under the aegis of our next president, the University members of the Board access to the financial information and will undergo important changes for which we should pledge our reports they need to meet their fiduciary obligations. largest private corporations. attention and our time. Mr. Stanton is chairman of Therefore, I will welcome suggestions, advice and opinions from all the Ministerial Committee, To remove any doubt about the program, I would like to spell out of you who are here and all those who are not here in this room at past trustee of the Spanish and certain guiding principles: the present time. Portuguese Synagogue in Man- • Any and all important decisions will be arrived at by consensus hattan, and a member of the and by discussion with those who are interested in contributing The people who created Yeshiva University expressed a boldness of boards of Lincoln Center Inc. their advice to the governance of the University. The outcome purpose and imagination as well as the dedication and willingness and The New York Presby- will be a consensus but will also be strongly influenced by the to give of themselves in order to achieve where we are today. terian Hospital. tradition, the mission, and the guiding principles of Yeshiva In 1982, he was awarded an University as established by our past leadership. We have to demonstrate the same vision and strength of purpose to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. honorary Doctor of Humane •We will step up our efforts to recruit young and dynamic people Letters degree by YU. In mak- as members of the various boards. This new generation of I have a feeling that my future service on this Board will be just as ing the presentation, Dr. Lamm leaders will serve the University in the years to come. stimulating and rewarding as the past 26 years. I look forward to lauded Mr. Stanton’s “clear- •We will strive for cross-pollination in our academic program so working with you and thank you again for the opportunity you eyed vision which, coupled that professors will lecture not only at their own college but have given me. with [his] modest but effective also at other colleges in the constituency of Yeshiva University. style, has helped us continue our service to the nation and the world.” ❑

Scheiber Scholarship Throughout her 23-year career, and loan fund for deserving she received superior perform- Jewish women at Stern College Student Lounge Opens continued from page 1 ance reviews, but was never for Women and Albert Ein- promoted, which she attrib- stein College of Medicine truly extraordinary,” said Dr. uted to being Jewish and a “who have indicated their Karen Bacon, Monique C. Katz woman. When she retired in desire to assist in the develop- Dean of Stern College. “Our 1941 with a monthly pension ment of humanity, and allevi- graduates will find themselves of $83 and $5,000 in savings, ate pain and suffering.” in the enviable position of she devoted her talent and “I believe these scholar- being able to focus fully on energy to investing in the ships will accomplish precisely their medical school studies stock market, where religion what Ms. Scheiber wanted: to without the burden of sub- and gender didn’t matter. enable exceptional women to stantial loans.” Ms. Scheiber did her own achieve exceptional goals with- Two first-year Einstein stu- research before making invest- out having to compromise be- dents, Deena Blanchard and ments and would attend an- cause of financial need,” Dr. Yael Yaari, were the first to nual meetings of ‘her compa- Bacon said. “There is no doubt receive Scheiber scholarships. nies’ when they were held in in my mind that the recipients They did not go through a for- New York. She had an acute will always be inspired by Ms. mal application process but understanding of the stock Scheiber’s vision for what were chosen after the funds market and an uncanny ability women can achieve, and they were made available in June. A in investing. will surely commit themselves The first of the two student lounges at the new 36th Street formal process is set for the Upon her death in 1995, to helping alleviate suffering Residence Hall at the Midtown Campus is open this semes- 2003-04 academic year. she accumulated a portfolio as Ms. Scheiber had wanted.” ter, providing students with a haven that looks and feels like Anne Scheiber was born in valued at $22 million, and The awards will be known home. Designed by Susan Aiello of Interior Design Solutions, Brooklyn, NY in 1893. She bequeathed virtually all of it to as the Anne Scheiber Scholar- the room was inspired by an adjacent garden, and is meant paid her way through law Yeshiva University. As she ship Fund and Anne Scheiber to encourage study, recreation, and informal get-togethers school, and found employ- requested, the gift will endow Loan Fund Awards. ❑ in a relaxed environment. Work on the second lounge is ment as a federal tax auditor. in perpetuity a scholarship expected to be completed by December. 4 YUToday Fall 2002 UNDERGRADUATE

F ACULTY PROFILE

David Shatz: Master teacher brings philosophy to life for students

lifelong baseball devo- “He is one of the most stim- like, ‘Can we go to the ball college courses at age 23, losophy at Stern, “David is tee, David Shatz, PhD, ulating teachers I’ve ever had,” game?’” Yet he did have a seri- whetting his appetite for fur- that rare person who is both Ainsists that he can root says Meira Russ ‘02, a history ous side. If he wasn’t scrutiniz- ther study and a career in aca- a respected, world-renowned for both the Mets and the major who “minored in Dr. ing the latest box scores, he demics. scholar, and an extraordinarily Yankees, a notion that befud- Shatz.” was studying the Talmud or Next, Dr. Shatz enrolled in a devoted teacher, dedicated to dles just about every other fan “He had taught these cours- reading history books, curious doctoral program in general the craft of teaching.” in New York. It’s like voting for es many times before, but you about the larger world. philosophy at Columbia, earn- Nixon and McGovern. It’s would never know it from his The Shatz family returned ing a PhD with “distinction,” Competing values impossible and irrational. And energy and enthusiasm,” she to the city in 1961, when an honor awarded to the top this man is a philosopher, a said. David was 13, settling on 10 percent of dissertations. He Since joining the YU faculty master of logic and a defender His peers agree. “David Shatz Manhattan’s Upper West Side. also won a prize for best essay in 1982, Dr. Shatz’ stature has of reason? represents a remarkable and As luck would have it, the in the philosophy of science. grown in both secular and But there’s an explanation very rare combination,” re- local rabbi was a charismatic His dissertation subject was Jewish studies. His work in of sorts. As Dr. Shatz writes in marked Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter, young man named Norman Knowledge, Reliability, and general philosophy focuses on “The Overexamined Life is Not dean of the Rabbi Joseph B. Lamm, whose emphasis on Justification. the theory of knowledge, free Worth Living,” an essay in God Soloveitchik Institute in Brook- both the sacred and the secu- The years at Columbia were will, ethics, and the philoso- and the Philosophers, “Hume line, MA, known to the YU lar would become enormously critical in shaping Dr. Shatz as phy of religion, while his taught us, in effect, that it is a community as the founding influential. a philosopher and as a teacher. efforts in Jewish philosophy vice to be too rational, to hold editor of the Torah u-Madda Soon, David was off to One of his professors, Sidney cover Jewish ethics, Maimo- out for rigorous arguments in Journal. “By virtue of his per- Yeshiva University, where he Morgenbesser, was among the nides, and 20th-century rab- all walks of life. Only a mad sonal behavior and prodigious would study from high school most influential philosophers binic figures. person would want to conduct intellectual accomplishments, through graduate school. In of recent decades, who, said An expert in the ethics of he is undoubtedly one college, he concentrated first Shatz, maintained “that the medicine and science, he has rigor and seriousness of philos- served on a special committee “A whole generation of students ophy must never crowd out the of the Orthodox Union con- sheer joy and fun of doing it.” vened to address the ethics of has been won over by this master The same could be said for stem-cell research, and he is teacher, who is at once rigorous and Dr. Shatz, whose sense of currently writing a book on entertaining, erudite and grounded.” humor and ability to bring peer review. To date, he has delivered hundreds of lectures, published 50 articles, and edited or coedited seven books, including Philosophy and Faith: A Philosophy of Religion Reader; Defin- itions and Definability: Philosophical Perspectives; and Tikkun Olam: Social Responsibility in Jewish Thought and Law. He is also editor of the Torah u-Madda Journal, his or her life with complete of the sharpest, most in- on mathematics, shifting to philosophy to bear on issues where he explores how Torah Spock-like logicality. We are sightful and most thoughtful the humanities, influenced by in everyday life has endeared interfaces with a broad range possessed not of minds alone, representatives and spokesmen a freshman course taught by him to countless students. of fields, from psychology to but of hearts, emotions, needs, for Torah, and lectures on the Leo Taubes, who retired re- “He’s a very funny man,” said medicine to law to politics. instincts, and habits; and we subject, in all its complexity cently after teaching English at Ms. Russ. “I remember in one “Nowadays, when people think inhabit social contexts. Ob- and multifaceted nature, are YU for 42 years. The young class, he broke into a comedy of Torah Umadda, they often viously, without the use of rea- models of clear, cogent, and scholar was particularly drawn routine,” replete with imper- think Torah and Jewish history son, anarchy enters; still, in sonations of famous people. and philosophy,” he said. most areas of belief and prac- “Nowadays, when people think of But his courses are any- “This is certainly an aspect of tice, we don’t and shouldn’t let thing but “philosophy-lite.” it, but there is more to Torah philosophical worries get to us.” Torah Umadda, they often think Torah “He forces you to think,” Umadda than combining Torah Sounds reasonable. Yet, Dr. and Jewish history and philosophy...“ says Ms. Russ. “He expects a with academic Jewish studies. Shatz was writing a defense of lot from his students.” A good example is the sympo- faith, not a treatise on base- And he gives a lot in return, sium we had on cloning, ball. Nonetheless, he does rigorous thinking. “He is also a to philosophy, which integrat- spending countless hours re- which played a role in the have a knack for explaining remarkable mensch, blessed ed his varied interests. “And it viewing papers with students Orthodox Union’s delibera- just about any topic. It’s a with a real sensitivity to peo- fit in well with my Talmudic and creating new courses. tions on stem cell research.” good thing, for his job is to ple and a first-rate, quick-wit- studies, with deep questions Over the years, Dr. Shatz has In addition, Dr. Shatz is edi- help students unravel some of ted sense of humor. I know of and rigorous thinking,” he designed 20 different courses, tor of the MeOtzar HoRav the densest material to be precious few people who have said. David graduated from YC found in a college curriculum, both these qualities: first-rate in 1969, winning honors as from medieval philosophy to intellect and first-rate human the class valedictorian along “...but there is more to Torah Umadda theories of the mind to meta- decency.” with a Talmud prize. than combining Torah with academic physics. And his students do Feet firmly planted in two Jewish studies.” seem to get it. Indeed, at Stern The sacred worlds, he spent the next few College for Women, where he and the secular years studying for the rab- is professor of philosophy, he binate at the University-affili- mostly electives in general and series, which publishes manu- has won the senior class’ out- Dr. Shatz, who was born in ated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Jewish philosophy. In 1997, he scripts by Rabbi Joseph B. standing professor of the year the Bronx and raised in Theological Seminary (RIETS), was a winner in the interna- Soloveitchik. As a college stu- honor five times. A whole gen- Monsey, NY, was much like a master’s in Jewish philoso- tional John Templeton Foun- dent, Dr. Shatz was enormous- eration of students has been other boys, occupied with phy at the Bernard Revel dation competition for best ly influenced by the Rav as a won over by this master hobbies like baseball and Graduate School of Jewish course design in science and Talmud teacher, orator, and teacher, who is at once rigor- comic books. “I didn’t bother Studies, and a master’s in gen- religion. rabbinic figure. His influence ous and entertaining, erudite my parents with big ques- eral philosophy at New York According to Charles Raffel, and grounded. tions,” he says. “It was more University. He began teaching PhD, assistant professor of phi- continued on page 9 Fall 2002 YUToday 5 GRADUATE

CARDOZO AECOM Roundup

• Renato Rozental, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neuro- For Sandra Feuerstein, Labor of Law is science and anesthesiology, and Solomon L. Moshe, MD, profes- sor of neurology, neuroscience, and pediatrics at Albert Einstein Labor of Love College of Medicine received a national award for epilepsy research. They are among the first scientists to be funded by a s a successful attor- the first woman from the new consortium of epilepsy-related organizations and individu- ney, judge, and moth- 10th judicial district. als, called Partnership for Pediatric Epilepsy Research. The Aer of two, Sandra J. Prior to her state Supreme Epilepsy Foundation administers the program. Feuerstein is accustomed to Court victory, Ms. Feuerstein accolades. Professional excel- served as a Nassau County, • Researchers, led by Luciano Rossetti, MD, professor of medi- lence, integrity, and respect Long Island District Court cine, have demonstrated the existence of a specific biochemical are qualities that not only Judge from 1987 to 1993. pathway in humans that may lead to excess body weight. Their guide her legal work, but Ms. Feuerstein is a mem- findings, reported in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, lend underpin her approach to ber of the Cardozo Board support to the “thrifty gene” theory, which suggests that human people, be they litigants or ad- and serves as one of three genetics allow for efficient fat storage when food is plentiful. versaries, friends or associates. cochairs. Through her in- So when President Bush volvement with and support • Nancy A. Dubler, LLB, professor of epidemiology and social nominated this stellar grad- of Cardozo, she embodies medicine, was part of a Food and Drug advisory panel on breast uate of YU’s Benjamin N. the school’s defining man- implants. Two years after the government allowed the saline- Cardozo School of Law (’79) tra: building greater under- filled devices to remain on the market, debate over their safety and current New York State standing of how law and continues. The panel urged better follow-up studies and ques- Supreme Court justice to society coexist and applying tioned the likelihood of women with implants to undergo addi- serve as a US District Court an ethical overlay to its app- tional surgery within five years. Judge for the Eastern lication. She expresses a deep District, the honor seemed consistent with a love and respect for the legal profession, a rev- • Karen Warman, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, con- career filled with many highs and firsts. erence forged from long hours in law school ducted a survey with colleagues at Einstein of pharmacists in the She was a member of Cardozo’s first graduat- and hundreds of trials, savoring the give-and- Bronx, where asthma rates are among the nation’s highest. The ing class, serves as its highest-ranking judicial take and cerebral combat critical for reaching survey found that many local pharmacies are either not graduate, and formed half of what many judicious rulings. equipped to treat asthma, or refuse Medicaid coverage for venti- believe was the nation’s first mother-daughter Achieving that goal, she says, means inject- lators, inhalers, and other medicine. Since the 1999 survey, judicial team. Ms. Feuerstein’s mother, Annette ing much-needed civility in the courtroom, reported in Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Medicaid has Elstein, an immigration judge, had the honor of qualities often lacking in daytime television’s increased reimbursement rates for equipment, and the New York swearing in her daughter as a state Supreme portrayal of judges as didactic demagogues. State department of health is helping pharmacists acquire the Court justice. Ms. Feuerstein won election to Young people, she said, should be taught that devices at more-affordable prices. the office in 1994. Five years later, NY Gov. the law “can be used but also can be abused.” ❑ George E. Pataki appointed her to the state’s • Mark F. Gordon, MD, associate professor of clinical neurolo- Appellate Division in the Second Department, gy, was lead researcher for testing the effects of Botox, a purified strain of botulinum toxin, on safely paralyzing unwanted mus- cle movement in stroke patients. His team first tested Botox on 126 patients with spasticity in their wrist and hand muscles to AZRIELI see if the toxin would ease the tensed muscles. Nearly half of patients showed some improvement after the first shot. For patients who received four shots, nearly 70 percent reported Yaffa Eliach Teaching at Azrieli improvement after a year. • Stanley Crain, PhD, professor of neuroscience, and colleagues pioneering scholar She created the Tower at Einstein demonstrated that novel formulations of narcotic in Holocaust stud- of Life at the United States painkillers may be used in effective, pain-relieving dosages, with- Aies has joined the Holocaust Museum in out producing serious dependence or withdrawal effects. These faculty of Azrieli Graduate Washington, DC, a display findings, reported at the International conference on Pain and School of Jewish Educa- of 1,500 photographs de- Chemical Dependency in June, could potentially mean better tion and Administration picting life in a typical and safer forms of narcotic painkillers. for fall semester 2002. Eastern European shtetl. Award-winning author and She also founded the first • Judith Wylie-Rosett, EdD, professor of epidemiology and historian, Dr. Yaffa Eliach Center for Holocaust Doc- social medicine, authored a statement for the American Heart is offering “Teaching the umentation and Research Association on fat substitutes and health for publication in its Holocaust” as part of the in the US. Her most recent journal Circulation. About 90 percent of the US population has School's commitment to project is a full-size replica tried a low-fat food or fat substitutes, but obesity keeps skyrock- excellence in curricular of a shtetl, to be built in eting, the association said. development and teacher the near future in Rishon – Foods made with fat substitutes, used in moderation, may training for Jewish educa- Le-Zion, Israel. The open- provide some flexibility in food selection, but are not an tion here and abroad. air shtetl museum will rep- effective strategy on their own for weight control,” “Teaching the Holocaust resent all aspects of Jewish according to Dr. Wylie-Rosett. “Often, reduced-fat ver- has been central in my life life of Ashkenazim and sions of products have the same or even more calories for many decades, for the Sephardim, as well as than their full-fat versions.” Holocaust is a water- Jewish contributions to – An estimated 60 percent of Americans are overweight and shed in world history,” the world at large. 25 percent are obese. “During the 1990s the number of Dr. Eliach said. “I am convinced that only prop- Dr. Eliach is author of There Once Was A people in the US with diagnosed diabetes increased by er and accurate teaching of the Holocaust can World: A 900-Year Chronicle of the Shtetl of about 33 percent, the result of increased rates of obesity, assure tolerance and security, and can prevent Eishyshok, which was a nonfiction finalist for she said. anti-Semitism and destruction. The present sit- the National Book Award. She also wrote uation shows that the world has not learned the Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust, We Were Children • John Condeelis, PhD, professor of anatomy and structural right lessons about the Holocaust.” Just Like You, The Liberators: Eyewitness Accounts biology, and Robert Singer, PhD, professor of cell biology, Dr. Eliach is a professor of history and litera- of the Liberation of Concentration Camps (coedi- became cochairs of the department of anatomy and structural ture in the department of Judaic studies at tor), The Last Jew (coauthor), The Fisherman's biology at Einstein. Brooklyn College, specializing in Eastern Wife (Hebrew), and a book now being pub- Intellectual European history, Holocaust stud- lished in Japan, Shtetl Children—Angels in • Gabriel G. Haddad, MD, has been appointed university chair- ies, and Hasidism. Heaven and Children on Earth. ❑ man of the department of pediatrics at Einstein and physician- in-chief of Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. 6 YUToday Fall 2002

S. Daniel Abraham Summer Course A Murder Mystery That Provides Southern Comfort Brings the Past to Life

ow many people know department of religion and ening Jewish identity. rofessor Jeffrey Freedman is that in 1800 Charles- Nathan and Sophia Gumenick Students heard lectures an unusual kind of his- Hton, SC, was home to Professor of Jewish Studies at from Dr. Raphael and guest Ptorian. The associate more Jews than any other the College of William and professors from local universi- professor of history at Yeshiva North American town or city Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Dr. ties. Impressed by the caliber University is drawn to events of the women, Dr. that seem to contradict their Raphael remarked, “The milieu. students were extremely Indeed, he believes, such bright and asked probing, moments often get brushed challenging questions.” aside in the broad sweep of Those questions touched history when they seem con- issues such as Jewish cul- trary to their respective period. ture in the antebellum For Professor Freedman, these period, Jewish communi- strange slices of history offer ties and the regional insights into the past, as evi- newspaper stories of the trial economy, and the decline denced by his new book, A and intellectuals debating the of small town Jewish life. Poisoned Chalice (Princeton problem of evil in contempo- The program also focused University Press). rary journals. on civil rights history and Professor Freedman included site visits to the “I was struck as this was began his research as a Civil Rights Museum in kind of detective, inter- Savannah and the Martin not the sort of event ested in reconstructing From left: Dr. Marc L. Raphael, Shifra Landowne, Alisa Rose, Miriam Luther King Jr. Center in you would expect to only the details of the Bader, Rose Blynn, Rebecca Rosenbern, Shira Frankel, and their tour guide. Atlanta. take place during the past. But soon his work “The lectures were fan- Enlightenment. It seemed revealed broader impli- or that it gave birth to Reform Cynthia Wachtell, director of tastic, but the bulk of our cations for the Enlight- Judaism on this side of the the Honors Program and learning came through discus- more like a crime out of enment as a whole, as Atlantic? course coordinator, said, “We sions sparked by Dr. Raphael. the Middle Ages.” there seemed no ration- These and other gems of chose Dr. Raphael for his His breadth of knowledge in- al motive for so extreme Jewish history and culture renowned scholarship and spired us.” Ms. Landowne said. The book, lauded by the a crime. “It was an attempt at were discovered courtesy of an expertise in this area.” The women particularly en- Times Literary Supplement as a mass murder because in a honors course this summer Shifra Landowne and Alisa joyed the course's group dy- “tour de force,” chronicles the Protestant cathedral, the entire under the S. Daniel Abraham Rose, two course participants, namic. “We benefited from attempted mass murder in congregation drinks the com- Honors Program. The program said they found observing having a small group because 1776 of the entire congrega- munion wine,” explained is offered through Stern Col- Jewish life in the South and there were better opportuni- tion of Zurich’s main cathedral Professor Freedman. lege for Women. its development fascinating. ties for discussion,” Ms. Rose through poisoning of the com- No strong motive existed Students took a 10-day trip “Nothing there resembled a emphasized. “We continued munion wine. So malicious among the suspects, including to Charleston, Atlanta, and typical New York Jewish com- our intense conversations dur- was the act that it questioned the defrocked minister who Savannah where they visited munity,” Ms. Landowne said. ing bus rides and in our rooms the limits of human reason was eventually executed. Yet historic synagogues, cemeter- “The most valuable part of the late into the night.” that defined 18th-century En- the crime suggested a capacity ies, museums, day schools, course for me was speaking “Summer Honors Courses lightenment itself. for evil so depraved, it seemed and Jewish community cen- with many interesting people are an integral part of the “I was struck as this was not diabolic. And it belied one of ters. They also met with local and learning about their con- Honors Program,” Dr. Wach- the sort of event you would the most basic of Enlighten- rabbis, community leaders, nection to their heritage.” tell said. “I wanted to create a expect to take place during the ment notions: that man is not and Jewish families who paint- A highlight, Ms. Landowne course that would be challeng- Enlightenment,” said Professor born with an inherent capaci- ed a portrait of the Jewish pointed out, was a day trip to ing and uniquely designed to Freedman. “It seemed more like ty for evil, as Christian doc- experience in these regions Beaufort, SC, where the group suit the interest of SCW stu- a crime out of the Middle Ages.” trine of original sin maintains. from the colonial period to the visited Beth Israel Synagogue dents. The South, rich in Before he chose the crime As A Poisoned Chalice re- present. and met a woman committed American and Jewish history, as his subject, it had been rele- constructs the case and the The course was led by Dr. to maintaining the congrega- was irresistible.” ❑ gated to a footnote in history widespread attention it drew, Marc Lee Raphael, chair of the tion despite the town's weak- books about Zurich, and had the book unearths another gone completely unmention- forgotten aspect of history ed in works about the larger writing: the art of storytelling. field of German Enlighten- As a detective story, his book ment. This despite the sensa- makes for riveting reading; as tionalist frenzy the crime an historical account, it offers Sy Syms School Faculty Tapped stirred up throughout Ger- a fascinating view of the as Experts man-speaking Europe, with Enlightenment. ❑

mages of CEOs being led corporate corruption. ness Ethics, was interviewed est in our faculty’s views,” said phasized how ethics underpins away in handcuffs, cap- Sy Syms Dean Charles Snow on ABC Radio and Associated Dr. Pava. their understanding of proper Itains of industry testifying was featured in an Associated Press Radio on business and Dr. Peter Sperling, professor business practices. before Congress, and Amer- Press story that appeared ethics and was featured in a of finance, was quoted in The Readership of these stories icans seeing their nest eggs nationwide following Pres- cover story in The Baltimore Boston Globe on monetary exceeded 5 million, raising depleted in slumping stock ident Bush’s announcement of Jewish Times, “The People of policy and addressed the same awareness of the Sy Syms prices dominated headlines a crackdown on corporate the Book or Buck.” The article topic on CBS Radio. In mid- School of Business and its out- this past summer. wrongdoing. He also took lis- included remarks by Rabbi August he gave an AP inter- standing faculty, and reflect- Sy Syms School of Business teners’ calls on “The Jim Robert S. Hirt, assistant to the view on the Bush Economic ing its emphasis on business faculty, in print and broadcast Bohannon Show,” and dis- president of RIETS and Rabbi Summit and was mentioned in ethics amid increased coverage interviews, offered special per- cussed corporate fraud on CBS Sidney Shoham Professor of papers nationwide, from The of corporate corruption. spective on abuses in corpo- Radio 88. Rabbinic and Community Wichita Eagle to The Record. A record 734 students now rate America. As news of corporate ac- Leadership at RIETS, and Dr. Locally, WABC-TV covered attend the School, an enroll- With business and ethics counting abuses intensified, Aaron Levine, the Samson and a summer accounting course ment that indicates its en- fundamental to the Sy Syms major media outlets ap- Halina Bitensky Professor of given by Prof. David Horning hanced reputation within the curriculum and the Jewish val- proached Syms professors for Economics at Yeshiva College. that included interviews with business community and its ues underpinning YU’s mis- analysis on economic implica- “Given our emphasis on Dean Snow and students who attraction for students explor- sion, the faculty proved natu- tions. ethics as an integral part of our discussed dealing with dishon- ing careers in business. ❑ ral and effective voices for Dr. Moses Pava, Alvin H. course work, it is no wonder est accounting practices in interpreting the recent spate of Einbender Professor of Busi- the media has shown an inter- one’s workplace. Students em- Fall 2002 YUToday 7

YU CHRONICLES

Moshe Tendler: The Pursuit of Truth, A Lifelong Profession

s a renowned Talmudic When Two Worlds to search for a common den- scholar and biologist, Become One ominator as I discover the dif- ARabbi Moshe D. Tendler “When I leave my Talmud ferences are not that significant. displays a measured approach class and walk into microbiol- to Jewish learning and its ogy, it’s better than going to Taking Another Path application to daily life: an the movies or turning on the “I could never have imag- insatiable curiosity, an infec- television. I never saw Talmud ined choosing another profes- tious enthusiasm, and a fideli- and science as two worlds. I sion. There is some frustration ty to principles that under- associated science with reli- that the drive for excellence score both the rigor and com- gious belief and religious belief required more than I had to passion of Jewish law. with science, because of its give. I would have liked to As a professor of biology at application. People make a publish more of my work, in- Yeshiva College and a rosh dichotomy between science cluding my shiurim [lectures]. yeshiva at the University-affili- and religion, between body And I would like to have done ated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan and soul. There isn’t one. more clinical research. In the Theological Seminary, Rabbi There is one body unit and late 1970s, I chose not to join Tendler (RIETS ’49) works in one world in which God a major pharmaceutical com- two parallel worlds. He navi- reveals himself through natu- pany, where fulltime research gates each with a steady de- ral law and religious law. in chemotherapy would have meanor, using intellect, exper- comfortable discussing his I get up each day and say a spe- brought greater financial re- ience, and compassion to keep teaching philosophy, or the cial prayer, ‘May my words be Mentors Who Shaped wards, but would have meant ideas and thoughts flowing. challenge of addressing com- accepted to the listeners.’” His Life leaving YU. And that’s some- Moreover, he understands plex biomedical issues, his “I was blessed to have as my thing I was not prepared do. that the concept of life is public and private persona Searching For Truth father-in-law, Rabbi Moshe And I have no regrets.” inherently messy, complicated, exudes optimism, even in the “In the Talmud, the truth Feinstein, who was recognized cross-wired; an endless negoti- face of painful human dilemmas. remains constant and the cir- as the leading Halakhic auth- Building A Better World ation between interior and cumstances change. In sci- ority of his time. I had the “YU remains as always a exterior, between the en- Teaching At YU ence, the truth changes. The advantage of walking behind splendid platform for helping vironment in which a human “Every new term brings its nature of science has a human him and being involved in students train for professions or animal lives and its physio- own freshness, its own sense factor of fallibility. And as almost everything he did. It that enhance not only them- logical and neurological state. of excitement, even some technology and science hold was a courtesy he extended me selves but society at large. Talk Making sense of it all, Rabbi Tendler demands self-disci- pline, a supple mind, and a moral compass, as well as re- cognition of how others con- tribute to society’s welfare. That includes laboratory mice whom he praises as unherald- ed soldiers in fighting disease. Ensconced in his dusty basement office on YU’s Wilf Campus, Rabbi Tendler, 76, interrupted his busy schedule to reflect on a lifetime of achievement. Indeed, there are barriers difficult to breach. Rabbi Tendler is well practiced at stra- tegic reticence: his normal affability and openness can be flipped off instantly when nervousness. I once asked my hands and move forward, we for more than 50 years, for with our medical students and answering personal questions, father, who taught Talmud at face brand new truths. Science which I remain ever grateful.” you often find that they chose especially about growing up on Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, has made me a liar. For decades, medicine not because their Manhattan’s Lower East Side. and was a rebbe for 42 years, I taught the one-gene, one- Mellowing Over Time father or uncle was a doctor A mix of pride and humili- whether he ever had stage enzyme axiom of biochem- “I think I have become but through their desire to ty comes across as he recalls fright. He said there would istry. I taught there were more tolerant of other opin- contribute something special his one-time slugger (“3-sew- come a time in your career around 100,000 genes. We’re ions in that I’m better able to to the survival of humanity. I er”) status in punchball or his when your main fear will be down to 35,000 now. And one see the value of an individual feel blessed to have been a part favorite radio show (“The whether there will be an audi- gene has learned to make mul- despite the disagreements. of it all.” ❑ Shadow”). And while more ence to be frightened of. Thus tiple enzymes.” That makes me more inclined

Road to Recovery Leads Ferkauf Professor to Larger Role

efore September 11, dust and debris after the north recovery effort at PS 234 for pendently of the Board of Edu- appear later this fall in a PBS 2001, Dr. Bruce Arnold tower collapsed, accelerated the past year. He implemented cation and is hired by the par- special with First Lady Laura Bworked once a week for the need for a hands-on men- a group-counseling program, ents’ association. Bush on how terrorism im- 10 years as the consulting psy- tal health professional. evaluated the school’s readi- Professor Arnold’s involve- pacts children. He is now help- chologist at PS 234, a pre-K Prof. Arnold, who earned ness to return to the building, ment in PS 234’s recovery has ing implement a city-wide, through fifth grade elemen- his PsyD in School-Clinical and oversaw the adjustment earned him both media and post 9/11 school initiative tary school, three blocks from Child Psychology from Ferkauf process for its students. professional recognition. He through the Office of School the World Trade Center site. Graduate School of Psych- “The school really pulled was included in a National Health at the New York But the school’s emergency ology in 1986, and is now an together and took care of Geographic Explorer docu- Academy of Medicine. ❑ evacuation, during which chil- adjunct assistant clinical pro- itself,” says Professor Arnold, mentary about PS 234’s recov- dren and staff fled through the fessor there, has overseen the who developed his role inde- ery on MSNBC, and will 8 YUToday Fall 2002

Student Profile

Burma Native Realizes Dream of Attending YU

preparing essays for college Sammy spent Rosh Hashana ated with Yeshiva University applications. Through email, he at the home of Rabbi Yamin for many years,” Ms. Basri assisted Sammy in the process. Levy, a faculty member of the said. “My mother, Annette A New York Times article last undergraduate Jewish studies Basri, established a scholarship July described the Samuels program. “Sammy had a won- at The Marsha Stern Talmud- family as the last remnant of derful experience in terms of ical Academy/Yeshiva Uni- Burma’s Jewish community seeing how a chag [festival] is versity High School for Boys and mentioned Sammy’s desire observed according to Halakhah and is on the board of the to attend Yeshiva University. in America,” said Rabbi Levy. Sephardic Council of Over- Professor Weiss immediately “We also got him new tefill- seers. My brother, Dr. William emailed it to Sammy. in [phylacteries] and taught Basri, is an alumnus of the Ironically, the same day, him how to put them on. He is high school and was honored Sammy had an interview at the doing so every day and is in 1997 at the high school din- American Consulate. Sammy learning ancient texts for the ner/concert. I contacted Dr. Sammy Samuels presented the Times article to first time with great enthusi- Dobrinsky who helped facili- oming from a country miles to make the arduous consular officials, and believes asm.” Rabbi Levy also pointed tate Sammy’s coming to YU.” of only eight Jews, journey and took him under the piece proved instrumental out that since coming here, In addition, Ms. Basri taught CSammy Samuels was his wing until classes began. in securing him his visa. The Sammy has adopted Sephardic corporate law at the Benjamin overwhelmed and astounded “I visited Burma in the value of that prize was appar- Jewish customs and liturgy. N. Cardozo School of Law in at his first Shabbat dinner on summer of 2000 and met ent. While 10 individuals were Another tourist who met 1994, and for the last six years the Wilf Campus. Moses Samuels, Sammy’s father, already accepted into Amer- Sammy in Burma was Carole was involved with the ACA A native of Rangoon, when I went to see the ican colleges, only Sammy and Basri, a New York attorney also Heyman Intern Program, plac- Myanmar, formerly Burma, Musmeah Yeshua Synagogue one other person got visas. of Iraqi descent, who has doc- ing students at New York-area Sammy found himself sur- in Rangoon,” said Professor Dubbed the ‘last hope for umented Iraqi Jewish commu- corporations. rounded by more than 500 Weiss. “As caretaker of the the Jews of Myanmar’ in The nities. Ms. Basri produced a Sammy plans to major in Jewish young men at Friday country’s only synagogue and Times, Sammy is of Iraqi descent. documentary on her exotic tra- computer science and is taking night services as students Jewish cemetery, he showed “Sammy is the proud heir vels, in which Sammy appears, classes in networking, calcu- returned to campus for the fall me around and told me about of a beautiful legacy,” said to be aired on PBS Metro Arts. lus, and introductory English. ‘02 semester. his son, who very much want- Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, “I met Sammy and his Having spent a year in Israel in “I’ve never seen anything ed to attend university in the vice president for university father in November 2000 in 1999, he is conversant in like that in my life,” he said. A US.” The government had affairs and consultant to YU’s Rangoon at the synagogue. Hebrew and is tackling Talmud soft-spoken young man with a closed down the universities Sephardic Studies Program, Sammy told me he wanted to with poise and enthusiasm. ready smile, Sammy arrived in in Rangoon in 1988. which he co-founded with the apply to university in America The hope is that Sammy’s suc- New York on August 14. Ira Back in New York, Professor late Dr. Solomon Gaon. “His but had limited access to the cess will help determine the Weiss, a professor of account- Weiss sent Sammy a directory experience at YU will enable Internet.” Ms. Basri suggested future of Burma’s shrinking ing at Columbia University of the 300 major universities him to go back to Myanmar he apply to YU and offered to Jewish community, where he who met Sammy in Rangoon, in America, which included and perpetuate his forbears’ tra- assist him. plans to return to carry on his gave Sammy his frequent-flyer YU, as well as information on ditions.” “My family has been affili- family’s rich heritage. ❑

Rabbi Scott Goldberg, instructor, Azrieli New Faculty Members Enrich Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. He is currently earning a Undergraduate Teaching PhD in applied psychology at New York University School of Education. He is a cer- Yeshiva University welcomes these new undergraduate tified learning disabilities teacher, reading faculty members: specialist, and special education teacher.

Dr. Wenxiong Chen, associate professor of Dr. Bruce Hrnjez, assistant professor of mathematics, Yeshiva College. He received chemistry, Yeshiva College. A PhD in physi- a PhD from the Institute of Math in Beijing, cal organic chemistry from Johns Hopkins China, and specializes in nonlinear partial University, he has taught at institutions differential equations, geometric analysis, including Harvard Medical School. He has and nonlinear functional analysis. He has received numerous grants for scientific been awarded grants from the National research. Science Foundation for the past 15 years.

Dr. Paula Geyh, assistant professor of William Stenhouse, assistant professor of English, Yeshiva College. A PhD from the history, Yeshiva College/Stern College. He University of Pennsylvania, she is an expert is a PhD candidate at University College in comparative literature and literary theo- London. Subjects he has taught include ry. Her interests include American litera- Greek and Roman history, Latin and Greek ture, American postmodernism, and 20th- language, Renaissance culture, and histori- century American fiction. ography from antiquity to the Renaissance. Fall 2002 YUToday 9

Board Newsi New Faces at Student Services to represent the needs of stu- The following have been elected to Yeshiva University boards: dents to the administration and to emphasize and advocate •Yeshiva University Board of Trustees: Ronald P. Stanton, for them where appropriate. chairman; Ludwig Bravmann, vice chairman; Bernard L. “We also have an obligation Madoff, treasurer, and Robert M. Beren, chairman emeritus. to represent the views of the administration to the student • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law: Senetor Frank R. body. To do both successfully, Lautenberg, Mark S. Lieberman, and Rachel L. Warren, vice it’s important for us as a de- chairman. Stephen B. Judlowe and Nathan Kacew are newly partment to regain student trust elected members. and to convey to them that they are our priority,” he said. Dr. Nulman worked in stu- dent services from 1984 to Andrew Leibowitz, YC Student Council president Shai Barnea, 2000 before leaving to teach THE BOOKSHELF and Dr. Efrem Nulman clinical courses at Wurzweiler winning combination associate dean of students, and family therapy at other A Bronx Palace of Torah deserves an encore. remain in their respective pos- institutions. He plans to draw AThat’s the case at the itions. Personal counselors also on his work with families to restructured Office of the Dean include Rabbi Yosef Blau, Ron- help students adjust to the By Rabbi I. Nathan Bamberger, RIETS ’51, BRGS ’68, ’74 of Students, where onetime ald Lamb, and international educational, social, spiritual, Soncino Press Ltd. colleagues have returned this student adviser Russell Schou- and personal demands of col- Brooklyn, NY fall to develop more compre- maker. lege life. hensive and responsive services At the Midtown Campus, A 1994 YC alumnus, Mr. abbi Bamberger is one of only four rabbis, all at both campuses. Student Services positions re- Leibowitz oversees various as- RIETS musmakhim (graduates), who served as In the restructuring, former main unchanged under Dr. pects of student life at the Wilf R spiritual leader of the Kingsbridge Heights university dean of students Dr. Nulman, with Zelda Braun as Campus, including undergrad- Jewish Center, the Bronx. The late Rabbi Israel Miller, Efrem Nulman has returned as assistant dean of students for uate activities, counseling, and YU senior vice president emeritus and one of the four, senior university dean of stu- undergraduate women, Beth assisting students with person- wrote a foreword to the book, which now also includes dents after a two-year hiatus; Hait as coordinator of student al and school-related con- a memorial tribute to him. Andrew Leibowitz, who worked services, and Rachel Kraut as cerns. He and Ms. Hait at the The Jewish Center, founded in 1924, was a consid- under Dr. Nulman and Dean residence supervisor. Personal Midtown Campus represent ered a major NYC synagogue. When it closed in 1996, of Students David Himber guidance counselors include the “front lines” of connecting congregation members donated $200,000 to RIETS to before leaving in 1999, takes Dr. Rochelle Ausubel and students and administration. establish the Kingsbridge Heights Jewish Center over as assistant dean of stu- Rabbi Shlomo Hochberg. Mr. “Our job is to connect with Endowed Kollel Fellowship Fund. dents at the Wilf Campus; and Schoumaker and Marga Marx students, get them involved, Rabbi Bamberger is the author of The Viking Jews: Rabbi Yehudah Fine resumes serve as international student get them to understand that A History of the Jews of Denmark. He has also published duties as part-time guidance advisers. we are here to help them. We Timely Torah Twinkles, Basic Guide to Judaism, and counselor for undergraduate Dr. Nulman is a 1974 alum- want students to know there’s Hilchoth Melicha. men. nus of Yeshiva University High a place to which they can turn “It’s like a coach of a bas- Schools, and graduated from with any academic issues— ketball team that won a cham- Wurzweiler School of Social psychological, social, personal, pionship,” said Mr. Leibowitz. Work with an MSW in 1981 medical,” Mr. Leibowitz said. “Dr. Nulman wanted his origi- and a DSW in 1984. In his new Parents and students can David Shatz This is one of many topics nal crew back because he knew capacity, he will primarily contact the Office of Student that Dr. Shatz teaches in his that the team worked.” focus on students, leaving Services at the Wilf Campus at continued from page 4 courses at YU. But it’s not just At the Wilf Campus, Mr. administrative responsibilities 212-960-5480; at the Midtown as a philosopher came later, the subject matter that he Himber and Dr. Chaim Nissel, to Mr. Himber. He said he aims Campus at 212-340-7715. ❑ since Rabbi Soloveitchik was hopes to impart to his stu- more attuned to phenomenol- dents. “I want them to walk ogy (the study of human con- away with the ability to think sciousness), as it relates to reli- deeply, to recognize the differ- 2002 Roth Scholars Engage In Research gion, while Dr. Shatz pursued ence between rhetorical tech- theories of knowledge and the nique and convincing, logical ot everyone’s idea of a mentors, members of Ein- knowledge on MS with the philosophy of science and ethics. argument,” he said. “And I want perfect summer vaca- stein's high-profile faculty, to hope that someone with the “As the years went on, how- them to enjoy the exercise of Ntion is to spend 10 guide and supervise their pro- disease will once again walk ever, I developed this passion thinking; thinking is very hard, weeks in a lab coat and rubber jects. Ms. Gamss examined instead of being confined to a for phenomenology and be- but the rewards are wonderful.” gloves, hunched over test tubes malaria in a parasitology lab wheelchair,” he said. came fascinated with Rabbi and data. But for 8 YU under- with her mentor Dr. Kami Able to plan and execute Soloveitchik. It has been a large graduates, gaining hands-on Kim, associate professor, de- their own experiments, the part of my published work The subway series research experience under the partment of medicine, infec- students enjoyed the inde- over the past nine years,” said Like all good philosophers, tutelage of top biomedical sci- tious diseases. She targeted a pendence afforded to them as the professor, who is the father Dr. Shatz likes to put theories entists was time well spent. specific gene that controls par- Roth Scholars. Most intend to of two (both of whom went to to the test, taking them to the Students from Florida, New asites’ ability to produce pursue careers in medicine or YU) and grandfather of three. philosophical extreme. In fall Jersey, New York, Pennsyl- Hypoxanthine, which is nec- research. Dr. Shatz cites the Rav’s 2000, during the long-awaited vania, and Canada were en- essary to manufacture DNA. Ms. Josovitz said, “I greatly emphasis on dialectical think- “subway” series between the gaged in research in various Halting the production of benefited from the experience ing, “seeing that things are not Yankees and Mets, he had a aspects of cancer, lupus, malar- Hypoxanthine prevents para- of working in a lab and con- completely one way or the chance to challenge one of his ia, and multiple sclerosis as sites from reproducing, stem- ducting research at this level other.You have to embrace own deeply held beliefs. With 2002 Roth Scholars at the ming the disease. “The pro- while still an undergraduate.” competing perspectives. Rabbi the World Championship on Albert Einstein College of gram gave me a taste of what She examined the mechanism Soloveitchik has brought it into the line, could he still root for Medicine. research is like. It was reward- of Taxol, a cancer-fighting vogue in contemporary times, both? YU’s Ernst and Hedwig ing because what I was doing drug with mentor Dr. Susan but it does have old roots. I actually rooted for the Roth Institute of Biomedical might help in some way to Horwitz, professor of molecu- There are certain dialectical Yankees, because when push Science Education sponsored find a new drug to treat malar- lar pharmacology. tensions in the Bible and the comes to shove...” admitted the annual program. Scholars ia,” Ms. Gamss said. The Ernst and Hedwig Roth Talmud itself: God is near, God Professor Shatz, his voice trail- were Brian Barr, Caryn Gamss, In researching multiple Institute of Biomedical Science is far; one loves God, one ing off. Some dialectical tensions Julia Josovitz, Gary Lelonek, sclerosis, Mr. Lelonek exam- Education was established in fears God. Those are all part of are impossible to abide. ❑ David Rosenbaum, Meryl ined the expression of QKI 1978 to improve education in the religious attitude. Religion Sava, Anya Sedletcaia, and proteins during human fetal biological and related sciences requires sometimes conflicting Joseph Sebeo—all seniors. spinal cord development. “I at Yeshiva College and Stern pulls.” The students were assigned wanted to add to the library of College for Women. ❑ 10 YUToday Fall 2002

ATHLETICS

New Coaches for Stern College Gurock Returns to the Macs Tennis Team ou can go home again, especially if you’ve never wo accomplished players will coach tennis at Stern Yreally left. So says Dr. College for Women. Jeffrey S. Gurock, Libby M. T Debbie Schwartz, a silver medalist in tennis at the Klaperman Professor of Jewish 1997 Maccabiah Games in Israel, joins Randi Greenberg, a History, on his return this tennis pro who once played Billy Jean King. semester to the Maccabees as Mrs. Schwartz, who considers her Maccabiah victory a assistant coach. career highlight, and Mrs. Greenberg, a top performer in Dr. Gurock joined the regional competition, bring years of experience as teachers, coaching staff of Dr. Jonathan competitors, and spectators. They will replace Heidi Nathan Halpert in 1977, and for 12 who resigned to spend time with her new baby after two suc- years played a key role in help- cessful years as coach. ing strengthen YU’s basketball “We'll work hard with the women to help them gain com- program. Dr. Jonathan Halpert (left) with petitive experience,” Mrs. Schwartz said. “I am looking for- “This is not a return to Dr. Jeffrey Gurock. ward to forming a good team.” The 12-member team action because I never left the includes two players from last year. “We want them to program behind,” said Dr. Dr. Gurock is finishing a improve their skills but most importantly have an enjoyable Gurock of his ongoing associa- book on Judaism and sports Debbie Schwartz season,” Mrs. Greenberg added. The two women are neigh- tion with the team. that, although scholarly, has bors in Rockland County, NY, and have worked together in “We are fortunate to have autobiographical overtones. the past. someone like Jeff who com- “One of the things I’m writ- Mrs. Schwartz coached the tennis team at The Marsha bines extensive basketball ing about is that YU’s Macca- Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for knowledge with the ability to bees are American Jewry’s team. Boys, 1984-86 and 1990-94, when her two sons attended the deal with young people,” said The Macs are the most publicly school. She also coached the high school team at Torah Coach Halpert. identified Jewish team in the Academy of Bergen County, 1996-2002. Passionate about her In April 2002, Dr. Gurock country. work, Mrs. Schwartz calls herself and her family, tennis enthu- threw out a feeler to the coach. “Wherever we go, people in siasts. “How would you feel about the Jewish community are Mrs. Greenberg teaches the game's fundamentals and having a broken-down tank anxious to host us, and the strategies to individuals and groups of all ages. She is a league commander on your staff?” teams we play against know coordinator for World Team Tennis, a coed recreational Coach Halpert answered we’re proud of our Jewishness. league established by Billy Jean King. Certified by the United with an enthusiastic yes, and a On the court we play the right States Professional Tennis Registry, Mrs. Greenberg also offers deal was struck. way, and we do a mitzvah by private lessons and coaches school teams. Joining Dr. Gurock on the proving Jews can be athletic The tennis team competes in the Skyline Tennis coaching staff is Yossi Gev, YC while remaining committed to Conference. ❑ ‘02, men’s basketball career their Judaism... that’s why Randi Greenberg scoring leader. we’re Team Torah Umadda.” ❑

Spotlight on Alumni Benjamin Balint: A Knack for Asking Difficult Questions

hen Commentary ongoing discussions. A 1998 ence in Switzerland in June To that end, he grilled the But he also questioned magazine, the pro- Yeshiva College alumnus, he that featured meetings with head of the Swiss Banker’s Jacques Forster, vice president Wminent American- was chosen by Whittlesey to US and Swiss powerbrokers. Association about dormant of the International Com- Jewish monthly, covered the be a Young Leader of the Being the philosopher he is, Swiss bank accounts of Holo- mittee of the Red Cross, about checkered record of Swiss American-Swiss Foundation, Balint likes to ask questions. caust victims, a source of con- the organization’s refusal to behavior during World War II, an organization she estab- He majored in the subject at troversy and anger among sur- admit Israel’s humanitarian former US ambassador to lished to forge ties between YU and studied for his MA at vivors and Jewish defense aid society. Switzerland Faith Whittlesey these “sister republics.” the University of Washington. organizations. “Forster offered a long, took notice. Two years later, Balint joined 25 people, And, his pre-Commentary jour- He interviewed the mayor legalistic explanation for the she took notice again, this including two state senators, a nalism experience, including of Basel about his city’s role as exclusion of Magen David time of Benjamin Balint, the West Point major, a CNN pro- stints with several University the home of Herzl’s First Adom,” said Balint. “But I magazine’s new assistant edi- ducer, and the nation’s first publications and an internship Zionist Congress in 1897, think the fact that the ques- tor, and sent him to Switz- Vietnamese-born mayor, for at the Forward, trained him to which laid the groundwork for tion is publicly posed is more erland for a first-hand look at an intensive weeklong confer- ask difficult ones. modern Israel’s creation. important than the answer.” ❑

Alumni Activities – November, December, January

Thursday, November 14, 6:00–8:00 PM Tuesday, December 10, 7:00–9:00 PM Tuesday, January 7, 7:00–9:00 PM Microcosmos Red Rice, Silver Tears: A Social Work Odyssey in Bhutan Yiddish, Yiddishkeit, and Yiddishism with Rabbi Sol Art exhibition featuring the work of Tobi Kahn, YUHS ’70 and Cambodia by Barbara Rachlin, WSSW ’81 Steinmetz, YC ’53, RIETS ’56 YU Museum at the Center for Jewish History Rm 1147 , Brookdale Center Midtown Campus 15 W. 16 St., NYC 55 Fifth Avenue (between 12th and 13th Sts.), NYC 245 Lexington Ave. (between 34th and 35th Sts.), NYC

Thursday, November 21, 7:00–9:00 PM Wednesday, December 11, 10:00 AM to NOON Sunday, January 12, 10:00 AM–12 NOON I Shop, Therefore I am: Compulsive Buying and the Search Protecting Your Estate From Financial Predators: Making Piecing It Together: The Levine/Rogarshevsky Tour for Self By April L. Benson, PhD, FGS ’78 Sure That the Good Guys, Not the Bad Guys, Get Your Estate Lower East Side Tenement Museum Midtown Campus Brookdale Center 90 Orchard St., NYC 245 Lexington Ave. (between 34th and 35th Sts.), NYC 55 Fifth Ave. (between 12th and 13th Sts.), NYC Tuesday, January 21, 7:00–9:00 PM Tuesday, December 3, 8:30–9:30 AM Thursday, December 12, 7:00–9:00 PM Helping Others Cope with the Threat of Terrorism Cardozo Breakfast Forum featuring president of the United Tour of Congregation Shearith Israel, America’s First Jewish by Dr. Harvey Schlossberg FGS ’71 Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten CSL ’83 Congregation, starting at 2 W. 70 St., corner of Central Park West, Room 1008, Brookdale Center Third Floor Lounge, Brookdale Center with its executive director, Dr. Alan M. Singer YC ’76, 55 Fifth Ave. (between 12th and 13th Sts.), NYC 55 Fifth Ave. (between 12th and 13th Sts.), NYC WSSW ’78

Wednesday, December 4, 7:00–9:00 PM Wednesday, December 18, 8:00–9:30 PM For information and reservations, contact the Office Hanukkah Networking Party YU Alumni Awards Ceremony of Alumni Affairs at 212-960-5373 or at For SCW, SSSB, and YC graduates of the 1970’s–2000’s Featuring graduates of SCW, SSSB, and YC [email protected]. Abigael’s Restaurant Geraldine Schottenstein Cultural Center 1407 Broadway at 39th St., NYC 239 East 34th St., NYC Fall 2002 YUToday 11

RIETS

New Ordination Course Turns Modern Challenges into Opportunities ❑ Prepares Students for Practical Challenges of Rabbinate

hat makes a rabbi? Chair in Communal and what they may expect as work- to a Modern Orthodox rabbi’s Sally Mayer, educational direc- A thorough knowl- Rabbinic Leadership, the course ing rabbis. It complements constituency. These include tor of The Jewish Center, NY, Wedge of Halakha analyzes the challenges and courses in the semikah (ordina- more opportunities for Jewish and Rabbi Hershel Billet, of (Jewish Law)? High moral opportunities facing Modern tion) program that teach other education, particularly among Young Israel of Woodmere, character? Dedicated profes- Orthodox rabbis today. skills. women, as well as demograph- NY, president of the Rabbinic sionalism? A humanitarian “Good leadership doesn’t The course’s aim involves ic and population shifts that Council of America. spirit? consist only of good deeds,” establishing priorities while place new demands on rabbis. Ultimately, said Rabbi Hirt, The answer encompasses says Rabbi Hirt. “As a rabbi, juggling a rabbi’s day-to-day Other subjects covered in- “We want to prepare them to these qualities and more, ac- one has to implement an over- functions, said Rabbi Hirt. clude time management, est- bring about change rather cording to a new course of- arching vision to make his “Rabbis are called upon to be ablishing rabbinic authority in than merely respond to it. A fered this semester at Rabbi congregation embody the val- many things: teachers, halakhic an open society, the rabbi and rabbi with a clear vision will Isaac Elchanan Theological ues he imparts.” authorities, administrators, out- his family, and preserving also inspire his congregants to Seminary. The course, “Rabbinic Lead- reach workers. They have to kavanah (focus) in a large con- participate because they want Devised and taught by ership in the Congregation know how to manage all these gregation. to do so, even when they have Rabbi Robert Hirt, assistant to and the Community: Trans- roles.” Rabbi Hirt will employ well- many other demands on their the President of RIETS and lating Vision into Reality,” The course maps out known rabbinic and lay lead- time.” ❑ holder of the Sidney Shoham aims to prepare students for changes in Jewish life relevant ers in key positions, including

Intensive Training Program for Day School Leadership

ewish day school adminis- New Jersey, New York, and trators from five states Tennessee—convened for the Jstayed after school this July workshop that covered summer by choice. Their mis- the formulation of vision and sion: exploring ways to im- mission statements, cultivat- prove the quality of their ing school culture, curriculum, schools through innovative and teaching principles. concepts and theories in man- Fellows were Rivka Alter, agement, communication, and Amy Ament, Chayim Dimont, curriculum. Rabbi Chaim Hagler, Anat This formed the agenda at Kampf, Shoshana Klein, Rabbi the month-long Intensive Jeremy Lebowitz, Shaunna Training Program for Day Peters, Rabbi Tzvi Pittinsky, School Leadership (ITP) held and Rabbi Shlomo Schwartz. at Yeshiva University, intend- ITP is under auspices of the ed to address the shortage of Azrieli Graduate School of highly trained administrators Jewish Education and Admin- in day schools nationwide. istration and sponsored by a Ten fellows and five men- grant from the Avi Chai tors—from Colorado, Florida, Foundation. ❑

RIETS Offers Summer Torah Seminars

his summer, the Rabbi munity members. Students of several days to a month, were response to requests for female of excitement in the communi- Isaac Elchanan Theolog- Stern College for Women, the tailored to the needs of each role models. ty was extraordinary,” Mr. Gross Tical Seminary (RIETS) Graduate Program for Women community. Some locations The five-day program in said. “I believe the program will brought Torah learning to a in Advanced Talmudic Studies, wanted to address topics such Omaha was led by second-year have a long-lasting impact.” record 15 communities, from and other YU graduate schools as the Jewish calendar or faith RIETS student Jonathan Gross, Rabbi Howard Kutner YC'78, Boca Raton, FL, to Allentown, participated in the RIETS con- in the wake of tragedy, while who ran a similar program R'83 of Beth Israel Synagogue, PA, under an innovative pro- tingents. others wanted to study trac- there last year. Joined by three which hosted YSTS, helped gram, Yeshiva Summer Torah “RIETS has offered summer tates of Talmud. YSTS groups others, he held sessions with coordinate the events. “This Seminars (YSTS). learning programs for several also spent time meeting and different sectors, including syn- was the fourth time Yeshiva As the premier rabbinical years, but it has never launched learning with people on a per- agogue members, individuals University held Torah learning seminary in North America, such a wide-reaching, coordi- sonal basis, and in many loca- from the Jewish community, programs here and our com- RIETS continues to strengthen nated effort,” said Aryeh Stech- tions Shabbat programming and youth groups. Lectures munity has greatly benefited its commitment to the com- ler, YSTS coordinator and highlighted the visit. titled “How Do We as Jews from them,” Rabbi Kutner munity it serves both intellec- RIETS student. “RIETS attributes YSTS' suc- React to Tragedy” and “The said. “A special relationship tually and emotionally. “Fifteen programs is a record cess to the evaluation of each Jewish View of Martyrdom” has been formed between Nearly 70 RIETS students, number and we hope to ac- community's specific needs. were part of the theme “In the Yeshiva and our community alumni, and roshei yeshiva commodate more communi- We worked with the local rab- Aftermath of September 11: A from which many positive traveled cross-country to lec- ties next summer.” YSTS re- bis to determine what those Jewish Perspective.” experiences have emerged.” ture on topics ranging from ceived more than 130 applica- needs were,” Mr. Stechler said. They also conducted a Shab- The Yeshiva Summer Torah basic Jewish concepts to the tions but could not accept that This year marked another sig- bat program that Mr. Gross said Seminars are a project of laws of family purity, and many participants. nificant step—the first time was enlivened by singing and RIETS' Max Stern Division of learn one-on-one with com- Programs, which spanned that women participated in a Torah discussions. “The level Communal Services. ❑ NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE YUToday PAID YESHIVA UNIVERSITY A PUBLICATION OF YESHIVA UNIVERSITY 500 WEST 185TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10033 FALL 2002

Major Gift From Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Zizmor to Fund Scholarships to YUHS for Boys

new gift from promi- Dr. Zizmor earned his BA he has generously contributed nent New York derma- from New York University and to YC, Einstein, and RIETS, as Atologist and Yeshiva his MD from the University’s well as to YUHS. University High School alum- Albert Einstein College of Alexandra Zizmor, who nus Jonathan Zizmor and his Medicine. Among the first earned her BA from DePaul wife, Alexandra, provides doctors to advertise their serv- University and an MS from the $250,000 for scholarships to ices, his ubiquitous subway University of Chicago, was a Dr. Zizmor’s alma mater, The and TV ads have made him “a successful sales and marketing Marsha Stern Talmudical Acad- cultural icon,” according to executive before turning her emy (MSTA). The New Yorker magazine. He is passion for collecting, wear- The Zizmors were honored a former chief of dermatology ing, and designing hats into a this past June at the annual at St. Vincent’s Hospital and is second career. She studied cou- dinner of YUHS and the Rabbi also the author of 10 books for ture millinery in London with Isaac Elchanan Theological the lay public on skin care. Rose Cory, official milliner to Seminary. During the evening, Dr. Zizmor has been in- Queen Elizabeth, and is today they announced that their gift creasingly active in YU leader- one of America’s up and com- will establish the Rabbi Macy ship and has served for more ing hat designers, with her Gordon Scholarship at MSTA than a decade on the Board of own studios in New York and in honor of his teacher who Directors of Yeshiva College. A London. ❑ influenced his development. Benefactor of the University,