Stories from the current online edition of The Commentator. en-us http://www.yucommentator.com Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Sun, 24 May 2009 22:06:24 GMT 20 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/Six-Years.In.What.Hath.President.Joel.Wrought-3743486.shtml Six years ago, Richard M. Joel was selected as Yeshiva University’s fourth President. He was the first YU president who was neither a rabbi nor an academic, both of which were previously considered a prerequisite for the post. He was, however, a noted administrator, fundraiser and visionary. 41189a55-551f-4cec-b36a-2c7ad708eadd Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 Review of Changes Over Past Six years Noach Lerman, Daniel Goldmintz & Michael Siev http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/Fewer.Courses.Offered.Next.Semester-3743506.shtml Registration for a new semester is always an anxious and exciting time for students here at Yeshiva, but this year, after all the dust had settled, several students were left disappointed with the number of courses offered by several departments.  In fact, almost every department in Yeshiva College is featuring fewer classes than it did one year ago. d83107d0-9e12-44b1-9a0b-c01ec8f81ea2 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 As Some Adjuncts Not Renewed And Sabbaticals Increase, Course Offerings Decrease Rafi Blumenthal http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/Yeshiva.Colleges.Attempt.To.Deflate.Yc.Grades.Slowed.By.Hesitancy.Of.Other.Schoo-3743495.shtml Yeshiva College students are used to the idea of grade inflation hanging over their heads. Rumors fly about teachers being told to limit the number of A grades per course, or risk penalties. This student apprehension, in fact, does have some basis. Dean Srolovitz first outlined grade inflation as an issue to be addressed when he took over as Dean of Yeshiva College in 2006. 3aa7585d-8d4a-4a81-a9ec-2028b7a081be Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 YC Hopes To Increase Rigor of Grading Standards, Decrease Number of A's Steven Eisenberg http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/President.Joels.Cheating.Policy.Draws.Praise.Questions.And.A.Difficult.Test.Case-3743808.shtml President Richard M. Joel's announcement at this Spring's Town Hall meeting of a zero-tolerance policy for students caught cheating on examinations came as a surprise to many students and faculty. The president and others hope this move will change the undergraduate student body's attitude towards breaches of academic integrity. d5480141-0ba1-4c54-8ba2-e21b9647c7aa Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 Isaac Silverstein Isaac Silverstein http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/Students.Say.Goodbye.To.Sssb.Professor.Of.The.Year.At.Cruise.Surprise.Party-3743508.shtml Students gave a warm send-off to Prof. Henry Jorisch, instructor of management and information systems, voting him as the Sy Syms School of Business Professor of the year upon completing his tenth year of teaching as an adjunct at YU.  He was a favorite among students, popular for his clear explanations and personal touch. deb0966c-8a1b-4b35-b8b7-9d8750dccef3 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 Scott Shulman & Noach Lerman http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/First.Floor.Area.To.Become.Student.Lounge.Study.Area-3743512.shtml Students flocking to the upper floors of the library may have been too harried to notice the ongoing renovations of the first floor’s north wing, future home to a multi-level student study area and lounge scheduled to open for the start of the Fall 2009 semester. 14282041-e47f-4f2c-9b77-e30cab330d78 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 Isaac Silverstein Isaac Silverstein http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/English.Department.Unveils.New.Curriculum.Major-3743496.shtml Just in time for Fall 2009 registration, Yeshiva College’s English Department has rolled out a redesigned curriculum with all-new courses.  A revamped and highly structured major accompanies this new syllabus, giving students a “coherent and cohesive shape for [their] studies and a chance to shape them further,” according to an explanatory booklet given out at a meeting to discuss the innovations earlier this semester. 7de784a5-085c-4898-bb43-8696e61dbb29 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News 5/21/09 Jonathan Schwab http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/News/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Cinnamon.To.Serve.As.Next.EditorInChief.Of.Commentator-3743605.shtml Michael Cinnamon (YC ’10) will serve as Editor-in-Chief of The Commentator in 2009-10.  He served as News Editor this past year, and worked as a staff writer the previous two years.   Cinnamon has long been active throughout Yeshiva University. a34daa47-9d32-448e-ad40-18479d389c4f Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 Noach Lerman Editor-in-Chief http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Yu.Celebrates.And.Commemorates.Yom.Hazikaron.And.Yom.Haatzmaut-3743612.shtml On April 28th ,  over 1000 students gathered at Lamport Auditorium to take part in a bittersweet assembly that marked the transition from Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day), to Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). A sea of blue and white looked on as former members of the Israeli Defense Force and Sheirut Leumi lit candles to commemorate those who perished on the Israeli battlefield and at the hands of terror. 4a27c452-df84-486f-b409-5fbccfd97888 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Jewish.Weeks.36.Under.36.Features.Yu.Student-3743611.shtml Simcha Gross, YU student, was recently named as one The Jewish Week's 36 rising stars in the Jewish community. e4b1a39d-e6d5-49c5-a9f5-a29e25d995a7 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Yu.Hosts.Third.Tanach.Yom.Iyun-3743613.shtml On April 26, 2009 Yeshiva University hosted its third Yom Iyun. Occurring once a semester since the spring of 2008, this Yom Iyun focused on the topic of “Exile and Redemption,” and featured a wide array of YU faculty members speaking about Bible, Jewish history, and Jewish philosophy. 7eb4de17-5bb1-4ab8-88cf-c5f0b65873e3 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Valedictorians.Of.2009-3743608.shtml The 2009 Valedictorians represent the many colors and faces of Yeshiva University. Edmond Ainehsazan, originally from Tehran,Iran, is the 2009 Mechina valedictorian and attributes his achievements to the small classes and personal attention that created a welcoming environment for him to advance his Jewish knowledge. cf11a855-75d4-40e6-b47c-af0c613a376e Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/Yu.Forms.New.Leadership.Fellows.Program-3743609.shtml Beginning in September, Yeshiva University plans to spearhead a Jewish lay leadership training program. The program, primarily based in the Washington DC area, will train 12-15 orthodox adults between the ages of 30-45. Rabbis and Community leaders in the National Capital Area must first nominate the applicants. 6373bc8d-ce65-4cb4-a0f8-4207af17f374 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT News Brief 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/NewsBrief/ Campus News http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Are-Gender.Relations.shifting.To.The.Right-3743772.shtml When one YU junior showed up to a first date, he was looking forward to a satisfying meal, an animating conversation and a relaxing night out. Instead, the young woman came armed with a 70-question "test," grilling him on his ideology and family history. Unfortunately, he failed the test. The test itself highlights a larger trend in the way that the YU community is dating today, and what it reflects about their overall ideological shift. 1b33d8e0-dd26-4782-930e-fca44702eb26 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 Shaul Seidler-Feller http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Not-Your.Parents.Shidduch.Scene.Modern.Orthodox.Dating.In.Historical.Perspective-3743773.shtml Students walking through the lobby of Morg in the past few months noticed a sign on the wall advertising a shidduch (dating) service for both “modern” and “yeshivish” men at YU and a striking e-mail address: findyourbashert@gmail.com. 2f6e4a4d-d907-4cc1-a1cc-bd9f34374140 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 Shaul Seidler-Feller http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Yc.From.Heimish.To.Professional-3743488.shtml In an effort to be seen as comparable to other great liberal arts institutions, Yeshiva College’s relatively new administration has endeavored to raise the bar.  A close look at the attempts to enhance Yeshiva College reveals that improvement has mainly focused on academic rigor and increases in administrative professionalism. abff58f9-ca03-41cc-a3b7-e94e5ee9affc Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 A Retrospective of Three Years of Change at Yeshiva College Yitzchak Ratner http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Two-Years.Of.Change.At.Sy.Syms-3743499.shtml The Sy Syms School of Business (SSSB) is venturing far beyond business as usual. Now in his second year as dean, Michael Ginzberg discussed the school’s strategic goals, towards which he said SSSB is progressing nicely. Though slightly hampered by the  University-wide budget cuts,  the school still plans to continue its bid for accreditation. 51cdffcc-236a-48c9-9523-00b0a6aa8de0 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 Ben Recca http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Range.Of.New.Events.Resources.At.Career.Development.Center-3743511.shtml What do students want to do when they grow up? When they were younger, before ever stepping into a classroom, the options may have seemed infinite. Being a doctor or a lawyer made a lot of sense. Then there were those who, out of sheer innocence, decided that being an astronaut or a fireman would lead to a life of fulfillment. 5aca9715-a105-4fb5-bf25-3d6d14bd4bc8 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 Joe Offenbacher Associate Features Editor http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Student.Pulse-3743489.shtml ShidduchimThis issue’s first Student Pulse asked students about their views on dating.1. Do you feel comfortable attending co-ed events?Yes – 53.8%No – 12.3%It depends – 32.8%I don’t know – 1.0%2. In what contexts do you feel comfortable attending co-ed events?Any context is fine – 46. 8966b867-fd80-49f1-a1fd-e22705a98636 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/Career.Corner.Having.Trouble.Finding.A.Summer.Internship.Time.For.Plan.B-3743503.shtml Even though there are still many internship opportunities available on YU CareerLink (www.yu.edu.cdc), it’s true that many employers seem to be recruiting interns early in the semester these days. Given the tough economy, some internship programs have been reduced or eliminated altogether as well. Here's how to find an internship late in the game. 042dd842-3992-4238-ab97-973bfe2135fb Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Features 5/21/09 Laurie Davis http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Features/ Features/Campus Life http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Editorials/Give-Students.The.Best.Chance.To.Succeed-3743602.shtml As finals time is nearly through and an exhausting three-week work marathon draws itself to a close, we look back with a sleepy eye and ask ourselves, "Is there a better way to do this?" Yes, my friends, there is. c1c341a3-9d2c-4ae0-bfe1-e910226967d6 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Editorials 5/21/09 Staff Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Editorials/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Editorials/Great.Mentors.Make.Great.Professors-3743604.shtml This year the students tapped Rabbi Shalom Carmy of Yeshiva College and Professor Henry Jorisch of the Sy Syms School of Business as their "Professors of the Year." These two choices appear to not only teach unrelated subjects (Rabbi Carmy primarily teaches Bible and Philosophy, while Prof. 5eaa8b35-0112-443c-852e-d44b12991faf Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Editorials 5/21/09 Staff Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Editorials/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/In.Memory.Of.Yu.Student.Dovid.Chaim.Rottenstreich-3743494.shtml I can still remember getting a text message seconds before Shabbos on Friday, April 3rd asking to say tehillim (Psalms) for Dovid Chaim ben Sima Perel a YU student who has been rushed to the hospital a couple of hours earlier. What transpired over the next couple of days is still a blur of tehillim gatherings and special learning sedarim, and unfortunately the untimely passing of our dear friend, chavrusa, and classmate David “Rotty” Rottenstreich. fc9d97f0-0a9d-40f6-8b83-fc7c5cfd6a73 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Jonathan Mael http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Listening.To.And.Learning.From.Students-3743517.shtml Looking back at final Commentator issues of years past, one comes across sentimental but highly critical opinion pieces, authored by those whose imminent exit from undergraduate life gives them the cover to say what they really feel without fear of undesirable retribution or uncomfortable relationships. fb9019d4-f7e8-40f2-b01f-aef83d42adcd Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Julian Horowitz Opinions Editor http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Rabbi.David.Wolpe.Asks.Can.We.Talk-3743501.shtml Rabbi David Wolpe, a leading conservative rabbi, asks what can we do about non-literalist Jews who do not believe that the tradition is dictated from Sinai, and that God's will is not the unarguable imperative of observance. He argues that the disaffection of such Jews is by far the greatest internal dilemma the Jewish people face. 1c976be8-f52e-4643-a478-ddfef9d3bbb2 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Rabbi David Wolpe http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Deans.Column.Looking.Back.Looking.Forward-3743497.shtml Dean Srolovitz discusses how Yeshiva College has changed in the three years since I arrived in Washington Heights and what we can expect in the future.  The perspective that I present below is my personal view of the changes, ideas that have become reality, things that did not work out as planned, my hopes for the near future, and my dreams for what the College will become. 2a980ab7-0fcd-44eb-8eb1-161e5452e451 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Dean David Srolovitz http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/The-Case.For.Academic.Jewish.Studies-3743491.shtml This article solely represents the views of the writer and should not be construed to represent the views of the Division of Academic Jewish Studies or of any of its component departments.The ongoing curriculum review raises important questions about the role of academic Jewish Studies (aka “afternoon Jewish studies”) in YC. 055cba5d-9314-4233-900e-af53aba5ea31 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Jewish History Professor Hopes Curriculum Review Recognizes Significance of Jewish Studies Shawn Zelig Aster http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Top-10.Reasons.Why.Stern.Girls.Wont.Date.Me-3743510.shtml One recent YU graduate's view of the shidduch scene. 0b9f26aa-e0d0-4f39-bdee-0d1369c8920e Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Yoni Shenkman http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Current.Ceos.Response.To.soy.Seforim.Sale.Reconsidered-3743493.shtml The SOY Seforim Sale CEO responds to criticism of the sale by Julian Horowitz. 3c008e67-6b32-4f83-adce-240d972e4a56 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Ophir Eis http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/A.Shidduch.Saga.David.Vs.Galit-3743504.shtml And if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire her and wish to take her as a wife, then you shall bring her into your house and she shall shave her head and grow her nails. And she shall remove the garment of captivity from upon her, remain in your house, and cry for her father and mother a full month. 2d476c33-0a2d-45ff-aa2f-c493c181652e Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Jesse Lempel http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/Letters.To.The.Editor.Professor.Responds.To.Editorial.slinging.Rocks.From.The.Iv-3743490.shtml To the Editor,You are to be commended for your eloquent endorsement of academic freedom and of tenure. The January 12 letter in the Beirut Daily Star was hopelessly one-sided and reprehensible, but people in a democracy are free to make errors of judgment--just as others are equally free to respond critically. ad987262-990e-469d-bd6c-ed3b5097fd7e Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/The-New.Yu.Insignia.An.Alumnus.Argues.Against.The.Change-3743492.shtml Aaron Reichel is unhappy with some of the changes to the insignia. 95cb9aa5-90b5-46a9-b7b9-7d8534ced1c3 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Opinion 5/21/09 Aaron I. Reichel http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Opinion/ Opinion/Editorial http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/Dust-Mites.Revisiting.1969-3743520.shtml As a history major, it is understandable that I am enamored with the past. The way I have been conditioned to see life, anything and everything can be taken from you at a moment’s notice – but not your memories. Certainly old age and disease can dull or damage your recall ability, but they’re still there—etched into your grey matter and Father Time’s eternal quilt. 83ad07a4-db22-44c4-a75f-6244cbe004f6 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Sports 5/21/09 Tzvi's Take Tzvi Twersky http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/ Sports http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/Baseball.Team.Season.Recap-3743519.shtml Our Yeshiva Maccabees baseball team has just finished the best season of its short four-year existence. With a 4-19 record, the Macs surpassed the school’s all-time win total on the diamond. Due to the their schedule, it’s tough to follow the Macs in-season; now that it’s over, though, it’s time to catch you up on all of the action. e8b6b567-c992-43da-b9e2-aa55d5dc7127 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Sports 5/21/09 Strong Finish Gives Hope For Next Year Joshua Pransky http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/ Sports http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/Volleyball.Team.Serves.Up.A.Great.One-3743518.shtml This past season for the Yeshiva Macabees volleyball team has been one to remember.  The Macs made their first ever playoff appearance, finishing with an 11-14 record, while going 2-6 in the Skyline Conference. In winning eleven games this year, the Macs won nearly three times as many games this year as it has since its inception. ccfdfb39-61b7-4f53-8442-ed05bbed5ae6 Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Sports 5/21/09 A Successful Volleyball Season Reaches Its End Phil Bausk http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/Sports/ Sports http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/ArtsAndCulture/An.Empathetic.Indictment-3743515.shtml Just about every summer of my childhood my parents, my three bothers and I would pack food and clothing, pile into our Volvo station wagon, and drive the thirteen hours from Atlanta, Georgia to my dad's hometown of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, heart of the Choctaw Nation. e7092d36-25b2-427f-a643-5b6198a84f3f Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Arts and Culture 5/21/09 Matthew C. Williams http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/ArtsAndCulture/ Arts/Entertainment http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/ArtsAndCulture/There.Is.More.To.Yu.Culture.Than.Meets.The.Beis-3743513.shtml As a proud MYP student, I find value in the traditional Beit Medrash culture. During my two-year tenure at YU, I have spent one year each learning in both the main beis medrash and the annex. The experience of learning for shiur is always accompanied by stimulating beis conversation, typically concerning a controversial article in either the Commentator or Kol Hamevaser or headline news from the outside world. 1a81fac4-7354-4dd9-b75a-acb9aabc153e Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT Arts and Culture 5/21/09 Marlon Danilewitz http://www.yucommentator.com/news/2009/05/21/ArtsAndCulture/ Arts/Entertainment