The Commentator

Drug, Alcohol Abuse at Yeshiva Below National Norms

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In its third year of existence, the Wilf Campus' Counseling Center has made tremendous strides to improve mental health on campus. One such method utilized by YU during the fall 2007 semester was to join the Healthy Minds Study, organized by the University of Michigan School of Public Health under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor Daniel Eisenberg, PhD.

Rabbi Maybruch Tapped to Fill SBMP Shiur Spot

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With Rabbi Shalom Rosner off to Israel next year, Stone Beit Midrash Program did not have to look far for a replacement. The Judaic Studies Office announced that Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch will be taking Rabbi Rosner's spot as a BMP maggid shiur.

Rabbi Maybruch, already a Sgan Mashgiach, Assistant to Rosh Kollel Rabbi Hershel Schachter and the Rabbi of the YU Community Shul, is excited for the "opportunity to interact with talmidim in a more rigorous, day to day environment.

Quiet Purim Helps Administrators Sleep Better This Year

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In his first year as University Dean of Students last year, Dr. Victor Schwartz was disappointed with the events of Purim 2007. Aside from observing rowdy college and high school students, Dr. Schwartz was bemused to learn the next day that Hatzolah volunteers were called to the Wilf Campus to handle at least five cases of over-intoxication.

Fourth Annual Langfan Family Oratory Competition

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday March 25, Yeshiva University hosted the seventh annual Langfan Family Oratory Competition. With 1,000 dollars at stake for first place, the fourteen competitors were tasked with presenting an engaging and convincing speech about the validity of President Bush's authorization of wiretapping in select circumstances.

Roth Scholars Chosen for Summer Program

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Roth Institute Scholar's Program called Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) accepts a few highly qualified Yeshiva undergraduate students to spend eight weeks working in a laboratory at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM). Students are matched to a laboratory based on the area of interest they indicate on their application.

YU Holds Second Annual Israel Colloquium

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Second Yeshiva University Colloquium in Israel was held in Jerusalem during the week of March 12 - 15. The Colloquium, which featured an academic convocation, an open discussion, the dedication of a Beit Midrash and a shabbaton, was held to strengthen the University's connection with the state of Israel and to provide Yeshiva alumni who live in Israel a chance to reconnect to the University.

Professors as Neighbors

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

“One night after ma’ariv a student approached me,” said Yeshiva College Dean David Srolovitz, “and proceeded to ask me to sign a form for him.” However, this minyan was not taking place in Highland Park, NJ - Dean Srolovitz’s permanent residence – rather, on the Wilf Campus, which the Dean often calls home from Monday through Thursday.

Incoming Torah Dean Spending More Time on Campus to Adjust to Surroundings

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In preparation for his tenure as Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Torah Studies, Rabbi Yona Reiss has been spending more time on the Wilf Campus this semester. Over the past few months, Rabbi Reiss - who still maintains his responsibilities as Director of the Beth Din of America and will officially begin his tenure at Yeshiva this June - has met with scores of University officials and Rabbinic faculty throughout the institution to gain a greater feel for his own expectations and what is expected of him.

Construction on Glueck, Other Projects, Moving Forward Despite Delays

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Over the past year, Yeshiva University has embarked on several exciting construction projects on the Wilf campus. The most noticeable work is being performed on W. 185 St. between Amsterdam Ave. and Audubon Ave., as the supporting poles and internal skeleton of the Glueck Center are already visible.

Culture Service Initiative

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The "customer service" project, redubbed the Service Culture Initiative, has begun to make substantial progress in addressing inefficiencies around campus. Having begun as an attempt to better respond to the needs of students at Yeshiva, the initiative has expanded to revamp many departments which have various interactions with staff and faculty along with students.

New MCAT Prep Course Tailored for YC Students

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Junior year of college can be an extremely stressful time for many undergraduates. Not only must students manage their regular class workloads, many dedicate countless hours to study for admittance exams to medical, law and graduate school. Students start to take these exams their junior year in order to apply senior year for admittance September following graduation.

Not Working Out - Help is on the Way

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Sy Syms Physical Center is a place where Wilf Campus students go to blow off some steam and to maintain their physical health. Many students are in the gym daily or two or three times a week. One of the main groups of machines that is necessary for the fitness center experience are the cardiac machines which include stationary bikes, elliptical machines, Stairmasters and treadmills.

Tragedy Then Triumph

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A month ago, Tzvi Gluck got word of a troubled Jewish teen being treated in Jamaica Estates, New York. An investment banker from Brooklyn who doubles as a professional askan, Gluck gave the matter very little thought, if any. After all, Gluck said to himself, there are frum Jews in Jamaica Estates.

Much Ado About Nothing

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On April 10, Wilf Campus students will vote in 27 general and class elections. Those students will comprise nine different student councils, each with varying resources. Some councils, like Yeshiva Student Union will be charged with making good use of a nearly $60,000 purse.

Past, Present and Future

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In a page-two editorial entitled "The University At Waltham," found in the November 25, 1948 issue of The Commentator, the newspaper's Governing Board welcomed the newly established Brandeis University as the second Jewish university in North America. The Yeshiva College students were taken aback by comments written by Hadoar Editor Menahem Ribalow that claimed "the difference between Brandeis and Yeshiva is that the former is a university for Jews, while the latter is a university for Judaism.

Beef Up Bio!

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When you go to your next YC class, look around. You'll probably find at least two or three students who look worn out - more so than everyone else, of course. They might also seem lost or distracted. They will all have one thing in common: their major.

Let Us Breath!!!

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

When asked by my summer employer whether I would like to commence employment in the end of May or the beginning of June, I realized, I could do either. This got me thinking about a matter that all of us, at some point in time, has considered. Why is our summer vacation so long, while our winter break is so short?
No doubt, we have no problem with the length of our summer break.

On the Importance of Learning Hebrew

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I've been hesitant to address the honorable Rabbanim for a while now. The source of my indecision, as is frequently the case, was from a fear and concern that my words would not be taken in the right light. As someone whose primary education is based on textual analysis from my days in the Zeitlin Religious High School in Tel Aviv, I am conscious of the fact that words may very often be misunderstood or taken out of context.

Toward Redesigning YU

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

YU is improving. Even in my short stint here I have noticed encouraging differences: more clubs and student leadership, lectures from visiting professors and Rabbis, a dedicated pre-law advisor, a revamped Career Development Center, an efficacious writing center, and an elevated conscientiousness as to how Yeshiva effects the environment.

What Other People May Not Realize About YU

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With boundless appreciation, I would like to thank Yeshiva University and SOY for inviting me to address its students during the weekly Sichas Musar on Wednesday, October 26. In similar vein, I begin now by extending my thanks to The Commentator for the opportunity to reiterate a few of my recent remarks and reflect on my recent visit to my second home on Amsterdam Avenue.

Why Student Leaderhship Has Failed Us

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

As many of us are bombarded by people whom we have never seen before to help them collect signatures to run for student offices, we often start to wonder who our current leadership is and what they have done for us to date. What's the difference between YSU and YC? Why is one guy any better than the next? And as I complete my final semester at Yeshiva, I cannot fully explain this.

Another Haggadah On The Market, But This One Is Special

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With over 3,000 editions on record, the Pesach Haggadah stands as the most printed Jewish text of all time. Practically all the great Rishonim and Acharonim published their own commentary to the Haggadah. And if they didn't, then Artscroll has likely put something together based on other assorted writings within the last twenty years.

Torah To Take Center Stage At Arts Festival

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever sat in one of the required bible classes and wondered what the masoretic text has to do with the 21st century? Or maybe you have pondered the seeming lack of artistry and creativity in the modern Jewish community compared to the Jewish artists of last century.

YU Community Prepares for Arts Festival 2008

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A common refrain heard while sitting in the cafeteria or studying in the library is how people wish that their stay in YU could be accelerated. Most YC students search the rulebooks to discover loopholes that would allow them to stay less than the full four years.

Festival to Feature Sephardic Art, Culture

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Sephardic world of Jewry is what gave to Judaism its first, and possibly greatest, art movement. Yes, it has been many centuries since the golden age of Spain, but there is still a great amount of Sephardic art out there. The problem is Sephardic art is often thought not to exist simply because it is seen less often, yet Sephardim too have a distinct artistry with its own beautiful customs and rituals.

Colloquia are Catching On in the YC Sciences

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Anyone who reads their daily YU emails or reads the fliers around campus invariably sees that there are many new and exciting events happening all around. A growing number of them are from within the science departments of Yeshiva College. With vision and a lot of self-motivation, each department is actively trying to enhance their overall educational approach and informal learning as well.

The Rejuvenated YU Pre-Medical Society

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After a long hiatus the Y.U. Pre-Medical Society has returned under new direction with a new purpose.

According to the Yeshiva College Men's Catalog, "the Pre-Medical Society sponsors career nights and lectures by prominent professionals . . . screens films on topics of interest to health science students, and keeps students updated on career opportunities.