2008 Woodie Awards
LETTERS
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
In Five and Still Alive
Dear Sir:
In the last issue of The Commentator, you ran an article detailing the YC faculty affirmation that a minimum residency of six semesters here on campus were required for graduation. Dean Sugarman is correct in his assertion that, "students misunderstand this," and that, to them, it appears to be a "punishment." Yet his assurances that these steps are being taken for the students' own good and that it is a display of care and concern on the part of the faculty for the education of the student body, unfortunately do not convince us otherwise. While the faculty may indeed care deeply and profoundly about the education their students are receiving, a minimum six semester requirement is hardly a display of such sentiments.
Firstly, a student's desire to leave campus after less than sixsemesters is often based on nothing other than financial concerns. While YU's financial aid program may be extensive, it does not blur the fact that a semester's tuition here is quite expensive. The difference between fulfilling one's requirements in five semesters as opposed to six may be the difference between seeing YU as a viable option and seeing it as unquestionably beyond their price range. While on the one hand the ambitious and idealistic approach of our faculty may be commendable and may reflect a desire for rigorous scholastic standards, on the other hand it turns its eyes from the pragmatic factors involved in acquiring a college education, particularly here at Yeshiva, factors which are often alleviated by a shorter stay on campus.
While the faculty will no doubt claim that they cannot sacrifice academic standards to alleviate financial concerns, such a claim assumes that imposing siex semester requirement indeed contributes to a higher academic standard, a claim which is completely erroneous.
The assertion that a residency requirement of six semesters will result in a more comprehensive education is completely misguided. The faculty has not raised the credit requirements, thereby keeping the number of courses that a student must take here on campus the same. As a result, all a student will do is spread out the already existing course load that he needs to graduate. This is not providing students with a more comprehensive education; it's simply lightening their load, something which the 17.5 credit per semester maximum limit already does. Furthermore, under the six semester rule, a student who opts for the heavy workload and has already completed his course requirements but has not completed his residency requirements will be forced to remain on campus for a semester, taking few serious courses if any, often resulting in many an afternoon in the library surfing the net.
The upshot of all of this is that if Dean Sugarman and the YC faculty want a more comprehensive education, increase course requirements, not residency requirements. Have faith in your student body, that if they feel they can absorb 84 credits worth of material in five semesters, then share in that belief that they can do it. Forcing students to stay longer does not create broader, more rigorous academic standards, nor does it contribute to a more comprehensive education. It just clogs up the dorms, the cafeteria, and the computers in the library. But most of all, in keeping people around for an extra semester without requiring any additional courses, YU gives off the appearance of engaging in nothing more than, dare I say, a money grab, a portrayal which does not befit an institution of YU's stature.
Sincerely,
Yaakov Moses
YC '07
********
Dear Sir:
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that I am writing in response to the university's commitment to a six semester on-campus requirement, commended in the staff editorial, "Six or Bust," that appeared in the last issue of the Commentator. After all, surely what compels me to disagree is not a rational argument, but "the anti-establishment culture that so permeates the fertile minds of young adults. Or maybe it's part of our Jewish consciousness to argue and bicker about anything and everything possible." Evidently, having been on campus for only five semesters, I am not well educated enough to be driven to argue by anything other than some biological or socio-religious drive.
As a student who is apparently "committed to throwing away [his] education" by "passing through Yeshiva" in the "simply ridiculous" time span of five semesters, who is apparently not as "idealistic and energetic about [his] education" as the staff of the Commentator, I take tremendous offense at your condescending tone and patronizing attitude.
It is not easy to "escape" YU in five semesters; you can't do it without being an intelligent and capable student. (If the courses offered are so easy that anybody can graduate in five semesters, it seems to me that spending an additional semester on campus taking more easy courses won't make you any more "well educated"). It entails taking a full courseload every semester and managing your time efficiently and effectively. It seems to me that if someone is bright enough to handle such a heavy courseload, such a person can certainly "expect to be well educated in such a short amount of time." (I personally had time to participate in plenty of extracurricular activities on top of my heavy courseload; it's not impossible.) An extra semester on campus would not have educated me any more than the five semesters I spent on it receiving my education. Stretching that education across another semester would have accomplished little more than squeezing an extra semester's tuition out of my already empty pockets.
Go ahead and "commend the administration and the faculty for stepping up to the plate and taking charge of our education" (although I'm sure we'd all prefer it if they took the charges of our education instead). And although I disagree with them, it's one thing for the "caring faculty and dedicated administrators" to tell me that they think I should stay here longer; however, I don't need a bunch of arrogant, silver-spoon twentysomething-year-olds patronizing me with the rhetoric that I "forfeited the ideals we came here to achieve." In all honesty, if, as you believe, many students "come here to get the degree their parents want them to have or because it's the only place their parents would send them to," then, in essence, the ideals they are forfeiting were forfeited long before these students ever set foot on the YU campus.
Students can and do complete their studies quite successfully in five semesters by taking a full courseload, by qualifying with AP courses, and/or by taking summer school courses. With the high cost of higher education, it is unacceptable that the university is enforcing a sixth semester on-campus requirement when there are students who are fully capable of successfully completing the requirements in five semesters. At a certain point, the student's financial position must be accommodated, not as determined by the financial aid office, but by the reality of the student's/family's finances; if that means that students capable of graduating after five semesters be allowed to do so, then so be it.
Personally, I think I received a quality education and experienced tremendous personal growth in the five semesters I spent on campus.
Tal Kerem
YC '05
*******
Dear Sir:
Over the past year there has been a lot discussion among University officials regarding an on campus residency requirement of six semesters. In light of the recent decisions by the Academic Standards Committee and the Yeshiva College staff regarding this issue, I am led to question the exact logic in their decision making. What is the difference in the amount of education that I receive whether I take 13 credits over six semesters or 17 credits over the course of five semesters? If anything, the fact that one is able to take on such a heavy load and graduate faster does not show disrespect for his or her education, but rather it is a sign of diligence in the student. It is ridiculous to say that there is no way to get a comprehensive education by graduating in five semesters, 84 credits is 84 credits of education regardless of how long it takes one to accomplish them.
Another main reason that the university should reconsider this proposal is a financial one. By making us to stay here another semester the university is forcing us to shell out another $15,000. One of the primary reasons some students so choose to graduate in five semesters is because of the financial savings incurred by doing so. Many families who have students at Yeshiva University already pay thousands of dollars in tuition for day schools in addition to their every day expenses. Students who graduate in five semesters are doing a huge favor towards their families' finances. While the university is usually generous in its financial aid packages, as "America's Jewish University in Service to Humanity" it is incumbent upon the school to do whatever is necessary to lighten the financial load that is already weighing down heavily upon its students' shoulders.
An additional reason the potential six semester requirement would be detrimental to YU is that the students at YU should not feel that their university is a prison. When people are forced to do something they resent it. At a time when the University administration is trying to stem the tide of student antipathy, this requirement will in no way end it. Instead, it will only create student displeasure and resentment towards YU. (The university will face even more resentment and resistance should they decide to implement this policy immediately. I, like many other students here, have worked hard by taking full course loads over the past two years in order to graduate in five semesters and we did not do this for naught.) By maintaining the current on campus credit requirement, the university maintains a respectable level of academic standards and at the same time allows its students the freedom to choose how they want to achieve it.
As a student here I have been idealistic about my education. In addition to my full course loads, I have participated in a number of extra-curricular activities, some of which were very time consuming, and I plan to, G-d willing, graduate this May after five semesters. In regard to my YU education, I have gotten a lot out of it, but in no way do I feel that I am selling myself short by graduating after five semesters.
Benyamin Moalem
YC '05
*****
Education Advisement
Dear Sir:
Many thanks to Aryeh Schneider for his feature article, "Direction for Tomorrow's Educators," in which he describes some of the new activities in the field of education at the Academic Advisement Center. Advance my personal thanks to him for our pleasant conversation/interview and for his efforts to encourage our goals in education.
There is one point that I would like to clarify regarding the BA/MS option that exists between the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration and each of our undergraduate divisions. This option, which has been successfully in operation for decades, allows qualified seniors in our undergraduate schools to take up to twelve credits at Azrieli during their senior undergraduate year and count these credits in both Azrieli and their respective undergraduate schools.
I do hope that our students will seriously consider becoming educators both in the fields of Jewish education (the lifeblood of our people) and general education. I encourage them to feel free to discuss their aspirations and doubts with me at the Advisement Center in Furst Hall on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Rabbi Yitzchak S. Handel, Ph.D.
Ra"M,TMSTA
Associate Professor, Yeshiva University
Education Advisor, Yeshiva College
*****
Commentator Neglect
Dear Sir:
Numerous stories have made it my way regarding a new "fraternity" operating on campus. I know it is not university chartered, leaving plenty of room open for interpretation as to what defines a fraternity as opposed to a handful of students who live together and create their own social opportunities. Although, I did stumble upon a website http://www.angelfire.com/la3/jdeutsch/ purporting to be the "Official Website of IHPi," created as a YU class project, which among other classic descriptions of a fraternity, featured pictures of underage drinking.
However, whether this specific instance constitutes an operating fraternity is a less important question than the place of fraternities in Yeshiva University.
While now is not the first time that the question has been relevant, it does seem to push to the forefront. YU has a new, more open minded administration. Following YU's much hyped participation in the Cleveland GA, rumors flowed of interest by Alpha Epsilon Pi, a national Jewish fraternity, in creating a YU chapter. And of course Washington Terrace has been the scene of numerous parties last semester. The issue is alive and kicking.
So the only question bothering me is, why is nobody talking? Why hasn't the Commentator even made mention of any of these developments? Whether fraternities serve a purpose in a Yeshiva education remains to be settled.
But whether in the near future fraternities will have a place on campus has yet to be debated. What are you waiting for?
Joshua Goldman
SSSB '03
*******
Student Leaders 1
Dear Sir:
While not every student leader can be a Moshe Rabbeinu or even a Van Wilder, I agree with the author that those few who comprise our leadership must strive to be of a higher caliber. One of the problems with this year's leadership is their lack of apparent experience. I have had the personal privilege of working with Ayal Frist since his election to YSU President, and I must say he has become an excellent leader in a very short time. [Note, to give some background: I was the losing candidate for the same position. I am in no way bitter. Rather, I thankful for the loss as Hashem has shown that everything must happen for a reason.] Ayal's solid command of his position is to his credit, since, not unlike many of the other current leaders, our president came into power with virtually no campus event-planning, major organizational, or student leadership positions under his belt.
I feel that it is the responsibility of the constitutional amendment council to create new criteria for those wishing to run for the four major positions within our student council: the presidents of YSU, SOY, YC and SSSB. There needs to be proper written prerequisites, such as having been on student council, a contributing editor to this newspaper or any journal, a senior staff position at the radio station or in the play, or other similar initiatives. As well as the visible activity requirement, each candidate should have to retain at least two references from senior staff or administration within Yeshiva. These particular leaders are the bridge between the students and the administration. Without a prior relationship, the months of preparation for the upcoming school year are merely time to meet new people and find out who on staff does what.
Finally, there must be an interview prior to being allowed to run. Included in the interviewers should be a member of student services, a senior administrator, one of the head RAs and the current four major presidents of student council.
The want to be on student council should not be the only serious requirement to being able to run for a major elected position. Just like the national primaries and caucuses sift through all the potential candidates to find the best possible one, so to must we, as the current student body, take it upon ourselves now to amend our constitution and repair or election process.
Coming from the opposite end, if you want to make a difference, one does not need to be elected on our campus to find themselves useful, help others and make a difference. Yeshiva is a small enough college that any student can get involved in as many different things as they can handle. Whether it is working for the Israel club, selling tickets for a student council concert, being a section manager at the SOY Seforim Sale, being a writing tutor, or being a board member for any organization at YU, every student can make a world of difference.
Although it would be rude to applaud or even clap in this situation, I feel the need to commend the editorial staff for taking on this potentially sticky and controversial piece in order to open the floor for dialogue and change.
Dave Weinberg
YC '05
*****
Kdos
Dear Sir:
I want to compliment you on the excellent job you are doing with the YUdaica articles. I have found the various reminisces that the writers have shared to be fascinating, poignant, and even intimate glimpses into the intellectual and spiritual development of the faculty, students, and the YU as a whole. It appears that throughout the decades, YU has proven to be a beatifully diverse and complex center of gravity for Jewish thought and life, constantly engaged in the glorious struggle for truth and its finest applications. Like many fellow alumni, my daily life in the work force does not bring to mind the "dvarim b'rumo shel olam" that we once lovingly pondered and discussed during the days and nights we were privileged to be YU students. Therefore, the outstanding YUdaica articles are a welcome, nourishing, and healthy reminder of the higher elements in life and in our souls and minds. Kol HaKavod, thank you, and keep up the good work!
Aaron Aftergut
Los Angeles, California
YC, JSS 1998
Dear Sir:
In the last issue of The Commentator, you ran an article detailing the YC faculty affirmation that a minimum residency of six semesters here on campus were required for graduation. Dean Sugarman is correct in his assertion that, "students misunderstand this," and that, to them, it appears to be a "punishment." Yet his assurances that these steps are being taken for the students' own good and that it is a display of care and concern on the part of the faculty for the education of the student body, unfortunately do not convince us otherwise. While the faculty may indeed care deeply and profoundly about the education their students are receiving, a minimum six semester requirement is hardly a display of such sentiments.
Firstly, a student's desire to leave campus after less than sixsemesters is often based on nothing other than financial concerns. While YU's financial aid program may be extensive, it does not blur the fact that a semester's tuition here is quite expensive. The difference between fulfilling one's requirements in five semesters as opposed to six may be the difference between seeing YU as a viable option and seeing it as unquestionably beyond their price range. While on the one hand the ambitious and idealistic approach of our faculty may be commendable and may reflect a desire for rigorous scholastic standards, on the other hand it turns its eyes from the pragmatic factors involved in acquiring a college education, particularly here at Yeshiva, factors which are often alleviated by a shorter stay on campus.
While the faculty will no doubt claim that they cannot sacrifice academic standards to alleviate financial concerns, such a claim assumes that imposing siex semester requirement indeed contributes to a higher academic standard, a claim which is completely erroneous.
The assertion that a residency requirement of six semesters will result in a more comprehensive education is completely misguided. The faculty has not raised the credit requirements, thereby keeping the number of courses that a student must take here on campus the same. As a result, all a student will do is spread out the already existing course load that he needs to graduate. This is not providing students with a more comprehensive education; it's simply lightening their load, something which the 17.5 credit per semester maximum limit already does. Furthermore, under the six semester rule, a student who opts for the heavy workload and has already completed his course requirements but has not completed his residency requirements will be forced to remain on campus for a semester, taking few serious courses if any, often resulting in many an afternoon in the library surfing the net.
The upshot of all of this is that if Dean Sugarman and the YC faculty want a more comprehensive education, increase course requirements, not residency requirements. Have faith in your student body, that if they feel they can absorb 84 credits worth of material in five semesters, then share in that belief that they can do it. Forcing students to stay longer does not create broader, more rigorous academic standards, nor does it contribute to a more comprehensive education. It just clogs up the dorms, the cafeteria, and the computers in the library. But most of all, in keeping people around for an extra semester without requiring any additional courses, YU gives off the appearance of engaging in nothing more than, dare I say, a money grab, a portrayal which does not befit an institution of YU's stature.
Sincerely,
Yaakov Moses
YC '07
********
Dear Sir:
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that I am writing in response to the university's commitment to a six semester on-campus requirement, commended in the staff editorial, "Six or Bust," that appeared in the last issue of the Commentator. After all, surely what compels me to disagree is not a rational argument, but "the anti-establishment culture that so permeates the fertile minds of young adults. Or maybe it's part of our Jewish consciousness to argue and bicker about anything and everything possible." Evidently, having been on campus for only five semesters, I am not well educated enough to be driven to argue by anything other than some biological or socio-religious drive.
As a student who is apparently "committed to throwing away [his] education" by "passing through Yeshiva" in the "simply ridiculous" time span of five semesters, who is apparently not as "idealistic and energetic about [his] education" as the staff of the Commentator, I take tremendous offense at your condescending tone and patronizing attitude.
It is not easy to "escape" YU in five semesters; you can't do it without being an intelligent and capable student. (If the courses offered are so easy that anybody can graduate in five semesters, it seems to me that spending an additional semester on campus taking more easy courses won't make you any more "well educated"). It entails taking a full courseload every semester and managing your time efficiently and effectively. It seems to me that if someone is bright enough to handle such a heavy courseload, such a person can certainly "expect to be well educated in such a short amount of time." (I personally had time to participate in plenty of extracurricular activities on top of my heavy courseload; it's not impossible.) An extra semester on campus would not have educated me any more than the five semesters I spent on it receiving my education. Stretching that education across another semester would have accomplished little more than squeezing an extra semester's tuition out of my already empty pockets.
Go ahead and "commend the administration and the faculty for stepping up to the plate and taking charge of our education" (although I'm sure we'd all prefer it if they took the charges of our education instead). And although I disagree with them, it's one thing for the "caring faculty and dedicated administrators" to tell me that they think I should stay here longer; however, I don't need a bunch of arrogant, silver-spoon twentysomething-year-olds patronizing me with the rhetoric that I "forfeited the ideals we came here to achieve." In all honesty, if, as you believe, many students "come here to get the degree their parents want them to have or because it's the only place their parents would send them to," then, in essence, the ideals they are forfeiting were forfeited long before these students ever set foot on the YU campus.
Students can and do complete their studies quite successfully in five semesters by taking a full courseload, by qualifying with AP courses, and/or by taking summer school courses. With the high cost of higher education, it is unacceptable that the university is enforcing a sixth semester on-campus requirement when there are students who are fully capable of successfully completing the requirements in five semesters. At a certain point, the student's financial position must be accommodated, not as determined by the financial aid office, but by the reality of the student's/family's finances; if that means that students capable of graduating after five semesters be allowed to do so, then so be it.
Personally, I think I received a quality education and experienced tremendous personal growth in the five semesters I spent on campus.
Tal Kerem
YC '05
*******
Dear Sir:
Over the past year there has been a lot discussion among University officials regarding an on campus residency requirement of six semesters. In light of the recent decisions by the Academic Standards Committee and the Yeshiva College staff regarding this issue, I am led to question the exact logic in their decision making. What is the difference in the amount of education that I receive whether I take 13 credits over six semesters or 17 credits over the course of five semesters? If anything, the fact that one is able to take on such a heavy load and graduate faster does not show disrespect for his or her education, but rather it is a sign of diligence in the student. It is ridiculous to say that there is no way to get a comprehensive education by graduating in five semesters, 84 credits is 84 credits of education regardless of how long it takes one to accomplish them.
Another main reason that the university should reconsider this proposal is a financial one. By making us to stay here another semester the university is forcing us to shell out another $15,000. One of the primary reasons some students so choose to graduate in five semesters is because of the financial savings incurred by doing so. Many families who have students at Yeshiva University already pay thousands of dollars in tuition for day schools in addition to their every day expenses. Students who graduate in five semesters are doing a huge favor towards their families' finances. While the university is usually generous in its financial aid packages, as "America's Jewish University in Service to Humanity" it is incumbent upon the school to do whatever is necessary to lighten the financial load that is already weighing down heavily upon its students' shoulders.
An additional reason the potential six semester requirement would be detrimental to YU is that the students at YU should not feel that their university is a prison. When people are forced to do something they resent it. At a time when the University administration is trying to stem the tide of student antipathy, this requirement will in no way end it. Instead, it will only create student displeasure and resentment towards YU. (The university will face even more resentment and resistance should they decide to implement this policy immediately. I, like many other students here, have worked hard by taking full course loads over the past two years in order to graduate in five semesters and we did not do this for naught.) By maintaining the current on campus credit requirement, the university maintains a respectable level of academic standards and at the same time allows its students the freedom to choose how they want to achieve it.
As a student here I have been idealistic about my education. In addition to my full course loads, I have participated in a number of extra-curricular activities, some of which were very time consuming, and I plan to, G-d willing, graduate this May after five semesters. In regard to my YU education, I have gotten a lot out of it, but in no way do I feel that I am selling myself short by graduating after five semesters.
Benyamin Moalem
YC '05
*****
Education Advisement
Dear Sir:
Many thanks to Aryeh Schneider for his feature article, "Direction for Tomorrow's Educators," in which he describes some of the new activities in the field of education at the Academic Advisement Center. Advance my personal thanks to him for our pleasant conversation/interview and for his efforts to encourage our goals in education.
There is one point that I would like to clarify regarding the BA/MS option that exists between the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration and each of our undergraduate divisions. This option, which has been successfully in operation for decades, allows qualified seniors in our undergraduate schools to take up to twelve credits at Azrieli during their senior undergraduate year and count these credits in both Azrieli and their respective undergraduate schools.
I do hope that our students will seriously consider becoming educators both in the fields of Jewish education (the lifeblood of our people) and general education. I encourage them to feel free to discuss their aspirations and doubts with me at the Advisement Center in Furst Hall on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Rabbi Yitzchak S. Handel, Ph.D.
Ra"M,TMSTA
Associate Professor, Yeshiva University
Education Advisor, Yeshiva College
*****
Commentator Neglect
Dear Sir:
Numerous stories have made it my way regarding a new "fraternity" operating on campus. I know it is not university chartered, leaving plenty of room open for interpretation as to what defines a fraternity as opposed to a handful of students who live together and create their own social opportunities. Although, I did stumble upon a website http://www.angelfire.com/la3/jdeutsch/ purporting to be the "Official Website of IHPi," created as a YU class project, which among other classic descriptions of a fraternity, featured pictures of underage drinking.
However, whether this specific instance constitutes an operating fraternity is a less important question than the place of fraternities in Yeshiva University.
While now is not the first time that the question has been relevant, it does seem to push to the forefront. YU has a new, more open minded administration. Following YU's much hyped participation in the Cleveland GA, rumors flowed of interest by Alpha Epsilon Pi, a national Jewish fraternity, in creating a YU chapter. And of course Washington Terrace has been the scene of numerous parties last semester. The issue is alive and kicking.
So the only question bothering me is, why is nobody talking? Why hasn't the Commentator even made mention of any of these developments? Whether fraternities serve a purpose in a Yeshiva education remains to be settled.
But whether in the near future fraternities will have a place on campus has yet to be debated. What are you waiting for?
Joshua Goldman
SSSB '03
*******
Student Leaders 1
Dear Sir:
While not every student leader can be a Moshe Rabbeinu or even a Van Wilder, I agree with the author that those few who comprise our leadership must strive to be of a higher caliber. One of the problems with this year's leadership is their lack of apparent experience. I have had the personal privilege of working with Ayal Frist since his election to YSU President, and I must say he has become an excellent leader in a very short time. [Note, to give some background: I was the losing candidate for the same position. I am in no way bitter. Rather, I thankful for the loss as Hashem has shown that everything must happen for a reason.] Ayal's solid command of his position is to his credit, since, not unlike many of the other current leaders, our president came into power with virtually no campus event-planning, major organizational, or student leadership positions under his belt.
I feel that it is the responsibility of the constitutional amendment council to create new criteria for those wishing to run for the four major positions within our student council: the presidents of YSU, SOY, YC and SSSB. There needs to be proper written prerequisites, such as having been on student council, a contributing editor to this newspaper or any journal, a senior staff position at the radio station or in the play, or other similar initiatives. As well as the visible activity requirement, each candidate should have to retain at least two references from senior staff or administration within Yeshiva. These particular leaders are the bridge between the students and the administration. Without a prior relationship, the months of preparation for the upcoming school year are merely time to meet new people and find out who on staff does what.
Finally, there must be an interview prior to being allowed to run. Included in the interviewers should be a member of student services, a senior administrator, one of the head RAs and the current four major presidents of student council.
The want to be on student council should not be the only serious requirement to being able to run for a major elected position. Just like the national primaries and caucuses sift through all the potential candidates to find the best possible one, so to must we, as the current student body, take it upon ourselves now to amend our constitution and repair or election process.
Coming from the opposite end, if you want to make a difference, one does not need to be elected on our campus to find themselves useful, help others and make a difference. Yeshiva is a small enough college that any student can get involved in as many different things as they can handle. Whether it is working for the Israel club, selling tickets for a student council concert, being a section manager at the SOY Seforim Sale, being a writing tutor, or being a board member for any organization at YU, every student can make a world of difference.
Although it would be rude to applaud or even clap in this situation, I feel the need to commend the editorial staff for taking on this potentially sticky and controversial piece in order to open the floor for dialogue and change.
Dave Weinberg
YC '05
*****
Kdos
Dear Sir:
I want to compliment you on the excellent job you are doing with the YUdaica articles. I have found the various reminisces that the writers have shared to be fascinating, poignant, and even intimate glimpses into the intellectual and spiritual development of the faculty, students, and the YU as a whole. It appears that throughout the decades, YU has proven to be a beatifully diverse and complex center of gravity for Jewish thought and life, constantly engaged in the glorious struggle for truth and its finest applications. Like many fellow alumni, my daily life in the work force does not bring to mind the "dvarim b'rumo shel olam" that we once lovingly pondered and discussed during the days and nights we were privileged to be YU students. Therefore, the outstanding YUdaica articles are a welcome, nourishing, and healthy reminder of the higher elements in life and in our souls and minds. Kol HaKavod, thank you, and keep up the good work!
Aaron Aftergut
Los Angeles, California
YC, JSS 1998