2008 Woodie Awards
Officials Reconsidering Yeshiva's Role in Israel
Daniel Goldmintz
Issue date: 9/4/07 Section: Features
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Last May, Yeshiva University decided to embark upon a new strategy in terms of its Office of Israel Affairs. Several members of the office's staff will not be returning to their posts and Yeshiva administrators are reconsidering the office's mission before restaffing the department.
With many options in play - some more reasonable than others - Yeshiva officials are eager to completely revise the role Yeshiva should play in everything from its own community of Israeli alumni to the general Israeli community.
"What everyone agrees on is that Yeshiva should play some sort of role in Israel," said Dr. Davis. "Everyone I speak with has different ideas on how our role should be actualized. The possibilities are tremendous and our resources are available to reach out to our Israeli alumni and the greater Israeli community."
Noting recent accomplishments, President Joel commented that "a lot has been normalized in the past few years." While the list of achievements is lengthy, the President was particularly proud of the successful colloquium hosted by Yeshiva last year (which will be
repeated this upcoming March.) In addition, he is proud that the university has been able to establish a greater presence in Israel through sending roshei yeshiva to speak to various communities around the country.
The President also praised the efforts of Gruss Institute Associate Director Rabbi Dovid Miller for his work to learn with and teach the 3,000 Yeshiva alumni currently living in Israel.
Looking toward the future, President Joel discussed recent ideas that have been proposed to him. These range from opening community kollels to building fully-functioning satellite colleges in Israel. "We have offered the Torah of Yeshiva University to an array of audiences in Israel. The real question that remains unanswered is what added value can YU bring to the State of Yisrael in Israel," commented President Joel. While the President was upfront about the issue, he explained that his cabinet would require time to consider many different possibilities in order to reach a thoughtful decision.
The President placed the responsibility to develop a more coherent plan for Yeshiva's place in Israel on his own shoulders. "I haven't been able to galvanize and assemble a group to think about this properly, yet," admitted President Joel.
Part of the development process is finding a new candidate to take over an administrative position in Yeshiva's Office of Israel Affairs, which serves Yeshiva alumni among its other functions. Though Mrs. Ellen Clyman, who coordinates many alumni events in Israel, will remain with the office, an open spot remains to be filled. Yeshiva acting CFO Karl Kunz , who alongside Jeff Rosengarten, VP of Administrative Services, has been charged with hiring new staff for the Office of Israel Affairs, told The Commentator that for now, there are only plans to fill the administrative role.
Noting the President's desire to better formulate Yeshiva's mission in Israel, Mr. Kunz said that any candidate must have the "maturity, flexibility, and talent to adapt to a changing strategy."
With many options in play - some more reasonable than others - Yeshiva officials are eager to completely revise the role Yeshiva should play in everything from its own community of Israeli alumni to the general Israeli community.
"What everyone agrees on is that Yeshiva should play some sort of role in Israel," said Dr. Davis. "Everyone I speak with has different ideas on how our role should be actualized. The possibilities are tremendous and our resources are available to reach out to our Israeli alumni and the greater Israeli community."
Noting recent accomplishments, President Joel commented that "a lot has been normalized in the past few years." While the list of achievements is lengthy, the President was particularly proud of the successful colloquium hosted by Yeshiva last year (which will be
repeated this upcoming March.) In addition, he is proud that the university has been able to establish a greater presence in Israel through sending roshei yeshiva to speak to various communities around the country.
The President also praised the efforts of Gruss Institute Associate Director Rabbi Dovid Miller for his work to learn with and teach the 3,000 Yeshiva alumni currently living in Israel.
Looking toward the future, President Joel discussed recent ideas that have been proposed to him. These range from opening community kollels to building fully-functioning satellite colleges in Israel. "We have offered the Torah of Yeshiva University to an array of audiences in Israel. The real question that remains unanswered is what added value can YU bring to the State of Yisrael in Israel," commented President Joel. While the President was upfront about the issue, he explained that his cabinet would require time to consider many different possibilities in order to reach a thoughtful decision.
The President placed the responsibility to develop a more coherent plan for Yeshiva's place in Israel on his own shoulders. "I haven't been able to galvanize and assemble a group to think about this properly, yet," admitted President Joel.
Part of the development process is finding a new candidate to take over an administrative position in Yeshiva's Office of Israel Affairs, which serves Yeshiva alumni among its other functions. Though Mrs. Ellen Clyman, who coordinates many alumni events in Israel, will remain with the office, an open spot remains to be filled. Yeshiva acting CFO Karl Kunz , who alongside Jeff Rosengarten, VP of Administrative Services, has been charged with hiring new staff for the Office of Israel Affairs, told The Commentator that for now, there are only plans to fill the administrative role.
Noting the President's desire to better formulate Yeshiva's mission in Israel, Mr. Kunz said that any candidate must have the "maturity, flexibility, and talent to adapt to a changing strategy."