Pearl Berger, dean of libraries at Yeshiva University, received a Lifetime Membership award from the Association of Jewish Libraries Annual Conference for her lifelong commitment to the field of library science. The conference was held in Montreal, Canada, over the June 19-22 weekend. Berger, who joined the YU libraries in 1980, was appointed dean of libraries in 1985. She inaugurated a period of reorganization and expansion, and currently presides over a network of libraries with over one million volumes, more than 100,00 of them in Hebrew. She has been instrumental in successfully integrating YU’s library system to make it more streamlined and efficient, and has also been directly responsible for YU’s receiving several grants to preserve rare collections and to microfilm the archives. The award was presented by Zachary Baker, Assistant University Librarian for Collection Development (humanities and social sciences) and Reinhard Family Curator of Judaica and Hebraica Collections at Stanford University Libraries. Edith Lubetski, Head Librarian at Yeshiva’s Hedi Steinberg Library, accepted the award on Dean Berger’s behalf. A video of the presentation is available here.

Dr. Daniel Laufer, Associate Professor of Marketing at Sy Syms School of Business, was interviewed by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz on his area of specialization, crisis management. Laufer discussed the importance of having in place an effective crisis management plan based on a firm grasp of the psychological nature of blame. Stressing that the best way to get through a crisis is to start it with a good reputation, Laufer also urged brands to protect their reputations by practicing transparency, maintaining open and immediate communication, issuing apologizes backed up by sincere attempts at reparations, and rallying advocates to support the brand. The full text of the interview can be read in Hebrew here.

Dr. Linda Shires, Professor and Chair of the English Department, Stern College for Women, recently lectured at the "Hardy at Yale II" conference as an invited speaker on "Wessex Poems: Image and Text." The four-day international conference was sponsored by the Hardy Association and the Yale Center for British Art. The venue was especially appropriate since Yale's Beinecke Library holds the Purdy collection of Hardy works, letters, manuscripts and first editions, and also mounted an exhibition for the conference.

Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Schnall, clinical assistant professor of psychology at Yeshiva University, delivered a lecture titled "An overlooked minority: Recent assessments of the Orthodox Jewish community" at the 74th annual convention of the New York State Psychological Association. Held at the Roosevelt Hotel from June 3-5, 2011, the convention’s theme was “Psychology in a Global World: Research and Practice.” Schnall’s presentation focused on the results of two large-scale national research projects recently completed by the author and relating to Orthodox Jews, a population heavily concentrated in New York. The first study was a 25-year follow-up investigation assessing intergenerational changes in mental health needs among Orthodox Jews, based on a survey of clinicians in this community. The second study focused on marriage among Orthodox Jews, examining levels of marital satisfaction and stressors. The two studies were considered together in order to present practical recommendations for future interventions, clarifying the role of psychologists in such endeavors.

Rabbi Doctor Bernhard Rosenberg, associate professor at Yeshiva University, has made available for download his latest book titled The Holocaust As Seen Through Film With Bibliography. This extensive collection comprises a list of films dealing with the theme of the Holocaust, including film titles, summary of content and basic details. Along with a bibliography, there are also suggested discussion questions on the theme of the Holocaust for each film. The questions are appropriate for Yom HaShoah, Tisha B'Av and Jewish History classes or synagogue/community/school programs as this resource is intended to provide useful information to assist professional staff and committees in providing programming or classes across a broad variety of educational and religious environments. The book is available for download here. It is also available on www.holocausthaggadah.com.

Prof. Alexander Reinert Associate Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Strauss-Kahn back in New York court Friday: official AFP, June 30, 2011 Dr. Gary Schwartz Professor, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Does Eating More Frequently Actually Aid in Weight Loss? EmpowHer.com, June 29, 2011 Dr. David Pelcovitz Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Chair in Psychology and Jewish Education, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration Statistics On Teen Texting The Jewish Week, June 28, 2011 Prof. Marci A. Hamilton Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law High Court OKs Sales Of Violent Video Games To Kids NPR.com, June 28, 2011 Prof. Peter Markowitz Clinical associate professor of law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law New York Works Too Closely With ICE, Critics Say WNYC.com, June 28, 2011 Dr. Eliseo Eugenin Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Research Sheds Light on Cause of Brain Deficits in HIV Patients MSN.com, June 28, 2011 Dr. Joe Verghese Professor, The Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Dance Fitness: How Getting Down Helps Your Health WestHollywoodPatch.com, June 24, 2011 Dr. Richard Lipton Professor and vice chair of neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine 5 Ways to Treat Migraines and Chronic Headaches Washingtonian, June 20, 2011 Dr. Joel Zonszein Professor of Clinical Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine FDA Warns of Bladder Cancer Risk with Actos FirstCoastNews.com, Jun 20, 2011 Prof. Susan Crawford Professor of Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Upending Anonymity, These Days the Web Unmasks Everyone The New York Times, June 20, 2011 Dr. Nir Barzilai Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Professor of Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Live Very, Very Long and Prosper Wall Street Journal, Jun. 20, 2011 Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg Professor of communications, Yeshiva University Never forget horrors of the Holocaust MyCentralJersey.com, Jun. 16, 2011 Dr. Richard B. Lipton Vice chairman, The Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine For Many, Weight-Loss Surgery Also Eases Migraines U.S. News and World Report, June 15, 2011 Dr. Keith Ayoob Associate professor of pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Full Circle: Tired Teens Crave Carbs, Lose Sleep Over Weight Woes ABCNews.com, June 14, 2011 Dr. Joy Ladin David and Ruth Gottesman Chair in English, Stern College for Women From shul to the mikvah, transgender Jews seek place in Jewish life JTA, June 13, 2011 Dr. Daniel Laufer Associate Professor of Marketing, Sy Syms School of Business Crisis Management Ha'aretz, June 13, 2011 Prof. Eric A. Goldman Yeshiva University Bride Flight: A powerful story about friendship and history’ New Jersey Jewish Standard, 10 June 2011