Students Pitch their Business Plans at 2012 Sy Syms Entrepreneurship Competition A Web site that makes personal training available to exercise novices in their own homes. A Facebook app that offers one-on-one tutoring and keeps track of students’ coursework. An organization that enables college students to bring their love of science to classrooms in public schools across the country. A sandwich company that delivers one meal to a homeless person for every sandwich it sells. [caption id="attachment_10534" align="alignleft" width="363" caption="Bella Frankel presents her idea—a comparative shopping search engine—before the judges at the Fast-Pitch Competition."][/caption] These were just a few of the ideas in the running for the grand prize at the 2012 Ira Rennert Entrepreneurship Institute Fast-Pitch Competition, presented by Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business on May 9. Ten student finalists brought their innovation, individuality and strategic thinking to bat as they competed for three top awards. Each finalist presented a business model before a panel of seven judges, comprised of business executives, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Judges offered comments and insight, suggesting ways to strengthen weak spots in students’ plans and take their ideas to the next level. “The competition is a great way of helping our students at Syms, Yeshiva College and Stern to develop and build their business ideas and provides them with access to experts who can give them valuable advice and feedback,” said event organizer, Dr. Brian Maruffi, professor of management at Syms and director of the Ira Rennert Entrepreneurship Institute. “It puts students through the steps of targeting potential business opportunities and analyzing their feasibility.” “Being able to present one’s plan in a friendly and yet professional environment provides an excellent opportunity for our students to receive feedback, feedback that might be priceless in some cases,” said Dr. Tamar Avnet, one of the competition’s judges and an assistant professor of marketing at Syms. “In addition, this competition simulates on some level the way their plans will be responded to in real life… It also helps them manage their expectations.” [caption id="attachment_10535" align="alignright" width="363" caption="Business executive, Jesse Rosen, and a team of judges offered presenters feedback on how to take their ideas to the next level."][/caption] Saul Orbach, a seasoned management and executive leadership professional, agreed. “For the serious entrepreneur who wants to advance his or her business and raise capital, this was an opportunity for a 'dry run' on mostly friendly grounds,” he said. “The ones who learn the lessons, pay attention to the judges' questions, solicit their feedback—you don't often get that opportunity in the real world—and internalize it all will come out way ahead the next time they present, raise money, apply for a loan, do a sales presentation and so on.” That input was deeply impactful for presenters like Alan Avitan ’13SB, who proposed the online fitness Web site. “One of the judges suggested going one step beyond just professional workout videos and really creating an online environment for a healthier lifestyle by partnering with health food companies, creating nutrition plans and blogs, and adding live workout sessions,” he said. “This was really helpful because it made me realize that my idea could be more multidimensional than I thought.” A notable theme throughout the competition was the students’ emphasis on social responsibility. From START, the teaching group begun by YU students to service needy public schools, to Sandwicharity, the sandwich company that provides matching meals to the homeless, the pitches revealed a passion to give back. “It was heartwarming to see that although our students major in business, they still care about their social environment and the well being of the less fortunate,” said Avnet. “I found that to be refreshing and to reflect on the high quality of our students and the wonderful values they have.” [caption id="attachment_10541" align="alignleft" width="392" caption="Omer Haim pitches his business, Sandwhicharity."][/caption] The grand prize, a check for $1,000 and more time to flesh out ideas with the judges, went to an organization that aligned with those values perfectly: Saves By B, a sneaker company formed by Zachary Charles ’12SB and his teenage brother that sends an identical pair of shoes to children in need for every pair ordered on its website, savesbyb.com. The company has been featured on New York 1, dosomething.org and other media outlets. “It was an honor to win. There were a lot of great ideas and to be voted the best is a great accomplishment for me as well as Saves By B,” said Charles, adding that the money would go towards the next shipment of shoes, which will be in different colors. “I learned a lot yesterday, especially about different marketing styles and strategies. Listening to all of the competitors and hearing what the judges had to say about them was helpful as well because I was able to take some of the information they gave them and tie it into my business. Two runner-ups tied for the second place prize of $750: Sandwicharity and START. Grafi Salads, a preservative-free Mediterranean salad company started by Tal Grafi ’12SB, won third place and received $500. In addition, Dr. William Schwartz, former vice president of academic affairs at YU and founder of the business plan competition, was presented with an Award for Entrepreneurship Service by Dr. Fred Palumbo, professor and area chair of marketing and management. Other organizers of the competition included Michael Strauss, associate dean and entrepreneur-in-residence at Syms, and the Business Management Club. “The hallmark of the outstanding professional, entrepreneur or businessman is not just mastering the mundane knowledge of finance and accounting or other fundamentals, but that additional element of creativity,” Schwartz said. “In essence, this competition, this institute, is designed to encourage the development of your skills as creative individuals.” none

Athletic Banquet Honors Student-Athletes Across 14 Varsity Sports The annual Athletic Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening, May 9, in the Max Stern Athletic Center. More than 250 athletes, administrators and guests were present to celebrate the 14 2011-2012 athletic teams that Yeshiva sponsors. Attendees were treated to a night of special awards for their teammates along with the unveiling of a championship banner for the men's cross country team, celebrating the school's first ever back-to-back championship in any sport. The night began with Athletics Director Joe Bednarsh welcoming Vice President and Chief of Staff Josh Joseph. Rabbi Joseph spoke to the attendees about the importance of athletics in their lives and how the athletic experiences can help shape their futures. Following the speech, Rabbi Joseph presented watches to 13 student-athletes who competed in their sport for 4 seasons at Yeshiva, an impressive feat considering the curriculum at YU.  Those student-athletes were: Chen Biron (Basketball), Mercedes Cohen (Basketball), Elizabeth Penn (Fencing), Shai Barel (Soccer), Edie Koslowe (Soccer), Rochelle Friedman (Soccer), Zach Charles (Tennis), Jack Voystock (Volleyball), Raphael Herskovits (Volleyball), Littal Kravetz(Volleyball), Amichai Levy (Wrestling), Greg Kupsin (Wrestling), and Ron Simchi (Wrestling). Immediately after the watch ceremony, Bednarsh asked the captains of the women's soccer team, men's soccer team, men's volleyball team and men's basketball team to come up front to accept awards on behalf of their teams. Each of those sports received the sportsmanship award in their conference, or in the case of the women's soccer team, from the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. Following the presentation, the attendees enjoyed dinner and desserts with their teammates and fellow student-athletes. Read the full article at www.yumacs.com. none

YU Center for Israel Studies Partners with MET on Middle East Exhibition On May 6, a group of students, alumni and members of the Yeshiva University community huddled around an ancient book. On its pages, in blue, red and yellow, were the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, carefully traced and shaded in by a child’s hand in the timeless tradition of children learning to read and write. The primer, found in the Cairo Genizah, was at least 900 years old. The artifact was one of many the group viewed in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s new exhibition, “Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition (600-900).” This is the first major exhibition to explore the religious and cultural change in the Middle East as it transitioned from being the wealthy southern provinces of the Roman/Byzantine Empire into the emerging Islamic world. For its presentation of Judaism—its history, art and literature within that context—the MET turned to an expert in Greco-Roman and Late Antiquity cultural Jewish history: Dr. Steven Fine, professor of Jewish History and director of the Center for Israel Studies (CIS) at YU. “Understanding the roles of Jews and Judaism in this time period is integral to understanding this moment of cultural change, and vice versa,” said Fine. “Though Jews were a minority even then, they were [and are] a minority through which one can understand other cultures in interesting ways.” [caption id="attachment_10511" align="alignright" width="386" caption="On May 9 the Center for Israel Studies led University faculty and staff on a private tour of the exhibition."][/caption] Assisted by CIS coordinator and MET intern, Yitzchak Schwartz ’11YC, a student at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, Fine has been deeply involved in the exhibition from its conception, writing a major catalog entry, “Jews and Judaism between Byzantium and Islam,” and playing an instrumental role in the choice and interpretation of artifacts that illustrate the Jewish experience at the crossroads of late Roman and Islamic cultures. Over 300 masterpieces of Christian, Islamic and Jewish art are displayed in the exhibition. During one of two special tours for members of the YU community, Fine and Schwartz spoke about their work collecting and studying the artifacts and provided intriguing contextual information about pieces such as the alphabet primer throughout the exhibition. Fine encouraged visitors to get as close as possible to the ancient works. “This exhibition is especially great for Jewish studies because it shows how Jews lived through the ages in a tactile way,” he said. Pointing to a bronze plate with scalloped edges that dates back to the middle of the first millennium, Fine said, “I taught that on a slide last week, but there is nothing better than coming here and studying the objects the ancient Rabbis were talking about and seeing them right in front of you, viscerally. To understand the world of our ancestors, you must understand where they lived and who they lived with.” [caption id="attachment_10514" align="alignleft" width="389" caption="Fine and Schwartz had been involved in the MET exhibition from its conception, writing a major catalog entry and playing an instrumental role in the choice and interpretation of artifacts."][/caption] For Schwartz, the opportunity to collaborate on this exhibition with curator Helen Evans and top academics in a multitude of fields has been one-of-a-kind. It has also given him the credentials to contribute research to other notable exhibitions, such as Fine’s forthcoming Museum of Biblical Art exhibition, “The Samaritans: A Biblical People,” which is rare for a new graduate. “I’ve always been fascinated by Jewish art and history, especially the art of the synagogue, and YU gave me the tools to explore these subjects I am so passionate about in a serious and informed way,” said Schwartz. “Since the beginning of my undergraduate studies at YU, Dr. Fine has been a very proactive and caring mentor and has opened doors for me in academia and museum work that have been transformative to my research and career.” Abby Schoenfeld Zimmerman ’09SC, who attended the tour with her family, was fascinated by the exhibition’s framing of three distinct but overlapping communities. “It’s interesting to view Jewish history in context,” she said. “You don’t usually get to see the relationships and cross-influences of that time and the influence Judaism had on other cultures. It’s incredible to have these experts and scholars at YU who can work together with experts of other fields of knowledge to figure out how we all got to where we are today.” “Byzantium and Islam” is on display at the MET through July 8. For more information about the Center for Israel Studies, visit www.yu.edu/cis. none

Mayor Cory Booker: "Use Your Faith to Help and Inspire Others" On the evening of May 8, students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the greater Yeshiva University community filled Lamport Auditorium to hear Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, New Jersey, discuss “The Role of Religion in Education and Public Life.” The event was the final installment of this year’s Great Conversation Series of the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought. [caption id="attachment_10494" align="alignleft" width="387" caption="Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik and Mayor Cory Booker discuss “The Role of Religion in Education and Public Life” at the final Straus Center event of the academic year."][/caption] The conversation—led by Straus Center Director Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik—bounced around from discussing how Booker’s personal faith influences his daily life, issues regarding the importance of improving education, and the nature of faith in the public square in America. Throughout the conversation, the mayor sprinkled his words with pointed anecdotes, quotes of important figures like the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, and—to the crowd’s delight—passages from biblical and rabbinic literature in English and in Hebrew. YU President Richard M. Joel introduced the event, noting that Booker has been an official alumnus of the University since he received an honorary doctorate at the 2010 Hanukkah Dinner and Convocation. “I am proud to welcome Mayor Cory Booker back to Yeshiva,” said President Joel. “I find the mayor to be one of those people in this world who profoundly matter.” Booker opened by discussing how his faith “is the core of my being,” he said. “It is how I orient myself to all things. Faith can help us find ways to help and inspire other people.” He went on to deliver a dvar Torah, comparing how Adam and Abraham responded to God calling on them. Booker spoke with awe as he described how Abraham announced the Hebrew word hinneini [here I am] and how Abraham would eventually argue with God regarding the imminent destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “From this story I learned the importance of standing up before God and saying, ‘here I am,’” said Booker. [caption id="attachment_10499" align="alignright" width="426" caption="President Richard Joel welcomed Booker, a former honorary degree recipient, back to YU."][/caption] The mayor described how his study of the Bible influenced his world outlook regarding religion. He recited a recent post of his on Facebook that neatly summed up his ideology: “Don't speak to me about your religion; first show it to me in how you treat other people. Don't tell me how much you love your God; show me in how much you love all God's children. Don't preach to me your passion for your faith; teach me through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I'm not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as I am in how you choose to live and give.” The conversation then turned to education. “To deny someone an education is a sin,” said Booker. “Every time we lose a child to a poor education, we all are brought lower by it.” The mayor continued by describing his many efforts in finding ways to improve the school system in Newark and other lower income areas of the country. He said that he has been quite happy with the educational initiatives of President Barack Obama saying, “I give him an A, but an A equal to 90%. We still have a way to go until everyone in America has the education they deserve.” The event featured a few moments of levity as the mayor spoke glowingly of his mentor in all things Jewish, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who arrived a little late to the event. Early on, Booker inquired if Boteach was in attendance. When informed that Boteach had not yet arrived, the mayor responded, “Good, then we can talk some lashon hara [gossip] about him.” To close the event, Soloveichik asked the mayor if he could offer any advice to the many future YU graduates in the audience. Booker responded, “Go out and be ethical people. Teach and live your faith.” “Cory Booker is inspiring,” said Stern College for Women alumna Adina Schwartz. “When I heard he was speaking at YU, I had to see him in person and he did not disappoint. He was smart, funny and offered some valuable insights.” The evening closed out the Straus Center’s academic year that included conversations with Senator Joseph Lieberman, Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks of the United Kingdom and former United States Attorney General Judge Michael Mukasey. In an interview prior to the event, Soloveichik announced that “great conversations with significant public figures are already planned for next year.” Learn more about the Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at www.yu.edu/straus. none

Center for Israel Studies Yom Iyun Explores History of Religious Zionism in America Few things divide and provoke American Jews like the question of Zionism.  Though many wish to remember otherwise, this was also the case before the founding of Israel in 1948; and, though many wish to forget, the story of Zionism in America belongs not just to Labor Zionism, dominated by culturalists and secularists, but also to Orthodox Jews.  Recently Yeshiva University's Center for Israel Studies held a study dayon the history of religious Zionism in America.  The questions raised by this history have profound implications for the future of Jews and of Israel. According to Rabbi Yosef Blau, president of the Religious Zionists of America and mashgiah ruhani—spiritual advisor—of Yeshiva's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), the religious Zionist, or Mizrahi, movement began in Europe at the turn of the 20th century and arrived in America on the eve of World War I.  American Jews generally, and Orthodox Zionists in particular, were split between the earlier German generation and the newly arrived East Europeans.  Zionism was further split between Orthodox Zionists and the largely non-Orthodox American Zionist mainstream.  During World War I, amid the fragmentation, cut off from the European leadership, the Mizrahi movement foundered. But important foundations within Orthodoxy were laid.  One was the "auxiliary" Mizrachi Women's Group, fiercely independent and hardly auxiliary.  Other foundations were the Teachers Institute at what would become Yeshiva University, the newly established day schools dedicated toIvrit b'Ivrit, or teaching Hebrew in Hebrew, and the B'nei Akiva religious Zionist youth movement.  After the war, the Mizrahi movement was rejuvenated through partnerships with Yeshiva University and RIETS. Read the full article at Jewish Ideas Daily... none

Navi Teachers from Across Tri-State Area Convene to Share Ideas, Discuss Technique How do you teach Sefer Yeshayahu [Book of Isaiah]? [caption id="attachment_10480" align="alignleft" width="368" caption="Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster, assistant professor of Bible at YU, presents methods to enhance understanding of Yeshayahu's vision by comparisons to Asyrian culture."][/caption] Fourteen yeshiva high school teachers came together on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus in late March to ask each other and themselves that question, under the auspices of YU’s Institute for University-School Partnership. Hailing from a range of schools across the tri-state area, the teachers were united by the subject they all taught (Navi, or The Prophets), their desire to enhance their own approach, and the opportunity to learn from others. “The purpose is to expand teachers’ thinking about what’s possible in the classroom and to help them clarify their own particular focus,” said Dr. Scott Goldberg, director of the YU School Partnership. “Even though their individual schools are so different, it’s productive and important for them to talk about Navi together. They can relate to each other, but the diversity creates a great learning environment.” The group started as an offshoot of YUHSChinuchCommunity.org—one of the YU School Partnership’s seven online Communities of Practice. These online communities allow educators to organize discussions around a plethora of topics, from incorporating technology into a lesson to creating more meaningful Judaic studies classes for younger children, and provide a forum for shared experiences, ideas and questions. The Navi teachers, now meeting in person for the second time, had already been in touch with each other and additional educators for over a year as part of an online sub-group specifically for Navi teachers, where they compared the specifics of their classrooms and curricula, posted lesson plans and suggested helpful links. As the teachers sat together around a conference table, Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz, who serves as Rosh Beit Medrash at Ramaz and the Navi group’s facilitator, framed the conversation: “What are our long term goals for teaching Sefer Yeshayahu? What is the value of sharing this discussion with the broader community of teachers?” [caption id="attachment_10482" align="alignright" width="387" caption="Racheli Weiss of The Frisch School demonstrates the use of technology in the teaching of Yeshayahu."][/caption] According to Schiowitz, the opportunity for high school teachers to come together to discuss technique is rare but critical to continue their development as educators. “At every convening, including this one, teachers are very appreciative at the end and can’t believe how much they gained,” he said. “This is one of the things necessary to take our field to the next level of advancement and professional growth.” Miriam Krupka, who also teaches at Ramaz, agreed. “In Jewish education, your demographic as a teacher is so much more limited,” she said. “This community expands that group, allows you to bounce ideas off each other and hear stories about others who are doing what you’re doing.  In general, convening like this is an energizing experience and a good reminder of how much talent is out there in the field and how great some of these educators are.” At this year’s gathering, teachers presented sample lessons, explaining how they contextualized the sefer and what priorities and ideas they hoped to transfer to students. Their colleagues listened, took notes and asked questions. How could Smart board technology be manipulated to offer a layered experience for students of varying capabilities? What chapter serves best as an introduction to the material? How could the harsh mussar [rebuke] segments of the sefer be made relatable to young students? “Convening like this, both online and in person, provides teachers with emotional support and practical solutions to individual dilemmas, but it also enables them to create new knowledge together,” said Dr. Naava Frank, the YU School Partnership's director of continuing education and professional development. “You have these experienced professionals in a room, talking about how they each approach the material and they’ll start coming up with a whole new way of teaching a particular chapter. We think that connectivity makes for better teachers who will reach more students more of the time.” By the end of the day, the group was already planning to visit each other’s classrooms and post their presentations online for the benefit of other Navi teachers across the country. “It was invigorating to interact with a good cross section of teachers, both veteran and less so, who have good command of the material and are excited about exploring interesting ways and ideas of conveying the richness of the Navi and its message to students,” said Rabbi Nati Helfgot, who teaches at SAR. “I particularly appreciated seeing how some of the younger teachers use the media frameworks at our disposal today to teach a lesson or have students engage in meaningful learning. A number of the motivations and techniques that were used were ones that I am thinking about integrating into my own teaching.” For more information about how YU School Partnership convenes Jewish educators in Communities of Practice, please visit www.yuschoolpartnership.org/cops. none

Ambassador Yehuda Avner to Speak at May 24 Commencement; Honorees Include Alan Willner, Eleazer Hirmes and Ethel Orlian Former Israeli diplomat, Ambassador Yehuda Avner, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary doctorate at Yeshiva University’s 81st Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 24, at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ. [caption id="attachment_10367" align="alignleft" width="138" caption="Ambassador Yehuda Avner"][/caption] Avner, an author of two books, served as speechwriter and secretary to Israeli Prime Ministers Levi Eshkol and Golda Meir, and as an adviser to Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Shimon Peres. Visit the commencement page for dates, locations, directions and information on ceremonies for all Yeshiva University schools and affiliates. President Richard M. Joel will also confer an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters upon Dr. Alan Willner and Eleazer Hirmes. Willner, a 1982 graduate of Yeshiva College, is a highly decorated physicist, who has published more than 950 papers on his research in optical technologies. Currently a chaired professor of engineering at the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California, he holds 24 patents. His research has been supported by institutions such as Cisco, the Department of Defense, Google, Hewlett Packard, Intel, the National Science Foundation and the National Security Agency. [caption id="attachment_10373" align="alignright" width="143" caption="Dr. Alan Willner"][/caption] Hirmes’ family relationship with Yeshiva University dates back to the early years of the 20th century, when his father, Rabbi Abraham P. Hirmes, left the Slabodka Yeshiva in Lithuania to pursue his rabbinical ordination at YU-affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Eleazer attended YU High School and graduated from Yeshiva College in 1944. He received an MBA from New York University and spent 60 years practicing as a CPA, becoming a noted philanthropist in the Five Towns of New York. Hirmes and his wife Greta have set up a scholarship fund in honor of his parents. [caption id="attachment_10375" align="alignleft" width="135" caption="Eleazer Hirmes"][/caption] Ethel Orlian, the associate dean of Stern College for Women, will be awarded the Presidential Medallion. Orlian has spent more than 50 years as a student, teacher and administrator at Yeshiva University. A graduate of YU High School and Stern College, she began her YU career as a researcher, but left to live in Israel before returning to Stern in 1979 as the assistant to Karen Bacon, dean of Stern College for Women. Known to generations of Stern College women, she has remained at the college since—serving as assistant dean and academic counselor and teaching chemistry prior to her appointment as associate dean. [caption id="attachment_10378" align="alignright" width="140" caption="Ethel Orlian"][/caption] “Each of our honorees embodies a different piece of the principles of Yeshiva University, their commitment to the Jewish people, the State of Israel, their hometowns and to the University itself,” said President Joel. “We hope they inspire our graduates to leave our school for success now, but know they always have a home at YU.” In all, more than 1,400 undergraduate students from Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women and Syms School of Business, as well as graduate students in the fields of law, medicine, social work, education, Jewish studies and psychology, will be awarded degrees from YU during its commencement season. Learn more about the honorees here. none

Men’s Basketball Coach Honored with Court-Naming Ceremony and Scholarship Fund On Sunday, May 6, Yeshiva University’s Alumni Office celebrated the 40-year career of men’s basketball Coach Jonathan Halpert ‘62YUHS, ‘66YC, ‘78F with a court-naming ceremony in his honor at the Max Stern Athletic Center on the Wilf Campus. The event included the unveiling of Halpert’s signature on the men’s basketball court, a tribute video and the launch of the Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund, an endowment that will be awarded annually to children of YU alumni living in Israel wishing to study at the University. [flickrslideshow acct_name="yualumni" id="72157629636778458"] Halpert, who took over the Maccabees roster in 1972, is the longest tenured men’s basketball coach in New York City history.  He was named coach of the year in the NCAA’s Skyline Conference twice, and at one point compiled a streak of 15 consecutive winning seasons.  Above all, Halpert has served as a role model for core Jewish values to three generations of Yeshiva University students. "The tribute to Coach Halpert was especially meaningful to the many alumni who came with their families to acknowledge the significant impact he had on their lives," said Barbara Birch, senior director of alumni affairs & annual giving. "So many graduates see Coach as not just a basketball coach, but someone who taught them life lessons, served as a father figure and had a tremendous influence on their YU experience. This was their day to thank him for his dedication and contribution." httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1obJR1QLU3M&feature=youtu.be Over the last 30 years, Halpert has visited Israel twice a year to recruit Israeli talent interested in representing YU on the court while receiving a top-notch Torah and academic college education. "There is no more rewarding feeling in the world than to feel appreciated," said Halpert. "The outpouring of feelings by Yeshiva University, my friends, colleagues and former players was emotionally overwhelming and will be cherished forever." The Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund was established under his guidance to benefit YU alumni who have immigrated to Israel. Individuals interested in honoring Halpert’s significant contributions to YU and the Maccabees can contribute online. Donors to the Coach Jonathan Halpert Scholarship Fund will be recognized in the interactive display documenting the history of the Maccabees in the Max Stern Athletic Center and in an honorary book to be presented to Halpert later this year. none

Mayor Bloomberg Addresses Students and Alumni at Syms Awards Ceremony On May 3, graduating seniors of Yeshiva University’s Syms School of Business received heartfelt congratulations and career advice from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the 2012 Annual Syms School of Business Gala Awards Dinner. [easyembed field="flickrembed"] The event, held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the business school, which now has over 3,000 alumni, and the graduating class of 2012. It also honored students and faculty who excelled within their fields and demonstrated exceptional character. Drawing on his own experience as a young professional in New York, Bloomberg noted that success often comes in unexpected forms and recommended students embrace the twists and turns of a fledgling career. “The pathway to your dreams will not always be the one you’re imagining now,” he said. However, the mayor exhorted the new graduates to begin building their careers in the Big Apple. “You have the kinds of skills, desire and drive that this city, one of the most diverse cities in the world, needs,” he said. “Your education has given you all the tools you need to succeed.” For Moses Pava, the newly-appointed dean of Syms, those tools were an assortment of ethical sensitivity and commitment, dedication and passion. “If your cause is compelling, you communicate clearly and with respect and modesty, you work together to balance the needs of all stakeholders, you play hard and work even harder, you can quite literally create new realities and a new playing field,” he said. Hitting a note that was emphasized throughout the evening, Yeshiva University Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Henry Kressel stressed that initiative and determination were critical to success in any profession. He spoke of his own revolutionary work with lasers at RCA Laboratories, a project that was dismissed by experts at the time but eventually led to the development of technology used in DVD players. “Great leaders in all fields appear to be lucky due to random chance, but in fact, winners largely make their own luck with the combination of a prepared mind, receptiveness to opportunities others overlook, and perseverance, which leads to eventual success despite setbacks along the way,” said Kressel. Awards were presented for excellence in accounting, finance, marketing, management and student service, as well as honors for the highest-ranking juniors and the three valedictorians, Anosh Zaghi, Elana Sand and Sultana Shoshani. Faculty members who had made a deep impact on their students were also recognized. In addition to being named Lillian F. and William L. Silber Professor of the Year, David Kahn, an instructor in accounting, received a special award called “Professor of the Decade,” created by the graduates to commemorate his commitment to students both in and out of the classroom. Visibly moved, Kahn said, “This is a powerful evening.” Charles Harary, an associate professor of entrepreneurship and management who was named Professor Pete Lencis Adjunct Professor of the Year, noted the creativity and innovation of the Syms student body. “You have vision,” he said. “If you allow yourself to dream and see the world with the vision of every Jewish leader before you, not as it is right now but how it could be, and realize that you alone can bring that change, we are all in good hands.” Shoshani discussed her own vision as she attempted to fuse a love of acting and screenwriting with the rigorous time commitment and academic demands of an undergraduate degree in business. “Creativity and business are not contradictory,” she said. “As business students, we have the tools to use our creativity to come up with new ideas to make the world a better place. We don’t have to compete—we can invent.” Following the ceremony, current students and new graduates mingled with alumni and various financial professionals at a buffet dinner. The evening concluded with a performance by Jake and Amir of CollegeHumor.com. “The commitment of the professors to our success, as well as the experiential opportunities, were probably the most inspiring and enabling aspects of my business education at Syms,” said Benjamin Blumenthal, president of the Syms School of Business Student Council (SYMSSC), who together with co-president Littal Kravetz and their boards organized the evening. Their choice of Bloomberg as keynote speaker was instinctive: “Mayor Bloomberg stands alone as someone who embodies the principles of entrepreneurship that are instilled in us at Syms. To host him at our awards dinner showcases the pride we all share for our school.” “It’s overwhelming to see the young, smart and dynamic students gathered here,” said Lynn Syms, wife of the late Sy Syms, who helped establish the business school in 1987. “Bringing alumni and undergraduates together in this intimate setting, where they can share ideas and find out what each other are thinking, is truly wonderful.” none

Political Experts Discuss the Role of Religion in the Presidential Race at Robbins-Wilf Program While religion has sharply divided voters in recent elections over issues related to same-sex marriage, abortion and separation of Church and State, and despite a Mormon heading the ticket of a major political party for the first time, religion appears less likely to affect the upcoming presidential election between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. That was the consensus among three veteran political and religious analysts who came together on Yeshiva University’s Beren Campus to discuss the impact of religion on the 2012 presidential race as part of Stern College for Women’s Dr. Marcia Robbins-Wilf Scholar-in-Residence Program on April 30. [caption id="attachment_10467" align="alignleft" width="442" caption="Prof. Bryan Daves, Jeff Greenfield, Anna Greenberg and Dr. Peter Steinfels discuss the impact of religion on the presidential election at the YU Robbins-Wilf Scholar-in-Residence Program."][/caption] The event, which took place at the Schottenstein Cultural Center, addressed the role religion has played historically in presidential politics and the way that role has evolved in recent years. The panel included Jeff Greenfield, anchor of PBS’ “Need to Know”; Anna Greenberg, leading pollster and senior vice president at Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research; and Dr. Peter Steinfels, co-director of the Center for Religion and Culture at Fordham University and a former religion columnist for The New York Times. According to the panel, two factors seemed to explain the diminished impact of religion on this election: the struggling economy and the public’s tiring of religion’s role in previous elections. The group also discussed media coverage of religion in politics, with a focus on Romney’s candidacy as the first Mormon to run for president. “Mass media’s coverage of religion is not necessarily to be celebrated,” said Greenfield. “It’s very simplistic. Anyone who has a set of religious beliefs which is not familiar to most Americans is in for a tough time.” However, he felt Romney’s faith would ultimately make little difference to Americans at the voting booths. “The economy so overhangs everything else,” said Greenfield. “People will vote for Romney thinking, ‘He’s going to get the economy going, he knows how to put people to work,’ or Obama thinking, ‘He’s going to protect the middle class from those crazy Republicans.’ ” [hana-code-insert name='RobbinsWilf2012' /] Greenberg agreed that religion would play a diminished role, but warned the audience to look for its influence at the margins. She referenced recent controversy about the Obama administration’s proposal to include birth control coverage in health insurance policies. “In this kind of election, some of these seemingly random issues can play an important part in shifting a small number of people in critical ways,” said Greenberg. Speakers also noted that the way in which religion affects voter choice has changed.  Today, it is not denomination but rather religiosity that influences how Americans vote. The more religious a voter is the more likely they are to vote Republican, the less religious the more likely to vote democratic. “Religion has always been an important factor in presidential elections,” said Steinfels. “What has changed is that religious practice has become an identifier. Once upon a time, if you were a Catholic, you were more apt to vote Democratic, and it didn’t make a difference if you were a regular church-goer or not… now it does.” “This year is poised to be a very close election with the electorate sharply divided on their choice for president,” said Professor Bryan Daves, director of the Robbins-Wilf program, a member of the political science department at YU, and the event’s moderator. “In recent elections, matters of faith and social issues have played an important role in determining the outcome. Yeshiva University, with its dual mission of Torah U’madda, is a perfect venue to host a discussion with three prominent experts on religion and politics.” “The topic was so relevant because many students are voting in their first presidential election and this is no doubt going to be a defining election in American history,” said journalism major and political science minor Yaelle Lasson, a Stern College sophomore. “Hearing from Anna Greenberg, a revered and prominent woman making a difference in the public sphere, was especially meaningful for me. I find her social media research fascinating and hope to implement social media use in advocacy law after college.” Though panelists shared a sense of surprise that religious issues didn’t seem to be a focus in the 2012 election, they didn’t all feel that was necessarily bad. “This is a country where not so long ago, religious differences were not just profound but debilitating,” said Greenfield. “They served ill purposes. The fact that the country has opened up virtually any civic job you can think of to the point where they really don’t care what religion you are—I think that’s a healthy thing.” none