Teaching in Local Public Schools, Yeshiva University Students Make Science Fun

Some of the best and brightest college students in the nation teach science in Washington Heights public schools.

For free.

Each week, Yeshiva University (YU) students volunteer in three Washington Heights public schools, teaching the beauty and magic of science, technology, math and engineering to children.

Now START! (Students Teachers And Researchers Teach) is expanding—both internationally and nationally. Read the rest of this entry…

Hundreds Attend YU Jewish Job Fair Seeking Communal and Educational Careers 

Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and Institute for University-School Partnership hosted their annual Jewish Job Fair on YU’s Wilf Campus on February 28. More than 50 Jewish day schools and 20 community organizations from across North America, including the Orthodox Union, Nefesh B’Nefesh, Repair the World and others, participated in the event, which was free and open to the public, with YU students and alumni given one hour of priority access.

“Our annual Jewish Job Fair is a natural outgrowth of our mission to support and strengthen Jewish communities and organizations around the world,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, David Mitzner Dean of the CJF. Read the rest of this entry…

Yeshiva University Mentoring Program Hosts Third Annual Seminar and College Fair Day

On Friday, February 22, some 250 New York City public high school students gathered on the Wilf Campus for the Third Annual College EDge Seminar and College Fair Day.

Some 250 New York City high school students took part in the Third Annual CollegeEDge Seminar and College Fair Day at Yeshiva University.

Founded by students of Yeshiva University, College EDge assists underrepresented public high school students to attain a post-secondary education. With a primary focus on promoting college and college awareness among its targeted students, the program enables them to begin their path to college through educational seminars and workshops, networking events, college fairs and mentorship programs. Programs are also run for students who prefer trade school, certification programs and other college alternatives.

“College EDge helps students discover what careers they might be interested in,” explained Chaim Szachtel, president of College EDge. “We help them design a plan to reach their goals. Read the rest of this entry…

Weekly Course Open to all Women will Feature Rabbis Jacob J. Schacter and Hayyim Angel

Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) will launch a new Women’s Beit Midrash Program on February 5 at Stern College for Women’s Israel Henry Beren campus in Manhattan for participants of all ages.

The six-week program, developed in conjunction with the University’s Office of Alumni Affairs and New Jersey and Long Island Regional offices, will feature Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and senior scholar of the CJF, and Yeshiva College Jewish Studies faculty member Rabbi Hayyim Angel. Read the rest of this entry…

Film Produced by Orthodox Union and Center for the Jewish Future to be Screened at Synagogues Worldwide on July 29

Thousands of Jews in more than 100 communities around the world will join together this Tisha B’Av to view an inspirational video presented by Yeshiva University and the Orthodox Union (OU). The video, titled “Making Tisha B’Av Meaningful to Us Today,” is a project of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and the OU, and will be screened in some 250 synagogues across the U.S. and internationally in Australia, Canada, Israel, Poland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Read the rest of this entry…

YU Israeli Summer Camp Service Learning Initiative to Serve 300 Underprivileged Campers

The Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) announced today that its Counterpoint Israel Program, a month-long service-learning initiative that aims to empower the next generation of Israeli youth via an exciting, Jewish values-driven summer camp experience, has tripled in size with the addition of three new camps in Beer Sheva, Kiryat Gat and Kiryat Malachi.

With the program returning to the communities of Arad and Dimona as well, Counterpoint Israel will serve 300 Israeli campers from varied socio-economic backgrounds in five student-run camps from July 3 – August 5.

Read the rest of this entry…

Navi Teachers from Across Tri-State Area Convene to Share Ideas, Discuss Technique

How do you teach Sefer Yeshayahu [Book of Isaiah]?

Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster, assistant professor of Bible at YU, presents methods to enhance understanding of Yeshayahu's vision by comparisons to Asyrian culture.

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.” Read the rest of this entry…

Jewish Matchmaking Alliance Holds Inaugural Conference at Yeshiva University

Representatives from 12 Jewish matchmaking organizations from North America and around the world met on Wednesday, April 25 on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus for the inaugural meeting of the Jewish Matchmaking Alliance (JMA). Developed as the brainchild of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future’s (CJF) YUConnects and SawYouAtSinai, JMA has drawn enthusiastic support from various matchmaking organizations. Its stated mission is “to increase collaborative efforts by leading organizations in developing constructive projects, professionalize education and pool resources geared towards enhancing opportunities available for the Orthodox Jewish singles population.”

YU Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Mordechai Willig, opened the conference with words of inspiration to all those working for this important common goal. At the meeting, each organization shared its successful program initiatives and ideas, and its approach to addressing the singles issue. Subsequently, attendees participated in facilitated conversations examining common obstacles in matchmaking, dating and event planning.

“While many matchmaking organizations may focus on different age groups and religious preferences, there are several commonalities in the dating and matchmaking process across the spectrum,” said Dr. Efrat Sobolofsky, director of YUConnects. “The meeting was a wonderful platform to start making inroads together in the dating arena. By working together to bring singles together, so much can be accomplished. It was a dream come true and a real kiddush Hashem.”

Participants came from across the Tristate area and Toronto, as well as Australia, Montreal and Israel, via conference call. Organizations represented at the conference included Chabad, Gateways, JSMatchpoint, Kesher, National Council Young Israel, Neve Kesher, Orthodox Union, Sasson V’Simcha (Canada), Sasson V’Simcha (Israel), SawYouAtSinai, Shalom Task Force, Sheefa Links and YUConnects.

“JMA brings together an incredible amount of experience and expertise—more than any of us can access individually,” said Rabbi Mendel Kastel, CEO of The Jewish House in Sydney, Australia. “…JMA will help raise the profile of this very important issue.”

One hot-button discussion topic was the need for consistency and the possibility of standardized certification in matchmaker training across the gamut of organizations. Matchmaker education can include interviewing skills, addressing sensitivity or concerns of clients, while assisting them in navigating relevant technology and databases, and recognizing when to refer individuals to a therapist.

Other topics included community training programs for singles and peer matchmakers, running joint singles events, the need for community financial backing, and how to best facilitate the matchmaker-client relationship.

“This is a fantastic first step,” said Suzy Schwartz, assistant dean of the CJF. “Networking and collaboration have already begun,  conversations started about joining together to share best practices as well as deficiencies, and everyone in attendance hopes that together we will be more successful than working alone.”

SawYouAtSinai founder Marc Goldmann agreed. “The open discussions… general networking that created immediate dividends, and the chizuk that everyone in the room received was incredible to witness,” said Goldman.

The JMA plans to hold meetings on a quarterly basis, hosted by alternating organizations. Learn more about www.yuconnects.com.

Yeshiva University Hosts Feb. 9 Jewish Job Fair for Communal and Educational Careers

Today, more than ever, there are exciting opportunities in Jewish communal and educational careers. For those interested in joining or learning more about this exciting field, Yeshiva University will host its annual Jewish Job Fair on Thursday, February 9 at Furst Hall on YU’s Wilf Campus, 500 West 185th Street, New York City. The conference is open to YU students and alumni beginning at 6 p.m. and to the general public from 7 – 9 p.m.

“In a society which has sanctified the needs of the individual, it is wonderful to see young people who possess an ever increasing thirst to live lives of meaning,” said Rabbi Kenneth Brander, David Mitzner Dean of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future. “The Jewish Job Fair allows our students, alumni and the greater community, to learn about the professional opportunities available and which are appropriate for their talents and to enable them to live meaningful and productive lives.”

Dozens of Jewish day schools and community organizations from across the country will be in attendance to accept and review resumes and conduct interviews. Participating organizations include Camp Shalom, Manhattan Jewish Experience, Yachad, Areyvut, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Nefesh B’ Nefesh, OHEL, 92nd Street Y, and Yeshiva University. More than 35 day schools will be participating including SINAI Schools, Yavneh Academy, YULA Girls High School, SAR Academy, Hillel Day School of Boca Raton, Manhattan Day School, and Fuchs Mizrachi School.

In addition to teaching positions and other career prospects, the fair offers a wide array of opportunities, including fellowships and scholarships for master’s programs and internships.

“In the past decade, the number of YU graduates pursuing careers in Jewish education has increased exponentially,” said Dr. Scott Goldberg, director of YU’s Institute for University-School Partnership. “Schools and organizations in our community now have access to the best and brightest in the Orthodox community to be role models in their classrooms and organizations.”

The fair is free and open to the public. For more information, to register your organization or school, or to submit a resume, visit www.yu.edu/cjf/jobfair.

Students to Visit West Coast Jewish Communities on CJF Coast to Coast Program

Twenty Yeshiva University students will explore Jewish life in one of the world’s most technologically advanced regions as they participate in the Center for the Jewish Future’s (CJF) fifth Jewish Life Coast to Coast program.

The 10-day program, run with support from the Jim Joseph Foundation, kicks off January 12 in Palo Alto and will take undergraduates across the West Coast to meet with Jewish entrepreneurs, interact with diverse communities and lead educational programs in schools, synagogues and college campuses. Their itinerary includes a tour of Palo Alto’s Googleplex and visit to Stanford University as well as the Jim Joseph Foundation in San Francisco and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle. Discussions will reflect the unique challenges and inspirations of being Jewish in a highly creative and forward-thinking environment, with topics like “Life as a Jewgler,” led by Google employee Eleanor Carmeli; “What is Innovation in the Jewish Community?” by Rabbi Joey Felsen, of the Jewish Studies Network; and “The Modern Jewish Family,” a community panel at San Francisco’s Congregation Adath Israel.

“I think these experiences are invaluable for the students,” said Josh Strulowitz ’00YC, ’04R, rabbi of Adath Israel. “My hope is that it opens their eyes to the value of other communities and the possibility that one day they might be able to be a part of growing such a community. YU’s greatest resource is its tremendously impressive student body. The more YU students spread out throughout the country, the stronger it will make the national Modern Orthodox community and YU as well.”

Students will get a wide range of perspectives about Jewish experience on the West Coast during conversations with community members, including San Francisco author Arye Coopersmith and Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, who leads Congregation Schara Tzedek in Vancouver. As they work their way through Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Vancouver, the group will also spend time learning about community day schools, synagogues and foundations, and volunteering at local organizations. They will return to New York on January 22.

Rabbi Kenneth Brander, David Mitzner Dean of the CJF, will join participants on the trip, serving as a mentor. “Programs like this offer our students a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of Jewish life outside the Tri-state area,” said Brander. “As future religious and lay leaders of the Jewish people, it is important for our students to be exposed to, and engaged with, smaller communities.”

Since its launch in 2007, Jewish Life Coast to Coast has traveled down the East coast, through the Midwest and across the South. This will be the program’s second visit to the West, with a new focus on the effects of the area’s creativity-infused atmosphere on Jewish life there.

“We’re going to communities that are very innovative, modern and open-minded, and with that you get unique challenges,” said participant Mindy Sojcher, a Jewish education senior at Stern College for Women. “I think what’s interesting is that these changes may start on the West coast but eventually they will probably be present in communities across America. We need to learn from each other.”