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

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 Slobatka 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

Students Present North America’s Largest Jewish Book Sale from February 5 to 26 The students of Yeshiva University will hold their annual Seforim Sale, North America’s largest Jewish book sale, from February 5 to 26 in Belfer Hall, 2495 Amsterdam Ave on YU’s Wilf Campus in Manhattan. The sale is operated entirely by YU students—from ordering to setting up the premises, marketing and all the technology the project entails. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrP0UG743W4&feature=player_embedded Last year the acclaimed Judaica book sale drew more than 15,000 people from the tri-state area and grossed more than $1 million in sales. The annual event provides discounted prices on the latest of more than 15,000 titles in rabbinic and academic literature, cookbooks, children’s books, and music. The Seforim Sale has become a highlight for the Yeshiva University community, as students, alumni and members of the community congregate to visit their alma mater, see old friends and add books to their personal libraries. Proceeds from the sale support various initiatives, including student activities on campus and undergraduate scholarships. Scheduled events at the sale include:

• Alumni Family Day and Meet-the-Alumni-Author Event (Feb. 12), featuring a musical workshop with the Y-Studs, arts-and-crafts with educators from the YU Museum and story-telling with Stern College Professor Penninah Schram, followed by a panel discussion with noted alumni authors: Rabbi Benjamin Blech ’54YC, ’56R; Sara Diament ’96S, ’98BR; Ann Koffsky ’93S; and Rabbi Dr. Saul Hillel Landa ’65YUHS, ’69YC
• Book signings with Susie Fishbein and Mazal Alouf-Mizrahi
• Live musical performances by YU’s own a cappella groups, The Maccabeats and Y-Studs, as well as Ta Shma, The Groggers, Except Saturday and Shlomo Gasin
• Lectures by the Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Nati Helfgot, Rebetzin Smadar Rosensweig, Rabbi Natan Slifkin, and Rabbi Gil Student

Those who cannot attend the sale can take advantage of the great prices and vast catalog selection by ordering online on the Seforim Sale’s Web site. For a complete listing of dates and times, to purchase gift certificates or to view the online catalog, visit www.theseforimsale.com. All YU graduates with valid YU Alumni ID cards will receive five percent off their Seforim Sale purchases on Alumni Day. To obtain your YU Alumni ID card, please submit a request by February 6 to alumni@yu.edu. Read The New York Times coverage of last year's Seforim Sale... none

Or Pikary and Isaac Dayan Selected for 2011 Excellence in Accounting Scholarship Two SYMS School of Business students, Isaac Dayan ’SB12 and Or Pikary ’SB11, were awarded 2011 Excellence in Accounting Scholarships by the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and its Foundation for Accounting Education. [caption id="attachment_8707" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Isaac Dayan"][/caption] Established in 1990, the scholarships are supported by contributions from the statewide membership of the NYSSCPA. The funds—$2,500 for full-time study and $1,250 for part-time—provide finance assistance to encourage and aid deserving candidates who plan to enter the accounting profession. Recipients must have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, among other requirements. “I feel honored to be among the limited recipients of this award,” said Pikary, who will graduate with a master’s degree from SYMS this spring. [caption id="attachment_8708" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Or Pikary"][/caption] Pikary, who intends to begin his career in a public accounting firm, felt that Yeshiva University’s supportive environment has helped him excel both academically and professionally: “At YU, we have small classes with an excellent student-to-faculty ratio. I received a tremendous amount of academic and career guidance from the knowledgeable faculty and the Career Development Center.” “We are very proud of our graduates,” said Dr. Moses Pava, director and area head of accounting at SYMS. “Our accounting students demonstrate a high proficiency of technical knowledge, but more importantly they understand the crucial role that the accounting profession plays in today’s global economy and the responsibilities inherent to the profession. This award testifies to the quality of our students.” one

Dec 15, 2009 -- Yeshiva University (www.yu.edu) announced today that 20 outstanding tenth graders from the Yeshiva University high schools – 10 from the Yeshiva University High School for Boys/Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (YUHSB) and 10 from the Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School for Girls (YUHSG) – will be participating in a unique six-week student exchange program with Israeli high schools. Now in its second year, the program aims to immerse the American students in Israeli culture and help them connect with their Israeli counterparts. The YUHSG students, who arrived in Israel on December 6, have already joined their peers at Ulpanat Tzvia in Ma'aleh Adumim, while the YUHSB students will begin classes at Yeshivat Mekor Haim in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion upon their December 17 arrival. “What’s unique about this program is that the students are fully-integrated into the Israeli classrooms,” said Tova Rosenberg, coordinator of the exchange program and Director of Hebrew Language Studies at both Yeshiva University high schools. “The students sit in on all Judaic studies classes, are included in all school activities, and are housed in the same dormitories as the Israeli students. They are not treated as guests, but as members of the student body.” The Yeshiva University high school students will also take part in a series of field trips intended to show them Israel’s out-of-the-way treasures – “not the usual tourist spots” – and will enjoy special Shabbat programs at the Yeshiva University Gruss Kollel in Bayit Ve’Gan arranged by the Kollel families themselves. Later this year, six Yeshivat Mekor Haim students and four Ulpanat Tzvia students will travel to New York to study at the Yeshiva University high schools for a six-week period. In addition to attending classes, the Israeli students will tour New York City and Philadelphia to learn about American history and culture, and will experience life in U.S. Jewish communities. “By sending our students to Israel and bringing the Israeli students to our schools, we are opening the eyes of every student involved in the program to the reality of the ‘Global Jewish Community.’ As our future Jewish leaders, it is vital that they understand and are accepting of other cultures,” added Rosenberg. “The culture of deep spiritual purpose and constant reflection that is the hallmark of the Mekor Haim experience has exposed our students to serious religious and intellectual growth in ways unimagined for the typical tenth grader,” said Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, head of school at YUHSB. “Additionally, the visiting Mekor Haim students inject a sense of passion, urgency and authenticity into the rhythm of school life here. Armed with a newfound understanding of the American Jewish scene, these exceptional students have the potential to become the next generation of shlichim (emissaries to Israel).” FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Elie Klein Ruder Finn Israel for Yeshiva University Cell: + 972-54-467-6967 Office: + 972-2-589-2013 Email: elie@ruderfinn.co.il none

Jun 2, 2010 -- More than 600 students from Yeshiva University’s undergraduate schools were presented with their degrees at YU’s 79th commencement exercises at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 26. Among the graduates, eight students were selected for special distinction as valedictorians for their exceptional academic achievements. Fay Burekhovich, the valedictorian of both the Stern College for Women general studies program and the Rebecca Ivry Jewish Studies Program, capitalized on both intellectual and leadership opportunities as an honors student, double majoring in biology and Jewish studies and as the co-founder and president of the Autism Awareness Club. “The courses I took at Stern allowed me to stretch my creative, intellectual and critical abilities in ways I never imagined,” said Burekhovich, who also delivered the commencement valedictory address. “Additionally, my involvement in the Autism Awareness Club and the Stern College chesed [kindness] club, iGive, granted me numerous opportunities to step up and contribute my unique talents in various ways to help people.” The other valedictorians included Willie Roth, Yeshiva College; Gail Klinger and David Weiss of Sy Syms School of Business; Isaac Kuyunov, James Striar School of General Jewish Studies; Jonathen Solaimanzadeh, Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies; Aryeh Green, Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program; and Avi Harari, Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies. “During my time at Yeshiva University, I learned how to live as an Orthodox Jew in today’s world,” said Green, who majored in business and management. “Through the Torah I learned from my rabbis and under the tutelage of my Syms professors, like Drs. Lisa Rosh and Steven Nissenfeld, I was transformed from a student into a professional able to thrive in the business world as a G-d-fearing person.” But students are moving on with more than just a quality education. For example, Klinger, an accounting major, landed a coveted position in a very competitive job market with the support of the University’s Career Development Center. “I attended a career fair hosted by YU, which enabled me to secure an internship at KPMG,” said Klinger, who will be working full-time in the renowned accounting firm’s auditing department in October. Reflecting on his time at YU, Roth, a Jewish studies major, highlighted the friendships he made as having the biggest impact on his YU experience. “My fellow students share a passion for Torah and academic excellence, but above all are always concerned with the well-being and success of their neighbors,” he said. “Living amongst such a community has been a truly formative experience.” none

Apr 28, 2010 -- Inspired by the story of Ruth, some 200 young women assembled at Stern College for Women for an evening of Jewish scholarship and siyum [completion] presented by the Torah Leadership Network (TLN), a program coordinated by the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF). Representing high schools from across the tri-state area, the students divided into four chaburot [groups] to study and complete the entire Megillat Rut [Book of Ruth]. The evening also featured a lecture by Deena Rabinovich, an instructor in Bible at Stern and director of Stern’s Jewish Educators Project. “We wanted to do something special to mark the end of a year spent creating a community of Torah learning among the high school students and madrichot [advisors],” explained Sarah Emerson Helfand, director of women’s programming for the CJF. “By studying the story of Ruth—the epitome of strong Jewish female leadership—we were able to convey to our own undergraduates and the high school students, our firm commitment to teaching and developing strong Jewish women leaders.” Participating schools included Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central), SKA, Maayanot, Bruriah, Shalhevet, Yeshiva of Flatbush, HANC, Shulamith and Hillel. “I had a wonderful time seeing my friends from other schools,” said Devora Eisenberg, a sophomore at Shalhevet. “The food was great and the learning was awesome.” The program was organized and led by 40 undergraduate madrichot from Stern and women in the graduate-level Tanach Learning Program, who trained the madrichot and provided them with detailed source sheets. “As an alumna of Stern, it was both inspiring and heartwarming to witness the love of learning displayed by today’s generation of Stern students and wonderful madrichot,” said Mindy Sussman, a school administrator at Shalhevet. “I was equally impressed by the caliber of the Stern Torah studies faculty.” none

Mar 15, 2010 -- A strange aroma filled the Washington Heights air as hundreds of students, faculty and curious visitors filed into Yeshiva University’s Weissberg Commons on March 11 for the 2010 Cholent Cook-Off. Sixteen teams made up of 64 students from the men’s undergraduate schools, Yeshiva College and Sy Syms School of Business, went head-to-head in a culinary battle to proclaim a true Cholent Champion. Students prepared their dishes the night before using a variety of ingredients and techniques in an attempt to impress the panel of discriminating palates. The contest judges included Dr. Esther Joel, wife of YU President Richard M. Joel; chef, restaurateur, TV personality and author Jeff Nathan (Abigael’s); renowned kosher chef and best selling author of Kosher by Design, Susie Fishbein; catering director and executive chef of Fairway Market, Alan Riesenburger; and president and publisher of Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine, Elan Kornblum. “One of the nice things about this year’s contest is that we tied it in with our food drive for the Upper Manhattan Food Pantry,” said Jonathan Mantell, director of university housing and organizer of the cook-off. “So that way it’s not just about having fun, but it’s also about thinking of other people.” Shloimie Zeffren, president of the Yeshiva Student Union—one of the event’s sponsors, said that it was important for them “to be part of this because it brings all of the students together and shows the unity we have in our university. It also shows what great chefs we have among our students.” After a three-way dead heat was announced, President Joel was called in to break the tie. Despite some humorous attempts by the teams at winning over the President, Team Heerlijk, Flemish for “delicious,” was crowned cholent champion. Winning team members David Kupperman, Jonathan Lamet, Jason Wargon and Eric Kupferstein were all awarded iPods. Second and third prize went to teams Cholent Fulfillment and the Maccabeans. “This is like the biggest kiddush ever,” observed one student in attendance, while reaching for his second serving. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get together and have a fun time.” none

Feb 17, 2010 -- Cholent, for hundreds of years the traditional Sabbath-day meal for observant Jews in many countries, is a food for which there is no standard recipe; its ingredients are as diverse as the places where Jews have lived. A slow-cooked stew containing meat, vegetables, potatoes, beans and spices, it is one of the quintessential Jewish comfort foods and a dish that many look forward to from Sabbath to Sabbath. Yeshiva University students will hold a “Cholent Cook-off” in Weissberg Commons on its Wilf Campus in Washington Heights, on Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 2:45PM. Fifteen teams of four students at Yeshiva College, the men’s undergraduate school, will prepare their dishes the night before, beginning at 10:30PM. The next afternoon, a panel of discriminating palates will crown the winner. The contest judges are Dr. Esther Joel, wife of YU President Richard Joel; chef, restaurateur, TV personality and author Jeff Nathan (Abigael’s); creator of The Food Section, a pioneering weblog about food, wine and travel, Josh Friedland; renowned kosher chef and best selling author of Kosher by Design, Susie Fishbein; catering director and executive chef of Fairway Market, Alan Riesenburger; and president and publisher of Great Kosher Restaurants Magazine, Elan Kornblum. Cholent in its various forms evolved from a combination of Jewish law and economic circumstances. Jewish law prohibits cooking on the Sabbath, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. In order to have a hot lunch on the Sabbath, Jews prepare the cholent – a one-pot dish – before the start of the Sabbath and let it cook overnight. Today, a slow cooker or crock pot is often used. Historically, in the Jewish towns of Europe, a community oven or the oven of the local baker was used. Economic circumstances dictated ingredients – when meat was scarce or too expensive the cholent would contain more starch, usually beans and potatoes. When times were good, more meat would be added to the dish. In some countries, beef is favored; in others, chicken. In Sephardic communities, whole vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers are used, as well as rice and lamb or mutton. Where Ashkenazi Jews use salt, garlic, pepper and paprika, Sephardic Jews use cumin, hot peppers and pistachio nuts. The word cholent and its pronunciations also vary. Ashkenazi Jews from Central and Eastern Europe call it cholent, sholet or shalet, but Sephardic Jews know it as chamin, a word that is probably French in origin. none

Jan 20, 2010 -- Sarah Schwartz was looking for a unique way to spend her winter break. After learning about YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) Jewish Life Coast to Coast program, she became highly intrigued. The program, now in its fourth year, sends students across the country—introducing them to leaders and members of various Jewish communities, allowing them to share their Jewish knowledge and enthusiasm. “In addition to learning how to ski and trying to pick up a mid west accent, I wanted to learn about the lifestyle of these communities—the struggles and benefits of small town Jewish life,” said Schwartz, a junior at Stern College. “I also liked the idea of the dual experience of learning from leaders, while still having the chance to teach children and adults.” With support from the Jim Joseph Foundation, the program sent Schwartz and 18 other YU students to Jewish communities in Middle America; Kansas City, Omaha, Boulder and Denver, with the goal of creating life shaping experiences. As part of their mission, students met with local rabbis, educators and community leaders; volunteered in a senior living residence; facilitated educational programs in schools and synagogues; and capped off their journey with a day of skiing the slopes of the Colorado Rockies. “It was an eye-opening experience, in which I gained skills that I hope will prepare me to become a strong Jewish leader,” said Schwartz. Previous missions have taken students to New Orleans, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Dallas, among other cities. “The focus of this trip was to expose our students to life in Jewish communities outside the tri-state area,” said Yehezkel Jesin, program manager at CJF’s Leadership Training Division. “We wanted to present them with multiple avenues of engaging in Jewish communal life, both in lay and professional capacities. Ultimately, we’d like to produce active Jewish community leaders.” Rabbi Daniel Rockoff of Kansas City’s Beth Israel Abraham Voliner, the city’s only Orthodox shul, had the opportunity to meet with the students on the first leg of their journey and was impressed by the “sincerity, capability, and enthusiasm” of the group. “Our community was thrilled to host the group of Yeshiva University men and women,” said Rabbi Rockoff, himself a graduate of YU’s Yeshiva College, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School and RIETS. “The programs they ran in the community day school and elder care facility were very well received. The community leaders, Orthodox and beyond, were taken by their eagerness to learn about a new community, as well as by their willingness to challenge and ask real questions in a respectful way.” Rabbi Rockoff credited his participation in numerous YU programs such as Torah Tours, Summer Torah Seminars and CJF missions for nurturing his goal of serving in an “out of town” community. “My studies and experiences during my time at Yeshiva have provided me with the world outlook and tools that led me to where I am today,” he explained. “My teachers and especially my rabbinic mentors, continue to be a source of guidance and inspiration.” To learn more about the Center for the Jewish Future visit www.yu.edu/cjf. none