Sep 23, 2008 -- In the wake of the devastating wreckage of Hurricane Ike, the Robert M. Beren Academy in Houston reached out to Yeshiva University’s Institute for University-School Partnership for assistance. The school lost all power and its water supply forcing the administration to send the student body to three different donated office locations placing a strain on the teaching staff. The response by Yeshiva University was immediate and two teachers, Joseph Small and Jordan Rosenberg, arrived in Houston on Monday, Sept. 22 to begin serving the students of Beren Academy. The Institute is a division of YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. “It is imperative that we create a sense of normalcy by allowing the students to continue their studies and be uplifted by dynamic visiting educators,” said Dr. Scott Goldberg, director of the Institute. The Institute worked closely with Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) to facilitate other assistance to areas affected by the hurricane. Rabbi Ari Rockoff, director of Community Partnership at the CJF, was contacted by Rabbi Barry Gelman of United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston to ensure that the Jewish community of Houston will be able to observe the Sabbath and the upcoming Jewish High Holidays properly. Students from Yeshiva University participating in Torah Tours, a project of CJF, will travel to Houston for Simchat Torah, to teach Torah as well as sing and dance to inspire and lift the spirits of the community. Schools from other communities have also lent a hand to the Houston community. Beren Academy has been a participant in BRAVE, an Institute project that addresses bully prevention and social/emotional learning and leadership, since the beginning of the 2007-08 school year. Administrators at two other BRAVE participating schools, the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, NJ and Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore, MD contacted Dr. Rona Novick, a professor at YU’s Azrieli Graduate School and author of the BRAVE program, requesting guidance in how the schools could work with the Beren Academy to show their concern and what they might do to support victims of the disaster. Dr. Novick noted that, “This is a terrific example of a network of like-minded schools that have embraced the lessons of BRAVE and gained from the wonderful opportunities that Azrieli and the Institute afford.” Rabbi Rockoff will travel with Dr. Goldberg this week to further assess the situation and determine additional community and school needs. Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the heritage of Western civilization and the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life. More than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU’s three undergraduate schools –– Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business ––– offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation’s leading academic research institutions. # # # Visit the YU Web site at www.yu.edu.