Message From Our President
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Friends,
I am pleased to present to you this Guide to our plans for the upcoming fall semester and reopening of our campuses. In form and in content, this coming semester will be like no other. We will live differently, work differently and learn differently. But in its very difference rests its enormous power.
The mission of Yeshiva University is to enrich the moral, intellectual and spiritual development of each of our students, empowering them with the knowledge and abilities to become people of impact and leaders of tomorrow. Next year’s studies will be especially instrumental in shaping the course of our students’ lives. Character is formed and developed in times of deep adversity. This is the kind of teachable moment that Yeshiva University was made for. As such, we have developed an educational plan for next year that features a high-quality student experience and prioritizes personal growth during this Coronavirus era. Our students will be able to work through the difficulties, issues and opportunities posed by our COVID-19 era with our stellar rabbis and faculty, as well as their close friends and peers at Yeshiva.
To develop our plans for the fall, we have convened a Scenario Planning Task Force made up of representatives across the major areas of our campus. Their planning has been guided by the latest medical information, government directives, direct input from our rabbis, faculty and students, and best practices from industry and university leaders across the country. I am deeply thankful to our task force members and all who supported them for their tireless work in addressing the myriad details involved in bringing students back to campus and restarting our educational enterprise.
In concert with the recommendations from our task force, I am announcing today that our fall semester will reflect a hybrid model. It will allow many students to return in a careful way by incorporating online and virtual learning with on-campus classroom instruction. It also enables students who prefer to not be on campus to have a rich student experience by continuing their studies online and benefitting from a full range of online student services and extracurricular programs.
In bringing our students back to campus, safety is our first priority. Many aspects of campus life will change for this coming semester. Gatherings will be limited, larger courses will move completely online. Throughout campus everyone will need to adhere to our medical guidelines, including social distancing, wearing facemasks, and our testing and contact tracing policies. Due to our focus on minimizing risk, our undergraduate students will begin the first few weeks of the fall semester online and move onto the campus after the Jewish holidays. This schedule will limit the amount of back and forth travel for our students by concentrating the on-campus component of the fall semester to one consecutive segment.
Throughout our planning, we have used the analogy of a dimmer switch. Reopening our campuses will not be a simple binary, like an on/off light switch, but more like a dimmer in which we have the flexibility to scale backwards and forwards to properly respond as the health situation evolves. It is very possible that some plans could change, depending upon the progression of the virus and/or applicable state and local government guidance.
Before our semester begins, we will provide more updates reflecting our most current guidance. Please check our website, yu.edu/fall2020 for regular updates. We understand that even after reading through this guide, you might have many additional questions, so we will be posting an extensive FAQ section online as well. Additionally, we will also be holding community calls for faculty, students, staff and parents over the next couple of months.
Planning for the future during this moment has certainly been humbling. This Coronavirus has reminded us time and time again of the lessons from our Jewish tradition that we are not in full control of our circumstances. But our tradition also teaches us that we are in control of our response to our circumstances. Next semester will present significant challenges and changes. There will be some compromises and minor inconveniences--not every issue has a perfect solution. But faith and fortitude, mutual cooperation and resilience are essential life lessons that are accentuated during this period. And if we all commit to respond with graciousness, kindness, and love, we can transform new campus realities into profound life lessons for our future.
Deeply rooted in our Jewish values and forward focused in preparing for the careers and competencies of the future, we journey together with you, our Yeshiva University community, through these uncharted waters. Next year will be a formative year in the lives of our students, and together we will rise to the moment so that our students will emerge stronger and better prepared to be leaders of the world of tomorrow.
Best Wishes,
Ari Berman
Our vibrant Sukkot programming proved that a Central student’s commitment and involvement shine even when school is not in session! On Wednesday evening of Chol HaMoed, seniors enjoyed a special Simchat Beit Hashoeva at the New Rochelle home of Student Activities Coordinator and 12th-Grade Level Coordinator Ms. Leah Moskovich. Seniors joined together for words of Torah from Ms. Moskovich and Ms. Elana Raskas, desserts, and spirited singing. Thank you to Ms. Daniella Baratz, Ms. Rebecca Konigsberg, and Assistant Principal Mrs. Aliza Konig for joining us to celebrate the chag in this special way. Says Ronit Landsman (‘17), “I loved spending time with both friends and teachers outside of school. Coming together with friends from all over to eat, sing and learn Torah was a unifying and wonderful experience. I really enjoyed the Simchat Beit Hashoeva and feel so lucky that I got to participate in something so great.” Bruria Rabin (‘17) adds, “It was so nice to join together, along with faculty members, for a Chol Hamoed get-together. We ate dinner, had plenty of delicious desserts to choose from, and sang together. We got to talk to the teachers and got to know them better. We had a great time!” Shabbat Chol HaMoed brought additional opportunities for students and teachers to spend time together. The Weinberg family of Kew Gardens Hills opened their home for a shiur by Rabbi Zvi Lew, who led a discussion about Sukkot, Hoshana Raba, Shmini Atzeret, and their connections to each other. Dodie Lee Weinberg (‘18) reports that Rabbi Lew “spoke about the significance of the First Days and that they represent Olam Hazeh because we are in a temporary dwelling, the sukkah. Shemini Azteret represents Olam Habah because we move back into our permanent dwellings. Hoshana Raba is a ‘mini Yom Kippur.’” Leora Greenberg (‘18) enjoyed the “interesting” topic and says it was a “nice experience to hear from my teacher in a new setting.” Feeling young at heart, Central residents of West Hempstead braved the inclement weather on Shabbat Chol Hamoed for a fun and delicious Sukkah Hop! Mrs. Karen Lavner, Ms. Daniella Baratz, and Assistant Principal Ms. Bracha Rutner graciously welcomed our student “hoppers” to their sukkot for schmoozing, snacking, and words of Torah. Risa Friedman (‘17) shared words of Torah at the first stop, and Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Josh Goller spoke at the second. Says Esty Awendstern (‘17), “It was so nice to bond with the teachers. It was fun hanging out with my friends and hearing a different piece of Torah at each house.” Mrs. Lavner notes the palpable warmth and camaraderie that was felt throughout the afternoon, and she salutes the dedicated students who ventured out in less-than-ideal weather conditions to exhibit their Central pride!
