Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger  '77YC, '79R is a rosh yeshiva at the Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies at Yeshiva University. Rabbi Neuburger is also the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Abraham in Bergenfield, NJ. From 1986-1990, he was spiritual leader of the Jewish community at the YU’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Jack D. Weiler Hospital. A Toronto native, Rabbi Neuburger graduated Yeshiva College in 1977 and received semikha in 1979 from RIETS, where he was one of the first to receive Yadin Yadin ordination. He also holds a Master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University. 1. What is your favorite aspect of your job at YU? Preparing shiurim for classes of outstanding young Jews, all of whom are promising b’nei aliyah, and teaching them, challenging them and being challenged by them. 2. What profession other than your current one would you have liked to attempt? None. 3. What is the communal responsibility of a rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva University? The increasing forms of communication have created a growing vibrant virtual community of talmidim, who thankfully turn to their rebbeim for guidance frequently. Thus, the rebbeim not only complement the work of the local rabbonim but, often, through the talmidim who are rabbonim and mechanchim, help shape communal decisions and direction far beyond Washington Heights. 4. What is your goal as a rosh yeshiva and teacher, both academically and with regards to the kinds of values you would like to help instill in your students? As we seek greater familiarity with the breadth of the Torah and the ba’alei mesora, we try to develop rigorous conceptual analytic skills. I hope to inspire my talmidim to always seek greater depth and excitement in all of their learning, and I try to move them to direct those same analytic skills and sensitivity to develop mindful, soulful and vibrant personalities. I hope all these things enrich their relationships with family, friends and, ultimately, with Hashem.