Dec 17, 2003 -- Yeshiva University (YU) President Richard M. Joel traveled to Toronto, Canada, on Dec. 2 for a two-day trip, his first official visit to Canada as president of YU. Accompanied by Dr. Herbert C. Dobrinsky, vice president of university affairs and liaison to the Canadian Jewish community, President Joel was the guest at various receptions. On Wednesday, Dec. 2, President Joel attended a dinner reception at the home of Robert Eli Rubinstein, national president of Canadian Friends of Yeshiva University (CFYU), and his wife, Renee. At the reception, about 30 lay leaders contributed more than $1 million to launch the Jewish Education Scholarship Program to support students attending YU’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Under the Three-Way Campaign, which involves students, donors, and Yeshiva University, Canadian cities with day schools are urged to provide scholarship funds for men and women pursuing careers in Jewish education, or educators seeking higher degrees for career advancement. On Thursday, Dec. 3, President Joel attended morning services at Congregation Shaarei Shomayim and attended a breakfast at the home of Brenda and Brian Medjuck. Mr. Medjuk is a member of the Yeshiva College board of directors. Later that evening, President Joel attended an alumni gathering at the Sephardic Kehillah Centre, where he discussed his vision for the university and the need to expand YU’s role in the professional training of Jewish educators. Recent studies have indicated a shortage of experienced teachers and administrators at Jewish elementary and secondary schools throughout North America, and YU is attempting to address the need through targeted graduate studies and scholarship assistance. President Joel’s visit to Toronto was the first of several planned trips to Canada. He will visit Montreal next spring, where Samuel Z. Eltes, national chairman of the national board of CFYU, and his wife Lynn, and Abraham Gurman, Montreal’s president of CFYU, and his wife Maria, will host receptions to launch the Jewish Education Scholarship Program in Montreal.