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
Elisheva Cohen, who is majoring in Jewish education with a minor in biology, has been selected as valedictorian of both 
CJ Glicksman of Teaneck, New Jersey, valedictorian of 
Natan Siegel of Silver Spring, Maryland, is valedictorian of the 
Avidan Rudansky, from Mamaroneck, New York, is valedictorian of the 
Los Angeles native Chananya (Nani) Shapiro is valedictorian of the 
Lior Brik, from Zichron Yaakov, Israel, is valedictorian of the James Striar School of General Jewish Studies (JSS) majoring in computer science (data science track) and minoring in math. Although Brik came from a secular background, Jewish studies always interested him “because it’s part of my identity and tradition and is also very insightful.” He is thankful for having been part of JSS, where “I learned how to be a better human being and was given many tools for daily life.”
During his time at YU, he developed a love of learning Gemara [Talmud] and for the fascinating discussions that followed, and he will always be grateful to the rebbeim of JSS for taking in a student far from home. “Each one of them is a rock star!” he said. “From day one, all the rabbis were so nice and immediately made me feel like part of a family. Having rabbis who invite their students for Shabbat meals is amazing and enjoying ‘Mom’s’ types of food when my mom is far away is something that filled me not only with food but with joy, too.”
There are so many people he wants to thank. First and foremost is Rabbi Yonason Shippel, director of JSS, who was his main mentor. In addition to Rabbi Shippel’s constant guidance, Brik is thankful to him for giving him the opportunity to pay a shiva call to the families after the tragic shootings at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh. “Rabbi Shippel taught me to think bigger than our own small community. The trip was an experience that I will remember for my entire life.”
Other rebbeim who made an enormous impression on Brik include Rabbi Daniel Lerner, instructor at JSS, “from whom I learned how to be a good Jew,” and Professor Harvey (Chaim) Sober, assistant professor of Jewish History, whom Brik calls “a special soul. He is so strong but also so kind. He is a big inspiration!”
Others include Rabbi Matt LeVee, administrator and mashgiach at JSS, “who welcomed me to his home as if we are family, and in his classes I had some of the most interesting discussions”; Rabbi Mordechai Becher, professor of Jewish history and philosophy, “a walking encyclopedia and the funniest man in the world!”; and Rabbi Jon Green, assistant director of JSS, “who is always looking to improve JSS and make all the students come together.”
His computer science professors also influenced his YU experience. “I want to thank Judah Diament, the chair of the computer science department, for building an incredible department.” He also complimented Rich Dutton, adjunct professor of machine learning, and Avi Rosenfeld, adjunct professor of computer science, for their efforts: “their enthusiasm and knowledge introduced me to the world of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence and made me realize I want to be part of this world.” He is also thankful to the CS Data Science track guys and Data Wranglers squad “who helped create an atmosphere together that I will cherish forever.”
A leader on the men’s tennis team, Brik is grateful to his coach Jon Rubinstein; assistant coaches Ralph and Chris; Joe Bednarsh, athletics director; and Greg Fox, associate athletics director. “They helped me improve my game, and their constant encouragement made the dream of a 12-year-old kid from Israel come true.” In addition, he will always cherish the support of his roommates, teammates, friends and mentors Mikey Ozery, David Papis and Adam Rosemblaum.
Brik feels that a big part of who he is today is due to YU. “I came here without ever having opened a page of Gemara in my life, and 3½ years later, I finished two masechtot [tractates] and gained a lot of knowledge and values.” He added, “Using the lessons I learned while at YU about life, sports, friendship and computer science from good people who know the right and good way, I feel like I can now grow to be the best version of myself and do good things for the world.”
Shayna Doretsky from Plainview, New York, is the valedictorian of the Sy Syms School of Business with a major in accounting and a double minor in finance and information decision sciences.
During her time at YU, she participated in exciting clubs, been challenged by and learned from brilliant professors and made wonderful friends. She spent much of her time participating in extracurricular activities, such as the Beren Campus Student Council, the Israel Club, The Langfan Constitutional Oratorical Competition and The Accounting Society.
Doretsky says will always appreciate her professors at YU “for their commitment and dedication to their students’ successes and their own respective fields.” For her education in Torah studies, she wants to thank Professor Nechama Price, director of the Graduate Program for Advanced Talmud Studies (GPATS) and senior lecturer of Judaic studies and Bible; Shoshana Schechter, associate dean of Torah Studies at Stern College for Women and instructor in bible; and Rabbi Daniel Wolff, instructor in Jewish studies.
At Sy Syms, she was especially grateful to Dr. Sharon Poczter, associate professor and chair of the strategy and entrepreneurship department, Sidney Mehl, senior lecturer in finance; Dr. Aliza Rotenstein, associate professor of accounting; Marc Spear, clinical assistant professor; Dr. James Kahn, The Henry and Bertha Kressel University Professor of Economics and chair of the department of economics; Laizer Kornwasser, adjunct clinical assistant professor of management; Bruce Kamins, clinical assistant professor of taxation; Dr. Moses Pava, professor of accounting and the Alvin H. Einbender University Professor in Business Ethics; Francine Mellors-Rothenstein, adjunct professor of accounting; Dr. Yasar Levent Kocaga, associate professor of operations management; Dr. Noam Shamir, visiting associate professor of information and decision sciences; and Dr. Avi Giloni, who bears many titles: director of the Sy Syms Business Honors and Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, associate dean, chair of the information and decision sciences department and associate professor of operations management and statistics.
“Not only have I benefited from the incredible teachers but also the school administration and YU staff members. They have all contributed behind the scenes to create opportunities and build a community on campus that are crucial parts of the experience that I and my peers are so grateful for,” said Doretsky.
Most importantly, though, are the friendships she has made. “During the past three years, there has been a lot to celebrate but also a lot of tragedy,” Doretsky said. “Seeing the resilience of our community, the chesed [charity] organized, and the unity of the YU family both on and off campus during challenging times has been an enormous source of strength that I know I will take with me.” She looks forward to incorporating daily Torah learning into her schedule as she begins working at EY (Ernst & Young) next fall. Among her goals is to complete Sefer Melachim [Book of Kings] as well as learn each week’s parsha [section of the Torah].
Doretsky is humbled and profoundly grateful to be named this year’s Sy Syms valedictorian. “I am extremely thankful for my experience, and I wanted to particularly thank HaShem, my supportive family, my brilliant and encouraging teachers throughout the years, my extraordinary peers and the generous donors who have made my education possible,” she said.
Yona Rom from Toronto, Canada, is valedictorian of the Sy Syms School of Business with a double major in finance and accounting. He expressed a deep appreciation for all the positive experiences he had during his four years at YU and the lifelong friendships he formed as well as the many opportunities he was given to get involved in chesed projects in order to give back to the community.
Rom makes specific mention of the dynamic faculty and rebbeim at YU, saying, “I have been exposed to role models who embody real principles of success, integrity, altruism and a commitment to a Torah life, and for this I am so grateful.” As for being selected valedictorian, “Being chosen as valedictorian is an extraordinary honor. I feel that it is an opportunity to represent both YU and the broader Jewish community by living my life in a way which reflects Torah values and principles.”
Rom says he will always be grateful to the exceptional and dedicated members of the alumni community of the University. He attributes much of his success to the advice and mentoring he received from them. Rom plans to continue to make use of this guidance after graduation as he pursues a career in the business world. He looks forward to continuing in this same spirit by providing meaningful support and guidance to other students in the future. “I hope to be able to contribute to their future successes as they embark on their own careers,” he said.
He will always remember his experience at YU as a positive and valuable one. “I know I will look back at my four years at YU as some of the best of my life,” Rom said. “All I have learned there, in theory in the classroom and in practice through my internship experiences as well as the many personal connections I have made, will stand me in good stead as I embark on the next chapter of my life.”
