A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E R A B B I N I C A L U M N I O F T H E R A B B I I S A A C E L C H A N A N T H E O L O G I C A L S E M I N A RY A N A F F I L I AT E O F Y E S H I VA U N I V E R S I T Y

CHAVRUSA
March 2017 Adar 5777 (: ) Volume 51 Number 1

Special Chag HaSemikhah RIETS Honors Rav Hershel

Feature Schachter 67R
Page 14 Page 23
 In This Issue
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan
Theological Seminary
Page 4 News
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman 95R Elected YUs Next President,
Kennes Petichah, Annual Torahthon, ChampionsGate
Richard M. Joel Leadership Conference
P r e s ident, R I E T S

Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm

R o s h HaY e s h iva E me r it u s , R I E T S

Joel M. Schrieber
C h ai r man o f t h e B o a r d o f T r u s tee s , R I E T S
END OF LIFE ISSUES
The Rabbi's Role Page 7 Professional Development and Practical
Training
A New Continuing Rabbinic Education Course

9 Weeks Beginning June 19, 2016

All sessions will be approximately 60 minutes and pre-recorded
for flexible learning, available to accommodate all schedules.

Cost: $325 (RIETS Rabbinic Alumni $300)

Rabbi Menachem Penner Early Bird: Register and Pay by April 1: $300
(RIETS Rabbinic Alumni $275) New Director of Professional Rabbinics, Online Course for
M a x and M a r i o n G r ill D ean Topics Include:
Inside the Hospital, ER & ICU: Issues, Equipment, Terms and Staff
Participants will receive:
Group email forum Communal Rabbis, RIETS-Ferkauf Joint Program in Pastoral
Pastoral Care at the End of Life A thorough selection of

R I E T S and u nde r g r ad u ate t o r a h s t u die s

Counseling, RIETS Intensive Mental Health Curriculum
Terminal Illness End of Life Issues related materials
Palliative Care, Hospice, DNR & Withholding Treatment Access and introductions
Children End of Life Issues to leading medical, mental
Mediating End of Life Decisions within Families and with Hospitals health professionals and
Dementia halachic experts in the field
Bikur Cholim Certificate of participation
Living Wills, Halachic Wills and Medical Proxies upon completion of course

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander

Brain Death and Organ Donation and final exam

Partial List of Presenters:

Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai MD (Co-Course Coordinator) Rabbi Naphtali Lavenda (Co-Course Coordinator)

V ice P r e s ident f o r Unive r s ity and C o mm u nity L i f e Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman (Course Advisor)
Dr. Norman Blumenthal Nancy Dubler Zahava Farbman, LMSW Nathaniel Feller, Esq Rabbi Dr. David Fox

Page 14 Feature
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg Dr. Michael Harris
Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger Dr. Beth Popp Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter Dr. Robert Sidlow Rabbi Mordechai Willig Rabbi Elchanan Zohn

Space is limited so register now at www.rabbanan.org

Rabbi Zevulun Charlop Email RabbinicProgramming@yu.edu with any questions

RIETS Chag HaSemikhah 5777

D ean E me r it u s , R I E T S
Special A dvi s o r t o t h e P r e s ident o n Y e s h iva A f fai r s

Rabbi Yaakov Glasser

D avid M it z ne r D ean , C ente r f o r t h e J e w i s h F u t u r e
and Unive r s ity L i f e

Rabbi Chaim Bronstein Page 23 Feature

A dmini s t r at o r , R I E T S
In Tribute to Rav Hershel Schachter
Rabbi Adam Berner Rabbi Binyamin Blau
Rabbi Shay Schachter 14R
Rabbi Kenneth Hain Rabbi Elazar Muskin RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman 98R 06YY
Rabbi Moshe Neiss Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Rybak
Rabbi Shmuel Silber Rabbi Perry Tirschwell
Rabbi Elchanan Weinbach Rabbi Howard Zack
Page 29 Divrei Hesped
Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler Rabbi Emanuel Holzer zl 50R
Y e s h iva Unive r s ity Rabbinic A L U M N I
A dvi s o r y C o mmittee
by Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander 86R

CHAVRUSA
A P u blicati o n o f R I E T S Rabbinic A l u mni
Page 30 Lifecycles and Recent Publications
Rabbi Aryeh Czarka
edito r - in - c h ie f, C H AV R U S A

Mrs. Keren Simon Moskowitz

A s s i s tant E dit o r , C H AV R U S A

Rabbi Robert Shur

G r ap h ic s and L ayo u t, C H AV R U S A

CHAVRUSA is published by the Rabbinic Alumni of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan

Theological Seminary, through the office of Yeshiva Universitys Center for the
Jewish Future. Yeshiva Universitys Center for the Jewish Future serves as the
Editorial Policies
community service arm of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
(RIETS). It continues the work of the Max Stern Division of Communal
CHAVRUSA will consider articles and letters for publication.
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Transliterations follow the authors preference i.e. academic, Ashkenazic, modern Hebrew or the
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2
C h av r u s a S I VA N 57 76
In Pictures

June Zman Siyum on Masechet Sanhedrin

June 1, 2016

RIETS Kennes Petichah

August 29, 2016

Torahthon 5777
October 10, 2016

Chanukah 5777
December 27, 2016

3
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
News

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman Elected YUs Next President

The Board of Trustees has elected Rabbi a significant rise in congregational
Dr. Ari Berman 87YUHS, 91YC, 94BR, satisfaction, membership, programming,
95R as the fifth president of Yeshiva services, outreach, public activities and
University. He will officially begin his financial strength.
tenure in July 2017. Simultaneous with his pulpit at the
Rabbi Berman is a dynamic and Jewish Center, Rabbi Berman served as a
inspirational leader, scholar and educator, Gemara rebbe in the Irving I. Stone Beit
said YU Chairman Moshael J. Straus, Midrash Program at RIETS. He is married
who led the Presidential Selection to Anita 88YUHS and they have five
Committee. He possesses a deep, life- children.
long commitment to our mission and is a Yeshiva University, with its distinct
superb choice to lead Yeshiva University mission and singular ability to teach how
forward with excellence. to integrate the world around us within
Rabbi Berman served as the head our Torah lives, is uniquely positioned to
of Hechal Shlomo Jewish Heritage educate the next generation of students
Center in Yerushalayim, where he led a and enable them to capitalize on the
transformation of the historic organization blessings of this era, said Rabbi Berman. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman 95R
into an international Modern Orthodox I am deeply humbled to follow in the
center for Jewish life, learning and path of the illustrious Jewish leaders who selected as a Fellow in the Kollel Elyon,
leadership. Additionally, he served as a preceded me and am excited to work with the three-year post-ordination study
lecturer of rabbinic literature in Herzog each member of the YU family to build program for RIETS most promising
Colleges Department of Jewish Studies, on our past, envision new directions for students and future rabbinic leaders.
and as a member of the Executive our future, and maximize the enormous He graduated from The Marsha Stern
Leadership Council, the governing body potential of our beloved institution. Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University
that establishes policies and sets direction Rabbi Berman graduated from four High School for Boys, received a
for all major issues regarding the operation YU schools with distinction, earning bachelors degree from Yeshiva College,
of the college. honors for his academic work in both and earned a masters degree in medieval
Prior to moving to Israel, Rabbi secular and Jewish studies. He was Jewish philosophy from the Bernard Revel
Berman served as rabbi of The Jewish recognized by RIETS for his written Graduate School of Jewish Studies. While
Center in New York City and led the scholarship and was chosen to speak on in Israel, he earned a doctorate in Jewish
prominent institution through a period behalf of the graduating student body thought at Hebrew University.
of growth in which it experienced at his Chag HaSemikhah. He was also Rabbi Berman will succeed President
Richard M. Joel, who became president
in 2003. Over the course of his tenure,
President Joel was instrumental in moving
YU beyond the walls of the University
from expanding professional and
rabbinic programs and service learning
missions worldwide to establishing The
Mordecai D. and Monique C. Katz School
of Graduate and Professional Studies and
creating new student life programs.
Rabbi Berman lives the values of
Yeshiva University, said President Joel.
His optimism, scholarship and abilities as
a speaker and writer will serve YU well as
it rises to its next level. n

4
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
News

Reaching New Spiritual Heights Together

Kennes Petichah Sets the Tone for Year of Spiritual Growth Ahead

As the talmidim of Yeshiva kicked off

another promising year, hundreds of
students filled the Beit Midrash to
hear words of Torah and inspiration
from President Richard M. Joel; Rabbi
Menachem Penner 95R, Max and
Marion Grill Dean of RIETS; and RIETS
Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Baruch Simon 89R
(Colonel Jehiel R. Elyachar Professor
both interpersonal relationships and President Joel offered students
of Talmud), which laid the foundation
mans relationship with God. Texting additional insight into how to connect
for the exciting spiritual journey they
and emailing are important parts of to God, as individuals and as part of a
embarked on this year.
our world but we have to learn how nation. When I look out at the students
Yeshiva is a place for all of us to
to disconnect at times so that we can of Yeshiva, hope transcends the ugly
grow not just in our Torah learning,
reconnect with Hashem and give our noises of today, he said. We have the
but in our connection to Hashem, said
full focus to the activities were involved gift of being individuals and a collective
Rabbi Penner, whose remarks focused
in. This is especially critical as we are in the service of Hashem. YU gives you
on a pivotal question that students and
learning in the Batei Midrash, davening the opportunity to internalize that lesson
their faculty will consider together this
and sitting in shiur. We at Yeshiva must set and to achieve shleimut: to build a life of
year: the role that technology plays in
a trend for the community. purpose, value and meaning. n

Students Immerse Themselves in 18 Hours of

Continuous Learning During Annual Torahthon
For 18 hours straight, Yeshiva students a Yom Iyun featured shiurim and remarks complete Aseres Yemei Teshuva Program,
immersed themselves in intense Torah from Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander culminating with todays Torahthon. We
learning to spiritually prepare for Yom 86R, vice president for university and hope that our students and extended YU
Kippur. community life; Dr. Karen Bacon, the community are inspired today by the
Called a Torahthon, the day featured Mordecai D. and Dr. Monique C. Katz many wonderful shiurim and by the sweet
shiurim with more than 20 Roshei Dean of the Undergraduate Faculty of sounds of Torah emanating from our Beit
Yeshiva on topics that ranged from the Arts and Sciences; Professor Smadar Midrash.
laws of lulav and etrog and the tefilot Rosensweig, clinical assistant professor The concept of a Torahthon is such
of Yom Kippur to the philosophical of Bible; and Rabbi Yosef Bronstein 14R, a good idea, said Moishy Rotham, a first-
nature of teshuva and how to build who teaches Jewish philosophy at Stern year student who enjoyed RIETS Rosh
stronger interpersonal relationships. College for Women. Yeshiva Rabbi Michael Rosensweigs
Opportunities for Torah study were open Our undergraduate students are 80R (Nathan and Perel Schupf Chair
to all members of the YU community, fortunate this year to have the days in Talmud) shiur on Yom Kippur as a
including faculty, staff and alumni. between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur day of extremes. It gives me time to
The learning was dedicated to the dedicated solely to Torah learning internalize the coming holidays with
memory of YU benefactor Marcos Katz and spiritual growth, said Rabbi Dr. insights from Roshei Yeshiva, helping me
zl. Audio recordings of all shiurim are Yosef Kalinsky 03R, 14YY, associate enter the Yomim Noraim with a sense of
available at YUTorah.org. dean of undergraduate Torah Studies preparedness. n
On the Israel Henry Beren Campus, at RIETS. The Yeshiva coordinated a

5
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
News

At ChampionsGate Leadership Conference, Jewish

Communal Leaders Embrace Challenges and Opportunities
From the prevalence of technology and the community what is next, what are mesorah, our heritage.
social media in daily life to the difficulties the opportunities and the challenges out The main attraction of every
of economic stress and changing social there, said Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander ChampionsGate is the roster of
norms, many forces in modern society 86R, vice president of university and interactive workshops. This year,
threaten to tear the traditional family unit community life at YU. workshops were organized along three
apart. For Modern Orthodox families, The conference opened with tracks relationships, parenting and
the pressure can be even more acute, as a symposium that went straight to community. Each workshop had a short
they attempt to balance their spiritual the heart of the matter: Then and panel discussion followed by group
commitment to a Torah lifestyle with Now: How Have Changes in Society work centered on developing actionable
active roles in the wider world. Impacted Community, Parenting and solutions. Relationships looked
To help communal leadership Relationships? and a keynote speech, into how the institution of marriage,
guide families through these and It Takes a Village: The Intersection of arranged or not, was responding to
other challenges, Yeshiva Universitys Family and Community, from noted cultural pressures. Parenting took on
ChampionsGate Leadership Conference educator Rachelle Fraenkel. To me, technology, children who leave Torah
focused on The Jewish Family: The its all about family, she said. What observance, and acceptance of gay
Foundation and Pride of Our People. The faces us is this: families are a protected and lesbian members within Judaism.
conference took place in Orlando, Florida, environment, not only with physical Community examined the connections
from July 28 to 31, and was organized walls but also with walls of love. In the between millennials and synagogues,
by the Center for the Jewish Future with face of everything that pushes against how materialism tests Jewish values, and
support from the Mitzner Family and Drs. those walls, we have to say, No, this is procedures for keeping children safe.
Mordecai and Monique Katz. our home, our home is a protected place, For communal leaders around the
At ChampionsGate, YU faculty its a place where we decide what is seen world, it was an incredible opportunity
and professionals collaborated with lay and what is done. If we dont do that, we to connect to and learn from each
leaders and others from 31 communities will lose what is most precious to us. other. Rabbi Paul Lewin, who came to
in the United States and five countries Many echoed Fraenkels concern for ChampionsGate from Sydney, Australia,
around the world, digging into the the health and well-being of the Modern was awed by the chance to mix with
challenges facing Jewish families and Orthodox family. Its important to make the Whos Who of world Jewry. Its
communities today. Rabbi Yaakov sure the family is a strong base and core, an honor to learn from the greats, the
Glasser 01R, the David Mitzner Dean said Talia Molotsky, a recent graduate gedolim, of the Jewish world today,
of the CJF and one of the conferences of Stern College for Women who began agreed Rabbi Daniel Friedman from
organizers, called it the cross-pollinating attending the Graduate Program in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
of perspectives. Advanced Talmudic Study in the fall. Ira Participants also had the opportunity
ChampionsGate is the opportunity Mitzner, vice chairman of the YU Board to have individual consultations with
for Yeshiva University to help inspire of Trustees, agreed completely: Family leading professionals on such topics
the community and for us to learn from is at the core of the teaching of our as community-building strategies,
board development and legal counsel,
addressing mental health issues and
management for Jewish organizations.
The reaction and feedback has been
remarkable, said Rabbi Glasser. People
felt a sense of warmth, of belonging, of
elevation, of aspiration. The coalescence
of so many different types of people,
the energy, the ruach, the singing, the
learning, the growing it was just an
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser 01R, David Mitzner Dean of the CJF, addresses participants at ChampionsGate
incredible, incredible weekend. n

6
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Professional Development and Practical Training

RIETS Appoints New Director of Professional

Rabbinics
Rabbi Larry Rothwachs 00R of Teaneck, will also co-teach the critical Advanced
NJ, has been appointed director of Pastoral Counseling course, which focuses
professional rabbinics at RIETS. The on pastoral skills and crisis intervention,
position oversees an extensive professional with Dr. David Pelcovitz, the Gwendolyn
rabbinics curriculum at Yeshiva, including and Joseph Straus Professor of Jewish
three professional tracks and more than 20 Education at the Azrieli Graduate School
courses per semester. of Jewish Education and Administration.
I have no doubt that the students As part of his new role at RIETS,
of today will be better rabbis tomorrow Rabbi Rothwachs will meet with
through the mentoring of Rabbi semikhah students on an ongoing basis to
Rothwachs, said Rabbi Menachem ensure that they are able to achieve their
Penner 95R, the Max and Marion Grill professional and educational goals.
Dean at RIETS. His rabbinic talents are It is a great personal thrill and honor
matched only by his contagious energy to join the remarkably talented team
and his love for the Jewish people. of professionals at RIETS, said Rabbi
The professional curriculum at Rothwachs. Sharing in the responsibility
Yeshiva has undergone enormous of shaping and guiding the future leaders Rabbi Larry Rothwachs 01R
changes in the past decade to ensure of the Jewish community is daunting, yet
that future rabbinic leaders will have exceptionally exciting. guidance counselor at Yeshiva Universitys
the skills they need to succeed and Rabbi Rothwachs continues to serve High School for Boys/Marsha Stern
inspire in an ever-changing landscape. In as senior rabbi at his beloved synagogue, Talmudical Academy until 2005. Rabbi
particular, new initiatives this year offer Congregation Beth Aaron, in Teaneck. He Rothwachs is a graduate of Yeshiva
exciting developments in mental health and his wife Chaviva (Yudin) have entered College and received his masters degree in
and personal development training for their 15th year of service to the Teaneck Jewish education from Azrieli in 1997 and
semikhah students. Rabbi Rothwachs community, where they live with their five his semikhah from RIETS in 2000.
will share his many years of experience in children. Since 1998, Rabbi Rothwachs In addition to his tenure as an
shuls and schools as he teaches a course has been a critical member of the Judaic educator and rabbi, Rabbi Rothwachs
for new students called Contemporary studies faculty at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva writes on many topics and speaks widely.
Issues in the Jewish Community. He of North Jersey; he served as a rebbe and Recordings of a number of his shiurim can
be found at YUTorah.org. n

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7
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Professional Development and Practical Training

RIETS-Ferkauf Joint Program in Pastoral

Counseling Imbues Future Rabbis with Skills to
Care for Constituents Mental Wellbeing
RIETS and the Ferkauf Graduate School The program covers a wide range to come equipped with the knowledge
of Psychology have announced a joint of topics, from couples and family base, skills and disposition to be effective
pilot program in pastoral counseling that counseling to crisis counseling, which counselors, said Dr. David Pelcovitz,
will provide rabbinic leadership with new includes dealing with substance abuse the Gwendolyn and Joseph Strauss
tools to meet the emotional needs of their treatment and grief, loss and bereavement Chair in Jewish Education at the Azrieli
future constituents. counseling. All classes are held on Graduate School of Jewish Education
The two-year program, which the Wilf Campus, making them easily and Administration and an instructor in
combines Ferkauf s mental health accessible for RIETS students, whose pastoral counseling at RIETS. How do
expertise and resources with the main center of study is the Jacob and you handle death notifications or guide a
experience and spiritual guidance of Dreizel Glueck Beit Midrash; theyre family through grief? In the sequence of
RIETS faculty, is the first of its kind, also held on evenings or during summer pastoral psychology classes that we teach,
offering in-depth training in mental sessions to accommodate students busy its become clear that rabbinic students
health counseling that is an increasingly schedules. are looking for this. Each of the classes
important component of modern The pastoral psychology program is well offer contextualizes whats taught in a
rabbinic responsibilities. Students take 10 the first partnership between a rabbinic general counseling training within settings
graduate-level courses designed especially training program and a graduate school of we know from experience that rabbis and
to address the unique challenges faced psychology. Jewish educators face on a regular basis.
by communal leaders. These include two
foundational pastoral psychology courses,
which are required within their first two
The growing need for rabbis and religious educators
years of semikhah studies; graduates to become more informed, sensitive, and adept in the
ultimately receive a certificate in mental application of mental health principles makes this program
health counseling as well as semikhah.
The coursework can also be applied
essential to the training of well-prepared Orthodox rabbis.
to a masters degree in mental health It has the potential to significantly change the American
counseling with an emphasis in pastoral rabbinate.
psychology at Ferkauf. Rabbi Menachem Penner 95R, Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS
The growing need for rabbis and
religious educators to become more The program also has a focus on
informed, sensitive, and adept in the The skillset used in pastoral self-care, a critical and often overlooked
application of mental health principles, counseling is incredibly nuanced and component of Jewish leadership. The
along with the reality that congregants complex, but absolutely essential for rabbinate can be lonely and highly
increasingly view counseling skills communal leaders, said Dr. Lawrence stressful, and sometimes you can lose
as a critical component of the rabbis Siegel, dean of Ferkauf. We are sight of that boundary of how its affecting
job description, makes this program honored to share our expertise with you, said Dr. Pelcovitz. Our hope is
essential to the training of well-prepared RIETS students to create an ever-more that through ongoing discussion groups
Orthodox rabbis, said Rabbi Menachem thoughtful and capable generation of well be able to increase the emotional
Penner 95R, the Max and Marion Grill Jewish leaders. I am delighted to be awareness of our students and provide
Dean of RIETS. It has the potential coordinating this program with my them with the tools to navigate their own
to significantly change the American colleague, Rabbi Penner. stresses and challenges.
rabbinate. Rabbis are increasingly called upon Pastoral psychology is crucial for

8
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Professional Development and Practical Training

my rabbinic education because so much teaches us how to understand the depth The program is open to current
of being a rabbi goes beyond the books and emotions of humans during all stages students as well as recent alumni looking
and laws; its about really understanding of life. My favorite part of the program is to enhance their own skills and abilities to
people so youre able to guide every Jew, the role-playing we do it gives us the better serve their communities. For more
as a human being, along the beautiful path opportunity to put ourselves into real life information, visit www.yu.edu/riets/
of Torah, said Yechiel Bresler, a student situations without feeling the pressure of pastoral-counseling. n
in the program. Pastoral psychology messing something up.

RIETS Launches Intensive Personal Development

Program
Personal Development Program Stresses Self-Awareness, Professional Training as Keys to
Capable Rabbinic Leadership

RIETS has launched a new, intensive rabbinical students are equipped not impact him personally. Then he can adjust
personal development program at the just for leadership roles and for pastoral his response and tactics accordingly. The
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik Semikhah counseling, but to deal with the many bottom line is that the most effective
Program. The program will equip stresses and personal challenges that shul rabbi is one who is skilled, savvy,
rabbinical students with the technical rabbis face. By better equipping our pulpit compassionate and truly self-aware, so
tools, introspective skills and coping rabbis with the emotional intelligence our intensive coursework focuses on each
strategies necessary to effectively and inner resources to successfully meet of these areas simultaneously.
navigate the substantial challenges of the the challenges that face them in their Through the rabbinic personal
communal rabbinate. 21st-century roles, we will enhance the development program, which was
This new initiative will enhance effectiveness of the semikhah curriculum, made possible by the generous support
the RIETS Issues in the Orthodox producing more capable rabbinic of Murray and Basheva Goldberg,
Community Rabbinate course by leadership, and profoundly changing the RIETS has also established an advisory
adding group processing sessions and face of the American rabbinate. committee of mental health professionals,
monthly instruction by mental health Rabbi Neal Turk 83R, coordinator rabbinic leadership and academicians.
professionals. Additionally, students of the Mental Health Programs at Yeshiva, These experts will oversee and guide
looking to careers in the community explains that the new curriculum will also the development of their mental health
rabbinate will participate in weekly group teach rabbinical students to read complex programming for rabbinical students,
processing sessions. These sessions will situations through the eyes of mental with the goal of maximizing iterative
focus on the challenges of the modern health professionals. In this way, they can learning and associated teaching
rabbinate and the inner life of both the help their future congregants find the opportunities.
rabbi and the rabbinic family. Finally, all professional help they require. The Semikhah Program offers a
students will meet privately with mental People approach their pulpit rabbi four-year program of study leading to
health professionals to take a deeper look with all kinds of problems, and many Semikhah Yoreh Yoreh. Throughout the
into issues raised during previous group of them are well beyond his purview. program, students are involved in formal
sessions, and explore any related personal Even if consultation with the rabbi is coursework in pastoral psychology,
concerns. not the long-term solution, he needs counseling, homiletics and current issues
Our students have always received to know what to look for and when to facing the Jewish community. RIETS
extensive training to help them refer his congregants to mental health students gain proficiency in the laws of
understand others, but theyve had few professionals, added Rabbi Turk. kashrut, niddah, aveilut, eruvin, bishul
opportunities to understand themselves, Additionally, a rabbi will only be bShabbat, gerut and milah, ishut and
said Rabbi Menachem Penner 95R, the successful in the field if he has been other contemporary halakhic topics,
Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS. trained appropriately and is insightful while continuing to hone their Talmudic
This new initiative will ensure that enough to know how specific issues will and professional skills. n

9
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Professional Development and Practical Training

CJF Online Course for Communal Rabbis Explores

Medical, Legal, and Halakhic Perspectives on Terminal
Illness, End-of-Life Issues
Yeshiva Universitys Center for the course provided the training
Jewish Future and RIETS have launched to inform and guide rabbanim
Confronting End of Life Issues, a through the critical issues, at a
continuing rabbinic education course moment of significant crisis for
that aims to provide rabbis with a fuller their members.
understanding of the issues surrounding During the two-month END OF LIFE ISSUES
The Rabbi's Role
end-of-life care and the rabbis role training period, participants A New Continuing Rabbinic Education Course
during this critical period. received a thorough selection 9 Weeks Beginning June 19, 2016
The nine-part online course explored of reference materials and All sessions will be approximately 60 minutes and pre-recorded
for flexible learning, available to accommodate all schedules.

medical and halakhic perspectives related articles. In between Cost: $325 (RIETS Rabbinic Alumni $300)
Early Bird: Register and Pay by April 1: $300
on commonly performed end-of-life classes, participants were (RIETS Rabbinic Alumni $275)
procedures, the treatment of cancer and encouraged to interact with
hospice patients, living wills and medical one another via the courses Topics Include:
Inside the Hospital, ER & ICU: Issues, Equipment, Terms and Staff
Pastoral Care at the End of Life
Participants will receive:
Group email forum
A thorough selection of
proxies, and pastoral care of the family dedicated online forum and Terminal Illness End of Life Issues
Palliative Care, Hospice, DNR & Withholding Treatment
related materials
Access and introductions
Children End of Life Issues to leading medical, mental
involved in the medical crisis. The 79 schedule offline conversations Mediating End of Life Decisions within Families and with Hospitals
Dementia
health professionals and
halachic experts in the field

participants represented approximately with the instructors, who are all Bikur Cholim
Living Wills, Halachic Wills and Medical Proxies
Certificate of participation
upon completion of course
Brain Death and Organ Donation and final exam
15,000 families from around the world, leading medical, mental health,
Partial List of Presenters:
including rabbis in North America, legal and halakhic experts in Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai MD (Co-Course Coordinator) Rabbi Naphtali Lavenda (Co-Course Coordinator)
Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman (Course Advisor)

Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the field. Dr. Norman Blumenthal Nancy Dubler Zahava Farbman, LMSW Nathaniel Feller, Esq Rabbi Dr. David Fox
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg Dr. Michael Harris

Germany, Israel and the United Kingdom. Course highlights

Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger Dr. Beth Popp Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger
Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter Dr. Robert Sidlow Rabbi Mordechai Willig Rabbi Elchanan Zohn

When end-of-life issues arise, included an exploration of the Space is limited so register now at www.rabbanan.org
Email RabbinicProgramming@yu.edu with any questions

families are forced to grapple with some equipment and terminology rabbi at Boca Raton Synagogue and
extremely difficult realities, said Rabbi used in the hospital with Rabbi Dr. the author of Defining the Moment:
Naphtali Lavenda 09R, director of online Aaron Glatt, chairman of medicine at Understanding Brain Death in Halakhah,
rabbinic programming at the CJF. This South Nassau Communities Hospital; an with the guidance of Rabbi Dr. Edward
online course provided a platform for in-depth review of end-of-life issues for Reichman 97R, professor of clinical
rabbis to discuss and learn about these children suffering from terminal illness emergency medicine at YU-affiliated
circumstances in real-time from the top with Rabbi Dr. Elimelech Goldberg 81R, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The
experts in the field, so they can provide founder and national director of Kids course was the sixth virtual continuing
the spiritual guidance and emotional Kicking Cancer, and Dr. Michael Harris, rabbinic education course organized
support their congregants need to make chief of pediatric hematology-oncology and run by the CJF in coordination with
the correct decisions for their families. at the Jospeh M. Sanzari Childrens RIETS. In previous years, the CJF ran
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser 01R, David Hospital; and panel discussions between online courses on the issues surrounding
Mitzner Dean of the CJF, explained RIETS Roshei Yeshiva and experienced infertility; rabbinic marriage counseling
that rabbis are searching for support end-of-life doctors on issues such as on a range of pastoral issues; child
and direction in providing the wide withholding treatment and DNR orders, abuse; the fundamentals of fundraising
spectrum of guidance that end-of-life palliative care, and other end-of-life and cultivating lasting relationships
issues create for the family. Rabbis often aspects unique to cancer and terminal with congregants; and chosson teacher
find themselves involved in halakhic, illness patients. training. n
emotional, medical, legal and familial Confronting End of Life Issues
decisions that have become increasingly was developed by Rabbi Lavenda and
complex to navigate, he said. This Rabbi Dr. David Shabtai 09R, Sephardic

10
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Professional Development and Practical Training

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORTING RIETS

Vital in its approach and vibrant in its tradition, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary is the Western Hemispheres
leading centerVital
forinTorah
its approach
learningand
and vibrant
trainingin
foritsthe
tradition, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary is the
rabbinate.
Western Hemispheres leading center for Torah learning and training for the rabbinate.
The Yeshiva has trained more than 3,000 of the worlds Orthodox rabbis, scholars and teachers. With their rich grounding in the
The
full spectrum of Yeshiva has trained
our hallowed more
tradition, than 3,000
graduates of the
assume worlds
a broad Orthodox
range rabbis,
of leadership scholars
roles in the and teachers.
community while ensuring the
With their rich grounding
perpetuation of Jewish scholarship. in the full spectrum of our hallowed tradition, graduates assume a broad range
of leadership roles in the community while ensuring the perpetuation of Jewish scholarship.
RIETS is not just a world-class Yeshiva. It is the center of our community. The success of the Yeshiva is evident in communities
RIETSSupport
around the world. is not just
foraRIETS
world-class Yeshiva.
is support It strength
for the is the center of our community.
and preservation The success
of the centrist of the
Orthodox Yeshiva
community.
is evident in communities around the world. Support for RIETS is support for the strength and preservation
of the centrist Orthodox community.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
$25,000 Sponsor a RIETS student for a year and create a Yissachar/Zevulun relationship
$25,000 Sponsor a RIETS student for a year and create a Yissachar/Zevulun relationship
$18,000 Provide a rabbinic intern to a Jewish community and help train the next generation
$18,000 Provide
of spiritual a rabbinic intern to a Jewish community and help train the next generation
leadership
of spiritual leadership
$10,000 Dedicate in perpetuity a Yahrzeit Day of learning in memory of a loved one at RIETS*
$10,000 Dedicate in perpetuity a Yahrzeit Day in memory of a loved one at RIETS*
$7,500 Dedicate an issue of the Benjamin and Rose Berger Torah To-Go distributed to Jewish communities
$7,200 Underwrite the yearly stipend of a member of the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel
across the globe
$5,000 Sponsor a semester of a professional rabbinics course to help train the next generation
$7,200 Underwrite the yearly
of Jewish stipend of a member of the Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel
leaders
$5,000 $3,600
SponsorDedicate
a semestera RIETS Shabbat program
of a professional rabbinicson the Wilf
course Campus
to help train the next generation
of JewishBecome
$2,500 leaders a weekly sponsor of the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah.org, with
$3,600 Dedicatemore thanShabbat
a RIETS 15,000 weekly
programvisits
on the Wilf Campus
$1,800 Dedicate a shiur for a week of a senior Rosh Yeshiva
$2,500 Become a monthly sponsor of the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah.org, with
$1,000 Dedicate
more than 15,000 aweekly
day ofvisits
Torah scholarship at RIETS to mark a simcha or yahrzeit

$1,800 $500
DedicateSponsor an aAbraham
a shiur for week of aArbesfeld Kollel
senior Rosh Yom Rishon or Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet
Yeshiva
Yom Rishon lecture in memory of a loved one
$1,000 DedicateDedicate
$360
a day of Torah scholarship at RIETS to mark a simcha or yahrzeit
sefarim to the Yeshivas beit midrash
$500 Sponsor an Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon or Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet
*For a gift Yom Rishon
of $1,000, RIETS lecture in the
will have memory of aKaddish
Mourners loved one
recited for your loved one and will ensure the designated yahrzeit date
will be observed with Kaddish in perpetuity. Kaddish is recited three times daily during the 11 months of mourning, and then annually
on the date of the yahrzeit. Additionally, a designated representative of the Yeshiva will recite the Kel Malai Rachamim prayer on the
appropriate date. Each
*For a gift of $10,000, RIETS year, prior
will ensure thetodesignated
the yahrzeit date, you
yahrzeit willwill
date receive a notice acknowledging
be observed with Kaddish the upcoming observance
in perpetuity. Kaddish isofrecited
the yahrzeit.
during
the 11 months of mourning, and then annually on the date of the yahrzeit. Each year, prior to the yahrzeit date, you will receive a notice
acknowledging
Forthe upcoming
more observance
information onofmaking
the yahrzeit.
a gift or bequest to RIETS, please call 212.960.0852, email riets@yu.edu
or visit www.yu.edu/riets/giving
For more information on making a gift or bequest to RIETS, please call 212.960.0852, email riets@yu.edu
or visit www.yu.edu/riets/giving

11
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
 Yeshiva University-RIETS acknowledge the members of the Elef LMateh Society

Rabbi Hyman Arbesfeld* Rabbi Alan G. Ciner Rabbi Jonathan Grossman Rabbi David Lapp Rabbi Dr. Shlomo F.
Kew Gardens, NY New York, NY Flushing, NY Fair Lawn, NJ Rybak
Passaic, NJ
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander* Rabbi Judah Dardik Rabbi BZ Halberstam Rabbi Hyman Levine
Teaneck, NJ Neve Daniel, Israel Passaic, NJ Queens, NY Rabbi Hershel Schachter
New York, NY
Rabbi Aaron Brody* Rabbi Michael Davies Rabbi Abraham Rabbi Yosie Levine
Flushing, NY Charleston, SC Halbfinger zl New York, NY Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld
Flushing, NY
Rabbi Marvin H. Rabbi Edward Davis Rabbi Zvi Herman Rabbi Zalman Levine
Goldman* Hollywood, FL Mevaseret Zion, Israel Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Joel Schreiber
Silver Spring, MD New York, NY
Rabbi Moshe Davis Rabbi Basil Herring Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
Rabbi Neil Hecht* Charleston, SC New York, NY New York, NY Rabbi Efrem Schwalb
Brookline, MA West Hempstead, NY
Rabbi Herbert Dobrinsky Rabbi Shlomo Hochberg Rabbi Marc Mandel
Rabbi Jacob Hoenig* Riverdale, NY Jamaica Estates, NY Newport, RI Rabbi Allen M. Schwartz
Brooklyn, NY New York, NY
Rabbi Ira Ebbin Rabbi Barry Holzer Rabbi Leonard Matanky
Rabbi Elazar Muskin* Merrick, NY Woodmere, NY West Rogers Park, IL Rabbi Yehuda Septimus
Los Angeles, CA North Woodmere, NY
Rabbi David Eckstein Rabbi Fred Hyman Rabbi Gary Menchel
Rabbi Moshe Neiss* Baltimore, MD New Haven, CT West Hempstead, NY Rabbi Nisson E. Shulman
Riverdale, NY New York, NY
Rabbi Zvi Engel Rabbi David Israel Rabbi Ari Perl
Rabbi Marvin B. Pachino* Skokie, IL Stamford, CT Atlantic Beach, NY Rabbi Shmuel Silber
Jerusalem, Israel Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Baruch Englard Rabbi Irvin Peyser zl
Rabbi Menachem Penner* Brooklyn, NY Atlantic Beach, NY Rabbi Tuvia Silverstein
Holliswood, NY Far Rockaway, NY
Rabbi Tobias Feinerman Rabbi Israel Polak
Rabbi Myron Rakowitz* Yonkers, NY Teaneck, NJ Rabbi David Snyder
Lawrence, NY New York, NY
Rabbi Arnold Feldman Rabbi Yale Port
Rabbi Daniel Turkel* Philadelphia, PA Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Elon Soniker
Flushing, NY West Hempstead, NY
Rabbi Adam Felsenthal Rabbi Jonas Prager
Rabbi Marc S. Volk* Teaneck, NJ Flushing, NY Rabbi Yaakov Taubes
Merrick, NY Philadelphia, PA
Rabbi Jay Fenster Rabbi Dr. Mark
Brooklyn, NY (Melech) Press Rabbi Lawrence Teitelman
Brooklyn, NY New Hyde Park, NY
Rabbi David Fine
Rabbi Elliot Aberbach Modiin, Israel
Lakewood, NJ Rabbi Daniel Price Rabbi Perry Tischwell
Passaic, NJ Teaneck, NJ
Rabbi Joel Finkelstein
Rabbi Aaron Abramson Memphis, TN
Toronto, Canada Dr. Jacob Reiner Rabbi Mordechai
Fort Lee, NJ Torczyner
Rabbi Daniel Friedman Rabbi Gedaliah Jaffe
Rabbi Elli Ausubel Edmonton, Canada Toronto, Canada
Raanana, Israel Edison, NJ Rabbi Yona Reiss
Chicago, IL Rabbi Yaakov Trump
Rabbi Barry Gelman Rabbi Howard Joseph
Rabbi Eitan Bendavid Houston, TX Cedarhurst, NY
New York, NY Montreal, Quebec Rabbi Daniel Rockoff
Overland Park, KS Rabbi Marc s. Volk
Rabbi Yaakov Gibber Rabbi Milton Kain
Rabbi Alex Berman Boca Raton, FL Merrick, NY
Raanana, Israel Lawrence, NY Rabbi Ari Rockoff
West Hempstead, NY Rabbi Norman Avinoam
Rabbi Yaakov Glasser Rabbi Alan Kalinsky
Rabbi Julius Berman Passaic, NJ Walles
Jamaica Estates, NY Los Angeles, CA Rabbi Walter Rosenbaum
Jerusalem, Israel Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Ozer Glickman Rabbi Mark Karasick
Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Jay Weinstein
Stamford, CT Teaneck, NK Rabbi Dr. Bernard
Maaleh Adumim, Israel
Rabbi Shmuel M. Gold Rabbi Zev Karpel Rosensweig
Rabbi Marvin S. Rego Park, NY Kew Gardens, NY Rabbi Shimon Wolf
Passaic, NJ
Bienenfeld Kew Gardens, NY
Lawrence, NY Rabbi Efrem Goldberg Rabbi Chemia Kleinman Rabbi Sol Roth
Boca Raton, FL Jerusalem, Israel New York, NY Anonymous
Rabbi Binyamin Blau
Cleveland, OH Rabbi Shraga Goldenhersh Rabbi Benjamin Krinsky Rabbi Dr. Eli Rybak Anonymous
Baltimore, MD Teaneck, NJ Clifton, NJ
Rabbi Irving Bodner Anonymous
Lawrence, NY Rabbi Meir Goldwicht
New York, NY
As of 3/14/2017
* Elef LMateh Chai Supporter

Learn more at www.yutorah.org/elef

 We recognize the following Rabbinic Alumni as members
of Amudei HaYeshiva for their 5777 dues gift of $360:
Rabbi Marc Jablon Rabbi Jacob Jaffe Rabbi Aaron M. Kaplan Rabbi Dr. Abraham Mann
Rabbi Jeffrey Muehlgay Rabbi Scott Rothenberg Rabbi Melvin Sachs
Rabbi Benjamin J. Samuels Rabbi Yeshaya Siff Rabbi Daniel Turkel Rabbi Howard Zack

We recognize the following Rabbinic Alumni as members

of Amudei HaMusmakhim for their 5777 dues gift of $180:
Rabbi Leon Aronsky Rabbi Simon Basalely Rabbi Moshe J. Bernstein Rabbi Mordechai Besser Rabbi Michael Bleicher
Rabbi Daniel Bloom Rabbi Azaryah Cohen Rabbi Asher Finkel Ph.D. Rabbi Isaac Furman Rabbi Dr. Brian Galbut
Rabbi David B. Ginsburg Rabbi Jonathan Gordon Rabbi Dr. Isidore Halberstam Rabbi Barry David Hartman Rabbi Ari Israel
Rabbi Jason Jacobowitz Rabbi Eliezer Kaminetzky Rabbi Yaakov Krakower Rabbi Daniel M. Kroll Rabbi Ira Kronenberg
Rabbi Dr. John Krug Rabbi Moshe Kwalbrun Rabbi Marc Liebman Rabbi Chanan Liss Rabbi Arieh E. Listowsky Rabbi Daniel J. Loew
Rabbi Morton Minchenberg Rabbi Boaz Mori Rabbi Israel Moskowitz Rabbi Barry Nussbaum Rabbi Jonathan Price Rabbi Dr. Israel Rivkin
Rabbi Martin Rosenfeld Rabbi Alan Rothman Rabbi Bernard E. Rothman Rabbi David Schwartz Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Adam Schwartz Psy.D.
Rabbi Charles H. Sheer Rabbi Gidon Shoshan Rabbi Aharon Simkin Rabbi H. Norman Strickman Rabbi Elihu Turkel Rabbi Mark Urkowitz
Rabbi Marvin Waltuch Rabbi Shlomo Weissmann Rabbi Howard Wolk Rabbi Lawrence Zierler Rabbi Lawrence Ziffer

We recognize the following Rabbinic Alumni for their 5777 dues gift of $100:
Rabbi Shlomo Appel Rabbi Richard Auman Rabbi Eitan Bendavid Rabbi Reuven Berman Rabbi Harold Tzvi Bernstein Rabbi Hillel Bick Rabbi Gideon Black
Rabbi Yaakov Blau Rabbi Michael Bloom Rabbi F. Meier Brueckheimer Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Chelst Rabbi Noah Cheses Rabbi Asher Gabriel Dordek
Rabbi Shaul Leib Epstein Rabbi Amichai Erdfarb Rabbi Moshe Erlbaum Rabbi Mordechai Eskovitz Rabbi Menachem Feinsod Rabbi Shimon Feld
Rabbi Adam Felsenthal Rabbi Michael Fine Rabbi Howard Finkelstein Rabbi Stanley M. Fogel Rabbi Ezra Frazer Rabbi Raffi Glickman
Rabbi Ezra Goldschmiedt Rabbi Sidney Goldstein Rabbi Jonathan Gordon Rabbi Leonard Greenblum Rabbi Reuven Grodner Rabbi Chaim Hagler
Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Handel Rabbi Michael Hecht Rabbi Joel Hecker Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot Rabbi William Herskowitz Rabbi Steven Hirschey
Rabbi Jacob T. Hoenig Rabbi Samuel N. Hoenig Rabbi Sidney Hook Rabbi Herbert Horowitz Rabbi David Jacobowitz Rabbi Harry Menachem Kagan
Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky Rabbi Joseph Kanefsky Rabbi Aaron Kaplan Rabbi Eliot R. Kaplan Rabbi Raphael Katsman Rabbi Jerome Katz Rabbi Avi Kilimnick
Rabbi David Klavan Rabbi Gershon Klavan Rabbi Doniel Z. Kramer Rabbi Yirmiyahu Lebowitz Rabbi Bertram Leff Rabbi Hirsh Lewitan
Rabbi Menachem Linzer Rabbi Elchanan Lipshitz Dr. David Luchins Rabbi Marc H. Messing Rabbi William Millen Rabbi Michael Miller
Rabbi Steven Miodownik Rabbi Eliezer Mischel Rabbi Eddie Mittelman Rabbi Avi David Narrow-Tilonsky Rabbi Fred Nebel Rabbi Jeffrey Neuman
Rabbi Joseph Oratz Rabbi Milton Polin Rabbi Gary Pollack Rabbi Kenneth Pollack Rabbi Daniel Price Rabbi David Radinsky Rabbi Dr. Neal Z. Ringel
Rabbi Aaron Rockoff Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg Rabbi Stanley Rosenberg Rabbi Eliyahu Safran Rabbi Dr. Richard Schiffmiller Rabbi Marvin Schneider
Rabbi Chaim Schnur Rabbi Bruce Schwartz Rabbi David Seff Rabbi Mendel Shapiro Rabbi Dr. Moshe Sherman Rabbi Dr. Joshua Shuchatowitz
Rabbi Joseph Siev Rabbi Zev S. Silber Rabbi Dr. Eric Siskind Rabbi Aryeh Spiegler Rabbi Moshe Stavsky Rabbi Robert H. Stein Rabbi Glenn Stengel
Rabbi Jeremy Stern Rabbi Dr. Joseph Sungolowsky Rabbi Isadore M. Tennenberg Rabbi Reuven Tradburks Rabbi Baruch Tribuch Rabbi Leonard Tribuch
Rabbi David A. Twersky Rabbi Mayer Twersky Rabbi Richard Vale Rabbi Samuel A. Weiss Rabbi Jacob Weitman Rabbi Matan Wexler Rabbi Emanuel White
Rabbi Yosef Wolicki Cantor Richard Wolpoe Rabbi Benjamin Yudin Rabbi Alan Yuter Rabbi Eugene Zaveloff Rabbi Myron F. Zundell

As of 2/24/2017
Join us in supporting our Yeshiva and its vital activities, please visit: yu.edu/riets/alumni
Chag HaSemikhah 5777

The Yeshiva To Celebrate More Than 130

Ordained Rabbis at March 19 Chag HaSemikhah
RIETS and the Yeshiva University The class of rabbis represents an and mentors, their families and their
community will celebrate the ordination internationally diverse group, hailing fellow classmates.
of more than 130 musmakhim at their from five continents and more than 50 During the ceremony, RIETS will
Chag HaSemikhah Convocation on North American cities. While most of the honor Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel
Sunday, March 19, 2017, in the Nathan musmakhim will remain engaged in either Schachter 67R, Nathan and Vivian
Lamport Auditorium, Zysman Hall, 2540 fulltime post-semikhah Torah study or in Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair
Amsterdam Avenue, New York City. religious work such as Jewish education, in Talmud and Rosh Kollel, Marcos
The musmakhim from the classes the pulpit, outreach or nonprofit and Adina Katz Kollel, with the HaRav
of 2014-2017 will join the more than management, many will pursue careers Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik ztl Aluf
3,000 men who have passed through the in other professions, including medicine Torah Award, and Chairman Emeritus
halls of RIETS and gone on to become and law. Rabbi Julius Berman 59R with the
distinguished Orthodox rabbis, scholars, This celebration of RIETS Eitz Chaim Award. A dinner later that
educators and leaders around the world. musmakhim recognizes both the day will celebrate the awards, as well
The Yeshiva is the foundation of what enormous commitment of Torah as philanthropist Dr. David Arbesfeld,
this University represents, and our rabbinic learning and attention to personal growth who will be presented with the RIETS
graduates, whom we celebrate at this Chag demanded of each student as well as the Service Award. In addition, special
HaSemikhah, truly embody the best in us, profound and positive influence they will acknowledgement will be given to ten
said YU President Richard M. Joel. Their have on communities around the world in grandfathers and RIETS alumni who will
generosity and their guidance will help the years to come, said Rabbi Menachem watch their grandsons receive semikhah
determine the future of our community. Penner 95R, Max and Marion Grill Dean at this years ceremony, as well as the
As they share in the responsibility of of RIETS. This is a rare opportunity musmakhim of 1967, who will celebrate
influencing those around them, many will to witness the future leadership of our their 50th anniversary. n
be impacted and the development of our broader Jewish community standing
people will be better for it. together in one room with their teachers

14
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
 Chag HaSemikhah
Convocation 5777
CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RABBINIC LEADERS
Sunday, March 19, 2017 " "
The Chag HaSemikhah Convocation will also pay
special tribute to Rav Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Julius Berman.
The RIETS Dinner that evening will also honor Dr. David Arbesfeld with the RIETS Service Award
RIETS celebrates the semikhah of eleven musmakhim whose grandfathers are also musmakhim of RIETS
Rabbi Tuvia Brander 15R and Rabbi Aaron Brander 59R Rabbi Shlomo Clark 14R and Rabbi Matthew Clark 56R
Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky 16R and Rabbi Dr. Chaim Danishefsky zl 46R Rabbi Noam Friedman 17R and Rabbi Abraham zl Insel 45R
Rabbi Noach Goldstein 17R and Rabbi Dr. Noah Goldstein zl 53R Rabbi Jonathan Grossman 17R and Rabbi Zelo Schussheim zl 48R
Rabbi Ari Lamm 15R and Rabbi Norman Lamm 51R Rabbi Elchanan Poupko 16R and Rabbi Baruch Poupko zl 42R
Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig 14R and Rabbi Bernard Rosensweig 50R Rabbi Ashie Schreier 17R and Rabbi Max Schreier 52R
Rabbi Yaakov Taubes 17R and Rabbi Chaim Schulman zl 52R

Join thousands of alumni, family and

friends from around the world and watch
the celebration live at www.yu.edu/chag
For more information, call 646.592.4027 or email chag5777@yu.edu
Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Illuminating a Vast Tradition:

Rabbi Mosheh Aziz 17R Brings
Passion for Sephardic Heritage Musmakhim
Profiles
and Custom to the Pulpit
For as long as he can remember, learning teaches his students and the path he
and teaching Torah has been a passion expects them to follow. There were many
for Rabbi Mosheh Aziz. As a Mashadi students in the shiur who came from
Jew growing up in Great Neck, NY, diverse Sephardic backgroundsPersian,
he served as gabbai in his shuls youth Syrian, Moroccan, and many others
minyan and was already developing Torah and everyone felt respected and like an
programming for other children while integral part of the shiur.
still in high school himself. So when In particular, Rabbi Aziz feels
Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim, Sephardic he benefited from Rabbi Ben Haims
Rosh Yeshiva and Maxwell R. Maybaum unwaveringly high standards. I always
Chair in Talmud and Sephardic Halakhic enjoyed the challenge of being expected
Codes, encouraged Rabbi Aziz to pursue to know the primary halakhic sources in
Rabbi Mosheh Aziz 17R
semikha at RIETS in addition to his every sugya, as well as where to find them
studies in the Sephardic Community inside, he said. If we forgot something Jewish community, and provide pastoral
Program at Yeshiva College, the decision that the Rav taught us already, he would care sensitively and responsibly. The
felt like the natural next step. sharply rebuke us. The demand was professional track also allowed us to meet
I understood that having the solid daunting at first; but in this way, Rav Ben some of the most effective people in our
background and training of semikha Haim instilled in us the seriousness of field who can help us when we need extra
would enable me to transmit Torah more knowing the Torah we learned. support.
effectively and skillfully, said Rabbi But Rabbi Aziz also enjoyed He added: YU and RIETS are
Aziz. I wasnt sure at the time if I wanted the opportunity to develop close the heart and center of the American
to practice as a full-time rabbi, but was relationships with a wide range of Roshei Orthodox Jewish community, and the
excited at the opportunity to take on the Yeshiva at RIETS and their diverse ability to meet some of the major players
challenge of more rigorous Torah study approaches to halakha and hashkafa, as in the community as well as many of my
with Rav Ben Haim. well as the comprehensive training that future colleagues in the rabbinate has
The personal connection he went on has prepared him for the role he now been very valuable.
to develop with Rabbi Ben Haim during serves as rabbinic assistant at the United As rabbinic assistant at UMJCA,
his years at RIETS has become one of Mashadi Jewish Community of America Aziz now manages a minyan of nearly
Rabbi Azizs most cherished experiences, (UMJCA) under Rabbi Ben Haim. 250 singles and couples on Shabbat,
and plays a crucial role in informing his RIETS provides valuable training in addition to teaching chatan and
own journey as a Sephardic rabbi. It to prepare a future rabbi with the kallah classes with his wife, Gabby, for
has been the greatest privilege to learn professional skills needed to excel in engaged couples in the community.
and do shimush under my mentor, the contemporary world, said Rabbi He also teaches Judaic studies at the
said Rabbi Aziz. Having received his Aziz. The public speaking and derasha Long Island Hebrew Academy in Great
tradition from the greatest Sephardic workshops gave us necessary tools to Neck; the couple have two daughters,
luminaries of the previous generation, develop and deliver effective sermons. Rivqa and Avigayil. Rabbi Aziz has also
his sheer mastery of Talmud and halakha The pastoral counseling courses helped sought to train himself in a wide range
continues to be awe-inspiring. Rav Ben us acquire the competencies to identify of counseling and communal skills,
Haim truly embodies the principles he social needs in the modern-day American earning a masters degree in social work

16
C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
Chag HaSemikhah 5777

through Wurzweiler School of Social of Rabbi Ben Haim, to be published this communities always remained together
Works Clergy Program and completing summer. This will hopefully be the first and never branched off, he said. I
a certificate in Jewish Communal Service of a series of halakha lemaase sefarim we hope to continue educating Sephardic
at the school as well. In addition, he will publish based on the teachings of our communities about our heritage and
holds a certification by the PUAH mentor and teacher, said Rabbi Aziz. help maintain unity and respect between
Institute and is training to become a As a communal rabbi, though, all Jews. Sephardic communities have
shochet, under the guidance of Rabbi Rabbi Aziz is especially passionate about a tremendous amount to be proud of,
Chaim Loike 02R of the Orthodox conveying Sephardic tradition and culture with family and community values
Union. to future generations. The Sephardic which are well worth maintaining and
Rabbi Aziz underwent this extensive community has a rich heritage diverse exemplifying. n
training because he believes that
knowledge and action must go hand in
hand. It is especially important to learn
and educate our communities in halakha
lemaase, he said. Rav Ovadia Yosef ztl
began his career by teaching halakha
lemaase in the local communities and
Rav Ben Haim has always advised us to
teach the subject in a clear and coherent
fashion.
The topic is so important to Rabbi
Aziz that he and his chavruta are close
to completing a sefer in the field, a
practical and concise guide to the laws
of mourning according to Sephardic and
Mashadi custom based on the teachings

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C h av r u s a A da r 57 7 7
A project of Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future
Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Invested in Building Community:

From Public School in
Montreal to Leader of Oakland Musmakhim
Profiles
Synagogue
Rabbi Gershon Alberts 16R journey to It was actually a personality test
the pulpit of Beth Jacob Congregation that Rabbi Albert took at the YU Career
of Oakland, CA begins in a somewhat Center that initially prompted him to
unusual setting: the French public high consider semikhah. One of the outcomes
school he and his twin brother, Laizer, was clergy, he recalled. I realized I
attended in Montreal, Quebec. needed to be in a career that would put
I had incredibly positive experiences me in direct conversation with people
at that time with the community rabbi, and enable me to really help and nurture
who served as a role model for me, he them throughout their lives and I
said. My brother and I decided to switch first started to find that experience by
to a Jewish school, where we started to engaging others using my own love of
grow spiritually we started keeping Torah.
Rabbi Gershon 16R and Meira Albert
Shabbos, started learning together As an undergraduate, Rabbi Albert
inside and outside of school. I was immersed himself in extracurricular different communities across the country,
really passionate about the Torah I was activities that gave him an opportunity and I had the opportunity to be a part of
learning. to do just that, helping run a student-led Rav Schachters [67R] kollel, which was
To further their connection to initiative, Yismechu, which brought YU intimidating and consuming at first but
Judaism, the pair opted to study for two students to smaller Jewish communities ultimately so rewarding.
years in Israel at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh to enrich Shabbat celebrations. The As a pulpit rabbi, however, Rabbi
and continue their education at YU, with exposure to teaching in shul settings Albert is especially grateful for the ways
the help of generous scholarships. The and engaging others with the idea of RIETS equipped him to serve at the helm
school made it possible for both of us to Torah Umadda that YU represents was of a congregation not only in terms of
attend YU at an affordable rate, Albert foundational for me, he said. I realized halakhic expertise and Torah learning, but
said. It was the perfect place to continue becoming a rabbi would be a way to also as a confidant, a policy-maker, and
full-time yeshiva learning and get an further that conversation. the many other roles and responsibilities
outstanding secular education. Today, Rabbi Albert feels that the the modern rabbinate comprises.
However, even then, the rabbinate close mentorship and holistic approach Rabbi Yona Reiss [02R] did a class
was still a long way from his mind. Rabbi to rabbinic training he received at on contemporary rabbinic issues that
Albert considered a career in architecture RIETS were critical to his formation at the time seemed so abstract, but now
but settled instead on accounting at the as a communal leader. It went beyond looking back I have actually encountered
Sy Syms School of Business; his brother even the coursework at RIETS I two-thirds of the issues already, and his
pursued an economics degree from loved being able to take advanced Judaic tremendous knowledge of Torah and real-
Yeshiva College, with a business minor. studies classes at the Bernard Revel life sensitivity has served as a guiding light
Looking back, Rabbi Albert says, he feels Graduate School of Jewish Studies and for me, said Rabbi Albert. Rabbi Penner
his background at Sy Syms was actually the professional opportunities I was [95R] had a fourth-year homiletics class
important preparation for his current able to take advantage of and learned that really helped me with ability to give
role: Its really helped me as a shul so much from, he said. For example, drashot. He forced us to hone our skills
rabbi, because I can be involved in deep being a rabbinic intern at the Center and plan words we teach, and one of
financial conversations, I can read the for the Jewish Future really opened my the lessons that really has stuck with me
balance sheet. eyes to what Torah Umadda can mean in and motivated me to give my all is when

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Chag HaSemikhah 5777

he explained why preparation was so preparing me for that. community with a tremendous amount
important: If you give a boring speech, But Rabbi Alberts connection to of diversity, and as a young rabbi when
your congregation isnt going to think, this RIETS didnt end when he earned his you go to these communities you become
is a boring rabbi. Theyll think, G-d forbid, semikhah. I have my rebbe, Rav Baruch deeply involved in every part of the
this is a boring Torah. We have a huge Simon [89R], on speed dialI speak Jewish picture, from eruv to kashrut to
opportunity and responsibility to to him constantly about many different Talmud Torah to pastoral work. I oversaw
represent Him every time we speak. halachic issues that come up in my the building of a mikvah last year, I am
Another class that made a deep community, Rabbi Albert said. Ive engaged in success of our local Orthodox
impact on Rabbi Albert was a fourth-year also been really blessed to attend the YU day school, were building an eruv. It is
pastoral training course, which employed yarchei kallahs for rabbis starting new so rewarding to invest deeply in these
actors to simulate scenarios musmakhim positions with Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter communities.
might encounter as pulpit rabbis. We and Rabbi Ari Sytner, and the chizuk that Ultimately, Rabbi Albert hopes that
were expected to take the role of the weve gotten there has been really helpful. his position as a rabbi enables him to
rabbi and try to counsel these actors as It really helped me understand that I make a true difference in the lives of Jews
if they were experiencing these real-life wasnt the only person going through from many backgrounds and levels of
scenarios, he said. In one of these cases, what I was going through. observance. My goals as a pulpit rabbi
I had to tell a congregant that a close With his congregation in Oakland, is to be an access point for the incredible
relative of theirs had passed away, and the Rabbi Albert is enjoying the opportunity mesorah and tradition that we have as
actors were extremely lifelike. Within a to completely immerse himself in Orthodox Jews from every background,
year or two those were very real scenarios building the Jewish community in as show people how deeply relevant and
that I had to deal with, knowing what to many ways as he can. I feel deeply meaningful a Jewish life can be, and help
do and what to say in the minutes and committed to Jewish communities in them take the next step in their Jewish
hours after a loved one has passed away, out-of-town settings, he said. I think journey without judging them or making
and this course was exceedingly helpful in theres so much I can gain by being in a them feel uncomfortable, he said. n

Teaneck Father and Son

Receive Rabbinic Ordination
Together
Its not uncommon for sons to follow in the United States with nothing but their
Musmakhim
their fathers footstepsbut relatively few determination to create a Jewish home, Profiles
fathers have walked in those of their sons. religious education was an important
Yet for Rabbi Alvin Reinstein of value for Alvin, who attended Yeshiva
Teaneck, NJ, and his son, Rabbi Sam Salanter, the Marsha Stern Talmudical
Reinstein, thats exactly what happened. Academy/Yeshiva University High School that it is a primary duty for each one
The two will receive semikha together for Boys and Yeshiva College, from which of us to achieve spiritual growth by
at RIETS this year after Rabbi Alvin he graduated with a mathematics degree spending our time learning Torah and
Reisntein was moved by his sons in 1972. performing and mitzvot, said Alvin. He
experience to undertake his own Though he went on to earn an MBA studied on his own and with partners
rabbinical studies. from Baruch College and work for the and attended lectures, but was frustrated
Those studies had been a lifelong New York City Housing Authority for 32 by the many interruptions of daily life
dream of Rabbi Alvin Reinsteins. The son years, Torah study continued to play a that made it difficult to maintain a steady
of Holocaust survivors who emigrated to central role in his identity. I believe schedule.

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Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Then his wife, Esther Lauber, had an on a return trip from a shabbaton and I studied Talmud for two years
idea. received a text from his father about why with Rabbi Moshe Tendler [48R],
When Rabbi Alvin Reinstein retired he wasnt in class, or the time he learned whom I consider my rebbe, said Rabbi
in 2010, the couples son, Rabbi Sam in a pastoral psychology class that his Alvin Reinstein. He had a unique way
Reinstein, had recently begun studying parents had signed a halakhic prenup at of relating the texts of the Gemara and
for the life of a pulpit rabbi at RIETS, their own marriage almost 30 years ago. rishonim to current times. For example,
after completing a mathematics degree And there have been other interesting when we studied Masechet Sanhedrin,
at Yeshiva College, as his father had done moments as well. In 2012, during my he frequently compared the judicial
three decades before. Esther suggested I first semester attending RIETS, President methodology of the U.S. Supreme
register for the RIETS semikhah program, Joel hosted a 40-year reunion for the Court to that of the Sanhedrin, which
which would give me an opportunity Yeshiva College class of 72, said Rabbi was fascinating. There were also many
for concentrated Torah learning in many Alvin Reinstein. He noted that I was excellent shiurim from other RIETS
different aspects of Talmud Torah, said the only 40-year alumnus who also was a faculty, like Rabbi Baruch Simon [89R]
Rabbi Alvin Reinstein. current student at the university. on kashrut, Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank
Since Rabbi Sam Reinstein had a While some might find Rabbi Alvin [06R] on Jewish philosophy, Rabbi Yosef
bit of a head start, he found himself in Reinsteins return to full-time study after Blau [61R] on contemporary Jewish
an unusual position: guiding his father retirement surprising, its completely issues and Rabbi Dr. David Horwitz
through the challenges of intense rabbinic in character for the father Rabbi Sam [84R] on the weekly parsha. I also found
studies. What has been most interesting Reinstein recalls growing up. While it is Professor Brent Baers public speaking
about this experience is that I have been amazing that my father decided to go back course very helpful.
largely able to mentor my father through to school and finish semikhah, my father Rabbi Jeremy Wieder [94R] and
the process, said Rabbi Sam Reinstein, has been extraordinarily committed to his Rabbi Daniel Feldman [98R] are both
who currently serves as an assistant rabbi Judaism for as long as I can remember, unbelievable talmidei chachamim who
at Congregation Kol Israel in Brooklyns said Rabbi Sam Reinstein. From making are able to relate their vast knowledge
Crown Heights and also works as an sure to always be at minyan to giving base to real world applications in the 21st
actuary at Prudential. It has been an divrei Torah at the Shabbos table to doing century, said Rabbi Sam Reinstein. I
interesting inversion of mesorah, but one acts of chessed, he has always modeled am lucky to have been able to keep up a
where we have been able to work together for me what a ben Torah should be. relationship with them, as their advice
to both achieve higher proficiency in our There was always an important value in and guidance have been irreplaceable.
Jewish texts. For his entrance bechina, my house to do what you can to help the For Rabbi Alvin Reinstein, the
I was my fathers chavrusa, and as we Jewish people. ordination that he and his son are about
opened the daf he was given to learn, I That value is in part what to receive is especially meaningful
realized it was the same daf I had been inspired Sam to pursue the rabbinate: because it fulfills the mission his parents
given a couple years earlier. Throughout my life Ive felt like a rabbi set out on so long ago.
Since Sam took most of the RIETS in different situations, but semikhah Watching Sam perform his
classes before I did, I was able to avail granted me the opportunity to make rabbinical duties at his shul in Brooklyn
myself of his copious class notes, said that official, he said. The additional makes me extremely proud, said Rabbi
Rabbi Alvin Reinstein. For example, ability to gain further understanding and Alvin Reinstein. He is a very serious
Rabbi Hershel Schachters [67R] shiur knowledge of my tradition was another leader of his congregation. We sometimes
on Hilkhot Eruvin was challenging, and benefit. discuss halachic issues and this inspires
Sams notes were an extremely useful Both father and son consider the me to deepen my own Torah learning. I
study aid for succeeding in that class. instruction theyve received at RIETS believe that our respective semikhot are
The unique situation has led to some both in textual learning and in developing a tribute to Sams ancestors, who died al
funny experiences for the pair like the a toolset to combat the challenges of the Kiddush Hashem in the Holocaust. n
time Rabbi Sam Reinstein was delayed rabbinic life unparalleled.

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Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Celebrating a New Generation

Rabbi Menachem Penner 95R
Max and Marion Grill Dean,

T
RIETS and Undergraduate Torah Studies

he idea of a chag Perushim [i.e. the Tzedukim]. Instead, is not casual or incidental; there is a long-
hasemikhah be afraid of the tzevuim [those who lasting, deep commitment. Furthermore,
celebrating the are colored over on the outside the Rabbi Soloveitchik ztl felt that certain
ordination of a new generation of rabbis pretenders]. In other words, those Torah greats were actually married to the
has its roots in several stories in the whose outer appearances and actions Torah, intimately familiar with its details
Talmud. In discussing the praises offered dont match their inner selves. There is and able to intuit the Torahs inner logic.
to a bride, the Talmud (Ketubot 17a) no shortage of pretenders among those (Besod ha-Yahid ve-haYahad, p. 219). Rabi
offers the following formula: in positions of leadership. Rabi Zeira, Zeiras study had brought him not just to
however, had no reason to paint his image the level of semikha; it had led him to a
No rouge, no eye shadow and no and no desire to fool those who observed marriage with the Torah.
braiding of the hair and yet she radiates him. Instead, his inner beauty radiated Furthermore, the relationship
grace (alternatively: and yet she is a outward. As the Talmud states: between the community and its rabbanim
graceful gazelle). It is not clear that resembles a familial connection. When
Talmudic brides actually chose to forgo ): ( a new Rav is ordained, he becomes a
a makeup session, nor is it apparent that Yad Ramah (Sanhedrin 14a) further parent to his students, a relative to each
the assembled guests took a good look at suggests that while Rabi Zeira may individual of his kehillah and a trusted
her to determine the level of her beauty have dressed in an unassuming way, his father and zayde to those who seek his
and charm. Most likely, this refrain was a exceptional character was readily apparent. advice. This communal recognition of an
standard formula offered to enhance the He needed no adornments to shine. identity which the new Rav has forged
beauty of the kallah in the eyes of her new Yitzchak Aharon ben Yehuda Leib, and worked on for so many years is a
husband. In addition, it may have served to in his sefer Einei Yitzchak, suggests a simcha to be celebrated like any other
direct the chatan away from the (possibly different explanation. Some sevarot family affair. For so many of us involved
beautiful) appearance of the kallah in order offered by students of the Talmud are in different aspects of the rabbanut this
that he be able to see her true inner beauty. weak and require layers of makeup concept is intuitive. The rabbanut may
It is most interesting that the same rhetorical skill and flourish in order not always be easy, but it is for us much
phraseology formed a chorus at an early to appear sound and reasonable. Rabi more than a job or even a passion it is
chag hasemikhah: Zeiras thinking was crystal clear. Thus, a lifetime commitment to the beautiful
Rabi Zeira was praised, as he reached family that we call the Jewish people.
. ordination, for his sterling character along We look forward to this years RIETS
One might imagine that Rabi Zeira with his clarity of thought. Chag Hasemikhah on March 19, the
was rather caught off guard when instead On a deeper level, the appearance of 21st of Adar, 5777, the yahrzeit of Rav
of shouts of Yamim al yemei melekh tosif wedding songs at a chag hasemikhah is Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor. And we sing
he was lauded as a graceful kallah! It is easy most significant. As the Talmud remarks to our new musmakhim with hopes that
to understand what this praise meant for a (Pesachim 49a and many other places): they too will strive for the greatness
kallah. What does it have to do with a Rav? :] [ of Rabi Zeirapersonal integrity,
Maharsha suggests that we look . great Torah wisdom, fierce dedication
to the Gemara in Sota (22b) in which The relationship between the talmid to Talmud Torah and love for and
the Sadducee King Yannai, near death, chacham and the Torah mimics the marital commitment to Klal Yisrael.
advises his wife, Do not be afraid of the bond. The Jewish people are meurasin,
Perushim, or from those who are not betrothed, to the Torah. Their connection

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Chag HaSemikhah 5777

Saluting The Members of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Chag Hasemikhah 5777

Rabbi Moshe Abrams Rabbi Yakov Danishefsky Rabbi Dovi Hochbaum Rabbi Alon Meltzer Rabbi Elliot Schrier
Pittsburgh, PA Bergenfield, NJ West Hempstead, NY Auckland, New Zealand Woodmere, NY
Rabbi Joshua Abramson Rabbi Yoni Danzger Rabbi Michael Hoenig Rabbi Yoni Miller Rabbi David Schwartz
Dallas, TX Woodmere, NY Teaneck, NJ Jerusalem, Israel Staten Island, NY
Rabbi Arieh Ackerman Rabbi Joshua Elsant Rabbi Andrew Israeli Rabbi Ari Mirzoeff Rabbi Moshe Schwartz
Highland Park, NJ Woodmere, NY West Orange, NJ Jamaica Estates, NY New York, NY
Rabbi Gershon Albert Rabbi Daniel Elsant Rabbi Yossi Jacobs Rabbi Steven Nemetz Rabbi Shaul Seidler-Feller
Montreal, QB Woodmere, NY Kew Gardens Hills, NY Vancouver, BC Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Jason Allen Rabbi Yoel Epstein Rabbi Michael Kahn Rabbi Yechiel Neuburger Rabbi Ely Shestack
Baltimore, MD New York, NY Skokie, IL Teaneck, NJ Bergenfield, NJ
Rabbi Avi Anderson Rabbi Matthew Faigen Rabbi Raphael Karlin Rabbi Alex Ozar Rabbi Mordechai
New York, NY Pittsburgh, PA Silver Spring, MD St. Louis, MO Shichtman
Baltimore, MD
Rabbi Jared Anstandig Rabbi Natan Farber Rabbi Joshua Klein Rabbi Elchanan Poupko
West Bloomfield, MI Cedarhurst, NY Concord, CA Jerusalem, Israel Rabbi Moshe Spira
Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Adam Ariel Rabbi Ari Federgrun Rabbi Nuriel Klinger Rabbi Mordy Prus
Saint Louis, MO Holliswood, NY Columbus, OH Brooklyn, NY Rabbi David Stein
Chicago, IL
Rabbi Mosheh Aziz Rabbi Roy Feldman Rabbi Mordechai Rabbi Ari Pruzansky
Great Neck, NY Bayside, NY Kornbluth Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Dovid Strauss
Teaneck, NJ New York, NY
Rabbi William I. Balk Rabbi Shaya First Rabbi Yitzy Radner
Cleveland, OH Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Yosef Kornbluth Detroit, MI Rabbi Yaakov Taubes
Teaneck, NJ Teaneck, NJ
Rabbi Eliezer Barany Rabbi Caleb Fischer Rabbi Moshe Rapps
Hollywood, FL Columbus, OH Rabbi Yehuda Kravetz Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Sam Taylor
Fair Lawn, NJ London, UK
Rabbi Sammy Bergman Rabbi Aaron Fleksher Rabbi Sam Reinstein
Elizabeth, NJ Passaic, NJ Rabbi Shmuel Kresch Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Yosef Shmuel Haim
Southfield, MI Venouziou
Rabbi Jacob Berman Rabbi Noam Friedman Rabbi Alvin Reinstein
Edison, NJ Teaneck, NJ Bronx, NY Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Ben Kurzer
London, UK Rabbi Eli Wagner
Rabbi David Block Rabbi Adam Friedman Rabbi Jared Rosenfeld
West Hempstead, NY New York, NY Scarsdale, NY Woodmere, NY
Rabbi Ari Lamm
West Hempstead, NY Rabbi Moshe Watson
Rabbi Jonathan Bloom Rabbi Jonathan Fruchter Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig
Fairlawn, NJ Queens, NY Queens, NY Teaneck, NJ
Rabbi Michael Langer
Brooklyn, NY Rabbi Gabi Weinberg
Rabbi Abraham Borenstein Rabbi Yechiel Fuchs Rabbi Yisroel Meir
West Hempstead, NY New York, NY Kew Gardens Hills, NY
Rabbi Yaakov Lasson Rosenzweig
Baltimore, MD Charleston, SC Rabbi Yosef Weinberger
Rabbi Tuvia Brander Rabbi Moshe Genack
Boca Raton, FL Englewood, NJ Teaneck, NJ
Rabbi Simcha Lauer Rabbi David Roth
Lawrence, NY Newton, MA Rabbi Michael Weingarten
Rabbi Natan Brownstein Rabbi Yeshayahu Ginsburg
Portland, OR Columbus, OH Holliswood, NY
Rabbi Hart Levine Rabbi William Roth
New York, NY Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Mark Weingarten
Rabbi Shamir Caplan Rabbi Mark Glass
Arlington, TX Manchester, UK Holliswood, NY
Rabbi Eliron Levinson Rabbi Isaiah Rothstein
Highland Park, NJ Monsey, NY Rabbi Mordecai Weisel
Rabbi Dov Carpe Rabbi Raphael Glickman
Teaneck, NJ Cleveland, OH Teaneck, NJ
Rabbi Avi Libman Rabbi Moshe Rube
Toronto, ON Hewlett, NY Rabbi Elliot Wiesenfeld
Rabbi Bryan Chustckie Rabbi Daniel Goldberg
East Brunswick, NJ Teaneck, NJ Lawrence, NY
Rabbi Bradley Lipman Rabbi Shmuli Sagal
Los Angeles, CA London, UK Rabbi Siman Tov Yanetz
Rabbi Shlomo Clark Rabbi Noach Goldstein
Bergenfield, NJ Teaneck, NJ Tel Aviv, Israel
Rabbi Ari Lipsky Rabbi Emmanuel Sanders
West Hempstead, NY New York, NY Rabbi Yosef Yanetz
Rabbi Dan Cohen Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein
Queens, NY Monsey, NY Ganei Tikva, Israel
Rabbi Michael Macks Rabbi Uri Schneider
Lincolnwood, IL Bergenfield, NJ Rabbi Yehuda Feivel Yisroel
Rabbi Meir Cohen Rabbi Yosef Gottesman
Oceanside, NY Teaneck, NJ New Hempstead, NY
Rabbi Yoni Mandelstam Rabbi Gidon Schneider
Jamaica Estates, NY Toronto, ON Rabbi Yeshaya Zimmerman
Rabbi Chaim Cohen Rabbi Jason Grossman
Teaneck, NJ Lawrence, NY Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Joshua Maslow Rabbi Asher Schreier
Cedarhurst, NY Woodmere, NY Rabbi Daniel Zuckerman
Rabbi Noah Cohen Rabbi Scott Hoberman
Boca Raton, FL Skokie, IL Silver Spring, MD

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Feature

In Tribute to Rav
Hershel Schachter
by Rabbi Shay Schachter 14R
Rosh Beit Midrash, Young Israel of Woodmere

Rav Hershel Schachter 67R, Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS, Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair
in Talmud, and Rosh Kollel, Marcos and Adina Katz Kollel, will be awarded the HaRav Yosef Dov Halevi
Soloveitchik ztl Aluf Torah award at the 5777 RIETS Chag HaSemikhah, celebrating 50 years as a marbitz
Torah at RIETS and in Jewish communities around the world.

Every year when reading Parshas labor of love has comprised fifty years of
Vayigash, Rav Mayer Primishlaner, the relentless and unyielding commitment
preeminent student of the holy Baal Shem to the youth of our generation. Fifty
Tov, would be overcome with emotion. years spent inspiring and educating men,
, Yehuda women, and children, many who have
unabashedly exclaims, for how can I go grown to be accomplished personalities
up to my father and the lad (Binyamin) in their own right.
is not with me? I too ask myself, said There is much to say about my
Rav Mayer, fathers impressive character, but I
, for how can I go up to my Father in would like to focus on three especially
Heaven, and the lad is not with me? What distinguishing qualities that have shaped
will I say to my venerable Father when He so much of what I continue to learn from
asks what I have done for the youth of my my father. Rabbi Shay Schachter 14R
generation?
Principles what he believes is right is something that
How many in any given era can
I can only aspire to in my own life.
claim that they have done their utmost
My father lives a life of exceptional When considering my fathers deep
to inspire and lead the youth of their
courage and fortitude. For my father, sense of principle, I am reminded of a
time? How many in our generation have
is a way of life, not simply parable of the famed Dubno Maggid
been able to infuse our world, facing
an edict. He has never been intimidated about the skilled archer who explained,
unprecedented challenges, with the
or daunted by the contrary word of a My trick is that I first shoot the arrow,
leadership necessary to prevail?
deeply admired scholar, a prominent and only then do I proceed to paint the
One person who certainly can
or wealthy communal leader, or an target around where it has landed!
answer these difficult questions, is Avi
outspoken critic who might challenge his Most people, writes the Dubno
Mori Verabi, my father HaRav Hershel
position. He places his trust entirely in Maggid, first draw their bulls eye
Schachter shlita.
the integrity and absolute truth of Torah target by painting a picture of how
As a child, I watched my father give
and proceeds accordingly. Politics is not exactly life ought to be lived. They then
every measure of his being to ensure a
in my fathers vocabulary. As he has told disingenuously shoot an arrow of Torah
robust and promising Jewish future. I
me on many occasions in the name of his toward that picture-perfect illustration.
continue to observe my father cultivate
Rebbe, the Rav zl, The Hebrew word for That arrow can later prove to be a
the most notable educators and scholars
politics is . There is nothing else that cause of great inconvenience or severe
of our time. I marvel at his work in
matters other than the Torah itself. My disturbance in the landscape of lifes
enriching the world with the next league
fathers determination and advocacy for experiences.
of outstanding rabbinic leadership. This

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Feature

But for others of integrity, for great

people like my father, the arrow, the
Torah itself, is always placed first. It is
the axis, the absolute standard, and the
heart that informs every action and
decision throughout his personal life.
Those central Torah principles are what
give my father the courage to stand up to
the harshest of critics. His authenticity,
integrity and absolute commitment to
truth always prevail, at times even at great
personal sacrifice and travail.

Preparation

I comment on occasion to my father

about how much time I invest in
preparing my shiurim. I often feel as if I
am left with almost no time for studying
anything else.
Each time my father responds,
Shay, isnt that your job? A Rabbi must
always be prepared! There is no such
thing as delivering a shiur that is not well
prepared. You may as well just not give
it at all. He often relates to me that the The author learning with his father (courtesy of Rabbi Shay Schachter)
Rav zl, when once asked to address a
kindergarten class in Boston, pulled out
they fall asleep because the Rabbi didnt Humility
a few pages of prepared notes from his
prepare enough to make it interesting and
pocket. There was no engagement, major A number of years ago, my father and
relevant to them, it is you, and not they,
or minor, for which the Rav zl had not I visited one of the premier Torah
who is held responsible for their going
thoroughly prepared. Likewise, my father personalities of our time. Although much
an entire day without learning a word of
can always be seen with his folded papers was spoken by others who were present,
Torah. Effectively imbuing others with
of well-prepared and organized notes. very few words were exchanged between
an understanding of the relevance and
The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 5:8) these two great Torah giants. My father
sweetness of Torah entails disciplined and
informs us that even if one has attained proceeded to thank him for his fervent
rigorous preparation, one of my fathers
a thorough mastery of Torah, it does not commitment to the teaching of Torah
greatest hallmarks.
always mean that he will be able to easily and for all the insight and inspiration
My father has impressed upon me
transmit that knowledge to others. God he provides for Jews around the world.
that the same way one is willing to spend
Himself, says the Midrash, the Ultimate I will never forget how overcome with
considerable amounts of money to
Master of Torah, reviewed each lesson no emotion my father was when he said to
ensure the greatest hiddur mitzvah in our
fewer than four times before transmitting me, Consider yourself blessed that you
lulav, esrog, tallis and tefillin, there is an
it to the Jewish people. have learned from, and been exposed to, a
aspect of hiddur mitzvah when it comes
I often recall the conversation we person with such sterling character traits.
to teaching Torah as well namely,
had before I delivered my first brief Later that week, this great Torah giant
imparting a shiur that is well-prepared,
shiur as a member of the rabbinate. My said, Who could have ever imagined
engaging, and most enjoyable. That
father told me, You are a young yeshiva that there lives in America a Jew with
hiddur mitzvah calls for a substantial
boy, but for most people in the room, such outstanding humility? Although
expenditure of ones time and effort.
this might be their only opportunity very few words were exchanged, my
throughout the day to learn Torah. If fathers extraordinary humility could

24
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Feature

not go unnoticed. Anyone who has ever

interacted with my father is immediately
the young couple preparing for a lifetime
together to the family embroiled in a
My father is a man of
struck by his unparalleled modest and
unpretentious demeanor.
bitter divorce. No person is too small and
no issue is too shallow. My father always
tremendous stature
Through the years I have watched listens and does what he can to be of and worldwide
my father presented almost daily with personal assistance.
the most sensitive, complex halachic A small but telling anecdote: a few acclaim, yet a person
shailos, a man called upon to address the months ago, my father was carrying
most difficult and pressing communal a heavy package from the post office who views little as
issues. It is that same father, a Gadol in and a very kind gentleman walking a
our time, that I have also watched on dog offered to carry it in his stead. Very being beneath his
innumerable occasions put everything
on hold to make time for a Jewish public
appreciatively, my father gave him the
load, but this man then proceeded to
dignity.
school student struggling to come to give my father the leash to his dog. There
a better understanding of God. My they were, leisurely walking the streets of
father gives his undivided attention and Washington Heights, this man holding Torah at the core of all that he does;
unconditional care and love to everyone the heavy package for my father and my his emphasis on being well prepared
in need of his ear. From the poor widow father walking the dog by its leash. My and holding himself accountable for
crying with an outstretched hand to an father is a man of tremendous stature the collective Torah study of the Jewish
ingenuous teenager showing him his new and worldwide acclaim, yet a person who community; and finally, the constant
college schedule. From the depressed views little as being beneath his dignity. need for deeply honest self-awareness and
adolescent who cannot find himself a My father has influenced and genuine humility.
suitable high school to the delusional inspired, by instruction and personal May my
fantasizer wanting to discuss how best example, a generation of leaders to father be blessed with
to reveal himself as Mashiach. From the adhere to these three critical life lessons, and continued courage, endurance, vigor
inquisitive young child posing the most principles, preparation and humility, and vitality in his most exalted service to
basic halachic inquiry to the agunah and so many more. His unwavering God and the Jewish people. n
whom no one else will advocate for. From commitment to place God and His

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Feature

In Tribute to Rav
Hershel Schachter
by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman 98R 06YY
Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS

Even before I was registered in his shiur, However, all of this did not prepare
I wanted to be a student of Rav Hershel me for the full scope of Rav Schachters
Schachter, shlita. As a high school greatness. One weekday morning, during
student, I had become aware of his the early days of my time in his shiur,
reputation as a world-class Torah scholar opened up a new perspective.
and masterful teacher, and sought out I was attending a bris. The baby
opportunities to learn from him. A few was the first-born son of an outstanding
times, my schedule allowed me to attend mechanech, who at that time was at the
his Thursday morning Parshah shiur, and very beginning of his career in education.
I thrilled to the experience of hearing him Filled with excitement for the birth of his
compress into one session a rapid fire, son and the opportunity for this mitzvah,
wide-ranging tour of halakhah, lomdus, the young father delivered a very learned
parshanus, and haskafah, all delivered and lengthy derashah during the festive Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman 98R 06YY
in an accessible tone that made it seem meal that followed. Unfortunately, the
read, the father of the baby is given an
effortless. diverse crowd that had gathered for the
aliyah. Yet that morning, all the aliyos had
I soon realized that Rav Schachters event was more aware of the length than
gone to others. Rav Schachter said that
greatness was not only of degree, but of of the learning. As the speech continued,
at first, he was puzzled by this; however,
kind. He was, quite simply, on a whole the impatience of those assembled
once he came down to the meal, he
different level, and it was not only because became palpable. Tension filled the
understood why that was.
of the volume of information he retained. room as family members tried to signal
He quoted Rav Soloveichiks
This realization was built upon that the speech should wrap up, and
explanation as to why the father usually
the impression created by how others the discomfort of the situation visibly
does get an aliyah. The father is in a state
spoke of him and related to him. As a extended to the speaker himself. In the
of simcha, of joy, and he wants to share
student in Kerem BYavneh, I saw how awkward aftermath of this unappreciated
that feeling with everyone else. The main
Rav Schachters visits and guest lectures discourse, the crowd was asked to sit
manifestation of joy is Torah study. The
were greeted by unique enthusiasm for one more speaker: Rav Hershel
reading of Torah in the synagogue is a
and deference from the Rosh Yeshiva, Schachter.
form of teaching Torah to the public.
Rav C.Y. Goldvicht ztl, who would, Unlike the others present that
One who receives an aliyah is therefore
atypically, attend and participate in all of morning, I didnt have to go to work
involved in public teaching of Torah
his shiurim. As I started formally in Rav that day. I sat back and looked forward
(originally, the oleh was the reader as well;
Schachters shiur, my cousin, the Rosh to being dazzled by the scholarly
now the practice is that the oleh reads
Yeshiva of an Israeli Yeshiva, exhorted me presentation this gadol byisrael was sure
quietly together with the baal korei).
to pay careful attention. Other Roshei to give. Indeed, Rav Schachter did dazzle
Thus, the father traditionally receives an
Yeshiva, he said, take the [writings of] us, but not in the way I expected.
aliyah so that he can share his simchah
the Dvar Avraham [for example], add Rav Schachter spoke for less than
with all of his guests.
a little bit, and present it as their own three minutes. He began by noting what
Rav Schachter proceeded to explain
chiddush. Rav Schachter will say a huge seemed to be an unusual custom in that
how during the meal he understood why
chiddush, and will hide it behind a Dvar community. Typically, when a bris takes
there was no need to give the father an
Avraham. place on a morning when the Torah is
aliyah that morning. Usually, the aliyah

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Feature

is the most effective way for the father to Sometimes, he conveys the most second floor balcony of the new Glueck
teach Torah to the public. However, that without saying any words. His frequent Beis Midrash. From our vantage point, we
morning, there was a special opportunity. emotional reactions, whether to the can view Rav Schachters seat at the front
The father Rav Schachter was careful suffering of those in front of him, to of the first floor of the Beis Midrash.
to refer to the young rebbe as a colleague reminders of the long exile of the Jewish It is a wonderful benefit that we have,
of mine was clearly an outstanding people, or to passages in the Talmud that knowing that just a short staircase away,
scholar. That morning, he explained, carry particular resonance, are lessons in such a resource is available, should we
those assembled had the privilege of and of themselves. encounter a difficult passage in Tosafos,
seeing this concept of spreading simchah In recent years, I have had the an important halakhic issue, or if there is
through Torah in its most ideal form, privilege to assist him in minor ways need to consult as to what action can be
the way it was originally intended. A in his efforts to advocate on behalf of taken to relieve the suffering of an agunah
community and a family that produced agunos, and against injustice in general. or to address a pressing communal
someone capable of a drashah such as the The needs of the Jewish people and of the concern. However, I realize that there is
one we had just heard is clearly blessed, world are great. Sometimes, they can only so much we can gain without even leaving
and will continue to be blessed. With that, be addressed by a singular figure who our seats upstairs.
Rav Schachter returned to his seat. combines rock-solid halakhic authority, From my elevated perch, I can
It took me a little while to fully massive interpersonal empathy, and a watch Rav Schachter as the constant
process just how much Rav Schachter willingness to take on the suffering of stream of people approach him. I can
had accomplished in those three minutes. others, regardless of personal cost. see as he lifts his head from his beloved
He said an actual, substantive dvar Torah The fact is this cost is very real, and Gemara, or as a chavrusa of the moment
that taught something to everyone. In the takes on many forms, and yet has never is asked to pause once again for another
gentlest form imaginable, he gave mussar deterred Rav Schachter from doing interruption. I cant hear the words, but
to the crowd that displayed impatience, what he feels is right. Often, I have had I can see. I can see the smile, the gentle
and taught them to appreciate the young the experience of communicating with eyes, the sensitive look, the empathetic
scholar in their midst. He lifted the people thousands of miles away dealing expression, the patient explanation taking
spirits of the father, and quickly erased with some of the difficult situations place. I can watch as whoever it is a
any embarrassment he had felt just a few described, and asking, what can help prominent rabbinic figure, a struggling
minutes before. And he did all this while here? I receive the answer: A call from yeshiva student, a visiting elementary
personifying the topic he was explaining: Rav Hershel Schachter would help. school group, a communal leader, an
Torah is Simchah. And just like that, one more phone call, individual in personal anguish, a public
Of course, Rav Schachter had no one more letter, one more mediation, high school student is treated with
need to show to us that morning how is added to his seemingly endless list of respect, attention, and concern. I watch
much he knew. Instead, he taught us all a responsibilities. and I realize just how fortunate I actually
much greater lesson in showing us how Currently, I have the profound am. So many years after I first registered
much he cared. privilege to teach students of our Yeshiva. in Rav Schachters shiur, Im still sitting in
Indeed, showing how much one I spend my mornings and early afternoons his classroom. n
knows is never meant to be the goal. In with them, and we are situated on the
fact, the Talmud teaches, One should
always train himself to say, I dont know.
(Berachos 4a). As anyone who has spent
one day in Rav Schachters shiur knows,
there is, perhaps paradoxically, no one
more ready to say those three words than
he is. But more than that, it is how he says
those three words (often adding another
two: could be) that teaches so much. At
once, he is able to convey humility, respect
for the opinions of others, empathy,
a desire for constant growth, and an
appreciation for the vastness of Torah.

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Feature

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Register now at www.Rabbanan.org Email RabbinicProgramming@yu.edu with any questions

28
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Divrei Hesped

Remembering Rabbi
Emanuel Holzer 50R, zl
Personal Reflections on the Loss of a
Communal Leader
by Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander 86R
Vice President for University and Community Life, Yeshiva University

When I was growing up, my father, my Holzer would walk with my father and man spoke with such passion about the
brother and I davened in the second a few others and share with them the Jewish community and kashrut; that
row of the Young Israel of Kew Garden headlines of what was happening in the his energy was infectious. He was a
Hills. We were positioned between Rabbi Jewish world. The first block was often walking encyclopedia of contemporary
Albert Hollander and sons Yitzchak and focused on updates in the field of kashrut. Jewry and was someone who wished to
Chaim, members of Rabbi Schoenfelds By the time we reached the second block make a difference. His vocation was Klal
family, and the Holzer family: Rabbi the discussion shifted to issues facing the Yisrael, his passion was his family, and
Manny Holzer and his sons Jay, (Rabbi) Conference of Presidents, world Jewry, his occupation was real estate. In all the
David, and (Rabbi Dr.) Barry Holzer. and Israel. The last few moments of the years I walked home with him, I heard
Invariably Rabbi Holzer would walk walk, on the corner of 70th Avenue and him speak about his profession and his
into shul with the latest sefer that had 147 th Street, Rabbi Holzer would speak passion, but never his work.
been published and a stack of papers about someone I had never really known; Later I had the privilege of meeting
dealing with various issues facing the he would speak about his most recent the Rov in the Holzer home and would
Jewish community. conversations and interactions with The eventually hear how the Rov felt about
Often bein gavrah lgavrah, Rabbi Rov, often stopping mid-sentence and Rabbi Holzer as a true eved Hashem.
Holzer would explain to us what the sefer switching to another language, Yiddish, When I became the assistant rabbi
was about. I remember him introducing which I did not understand. at Lincoln Square Synagogue, Rabbi
me to Dr. Pinchas Pelis sefer Al As a teenager, I had no idea that Holzer placed me on the Joint Kashrut
haTeshuva, which he would present to me Rabbi Holzer was not employed by the Commission of the OU and the RCA.
for my Bar Mitzvah. Jewish community and that he worked I was not placed there because of any
On the way home from shul, Rabbi in real estate. All I knew was that this expertise or particular value that I could
bring to the committee but because Rabbi
Holzer wanted to introduce me to the
national scene. Several years later, that
experience and the relationships created
there helped me establish kashrut in
Boca Raton and protected me as I faced
challenges in that effort.
Until today I can hear his voice and
those Friday night conversations in my
head. I only hope that I can emulate the
passion for Klal Yisrael that he exhibited
during his active years of community
engagement. n
Rabbi Emanuel Holzer zl with The Rov, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik ztl

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Divrei Hesped
Lifecycle Events

Mazal Tov Rabbi David 10R and Ariella

Hellman on the birth of a son,
Rabbi David 92R and Frances
Rosenberg on the birth of a
Rabbi Matan 10R and
Yaffi Wexler on the birth of
Rabbi Sam 14R and Yehudit Zecharia Shalom. granddaughter, Michal Miriam, to a son, Noam Gavriel, and to
Ash on the birth of a son. Daniel and Elisheva Rosenberg. grandparents, Rabbi Ira 74R
Rabbi Shimon 84R and
and Paula Spodek.
Rabbi Kenneth 78R and Dena Kerner on the birth of a Rabbi Yitzchak 62R and
Joanne Auman on the birth grandson, to Dov and Adeena Judith Rosenbaum on the Rabbi Moshe 11R and Sherry
of a grandson, to Zehava and Kerner, and on the marriage birth of a great-granddaughter, Winograd on the birth of a son,
Hoodsie Auman. of their daughter, Meira, to Shalhevet Alma Rivka, to Leah Eliezer.
Yehoshua Dear. and Adam Mali.
RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Rabbi Howard 77R and
Assaf 97R and Leora Rabbi Daniel 13R and Ahuva Rabbi Dr. Joel Yosef 58R and Annette Wolk on the birth of a
Bednarsh on the Bat Mitzva of Korda on the birth of a daughter. Eta Rosenshein on the birth grandson, Shalom Ezra, to Gavi
their daughter, Sarah. of twin great-granddaughters, to and Talia Wolk.
Rabbi Binyamin 10R and
Hananya and Zahava Mannis,
Rabbi Eliezer 14R and Ilana Chani Krohn on the birth of a Rabbi Yaakov Zev 59R on the
and on the birth of a great-
Bercuson on the birth of a son. son. birth of a great-granddaughter,
grandson, to Tova and Duvie Shani Chana, to Estee and Yishai
Rabbi Dovid 01R and Rosh HaYeshiva Emeritus Rabbi Rosenshein. Stern, and on the birth of a
Michelle Bistricer on the Bar Dr. Norman 51R and Mindy
Rabbi Bernard 59R and great-granddaughter, Chana, to
Mitzvah of their son, Yossi. Lamm on the birth of a great-
grandson, Yonatan Yosef, to Yigal Evelyn Rothman on the Racheli and Yossi Perl.
Rabbi Avi-Gil 09R and Tamar marriage of their granddaughter,
and Tamar Gross, and on the
Chaitovsky on the birth of a birth of twin great-grandchildren, Tova Kupchik, to Chaim Levitz.
daughter, Atara Ora, and to great-
grandparents, Rabbi Samuel
58R and Tzivia Bramson.
Mayim Sara and Ayal Moshe, to
Dr. Stu and Ahuva Halpern.
Rabbi Josh 91R and Daniella
Rudoff on the Bat Mitzvah of Condolences
their daughter, Matana Yaffa. Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie 90R
Rabbi Aaron 09R and Ayelet
Rabbi Etan 11R and Tamar Leibtag on the birth of a Rabbi Ephraim 07R and on the passing of his mother,
Ehrenfeld on the birth of a daughter. Rachel Rudolph on the birth a Rabbanit Fortune Abadie, zl.
daughter, Meira Hallel. son, Moshe Aaron.
Rabbi Chanan 07R and Rabbi Elan Adler 86R on the
Rabbi Eliot 76R and Ann Shoshana Liss on the birth of a Rabbi Melvin Sachs 62R on passing of his father, Edward
Feldman on the Bat Mitzvah of daughter, Kayla Talia. the birth of two grandsons: Yochai Adler, zl.
their granddaughter, Talia. Nissan, to his daughter and son-
Rabbi Yechiel 00R and Rabbi Avraham Bachrach
Rabbi Dr. Ezra 06R and in-law, and Yahel Dilan, born to 85R and Rabbi Gavriel
Adina Morrison the Bar
Azadeh Frazer on the birth of a his son and daughter-in-law. Bachrach 89R on the passing
Mitzvah of their son, Dovid, and
daughter, Michal Elisheva. to grandparents, Rabbi Dr. Rabbi Shimon Schenker of their father, Rabbi Dr. David
Rabbi Dani 07R and Tzippy Gershon 72R and Dr. Mindy 03R on being honored with the Bachrach, zl.
Gelernter on the birth of a Gewirtz. Faculty Recognition Award at the The family of Rabbi Martin
daughter. Yeshiva University High Schools Applebaum (AA), zl.
Rabbi Moshe 72R and Vivian
Annual Dinner of Tribute on
Rabbi Yoni 12R and Alise Neiss on the Bat Mitzvah of The family of Rabbi Samuel
February 28.
Gold on being honored at the YU their granddaughter, Bella Neiss. Borenstein 70R, zl.
Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago Rabbi Dr. Jonathan 99R
Rabbi Meir 90R and Esther The family of Rabbi Nachum
Annual Dinner on February 26. and Tammy Schwartz on the
Orlian on the birth of a Bronznick, 45R, zl.
Bat Mitzvah of their daughter,
Rabbi Shmuel 76R and grandson, to Sara and Avrahami
Shoshana Rivka. Rabbi Asher Bush 81R on
Barbara Goldin on the marriage Rosenberg.
of their daughter, Rivka, to Akiva Rabbi Ronald 83R and Judy the passing of his mother, Mrs.
Rabbi Eli 05R and Zemira Annette Radley, zl.
Gordon. Ozarowski on the Bar Mitzvah Schwarzberg on the marriage
of their son, Menachem Shlomo of their daughter, Shayna, to The family of Rabbi Joel Eli
Rabbi Eric 08R and Leora
Noam Itzhak. Danishefsky 55, zl.
Goldman on the birth of a son, and on the birth of a daughter,
Aron Kalman. Shalva Renana. Rabbi Jonathan 11R and Rabbi Edward Davis 71R and
Max and Marion Grill Dean of Tamar Spier on the birth of a son. Rabbi Kenneth Davis 75R
Rabbi Yamin 00R and Joy
Goldsmith on the Bnai Mitzvah RIETS Rabbi Menachem 95R Rabbi Baruch Thau 90R on on the passing of their brother,
of their twin sons, Meir and and Adeena Penner on the the marriage of his son, Avraham Martin Davis, zl.
Daniel. marriage of their son, Yosef, to Zvi, to Hadassah Weiss. Rabbi Mark Dratch 82R on
Elana Kaminetsky. Rabbi Elie 02R and Dr. the passing of his father, Sidney
Rabbi Kenneth 78R and
Nancy Hain on the marriage Rabbi Dr. David 72R and Naama Weinstock on the Bar Dratch, zl.
of their granddaughter, Yael Mindy Ribner on the birth of a Mitzvah of their son, Yona. Rabbi Adam Dubin 11R on
Sussman, to Ohad Merlin. granddaughter, Netta Shifra, to the passing of his mother, Ellen
Sara and Gabi Grabin. Dubin, zl.

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Divrei Hesped
Lifecycle Events

Rabbi Reuven Escott 90R on Rabbi Shlomo Hochberg 73R Nechama (and Rabbi Tully Rabbi Gidon Shoshan 02R on
the passing of his father, Barry on the passing of his sister, 90R) Polak on the passing of the passing of his father, Shmuel
Escott, zl. Susan Gartenberg, zl. her mother, Malka Isseroff, zl. Z. Shoshan, zl.
Shira (and Rabbi Shlomo Rabbi Ira Jaskoll 75R on the Professor Smadar (and RIETS Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein 75R
04R) Einhorn on the passing of passing of his mother, Edith Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Michael and Rachayl (and Rabbi
her mother, Monica Gordon, zl. Jaskoll, zl. 80R) Rosensweig on the Dr. Hillel 75R) Davis on the
passing of her mother, Professor passing of their father, Rabbi Dr.
The family of Rabbi Michell D. Rabbi Dovid Komet 95R on
Yaffa Eliach, zl. Shimon Eckstein 46R, zl.
Geller 50R, zl. the passing of his father, Howard
Komet, zl. Rabbi Charles Rudansky 82R The family of RIETS Board Member
Rabbi Jay 78R and Leora
Fenster on the passing of on the passing of his mother, Rabbi Solomon Trau, zl.
Rabbi Simcha Krauss (AA) on
Mary Rudansky, zl.
Leoras mother, Anna Glatt, zl. the passing of his brother, Rabbi The family of Rabbi Joseph
Mordechai Krauss, zl. Rabbi Melvin Sachs 62R on Urivetsky 58R, zl.
Rabbi Michael Fredman 83R
the passing of his son-in-law,
on the passing of his mother, Rosh HaYeshiva Emeritus Rabbi Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss 96R
Daniel Barg, zl.
Esther Fredman, zl. Dr. Norman Lamm 51R, on on the passing of his mother,
The family of Rabbi David the passing of his brother, Dr. Rabbi Moshe Schochet 03R Mrs. Magda Weiss, zl.
Maurice Lamm 54R, zl. and Rabbi Ariel Schochet
Halpern 52R, zl. Rabbi Alan Yuter 82R
06R, on the passing of their
Rabbi Yaakov Lustig 85R on andLinda (and Rabbi
Noemi (and Rabbi Dr. Irwin father, Stuart Schochet, zl.
the passing of his mother, Edith Stuart73R) Grant on the
65R) Handel on the passing of
Lustig, zl. Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld passing of their mother, Miriam
her mother, Elizabeth Lowinger, zl.
Yael (and Rabbi Shmuel 00R) 52R on the passing of his wife, Yuter, zl.
Rabbi Dr. Raymond Harari Rebbetzin Ruth Schonfeld, zl.
Marcus and Esther (and Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Zev 59R on
80R on the passing of his
Dr. Joseph 06R) Polinsky on Rabbi Dr. Max N Schreier the passing of his sister, Batya
mother, Rose Beyda, zl.
the passing of their father, Rabbi 52R, Rabbi Joshua Schreier Ladell, zl.
Sherri (and Rabbi Basil 73R) Sigmund Handelman 80R, zl. 82R and Rabbi Dov Schreier Dr. Deena (and Rabbi Samuel
Herring on the passing of her 96R on the passing of their
Rabbi Dr. Avrohom 84R) Zimmerman on the
father, Dr. Edward L. Steinberg, zl. daughter and sister, respectively,
Morduchowitz 56R on the passing passing of her father, Charles
Rabbi Joshua R. Hertzberg of his brother, Rabbi Moshe Meir Leah Kochanowitz, zl. Cohen, zl.
55R and Eve (and Rabbi Dr. Morduchowitz 71R, zl. Sheera (and Rabbi Yerachmiel, Rabbi Hillel Zinkin 03R on the
Azriel 52R) Rosenfeld, on the AA) Seplowitz on the passing of
Bryna (and Rabbi Shalom passing of his father, Dr. Aryeh
passing of their brother, Rabbi her mother, Mrs. Reva Epstein, zl.
11R) Ozarowskion the passing Leib Dovid Zinkin, zl.
Isaiah Hertzberg 55R, zl.
of her father, Steven Billauer, zl.

Recent Publications

Contemporary Halakhic What Will They Say About Understanding and Ai Vey! Jewish Thoughts Sababa
Problems, Volume VII You When You Are Gone? Experiencing Tefillah: on Thinking Machines Rabbi Yamin Levy 88R
RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Creating a Life Legacy Coming Closer Rabbi Jonathan (Berwick Court Publishing,
Rabbi J. David Bleich Rabbi Daniel Rabbi Yisrael Shlomo Gross 04R November 2016)
(Maggid Books-Koren Cohen 94R Goldfinger 75R (ACSV Publications,
Publishers, January 2017) (HCI Books, January 2017) (OU Press and Menucha August 2016)
Publishers, September 2016)

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