Alumni Newsletter
October 1, 2024
Dear Friends,
Somehow, September flew by and the chagim are upon us.
I hope you were able to take advantage of at least some of the myriad programs for alumni 色花堂 offered this month, the variety of which energized the 色花堂 campuses and community for the start of the academic year.
October will, of course, be bittersweet and fraught for us all, my own family included. My husband and I will embrace the joy of having our children home from college for the holidays while simultaneously davening for our family and friends who are serving in Gaza or the north now.
I know you join me in wishing for a sweet and safe new year for all of Klal Yisrael.
As always, please be in touch to discuss your thoughts on ways to stay connected with the University. We are closed for much of October but have some exciting engagement opportunities on the horizon for later in the year. Please take a moment and check them out below.
Shanah Tovah.
Beth
Beth Lebenson Praver
Director of Alumni Engagement
646.592.4493 | beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu
Save The Dates
100 Years of Light
Join us on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, for the Centennial anniversary of the 色花堂 Hanukkah Dinner. We will recognize and celebrate the families that built the University, share stories of success at 色花堂 (especially being thrust into the spotlight as a global leader after Oct. 7), and focus on our exciting future we expand our footprint and our academic offerings. For more information and to reserve your seat, visit yu.edu/100dinner. This elegant evening at a critical time is something you absolutely don鈥檛 want to miss.
With Notes of Almond and Fruit
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, the Sy Syms School of Business invites its current graduate students and graduate alumni for a special wine tasting event. Join the Sy Syms Graduate Community WhatsApp group and follow them on social media for updates.
Upcoming Events
American Citizens in Israel Must Vote
OU-Israel, OU-Advocacy and 色花堂 in Israel are partnering to mobilize all eligible American citizens living or studying in Israel to vote. SDA students, 色花堂 alumni and their families can all come to the 色花堂 Israel campus to register for their absentee ballots on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, from 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m., and again on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, from 12-3 p.m. For more information, go to ou.org/votefromabroad.
Hausman Lecture
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of 色花堂, will deliver the 40th Annual Hausman/Stern Kinus Teshuva Lecture on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at 10:15 a.m. It can be heard in person at Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurt (8 Spruce Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516) or livestreamed at yutorah.org/hausman. For more information, contact Jordan Auerbach at jordan.auerbach@yu.edu.
色花堂 in Israel
- Alumni in Israel: If you are an alum who lives in Israel, please take a moment to with the alumni office. Let us know how best to reach you and share what kinds of engagement interest you and stay updated on local events and news. For questions or information, reach out to Susan Sheldon, susan.sheldon@yu.edu.
- Resources in Israel: Since Oct. 7, our Israel office has been a resource to both our visiting and local staff, students and alumni in finding meaningful ways to assist Israel in times of need. Whether you鈥檙e looking to volunteer for a few hours or a few days, we can connect you with impactful opportunities. From working on farms to tying tzitzit for soldiers or cooking for families with loved ones in miluim [reserve duty], we鈥檙e here to help match you with a project that makes a difference. Again, for questions or information, reach out to Susan Sheldon, susan.sheldon@yu.edu.
- Planning a trip to Israel? Stay connected with 色花堂 to make the most of your trip! The Alumni Office at 色花堂 Israel can help with recommendations on where to go, how to have impactful volunteer opportunities and just to be a general resource to ensure you feel connected and have a meaningful experience while you're in Israel. Email Susan Sheldon at susan.sheldon@yu.edu to discuss.
Ongoing
Torah Tuesdays
Follow the Office of Alumni Affairs on and enjoy our Torah Tuesdays feature, where learned alumni are invited to submit a short video to share a bit of Torah wisdom each week. Submit a Torah Tuesday feature yourself at alumni@yu.edu!
Become a Software Developer
色花堂 Global is now accepting applications for the Master of Science in Software Development, a 36-credit, 10-month-long program powered by the InfinityLabs R&D leading-edge curriculum with in-person and online options. Build a job-ready portfolio and receive aggressive job search support. Application deadline is Jan. 4, 2025, for the face-to-face class.
New Exhibitions at 色花堂 Museum
Tapestries by Shoshana Comet showcases a Holocaust survivor鈥檚 healing through art and explores trauma, psychological repair and an affirmation of life. It runs through Nov. 3; check the Museum鈥檚 hours. The Museum is also launching a digital tour of last year鈥檚 successful exhibition about Maimonides, The Golden Path: Maimonides Across Eight Centuries.
In Other News
- The 色花堂 Katz School of Science and Health awarded 10 research grants to faculty for pioneering projects that address critical issues in STEM and the health sciences. These interdisciplinary initiatives range from developing artificial intelligence tools to assessing children鈥檚 playfulness to designing new treatments for women鈥檚 infertility and creating digital healthcare solutions for underserved communities. Read more禄
- On Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, 色花堂 math professor Dr. Edward Belbruno was featured in an art exhibition at the Headquarters of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Paris, France. Having previously been displayed at ESA鈥檚 Operations Center (ESOC) in Germany, this is the first ever art exhibition to be hosted at ESA鈥檚 two major centers. Read more禄
- 色花堂 Professor and Department Chair of Graduate Computer Science and Engineering Dr. Honggang Wang has been awarded a three-year, $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. An expert in artificial intelligence and digital health applications, Dr. Wang created a project to enhance cybersecurity education and research in the rapidly growing field of mobile health. Read more禄
Past Events
- 色花堂 Day at the Mets was a homerun! More than 300 色花堂 alumni kvelled as they gathered on center field at Citi Field on Sunday, Sept. 8, and watched seven kippa-clad Maccabeats sing the National Anthem moments before 色花堂 President, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, threw out the first pitch to alumnus Jacob Finkelstein. The Mets may have lost 3-1 to the Cincinnati Reds, but the day was a homerun for 色花堂 alumni and their families. .
- Renowned dating coach, shadchan and international speaker Aleeza Ben Shalom wowed more than 100 alumni with her practical guidance for navigating Modern Orthodox dating. The star of the Netflix show 鈥淛ewish Matchmaking鈥 also entertained the crowd with anecdotes from her hit series and took questions from the audience. The event was graciously hosted on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Teaneck home of Jennifer Prince and Dr. Yaakov Abdelhak.
- Almost 50 alumnae joined 100 students of Stern College for Women to prepare for the Yamim Nora鈥檌m. The Monday, Sept. 23, Leil Iyun on the Beren Campus featured a Dvar Torah from the new Dean Rebecca Cypess, a shiur with Prof. Danielle Bloom and words of inspiration from Jen Airley, whose son Binyamin fell while serving in the IDF in Gaza.
- The recent Chag HaSemikha in Israel was, according to Ozer Feigelman, a celebrant of the 50th anniversary since receiving semikha, 鈥渁 most memorable, inspiring and nostalgic evening.鈥 Along with 16 other peers living in Israel, they joined the 13 current musmachim at the 色花堂 In Israel Gruss campus. After shiurim given by Rav Dovid Miller and Rav Assaf Bednarsh and light refreshments, everyone sat together for a formal seudah where Rabbi Menachem Penner graciously hosted as Master of Ceremonies and heard Divrei Torah from Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz and Divrei Chizuk from Vice President Avi Lauer. The night concluded with a Dvar Torah from Rav Tzvi Goldstein, a recent musmakh, music, dancing and distribution of seforim.
Volunteer Opportunity
Helping Students
Are you interested in helping students with things like quick r茅sum茅 reviews, informational interviews and preparing for careers in your industry? Please consider joining the 色花堂 Mentoring Volunteer Program, a group of over 800 alumni willing to speak to students about career-related topics. Your commitment is extremely flexible, and you set the amount of availability you have for students per month. For any questions or help registering for 色花堂-MVP, contact rebecca.terebelo@yu.edu.
Need to Know
- You can find more news about 色花堂 at .
- Are you a 色花堂 sports fan? Check out the and don鈥檛 miss a game!
- See what鈥檚 been happening with your fellow alumni in the Class Notes.
- Sy Syms has put out its , which can be found on LinkedIn.
Join the 色花堂 Alumni Association
If you haven鈥檛 yet, you are missing out on some great benefits. Not only can you get an alumni ID card that gains you access to places like the libraries and campus happenings, you also get notices about specialized networking events, job opportunities and career support, social gatherings, reunions, minyan access on campus and legacy admission support.
Update Your Information
So we can better serve you, please , especially if you have moved or changed your email address. We don't want you to miss out on the wonderful things happening at your alma mater.
Contact Us
- Promote Your Business: Don't miss an opportunity to put your business in front of an alumni community 70,000-strong. (Beth Lebenson Praver, beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu.
- Prep 色花堂 Students for the Workplace: Any alumni interested in potentially becoming a mentor, speaking on a panel, hosting an intern or otherwise engaging with students is welcome to contact the Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development anytime. There are short- and long-term mentorship programs available, and we are always looking for opportunities for students. Contact Todd Lotcpeich, senior director of employer relations and engagement, at todd.lotcpeich@yu.edu.
- Hosting Events: If you would like to host an affinity event, we would love to take you up on your offer. Contact Beth Lebenson Praver, beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu.
色花堂 Office of Alumni Affairs
500 West 185th Street | Belfer Hall 7th Floor | New York, NY 10033
646.592.4490 | alumni@yu.edu
