tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-186262092024-03-12T23:29:25.011-04:00YCT ChevreInforming the world about the activities of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-30760779179564464562008-12-30T12:58:00.002-05:002008-12-30T13:07:38.940-05:00Yom Iyun on Talmud and Torah She-Ba'al Peh<span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> will be holding a <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/466/17/">Yom Iyun on Talmud and Torah She-Ba'al Peh</a> on Sunday 1 February 2009 in Riverdale, NY at SAR High School (5900 Netherland Avenue).</span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-15606966524706998352008-12-03T13:31:00.004-05:002008-12-03T15:26:54.423-05:00Rabbi Saul Berman speaks on Rabbi Emanuel Rackman<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yesterday, <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/167/54/">Rabbi Saul Berman</a> eulogized Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, who <a href="http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1227702404891">passed away on Monday</a>, at <a href="http://yctorah.org">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a>, after having attended his funeral. Below is a video of the eulogy (sorry for the shakiness of the camera early on).<br /></span><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2419123&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2419123&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-59585765811423146762008-09-24T18:12:00.000-04:002008-09-24T18:12:00.414-04:00Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz speaks at YCT<span style="font-family: verdana;">Today, <a href="http://steinsaltz.org/dynamic/content.asp?id=3">Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz</a> came to <a href="http://yctorah.org">YCT</a> to speak about seli<u>h</u>os:<br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1805077&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1805077&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-73205718970234393012008-09-24T13:21:00.001-04:002008-09-24T17:41:43.945-04:00"Free the Slaves": A Presentation on Modern Slavery by African Freedom Award Winners<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2884150252_96fb517f50.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2884150252_96fb517f50.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Last night, <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/428/17/">"Free the Slaves": A Presentation on Modern Slavery by African Freedom Award Winners</a> took place, sponsored by <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School</a>'s Kronish Tikkun Olam Program</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2884150288_6ba9bf99ea.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2884150288_6ba9bf99ea.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">, <a href="http://www.freetheslaves.net/">Free the Slaves</a>, <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cssr">The Center for the Study of Science and Religion of the Earth Institute, Columbia University</a>, <a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/seminars">Columbia University Seminar on Slavery and Memory Columbia University Seminar on Human Rights</a>, and <a href="http://www.hillel.columbia.edu/">Columbia/Barnard Hillel</a>. Two former slaves,</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2884150194_b8566b1e2b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2884150194_b8566b1e2b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> James Kofi Annan (of <a href="http://challengingheights.org/">Challenging Heights</a>), and Ricky Richards (of <a href="http://frouganda.org/">Friends of Orphans</a>), spoke, having recently been awarded, respectively, <a href="http://www.freetheslaves.net/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=449&srcid=447">the Frederick Douglass Purpose Award</a> and the <a href="http://www.freetheslaves.net/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=450&srcid=447">Harriet Tubman Reintegration Award</a>. Afterwards, there was a little Q&A followed by refreshments.</span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-35766874690454656722008-09-16T21:11:00.001-04:002008-09-16T21:12:20.289-04:00Rabbi Avi Weiss speaks about 9/11<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On 11 September 2008, Rabbi Avi Weiss spoke about 9/11:<br /></span><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1746156&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1746156&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-62307391463457754872008-09-08T05:48:00.003-04:002008-09-08T05:57:41.455-04:00YCT Begins its Tenth Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/23079/2285830550099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/23079/2285830550099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On Tuesday 2 September 2008, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> began its tenth year of school. It is now in its fourth year at its present location in the Kraft Center.<br /><br />-<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/album/566427154MinIfZ">more pictures</a>-<br /><br />[Previously, <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2007/08/yct-returns-for-its-ninth-year.html">YCT Begins Ninth Year</a>, <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2006/09/yct-begins-eighth-year.html">YCT Begins Eighth Year</a>, <a href="http://drewkaplans.blogspot.com/2005/08/new-year-at-yct.html">YCT Begins Seventh Year</a>]<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-86080379199102515422008-08-11T23:16:00.002-04:002008-08-11T23:37:27.858-04:00Sixth Annual Yemei Iyun On Bible and Jewish Thought<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/43997/2882905500099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/43997/2882905500099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">From 29 June through 1 July, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> held its <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/05/yemei-iyun-on-bible-and-jewish-thought.html">sixth annual Yemei Iyun on Bible and Jewish Thought</a>. Held in conjunction with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmj.org.il%2F&ei=Nx4bSLxki9h50aXB5ws&usg=AFQjCNH1i5yddO2xTy-qBMbZhDrXIBxuKw&sig2=RX388GOg8hdFu2a0aJhvoA">Beit Morasha of Jerusalem</a>, <a href="http://torahleadership.org/">Center for Modern Torah Leadership</a>, <a href="http://www.cardozoschool.org/">David Cardozo Academy</a>, <a href="http://www.lookstein.org/">Lookstein Center for Jewish Education</a>, <a href="http://www.matan.org.il/">MATAN</a>, <a href="http://www.ramaz.org/">RAMAZ</a>,<a href="http://www.yhol.org.il/"> Yeshivat Hamivtar</a>, and</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/37328/2253348970099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/37328/2253348970099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <a href="http://www.maalegilboa.org/en/">Yeshivat Maale Gilboa</a>, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">the conference once again adhered to a schedule of the first two days being dedicated to the study of various books of the Bible and the third day focusing on topics in Jewish thought. For the first time, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/40884/2497698940099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/40884/2497698940099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">the conference was held at the <a href="http://www.ramaz.org/school_upper/index.cfm">upper school of Ramaz</a> in Manhattan, previously being held in Teaneck, NJ.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,98/Itemid,13/">Audio</a> from <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2007/07/fifth-annual-yemei-iyyun.html">last year's Yemei Iyun</a> as well as <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,79/Itemid,13/">audio </a>from <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2006/06/yemei-iyun-in-bible-and-jewish-thought.html">2006's Yemei Iyun</a> and <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,35/Itemid,13/">audio </a>from 2005's Yemei Iyun are available.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/gallery/index.php#id=20&num=1">Picture Album</a>-</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-67188753145262620522008-08-11T22:48:00.003-04:002008-08-11T23:16:11.155-04:00YCT Rabbinical School's Seminar on The Rabbi and Persons with Physical Disabilities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/16901/2171963100099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb06.webshots.com/16901/2171963100099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">From Monday 2 June through Friday 6 June, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> held a <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/06/press-release-yct-rabbinical-schools.html">one week seminar on "The Rabbi and Persons with Physical Disabilities"</a>. Sponsored by Shelley Cohen and her husband in memory of their son, Nathaniel Cohen, who had passed away last year, this first ever seminar sought to educate the rabbinical students about how to be accomodating to people with physical disabilities. The audio recordings are <a href="http://yctstudents.org/DisabilitiesAudio/">available here</a>, with the exception of Friday's morning session with <a href="http://www.myjewishcoach.com/about.html">Deborah Grayson Riegel</a>, who ran a workshop on wrapping the week's activities up.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">-<a href="http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563671361VoshaC">Picture album</a>-</span><br /></div>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-23557216429237062622008-06-02T13:07:00.003-04:002008-08-11T22:51:58.298-04:00Press Release: YCT Rabbinical school's Seminar on The Rabbi and Persons with Physical Disabilities<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">PRESS RELEASE</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">YCT Rabbinical School's Seminar on The Rabbi and Persons with Physical Disabilities</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Contact: Oksana Bellas 212.666.0036 or obellas@yctorah.org</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">June 2008, New York City - During the week of June 2nd, <a href="http://yctorah.org">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School</a> is launching a new innovative curriculum segment of its program to help rabbinical students explore the issues the issues associated with inclusion and accessibility in the Jewish community. It is believed that this is the first program focused on these issues in any clergy-training program of any faith.<br />The curriculum, which will alternate years in discussing issues associated with Physical Disabilities and Learning/Developmental Disabilities, will look at the practical, pastoral, theological, and halakhic issues associated with integrating people with disabilities into a community. The curriculum will have session son inclusion in synagogues, schools, and camps, as well as exploration of the impact of inclusion of the disabled on families and the broader community and the need for advocacy on the part of religious leadership. It will broach subjects such as lifecycle events including marriage and sexuality. YCT rabbis will learn to deal directly with issues of halakhic challenges, theodicy, and the ethics of genetic choices.<br />"This new program is reflective of YCT's commitment to training rabbis who are sensitive to the needs of the entire community. Through this part of our curriculum, students will not only learn about realities of those living with disabilities, they will also explore halakhic and pastoral implications. It is, in effect, rabbinic training at its ideal - an integration of Jewish Law, philosophy, practical rabbinics, and the human dimension," commented Rabbi Dov Linzer, YCT's Rosh HaYeshiva and Dean.<br />The program will feature the prespectives of leading voices from within the disabled community, as well as rabbinic leaders and ethicists who have been on the front line of developing and implementing their own visions of an inclusive religious Jewish community.<br />The program will take place at YCT's Beit Midrash, 606 W 115th Street, NYC, and run from Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6.<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-24529564033636956712008-05-20T18:14:00.008-04:002008-05-28T14:58:42.870-04:00First Annual Weinstein Award Luncheon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/15362/2286360470099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/15362/2286360470099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="Rabbi Angel speaking" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> held its <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/381/17/">first ever</a> Irving S. Weinstein Memorial Award and Lecture for the Advancement of Interdenominational Cooperation. <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/166/54/">Rabbi Yamin Levy</a> was the master of ceremonies for the program, opening it up and speaking throughout.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> The keynote speaker was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_D._Angel">Rabbi Marc Angel</a>, who spoke on "Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Jewish Communities; </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Can We Learn From Each Other?"<br />Next up was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_levin">Ezra Levin</a>, who helped in dispersing the funds for the scholarship spoke about the origin of the fund:</span><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/25677/2010945850099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/25677/2010945850099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="Ezra Levin speaking" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"He expressed, in the presence of myself, a financial adviser and someone else, the notion that he was really upset by the divisions among the Jews who were fighting always and wanted to do something to seek accord among the Jewish people. He was not interested in imposing a uniformity; he respected diversity."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The award, according to the pamphlet printed up by the school, is<br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Irving S. Weinstein Memori</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">al Award for the Advancement of Interdenominational Cooperation is a scholarship that is awarded once</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> a year to one Yeshivat Chovevei Torah rabbinical student and one alumnus for their excellence in building bridges with other Jewish denominations. The scholarship was created in memory of Irving S. Weinstein.<a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/05/first-annual-weinstein-award-luncheon.html#Weinstein">*</a></span></blockquote></span><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/43054/2981527760099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/43054/2981527760099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Then the award presentation began, with the award going to an alumnus going to <a href="http://www.szarvas.org/braunstein.html">Seth Braunstein</a> (<a href="http://yct.drewkaplan.info/classof2006.htm">Class of 2006</a>), who then spoke upon having received his award. Then Rabbi Dov Linzer spoke. Following him, the student awarded was <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel_Braune_Friedman/509450455">Daniel Braune-Friedman</a>, who then spoke. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/39596/2010742920099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/39596/2010742920099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />----<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a name="Weinstein">According to</a> the pamphlet printed by YCT: <blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;">Irving S. Weinstein was raised in Brooklyn and served in the US Army in Georgia, where he worked as an assistant electrician. Upon returning to civilian life he developed an electrical contracting business, which he ultimately sold after transferring a portion of it to a charitable</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> remainder trust. Irving was an avid golfer and loved dogs. He expressed the wish that the trust proceeds might be used to promote accord among people of the Jewish faith.</span></blockquote></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-66728094801642793402008-05-15T13:43:00.001-04:002008-05-29T12:13:26.842-04:00Katie Light Visits for Q & A on Her Master's Thesis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXya377JeozdDkZwDQsWv5NBs7tH7_jq97asmjkwn0Y8FYxi0ikgFjD8goheC6Kw_l8fyewYXnXuHBPo8GL9bMnADwrwshmZbiT4I8_k8W4YAfKfaX5Eo9ZjtAbQsYyHfTJsC5Iw/s1600-h/Katie+q+and+a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXya377JeozdDkZwDQsWv5NBs7tH7_jq97asmjkwn0Y8FYxi0ikgFjD8goheC6Kw_l8fyewYXnXuHBPo8GL9bMnADwrwshmZbiT4I8_k8W4YAfKfaX5Eo9ZjtAbQsYyHfTJsC5Iw/s320/Katie+q+and+a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205829332441226898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Katie Light was here today during lunchtime to field any questions and to discuss her recently finished masters thesis at Brandeis University, entitled "Inside Out, Outside In: Yeshivat Chovevei Torah’s Open Orthodoxy Transmitted, Absorbed, and Applied."<br />In her thesis, she wrote that she <blockquote>studied Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School because I felt that it needed to be done for to enhance the field of sociology of religion and for the sake of the American Jewish community. I felt an obligation as a student of social science to use my entrée and innate interest to conduct this research. (p. 2)</blockquote>In her visit, she said that it's especially true that the academic community does not understand what's going on here. She also said that people should know what's going on here because it is impressive. Also, no previous research has been done on YCT, she said.<br />She wrote that she<br /><blockquote>studied YCT through the lens of sociology of religion, combining, in particular, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wuthnow">Robert Wuthnow</a>’s concept of public religion with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erving_Goffman">Erving Goffman</a>’s theories on front and back stages (explained in the theory section.) The general field and the theories provided a framework through which to understand the people in the yeshiva, their education, and how the two work in tandem to first develop in private and then apply in public YCT’s guiding philosophy of Open Orthodoxy. Theories of clergy education <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Educating-Clergy-Imagination-JB-Carnegie-Advancement/dp/0787977446">explicated by Charles Foster and his colleagues</a> shed light on the processes of teaching and learning in theological seminaries. (p. 1)</blockquote></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-57926845124735945732008-05-13T22:50:00.005-04:002008-05-13T22:57:11.775-04:00Rabbi Linzer Awarded Fellowship<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yesterday, the <a href="http://www.avi-chai.org/">Avi Chai Foundation</a> <a href="http://www.avi-chai.org/bin/en.jsp?enDispWho=Press%5El18&enSearchQueryID=4&enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enVersion=0&enZone=Press&">announced their first set of fellows</a> yesterday, including <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/152/54/">Rabbi Dov Linzer</a>, the head of <a href="http://yctorah.org/">YCT</a>. <a href="http://course.bac.org.il/bios.doc">According to Avi Chai's website</a>: "His grant proposal is on the creation of a rabbinical school curriculum for educators, allowing the Orthodox rabbinate to gain enhanced pedagogical training, so that they are better trained to be Day School educators."<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-36437946506617748902008-05-02T08:49:00.002-04:002008-05-02T10:06:55.339-04:00Yemei Iyun On Bible and Jewish Thought 2008<a href="http://yctorah.org/">YCT</a> has <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/377/17/">announced </a>its sixth annual Yemei Iyun on Bible & Jewish thought to take place this summer. Set to take place Sunday 29 June-Tuesday 1 July, it will be taking place at the <a href="http://www.ramaz.org/school_upper/index.cfm">Ramaz upper school</a> (60 East 78th Street, New York City) (not where it has been for the last several years in New Jersey). The <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,628/">registration form</a> and <a href="https://www.regonline.com/63342_608892M">online registration</a> are available.<br />The yemei iyun program being held in cooperation with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmj.org.il%2F&ei=Nx4bSLxki9h50aXB5ws&usg=AFQjCNH1i5yddO2xTy-qBMbZhDrXIBxuKw&sig2=RX388GOg8hdFu2a0aJhvoA">Beit Morasha of Jerusalem</a>, <a href="http://torahleadership.org/">Center for Modern Torah Leadership</a>, <a href="http://www.cardozoschool.org/">David Cardozo Academy</a>, <a href="http://www.lookstein.org/">Lookstein Center for Jewish Education</a>, <a href="http://www.matan.org.il/">MATAN</a>, <a href="http://www.ramaz.org/">RAMAZ</a>,<a href="http://www.yhol.org.il/"> Yeshivat Hamivtar</a>, and <a href="http://www.maalegilboa.org/en/">Yeshivat Maale Gilboa</a>.<br /><br />(Related: <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2007/07/fifth-annual-yemei-iyyun.html">Yemei Iyun 2007</a>, <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2006/06/yemei-iyun-in-bible-and-jewish-thought.html">Yemei Iyun 2006</a>)Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-49583030487299423642008-04-14T13:11:00.003-04:002008-04-14T15:27:40.982-04:00Milin Havivin, Volume 3 Online<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9vPId79cSGu4BgxsaU3WOx5-AHjkwCpQbf9Y8TxtXE-RZfEAWAnA-NOEsHzOOMqe0PFM0O1Z0iopll2bWYGQK0SPcyLF3xq3qA4HbFU4cfrF3-e0S74VnmOVqoZmFojIFgIQmQ/s1600-h/mh3image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9vPId79cSGu4BgxsaU3WOx5-AHjkwCpQbf9Y8TxtXE-RZfEAWAnA-NOEsHzOOMqe0PFM0O1Z0iopll2bWYGQK0SPcyLF3xq3qA4HbFU4cfrF3-e0S74VnmOVqoZmFojIFgIQmQ/s200/mh3image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189184847619328258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">The <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,627/">third volume of Milin Havivin</a> is now online!<br />The articles included therein in the English section:<span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />"Between Values and Theology: The Case of Salvation Through Children in Rabbinic Thought - Part I" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=ftO&q=rabbi+Dov+Weiss&btnG=Search">Rabbi Dov Weiss</a><br />"Prison Reform: A Torah Perspective on the American Crisis" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Shmuly+Yanklowitz&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">Shmuly Yanklowitz</a><br />"The Exodus as the Foundational Paradigm for Social Justice" - <a href="http://bengreenberg.org/">Ben Greenberg</a><br />""The Two Objectives of the Institution of Marriage: 'For She is Your Companion, and the Wife of Your Covenant' (Malakhi 2:14)" - <a href="http://www.ramban.org.il/AboutRavBenniEng.php">Rabbi Dr. Binyamin Lau</a> (This essay originally appeared in Granot Vol. 3, (pg. 138-148) published by Beit Morasha.)<br />"Postponement of the Mitzvah of Procreation: A Response to Rabbi Dr. Binyamin Lau" - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Henkin">Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin</a> (As printed in Granot 3 (2003), 149-152, and subsequently in Responsa Bnei Banim 4:#15.)<br />"Family Planning: The Postponement of Mitzvat Peru U-Revu" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Yitzchak+Avi+Roness&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">Yitzchak Avi Roness</a> (This article is adapted from a more expansive version in Hebrew, published in Or Ha-Mizrah, Vol. 50: 1-2, 2004 pp.109-123, and Vol. 50:3-4, 2005 pp. 135-151.)<br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Mipnei Takanat Ha-Shavim</span>: Outreach Considerations in Pesak Halakha" - <a href="http://uosh.org/uos/rabbi.html">Rabbi Barry Gelman</a><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Et La'asot La-Hashem</span>: Emergency Halakha in the Rabbinic Tradition" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=5nO&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=Zecharyah+Tzvi+Goldman&spell=1">Zecharyah Tzvi Goldman</a><br />"Seeking Prophecy in Historical Narratives: Manasseh and Josiah in Kings and Chronicles" - <a href="http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100853">Rabbi Hayyim Angel</a><br />"A Case of Unusual Hospitality: Samuel, Saul, and the Witch of Ein Dor" - <a href="http://www.jofa.org/speaker.php?sid=42">Michelle Friedman, M.D.</a><br />"Rambam: Libertarian or Determinist?" - <a href="http://arfibarfer.com/">Rafi Farber</a><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Birkat Ha-Mapil</span>: The Rabbinic Pre-Sleep Blessing" - <a href="http://yctstudent.drewkaplan.info/">Drew Kaplan</a><br />"Faith, History and Interpretation: Reform and Orthodox Responses to Modern Hermeneutics" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=K63&q=%22Alexander+Kaye%22+&btnG=Search">Alexander Kaye</a><br />"Pacifism, The Jewish Mission, and Religious Anti-Zionism: Rabbi Aaron Samuel Tamares in Context" - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?num=50&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=bkO&q=%22David+Wolkenfeld%22&btnG=Search">David Wolkenfeld</a><br /><br />The articles in the Hebrew section:<br />"אישות ותלמוד תורה: ניווט המתח" ("Marriage and Torah: Navigating the Tension") - <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/152/54/">Rabbi Dov Linzer</a><br />"המחלוקת על הרבנות בפרנקפורט: מבט מבפנים" ("The Disagreement Concerning the Frankfort Rabbinate: A Look From Within") - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_B._Shapiro">Dr. Marc Shapiro</a><br />"ספירת העומר בבין השמשות" ("Counting <span style="font-style: italic;">Sefirat Ha-Omer</span> at Twilight") - <a href="http://www.pardes.org.il/about/faculty/#levi">Rabbi Levi Cooper</a><br />"'כי אתא רב דימי': בין היסטוריה ועריכה" ("'When Rav Dimi Came': Discerning History from Revision") - <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=yoram+bitton">Yoram Bitton</a><br /></span></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-74296693237349309382008-04-10T13:29:00.000-04:002008-04-10T14:35:34.284-04:00Upcoming Pre-Pesach Mishmar<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://yctorah.org">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School</a> Presents</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pre-Pesach Mishmar</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Tuesday 15 April 2008</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">7 pm - 11:30 pm</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">606 West 115th Street</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">6th Floor</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">New York City</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Schedule:</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">7:00 - 8:30 pm "The Korban After the Churban: The Transformation of the Seder from Sacrifice to Sippur" - Rabbi Dov Linzer</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">9:00 - 10:00 pm</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> "Definitions of Chametz" - Rabbi Nati Helfgot</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">10:30 - 11:30 pm</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> "Pesach in Chassidic Thought" - Rabbi Ysoscher Katz</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This event is free and open to the public</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-66183436775968322912008-04-01T18:12:00.001-04:002008-04-01T14:34:05.657-04:00Rabbi Yaakov Medan Speaks at YCT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/19805/2265338210099947068S200x200Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/19805/2265338210099947068S200x200Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today, <a href="http://www.vbm-torah.org/rym.htm">Rabbi Yaakov Medan</a> spoke at <a href="http://yctorah.org/">YCT</a>, speaking upon the topic of Passover eve falling on shabbat, referencing, in particular the story of Hillel, found on Pesahim 66a.</span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-6618881323324238602008-03-26T18:42:00.000-04:002008-03-26T18:44:06.045-04:00Rabbi Love Speaking on Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein Around His 100th Yahrzeit<a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/25368/2466840690099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb25.webshots.com/25368/2466840690099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="Rabbi Yaacov Love speaking about Rabbi Epstein" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today, <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/23/49/">Rabbi Yaacov Love</a> spoke about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yechiel_Michel_Epstein">Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein</a>, on the occasion of his 100th yahrzeit. Rabbi Epstein, best known for his work, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruch_HaShulchan">ערוך השלחן (<span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh haShul<u>h</u>an</span> ("The Setting of the Table"))</a>, was born in 1829 and died in 100 years ago in 1908.<br />Rabbi Love describing a unique way of Rabbi Epstein in his <i>Arukh haShul<u>h</u>an</i></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">:</span> <blockquote style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >First of all, let's understand that when we're dealing with the <span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh haShulhan</span>, like when we dealt with Rav Moshe, זכרונו לברכה (may his memory be a blessing), we were dealing with a <span style="font-style: italic;">rav </span>- somebody who was a <span style="font-style: italic;">rav ir</span>. And that meant that when we talked about <span style="font-style: italic;">halakhah</span>, it was not <span style="font-style: italic;">halakhah pesukah</span> in the sense of what do the <span style="font-style: italic;">mekorot </span>say. And if we wanted to compare, for instance, the <span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh haShulhan</span> to other ספרי הלכה (halakhiv works), you'll find that, בדרך כלל (in a general fashion),<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/24819/2016309410099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/24819/2016309410099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> the other <span style="font-style: italic;">seforim </span>will bring the מקורות (sources) and, possibly their חוה דעת (suggestion), on where those <span style="font-style: italic;">mekorot </span>lead me and they may do a head count and say "I've got x amount that's מתיר (permits) and x amount that's אסור (forbidding) and this is the מסקנה (conclusion), this is where it comes out. With the <span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh haShulhan</span>, we don't find that. With the <span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh haShulhan</span>, after going through the <span style="font-style: italic;">mekorot</span>, we find that he adds one more element that very few do. And, even Rav Moshe, who was very cognizant about the realia and about what was going on in the world around him, did not want to <span style="font-style: italic;">pasken halakhah</span> from anything else, except the <span style="font-style: italic;">mekorot</span>, in the sense that he would make sure the<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/10494/2596348130099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/10494/2596348130099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">mekorot </span>took care of the realia. But the realia, alone, were not going to do it - the realia would influence it. ... The <span style="font-style: italic;">Arukh HaShulhan</span> actually takes the מציאות (reality) as a good enough reason to <span style="font-style: italic;">pasken </span>the <span style="font-style: italic;">halakhah</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Meziut </span>plays a very big part in the way he <span style="font-style: italic;">paskens </span>the <span style="font-style: italic;">halakhah</span>.</blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The <a href="http://www.archive.org/download/ATalkAboutRabbiYechielMichelEpsteinOnTheOccasionOfHis100thYahrzeit/Rabbi_Love-Speaking_About_Rabbi_Epstein_On_Yahrzeit100-26March2008.WMA">file is available for downloading here</a>.</span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-37250903830135297352008-03-19T18:34:00.002-04:002008-03-19T18:13:45.268-04:00Yom Iyyun with Drisha & HC Rabbinical School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/38542/2192204710099947068S425x425Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/38542/2192204710099947068S425x425Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On Wednesday 5 December 2007, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School</a> hosted the <a href="http://www.drisha.org/">Drisha Institute</a> & <a href="http://www.hebrewcollege.edu/html/rabbi.htm">the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College</a> in participating in a <span style="font-style: italic;">yom iyyun</span> on the topic of Prayer and Religious Leadership.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The day began with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Green">Rabbi Arthur Green</a> explaining a little about <span style="font-style: italic;"><u>H</u>anukkah</span>. Then <a href="http://www.drisha.org/faculty.html">Rabbi David Silber</a>, <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/152/54/">Rabbi Dov Linzer</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avi_Weiss">Rabbi Avi Weiss</a> offering introductory remarks. Rabbi Linzer then opened up the first learning session on "Why Do We Pray?" with some remarks.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/20486/2704493880099947068S500x500Q85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/20486/2704493880099947068S500x500Q85.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Then, a panel discussion on "The Prayer Life of the Religious Leader" with Rabbi Green, Rabbi Silber, and Rabbi Weiss, moderated by <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/144/54/">Dr. Michelle Friedman</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During lunch, <a href="http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Anisfeld_Sharon_2913291.aspx">Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld</a> led a conversation on "Envisioning My Future as a Jewish Leader."<br />Prior to <span style="font-style: italic;">min<u>h</u>ah</span>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=650415561">Avi Rosenfeld</a> led a preparation session for prayer, followed by </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">min<u>h</u>ah</span> in separate locations.<br />After </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">min<u>h</u>ah</span>, there was another discussion, this time on the topic of "<span style="font-style: italic;">Keva</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Kavannah</span>: Tradition and Innovation in <span style="font-style: italic;">Tefillah</span>," introduced by <a href="http://www.jofa.org/speaker.php?sid=33">Devorah Zlochower</a>.<br />Then, <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Chasya+Uriel+Steinbauer">Chasya Uriel Steinbauer</a> and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/5/026/6A7">Margie Klein</a> led prayers for Darfur.<br />Prior to <span style="font-style: italic;">ma'ariv</span>, <a href="http://www.mechonhadar.org/YeshivatHadar/faculty.php#RabbiEthanTucker">Rabbi Ethan Tucker</a> led a preparation for prayer, followed by prayer.<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Or+Rose%22+rabbi">Rabbi Or Rose</a> then led a <span style="font-style: italic;">kavvanah</span> before the candle lighting of the menorah, after which followed singing.<br />Then, there was dinner and Rabbi <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/151/54/">Ysoscher Katz</a> gave a <span style="font-style: italic;">devar Torah</span>.<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-27040548876593375282008-03-17T13:43:00.004-04:002008-03-31T17:16:43.433-04:00Fifth Annual Gala Dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vyBycLYOjrwiUAPA8rUTTs9Mg8p2vsHQg0pvbpZ0oJMo-sOhzXfDbmO59EZwp7jFjdk7SEYUk8bFIitkh7E1fbONlOuYy_bfNxeDPfzJDJaz84SpD6gPOuIOwxIRn4YKAd7log/s1600-h/DSC06052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vyBycLYOjrwiUAPA8rUTTs9Mg8p2vsHQg0pvbpZ0oJMo-sOhzXfDbmO59EZwp7jFjdk7SEYUk8bFIitkh7E1fbONlOuYy_bfNxeDPfzJDJaz84SpD6gPOuIOwxIRn4YKAd7log/s320/DSC06052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178741960960634434" border="0" /></a>Last night, <a href="http://yctorah.org/">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> held its fifth annual gala dinner, this one being held at the <a href="http://www.aramark-un.com/space.html">UN Delegates Dining Room</a>.<span style=""> </span>After starting out with hors d’oeuvres, the evening proceeded up to the dining hall.<span style=""> </span>The MC for the evening was <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/20/49/">Dr. Michelle Friedman</a>, the Chair of YCT’s Department of Pastoral Counseling.<span style=""> </span>After Dr. Friedman made her opening comments, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Berman">Rabbi Saul J. Berman</a>, YCT’s Director of Continuing Rabbinic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv0fp4aw2UCweegAU3MYsyPm4M1okhctmnGW8G_YMSmRgKXPsLDYUVQq2G4MNV5mjTI98VILmZEs-dHI1WGmVtND1jO7mNtO32UdruVK1PW-dmf2je0PUaLf3aR9B_BuRmuGdXA/s1600-h/DSC06051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFv0fp4aw2UCweegAU3MYsyPm4M1okhctmnGW8G_YMSmRgKXPsLDYUVQq2G4MNV5mjTI98VILmZEs-dHI1WGmVtND1jO7mNtO32UdruVK1PW-dmf2je0PUaLf3aR9B_BuRmuGdXA/s320/DSC06051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178742051154947666" border="0" /></a> Education, LHREI at YCT, gave a special lecture entitled “Reflections on Religious Authority,” followed by dinner.<span style=""> </span>Following dinner, <a href="http://www.ohav.org/rabbi/">Rabbi Jeremiah Wohlberg</a> spoke about <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01E5DB143AF931A25751C1A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all">Herb Kronish</a>, Z”L, who was posthumously awarded the <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/03/fifth-annual-gala-dinner.html#tikkun_olam">Tikkun Olam Award</a>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/152/54/">Rabbi Dov Linzer</a>, YCT Rosh haYeshivah & Dean, presented the first ever <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/03/fifth-annual-gala-dinner.html#alumnus">Alumnus of the Year Award</a> to <a href="http://www.edosdenver.org/gitler.htm">Rabbi Marc Gitler</a> (<a href="http://yct.drewkaplan.info/classof2005.htm">YCT ’05</a>), who then, himself spoke.<span style=""> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SGGmVoL782Bb8s9jQfeNSucK2jGMFM_IZVntW5zgNYlw8Scae8w_ye2l4aPVXdUOCM4aUXgKQOPXBDtTjj4mkSRaHj3Jk4RwIIO4LMU1hV7YoF4S9F-YLWlCPuTetxAlRyS5lQ/s1600-h/DSC06059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SGGmVoL782Bb8s9jQfeNSucK2jGMFM_IZVntW5zgNYlw8Scae8w_ye2l4aPVXdUOCM4aUXgKQOPXBDtTjj4mkSRaHj3Jk4RwIIO4LMU1hV7YoF4S9F-YLWlCPuTetxAlRyS5lQ/s320/DSC06059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178742175708999266" border="0" /></a>Following this, was a video presentation about Rabbi Berman, followed by a presentation by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avi_Weiss">Rabbi Avi Weiss</a>, Founder & President of YCT, about Rabbi Berman, in presenting him with <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2008/03/fifth-annual-gala-dinner.html#lifetime">the Lifetime Rabbinic Achievement Award</a>.<span style=""> </span>Following this, Rabbi Weiss made some closing remarks, and then <a href="http://www.torahinmotion.org/spkrs_crnr/faculty/bioElliotKranzler.htm">Dr. Elli Kranzler</a> led a musical performance of singing and dancing, as people made their way to the dessert room. <hr style="font-family: verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;"><a name="lifetime">“Lifetime Achievement Award: Rabbi Berman is a Leading Orthodox Teacher and Thinker,”</a> in <i>Celebrating a Pioneering Spirit: Fifth Annual Gala Dinner</i> (New York: Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, 2008): 6-7.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">As a rabbi, a scholar, and an educator, he has made extensive contributions to the intensification of women’s Jewish education, to the role of social ethics in synagogue life, and to the understanding of the applicability of Jewish Law to contemporary society.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">Rabbi Berman was ordained at Yeshiva University, from which he also received his BA and MHL.<span style=""> </span>He completed a degree in law at New York University, and an MA in Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">Rabbi Berman was the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley, California from 1963 to 1969.<span style=""> </span>He was an early leader in the Soviet Jewry movement and an active participant in the Civil Rights movement.<span style=""> </span>He was present at the demonstrations in Selma, Alabama in 1965.<span style=""> </span>From 1969 to 1971, Rabbi Berman was the spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Brookline, Massachusetts where he organized the Torah Community Project, a study-centered activist setting for students and young adults in the Boston area.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">In 1971, Rabbi Berman was appointed Chairman of the Department of Judaic Studies of Stern College for Women of Yeshiva University.<span style=""> </span>Under his leadership over the next thirteen years, it grew into the largest undergraduate Department of Jewish Studies in the United States.<span style=""> </span>In 1984, Rabbi Berman accepted the position of Senior Rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan, where he served until 1990.<span style=""> </span>In 1990, he returned to academic life as Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at Stern College and as an adjunct professor at Columbia University School of Law, where he teaches a seminar in Jewish Law.<span style=""> </span>From 1995 to 1997, he served as Scholar in Residence at the JCC on the Palisades in New Jersey.<span style=""> </span>In 1997, Rabbi Berman became Director of Edah, a new organization devoted to the invigoration of Modern Orthodox ideology and religious life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:verdana;">Rabbi Berman is a contributor to the Encyclopedia Judaica and is the author of numerous articles which have been published in journals such as <i>Tradition</i>, <i>Judaism</i>, <i>Journal of Jewish Studies</i>, <i>Dinei Yisrael</i>, and many others.<span style=""> </span>His writings on the subject of women in Halakha and on issues of Jewish Law and contemporary society have often been reprinted.<span style=""> </span>Recently, he was highlighted in the PBS documentary, “Jews in America.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">In August 2006 Rabbi Berman joined the YCT administration as Director of Continuing Rabbinic Education where he has the opportunity to mentor and support the alumni of YCT once they have entered into the rabbinate.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">Rabbi Berman is a loving husband, father, and grandfather.<span style=""> </span>He is married to Shellee Berman and together they have four children, Efrat, Shama, Akiva, and Esther, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><o:p> </o:p></p> <hr style="font-family: verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><a name="alumnus">“Alumnus of the Year Award: Rabbi Marc Gitler,”</a> in <i>Celebrating a Pioneering Spirit: Fifth Annual Gala Dinner</i> (New York: Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, 2008): 8.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">Originally from New York, Rabbi Gitler is currently serving as the Rabbi of East Denver Orthodox Synagogue, following two years as the Assistant Rabbi of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in New York City.<span style=""> </span>A recipient of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, Rabbi Gitler received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 2005.<span style=""> </span>He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">Upon graduation from Yeshiva University, Rabbi Gitler traveled to Belarus where he served for two years as the overseas director of YUSSR, a student-founded organization that works with Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union.<span style=""> </span>While in Minsk and Moghilev, he organized Jewish communal programming, ranging from Sunday schools and summer camps for children to luncheons for the elderly.<span style=""> </span>During his time at YCT Rabbinical School, Rabbi Gitler interned for two years at ASBI synagogue in Chicago’s north side and participated in the American Jewish World Service’s first rabbinical student delegation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana">Rabbi Gitler is married to Sarah Geiger of Elizabeth, NJ, an alumna of Barnard College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.<span style=""> </span>She is currently an Associate at Cravath, Swaine, and Moore.<span style=""> </span>Most importantly, the couple was recently blessed with their first child, Sophie Golda.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><o:p> </o:p></p> <hr style="font-family: verdana;"> <p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana"><a name="tikkun_olam">“Tikkun Olam Award: Herb Kronish, <i>Z”L</i></a>,” in <i>Celebrating a Pioneering Spirit: Fifth Annual Gala Dinner</i> (New York: Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, 2008): 9.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;">Herb Kronish passed away on December 11, 2007 after several months of a courageous fight with cancer, during which he used every moment to enjoy his family and many friends.<span style=""> </span>After the death of his loving wife, Doris, in 1995, he embraced his role as the devoted father of Susan and Alan, and David and Sara, and the adoring grandfather of Joshua, Dana, El-Ro’ee, Yehonatan, Ashira, Tifferet, and Malachi.<span style=""> </span>He was an exemplary son to his parents and a devoted brother.<span style=""> </span>He held his role as cousin, uncle, granduncle, and friend in the highest esteem and love.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;">Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Kronish devoted his vast energy to Israel, Soviet Jewry, and to ways of insuring Jewish continuity.<span style=""> </span>As a Founder and Honorary Life President of Congregation Ohav Shalom in Merrick, LI, through his active involvements with UJA Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, as a Chairman of the Greater NY Conference on Soviet Jewry, and as the Director of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, he demonstrated the strength of his commitment to Judaism and to <i>Klal Yisrael</i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;">Mr. Kronish was the founding partner of the law firm Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Hellman, LLP.<span style=""> </span>To his professional life and all his endeavors, he brought passionate commitment, vision, and the pursuit of excellence.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;">It was in the last year of his life, that Mr. Kronish, through his intimate friendship with Rabbi Saul J. Berman, forged a relationship with Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School.<span style=""> </span>Herb brought the same level of exuberance and intensity to this endeavor as he had to all others.<span style=""> </span>He created a curriculum to be brought into the Yeshiva that exemplified the form of social service that he embodied during his lifetime, Universal <i>Tikkun Olam</i>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: verdana;">Herb Kronish set an unparalleled example of philanthropic leadership.<span style=""> </span>His legacy is proudly continued through his family’s generosity, which aids the most vulnerable and strengthens Jewish life and learning. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-61681222490399354092008-01-23T07:26:00.000-05:002008-01-23T12:21:30.294-05:00YCT's Upcoming Annual Gala Dinner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.yctorah.org/images/stories/about_us/save-the-date-card.small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.yctorah.org/images/stories/about_us/save-the-date-card.small.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://yctorah.org/">YCT </a>will be holding its fifth annual gala dinner, entitled "Celebrating a Pioneering Spirit", on Sunday 16 March at the <a href="http://www.aramark-un.com/space.html">United Nations Delegates Dining Room</a>. The dinner will be honoring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Berman">Rabbi Saul Berman</a> with the Lifetime Rabbinic Achievement Award. The dinner will also be paying tribute to <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01E5DB143AF931A25751C1A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all">Herb Kronish</a>, Z"L with the Tikkun Olam Award. A new award, the Alumnus of the Year Award, will be to <a href="http://www.edosdenver.org/gitler.htm">Rabbi Marc Gitler</a> ('05).<br />(Previous Gala Dinner postings: <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2007/05/ycts-fourth-annual-gala-dinner.html">fourth gala dinner</a> & <a href="http://yctchevre.blogspot.com/2006/03/third-gala-dinner.html">third gala dinner</a>.)<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-52296166493694743432007-10-23T13:39:00.002-04:002008-03-17T12:32:08.594-04:00Rabbi Dov Linzer Installed as New Dean of YCT<p class="MsoNormal">The program, entitled "<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/311/10/">A Day of Learning in Honor of Rabbi Dov Linzer</a>," held by <a href="http://yctorah.org">Yeshivat Chovevei Torah</a> at <a href="http://www.ckj.org/">Kehillath Jeshurun</a> (KJ) began with <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/23/49/">Rabbi Yamin Levy</a>, Vice President of Yeshiva Affairs, <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,403/Itemid,13/">opening the ceremonies</a>, followed by <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,404/Itemid,13/">a devar Torah</a> from <a href="http://www.ckj.org/beginners/faculty.html">Rabbi Meir Soloveichik</a>, Associate Rabbi at KJ.</p> <embed src="http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallslideshow.swf" flashvars="playList=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2Fmeta%2F561151365QOEhiL%3Finline%3Dtrue&inlineUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.webshots.com%2FinlinePhoto%3FalbumId%3D561151365%26src%3Ds%26referPage%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffamily.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2F561151365QOEhiL&postRollContent=http%3A%2F%2Fp.webshots.com%2Fflash%2Fws_postroll.swf&shareUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffamily.webshots.com%2Fslideshow%2F561151365QOEhiL&audio=on&audioVolume=33&autoPlay=false&transitionSpeed=5&startIndex=0&panzoom=on&deployed=true" menu="false" quality="best" width="212" height="192" name="WebshotsSlideshowPlayer"base="http%3A%2F%2Fp.webshots.com%2Fflash%2F" wmode="opaque" allowScriptAccess="always" loop="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macromedia.com%2Fgo%2Fgetflashplayer"></embed><br /><br /><a href="http://family.webshots.com/album/561151365QOEhiL">Rabbi Linzer Dean Installation</a> <p class="MsoNormal">The program proceeded along with a plenary panel, chaired by Rabbi Levy, consisting of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_Berman">Rabbi Saul Berman</a> (Director of Continuing Rabbinic Education, LHREI at YCT), Rabbi Mark Dratch (Executive Director, JSafe), and <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Shana+Yocheved+Schacter">Shana Yocheved Schacter</a> (psychologist), on the topic of “<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,405/Itemid,13/">Dilemmas in Contemporary Applications of <i>Kibbud Av V’Eim</i>: The Sandwich Generation , Infirmed Elderly Parents, Abusive Parents</a>.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The program then proceeded along with two separate workshops: one on “’Flipping Out’ and ‘Off the <i>Derekh</i>’: Tensions Between Parents and Children Over Differing Levels of Religious Observance and Ideology” and the other on “The <i>Aliyah</i> Conundrum: Mixed Feelings and the Dilemmas of Family Separation.”<span style=""> </span>“<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,135/Itemid,13/">’Flipping Out’ and ‘Off the <i>Derekh</i></a>,’” chaired by <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/150/54/">Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot</a> (Chair, Bible Department & Jewish Thought Department, YCT), had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_D._Angel">Rabbi Marc Angel</a> (Rabbi, Congregation Shearith Israel), <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Rabbi+Scot+Berman">Rabbi Scot Berman</a> (Executive Director, C. Kushner Companies Foundation), and <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/144/54/">Dr. Michelle Friedman</a> (Chair, Department of Pastoral Counseling, YCT) on its panel.<span style=""> </span>“<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,136/Itemid,13/">The <i>Aliyah</i> Conundrum</a>,” chaired by <a href="http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=100628">Rabbi Chaim Marder</a> (Chair, Department of Practical Rabbinics, YCT), included <a href="http://www.jofa.org/speaker.php?sid=47">Dr. Chaya Gorsetman</a> (faculty member, Stern College for Women), <a href="http://pipl.com/directory/people/Elli/Kranzler">Dr. Elli Kranzler</a> (psychiatrist), and <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/23/49/">Rabbi Yaacov Love</a> (Chair, Department of Halakha, YCT) on its panel.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>There was then a <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,412/Itemid,13/">musical presentation</a> by Dr. Elli Kranzler.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Installation Ceremony was <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,413/Itemid,13/">presented</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avi_Weiss">Rabbi Avi Weiss</a>, Founder, President, and outgoing Dean of YCT.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.yctorah.org/content/view/152/54/">Rabbi Dov Linzer</a>, the Rosh HaYeshiva and newly installed Dean of YCT <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,414/Itemid,13/">presented his remarks</a>.</p>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-55258634167846886492007-10-23T13:37:00.000-04:002007-10-23T13:39:38.729-04:00Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein Speaks About Shemittah<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image68.webshots.com/68/6/11/34/2220611340099947068jcziyX_ph.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://image68.webshots.com/68/6/11/34/2220611340099947068jcziyX_ph.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />On 15 October 2007, Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein <a href="http://www.archive.org/download/ShemittahHeterMekhirah/RabbiMeirLichtensteinSpeakingOnShmittah-15October2007.wma">spoke on the topic of shemittah in Israel during the current Hebrew calendar year, 5768</a>.Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-82201844795915044532007-09-23T20:45:00.001-04:002007-11-26T22:57:36.778-05:00Rabbi Avi Weiss Publicly Presents Shabbat Shuva Discourse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NzpSynrKVXGVgqN_xa45OFF3OmsgVMtPEQwFfLuJu0yy6EDDb1CR2tLVroQfR2kZcqkeJMSwW7_D3n_nAABcm4MQqwLTvK7xn0LwFuRorNgHckHUP9PlyY1u_036FgS5eik1dg/s1600-h/DSC04825.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NzpSynrKVXGVgqN_xa45OFF3OmsgVMtPEQwFfLuJu0yy6EDDb1CR2tLVroQfR2kZcqkeJMSwW7_D3n_nAABcm4MQqwLTvK7xn0LwFuRorNgHckHUP9PlyY1u_036FgS5eik1dg/s320/DSC04825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137364319712877106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">On Thursday 20 September, Rabbi Avi Weiss presented "<a href="http://www.yctorah.org/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,374/Itemid,13/">Does Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Prayer Really Influence God?</a>" at <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/">YCT</a>. The source sheet is available <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=375">here</a>. His presentation basically dealt with two primary thinkers on prayer, ["although there are many other approaches",] Maimonides and Na<u>h</u>monides. One of the primary questions Rabbi Weiss asked was "What is the ultimate theme/basis/foundation for prayer?"<br /><br /></span></span></span>-------------<br />YCT released the following information on the lady in whose memory the speech was given:<br /><blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size:16;">Dr. Beth Samuels</span></b><o:p></o:p><br />Drisha Scholar, Mathematician<br />Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friend<b style=""><o:p></o:p></b><br />March 24, 1975 - January 5, 2007<o:p></o:p><br />Dr. Beth Samuels, <i style="">z”l</i>, was a gifted teacher of Torah and mathematics, inspiring her audiences with her passion for learning and life. She was born and raised in <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state> and was an alumna of <st1:placename st="on">YULA</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">High School</st1:placetype> and Michlalah in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. During her high school years, Beth became an activist in causes of <i style="">hesed</i> and women’s opportunities for serious Torah study.<span style=""> </span>She continued to pursue these causes fervently throughout her brief life.<o:p></o:p><br />Her childhood education gave her a profound appreciation for a Torah-encompassing life. However, she was not exposed to what she described as the “intellectual immersion” into Torah study until she began learning at Drisha Institute during her college years at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Columbia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>At <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Columbia</st1:place></st1:city>, she also directed the <i style="">hevrutah</i> program,<br />“Wednesday Night Learning,” attracting hundreds of students to commit to serious weekly Torah learning. <span style=""> </span>She was active in Lights-in-Action, an organization concerned with providing a forum for Jewish education and awareness at secular colleges, and she spent time with YUSSR in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region> running programs for Russian Jews.<br />After graduating college, Beth studied full time in the <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Scholars Circle</st1:address></st1:street> at Drisha, in the Talmud and Tanakh program. She also served as an auxiliary <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city> police officer while she was living there.<span style=""> </span>At this time, Beth married Ari Tuchman.<span style=""> </span>Her pursuit of knowledge then led her to earn a doctorate in mathematics from <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Yale</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>, where she focused on number theory and automorphic forms.<span style=""> </span>She continued to teach Torah extensively to the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Haven</st1:place></st1:city> community as well as to lead women’s prayer groups and Purim <i style="">megilah</i> readings.<span style=""> </span>As a graduate of the Drisha Scholars program, she frequently traveled around the country as a scholar-in-residence. For two years, she commuted to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:city> in order to direct and teach in the Drisha high school program.<span style=""> </span>Beth and Ari’s family also grew with the joyous birth of daughter, Danelle.<o:p></o:p><br />Soon after relocating to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Palo Alto</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">CA</st1:state></st1:place>, Beth and Ari celebrated the birth of their daughter, Natalia. Beth prioritized her time with her family, infusing her love for Judaism and her unwavering <i style="">emunah</i> into her home.<span style=""> </span>She became an assistant professor of mathematics at UC Berkeley, and continued to be active in the ritual, intellectual and communal life of the Bay Area Jewish community.<span style=""> </span>Beth also remained continuously connected to both women’s learning in general and Drisha specifically.<span style=""> </span>She returned to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state> to teach both at the Drisha dinner and the new winter week for high school girls and consulted on high school activities.<span style=""> </span>Just a few months before she died, Beth was the keynote speaker at a <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city> conference on girls’ education at Modern Orthodox schools.</p></blockquote><p></p>-----------------Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-17315529686215460382007-09-19T20:42:00.000-04:002007-09-23T20:45:07.715-04:00YCT Unveils Pictures Gallery<span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="http://www.yctorah.org/gallery">YCT's picture gallery</a> is now available with various albums to be perused.<br /></span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18626209.post-7223358977380839672007-09-02T14:15:00.000-04:002007-09-04T19:06:02.155-04:00Park Clean-Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh6dW1kuICqrTi9izLAgrpi67hd85fZg0X29rPd4iNdu23LngFy1K-cGVg_9l6EdXeJ5zcbAYHCH69Otyh9-egzrMnoQjKS34qUL7FPbaX2iLhBsy9ccZO-7GqYQdTeMJeWC_Aw/s1600-h/working+along+the+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh6dW1kuICqrTi9izLAgrpi67hd85fZg0X29rPd4iNdu23LngFy1K-cGVg_9l6EdXeJ5zcbAYHCH69Otyh9-egzrMnoQjKS34qUL7FPbaX2iLhBsy9ccZO-7GqYQdTeMJeWC_Aw/s320/working+along+the+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105678863901674962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On Thursday 30 August, students and faculty of <a href="http://www.yctorah.org/">YCT</a> went to help clean up a portion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Tryon_Park">Fort Tryon Park</a>. We cleaned up a section of the park alongside the Henry Hudson Parkway, clearing away weeds and litter.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgq2hLUc01-SGKeR6O89SgPUhBjakJ9DsRk-i3ovWvjkoBNdDJG1xWFjK50tzrMEX96iruZqQhf1dVuyWoXnSa6OyWufwo3uMLtMinu2CTxolQf4KxxeIYEAd_rrfGuLmgjMUUQ/s1600-h/CIMG225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgq2hLUc01-SGKeR6O89SgPUhBjakJ9DsRk-i3ovWvjkoBNdDJG1xWFjK50tzrMEX96iruZqQhf1dVuyWoXnSa6OyWufwo3uMLtMinu2CTxolQf4KxxeIYEAd_rrfGuLmgjMUUQ/s320/CIMG225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105679499556834786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It was certainly a helpful bonding experience to go out and do something positive for our surroundings (not to mention getting outside).<br />Pictures may be viewed <a href="http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=op67e8p.98144ox1&Uy=bl3tpe&Ux=0">here </a>and Benji has pictures <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_8549.html">here</a>, <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_6362.html">here</a>, <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_2121.html">here</a>, <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_5040.html">here</a>, </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_4415.html">here</a>, <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_03.html">here</a>, <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://rabbischool.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-post_6140.html">here</a>. </span>Drew Kaplanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969020134924433950noreply@blogger.com0