Yeshiva University s Center for the Jewish Future DEAN S REPORT

Transcription

1 Yeshiva University s Center for the Jewish Future DEAN S REPORT Year in Review July June 2010

2 A Welcome from the Dean of CJF Dear Friends, I am delighted to share the following report detailing the activities and accomplishments of Yeshiva University s Center for the Jewish Future over the past academic year. Our vision for the future of North American Jewish life remains positive and bold complete with strong, vibrant communities led by inspired and passionate leaders, embracing a Judaism that is tolerant, relevant and meaningful. Our presence is felt equally in the classroom and in the community, as we convene the resources of Yeshiva University to nurture students, build community and service Jewish communal professionals. Your understanding and support for our vision of a vibrant Jewish community encourages and sustains us in our effort to develop passionate Jewish leaders and communities that embrace a Torah U madda lifestyle. We look forward to our continued partnership in developing a bright Jewish future, Byedidut, Rabbi Kenneth Brander The David Mitzner Dean Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future Our mission is to shape, enrich and inspire the contemporary Jewish community by convening the resources of Yeshiva University, and: Infusing the student body with a spirit of leadership and a sense of responsibility to the Jewish people and society in general Building, cultivating, and supporting communities, and their lay and rabbinic leaders Creating a global movement that promotes the values of Yeshiva University President Richard M. Joel President, Yeshiva University Bravmann Family University Professor [email protected] Rabbi Kenneth Brander David Mitzner Dean, CJF [email protected] Suzy Schwartz Assistant Dean [email protected] Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter Senior Scholar [email protected] Chaviva Fisher Stein Director of Finances, RIETS and CJF [email protected] Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz Director, Community Initiatives [email protected] Rabbi Aaron Rockoff Director, Community Partnerships [email protected] Marc Spear Director, Leadership Training [email protected] Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg Director, Jewish Career Placement [email protected] CJF ADVISORY COUNCIL Ira Mitzner, Chair Joseph Bensmihen Sharon Blumenthal Kenneth Brander Beryl Eckstein Aryeh Goldberg Rick Guttman Michael Jesselson Richard M. Joel Becky Katz Nathan Katz Henry Kressel Leonard Matanky Steven Rosenberg Eli Rubinstein Joel Schreiber Roslyn Schultz Scott Seligsohn Nahum Twersky Shira Yoshor YESHIVA UNIVERSITY S CENTER FOR THE JEWISH FUTURE 500 West 185th St, Suite 419 New York, NY [email protected] 2

3 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General From two Torah Tours to Coast to Coast and everything in between, I cannot begin to express my appreciation for all the great experiences and tremendous opportunities that I received almost completely at your hands Your consistent vote of trust and confidence in my ability to represent Yeshiva University and the Center for the Jewish Future was truly unbelievable and I wholeheartedly appreciate it. I look forward to the chance to build on any successes that I have had until now as well as to strengthen my weaknesses that came through over the course of the year... Ari Clark Student

4 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General The CJF develops and administers a diverse array of programs for students. These programs include service learning initiatives and ongoing student leadership training. The more opportunities students have to see how they can be agents of change, the better the chance that they will recognize their capacity to assume positions as the future klei (professional leaders) and lay (communal leaders) kodesh of our people. ALTERNATIVE BREAK MISSIONS Hundreds of students participated in 9 service learning trips around the world: u Shabbat 2010: A Case Study Participants interacted with the Orthodox community as well as the general Jewish community in Israel, feeling the tension that surrounds Shabbat and the role that it plays in Israeli society. Students contextualized these experiences by delving into Torah sources, volunteering with the poor around their needs for Shabbat, and learning about the challenges on both a state (such as the observance of Shabbat in the army) and on a personal level, when Shabbat becomes the fault-line between members of Israeli society. To better process the messages of this experience, the group had discussions with secular Israeli university students, and was joined by Prof. Ruth Gavison and Rabbi Ya acov Medan to discuss their legendary Gavison-Medan Covenant, an effort to promote a new social covenant between religious and secular Jews in Israel. They were accompanied on this trip by RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky and Rebbetzin Dr. Efrat Sobolofsky, as well as President Richard M. Joel and CJF Dean Rabbi Kenneth Brander. Shabbat 2010: A Case Study is supported by the Jim Joseph Foundation. u Operation Healthcare A group of primarily pre-law and pre-med students went to Washington D.C. and then to Israel to learn about the ethics of public health services and to volunteer in various health care insitutions. The group met with political activists of all types on Capitol Hill and then experienced the emergency rooms of Shaare Zedek and the trauma units of the IDF first-hand. This was an eye opening, hands-on service program grappling with issues of health care reform and medical ethics from political, halakhic, and humanitarian perspectives. Operation Healthcare is supported by the Repair the World Foundation. u Jewish Life Coast to Coast Undergraduate students went to Kansas City, Omaha, Boulder, and Denver to learn about emerging and growing Jewish communities and the different ways they can become active in Jewish life. Students met with local rabbis, educators, and communal leaders of all denominations. They facilitated educational programs in schools, synagogues and on the slopes of the Colorado Rocky Mountains as they volunteered and contributed to the Jewish and global community in a hands-on way. Jewish Life Coast to Coast is supported by the Jim Joseph Foundation. u Humanitarian Mission: El Salvador Led by YU Mashgiach Ruchani Rabbi Yosef Blau, students went to EI Salvador to learn about, and contribute to a developing Students on the New Orleans service mission help rebuild a home Operation Healthcare participants volunteer with children from Shalva at Cheftziba 4

5 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General community in Central America. Students immersed themselves in the halakhot (Jewish laws) and practice of tikkun olam (repairing the world) as they built needed infrastructure for the community s selfsustainability. This trip empowered students to be agents of change as they experienced the challenges facing developing countries and the Jewish response to such challenges. 715 students on Alternative Break Missions and Torah Tours for Simchat Torah and Shavuot $40,000 raised by students to support construction in Halutza, Israel 100+ shuls experienced Torah Tours on Simchat Torah 26 participating high schools on the Ematai leadership program 1,000 high school students learning with the Torah Leadership Network* The Humanitarian Mission: El Salvador is run in partnership with the American Jewish World Service and is supported by the Repair the World Foundation. u Quest JNF Twelve undergraduate fellows from the CJF s QUEST student leadership program spent a week constructing homes, schools and community centers for former Gush Katif residents in the desert community of Halutza, Israel. These students raised over $40,000 to support the construction of the Halutza project and were then given the opportunity to visit the beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts and contribute in a hands-on way. They met with Mayor Amram Mitzna of Yerucham and the heads of charitable organizations in the area to discuss the challenges that have affected this community and the leadership and social visioning necessary to address these issues. The Quest 2 program to Israel is run in partnership with and is supported by the Jewish National Fund. u Limmud Thirteen undergraduate students and Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies professor Dr. Aaron Koller served as ambassadors from Yeshiva University to the 200 Yeshiva University madrichim and madrichot for the Torah Leadership Network Yeshiva University students on CJF s Shabbat 2010 mission volunteer at Chasdei Naomi food bank in B nei Brak 5,516 donors that the student-led Medical Ethics Society has recruited to the Gift of Life bone marrow registry 400 participants at Student Medical Ethics Society Annual Conference sponsored by the Fuld Family Fund 33 YU delegates at the GA, the largest university contingent at the conference *this number reflects individual students. Many of the students attended several events but are only counted once in this number. Yeshiva University students, and YU mashgiach ruchani Rabbi Yosef Blau, on the CJF and AJWS Humanitarian Mission with local residents in El Salvador 5

6 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General Student Service Learning in the Media JTA blogs.jta.org/wanderingjew/ article/2010/01/11/ /helping-gushevacuees Helping Gush evacuees The Jerusalem Post aspx?id= Breaking out Counterpoint Israel Program in Yerucham and Dimona Yeshiva University students on CJF s Shabbat 2010 mission to Israel learn with IDF soldiers Haaretz U.S. students come to Israel to build homes for Gaza evacuees Yedioth Achronoth articles/0,7340,l ,00.html Summer Fun Returns to Southern Israel Arutz Sheva aspx/1813 Interview with Rabbi Brander about Winter Missions (runs from 29:15 to 46:10) 2010 Limmud NY Conference in Kerhonkson, NY. Limmud is a four-day experience for a diverse community of Jews to come together for lectures, workshops, text-study sessions and discussions. Our students were able to interact with Jews of all denominations and share their commitment to an Orthodox lifestyle in a friendly interactive fashion. Our students benefitted from the conversation and the opportunity to spend a weekend with Jews on a path of spiritual exploration. Limmud is partially sponsored by CJF advisory council members Nahum and Sivya Twersky. u Germany Close Up Nine students traveled to Germany, the country which represents the fastest Breakdancing at Counterpoint Israel growing Jewish community in the world. Through a variety of shiurim, academic lectures and distinguished guest speakers, they engaged in discussions about the Holocaust, Germany s Nazi terror, issues of memory, Germany s continuing effort to come to terms with its terrible past, as well as Germany s transformation in the last 50 years. In addition, they had the opportunity to learn about the local Jewish community, and facilitate a variety of Jewish educational programs. They also met with RIETS Roshei Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky during the program. u New Orleans Service Mission Seventeen students traveled to New Orleans to engage in service projects, meet The Jewish Channel Coverage of the Women s Beit Midrash Fellows Program at the Lincoln Square Synagogue 5 Towns Jewish Times content&view=article&id=4931:yu-summercamp-returns-to-southern-israel YU Summer Camp Returns to Israel NJ Jewish Standard for_cross-pollination_between_its_students_ and_israel/11577 YU aims for crosspollination between its students and Israel 6

7 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General representatives of the community, and learn about current challenges facing the city five years after Hurricane Katrina and in light of the current oil spill. Accompanying them was Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman. The New Orleans Service Mission is supported by the Repair the World Foundation. u Counterpoint Israel In July 2009, 22 undergraduate students participated in The Zusman Family Counterpoint Israel Program in Yerucham, and the Sharon and Avram Blumenthal Counterpoint Dimona Program, running summer camps for at-risk children and teens from low socio-economic backgrounds from development towns in Southern Israel. Students ran sports and recreational activities, conducted workshops designed to build self-esteem, and instructed English language lessons. To view a student-narrated video about Counterpoint, visit YU Students at the 2010 Jewish Federations of North America GA in Washington, D.C. Torah Tours A total of 545 students participated in The Aaron and Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours program over Simchat Torah 2009 and Shavuot 2010, visiting over 100 shuls across North America and the United Kingdom. Students were given the opportunity to present sermons and teach classes at their host synagogues, and were instrumental in adding a joyful spirit to the communities they visited. MASTER S PROGRAM IN ADVANCED BIBLICAL AND TALMUDIC INTERPRETATION u Professional Development Series The CJF provides a professional development series geared to the graduate women in the Masters program. This series includes individual Jewish professional career counseling sessions, group as well as individual public speaking seminars and coaching, hands on workshops focusing on tools for research, and guidance for preparation of lectures. In the Spring of 2010, the first semester of the professional development series featured 10 sessions delivered by various alumnae of the GPATS program discussing career preparation, goals and networking. The purpose of the Initiative is to provide emerging female leaders in the Orthodox community with halachically appropriate opportunities to actualize their potential. u Shavuot Scholars-in-Residence Eight women from the Master s program Rabbi Kenneth Brander addressing students at the Torah Tours student orientation participated in the Shavuot Scholar-in- Residence Program. This program matches graduate women with Jewish communities as scholars in residence for the holiday of Shavuot. Participating shuls and communities this year included: National Synagogue, Washington, DC; Kesher Israel, Washington, DC; Beth Jacob, Columbus, OH; Young Israel, St. Louis, MO; Baron Hirsch, Memphis, TN; Lower Merion Synagogue, Philadelphia, PA; and Stern College. u Internship Program The Internship Program began this past Fall with two women commencing year long paid internships in Orthodox synagogues across the United States. These women traveled to their communities for Shabbatot and holidays on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to deliver lectures and sermons to adult members, and to offer educational youth programming to young members. These professional development programs are made possible due to the support of Ambassador Alfred H. Moses and the Ambassador Alfred H. Moses Women s Leadership Initiative at Yeshiva University s Center for the Jewish Future. WOMEN S LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP Nineteen undergraduate women participated 7

8 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General in the Women s Leadership Fellowship (WLF) for student leaders at Stern College on the Beren campus. The program is geared towards women who exhibit outstanding leadership and initiative qualities. The WLF curriculum included exposure to a plethora of female guest speakers who were distinct from one another both in terms of their backgrounds as well as in their various Jewish communal professional or lay roles. The WLF is grateful for the past support of the Covenant Foundation which helped enable this program. MIDRASHIYA 20 women participated in Midrashiya a year-long program on the YU Israel campus for wives of Semikhah students. These women were given skills and tools for entering into the Jewish community both as rebbetzins and leaders. Midrashiya is supported by the MASA Israel Program QUEST Forty undergraduate students participated in Quest, a multi-semester leadership training fellowship. The mission of Quest is to inspire and train undergraduate students to actualize their potential and teach leadership skills, to prepare them to take active roles in the Jewish communal landscape. The first semester focuses on theory, while the second works on practice, challenging students to take on projects and exhibit leadership in the real world. YESHIVA UNIVERSITY STUDENT MEDICAL ETHICS SOCIETY In addition to the many events held on campus throughout the year, the YU Student Medical Ethics Society organized The Fuld Family Conference in October 2009 entitled, The Human Blueprint: Jewish Perspectives on Modern Genetics, which included 18 presenters and over 400 participants from the Tri-State area. Topics such as cancer genetics, law and genetics, reproductive genetics, and aging and genetics were discussed during the full day symposium. GENERAL ASSEMBLY Twenty-seven student delegates and six Presidential fellows attended the 2009 Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly (GA) in Washington, D.C. By sending the largest contingent of any university to this gathering, our students recognize the wealth of commitment found in this arena and the capacity they have to make a difference around the professional board tables of the larger Jewish community. President Richard M. Joel with over a thousand YU students at the Salute to Israel Day parade High School Students participate in an Eimatai leadership training program HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS These programs allow Yeshiva University students to engage with High School students from around the country. Such programs enable YU students to recognize their skills in effecting change in the student community and inspire high school students to recognize the contribution they can make to the Jewish people and society at large. All Yeshiva University students and advisors go through extensive training programs as part of these initiatives. u Eimatai Leadership Training Programs Fifteen Yeshiva University students interacted with 420 high school students from 26 different schools around North America in Eimatai Leadership training programs. Participating cities included New York, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, Boca Raton, Baltimore, Silver Spring, Toronto, Deal and Livingston. Eimatai Conferences provide ongoing professional mentoring of high school students designed to cultivate a community of student leaders who grow together through critical analysis 8

9 Infusing the Student Body with a Spirit of Leadership and a Sense of Responsibility to the Jewish People and Society in General and leadership skills development. Eimatai staff and advisors remain in close contact with the schools throughout the year, and help mentor schools about programming. This year, the theme of the Eimatai conference and seminars focused on issues of poverty and dealing with it through a halakhic perspective. u Torah Leadership Network 550 male high school students participated in Torah Leadership Network (TLN) events including mishmars at the new Jacob and Dreizel Glueck Center for Jewish Study Beit Midrash and at Shabbatons in neighborhoods across the Tri State Area. TLN provides informal educational opportunities that create a learning community of yeshiva high school students across North America. 450 female high school students from 13 tri-state area high schools attended TLN for Women mishmar events, for an evening of high level Jewish learning with Stern College students and faculty at Stern College on the Beren Campus. The program provided the Stern college students with the experience of both producing the program behind the scenes and acting as the actual teachers and mentors to the high school students. Students are afforded this wonderful opportunity to create long lasting relationships with high school students. The high school students are exposed to college level Judaic studies, hinting at the exciting options of advanced Torah study available to them after high school graduation. CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION In 2010, the Jim Joseph Foundation awarded Yeshiva University, along with Hebrew Union College and The Jewish Theological Seminary, a grant designed to prepare more and better qualified Jewish educators, primarily through degree and certificate programs, to work with Jewish youth and young adults. As part of this grant, Yeshiva University will be launching a new certificate program in Experiential Jewish Education with tracks in Jewish engagement, camping, youth work, social entrepreneurship, service learning, and day school-based informal education. The certificate program will not only serve to educate the newly initiated into the field of experiential education, but will also provide additional skills to those already engaged in this field. u Retreat On May 10-11, 2010, CJF gathered a cross section of leading thinkers and practitioners Azrieli Dean Schnall addresses students at Avodat Hakodesh program High School Students participate in TLN Mishmar for women in experiential Jewish education from across the Jewish world to help craft a training program to meet the growing needs of existing programs/institutions, while helping define and advance the field. CREATING THE PIPELINE: AN EVENING WITH JEWISH EDUCATORS AND INTELLECTUALS Our students who have been inspired by their leadership experience at Yeshiva University and are thinking of a career in service of the Jewish community were afforded an opportunity to meet with the deans of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, the Bernard Revel Graduate School for Jewish Studies, the Masters Program in Advanced Biblical and Talmudic Interpretation, RIETS and the Wurzweiller School of Social Work. Aside from meeting great role models in the Jewish community and creating relationships with them, the students benefitted from the more personal setting to understand the practical skills each school can offer for Jewish communal professionals. Students also gained insight into the day-to-day life of a Jewish professional by hearing young professionals discuss how their distinct educational paths prepared them for their various careers. 9

10 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders As a pulpit rabbi in a smaller Jewish community, I am very appreciative of the numerous opportunities for Torah learning, professional growth, and synagogue programming which the CJF has made available to me and my congregation. I know that I am in good company when I wish the CJF much continued success in all of its vital work on behalf of our Jewish people. Rabbi Akiva Males Rabbi, Kesher Israel Congregation, Harrisburg, PA The CJF nourishes the entire Jewish community with its innovative programming and educational intiatives on a local and national scale. We love having the Womens Summer Kollel in our community, and on a personal note I have benefitted in so many ways from the excellent annual Yarchei Kallah for Rebbetzins. Rebbetzin Sarah Robinson Rebbetzin, Lincoln Square Synagogue, New York, NY

11 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders Through CJF, Yeshiva University continues to develop partnerships with Jewish leaders in North America, Israel, and around the world. Yeshiva contributes management, educational and Jewish life programming to these communities, which, in turn, helps promote YU s friends, funds and freshmen goals. Members of CJF s staff travel to communities across the United States to meet with community leaders including philanthropists, day school and synagogue leaders, and members of the Jewish community to explore community-building strategies and consider future collaborations. COMMUNITY KOLLELIM u Year Round Kollelim The kollelim and learning centers are transformational initiatives that position YU- RIETS as a Yeshiva without walls, primed to spread the values of Torah Umadda to the broader community. Each in their unique way, these YU satellites look to enrich and engage the greater Jewish community with inspired Torah living and learning, celebrating the core values of the primacy of Torah, embracing the larger world through the prism of Jewish ideals and underscoring the religious significance of the State of Israel. Moreover, these initiatives create a laboratory for cultivating musmakhim as future communal leaders by offering them a smorgasbord of communal opportunities. Currently these initiatives are located in Chicago, Dallas, South Florida and Toronto. In September 2009 we launched the Zichron Dov Beit Midrash in Toronto. The Beit Midrash includes 4 kollel members as well as Rabbi Azarya Berzon, Scholar in Residence, and Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner, Rosh Beit Midrash. On a weekly basis, the Chicago and Toronto kollelim are touching over 1500 people, 30 synagogues, 8 yeshiva day schools and high schools, federations, and JCCs with over 40 shiurim and a weekly Torah publication. Due in part to the efforts of the kollel, Chicago now has 18 YU rabbis serving in the community, up from 4 that had been there before the kollel. In addition, kollel members have graduated to full time positions within the community. u School Kollelim The school kollel has proven to be an integral part of a school s educational enviornment and will be entering its sixth year in September fellows visit several schools in the Metropolitan area on a weekly basis, participating in learning programs and creating bonds with high school students. These schools included Ramaz, Frisch, and DRS. The participants interact with master Jewish educators who serve as mentors to them in their professional development. The kollel members are there to answer Rabbi Reuven Brand, Rosh Kollel of the Chicago Community Kollel (l-r) Eli and Renee Rubinstein, RIETS Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Henry and Julie Koschitzky at the Toronto Beit Midrash Opening Event questions for students, as well as act as a Torah presence around the schools. They serve as outstanding role models, lead chaburot, and sometimes even attend school trips and Shabbatons. u Summer Kollelim Summer Kollelim took place in the summer of 2009 in Israel, Chicago, Denver, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Passaic and Teaneck. Fellows spent time learning in these communities, while running various programs for local residents. Summer Kollelim for 2010 are scheduled to take place in LA, Denver, Israel, Chicago, and Teaneck. 11

12 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders u Manhattan Beit Midrash Twelve women served as fellows in the Beit Midrash Fellows Program. Here, the fellows spent their days in intensive study of Talmud, Tanach and Halacha, while also running programs for the community. These included chavruta-style learning with women and children from the neighborhood. The program also arranged for learning sessions two mornings and one evening a week for local community women. The learning focused around Summer Kollel Snapshot Keter Torah Summer Kollel, Teaneck, NJ Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch, Rosh Kollel Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, Kollel Coordinator 10 RIETS students studying Hilchot Aveilut under the guidance of Rosh Kollel, Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch. Kollel students are able to take bechinot and receive Semikah credit upon successful completion of their learning. The kollel serves as an incubator for future Klei Kodesh. Each fellow receives guidance in working with and teaching youth. The fellows learn the mechanics of creating exciting and engaging Torah programs through ongoing analysis and evaluation of the kollel youth programming. Each fellow is provided with the opportunity to present divrei torah at the weekday mincha and maariv minyan which enables them to share their passion for Torah and receive feedback on their presentations. 15 students who have spent the year learning in Eretz Yisrael are participating in the Kollel s Back from Israel Program. These students are guided in their learning by Rabbi Aryeh Stechler, Kollel coordinator. Youth Chavrutah Program 40 boy and girls learn one on one with Kollel fellows and participants in the Back from Israel program. Over 140 boys and girls attend learning programs on Tuesday and Thursday evening. Crisis, Hope and Leadership in Jewish Tradition. This Beit Midrash is continuing throughout July u Summer Lay Leadership Experience This summer the CJF partnered with Rabbi Dani Rockoff and the Kansas City Jewish community to create a pilot program Summer Lay Leadership Experience. The seven YU student participants are working at various internships during the week, while on evenings and Shabbat they engage the greater Jewish community with Torah learning, informal educational programs, and social events. The program has two goals: 1) It exposes YU students to Jewish life outside New York; 2) It reinforces their studies at YU, reminding them that their commitment to Jewish values requires an engagement in the workplace as well as in the arena of community responsibility. Rabbi Rockoff and the Kansas City community have worked to provide the participants with professional internships, Jewish learning and teaching opportunities, and a true Kansas City Experience. The students received summer internships at Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaufman Foundation, Village Shalom, and Legal Aid of Kansas City. WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM In , a new initiative was piloted in the Greater Washington Jewish community. The Washington Fellowship Program is made up of a group of 15 individuals between the ages of 30-45, living in Georgetown, Silver Spring and Potomac, who play lay leadership roles in their local shuls and communal organizations and wish to grow in their leadership skills. Throughout the course of the program, the fellows engaged in a variety of workshops and conversations aimed to train and mentor them to maximize their potential as catalysts of positive growth and change. The fellows participated in leadership skills training, personal coaching, self-analyses, emotional intelligence tests to help them focus on their strengths, role plays, text studies, and small-group work sessions. The program was directed by CJF and facilitated by Sy Syms School of Business professors, Dr. Steve Nissenfeld and Dr. Brian Marufi, national lay leaders, as well as Washingtonarea Jewish community professionals. CHAMPIONSGATE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE V A conference convening key lay leaders, rabbis and educators from over 70 communities in North America and beyond will take place on July 29th- August 1st, The conference will focus on moving from best practices to next practices. Topics to be addressed include breakthrough ways to finance our communal institutions, innovative approaches to instilling family values, creative methods for cultivating and training the next generation of leaders, and inventive ideas to infuse Jewish life with greater passion. Meant to create a community of leaders, the weekend will enable leaders from across the country to engage with one another and the leadership of Yeshiva University in advancing a proud and hopeful Jewish future. Information on the conference can be found by visiting the Championsgate Leadership Conference 12

13 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders website The program is hosted by Ira and Mindy Mitzner. RABBINIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS The CJF ran a number of outstanding and valuable programs for rabbis and rebbetzins, as well as for communal leaders. u Gottman Conference More than 350 mental health professionals from across the spectrum of the Jewish world, from Satmar to Reform, as well as YU-RIETS Roshei Yeshiva, researchers in the social sciences, and fourth-year RIETS rabbinical students attended a workshop on couples therapy presented by Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman at Yeshiva University. The event, organized in conjunction with Nefesh, an international network of Orthodox mental health professionals, brought the prominent husband-wife team to YU. Their two-day workshop presented strategies for counselors helping couples to compassionately manage and mediate conflict, deepen their friendship and intimacy and share their life purpose. The Gottmans also participated in a conversation with the students in Rabbi Brander s 4th year Rabbinical students and clergy that attended. u Alumni Yarchei Kallah The CJF hosted a rabbinic Yarchei Kallah engaging over 30 pulpit rabbis. The Yarchei Kallah are designed to stimulate, strengthen, and sharpen the rabbis skills related to preaching, programming, pedagogy, and presentation. The program also supports this network of like-minded colleagues who often find themselves lonely and isolated in their particular pulpits. Interaction at the program allows rabbis to share and discuss the challenges they face in a safe intimate setting. CJF Senior Scholar, Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, convened the program and was the key presenter, joined by others such as Dr. David Berger, Dean of the Bernard Revel Graduate School. u The David Berg Legal Yarchei Kallah Conference The David Berg Legal Yarchei Kallah Conference featured presentations by experts in Beit Din and Jewish Law, practicing attorneys, law professors and judges. Areas of focus included the interaction of the Beit Din and the American Judicial system, the limits and provisions of rabbinic privilege and confidentiality, realistic compliance with legal requirements, issues of mesira (informing on Jews), oversight of funds, parsonage issues and employment agreements. Gottman Conference for Rabbis and Mental Health Professionals u Executive Rabbinic Seminars The CJF teamed up with YU s Sy Syms School of Business to run a three-day seminar that focused on Synagogue Leadership and Management Dynamics and Leading Strategic Synagogue Transformation. Also participating in these seminars was a professional from the Alban Institute, an organization that provides resources and support for clergy of all faiths. This program addressed team roles, leadership dynamics, and running institutions. Thirty rabbis and thirty key officers from their respective synagogues lay leadership participated in these seminars. Participants learned management techniques that will help Alumni Yarchei Kallah them enhance leadership skills, increase avenues of communication, and improve the governance of their congregations. u Webinar Series A rabbinic webinar series was offered that focused on topics relevant to the rabbinate, such as Empowering and Enabling Rabbis to Make Better Personal Financial Decisions and The Virtual Beit Midrash: A Sharing of Electronic Tips and Tools In Preparing Torah Talks. The series featured 10 presentations throughout the Spring and Summer. The goal of these webinars is to provide programming to rabbis around the world on specific topics in a medium that is interactive, easily accessible and cost effective. Recordings of 13

14 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders 350 participants in conference for mental health training for rabbis and professionals 150 participants in rabbis yarchei kallah 10 virtual classes on webcast series for professional rabbinic development 45 full-time Jewish career placements (rabbis, educators, and administrators) 54 rabbinic internship placements 350 users of rabbinic resources website the webinars are available to rabbis at www. yu.edu/cjf/rabbis. u Pre-Pesach Yarchei Kallah A Yarchei Kallah for a cohort of 30 rabbis was convened in Edison, NJ, developing camaraderie amidst a sharing of sermon material and involving discussion of how to best deliver and teach from the pulpit. This program is part of the Legacy Heritage Distinguished Rabbinic Fellowship, generously supported by Legacy Heritage Fund Limited. ASSISTANT RABBI SEMINARS CJF recently hosted two seminars for assistant rabbis, to discuss different topics of interest including Relationship to the Senior Rabbi, Assistant Rabbi vs. Senior Rabbi, Programming and Best Practices and It s Not Too Early; Building your Financial Future. JEWISH CAREER PLACEMENT As of June 1, 2010, CJF-RIETS Morris and Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement has placed 23 rabbis, 11 senior school administrators, and 11 organizational administrators in pulpits, Jewish day 25 school kollelim fellows Assistant Rabbi Seminar Participants 1,500 people reached on a weekly basis by the Toronto and Chicago Kollelim 17 states represented at the rebbetzins yarchei kallah 117 participants in online discussion group for rebbetzins 70 communities represented at Champion s Gate leadership conference * Placement numbers for do not reflect the full year of placements still to be made 14

15 Building, Cultivating, and Supporting Communities, and their Lay and Rabbinic Leaders CHAVRUSA Magazine Participants at rebbetzins yarchei kallah schools and Jewish organizations around the country. A website run through this department allows communities and schools to post teaching and organizational positions they are looking to fill, and lets Jewish communal professionals find prospective jobs. Pulpit, Educational Administration, and other senior positions are not posted online but are managed personally by the placement director, Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg and assistant director Rabbi Elly Krimsky. STONE RABBINIC INTERNSHIPS Over 54 Semikhah students were offered internship opportunities during their final preordination phase of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) program. These students served as rabbinic interns under qualified mentors. 25 students were placed in congregations, 11 had educational internships, and 12 were given internships in communal service or chaplaincy. As part of the Stone Rabbinic Internship program there are also full day seminars on a variety of topics including Getting Your Next Position, Making the Right Impression, and Work-Life Balance. RABBINIC RESOURCES WEBSITE 350 rabbis are currently serviced by a CJF password-protected website which assembles the various resources that Yeshiva University has available to rabbis. Resources include: Drasha Nuggets to inspire drashot, prepared weekly by fellow rabbis, available exclusively to rabbis, with a fully searchable archive shiur outlines, responsa services, inviting research questions to be answered by Rabbi Joshua Flug, director of rabbinic research at CJF. RIETS RABBINIC ALUMNI RIETS Rabbinic Alumni s primary goal is to link its over 2,000 ordained rabbis to YU and RIETS and to each other. This centuryold Torah fraternity features members in the pulpit, Jewish education, chaplaincy (both military and health care), outreach, academia, organizational professionals, roshei yeshiva, kollel fellows and the laity. Programs are geared towards maintaining a connection to the Yeshiva and its faculty and enabling professional growth. In addition, Rabbinic Alumni creates a social network, offers help during times of financial stress, and assists the professional rabbi in dealing with new challenges. CHAVRUSA MAGAZINE This tri-annually published magazine for RIETS Rabbinic alumni offers news of RIETS, its alumni and faculty, divrei Torah, features of members and upcoming events. SERVING THE RABBI S WIFE u Rebbetzins Yarchei Kallah For the last four years, the CJF has been conducting programs designed to give rabbis wives the opportunity to meet with seasoned professionals to discuss issues of self, family, and community in a safe and supportive environment. The participants also have the opportunity to network, develop lasting relationships, nurture a support system, and enjoy the intellectual stimulation of Torah study with leading Jewish scholars while being mentored by more experienced rebbetzins. The Yarchei Kallah program conducted a twoday conference with over 60 rabbis wives attending from as many as 17 different states, as well as 3 Canadian cities. They participated in sessions such as, Women s Health and Halachah, Ten Hats and Counting: The Many Roles of a Rebbetzin, The Prevalence of Post-Partum Depression: Detecting and Dealing with It and Keeping the Connection with our Children in a Media Frenzied World. The next program is scheduled for November 15 th -16 th, 2010, and the theme is Appreciating the Rabbinic Couple: Formal and Informal Influence of the Rebbetzin. Future Rebbetzins Yarchei Kallah programs will be supported by Sender Cohen and Tali Rosenblatt Cohen in memory of Rebbetzin Esther Rosenblatt. u The Rebbetzins Café 117 rebbetzins participate in a Yahoo group called, The Rebbetzins Café, enabling them to share information about many subjects of interest. It s also used as a forum for discussion, and a way to share advice and support in many areas, like promoting meaningful conversation at the Shabbat table, child-raising, dealing with non-kosher birthday parties, motivating a greater observance of Halacha, sharing ideas for fund-raisers and chesed projects, handling giving gifts and going to smachot, family/community balance, and challenging interpersonal situations that arise. 15

16 Creating a Global Movement that Promotes the Values of Yeshiva University I appreciate the textual opportunities to follow along in Hebrew that you provide. I have been at this for six years, and appreciate the variety of perspectives in the drashes that you provide. I do cite your Rabbis whenever it is my turn to speak... I have enjoyed and learned quite a lot from the YU site [YUTorah.org], and I appreciate your time and effort putting it up. Daniel Bender US Navy, Honolulu, HI

17 Creating a Global Movement that Promotes the Values of Yeshiva University The Center for the Jewish Future continues to develop a wide variety of initiatives to further the unique values and ideals of Yeshiva University. THE MARCOS AND ADINA KATZ YUTORAH.ORG A monthly average of 375,000 page views are recorded regularly at the CJF-RIETS sponsored Marcos and Adina Katz Torah Web site, (a significant increase from last year s recorded value of 250,000.) There are over 60,000 monthly visits from 25,000 unique visitors. More than 50% of the visitors to YUTorah have no prior experience with Yeshiva University. The site features over 35,000 recorded lectures, classes, and seminars which help foster life-long Jewish learning, and features cutting-edge media and social networking technology. In addition to showcasing the Torah being studied at Yeshiva University, YUTorah is a platform to showcase Torah from YU-affiliated schools and organizations. YUTorah also partners with synagogues and organizations to power their own Torah websites with YUTorah technology. THE ABRAHAM ARBESFELD KOLLEL YOM RISHON AND MILLIE ARBESFELD MIDRESHET YOM RISHON 300 women and men from the New York metropolitan area regularly attend the Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon and Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon Sunday Torah learning series each week. This continuing adult education program features outstanding speakers/teachers addressing cutting-edge topics in a warm learning environment. For more details, to sign up, and to listen to audio recordings of previous sessions, please see www. yu.edu/kollelyomrishon/ or midreshetyomrishon u Community Yom Rishon Programs Special Kollel Yom Rishon/Midreshet Yom Rishon lecture series also took place in various cities such as Yerushalayim, Toronto, Philadelphia, Chicago, Stamford, Kew Gardens Hills, and the Five Towns. The Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon for Women The Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon for Men HOLIDAY TO-GO SERIES Before every chag, a collection of articles relating to that holiday are compiled, written by YU faculty, roshei yeshiva, and various other Torah personalities. This past year, editions were published for Tisha B av, Rosh Hashana, Sukkot, Chanuka, Purim, Pesach, Yom Haatzmaut and Shavuot. The booklets are distributed all over the country and world. This past year, 12,000 printed copies were given out to communities in the United States, Canada, UK and Israel. Communities benefitting from the series included Teaneck, the Five Towns, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Toronto and Ra anana. Another 6,000 were downloaded online. In addition to promoting the scholarship and erudition of YU personalities, the publications serve as a platform to promote events and programs from other departments in Yeshiva University, such as Institutional Advancement, Office of Alumni Affairs, Office of Admissions and other schools and departments. YEMEI IYUN Over the course of the academic year, there were a number of special Yemei Iyun offered to the community on the YU Wilf Campus. u Tanach Yom Iyun Two Yemei Iyun on Tanach were held, one on the topic of Heros and Villians in Tanach 17

18 Creating a Global Movement that Promotes the Values of Yeshiva University and one on Women in Tanach and Talmud, featuring classes from YU faculty. Over 500 people attended each Yom Iyun. u Tisha B av Tisha Ba av Kinot Series with Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter took place at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, NJ throughout the entire day. Hundreds attended the lectures live, while 5,500 others accessed the shiurim online though a live webcast. u Revel Yom Iyun A morning of Jewish Scholarship with the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies was held for the first time, and featured academic presentations from the faculty of school. u Beth Din Yom Iyun Two Yemei Iyun were held in conjunction with the Beth Din of America. The first was on the topic of Jewish and American Law (CLE credits were offered), and the second was on the topic of the Aguna crisis. u Pre-Yom Tov Events On Erev Yom Kippur, over 1,000 people prepared for the Day of Judgement with inspiring talks from Rabbi Dr. Jacob J Schacter and Rabbi Aharon Kahn. Another 1,000 people came before Pesach to hear Pesach insights from Rabbi Schacter and UK Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. SPEAKERS BUREAU Yeshiva University has launched a comprehensive Speakers Bureau (www. yu.edu/speakers) featuring faculty with expertise in a wide array of disciplines. The initiative offers more than 100 faculty from the University s undergraduate, graduate and professional schools and affiliates to serve as keynote speakers and panelists on over 150 subjects for lectures, conferences and symposia at schools, community centers, civic organizations and synagogues throughout North America. In the last year, more than 200 YU Speakers have visited 55 communities in North America. YUCONNECTS 900 students actively participated in YUConnects this year. YUConnects sponsors singles events, organizes forums on datingrelated issues, and continues to serve as an action tank for the larger discussion of communal and policy perspectives around the subjects of dating and marriage in the Jewish community. This year YU Connects anticipates working with Roshei yeshiva, rabbis and rebbetzins, and faculty members of various yeshivot and seminaries in Israel to proactively discuss some of the challenges in the current dating scene and enlisting their support in helping to create changes. YUConnects is a structured program of training, social events, and educational opportunities designed to help Yeshiva University students and alumni, as well as non- YU students and alumni navigate the difficult social terrain of dating and relationships. Over 100 trained volunteers help both as online connectors and event facilitators. Since January 2008, 43 couples who met through YUConnects have gotten engaged. Please visit YUConnects at u Creating Connections On May 7-9, 2010, over 90 shuls and communities hosted a positive and proactive opportunity for singles as part of the Creating Connections worldwide weekend, a project 375,000 monthly page views on YUTorah 35,000 shiurim and articles on YUTorah 300 weekly particpants of the Arbesfeld Yom Rishon program 5,500 viewers of Tisha B av Kinot live webcast 18,000 copies (physical and digital) of each Holiday To-Go publication 1,000 people attended erev Yom Kippur night of learning 200 speakers from YU that have visited 55 communities in North America 900 students served by YUConnects programs 43 couples engaged through YUConnects 90 communities participating in Creating Connections weekend 1,500 singles participating in Creating Connections weekend 300 job seekers at Jewish job fair The Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah.org The To-Go series 18

19 Creating a Global Movement that Promotes the Values of Yeshiva University Creating Connections Jewish Job Fair Meet the Connector night with YUConnects of YUConnects and the ChampionsGate YUConnects Task Force. Eleven simultaneous Shabbatons took place across the country, and 1500 singles participated in different events worldwide. Rabbis, Rebbetzins, and professionals in the field offered shiurim and educational sessions discussing healthy dating and healthy relationship building. A written resource booklet with practical ideas on how communities can be more helpful and a trigger film (produced for ChampionsGate IV) sharing some of the challenging issues facing singles today was sent to each community. These materials can be seen at Several dates and relationships evolved as a result of the weekend activities. One couple already shared the news of their recent engagement after meeting at one of the Shabbatons. JEWISH JOB FAIR Representatives from 34 day schools and 18 Jewish non-profit organizations attended a fair enabling over 300 job seekers to meet with key organizations to help them find jobs. Schools attending included preschools, elementary and high schools in the tri-state area, as well as Texas, Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, California, and Massachusetts. Organizations included the Anti-Defamation League, the Orthodox Union, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Aish, J-ADD (Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities) and OHEL. This event was coordinated with the Institute for University-School Partnership of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. INFORMAL EDUCATION WEBSITE Over 350 informal education programs have been uploaded to rakiyah.com. The website allows educators to share materials for presentations at informal settings such as camps, shabbatons and seminars. Materials include informational and inspirational presentations, skits and activities. The website is being tested in Summer 2010 by a small group of camp educators and will be formally launched in the next few months. Seed funding for the website has been provided by Mr. Nosson Friedman in memory of his wife, Mrs. Ethela Friedman. 19

20 Looking Ahead Celebrating the dedication of the new Jacob and Dreizel Glueck Center for Jewish Study

21 Looking Ahead The Center for the Jewish Future has proven to be effective in contributing immense value to the YU student body and to world Jewish life in just a few short years. Plans for the future both immediate and long range remain ambitious. These plans include: To work across the University to inspire students commitment to, and engagement in, community service in both the Jewish and world communities. To continue to collaborate with communities to build an effective infrastructure of services that will cast the widest possible net and engage the largest number of our brethren possible. To continue to train and inspire rabbis, teachers, and lay-leaders to respond effectively to the changing needs of their congregations, schools, and communities. To continue to establish partnerships that will deepen and strengthen the relationship between Yeshiva University and Jewish communities throughout the world. To continue to play a principal role in promoting the unique values of Yeshiva University particularly the relevance of Torah u-madda and will help secure the University s leadership position in Jewish life for decades to come. Our mission is to achieve these goals by convening the energies of Yeshiva University, a great Yeshiva and a serious academic institution. Our goals are only possible to achieve with your support. We are pleased to share our accomplishments, and we invite you to partner with us in this holy work to ensure a vibrant and bright Jewish future. Rabbi Kenneth Brander [email protected] The CJF Online The CJF homepage The Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah The YU speakers bureau The Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon The Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon Jewish career placement job listings Resources for communities looking to attract new people to move in. The Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Chicago Community Kollel The Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Zichron Dov Community Beit Midrash of Toronto Torah Tours registration for synagogues and YU students Torah Leadership Network Rabbinic resources YUConnects home page championsgate Championsgate Conference Counterpoint Israel Online resources for experiential education 21

22 The CJF Community Toolbox Broaden Your Horizon With CJF s Community Toolbox: HERE S WHAT YU CAN DO FOR YOU! TORAH PROJECTS & PUBLICATIONS YUTorah.org Website providing access to thousands of shiurim delivered by faculty of Yeshiva University and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Contact Rabbi Robert Shur at [email protected] Holiday-To-Go Torah packets featuring contributors from within the YU community published for and relevant to each holiday. To ensure that your community is receiving these packets please contact us. Contact Rabbi Robert Shur at [email protected] Orthodox Forum A conclave of Modern Orthodox intellectuals and communal leaders which meets annually to discuss pressing and current religious and social issues. A volume comprised of the individual papers presented at the conference is published. Contact Rabbi Robert Hirt at [email protected] Torah U-madda Journal An annual journal devoted to the interaction between Judaism and general culture. Contact Dr. David Shatz at [email protected] Beit Yitzchak A scholarly Torah journal in Hebrew featuring articles on legal Torah concepts by RIETS faculty and students. Contact [email protected] Tanakh/Jewish History Yom Iyun A day of Tanakh learning, featuring a wide array of YU faculty members speaking about Bible, Jewish History and Jewish philosophy. For more information about how to participate in this program online, contact us at [email protected] Student Medical Ethics Society Conference This year s conference, The Human Blueprint: Jewish Perspectives on Modern Genetics explored pressing issues in modern medicine. Guest lecturers include leading rabbis, physicians, researchers, and lawyers in the area of medical ethics. Visit us at LAY LEADER SERVICES The National Leadership Conference at ChampionsGate In concert with community leaders from across North America, prioritize, present and discuss an agenda of the issues facing the modern orthodox community at a yearly conference that convenes rabbinic, educational and lay leaders. The conference continues through regular phone conversations with President Joel and Rabbi Brander as well as task forces developed to implement change in issues affecting our community. Contact Rabbi Ari Rockoff at [email protected] COMMUNITY SERVICES & PROGRAMS Kollel/Midreshet Yom Rishon An opportunity to experience the energy of the Kollel/Midreshet Yom Rishon Program in your community. Create a lecture series on Sunday mornings delivered by dynamic male or female Torah scholars from Yeshiva University. Contact [email protected] YU Speakers Bureau Tailor programs of speakers from within the YU community for the needs and desires of your community or institution. Contact [email protected] Community Growth Initiative (CGI) Empower communities seeking to grow, based on empirical research models and cutting-edge marketing. Join our new website that allows thousands of potential members to view the treasures of your community. Contact [email protected] Aaron and Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours Teams of young men and women dispatched to communities for Simchat Torah and Shavuot to teach classes, instill ruach, and create a fun and spirited Yom Tov experience. Contact Aliza Abrams at [email protected] Summer/Winter Kollelim Establish adult and youth learning programs in various communities during winter and summer breaks with a contingency of Yeshiva University students. Contact [email protected] Community Kollel Establish a transformational Torah U madda Religious Zionist initiative in your community that seeds young dynamic families and serves as an incubator for future klei and lay kodesh. Contact Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz at [email protected] YUConnects YUConnects offers social networking events and opportunities, a matchmaking website with volunteer connectors worldwide, and educational sessions relating to dating and healthy relationship building. For more information contact [email protected] RABBINIC & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Morris and Gertrude Bienenfeld Department of Jewish Career Development and Placement Access to professionals who aid institutions with the search process, management and mentorship of Rabbis, educators and Jewish communal professionals throughout North America and beyond. Contact Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg at [email protected] or Rabbi Elly Krimsky at [email protected] Rabbis Yarchei Kallah Conduct retreats for Rabbis designed to stimulate, strengthen and sharpen the participants preaching, pastoral, programming, and teaching skills. Primary mentor in this program is Rabbi Jacob J. Schacter. Conversations on management skills and balance between the homework relationship is also part of the presentations. Contact Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter at [email protected] or Rabbi Levi Mostofsky at [email protected] Rebbetzin s Yarchei Kallah & Chat Room Convene groups of rebbetzins to support and strengthen the skills they need to succeed in their unique role. The program includes in depth textual learning on topics on which the rebbetzins desire additional knowledge, mentoring between veteran and new rebbetzins, mental health conversations on a wide range of issues that the rebbetzins often deal with and guidance on how to help the rabbinic family develop while being raised in the eye of the community. Contact Rebbetzin Meira Davis at [email protected] Executive Rabbinic Seminars Leadership management seminars bringing together synagogue rabbis, lay leaders, and management consultants from the Sy Syms School of Business. Seminars focus on synagogue leadership and management, strategic planning, volunteer board development, and leading transformational change. Contact Rabbi Levi Mostofsky at [email protected] Rabbinic Research & Resource Center Assistance for rabbis with questions, drasha ideas, shiurim, as well as providing access to Jewish scholarship and mental health insights on contemporary matters. Contact Rabbi Levi Mostofsky at [email protected] shaarhaavodah.org A vocational website designed to help Jewish organizations find professionals they seek and aid professionals in finding positions. Contact Ms. Keren Simon at [email protected] 22

23 CJF Sponsorship Opportunities Yeshiva University s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) holds a bold vision for the future of North American Jewish life: inspired and passionate leadership; strong, vibrant communities; and a Judaism that is relevant, meaningful, and ennobling. From the classroom to community centers and schools to synagogues, the CJF convenes the University s rich intellectual resources and its long tradition of service to the world beyond our campuses. The CJF promotes and nurtures the enduring Jewish value of Tikkun olam and demonstrates unwavering confidence in a dynamic, inspired, and inspiring Jewish future. OUR PRIORITIES Enhance programs designed to build, cultivate, and support Jewish communities, their institutions, and leaders with particular emphasis on training and education for rabbis Expand leadership development programs and opportunities for students to inspire and nurture a sense of responsibility to Klal Yisrael (the Jewish people) and the world community Create global initiatives that promote the value of Torah Umadda, passionate commitment to Jewish practice and study, and dedication to the vibrancy of the State of Israel CJF Naming Opportunities $500,000 Name the new Rabbinic Research and Resource Center which is used by over 350 Rabbis assisting them with weekly drasha ideas, shiurim, access to cutting edge Jewish scholarship, halakhic perspectives on stories ripped from the headlines, and insights on contemporary matters. $100,000 Create a series of YU Torah and Academic speakers in 15 communities around North America. $50,000 Dedicate CJF s Holiday-to-Go Torah booklets featuring contributors from YU scholars and Torah personalities. Published for each holiday, over 12,000 currently distributed to synagogues across North America and Israel with thousands worldwide downloading the series from YU s virtual Torah learning site YUTorah.org. $36,000 Champion Jewish education and the opportunity for our students to engage communities around North America by dedicating one of six summer kollelim around the country. These kollelim serve as incubators for both young men and women to increase their confidence and skills as future leaders and enables the YU message to be shared across the North American communal landscape. $36,000 Help us conduct 3 day spiritual retreats for Rabbis designed to stimulate, strengthen, and sharpen the 40 participants s preaching, programming, and teaching skills. $25,000 Advance our communities by making possible an executive training seminar for 36 of our community s rabbis and synagogue lay leaders. These seminars focus on leadership and management, strategic planning, volunteer board development, and leading transformational change. $25,000 Help underwrite YUConnects and facilitate single undergraduate alumni and students with comfortable opportunities to socialize and connect via a warm and personal approach. $18,000 Provide a rabbinic intern to a Jewish community and help train the next generation of rabbinic leadership. $10,000 Dedicate the annual Tanach Yom Iyun, a student-organized day of learning that draws hundreds of participants annually to Wilf campus for a day of bible study from YU s Roshei Yeshiva and Biblical scholars. $5,000 Underwrite the worldwide Tisha B av webcast that attracts over five thousand on-line participants to a five hour program delivered by renowned scholar Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schachter $2,500 Become a supporter of YUTorah. org which has over 64,000 monthly visitors. Be recognized on the front page of the site and chose a week during the year to dedicate in honor or in memory of a loved one $1,000 Sponsor a day of RIETS Torah Scholarship to mark a Yahrtzeit or special family simcha $500 Dedicate a Kollel Yom Rishon Sunday morning lecture which is attended by over 300 participants. 23

24 Alternative Winter Break Shabbat 2010 Operation Healthcare Jewish Life Coast To Coast El Salvador Quest JNF Limmud Avodat Hakodesh Jewish Educator s Panel Community Calendar Germany New Orleans General Assembly Schreiber Torah Tours Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic and Biblical Interpretation Women s Summer Beit Midrash Midrashiya Eimatai Leadership Training Torah Leadership Network Counterpoint Israel Chavrusa Magazine Student Medical Ethics Society Rakiyah Bone Marrow Drives Teaneck Beit Midrash Fellows Program Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative Gottman Conference Rabbis Yarchei Kallah Berg Legal Yarchei Kallah Executive Rabbinic Seminars Webinar Series for Rabbis Pre-Pesach Yarchei Kallah The Orthodox Forum Jewish Career Services and Placement Shaar Haavodah Speakers Bureau Washington Fellows Rabbinic Internships Kinus Teshuva Lecture Rabbinic Resources Website Wexner Kollel Elyon Lecture Series Chicago Community Kollel Zichron Dov Toronto Community Beit Midrash Torah U-Madda Journal Summer Kollellim School Kollellim Rebbetzins Yarchei Kallah The Rebbetzins Cafe Championsgate Leadership Conference Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah.org Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon Tisha B av Kinot Webcast Holiday To-Go Beth Din Yom Iyun Tanach Yom Iyun Revel Yom Iyun Lower Merion Midreshet Yom Rishon YUConnects Creating Connections Weekend Jewish Job Fair RIETS Rabbinic Alumni Ner L elef Drasha Nuggets Quarterly Newsletter RIETS Publications Women s Leadership Fellowship Shavuot Scholar-In-Residence Program Alternative Winter Break Shabbat 2010 Operation Healthcare Jewish Life Coast To Coast El Salvador Quest JNF Limmud Avodat Hakodesh Jewish Educator s Panel Community Calendar Germany New Orleans General Assembly Schreiber Torah Tours Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic and Biblical Interpretation Women s Summer Beit Midrash Midrashiya Eimatai Leadership Training Torah Leadership Network Counterpoint Israel Chavrusa Magazine Student Medical Ethics Society Rakiyah Bone Marrow Drives Teaneck Beit Midrash Fellows Program Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Enrichment Initiative Gottman Conference Rabbis Yarchei Kallah Berg Legal Yarchei Kallah Executive Rabbinic Seminars Webinar Series for Rabbis Pre-Pesach Yarchei Kallah The Orthodox Forum Jewish Career Services and Placement Shaar Haavodah Speakers Bureau Washington Fellows Rabbinic Internships Kinus Teshuva Lecture Rabbinic Resources Website Wexner Kollel Elyon Lecture Series Chicago Community Kollel Zichron Dov Toronto Community Beit Midrash Torah U-Madda Journal Summer Kollellim School Kollellim Rebbetzins Yarchei Kallah The Rebbetzins Cafe Championsgate Leadership Conference Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah.org Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon Tisha B av Kinot Webcast Holiday To-Go Beth Din Yom Iyun Tanach Yom Iyun Revel Yom Iyun Lower Merion Midreshet Yom Rishon YUConnects Creating Connections Weekend