This Friday signals the start of Yeshiva University's first significant effort to create a presence in Israel (outside of the four walls of the Gruss Center). President Richard Joel, whose commitment to strengthening ties with the Israeli Modern Orthodox community (in potentia) is inspiring, is convening a six day convocation consisting of sessions, shiurim and symposia on Torah UMadda as it relates to and impacts upon Israeli Life. [Kudos, moreover, to YU"s VP for Israel Affairs, Howard Weisband, who made it happen.]
In my opinion, the program is significant for two reasons. First, it is a high quality effort that matches Israelis and Americans, with an eye to the interface between the two communities. Second, or perhaps more importantly, it is occurring. As you know, I believe deeply that Israeli Orthodoxy (and the Jewish community here generally) is in desperate need of exactly the tools and insights that YU has developed over the past century, in order to survive as a Jewish State.
[Indeed, it may ne part of the answer to the malaise described so hauntingly by Caroline Glick, a few days ago.]
As my wife's grandmother used to say: לאמיר האפ'ן פאר די בעסט, דער אייבעשטער זאל העלפ'ן
I received the invitation. If they were trying to reach out to Israeli orthodoxy, then leaving Daniel Abraham's name on the invite probably didn't help YU's cause all that much in light of his recent real estate dealings and sub-prime loans to the head of Avanti.
ReplyDeleteI think that YU's endowment is pretty well flush by now that they can afford to be a bit more picky in whose names they'd like to see on the masthead.
on a different note, would you care to weigh in with a review of elliot horowitz's new book?
ReplyDeleteid love to read your thoughts (i mean once you right them down...)
Significant presence? You must be joking. YU seems focused on splashy publicity stunts - new logo, $6m/year for the nebulous CJF - wthis seems like another such effort, a showcase for some fatcats to make speeches and pat themselves on the back for holding the chag hasmicha in Jerusalem.
ReplyDeletei am afraid that i have to agree with anonymous, though i would stop short at the bitter tone (but i do understand it!).
ReplyDeletejudging by the program he seems correct.
what are the yu israel initiatives? what do they want to accomplish in israel?
So will you weigh in with a review of Horowitz's book?
ReplyDelete