Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman presents Ishay Ribo with the University’s inaugural Or l’Yisrael award.

Urges community to assist YU with increased security, additional scholarships and support for our students at this time.

New York, NY December 4, 2023—Rising to this critical moment in the history of the Jewish people, Yeshiva University demonstrated its unwavering leadership in a moving evening of music and unity at its 99th Annual Hanukkah Dinner, which featured YU students and faculty who are IDF veterans as well as the music of Israeli superstar Ishay Ribo.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, thanked the more than 500 friends, dignitaries and supporters of YU Sunday night at New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom for the groundswell of support, announcing that after only three years of publicly launching the Rise Up Campaign for 613 we have already raised over $400 million.

He also proudly announced the establishment of the new Senator Joseph Lieberman Center for Public Service and Advocacy, founded by The Ira Mitzner and Riva Collins Families, with a generous gift of $10 million. This vital center will further Yeshiva University’s mission, developing the next generation of government leaders and advocates who are deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition, and deeply connected to Israel.

Inspired by the renowned figure of faith in the public square, Senator Joseph Lieberman, YU’s new Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy will develop the next generation of government leaders and public advocates, with a national and international focus, who are deeply rooted in Jewish values and tradition. 

“Yeshiva University is where the next generation of leaders are nourished, educated and inspired to lead lives of influence and impact,” said President Berman. “But Yeshiva University is more than that. In a topsy-turvy world in which Hamas is hallowed as heroes and innocent Israeli children are portrayed as villains, Yeshiva University stands for something even greater—the Truth. It is the truth that motivates our unwavering support for Israel. It is the truth that animates our commitment to Torah. It is the search for truth that drives our top-tier research in all our undergraduate and graduate schools. And the truth is that the world needs Yeshiva University now more than ever as the Flagship Jewish University.”

Through multimedia presentations and live performances by the Maccabeats, Cantor Netanel Hershtik and Ishay Ribo, who thanked the crowd for receiving the first “YU Grammy award”, the event celebrated YU’s heroes who are standing in unity with Israel and the Jewish people, showcasing the many ways in which the administration, faculty and students support Israel.

Immediately after Oct. 7, YU sprang into action, taking care of its student body, including dramatically increasing its security presence across all four campuses. The university also increased access to mental health services for students who may require support due to trauma and anxiety related to the ongoing war in Israel. And it expanded programming in support of Israel. In response, YU launched a special fundraising effort to meet its urgent needs with increased security, additional scholarships and support for our students at this time.

“YU is the nation’s higher educational leader fighting for the Jewish people and the Jewish homeland and against antisemitism across the world,” said Susan Meyers, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “YU has the largest physical footprint of buildings of any Jewish institution in North America. Needs to increase security and student services have skyrocketed. Now is the time to show support for the campus and the students who form the base of the pro-Israel community and represent our future.”

The ways in which YU, as the world’s flagship Jewish university, and its students, have come together to stand with Israel since Oct. 7 are many and varied.

First and foremost, numerous YU students, staff and alumni are now on active duty with the IDF, helping to defend Israel on the ground.

In addition, in an act of trailblazing leadership, President Berman convened a coalition of more than 100 universities and colleges in clear support of Israel in the war against terrorism and Hamas. Students have initiated supply drives, lobbying efforts, missions to Israel, prayer groups and letter-writing campaigns. They are on the forefront of the war against antisemitism.

YU sent 44 busses of over 2,500 students, faculty and staff to last month’s historic March for Israel in Washington, among the largest contingent in the nation. YU’s unprecedented step of cancelling all undergraduate classes for the day was credited by rally organizers as paving the way for the entire day school system, the synagogues across the denominations and the Jewish organizational world to follow.

YU students also ran a 75-hour-long global learning and mitzvah initiative in support of Israel last month (75 corresponding to 75 years since the founding of the State of Israel), learning without interruption.  

“We are at a watershed moment in Jewish history and in American history,” President Berman said. “This week is Hannukah. Not just on the calendar, but in our lives. We are not celebrating the Maccabees; we are living the Maccabees. We are not commemorating the past, we are in the midst of the story. There are moments when we are invited to participate in the unfolding of history itself. And this is such a moment.” 

To donate now and be a part of this urgent effort, please visit: yu.edu/giving.