Alumni Newsletter
January 1, 2025
Dear Friends,
Happy Chanukah and happy New Year! I hope the holiday has been filled with light, love and family as we all join together and pray for a more peaceful 2025 for Am Yisrael.
A unique aspect of the YU alumni community is the extent to which alumni naturally stay connected in their home communities. Through school, shul, camp and the ubiquitous WhatsApp groups, many alumni are naturally abreast of what is happening in the lives of their friends.
However, for as many alumni as we organically connect with on a daily basis, there are thousands more who have moved away or interact differently—and for the sake of the larger YU alumni community, I want to invite you all to take advantage of the opportunity to submit a Class Note.
By filling out the form, you can update the entire YU community to whatever simcha (or sadness) is happening in your life; a birth, death, wedding, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, promotion, book launch, career change.
If it’s something you want to share, we want to hear from you, and we will share it in the dedicated section of the alumni website.
Please also check out the flurry of alumni engagement events happening this winter at YU:
- Men’s and women’s Dor l’Dor Torah learning over President’s Day Weekend
- Annual YU Real Estate Day
- Annual Alumni Night with the Macs
I hope to see you soon.
With care,
Beth
Beth Lebenson Praver
Director of Alumni Engagement
646.592.4493 | beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu
Upcoming Events
Getting Real About Real Estate
On Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, Weil, Gotshal and Manges in midtown New York will host the second annual YU Real Estate Day. Last year’s inaugural event sold out, so if you are interested in sponsoring the real estate networking event of the season, email Roslyn Beberman at roz.beberman@yu.edu. Organized by the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Sy Syms School of Business. Register»
Second Annual Women’s Yom Iyun
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025 — The second annual Women’s Yom Iyun: Come Learn at Stern, will focus on Living Unique Lives: Serving as an אור לגוים. This Dor l’Dor program will take place 10 a.m.-1 p.m. the Sunday of President’s Day weekend.
All YU alumnae are invited with their daughters, granddaughters — even their old Stern roommate! — to learn with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, Dean Rebecca Cypess, Rachel Besser and Rabbi Shay Schachter. Jointly sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Department of Women’s Undergraduate Torah Studies and Spiritual Life. Register»
Third Annual Men’s Dor L’Dor
Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 — The third annual Dor l’Dor men’s learning on the Wilf Campus will take place on President’s Day. Save your spot for an unforgettable experience of Torah learning, for fathers, sons, and male alumni from all walks of YU. Come participate in the vibrancy of the Beit Midrash and shiurim, just like when you were a student. Register»
Annual Alumni Night with the MACS
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 — Bring the family Motzei Shabbat for a dairy dinner at the MSAC, then watch the MACS take on Mount Saint Mary College in the last home game of the regular season. Register»
Alumni Discount Night at the Seforim Sale
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 — Whether you’ll already be at the MACS game for Alumni Night or coming exclusively for the Seforim Sale, Motzei Shabbat on Saturday, Feb. 22, is when you get your Alumni Discount of 5% at the Seforim Sale.
You must have an alumni ID to be eligible for this discount. Don't have an ID? Get one now»
General hours for the sale, which runs from February 2-23: Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday-Thursday: 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Friday: Closed; Motzei Shabbat: 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
Past Events
- On Dec. 24, Yeshiva University in Israel hosted a financial panel featuring Fred Kahn (’00SB), Aaron Katsman (’92YC) and Rifka Lebowitz, CFP and founder of Living Financially Smarter in Israel, moderated by Susan Kirshner-Sheldon (’97S). Topics included dual U.S.-Israel tax responsibilities, PFICs, IRAs and investment strategies. Attendees gained practical advice for managing finances in Israel, with Q&A providing personalized tips. The event emphasized financial literacy, leaving students, alumni and kollel families better prepared to navigate complex financial challenges.
Alumni Profile
From Iran to Yeshiva University
From a childhood in the Islamic Republic of Iran, raised in a religious Shia Muslim family, to a life rooted in Orthodox Judaism, William Mehrvarz (’21YC)’s journey is one of remarkable transformation and resilience. Read more»
Spring Book Talks
This is the spring book talk schedule organized by YU Libraries. Each discussion will be offered online.
The details of each, including the author/moderator and description, are at the registration link, and all times are EST.
- Engaging the Essence: The Philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe • Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. • yu.edu/essence
- The Twersky Dynasty: From Chernobyl to the Bronx: The illustrated Biography of HaRav Yaakov Yosef Twersky • Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, at 8 p.m. • yu.edu/twersky
- Pursuing Peshat: Tanakh Parshanut & Talmud Torah • Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at 8 p.m. • yu.edu/peshat
- Despite Everything: A Chronicle of Jewish Resilience in the Aftermath of October 7th • Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 8 p.m. • yu.edu/despite
YU in Israel
- Alumni in Israel: If you are an alum who lives in Israel, please take a moment to update your information with the alumni office. Let us know how best to reach you and share what kinds of engagement interest you and stay updated on local events and news. For questions or information, reach out to Susan Sheldon, susan.sheldon@yu.edu.
- Resources in Israel: Since Oct. 7, our Israel office has been a resource to both our visiting and local staff, students and alumni in finding meaningful ways to assist Israel in times of need. Whether you’re looking to volunteer for a few hours or a few days, we can connect you with impactful opportunities. From working on farms to tying tzitzit for soldiers or cooking for families with loved ones in miluim [reserve duty], we’re here to help match you with a project that makes a difference. Again, for questions or information, reach out to Susan Sheldon, susan.sheldon@yu.edu.
- Planning a trip to Israel? Stay connected with YU to make the most of your trip! The Alumni Office at YU Israel can help with recommendations on where to go, how to have impactful volunteer opportunities and just to be a general resource to ensure you feel connected and have a meaningful experience while you're in Israel. Email Susan Sheldon at susan.sheldon@yu.edu to discuss.
Ongoing
Torah Tuesdays
Follow the Office of Alumni Affairs on Facebook and enjoy our Torah Tuesdays feature, where learned alumni are invited to submit a short video to share a bit of Torah wisdom each week. Submit a Torah Tuesday feature yourself at alumni@yu.edu!
Become a Software Developer
YU Global is now accepting applications for the Master of Science in Software Development, a 36-credit, 10-month-long program powered by the InfinityLabs R&D leading-edge curriculum with in-person and online options. Build a job-ready portfolio and receive aggressive job search support. Application deadline is Jan. 4, 2025, for the face-to-face class. Apply now»
Volunteer Opportunity
Helping Students
Are you interested in helping students with things like quick résumé reviews, informational interviews and preparing for careers in your industry? Please consider joining the YU Mentoring Volunteer Program, a group of over 800 alumni willing to speak to students about career-related topics. Your commitment is extremely flexible, and you set the amount of availability you have for students per month. For any questions or help registering for YU-MVP, contact rebecca.terebelo@yu.edu.
Need to Know
- You can find more news about Yeshiva University at YU News.
- Are you a YU sports fan? Check out the full sports calendar and don’t miss a game!
- See what’s been happening with your fellow alumni in the Class Notes.
- Sy Syms has also put out its alumni newsletter, which can be found on LinkedInand the web.
Join the YU Alumni Association
If you haven’t yet, you are missing out on some great benefits. Not only can you get an alumni ID card that gains you access to places like the libraries and campus happenings, you also get notices about specialized networking events, job opportunities and career support, social gatherings, reunions, minyan access on campus and legacy admission support.
Update Your Information
So we can better serve you, please update your contact information, especially if you have moved or changed your email address. We don't want you to miss out on the wonderful things happening at your alma mater.
Contact Us
- Promote Your Business: Don't miss an opportunity to put your business in front of an alumni community 70,000-strong. (Beth Lebenson Praver, beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu.
- Prep YU Students for the Workplace: Any alumni interested in potentially becoming a mentor, speaking on a panel, hosting an intern or otherwise engaging with students is welcome to contact the Shevet Glaubach Center for Career Strategy and Professional Development anytime. There are short- and long-term mentorship programs available, and we are always looking for opportunities for students. Contact Todd Lotcpeich, senior director of employer relations and engagement, at todd.lotcpeich@yu.edu.
- Hosting Events: If you would like to host an affinity event, we would love to take you up on your offer. Contact Beth Lebenson Praver, beth.lebensonpraver@yu.edu.
Yeshiva University Office of Alumni Affairs
500 West 185th Street | Belfer Hall 7th Floor | New York, NY 10033
646.592.4490 | alumni@yu.edu
