Yeshiva University Honors Jewish Communal Leaders at June 13 Ceremony in Beverly Hills More than 425 guests were in attendance for Yeshiva University’s Inaugural Los Angeles Convocation and Dinner on June 13 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. President Richard M. Joel conferred honorary degrees upon Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center; Mitch Julis, co-chairman and co-CEO of Canyon Partners, LLC; Louis Kestenbaum, philanthropist and YU benefactor; and communal leaders Larry and Barbi Weinberg. [flickrslideshow acct_name="yeshivauniversity" id="72157627022935584"] “We honor five wonderful individuals who join Yeshiva University’s constellation of celebrated thinkers and doers, poets and scientists, leaders and inspirers,” said President Joel. “The highest award a university can bestow is an honorary degree.  We confer such honor on those who we believe are the best reflection of what we wish for our children. They are all now a part of an institution intent on ennobling and enabling the next generation steeped in Jewish History and committed to Jewish destiny to advance Western Civilization.” Read more about the honorees here. In addition to the conferring of degrees, the ceremony featured an invocation by Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and a performance by the Maccabeats, YU’s popular a cappella group. During the dinner portion President Joel paid tribute to Ouriel Hassan, Dr. Helen Nissim, Rivkah Rogawski and Daniel Rubin—four current students and graduates of Yeshiva University with Los Angeles roots. “Your firm commitment to Jewish values and passionate pursuit of excellence has enriched our student body as a whole,” said President Joel.