Aton M. Holzer

Candidate for SOY President

As the progeny of a 'YU family' dwelling in the heart of a 'YU community,' I had always regarded the Student Organization of Yeshiva with a mixture of admiration and awe. As a toddler, when I studied the Alef-Beis under my grandfather's (RIETS '50) tutelage in his home, I could not help but notice the names of SOY and RIETS that prominently adorned many tomes on his bookshelves. Among these were Haggados, Halakhic compendia, journals on Holidays and Festivals and his complete collections of Beis Yitzchak and Gesher, along with several yellowing issues of Hamevaser marking fateful junctures in YU history in the 1960's. Enayim L'Torah, which was delivered to our Shul each Shabbos since its inception, became a source for Divrei Torah for my Shabbos table during my years of primary schooling; at the age of ten, I began to accompany my grandparents to the annual SOY Sefarim Sale in the basement of Furst Hall. It was SOY that solidified my perception of Yeshiva University as a vital Makom Torah, and hence did I not even consider applying to any other undergraduate institution; YU was clearly the epicenter of Jewish life in America and perhaps the world.

When I matriculated into Yeshiva College in Fall 1994, I was at once elated and somewhat disillusioned; while the Yeshiva clearly was a vital Makom Torah, the committees and publications of SOY were somewhat neglected; students were too busy with other concerns - albeit important ones - to tend to the 'Yeshiva' aspect of the YU experience.

I immediately joined the staffs of Enayim L'Torah and Hamevaser; upon my return from Israel, I co-edited Bein Koslei HaYeshiva with Chaim Loike and Uri Goldstein, and rose in the ranks of Hamevaser to the position of Editor-in-Chief, which I currently hold. In all my endeavors, I have done my utmost to raise the quality of the publications both in reader accessibility and aesthetics. Ultimately, my goal is, and always has been, L'Hagdil Torah U'LeHa'adirah - to spark the interest and excitement of a seemingly apathetic student body, to raise the scepter of SOY to the lofty heights that it once held in the imagination of a young boy - and even beyond.

As president of the Senior Class this year, I have had experience in many aspects of leadership; we arranged a most successful Senior Class Shabbaton (featuring Rabbi Lamm, Rabbi Zev Reichman and Rabbi Daniel Feldman) and events, most notably the upcoming Senior Dinner, which promises to be the most exceptional in recent memory. We have appointed and overseen a qualified and talented yearbook staff headed by Daniel Drabkin, and have succeeded in raising funds for our events via a successful raffle and inter-campus Mishloach Manos program. I maintain a good relationship with key members of administration and faculty; I hope to draw upon the experiences, friendships and skills I have mustered for the leadership of SOY in the coming year.

The programs that I hope to implement upon my election include: Enhancing the Ruach HaYeshiva: a weekly club hour Parshas HaShavua Shiur by Roshei Yeshiva and faculty, late-night weekly 'va'ad's with older Kollel members, a more structured mishmar program with additional available Chaburot and abundant refreshments, and exciting Shabbatonim and Motza'ei Shabbos programs.

Improving the lot of the Talmidim inquire as to the feasibility of placing a copying machine in proximity to the Main Beis Midrash, coffee machines or free coffee in areas adjacent to the Batei Midrash, and perhaps even a computer or computers with Bar-Ilan or Davka programs and other research tools in areas close to the Batei Midrash, and begin a SOY-sponsored Peer Tutoring program for areas in Jewish studies.

Elevating the erudition of our Talmidim: distribute basic Halakhic and Machshavic texts ("SOY survival kit") to the student body, implement a Machshavah incentive program involving essay contests and other motivators, institute frequent catered shiurim and lectures on Jewish topics, create a new SOY Haggadah, and revive Bein Koslei HaYeshiva, Orchos Aliyah and perhaps even Gesher, SOY's publication for Jewish scholarship.

I also hope to make use of my position on the student life committee to address concerns affecting the broader student body.