A Tribute To Rabbi Cheifetz

It's Wednesday at 12:00 pm and the head resident advisors meeting with Rabbi Cheifetz has just begun. The topic for discussion is storage rooms being cleared out before the summer. A debate ensues, and by 12:30 consensus has been reached on how to effectively conduct this project in the midst of finals, causing minimal disturbances to the student's delicate psyche at this stressful time of the year.

The head resident advisors meet every on Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, to discuss any problems or issues that have come up in the past week or may arise in the coming days. Most students may not realize the great importance of these meetings in ensuring the smooth running of the three dormitories, as well as the independent housing program, at Yeshiva University. And at the helm: Rabbi Joshua Cheifetz.

Rabbi Cheifetz joined the YU community some 38 years ago and has faithfully served its student body. It was sad, indeed, to hear of his retirement from his position of Director of Residence Halls.

It's truly rare to see a person so devoted to the well-being of each and every student, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ryan Hyman, Head Resident Advisor for Morgenstern hall for the 97-98 academic year, said, "I clearly remember being called at 2:00 am one morning toward the end of December, during finals, to a student's room in Rubin Hall. The student was not feeling well and it's the head RA's responsibility to make sure the student is taken care of. However, when I arrived at the room, Rabbi Cheifetz was standing outside. He had heard that a student was not well and had come upstairs to see if there was anything he could do to help. And this is only one of the many incidents where Rabbi Cheifetz was there for the students."

Rabbi Cheifetz, who has his degree in social work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, was also the creator of the popular Dorm Talks program. From start to finish of each program, through the myriad details, Rabbi Cheifetz ensures the smooth running of the program designed to be of interest to every student.

Another one of Rabbi Cheifetz's crowning achievements is the Shabbat Enhancement Program. Through his leadership, and close work with the Yeshiva College Student Council, staying on the YU campus for Shabbat has become the rule rather than the exception. Speakers have to be booked months in advance, flyers have to be posted informing students of the various Shabbat events from shiurim to nursing home visits. And who can complain about $5 for an entire Shabbat, including a hot cholent tish on Friday night?

Hyman continued, "I have had a unique opportunity - I have worked with Rabbi Cheifetz as a resident advisor, and more recently, in my capacity as Assistant Director of Admissions. Having worked with him in both offices, I have always found him to be professional, always putting the needs of the student first."

Rabbi Cheifetz: A void will be left in the heart of the entire Yeshiva University community as we say farewell to a man who has devoted so many years of his life to each of us.