Message From Outgoing IBC President, Matityahu Ballas

One of the most profound demonstrations of the Torah U'Madda philosophy of Yeshiva University is the Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies. The IBC ideology is to integrate Torah into the everyday life of its students without limiting its focus on just Talmud. Particularly impressive is the addition of new courses to the Judaic Studies department of IBC, especially those dealing with Medical, Legal, and Business Ethics, as well as those dealing with specific aspects of Judaism, Halakhic texts, and daily life.

IBC's strong Hebrew, Bible, Talmud and Jewish Philosophy departments accord with IBC's general philosophy, teaching these subjects on a university level in an environment that does not restrict rabbeim and professors to teach them as courses. Halakhic digressions are commonplace in IBC classes and add tremendously to the real-life applications of what is taught in class.

However, IBC must continue to grow in order to develop into a school that exists for a greater purpose than just to fulfill Judaic Studies graduation requirements. IBC has about two hundred and twenty students, of which very few graduate from IBC, and even less graduate with a degree. It seems to me that most IBC students don't take advantage of the great resources that the IBC faculty provides its talmidim.

I do not mean to say that IBC students are to blame for this fact. Although IBC supplies its talmidim with a perfect Torah U'Maddah balance, it does not offer enough course choices for students to feel the need to stay in IBC. With only a very limited amount of Advanced Talmud courses, one or two Jewish Philosophy courses, four Jewish History courses, and very few elective courses offered each semester, it seems obvious that there isn't much room for growth in learning beyond the basic requirements. It is therefore not very surprising that many IBC students turn to MYP or SBMP to further their learning.

On a final note, I encourage talmidim to become more involved not only in IBC affairs, but also in YU affairs as well. With the requests of talmidim, I am sure that IBC can grow into a school that will no longer be seen as a two-semester solution to the Jewish History and Bible courses that otherwise don't fit into students' six semester schedules. IBC has the potential to develop into an all-around Torah U'Maddah ideal on all levels, from the beginner to those with many years of Yeshiva experience.