New Building To Be Constructed At Main Campus

An eight million dollar donation from philanthropist Jacob Glueck will be utilized to erect a new building on the undergraduate men's campus of Yeshiva. The structure is to serve as a 'Torah Technology' facility combining Torah study with modern technological advances.

The building will mark the first upgrade of such magnitude on the uptown campus since the addition of the Max Stern Athletic Center, constructed in 1982. The new structure marks Yeshiva's ongoing commitment to remain in the Washington Heights location for years to come.

Parking Lot A, situated directly behind the library on W185th Street between Amsterdam and Audobon Avenues, has been selected to house the new facility. The specific location will enable a connection to the University Library, a feature which would allow students easy access to and from both buildings. Whether or not the two buildings will match in their architectural styles is yet to be seen, but it is certain the center will fit in the eclectic works that comprise the uptown campus.

The new building is an encouraging idea in the minds of both students and administrators; however, most students anticipated that any new building on the uptown campus would serve to help alleviate the ongoing men's housing crisis. Only one year ago, President Norman Lamm announced to students that a new dormitory would sit atop the list of priorities for upcoming University construction projects. In response to questions from students regarding the promise, Rabbi Lamm was quick to respond that a dormitory could not be built with the donated money, as the funds were earmarked by Glueck for "Torah purposes."

Unfortunately, many are worried University officials may not be following through on the specific intentions that Glueck had expressed for his contribution. A high-level university administrator informed The Commentator that the contract being drawn up between Glueck and the university was indeed "extremely vague, clearly leaving open the possibility of misusing the funds after they are transferred." One Yeshiva administrator points to the obvious, confirming such suspicions: "Why would we require an eight million dollar, five story building from which to run a technological beit medrash - something that would seem to require only a couple of computers, some equipment, and a number of system administrators for maintenance?" More disturbing to some, is that only the two lower floors of the center will be utilized for Torah or technological purposes. The three upper floors will be filled with administrative or faculty offices, clearly a slight of Glueck's specific intentions for the building.

Nevertheless, a sense of optimism still permeates the administration. Rabbi Yosef Blau, Mashigiach Ruchani and University Guidance Counselor, stressed, "The fact that Yeshiva is doing something in technology is truly exciting in that it opens wonderful opportunities. Yeshiva University has tremendous internal resources both in terms of its Torah personalities and its technological connections - a feature that might truly enable something new to be realized."

Many on campus feel that a new Torah center may not be necessary at all, and they would rather see the donated funds devoted to the more traditional Torah-related avenues, like improvement of the current Beit Medrash. While the university's Main Beit Medrash was renovated and beautified only last year, space considerations and acoustic problems still plague Yeshiva's religious focal point. During this year's Yom Kippur services, over thirty Yeshiva students were locked out of the Beit Medrash by security due to a capacity crowd, with fire hazards cited as the primary concern. Security was monitoring the 'hazardous situation' closely, even though the chances that a fire marshall might come to inspect Yeshiva on Yom Kippur were highly unlikely. Acoustic problems in the Beit Medrash resulted in the moving of the shliach tzibbur from his traditional spot in the front of the room during this year's Yamim Noraim services to the middle of the room, where he could be heard by those sitting in back.

Discussions as to the application of the funds between Glueck and the University ensued, and the idea to combine technology and the study of Torah rose to the forefront. The result was what had originally been characterized as a 'Virtual Beit Medrash', and was later revised to the more encompassing technological Torah center. Lamm deemed such a facility as "the first of its kind," mirroring the unique nature of its donor, characterized by Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Dean of RIETS, as "an extraordinary and unique human being."

A Satmar Hasid, Glueck has taken the initiative to lead meaningful lives in both the religious and secular worlds. Glueck has succeeded in leading what those close to him call "an exemplary life" as a devoted religious Jew coupled with an apt and successful approach to the business world. Glueck has always been a fond supporter of the Torah U'Madda message promoted by Yeshiva.

A close friend of both Rabbi Lamm and Rabbi Charlop, Glueck has been affiliated with Yeshiva for quite some time. Less than two years ago, Mr. Glueck was awarded the premier honor that RIETS bestows at its Chag Hasmichah - the Etz Chaim (tree of life) Award. The Etz Chaim award typically recognizes the philanthropic efforts of Yeshiva's most prominent donors. Many believed that the choice of Glueck as the recipient of the award foreshadowed his monumental contribution to our university.

Apparently 1999 was not the first time Glueck had met with Yeshiva representatives to discuss a possible donation. Several years ago, the generous philanthropist discussed a possible donation. At that time, Glueck was reportedly interested in funding a Torah-related project, more specifically the construction of a new and improved beit medrash. That effort was aborted however, when the amount of funding available from Glueck failed to match Yeshiva's monetary needs for implementing such a plan. After remaining stagnant for several years, Glueck met with University officials once again, this time willing to contribute the amounts necessary to fund such a large project. An eight million dollar donation was arranged, one quarter of which has already been sitting in YU accounts, according to administrative sources, for almost a year.