Please, Lay Off the Lamm

Letter to the Editor:

As a graduate of Yeshiva College, RIETS, and Ferkauf Graduate School, and as an active

alumnus of Yeshiva University, I am terribly shocked and disappointed with the Commentator's attack against Dr. Lamm, and the administration. In addition, the continued publicity attacks and allegations expressed and found in the Jewish Week, The Forward, and The New York Times serve no purpose but to slander the administration of Yeshiva University.

The lack of respect given and shown by the Commentator toward our President Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm is unjustified. tend to forget about our religious belief, our Torah learning which calls for the obligation of "Derech Eretz Kadmah LaTorah."

I have known Dr. Lamm since 1977, and Dr. Lamm must be credited for my pursuing my religious and secular education at Yeshiva University. It was Dr. Lamm during the first year of his presidency, who invited me to come to Yeshiva. For this, I am grateful.

My undergraduate, graduate, and studies at RIETS have been extraordinary. I have also benefitted a great deal from my relationships with Roshei Yeshiva, faculty members, and administrators.

Beyond the classroom walls, I continue my involvement through the YCAA in expanding and strengthening its programs. I support Dr. Lamm and the administration's work in strengthening our Yeshiva University into higher academic standards as well as financial security.

For the past twenty-three years, YU has grown in every area under Dr. Lamm's leadership. As students, alumni, faculty, Roshei HaYeshiva, and administrators, we owe our deepest appreciation to Dr. Lamm for his hard work and vision in making Yeshiva University an outstanding and successful institution of higher learning.

I find the language used in the attacks to be inappropriate, disrespectful and harsh.

In the future, if students of YU feel that the administration is not addressing their needs, a line of communication should be opened, and the problems worked out in private, not for all of the world to read.

I ask that all of us show our Hakaros Hatov toward our president Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm and be thankful for receiving a valuable education at YU.

Stuart Verstandig

President -Yeshiva College Alumni Association

YC '80

FGS '83

RIETS '84