From the SOY President: Joshua Goldman

People come to YU for many different reasons.  With apologies to the Department of Communications and Public Affairs, I don’t think the 41st ranking is one of them.  Our sports teams don’t win national championships, and our campus exists only in name.  If you came looking for parties, you’re at the wrong tip of the island, and if you came for academics, the honors program is only in its formative stage.

But don’t start rethinking your choice to come here.  YU has no competition when it comes to its offerings for observant Jewish students.  Both the Jewish studies programs and the student fostered religious environment enable the religious student to remain committed to the Jewish lifestyle while simultaneously pursuing a college degree.  Instead of being left to swim against the current at any other university, YU allows its students to surround themselves with others having a similar focus.  Hopefully, this is what made YU stand out when you were sifting through all that college admissions material.

The trick of benefiting from YU’s unique trappings is not to just follow the flow.  If you trust your observance to your environment, you’ll find yourself washed up on shore.  YU offers a dynamic opportunity for personal growth, but this power can only be harnessed by adding your own personal efforts.

If you selected a university because of the reputation of its Latin department, would the first class you sign up for be gym?  Take advantage of YU’s environment.  YU has more minyanim than any other school; so don’t just use them infrequently.  Davening is held at multiple times for Shacharis, Minchah, and Maariv, and schedules are available.  If you can’t find one when you need it, start one!  This is a rare opportunity to have so many services all at the same location as where you will be.

YU’s morning Seder can’t be matched anywhere, no matter what Jewish Studies program you’re in.   Use this time to reach your goals and answer your questions.  For the same price, you get access to dozens of Rabbis across the philosophical spectrum. Find the right Rebbe for you.  If you’re in MYP, don’t let the lack of attendance in the mornings weaken your guard. Show up every day, and get a good chavrusa.

Night Seder is a must, for every student.  Take the opportunity to explore whatever you want, outside the framework of a classroom commitment.  Only YU offers the support of an active Beis Medresh every night from before 8 o’clock until well after midnight.  There are always guys on different levels looking for somebody to learn with.  With even 15 minutes a day, the effort beyond any expectation can offer great satisfaction.  Set this time aside every day, and try not to let things interrupt it.  It doesn’t matter whether you learn 15 minutes or 5 hours, just that dedicate a portion of your busy schedule to enhancing your Jewish knowledge.  Only 1,000 students in the country are privileged with this opportunity, making us best positioned to serve as leaders in the Jewish community in the coming years;  if we can’t answer the basic questions, who will?

Don’t take YU for granted.  Think about why you came here.  And don’t let the opportunities pass by.  You’re only here for a few short years, and there will be few chances in the future where growing spiritually will be so easy. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?