|
|
|
Volume 67, Issue 5
From
the Editor's Desk
by Yehoshua Levine
A few months ago, I had a conversation with a Yeshiva graduate who’s now a professor at an internationally known undergraduate institution. We were discussing the old story of how the University treats its general studies faculty and what sort of faculty they seem to attract. The graduate said that he was currently being lured by Yeshiva College to join its full-time staff. Interestingly, he had applied for the same job after teaching part-time in YC a few years after receiving his PhD – with an already-impressive list of publications under his belt – but was denied the position. He was given no reason then for being rejected. Now, though, as a faculty member at a well-known college, he was sought after.
A Tribute to a Forbidden Chavrusa
by Avi Robinson
“The vast and unbridgeable ideological chasm that
separates us does not, and certainly should not, diminish the kinship and
brotherly love we feel for each other”- Rabbi Yosef Reinman, One
People, Two Worlds, p.305.
We all can identify the moetzes gedolei hatorah within our own
personalities. It insists on zealous commitment to principle, excluding
all possibility of equivocation. Casting aside variant opinions with
staunch disregard, it ensures that the values we hold most dear remain
topmost in our ideological hierarchy.
A Message From YSU President Shai Barnea
“Ideologies separate
us. Dreams and anguish bring us together.” -Eugene Ionesco
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Seems
that everything that has been written and discussed over the past few
weeks has focused on the growing divide on campus, and how the search for
the next University president threatens to further polarize the
University.
A Message From YCSA President Uzi Beer
I would like to start by thanking those students who over the past few months have put in so much time and effort into enriching life on campus. When your friend asks, “How’s YU?” do you respond enthusiastically mentioning all the many great events happening? Or do you reply in a disgruntled tone about a class of yours where a teacher did X, or about something else which may not be perfect? If you answered the latter, then regarding those issues, are they ever made public, brought to someone you feel comfortable ‘complaining’ to, or just left to fester and eat away at any positives experienced?
Getting to the root of the “Kippa
Question”:
Addressing
YU’s Mid-life Identity Crisis
by Josh Goldman
SOY President
Some people wear Kippot out of respect for those around them; others wear them to support a favorite sports team. Some are trying to please a parent; others just want to fit in. Still others see it as an identifier of their Jewishness. There’s one reason generally not given - to display constant deference to a supreme G-d above our heads, which is the explanation given in Jewish Law.
A Bare Head
is a Cold Head: A Baal Teshuva’s Perspective on Kippot
by Ryan Khordipour, Freshman Class President
The mindsets of both opinions in the recent article on kippot [Volume 67, Issue 3] are very clear to me. Being a ba’al tshuva for two years, I can confidently say that I have lived on both sides. The issue of students wearing yarmulkes on campus has clearly shown to be a sensitive one and I will attempt to further educate those who are ignorant of one lifestyle over another.
Hebron’s Heroes
by Shaya Lerner
The Biblical city of Hebron lies in the in the Judean Hills around a half an hour from Jerusalem. As Jews, we consider Hebron to be our second holiest city after Jerusalem. On the Friday night of November 15, our blood was once again spilled there, when twelve Israeli soldiers and security personal were murdered while bravely fighting to defend the lives of Jewish men, women, and children, who were returning home after Friday night prayers at The Maarat Hamachpaila. Three Arab murders waited at the gate leading into the adjacent city of Kiryat Arba in ambush, and when the group of worshipers came near, they opened fire on them, injuring scores.
Letters
to the Editor:
Defending
A Mentor: Dr. Brill's Students Respond to his Termination
Wellstone’s
Legacy
by Dr.
Jeremy Zilber
Minnesota’s
Senator Paul Wellstone was killed almost a month ago, which makes him
“old news” in today’s fast-paced world of politics.
With the November election already a fading memory and the
possibility of war looming ahead, the mass media have all but forgotten
Wellstone’s name. That’s
a real shame; there is still much we can learn from him.
Apathy at YU Extends to Voter Turnout
by Alexander Chester
“A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight
for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national
election.” – Bill Vaughan
“A student of Yeshiva will cross the campus to Belfer to fight for free
Dougies, but won’t cross the street to the mailbox to drop in his
absentee ballot.” – Alexander Chester
Poll Results: Do you think YU should have classes on Election Day?
Problems
In the Dorm Which Need to Be Addressed Immediately
by Daniel Grossman
This is my third year living in the dorms on the Wilf Campus of Yeshiva University. In the past two, the students have shown respect for others who live in the dorm by keeping the bathrooms as clean as possible. For some reason this year, it is not the case. I have not gotten any straight answers when I asked around the campus as to why people stopped caring about others who need to use the bathrooms. It is mere courtesy to flush the toilet when you are finished using it. A person who needs to use the toilet is now unable to because on his floor, they are all stuffed.
Ramblings Takes a Stand (Or Two)
by Avi Mermelstein
I was reading the Letters section of The Commentator when I realized that I wasn’t getting enough fan mail. Sure, people have come up to me in the hall, the dining room, and all the other places I frequent during the school year (I’m sure there are plenty that I’m forgetting. It’s not like I just sit in front of a computer in my room typing all day and checking my e-mail. Not at all like that) complimenting or criticizing my column.
It’s All Greek to Me (And Nobody Else)
by Shlomo Schwartzbard
“Hello, my name is Shlomo Schwarzbard, and I’m a Classics major.” My voice resonated at the YU Classics Anonymous meeting, silent, perhaps, because I’m the only Classics major currently an undergraduate. It’s tough trying to beat a nasty habit like Classics alone, yet still I struggle on. But while Classics professors and publishers of Latin textbooks have been denying the addictive nature of declensions and conjugations for thousands of years, we know better.
Pornography,
Al-Kaida, Michelangelo
and You Can’t Spell Tora U’madda Without ‘Dam(n) Art’!
by Menachem Wecker
(We see an art critic examining a nude painting. Caption on screen: 'AN ART CRITIC' He sees the camera and starts talking guiltily.) Art Critic: Good evening. I'd like to talk to you tonight about the place of the nude in my bed ... um ... in the history of my bed ... of art, of art, I'm sorry. The place of the nude in the history of tart... call-girl... I'm sorry. I'll start again... Bum ... oh what a giveaway. The place of the nude in art. (a seductively dressed girl enters slinkily) Oh hello there father, er confessor, professor, your honour, your grace ...
What do you think? Click here to send a letter to the
editors.
All content is copyright ©
Yeshiva University Commentator.