Yeshiva University Observer

Action Against Grade Inflation, Cheating on SCW Agenda

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

To "B" or not to "B" - that is the question.

In response to recent concerns of grade inflation at Stern College for Women (SCW), Dean Karen Bacon established the SCW Task Force on Grade Inflation, a committee comprised of faculty members culled from various academic departments of the college.

NYT Columnists Assess Obama's First 100 Days in Office at SCW

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The first 100 days of the infant Obama administration were the gist of a conversation between New York Times columnists David Brooks and Gail Collins, held at the Geraldine Schottenstein Cultural Center on April 23. The two columnists, who co-author a blog entitled "The Conversation," discussed the progress and prognosis of the current president's regime in a dialogue moderated by Professor Bryan Daves of the Stern College for Women (SCW) political science department.

The Rejuvenation of Revel: Realizing Greater Possibilities

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

April 26th's Tanakh Yom Iyun, the institution created by Stu Halpern, Simcha Gross (YC '10) and Yehuda Bernstein (YC '09) to disseminate Torah learning to the broader Jewish community, was graced with several new sponsors, including the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

Fashion Show Stirs Controversy

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The annual Fashion Marketing Club's fashion show to benefit Sharsheret, an organization that supports women with breast cancer, was greeted with some criticism from students who called into question the club's request for women sizes 2 and 4 to serve as models.

President Fields Questions, Heralds Spring at Town Hall Meeting

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

March 25th saw the second of two annual town hall meetings hosted at the Beren Campus. In what has become a semi-annual tradition since the inception of his administration, Yeshiva University (YU) President Richard Joel responded to student concerns on a myriad of issues after addressing an audience comprised of students, faculty and administrators.

New Logo to Revamp University Image

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A university-wide rebranding project was unveiled on March 9th by Yeshiva University's (YU) Department of Communications and Public Affairs. This project will standardize the proper usage of university logos and colors, and introduces an updated version of the classic YU shield for immediate implementation.

Interview with Rabbi Yosef Blau on Sexual Abuse in the Orthodox Community

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Observer: Could you please explain who you are and what you do (aside from your activism regarding sexual abuse), your role as Mashgiach Ruchani, etc- basically so everyone has some idea of who you are at the university.

Rabbi Yosef Blau: You know what my title is [Mashgiach Ruchani: Spiritual Advisor]: how it plays out in Yeshiva is a good question.

But Words will Never Hurt Me�? Verbal Abuse and its Effects

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Although verbal abuse is perhaps most commonly thought of as name-calling and shouting, this category of abuse is, in reality, far broader. A verbal abuser uses language to control, reject or cause emotional pain to another person. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, withholding information and feelings from a partner, making ridiculing statements (even disguised as a joke), trivializing the other person's feelings, ignoring the other person, interrupting the other person and never letting her or him finish a complete thought, de-legitimizing the other person's opinions and feelings, blaming the other person for the verbal abuse and for things that go wrong, as well as denying responsibility for one's own actions or even pretending to forget that an incident of abuse has even occurred.

Contextualizing Abuse

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Major types of abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse and financial abuse. These kinds of abuse may occur within the context of domestic, elder, or child abuse, but can also occur between any two individuals who share a relationship.

Educating About Abuse in Jewish High Schools

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Recent statistics show that over fifty percent of teenagers personally know someone who has been involved in an abusive relationship. One in ten teenagers report being physically abused, and one in four report being a victim of another form of abuse. In light of these frightening statistics, many programs have been established for public schools with the purpose of teaching students how to recognize signs of abuse, how to leave abusive relationships, and how to help a friend who is currently in one.

New Trends in Biblical Scholarship

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

This past January, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem held an erev zikaron [evening memorial conference] as a tribute marking twenty years since the passing of the important Bible scholar Sarah Kamin (1938-1989), a name well-known to the students of Rabbi Mordechai Cohen here at Stern College for Women (SCW).

Organizations to Combat Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Due to increasing awareness of the problems pertaining to domestic abuse in the Jewish community, many organizations have increased their programming and outreach to the public. These organizations seek to help both the individuals who are ensnared in an abusive relationship as well as to educate the larger population.

Shame, Shanda and Silence: Domestic Abuse in the Orthodox Community

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Esther Rachel Russell's 2006 half-hour documentary about domestic abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community, "Shame, Shanda and Silence," reveals a stunning statistic: Orthodox Jewish women tend to stay with abusive partners for 5 to 7 years longer than the general population.

Yeshiva University Students Speak Out About Abuse

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Observer recently conducted a poll inquiring as to whether members of the Yeshiva University community had personally experienced any form of abuse (spousal, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual, physical or otherwise), whether they knew someone who had been abused and their thoughts regarding the prevalence of abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Dr. Kim Evans: Profiling Literary Criticism

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Dr. Kim Evans, associate professor of English literature at Stern College for Women (SCW), has some questions of her own when I sit down to interview her: What hope is there in an interview? More specifically, what does a reported interview hope to provide for its readers? Should interviews come with a set of instructions regarding how they ought to be read, or do readers know without thinking what to do with them?

"A professor profile is a good way for students to hear more about their professor, and for the professor to share her voice with the student body," I proudly state.

Editor-in-Chief Professor Alan M. Tigay

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It only took a subway ride from Grand Central Station to 116th Street for a fifteen-year-old Alan Tigay to make up his mind that New York City, a cultural microcosm of world, was where he wanted to be. Decades later at 61 years old, after having traveled around the world twice, his mind hadn't changed.

Roubini's Remarks: Economist's Foresight Yields Results

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

On April 24th the United States government shut down four federally-insured banks as a result of government "shock tests", or scrutiny of a bank's viability. "Some banks won't survive the shock test, so we're going to take them over or have zombie banks," said economist Nouriel Roubini a few days later at Yeshiva University's Economics Department annual lecture.

The Introduction

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I consider it a distinct privilege to be assuming the position of editor-in-chief of The Observer next year. Serving the student body in this way is a responsibility I take very seriously, and I greatly look forward to hearing and representing the diverse viewpoints on campus.

A Strand of Ribbon

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I am currently enrolled in an Education class entitled "Educating Children With Exceptionalities." This list includes children with physical disabilities; for example, they may be deaf, dumb or blind, mental disabilities, in which case they may be mentally challenged, learning disabilities, such as dyslexia for example, and those that are gifted and talented.

Creating Oneself: To Offer Up One's Soul

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"I am always impressed by people who are actually misers, who are stingy, who cannot give, who don't spend much money on themselves, but when it comes to charity, you feel their hands tremble, shake, for you feel the man experiences excruciating pain [from giving money], but still [he] gives.

Battle of the Bads: Hitler vs. Machiavelli

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"War�what is it good for?" is the chorus of a famous Edwin Starr song. The song's central question reflects the anti-war feeling of the Vietnam War era by expressing doubt that war has any purpose at all. The question still exists today on the angry lips of anti-war activists.

Elevator Madness

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In times of wealth, in the days of yore, during peak hours of foot traffic, with the turn of a magical key, an appointed Burns security official conferred the status of "express" upon two of the three elevators in 245 Lex. This key allowed for speedy travel up and down the elevator shaft with stops only at assigned floors.

Getting Past Rechov Sumsum

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In the middle of a recent Hebrew class, I found myself thinking up a letter I would love to write to my elementary school Hebrew teacher:

"Dear Morah Ronit,

I have been meaning to write you this letter since my first day of Hebrew class at Stern College this past fall, when in my 1104 Lower Intermediate class my teacher announced that along with the textbook and worksheets we would also be learning through supplementary videos, including Rechov Sumsum [Sesame Street].

It is Wrong to Pay for Sex

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I attended a debate on April 21st at Rockefeller University and my thoughts before the debate were not akin to a "Typical Stern Girl." I thought that a woman has a right to choose if she wants to be a prostitute or a call girl. "If she is happy and enjoys what she is doing professionally and it doesn't bother me, then why not?" was my train of thought.

Stay in Jail! No Bail!

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Government bailouts are simply stupid and irresponsible. They will produce incompetence and higher taxes for years to come.

I take the extreme position that not a single company should be bailed out. The truth is that this financial crisis is everybody's collective fault, and now we have to pay the price for it.

A Leader for Our Times

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

As a product of the network of Bais Yaakov schools, I proudly consider myself a student of Sarah Schneirer, the pioneering founder of Bais Yaakov in early 20th century Poland. In my mind, all women who receive a Jewish education owe a similar debt of gratitude to Sarah Schneirer.

The Future of Our Future - First Hand Experience in Non-Profit

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Growing up instilled with a passion for helping the Jewish community, I was at a loss to determine how exactly to help the community. It is best to aid others by using one's strengths, thus optimizing one's ability to help and increasing the quantity and quality of help the recipient receives.

Walking Out of Auschwitz

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

How quickly time passes. It was only a year ago that I was still cherishing my year in Israel. Last year, Purim 5769, was a Purim meshulash, a celebration three days long in Jerusalem. Those three glorious days of Purim gave way to a wave of celebration that resounded throughout Israel.

Curing Cabin Fever

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I am what I like to call a weather-person-a person whose mood is strongly affected by external conditions. Although I occasionally enjoy this aspect of my personality, it has recently become quite frustrating, as I seem to have come down with a terrible case of cabin fever.

Just Do It!

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

On February 24th, I was fortunate enough to have been able to participate in a lobby mission along with forty-three other YU students. It was the first time I had ever been to Washington (while cognizant of my location- I also went when I was a couple months old).

Rinat Gutman: Religious, Radiant and�a Rapper?

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Rinat Gutman is an Orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem. She was bestowed with a musical gift, and has been developing it for the past eight years. Unlike countless women like herself, however, she actually performs her music in Israel. Now a rising star, she uses words and rhythm to convey her thoughts on everything from the state of western culture to Hasidic tales.

A Breath of Victorian Hilarity: "The Importance of Being Earnest"

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In the opening act of "The Importance of Being Earnest", the main wastrel Algernon states that "I don't play [the piano] accurately - anyone can play accurately - but I play with wonderful expression." The Stern College Dramatics Society (SCDS) production of Oscar Wilde's famously funny play is not perhaps the most accurate staging, but it is played with wonderful expression.

Irena's Vow: A Review

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"Irena's Vow," which premiered on Sunday, March 29 at the Walter Kerr Theater, tells the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke. Irena was a Polish Catholic who was faced with the following dilemma during the Holocaust: should she stand by passively as Jews were sent to their deaths, or should she try, as much as humanly possible, to ensure their survival? "Irena's Vow" tells the story of a woman who opted for the latter, and in the process became a heroine.

The Art of the Festival

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Richard Wagner, the famed German composer and nationalist, infamously remarked in 1850 that, "No Jew is capable of being an artist of the first rank." A man with a surprising number of Jewish friends and acquaintances, Wagner proceeded to explain that since Jews lacked that which was requisite for creating good and real art-a connection to the German spirit-Jewish artists were capable only of producing shallow and artificial art works, works created solely to achieve popularity and financial success; pieces of art, in other words, that were neither crafted according to the proper rules of aesthetics nor particularly genuine.

The Play Must Go On!

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Yeshiva University Dramatics Society (YCDS) performed Rick Abbot's "Play On!" from March 28th to April 2nd, marking their seventh production directed by Lin Snider. On the heels of "Newsies", their wildly successful staging last semester, this performance proved to be supremely well cast and altogether entertaining.

Military Ethics in the Field: IDF Colonel Addresses Students

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

On Thursday night, April 23 at 8:30 PM, Yeshiva University Israel Club sponsored an event titled, "Ethics in the Field: An Inside Look at the Israeli Defense Forces." Colonel Ben "Bentzi" Gruber of the Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, addressed about 50 students in Furst Hall on moral dilemmas that the Israeli military faces regularly.

Homeland: The Best History of the State of Israel Possible

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

What's the best way to learn about the history and establishment of the State of Israel? There have been many answers to this question. Perhaps the assumed answer is that a visit to the land of Israel ought to do the trick. Then, by a mysterious process of osmosis, knowledge will flood into one's brain.

Crashing Fashion: My Look Behind the Poses and Paparazzi of Fashion Week

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Every trend, from the Couture Houses to K-Mart begins at Fashion Week. Fashion Week is a weeklong media event in which designers parade their newest collections for the press and society's elite. One of the four prominent fashion weeks around the word, Mercedes-Benz is New York City's way of foreshadowing everything that will be hot in about in two seasons.

Fusion Fashion Show

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Fusion Fashion Show, an annual competition between the two top fashion schools in the country, took place in early March at Parsons The New School for Design, For the past ten years, Parsons and the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T) have brought it to the runway, with fifteen designers from each school presenting five different looks.

Spotlight on Mario Moya: The Man Behind The Brand

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

February 17th, 2009 was a night not to be forgotten for New York Fashion Week History; the fashion week debut of rising star designer, Mario Moya. I, amount with two members of the Observer Fashion Section staff had the privilege of attending. The show was set at DJT Gallery, a modernistic art studio located in Chelsea.

Super Mario

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"Starting up" is one phrase not commonly heard in today's economic climate. Nevertheless, starting up is exactly what Mario Moya did on Tuesday night, February 17, at his first-ever fashion show. With his industry ailing, Moya dared to try what few are willing to attempt these days: break out into the world of fashion.