| All the Books of the Prophets and those of Ketuvim (Books and the Sacred Writings) will cease [to be part of the canonized text] during the messianic era except the Book of Esther. It will continue to exist just as the Five Books of the Torah and the laws of the Oral Torah that will never cease. Although ancient troubles will be remembered no longer, as it is written "The 'troubles of the past are forgotten and hidden from my eyes• (Isaiah 65:16), the days of Purim will not be abolished, as it is written: "These days of Purim shall never be repealed among the Jews, and the memory of them shall never cease from their descendants" (Esther 9:28). - Maimonides (Laws of Megillah and Chanukah chap. 2: 18).
Maimonides gives special notice to the Book of Esther, recognizing that its role will continue even during Messianic times, for this book of the Bible is the key to bringing the Messiah. Nowhere in the Megillah do we see Mordechai or Esther receiving direct instructions from God. Their courage and tenacity is based on a commitment to the values of Torah; their actions are not predicated on inspirational prophecy but something more important: an inner conviction to the norms and mores of Judaism. What will bring the Messianic days and what will be celebrated in its eternal era? It is the capacity to transform reality through the inner voice of Torah ideals that we must feel in our heart. The Book of Esther may not have God's name in it but the experience is so critical and so transformational that Maimonides suggests that it will be celebrated even after the coming of the Messiah.
The initiatives discussed in this edition of the CJF newsletter truly celebrate this ideal. Empowering students to play active roles in our community and society, cultivating the rabbinic family to find their pastoral and spiritual voice as they guide their communities, and enabling experiential educators to professionalize their passion are all ways that YU convenes its Torah and academic resources to insure the eternality of our people and pave the way for a more perfect society.
I hope you enjoy this edition and as always your comments are greatly appreciated.
Purim Sameiach,
Rabbi Kenneth Brander
The David Mitzner Dean
Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future
 | ACROSS THE GLOBE YU Students Engage in Volunteer and Service Learning Missions Around the World
This winter break, 90 Yeshiva University students took part in an array of hands-on community building projects in Israel, the United States, Nicaragua and Mexico.
Organized by YU’s Center for the Jewish Future, the missions differed widely in focus, ranging from service-learning and experiential education to humanitarian aid. Building on the success of the Counterpoint Israel summer program, 39 YU students ran a series of winter camps for 500 Israeli teens in Jerusalem, Kiryat Malachi and Dimona that sought to strengthen their English language skills and facilitate self-exploration through art.
Related
Missions of Personal Growth, Community Building
In the News
The Jewish Week: YU Students Going ‘Out Of Their Comfort Zone’
The Jewish Star: YU grooms future leaders
Times of Israel: Disconnected Israeli youth and the power of art education
Jewish Journal of San Antonio: YU Students Visit San Antonio
CT Jewish Ledger: Mission to Mexico
Hebrew Watchman: Memphisian Shoshana Somer travels to Israel on Special YU Program
Ohio Jewish Chronicle: Local undergrad participates in Yeshiva University’s Volunteer and Service Learning Missions program during winter break
NJ Jewish Standard: Finding a Jewish future around the world
Baltimore Jewish Times: Pikesville woman takes trip that changes her life
eJewish Philanthropy: 91 YU Students Spent Break on Community Building Missions Around the World
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|  | REBBETZIN: THE ULTIMATE BALANCING ACT The Rebbetzin Esther Rosenblatt Yarchei Kallah for Rebbetzins
The Rebbetzin Esther Rosenblatt Yarchei Kallah for rebbetzins took place on January 7th and 8th in Teaneck, NJ under the leadership of Mrs. Meira Davis, a rebbetzin in Hollywood, FL and an exceptional leader and mentor. The purpose of this program is to give rabbis’ wives the opportunity to meet with seasoned professionals to discuss issues of self, family, and community in a safe and supportive environment.
In the News
The Jewish Voice: Rebbetzin: The Ultimate Balancing Act
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|  | REIMAGINING JEWISH EDUCATION Participants On Yeshiva University Experiential Jewish Education Certificate Program Professionalize Their Passion
In the first week of January, seventeen educators convened for Seminar II in the Certificate Program in Experiential Jewish Education. The Seminar took place at Camp JCA Shalom, in the mountains of Malibu, California. Coming from around the country, these seventeen educators are impacting Jewish communities through their work in schools, youth movements, Israel programs and more. Over the course of eight days the seminar participants worked with mentors, selected speakers as well as Rabbi Brander and Shuki Taylor from CJF's team.
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|  | RABBINIC MARRIAGE COUNSELING COURSE ONLINE CJF-RIETS Series Teaches Rabbis Effective Methods for Addressing Relationship Issues
Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and affiliate Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Rabbinical Theological Seminary (RIETS) has launched a comprehensive “Rabbinic Marriage Counseling” course that aims to develop communal rabbis’ skills and techniques in assisting couples through every stage of relationship—from dating and marriage to crisis, death and divorce.
In the News
Washington Jewish Week: For the people: Defining the rabbi's role
Jewish Tribune: Rabbis aim to up their marriage counselling game with online lectures
Jewish Standard: Sensitizing Rabbis
Kansas City Jewish Chronicle: Student of Relationships
San Diego Jewish Journal: 1st Rabbinic Marriage Counseling Course Available Online
Hebrew Watchman: R' Joel Finkelstein taking Rabbinic Marriage Counseling Course
Tribe Magazine: When a Rabbi’s Guidance Is Needed
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|  | WOMEN'S BEIT MIDRASH Weekly Course for Women Featuring Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter & Rabbi Hayyim Angel
Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) launched a new Women’s Beit Midrash Program on February 5 at Stern College for Women’s Israel Henry Beren campus in Manhattan for participants of all ages. The six-week program, developed in conjunction with the University’s Office of Alumni Affairs and New Jersey and Long Island Regional offices, features Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter, University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought and senior scholar of the CJF, and Yeshiva College Jewish Studies faculty member Rabbi Hayyim Angel.
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|  | REMEMBERING THE RAV CJF-RIETS To Host Yom Iyun To Mark 20th Yahrtzeit Of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt"l
On Sunday, April 14, 2013, Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future and RIETS will dedicate a Yom Iyun in honor of the 20th Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l on the Wilf Campus. This historic occasion will highlight the life, teachings and legacy of the Rav z”l. The Yom Iyun will feature a panel discussion on the life and teachings of the Rav; different themed breakout sessions given by outstanding scholars based on the teachings of the Rav, a screening of the “Lonely Man of Faith” and a museum exhibit highlighting the Rav’s life and impact. Area high schools will also be invited to participate in this special program. Some of the day’s events will be live-streamed for online viewing, allowing people from all over to take part in this momentous day.
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|  | READY FOR SOME TORAH?!? YU Halftime Show 2013 Seen By Thousands
Yeshiva University presented its second annual YU Torah Halftime Show featuring exciting and inspiring presentations on “Torah and Sports” topics from Rabbi Kenneth Brander, David Mitzner Dean of the Center for the Jewish Future; Charlie Harary, clinical professor of management and entrepreneurship at Sy Syms School of Business; and C.B. Neugroschl, head of school at Yeshiva University High School for Girls. The show went live on game day, Sunday, February 3 and was watched by over 20,000 viewers across the country.
Related
Watch the Halftime Show on YouTube
In the news
Washington Post: At halftime, a religious alternative to Beyonce
Jewish Press: YU crashes Super Bowl with its own Halftime show
Baltimore Jewish Life: YU's Torah Halftime Show to Tackle Torah and Sports During Super Bowl XLVII
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Commemorating the 20th Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik
April 14, 2013
Jewish Job Fair
February 28, 2013
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