Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that we learned last week about the tragic fire in Haifa and the Carmel Forest that took the lives of too many precious souls. To date, at least 42 people have died, 25,000 residents have been evacuated, homes have been lost and more than 12,500 acres of forests destroyed.
We are in touch with various social service organizations and government agencies to learn how we can help in the relief effort. From these discussions we will evaluate if any of our upcoming winter service missions need to be restructured to help with the clean up effort.
At Yeshiva, students have already begun to learn in memory of those whose lives have been lost. To learn more about those who lost their lives, please click here.
On a different note, you will notice a more updated look to our newsletter. We hope that the displaying the various websites focused on community engagement and personal growth as well as sharing our on-going programs will help us communicate more effectively the wonderful activities happening at Yeshiva University.
Wishing you a Chodesh Tov and Chanukah Sameiach,
Rabbi Kenneth Brander
The David Mitzner Dean, Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future
News from the CJF
Rebbitzin Yarchei Kallah: Serving Community
The Rebbetzin Esther Rosenblatt Yarchei Kallah for Rebbetzins took place this past week in Teaneck, N.J. The family of Rebbetzin Rosenblatt was thanked for dedicating the program in her memory. The purpose of the 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. The participants also have the opportunity to network, develop lasting relationships, nurture a support system, and enjoy the intellectual stimulation of Torah study with leading Jewish scholars while being mentored by more "experienced" rebbetzins.
Click for Full Article Washington Leaders Fellowship: Serving Community
The Washington Leaders Fellowship kicked off its second year with a full day opening retreat Pearlstone Retreat and Conference Center in Baltimore, MD. The full day of exercise, learning and discussion was designed to institute a sense of camaraderie amongst the new cohort.
Click for Full Article Medical Ethics Conference: Serving Community 
More than 500 students, faculty, alumni and guests attended this year’s Medical Ethics Conference on Sunday, October 31, at Yeshiva University’s Washington Heights Wilf Campus. The conference, titled “A Beautiful Mind: Jewish Approaches to Mental Health”—organized by the YU Medical Ethics Society (MES) in conjunction with the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) and sponsored by Rabbi Dovid and Mrs. Anita Fuld tackled important issues in mental health, coupling medical perspectives with those of leading rabbinic authorities on emerging issues.
Click for Full Article Quest Midnight Run: Inspiring Students 
On October 20, 2010, the Quest II fellows took part in an incredible volunteer experience. That night, the fellows partnered with an organization called Midnight Run, to bring food, clothing and human interaction to the homeless of New York City. Midnight Run, founded in 1989, is a volunteer organization dedicated to finding common ground between the housed and the homeless. This is achieved not only through the exchange of resources, but through the human exchange that occurs throughout the process. The Quest II fellows learned what it meant to help restore the dignity of another human being as they worked, side-by-side with homeless individuals, to meet the needs of those less fortunate than them.
Click for Full Article YU Connects Shabbaton in Teaneck: Creating Community
The YUConnects Shabbaton in Teaneck co-sponsored by the Presidents Circle, SOY, TAC and YSU, this past weekend was an incredible success with over 115 upperclassman students and young alumni participants. Several Roshei Yeshiva personalities and their wives, Stern faculty members, and 25 connector couples, joined and added energy and warmth to the ambiance of the weekend. The program began with a beautiful davening at Keter Torah led by Bennett Schachter, chairman of the Presidential Circle, followed by a welcoming address and divrei Torah from Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Dean of the Center for the Jewish Future.
Click for Full Article Counterpoint Brazil: Inspiring Students 
At the invitation of the local Jewish community, seven Yeshiva University students traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil, over their sukkot vacation as part of YU’s Center for the Jewish Future (CJF) first ever Counterpoint Brazil program. Built on the successes of previous Counterpoint models in Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and Turkey, Counterpoint Brazil was designed specifically to serve Colegio Iavne—a Jewish day school in Sao Paulo—and its neighboring community.
Click for Full Article Torah Tours: Inspiring Students 
The Aaron and Blanche Schreiber Torah Tours, currently in its third decade, shares the Torah knowledge and enthusiasm of Yeshiva University and RIETS students with Jewish communities throughout the world. Teams of 4 to 6 young men and women are sent for Simchat Torah to teach classes, lead singing and dancing, meet with synagogue youth, and create a fun and spirited Yom Tov experience.
Click for Full Article
To view the Torah Tours video please click here |  |
 YUTorah The Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah, with over 38,000 shiurim
The Yeshiva University
Speakers Bureau
The Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon Sunday Morning Learning Program for Men
The Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon Sunday Morning Learning Program for Women
Resources for communities looking to attract new people to move in
The Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Chicago Community Kollel
The Yeshiva University Torah Mitzion Zichron Dov Community Beit Midrash of Toronto
Torah Tours registration for synagogues and YU students
Rabbinic resources, drasha materials and more
Resources for shidduchim and relationships
Championsgate Leadership Conference
Click for the Rabbinic Webinar Series
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Now Beginning its Third Year, CJF Program Offers Jewish Singles Multiple Opportunities to Connect.
Their papers are written and the last little blue book handed in but for 170 Yeshiva University students, the learning’s just beginning. The 
To be a Jew in the Diaspora is to struggle with dual loyalties. On the one hand, Jews have established homes for themselves in countries where they feel a sense of purpose and belonging. Yet they also recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland. The students of Yeshiva University face an existential dilemma. Should they build a home in Israel, their ideological birthplace, or live and build community in the Diaspora?
Starting in February the Center for the Jewish Future will continue to develop the next generation of female leaders for the Jewish community with its Women’s Leadership Fellowship.
Here at Yeshiva University, we take great pride in the vast resource that is the Marcos and Adina Katz YU Torah. In 2010, YU Torah enjoyed over 750,000 pageviews from visitors from over 160 countries and 8700 different cities around the world. 
