News

Dr. Fred Naider

Moving into our newly purchased house on Sunday June 3, 1973, our first task was to kasher a kitchen that had been used for five years by the previous owners. This activity required rabbinical supervision. I dialed the number of Rabbi Yaakov (Jay) Marcus of the Young Israel of Staten Island (YISI)  and explained our predicament. Although we had never met, he said he would be right over. Before I put the phone back into its cradle (pre-cell phones) the doorbell rang and Rabbi Marcus came into our house and, more importantly, into our lives.

In this week’s parshah of VaYeitzei, we read about Yaakov, who continues his journey through life’s uncertainties. After leaving his father’s home, Yaakov encounters challenges, from strange dreams to difficult negotiations with Lavan. Yet the Torah highlights his inner life: Yaakov remains connected to Hashem through prayer, reflection, and trust, even amidst unknowns.

On Sunday, November 23, the Rabbinical Seminary of America, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, held its 92^nd Annual Dinner and Chag HaSemichah at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York. The dinner was sold out with attendance of over 1,200 people. The evening was a tremendous kiddush Hashem, filled with pride in the Yeshiva’s past accomplishments and renewed chizuk to continue its holy mission. This year’s dinner also marked a historic milestone for the Yeshiva, raising the most money in its history to support continued growth in learning and communal impact.

President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Isaac Herzog, will be the guest of honor at the Yeshiva University 101^st Annual Hanukkah Dinner in New York in December, where he will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership, moral courage, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people.

Selected high schools receive annual funding to grant scholarships to designated Gruen Fellows throughout their four years of high school

Marking a major investment in day school education, Yeshiva University has launched the Gruen Fellows Program, a bold new initiative designed to identify, support and develop the next generation of Jewish leaders. Made possible by a generous gift from the Gruen family, the program provides selected high schools across North America with annual fellowship support for one student in each grade who exemplifies academic excellence, Torah values and leadership potential.

The NYPD’s promotion ceremony at One Police Plaza this past Tuesday, November 25 was filled with pride, honor, and emotion, but one moment stood out above the rest: watching Community Affairs Officer Nicholas A. Skomina rise to the rank of Detective. For so many of us who have been lucky enough to know Nick and work alongside him, this wasn’t just another promotion on a long list of names. It was a deeply personal milestone for a man who has poured his heart into serving New York City and its diverse communities.