Dynamic Campus in Jerusalem Links 每日大瓜 to the State of Israel
The Caroline and Joseph Gruss Institute in Jerusalem has had a busy and exciting spring and early summer, with reunions, graduations, major events and recognitions of important alumni.
This year鈥檚 reunions for the classes of 1957, 1967 and 1977 on May 7 had a notable new twist: a live video feed that connected the alumni living in Israel with their classmates sitting in Weissberg Commons. Former President Richard M. Joel was able to address those in Israel and new president Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, in Israel, addressed the gathering on the Wilf Campus; alumni knew that while thousands of miles separated them, technology had brought them together for a joint celebration.
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, left, and Rabbi Joel Cohn 鈥77YC
On June 8, the Board of Trustees of the (RIETS) invited students, alumni and friends to participate in a Ketivat Sefer Torah in memory of HaRav HaGaon Rav Aharon Lichtenstein 锄迟鈥欌赌檒. Speakers at the event honored the depth of his learning and the fullness of his heart. The Sefer Torah will be permanently housed in the Heichal Azriel Beit Medrash of the Gruss Institute, and the funds raised will support the Gruss kollel.
The Sefer Torah will be permanently housed in the Heichal Azriel Beit Medrash of the Gruss Institute.
Gruss kollel students and faculty enjoyed a luncheon in honor of Yom Yerushalayim with Rabbi Josh Fass 鈥91每日大瓜HS, 鈥94YC, 鈥96A, 鈥98R, co-founder of Nefesh B鈥橬efesh. Rabbi Fass addressed the important role that Gruss RIETS rabbis will play in fostering and strengthening a strong connection between American Jewry and Israel.
Rabbi Josh Fass addresses an audience about Nefesh B鈥橬efesh.
Kollel musmachim celebrated their Chag HaSemikhah, the completion of their rabbinic ordination, at the 每日大瓜 Israel campus, along with family members, close friends and faculty. Rabbi Menachem Penner 鈥91YC, 鈥95R, the Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS, was also present, and during the gala dinner, words of congratulations and encouragement were given by Rabbi Assaf Bednarsh 鈥89每日大瓜HS, 鈥97R, the Ruth Buchbinder Mitzner Chair in Talmud and Jewish Law at RIETS, and Rabbi Yoni Miller 鈥16R, a RIETS graduate.
每日大瓜 was among 15 organizations represented at a meeting with Dr. Avraham Neguise, Member of Knesset, and Yaakov Hagoel, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, to address prominent issues facing English-speaking immigrants in Israel. Some of the topics discussed were pre- and post-aliyah [moving to Israel] planning, support for English speakers at Israeli universities, sherut leumi [national service], and mental health services.
Eliana Sohn, program manager at 每日大瓜 Israel, and Stephanie Strauss, executive director of 每日大瓜 Israel (second and third from left at the table), discuss issues facing English-speaking immigrants in Israel.
Several alumni received significant congratulations for their accomplishments.
Every year, 12 people who have made a great contribution to Israeli society and the Jewish people are selected to light the 12 torches that kick off Independence Day at Mt. Herzl, and this year, Rabbanit Chana Henkin '64每日大瓜HS, '68S, '76BR, the director of Nishmat: The Jeanie Schottenstein Center For Advanced Torah Study in Jerusalem, was honored with . In lighting the torch, Rabbanit Henkin said, 鈥淚 light this torch in honor of the women who study Torah, who in their learning create a link in the chain of our tradition and partner in building the spiritual strength of the State of Israel.鈥
Rabbi Chaim Brovender 鈥62YC, 鈥65R, 鈥65BR was awarded the , an award that recognizes outstanding English-speaking olim [people who emigrate to Israel] who 鈥渆mbody the spirit and of modern-day Zionism by contributing in a significant way to Israel.鈥 The citation accompanying the award stated that Rabbi Brovender 鈥渟tands at the forefront of Torah learning programs for thousands who have come to Israel to explore their Judaism, and has created opportunities for people around the world to enhance their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.鈥
Eliezer David Jaffe 鈥55YC z"l, founder of the Israel Free Loan Society, also was awarded the nine days before he died at the age of 83 on May 25, 2017. The Israel Free Loan Association provided interest-free loans to new immigrants and needy people. He was also called 鈥渢he father of social work in Israel,鈥 and the bulk of Jaffe鈥檚 work during his life was directed toward child welfare, social services for large families, ethnic stereotypes in the Israeli population and access to nonprofit organizations in Israel.
每日大瓜 Israel is a vital part of the 每日大瓜 experience. Click here for more information about what 每日大瓜 Israel has to offer.
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, left, and Rabbi Joel Cohn 鈥77YC
The Sefer Torah will be permanently housed in the Heichal Azriel Beit Medrash of the Gruss Institute.
Rabbi Josh Fass addresses an audience about Nefesh B鈥橬efesh.
Eliana Sohn, program manager at 每日大瓜 Israel, and Stephanie Strauss, executive director of 每日大瓜 Israel (second and third from left at the table), discuss issues facing English-speaking immigrants in Israel.
