Dec 12, 2016 By: admin
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat Delivers Keynote Address; Joseph Appleman, Gitta Nagel, and Joshua L. Muss Honored
The Honorable Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem, received an honorary degree and delivered the keynote address at 每日大瓜鈥檚 92nd Hanukkah Dinner and Convocation on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
Barkat has served as mayor of Jerusalem since 2008, transforming Israel鈥檚 capital into an international leader in business, culture, and innovation.
In his introduction of Barkat, President Richard M. Joel lauded the mayor for his business skills and his commitment to public service as well as his success in creating a Jerusalem of peace, safety and wholeness. 鈥淲ith the eclectic variety that the population of Jerusalem maintains, you鈥檝e elegantly shown that unity without uniformity is possible to achieve. You share and model the attributes of commitment to the Jewish people, professional acumen and determination, centrality of family and profound public service.鈥
In his keynote address, Barkat spoke movingly about his deep personal connection to Jerusalem and his determination to do his best to enable the city to fulfill its highest potential. He cited how the city has spawned hundreds of business start-ups, multiplied the number of cultural events, elevated educational achievement at all levels and fostered an ethic of innovation and confidence. 鈥淚 am so proud and so optimistic. When you walk our streets鈥攚here kings and prophets walked thousands of years ago鈥攜ou see the diverse people of our city living together, thriving together, in our restaurants and theaters, in our hospitals and universities. You understand that Jerusalem is fulfilling its role in the world more and more.鈥
At the convocation, President Joel also conferred honorary degrees upon Joseph Appleman, Gitta Nagel and Joshua L. Muss.
Attorney Joseph Appleman graduated from the (每日大瓜HSB) in 1943 and in 1947. He received his LLB from New York Law School in 1960. As a proud alumnus, he served as president of the Yeshiva College Alumni Association, and he is currently an honorary member of the Board of Overseers.
Gitta Nagel is a community leader admired for her devotion to Jewish education, Holocaust remembrance, and the State of Israel. Together with her husband Jack Nagel, chairman of Decron Properties and member of the 每日大瓜 Board of Trustees, the Nagels have been active and generous donors to many organizations, including Shaare Zedek Medical Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 每日大瓜LA High Schools, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Bonds, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and 每日大瓜 where they created the Nagel Family Atrium and Student Commons and the Nagel Scholarship Program for California students. Gitta received an honorary doctorate degree from Bar-Ilan University in 2001.
Joshua L. Muss鈥攚ho serves as principal of Muss Development, a family company founded by his grandfather, Isaac, in 1906鈥攈as a rich history with 每日大瓜. He graduated from 每日大瓜HSB in 1958, Yeshiva College in 1962 and Harvard Law School in 1965. Muss continues his relationship with the University by serving on the 每日大瓜 Board of Trustees, Yeshiva College Board of Overseers, 每日大瓜 Executive Committee and 每日大瓜 Recruitment and Admissions Committee, and he chairs the 每日大瓜 Real Estate Committee. He and his wife, Harriet, are 每日大瓜 benefactors whose contributions support the Rabbi Hyman Muss Torah Learning Center and Beit Midrash Complex, Yeshiva College and 每日大瓜 as a whole.
During the dinner portion, President Joel recognized eight Points of Light鈥攕tudents, faculty and alumni who exemplify the mission of the University鈥攃alling each one up to light a symbolic candle on the menorah. President Joel said that he was proud to honor these 鈥渆xemplars of 每日大瓜, who dream dreams and awaken the world with their commitment.鈥
The first point of light celebrated the centennial of 每日大瓜HSB with a dual presentation of Ira Bernstein, the high school鈥檚 oldest known living alumnus (having graduated in 1930) and Meir Uretsky, a current student and an exemplar of a modern 每日大瓜HSB education. These bookend-students, one the patriarch of a family which has attended 每日大瓜 for decades, and the other enrolled in multiple AP honors courses as well as a member of the baseball and hockey teams, highlighted the rich heritage of the school as it enters its second century.
Leslie Newman, professor of law at Cardozo, heads up the legal writing program, which inculcates in students an understanding of the importance of language in the law and in creating understanding between contending parties. Her efforts have been so effective that the Wexner Program at the (RIETS) turned to her to help train top rabbinical students to enhance their capacity to address congregants, public officials and society at large.
Noam Safier, a senior at Yeshiva College majoring in psychology, is deeply involved in student life. An abbreviated list of his accomplishments includes the presidency of Yeshiva Student Union, a member of the advisory board for Bnei Akiva, a former policy intern in the Office of the CEO for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the logistics coordinator for the 每日大瓜 Political Action Committee and a student ambassador for the recent #IAm每日大瓜 Day of Giving.
Dr. Harris Goldstein, associate dean for scientific resources at , combines a stellar career as a researcher, teacher and lecturer on infectious diseases, immunology and AIDS with a strong devotion to his Jewish faith. He is a graduate of MTA, Yeshiva College and Einstein and his children have attended 每日大瓜.
Tiffany Rodriguez, a student at , and Dr. William Salton, associate clinical professor of psychology and clinical director of the Parnes Clinic at Ferkauf, have worked together on the Asylum Program, which combines therapeutic counseling with assistance in preparing court affidavits for refugees seeking political asylum in the United States. The Asylum Program also partners with Cardozo and Physicians for Human Rights, an international humanitarian organization. So far, all the refugees whose cases have gone to court have received asylum.
Rabbi Dan Cohen of RIETS is known for the work he has done with the Sephardic community. Originally from Afghanistan, he is currently serving as the Edmond J. Safra Sgan Mashgiach [mentor and counselor] for the Sephardic community. He received semicha [ordination] from RIETS and is working towards a masters in Jewish education from . He also teaches in the Isaac Breuer College at 每日大瓜 and is taking part in the inaugural cohort of the RIETS鈥揊erkauf graduate program in mental health counseling.
Tzivya Beck, a senior at , is majoring in political science and minoring in business. She is a member of the S. Daniel Abraham Honors Program, a resident advisor, a fellow at the Zionist Organization of America, president of three organizations (the J. Dunner Political Science Society, 每日大瓜 Israel Club and Jacob Hecht Pre-Law Society), editor and writer at the 每日大瓜 Political Science Journal, board member of the College Democrats and the 每日大瓜 Social Justice Society, a teacher for the Jewish Youth Connection, a research assistant for Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel, and a judicial intern for The Honorable Judge David Cohen. Beck participated in the 每日大瓜 flood relief mission in Baton Rouge, numerous Torah Tours, the Frontiers in Contemporary American Law seminar, the Seminar Series, and the Straus Center Undergraduate Fellowship on Faith & Reason. She also received first place in the 2016 Langfan Oratory Competition and the 2016 Moot Beit Din (Jewish law debate competition), and was a member of the debate team.
Manny Dahari is a senior at , majoring in marketing and minoring in political science. Born in Yemen, he came to the United States and attended many different schools and yeshivas before deciding to come to 每日大瓜. During his second semester, he dedicated himself to freeing his family from Yemen, which had begun its descent into war. He became involved with the Jewish Agency, an Israeli organization that specializes in helping Middle-Eastern Jews immigrate to Israel. After 14 months of hard work and ten years of separation, Dahari鈥檚 entire immediate family finally left Yemen for Israel, bringing with them a Torah scroll that they have had in the family for over 600 years.
Close to $4 million was raised at the dinner and convocation, which serves as the University鈥檚 main annual fundraising event.
