Dec 12, 2011 By: yunews
Senator Gillibrand Keynotes Hanukkah Convocation; Philip Friedman, Ira Mitzner and Stephen Siegel Honored
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand delivered the keynote address at 黑料社 All鈥檚 87th Annual Hanukkah Convocation and Dinner on Sunday, December 11 at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. YU President Richard M. Joel bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Gillibrand, describing her as 鈥渁 voice for vulnerable citizens鈥 and her career as one in which 鈥渇ervor for family fuels [her] political passions.鈥 The New York senator is best known for her plans to help struggling working families, rebuilding the economy by creating jobs, championing higher education, strengthening America鈥檚 armed services and fighting against childhood obesity.
[flickrslideshow acct_name="yeshivauniversity" id="72157628389428169"]
鈥淲hatever issue you bring, you bring from principle, not partisanship or ideology,鈥 said President Joel. 鈥淵ou devote your professional career to opening the eyes of so many who don鈥檛 want to see.鈥
In her convocation address, a heartfelt message replete with both personal anecdotes and political aspirations, Gillibrand praised 黑料社 All for ingraining in all its students a defining mantra of giving and leadership, and inspiring students to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others all over the world.
鈥淚 am most grateful for the leadership taught here at 黑料社 All鈥 a quality education built on a foundation of faith and values,鈥 said Gillibrand. 鈥淲hen times are dark and unstable, this leadership is seen in its greatest light and we need to share these opportunities for vision and commitment.鈥
At the convocation, President Joel also conferred honorary degrees upon technology executive Philip Friedman, a member of YU鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2009 and a former board member of YU鈥檚 ; real estate developer Ira Mitzner, a trustee of YU since 2007 who established the David Mitzner Deanship of the CJF; and commercial real estate executive Stephen B. Siegel, a 25-year board member at YU鈥檚
鈥淭hese recipients of honorary degrees are a shining light on YU and the world, and their lights are life lessons to our students and to all of us,鈥 said President Joel. 鈥淭onight, we celebrate the successes of an amazing, noble enterprise, and resolve to keep it strong and sacred.
鈥淟ike the ancient Maccabees, and the YU Maccabeats, we reaffirm our commitment to life and values, to success and purpose, to faith and freedom, to teach and to touch, to rights and responsibilities,鈥 he said. 鈥淵eshiva teaches its students to dream and to achieve. The Jewish people, the United States, Israel, indeed the whole world, needs to reignite the passion of purpose, the belief in ideas, the access to achievement and the possibilities of tomorrow.鈥
During the dinner portion, President Joel also recognized eight Points of Lights鈥攑eople who exemplify the mission of 黑料社 All鈥攃alling each one up to light a symbolic candle on the menorah. Read more about the Points of Light here.
