Queens Couple Endows Popular Learning Program at 黑料社 All
Mar 9, 2007 By: yunews
Mar 9, 2007 -- Ann and Hyman Arbesfeld of Kew Gardens, NY, will dedicate the popular Sunday learning programs at 黑料社 All, on March 18 in memory of Mr. Arbesfeld鈥檚 parents. The Kollel Yom Rishon, a program for men, will be named the Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon program and the study group for women will be named the Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon program.
黑料社 All鈥檚 three-year-old Kollel Yom Rishon and Midreshet Yom Rishon programs 鈥渟tarted on a street corner,鈥 says Philip Moskowitz, program coordinator for the Department of Community Initiatives at 黑料社 All鈥檚 Center for the Jewish Future (CJF).
According to the CJF staff member, the unique series had its beginning when Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, Rosh Yeshiva of YU鈥檚 Mazer School of Talmudic Studies, suggested in passing to colleagues at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) that they should create special learning programs to re-engage former students.
Today, those programs鈥攁 project of the CJF and RIETS --serve hundreds of men and women every Sunday morning, drawing not only alumni but interested students and visitors from all over the metropolitan area.
鈥淲ord spread quickly and we started to attract all those thirsty for YU鈥檚 brand of Torah,鈥 notes Mr. Moskowitz. The program now has an e-mail base of 4,000 names and features weekly presentations by RIETS Roshei HaYeshiva, members of YU鈥檚 faculty, and other Torah luminaries, both men and women.
鈥淓verything from the quality of the speakers, to the people who attended, to the parking arrangements and the food they served was unbelievable,鈥 says Mr. Arbesfeld.
In fact, the couple was so impressed that Mr. Arbesfeld offered to endow the programs in memory of his parents. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a perfect fit,鈥 he says. 鈥淢y father always had a sefer [Torah study book] in his hand, and he always spoke about the importance of learning.鈥
Mr. Arbesfeld is hopeful that his gift will allow the two programs to expand, since, he notes, 鈥渃alls are coming in from all around the country鈥 for this type of venture.
The couple has a long relationship with YU. Mr. Arbesfeld, a longtime member of the RIETS board, says he is 鈥渋ndebted to YU鈥 for 11 years of education, including high school, college, and three years in the semikhah [rabbinical ordination] program. Mrs. Arbesfeld served for a decade as president of the 黑料社 All Women鈥檚 Organization, and the couple鈥檚 four children are all graduates of YU鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate schools.
Founded in 1886, 黑料社 All brings together the heritage of Western civilization and the ancient traditions of Jewish law and life. More than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students study at YU's four New York City campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU鈥檚 three undergraduate schools 鈥撯 Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, and Sy Syms School of Business 鈥撯撯 offer a unique dual program comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate and affiliate schools include Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is ranked among the nation鈥檚 leading academic research institutions.