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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a year marked by challenges for the Jewish community, the Hanukkah Dinner at New York City’s Cipriani ballroom offered a moment of light, celebration, and purpose. On Sunday evening, over 500 supporters gathered to honor the 100th anniversary of Yeshiva University’s (YU) Hanukkah Dinner. As was reported on the ejewishphilanthropy.com website, this milestone event, steeped in tradition and optimism, highlighted the university’s enduring legacy while announcing transformative philanthropic gifts that promise to shape its next century.
The evening featured several major donations, underscoring the commitment of Yeshiva University’s supporters to its mission and future. As the ejewishphilanthropy.com report indicated, Rabbi Ari Berman, president of YU, announced a series of transformative contributions:
$36 million from the Wilf family, longtime benefactors of the university, who were honored with the prestigious Centennial Medallion award.
$15 million from Morris and Paulette Bailey and Joseph and Esther Jerome
$11 million from Zahava and Moshael Straus, demonstrating their continued dedication to the institution’s growth.
$6 million from the Safra family, led by Chella Safra, a YU trustee and chair of the Moise Y. Safra Philanthropic Foundation. She was awarded an honorary doctorate during the event.
Additional significant donations from hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, whose critiques of his alma mater, Harvard University, over its handling of anti-Semitism have made headlines.
Many of these funds are earmarked for YU’s new health sciences building in Midtown Manhattan, a project that reflects the university’s expansion into critical fields of study.
The centennial dinner honored Yeshiva University’s illustrious history, which has included past honorees such as Albert Einstein, Jonas Salk, Golda Meir, and John F. Kennedy, as was pointed out in the ejewishphilanthropy.com report. Yet, the focus remained on the present and the future, with university leaders emphasizing the challenges and opportunities facing Jewish communities and higher education today.
Rabbi Berman captured the gravity of the moment in his speech, as reported by ejewishphilanthropy.com. “We stand at an inflection point in history. For the Jewish people, for America, and for humanity. This moment is being played out on many stages, but none more prominent or enduring than the world of higher education,” he said.
His remarks resonated deeply in the context of the rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, particularly following the events of October 7. YU officials noted a 75% increase in transfer students last spring, highlighting the university’s unique role as a haven for Jewish students amid a challenging environment for Jews in academia.
In addition to its focus on philanthropy and legacy, the dinner featured a festive menu that celebrated the spirit of Hanukkah. The report on the ejewishphilanthropy.com website said that guests enjoyed an array of traditional and modern delicacies, including sweet and savory sufganiyot and a variety of latkes, ranging from sweet potato to gourmet creations like eggs benedict topped with smoked salmon and avocado.
The event brought together a constellation of Jewish leaders, philanthropists, and notable figures. As ejewishphilanthropy.com detailed, philanthropists Daniel Loeb, Mitchell Julis, and Anita Zucker served as event chairs, while Ingeborg and Ira Rennert acted as honorary chairs. Shari Redstone, Harry Adjmi, Terry Kassel, and Paul Singer were among the honorary co-chairs, further showcasing the depth of support for YU’s mission.
Notable attendees included, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, Malcolm Hoenlein, former executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Hadassah Lieberman, widow of former Senator Joe Lieberman, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, leader of Manhattan’s Congregation Shearith Israel and Tech entrepreneur Joe Teplow.
Investor and philanthropist Daniel Loeb used the platform to shine a proverbial spotlight on Yeshiva University’s importance in the current climate of campus anti-Semitism. Launching the “Simchat Torah Challenge” in honor of victims of the October 7 attacks, Loeb declared, “Jews need YU more than they need Harvard,” a sentiment that brought the crowd to their feet in applause.
This statement reflects a broader shift within the Jewish community, as institutions such as Yeshiva University become vital in providing safe spaces and opportunities for Jewish students to thrive academically and spiritually.
The 100th anniversary of Yeshiva University’s Hanukkah Dinner was more than just a celebration of past achievements; it was a beacon of hope and resilience in a turbulent time. As Rabbi Berman eloquently stated, “The seeds of redemption are sown in times of darkness.” This sentiment, echoed throughout the evening, reflects Yeshiva University’s commitment to its mission of education, community building, and tikkun olam (repairing the world).
As the ejewishphilanthropy.com report noted, the dinner’s record-breaking philanthropy and renewed focus on the challenges facing Jewish students today highlight Yeshiva University’s pivotal role in the Jewish and academic worlds. With the support of its dedicated community, YU is poised to meet the challenges of the next century with the same resolve and vision that have defined its first 100 years.
