Sacks Scholars Graduate Fellowships Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology The Sacks Research Scholars fellowship, led by Dr. Shira Weiss and Dr. Erica Brown, is designed to strengthen the professional skills and expand the leadership platform of graduate students in Azrieli, GPATS, Revel and RIETS through the learning, researching, publishing and teaching of the thought of Rabbi Sacks in engagement with contemporary Jewish thought, as he wrote in Future Tense: “If we are to apply Torah to the world, we must understand the world. We need a new generation of Jews committed to the dialogue between sacred and secular if Judaism is the engage with the world and its challenges.â€Sacks Research Scholars 2024-2025 are:  &²Ô²ú²õ±è; &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Asher Finkelstein is a fellow of the Kollel Elyon at RIETS and a Master’s student at the Bernard Revel Graduate School. &²Ô²ú²õ±è; &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Ned Krasnopolsky is a Master's student at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He studied physics and Jewish philosophy at ¶¶Òõapp College and is a Beit Midrash fellow at SAR High School. Penina Marmon is a Master’s student studying Tanakh at GPATS. She earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy Summa Cum Laude from Stern College, where she was a Straus Scholar.   Annie Nagel is a PhD candidate at the Bernard Revel Graduate School and teaches Tanakh at YULA Girls High School. She holds a JD from UCLA School of Law and practiced real estate law in Los Angeles. Aryeh Roberts is a fourth-year student at RIETS and is the Rabbinic Intern at Young Israel Ohab Zedek. He studied philosophy at the University of Maryland, where he also served as President of the Orthodox community. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;  &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Batsheva Leah Weinstein is a Master’s student at GPATS and at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration. She earned a BA in linguistics from Princeton University. The Sacks Impact Scholars fellowship is an interdisciplinary cohort comprised of graduate students from Cardozo School of Law, Ferkauf School of Psychology, Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Katz School of Science and Health, Sy Syms School of Business, and Wurzweiler School of Social Work. This diverse cohort will collectively participate in monthly leadership training seminars, led by Dr. Shira Weiss and Dr. Erica Brown, and individually contribute to social impact projects in their respective schools. In the spirit of Rabbi Sacks’ charge, "We are here to make a difference, to mend the fractures of the world."Sacks Impact Scholars 2024-2025 are:  &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Niv Dahan is a MBA candidate at Syms School of Business and an experienced operations and project management leader with 10+ years of driving operational excellence, fostering collaboration, and implementing innovative solutions. He previously served as the National Director of the EDGE network of the Israeli American Council.Project: Niv will design and plan the Israel student job landscape for both undergraduate and MBA students by developing the Israel job network to recruit and place current students in internships and alumni in jobs in multiple industries in Israel.      &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Nikhil Deekonda is pursuing a Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, specializing in Machine Learning, Computer Vision and Natural Language Processing at the Katz School of Science and Health. He has worked as a Software Development Engineer at LTIMindtree and as a Machine Learning Engineer at the National Highway Authority of India.Project: Nikhil will develop an app (LungDect) for automatic lung cancer detection with deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify the CT scans and then detect the precise location of the cancer, which will enhance the speed and accuracy of the cancer diagnosis.    &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Oyindamola Jemilawon earned her Master’s of Social Work and is currently a first-year PhD student at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She provides mental health resources to families within the child welfare system.Project: Oyinda will create programming for Wurzweiler’s Care Café to address the social-emotional needs of African immigrants who experience barriers associated with ²¹²õ²õ¾±³¾¾±±ô²¹³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯ Ezra Littlewood is a third-year student at Cardozo School of Law. He has worked at the Bet Tzedek Civil Litigation Clinic to advocate for the rights of services for children with developmental disabilities.Project: Ezra will identify and advocate for policy reforms to expand access to Home and Community-Based Services for children with severe disabilities, as well as develop public education materials to provide technical assistance to families.   &²Ô²ú²õ±è; Julian Schmidt is pursuing an MA at the Fish Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies. Born in Germany, he spent many years as a corporate art director and now wants to use his creative skills for Holocaust education.Project: Julian will create a graphical poster series of images and quotes relating to the Holocaust to inspire students and general audiences to create space for contemplation and spark conversation through art. Gaalia Strupinsky is a second year Clinical Health Psychology PhD student at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology with an interest in working with emerging adult immigrant populations. Currently she is conducting research centered around depression, anxiety and chronic pain management. She has previously been involved in PTSD research, and is trilingual, speaking English, Hebrew, and Russian fluently. Tomas Greenberg is a second-year PsyD student at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology interested in multiculturalism and working with underserved communities. He has worked with immigrant families a Bilingual Interventionist/Case Planner at the New ¶¶Òõapp Foundling.Project: Gaalia and Tomas will collaborate with Ferkauf’s Parnes Clinic to coordinate and execute programming to provide mental health resources to address the psychological needs of asylum-seeking families in the NY area. Past Scholars include: Rebecca Kreiser Cardozo School of Law Rebecca will research and assess how current legislation will impact drug costs and identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. More information Rebecca Kreiser is a third-year student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She was a summer associate at K&L Gates and interned for Judge Matthew H. Solomson at the US Court of Federal Claims during the summer of 2021. Rebecca has also externed at Community Health Advocates through the Health Care Reform Field Clinic at Cardozo. Before attending law school, she studied English and Secondary Education at Brooklyn College as a Macaulay Scholar. Project: Rebecca will research and assess the most practical and effective business models to decrease out-of-pocket drug prices for the elderly and disabled as compared to Medicare. In light of recent legislation, she will identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. The project will analyze how current legislation will impact drug costs, make recommendations for future legislation based on feedback from current Medicare beneficiaries, as well as develop educational programming for Cardozo students about existing challenges and how healthcare lawyers can best advocate for lower drug costs. Ethics Essay Topic: Why and how legislators should advocate for the reduction of Medicare drug costs and how to best educate Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and health care professionals about Medicare coverage. Faculty Advisor: Prof. David Silva Hillel Broder Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies Hillel will develop a curriculum and text study guide to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated textual study to enhance students’ spiritual development. More information Hillel Broder is pursuing an MA in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and serves as Principal of DRS ¶¶Òõapp High School for Boys. He holds a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, and is a graduate of ¶¶Òõapp College, where he was a Schottenstein Scholar in the Honors Program. Project: Hillel will develop a text study guide introducing schools, and training educators, to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated study of mystical/Hasidic texts to enhance students’ spiritual development. The goals of the project are to cultivate spiritual dispositions and language, with an ultimate aim of developing the growth of Jewish prayer and spirituality through the contemplation of philosophically rich texts. Ethics Essay Topic: Towards an ethics of spiritual education: discovering the constant prayer of the soul. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jonathan Dauber Talya Gordon Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Talya will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to process their trauma before relocating into homes. More information Talya Gordon is a doctoral candidate in Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and currently works as a therapist extern at both the Upper West Side Therapy Group and CCNY City College Counseling Center, providing individual psychotherapy to young adults. Her research projects have focused on providing psychological services to underserved populations. For her Master's research project, she examined the role that social support plays in mitigating stress levels amongst individuals with cardiovascular risk factors participating in a cooking intervention in a food desert. Talya pursued a B.S. in Psychology and Biobehavioral Health at the University of Maryland, where her research focused on psychosocial interventions for African American breast cancer survivors. Project: Talya will examine mental health needs of homeless individuals living in shelters in NYC. She will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to begin processing their trauma before relocating into homes. Ethics Essay Topic: The role of cultural and social norms in conceptualizing and diagnosing mental illness. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Andrea Weinberger Jordan Soffer Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration Jordan will develop online resources of best practices of the customer service industry and tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve stakeholders. More information Jordan Soffer is pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership at Azrieli Graduate School, and serves as Head of School at Striar Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Soffer has a BS from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Jewish Education, Hebrew & Semitic Studies, and Religious Studies and an MS in education from ¶¶Òõapp University. Rabbi Soffer studied at ¶¶Òõappt Maaleh Gilboa, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and ¶¶Òõappt Chovevei Torah, where he received smicha. In 2020, Rabbi Soffer was awarded the Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize, which recognizes emerging leaders in the field of Jewish education. He is a graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute, where he currently serves as the Rabbinic Mentor. Project: Jordan will research and analyze best practices of the customer service industry that can benefit Jewish day schools. He will develop online resources with business tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve their families, develop deeper empathic relationships, and cultivate a more committed parent body. Ethics Essay Topic: Exploration of the tension inherent in designing an entrance to a school building that is simultaneously welcoming and safety-oriented, as well as recommendations of how a space can project a warm and welcoming atmosphere, without sacrificing security needs. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Laya Soloman Daniela Weiss-Bronstein Wurzweiler School of Social Work Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories, as well as online resources for couples to access. More information Daniela Weiss-Bronstein is a Ph.D. candidate at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where she completed her MSW. Dani received an M.Ed. in Human Sexuality at Widener University and is a certified sexologist. She was a UJA Dressler Fellow, received a HRSA grant through DHHS to train in trauma-informed care, and is a member of the Gamma Eta Rho and Triota honor societies. She is the Executive Director of Kesher Families and works part-time as a therapist in New ¶¶Òõapp City, in addition to being a rebbetzin and certified kallah teacher. Project: Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories. The project's aims include the implementation of the training and creation of a website providing resources for couples to access. Ethics Essay Topic: Marry and have children, pursue justice, and fight for human dignity: How Rabbi Sacks' response to the Holocaust enjoins communal leaders to address trauma survivors. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Rachel Fryman Daniel Gottesman Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, Daniel will assess rabbinical students’ needs when working with trauma victims, and collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein to train Rabbis/pastoral counselors to support individuals/couples with trauma histories. More information Daniel Gottesman is a fourth year RIETS student and a Master’s student in Azrieli Graduate School. He served in the Givati Brigade of the IDF before earning a BA in Jewish History from ¶¶Òõapp College. He currently serves as Rabbinic Intern at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. Project: Daniel will assess the needs of rabbinical students pertaining to working with trauma victims. In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, the project will collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein on the training of Rabbis and pastoral counselors to equip them with the tools to work effectively with individuals and couples with trauma histories. Ethics Essay Topic: Dina D'Malchuta, Freedom of Speech in Jewish Life and Law Andrea Maxi Wurzweiler School of Social Work Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Andrea Maxi is a second-year doctoral student at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. As a member of Dr. Rain Lee’s Aging and Welfare Lab, Andrea contributes to the project for Climate and Authentic Behavior Related Factors with Intention to Leave in Child Welfare Agencies. Andrea analyzes the theoretical framework on turnover rate and authentic behavior through extensive bibliographical review. Prior to her doctoral studies, Andrea received training in Modern Psychodynamic Theory at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC. She also acquired Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Addiction counseling education from New ¶¶Òõapp University. Andrea has gained diverse experience as a mental health provider for children, adolescents, and adults in substance abuse clinics, hospital settings, non-profit organizations and private practice. Andrea aspires to bring mental health counseling to underserved communities through public education using outreach programs. Project: Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, as a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café, and in cooperation with local healthcare organizations. Ethics Essay Topic: Analysis of patient-provider interactions and how culture shapes the therapeutic relationship and health disparities. Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Rain Lee Paul Kutner The Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies Paul will coordinate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to teach how to mitigate Holocaust distortion effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. More information Paul Kutner is pursuing his Master’s in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center, and teaches Jewish History and English Literature at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. He has been active in researching and teaching the Holocaust, focusing specifically on the Righteous Among the Nations and he has recorded interviews with survivors and rescuers, has worked with published scholarship and in archives, and has used these materials in teaching, speaking, and creating a museum exhibit. Paul completed his undergraduate degree in international law, organizations and ethics at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Project: Paul will facilitate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to heighten awareness of how Holocaust distortion plays into educational discourse in the US and abroad, teach how to mitigate such distortion most effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. Ethics Essay Topic: Objective truth in education: combatting Holocaust distortion globally and locally. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Shay Pilnik Neti Linzer Graduate Program In Advanced Talmudic Studies For Women Neti will create an intellectual forum and reader for values-driven YU undergraduate students to engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp centered around the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. More information Neti Linzer is pursuing a Master’s at YU’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS), as well as a Master’s in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School. She received her B.A in philosophy at Princeton University and was Rosh Beit Midrash at Camp Stone. Project: Neti will create an intellectual forum and text reader for values-driven undergraduate students at YU centered on the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. Members of the forum will meet on a regular basis, propose topics for exploration, and engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp. Ethics Paper Topic: The moral implications of value judgments: analysis of the halakhic concepts of dan l’kaf zechut (judging favorably) and marit ayin (appearance of the eye). Faculty Advisor: Prof. Daniel Rynhold Alvin McLaughlin Wurzweiler School of Social Work Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents, extending the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Alvin McLaughlin is a PhD candidate who earned his MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Alvin graduated with Phi Alpha Honors, in addition to obtaining a certificate in creative arts and healing, and is the recipient of the 2022 Social Advocacy Award. Alvin also has a Master’s of Divinity from Nyack College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. He is a Chaplain with the National Association of Youth Chaplains. After many years of working in the financial sector of corporate America, he has found his purpose and passion in advocating for others, wanting to help address mental health challenges within his community. Project: Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents to extend the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. The creation of a toolkit post-project will implement sustained resources, references, and dialogue in an effort to enhance mental health/wellness. Ethics Essay Topic: Intergenerational trauma and its impact on African American youth Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Jay Sweifach Jillian Rossi Katz School of Science and Health Jillian will advocate and provide accessibility to free speech and language services for children who no longer qualify for early intervention due to national change in developmental speech milestones. More information Jillian Rossi is a Master’s student in Speech Language Pathology in the Katz School of Health and Science. With a musical theater background, Jillian graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music, moved to New ¶¶Òõapp City and has since performed around the globe from Broadway National Tours to Radio City Music Hall and numerous regional theaters. Jillian became interested in pursuing a degree in Speech Language Pathology when she saw a strong need for vocal rehabilitation and vocal health education within the entertainment industry. Within her time at YU, she has become increasingly interested in the role of the SLP in childhood language development in addition to voice disorders. Jillian is passionate about advocating for effective and independent communication amongst all populations as a means to cultivate dignity and identity through empowering one's own unique voice. Project: In response to the recent change in developmental speech milestones, Jillian will identify how many children between the ages of 0 and 3 have previously, but no longer qualify for early intervention services. Her project will advocate for those children by providing accessibility to free speech and language services regardless of their current qualification status while also bringing awareness to the change in developmental milestones on a national level. Ethics Essay Topic: An assessment of the ethical implications of changing developmental milestones as they relate to a child’s right to free and appropriate educational resources. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Michaela Medved Marc Eichenbaum Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers/students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. More information Marc Eichenbaum is a third-year doctoral student in Ferkauf's School-Clinical PsyD. program. Marc received his BA in psychology from YU and his rabbinic ordination from RIETS. He has previously taught Judaic Studies at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, and served as the rabbinic researcher for the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, and as the rabbinic intern for the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst. Marc was a UJA Graduate fellow as well as a Lefell Israel fellow. He has authored several essays exploring the intersection between psychology and religion. Project Description: Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers and students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. The resource will be an effective measure for addressing the rising mental health crisis facing students by offering a culturally sensitive, skills-based, and accessible collection of texts and guidance for dual-curriculum schools. Essay Topic: The Effect of a Judaic Studies Education on a Child's Understanding of Death Faculty Advisor: Prof. Mordechai Schiffman Bracha Teigman Sy Syms School of Business Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a YU program and facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to train undergraduate students to provide low-income residents with free tax preparation services. More information Bracha Teigman is pursuing a Master’s of Science Taxation. She graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business with a BS in Accounting, earning the Henry Brout Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting. She served as president of the Accounting Society at YU and as Project Manager and Director of Operations for the executive board of Tamid X YU, a student-led organization that fosters the next generation of business leaders through professional experiences. This past summer, she worked as a Multistate Tax Consultant intern at Deloitte, where she will return full-time in August 2023 following completion of her Master’s and CPA exam. Project: Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a ¶¶Òõapp University program. She will facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to recruit and train undergraduate accounting students to provide low-income local residents with free tax preparation services. Ethics Essay: The Ethics of Tax Avoidance Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jeff Trey Rebecca Kreiser Cardozo School of Law Rebecca will research and assess how current legislation will impact drug costs and identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. More information Rebecca Kreiser is a third-year student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She was a summer associate at K&L Gates and interned for Judge Matthew H. Solomson at the US Court of Federal Claims during the summer of 2021. Rebecca has also externed at Community Health Advocates through the Health Care Reform Field Clinic at Cardozo. Before attending law school, she studied English and Secondary Education at Brooklyn College as a Macaulay Scholar. Project: Rebecca will research and assess the most practical and effective business models to decrease out-of-pocket drug prices for the elderly and disabled as compared to Medicare. In light of recent legislation, she will identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. The project will analyze how current legislation will impact drug costs, make recommendations for future legislation based on feedback from current Medicare beneficiaries, as well as develop educational programming for Cardozo students about existing challenges and how healthcare lawyers can best advocate for lower drug costs. Ethics Essay Topic: Why and how legislators should advocate for the reduction of Medicare drug costs and how to best educate Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and health care professionals about Medicare coverage. Faculty Advisor: Prof. David Silva Hillel Broder Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies Hillel will develop a curriculum and text study guide to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated textual study to enhance students’ spiritual development. More information Hillel Broder is pursuing an MA in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and serves as Principal of DRS ¶¶Òõapp High School for Boys. He holds a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, and is a graduate of ¶¶Òõapp College, where he was a Schottenstein Scholar in the Honors Program. Project: Hillel will develop a text study guide introducing schools, and training educators, to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated study of mystical/Hasidic texts to enhance students’ spiritual development. The goals of the project are to cultivate spiritual dispositions and language, with an ultimate aim of developing the growth of Jewish prayer and spirituality through the contemplation of philosophically rich texts. Ethics Essay Topic: Towards an ethics of spiritual education: discovering the constant prayer of the soul. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jonathan Dauber Talya Gordon Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Talya will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to process their trauma before relocating into homes. More information Talya Gordon is a doctoral candidate in Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and currently works as a therapist extern at both the Upper West Side Therapy Group and CCNY City College Counseling Center, providing individual psychotherapy to young adults. Her research projects have focused on providing psychological services to underserved populations. For her Master's research project, she examined the role that social support plays in mitigating stress levels amongst individuals with cardiovascular risk factors participating in a cooking intervention in a food desert. Talya pursued a B.S. in Psychology and Biobehavioral Health at the University of Maryland, where her research focused on psychosocial interventions for African American breast cancer survivors. Project: Talya will examine mental health needs of homeless individuals living in shelters in NYC. She will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to begin processing their trauma before relocating into homes. Ethics Essay Topic: The role of cultural and social norms in conceptualizing and diagnosing mental illness. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Andrea Weinberger Jordan Soffer Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration Jordan will develop online resources of best practices of the customer service industry and tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve stakeholders. More information Jordan Soffer is pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership at Azrieli Graduate School, and serves as Head of School at Striar Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Soffer has a BS from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Jewish Education, Hebrew & Semitic Studies, and Religious Studies and an MS in education from ¶¶Òõapp University. Rabbi Soffer studied at ¶¶Òõappt Maaleh Gilboa, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and ¶¶Òõappt Chovevei Torah, where he received smicha. In 2020, Rabbi Soffer was awarded the Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize, which recognizes emerging leaders in the field of Jewish education. He is a graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute, where he currently serves as the Rabbinic Mentor. Project: Jordan will research and analyze best practices of the customer service industry that can benefit Jewish day schools. He will develop online resources with business tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve their families, develop deeper empathic relationships, and cultivate a more committed parent body. Ethics Essay Topic: Exploration of the tension inherent in designing an entrance to a school building that is simultaneously welcoming and safety-oriented, as well as recommendations of how a space can project a warm and welcoming atmosphere, without sacrificing security needs. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Laya Soloman Daniela Weiss-Bronstein Wurzweiler School of Social Work Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories, as well as online resources for couples to access. More information Daniela Weiss-Bronstein is a Ph.D. candidate at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where she completed her MSW. Dani received an M.Ed. in Human Sexuality at Widener University and is a certified sexologist. She was a UJA Dressler Fellow, received a HRSA grant through DHHS to train in trauma-informed care, and is a member of the Gamma Eta Rho and Triota honor societies. She is the Executive Director of Kesher Families and works part-time as a therapist in New ¶¶Òõapp City, in addition to being a rebbetzin and certified kallah teacher. Project: Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories. The project's aims include the implementation of the training and creation of a website providing resources for couples to access. Ethics Essay Topic: Marry and have children, pursue justice, and fight for human dignity: How Rabbi Sacks' response to the Holocaust enjoins communal leaders to address trauma survivors. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Rachel Fryman Daniel Gottesman Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, Daniel will assess rabbinical students’ needs when working with trauma victims, and collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein to train Rabbis/pastoral counselors to support individuals/couples with trauma histories. More information Daniel Gottesman is a fourth year RIETS student and a Master’s student in Azrieli Graduate School. He served in the Givati Brigade of the IDF before earning a BA in Jewish History from ¶¶Òõapp College. He currently serves as Rabbinic Intern at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. Project: Daniel will assess the needs of rabbinical students pertaining to working with trauma victims. In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, the project will collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein on the training of Rabbis and pastoral counselors to equip them with the tools to work effectively with individuals and couples with trauma histories. Ethics Essay Topic: Dina D'Malchuta, Freedom of Speech in Jewish Life and Law Andrea Maxi Wurzweiler School of Social Work Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Andrea Maxi is a second-year doctoral student at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. As a member of Dr. Rain Lee’s Aging and Welfare Lab, Andrea contributes to the project for Climate and Authentic Behavior Related Factors with Intention to Leave in Child Welfare Agencies. Andrea analyzes the theoretical framework on turnover rate and authentic behavior through extensive bibliographical review. Prior to her doctoral studies, Andrea received training in Modern Psychodynamic Theory at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC. She also acquired Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Addiction counseling education from New ¶¶Òõapp University. Andrea has gained diverse experience as a mental health provider for children, adolescents, and adults in substance abuse clinics, hospital settings, non-profit organizations and private practice. Andrea aspires to bring mental health counseling to underserved communities through public education using outreach programs. Project: Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, as a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café, and in cooperation with local healthcare organizations. Ethics Essay Topic: Analysis of patient-provider interactions and how culture shapes the therapeutic relationship and health disparities. Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Rain Lee Paul Kutner The Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies Paul will coordinate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to teach how to mitigate Holocaust distortion effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. More information Paul Kutner is pursuing his Master’s in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center, and teaches Jewish History and English Literature at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. He has been active in researching and teaching the Holocaust, focusing specifically on the Righteous Among the Nations and he has recorded interviews with survivors and rescuers, has worked with published scholarship and in archives, and has used these materials in teaching, speaking, and creating a museum exhibit. Paul completed his undergraduate degree in international law, organizations and ethics at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Project: Paul will facilitate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to heighten awareness of how Holocaust distortion plays into educational discourse in the US and abroad, teach how to mitigate such distortion most effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. Ethics Essay Topic: Objective truth in education: combatting Holocaust distortion globally and locally. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Shay Pilnik Neti Linzer Graduate Program In Advanced Talmudic Studies For Women Neti will create an intellectual forum and reader for values-driven YU undergraduate students to engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp centered around the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. More information Neti Linzer is pursuing a Master’s at YU’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS), as well as a Master’s in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School. She received her B.A in philosophy at Princeton University and was Rosh Beit Midrash at Camp Stone. Project: Neti will create an intellectual forum and text reader for values-driven undergraduate students at YU centered on the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. Members of the forum will meet on a regular basis, propose topics for exploration, and engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp. Ethics Paper Topic: The moral implications of value judgments: analysis of the halakhic concepts of dan l’kaf zechut (judging favorably) and marit ayin (appearance of the eye). Faculty Advisor: Prof. Daniel Rynhold Alvin McLaughlin Wurzweiler School of Social Work Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents, extending the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Alvin McLaughlin is a PhD candidate who earned his MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Alvin graduated with Phi Alpha Honors, in addition to obtaining a certificate in creative arts and healing, and is the recipient of the 2022 Social Advocacy Award. Alvin also has a Master’s of Divinity from Nyack College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. He is a Chaplain with the National Association of Youth Chaplains. After many years of working in the financial sector of corporate America, he has found his purpose and passion in advocating for others, wanting to help address mental health challenges within his community. Project: Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents to extend the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. The creation of a toolkit post-project will implement sustained resources, references, and dialogue in an effort to enhance mental health/wellness. Ethics Essay Topic: Intergenerational trauma and its impact on African American youth Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Jay Sweifach Jillian Rossi Katz School of Science and Health Jillian will advocate and provide accessibility to free speech and language services for children who no longer qualify for early intervention due to national change in developmental speech milestones. More information Jillian Rossi is a Master’s student in Speech Language Pathology in the Katz School of Health and Science. With a musical theater background, Jillian graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music, moved to New ¶¶Òõapp City and has since performed around the globe from Broadway National Tours to Radio City Music Hall and numerous regional theaters. Jillian became interested in pursuing a degree in Speech Language Pathology when she saw a strong need for vocal rehabilitation and vocal health education within the entertainment industry. Within her time at YU, she has become increasingly interested in the role of the SLP in childhood language development in addition to voice disorders. Jillian is passionate about advocating for effective and independent communication amongst all populations as a means to cultivate dignity and identity through empowering one's own unique voice. Project: In response to the recent change in developmental speech milestones, Jillian will identify how many children between the ages of 0 and 3 have previously, but no longer qualify for early intervention services. Her project will advocate for those children by providing accessibility to free speech and language services regardless of their current qualification status while also bringing awareness to the change in developmental milestones on a national level. Ethics Essay Topic: An assessment of the ethical implications of changing developmental milestones as they relate to a child’s right to free and appropriate educational resources. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Michaela Medved Marc Eichenbaum Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers/students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. More information Marc Eichenbaum is a third-year doctoral student in Ferkauf's School-Clinical PsyD. program. Marc received his BA in psychology from YU and his rabbinic ordination from RIETS. He has previously taught Judaic Studies at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, and served as the rabbinic researcher for the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, and as the rabbinic intern for the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst. Marc was a UJA Graduate fellow as well as a Lefell Israel fellow. He has authored several essays exploring the intersection between psychology and religion. Project Description: Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers and students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. The resource will be an effective measure for addressing the rising mental health crisis facing students by offering a culturally sensitive, skills-based, and accessible collection of texts and guidance for dual-curriculum schools. Essay Topic: The Effect of a Judaic Studies Education on a Child's Understanding of Death Faculty Advisor: Prof. Mordechai Schiffman Bracha Teigman Sy Syms School of Business Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a YU program and facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to train undergraduate students to provide low-income residents with free tax preparation services. More information Bracha Teigman is pursuing a Master’s of Science Taxation. She graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business with a BS in Accounting, earning the Henry Brout Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting. She served as president of the Accounting Society at YU and as Project Manager and Director of Operations for the executive board of Tamid X YU, a student-led organization that fosters the next generation of business leaders through professional experiences. This past summer, she worked as a Multistate Tax Consultant intern at Deloitte, where she will return full-time in August 2023 following completion of her Master’s and CPA exam. Project: Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a ¶¶Òõapp University program. She will facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to recruit and train undergraduate accounting students to provide low-income local residents with free tax preparation services. Ethics Essay: The Ethics of Tax Avoidance Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jeff Trey Rebecca Kreiser Cardozo School of Law Rebecca will research and assess how current legislation will impact drug costs and identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. More information Rebecca Kreiser is a third-year student at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She was a summer associate at K&L Gates and interned for Judge Matthew H. Solomson at the US Court of Federal Claims during the summer of 2021. Rebecca has also externed at Community Health Advocates through the Health Care Reform Field Clinic at Cardozo. Before attending law school, she studied English and Secondary Education at Brooklyn College as a Macaulay Scholar. Project: Rebecca will research and assess the most practical and effective business models to decrease out-of-pocket drug prices for the elderly and disabled as compared to Medicare. In light of recent legislation, she will identify next steps Medicare can take to make drug costs more affordable for its beneficiaries and competitive with private market prices. The project will analyze how current legislation will impact drug costs, make recommendations for future legislation based on feedback from current Medicare beneficiaries, as well as develop educational programming for Cardozo students about existing challenges and how healthcare lawyers can best advocate for lower drug costs. Ethics Essay Topic: Why and how legislators should advocate for the reduction of Medicare drug costs and how to best educate Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and health care professionals about Medicare coverage. Faculty Advisor: Prof. David Silva Hillel Broder Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies Hillel will develop a curriculum and text study guide to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated textual study to enhance students’ spiritual development. More information Hillel Broder is pursuing an MA in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and serves as Principal of DRS ¶¶Òõapp High School for Boys. He holds a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, and is a graduate of ¶¶Òõapp College, where he was a Schottenstein Scholar in the Honors Program. Project: Hillel will develop a text study guide introducing schools, and training educators, to fuse educational research and best practices with sophisticated study of mystical/Hasidic texts to enhance students’ spiritual development. The goals of the project are to cultivate spiritual dispositions and language, with an ultimate aim of developing the growth of Jewish prayer and spirituality through the contemplation of philosophically rich texts. Ethics Essay Topic: Towards an ethics of spiritual education: discovering the constant prayer of the soul. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jonathan Dauber Talya Gordon Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Talya will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to process their trauma before relocating into homes. More information Talya Gordon is a doctoral candidate in Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and currently works as a therapist extern at both the Upper West Side Therapy Group and CCNY City College Counseling Center, providing individual psychotherapy to young adults. Her research projects have focused on providing psychological services to underserved populations. For her Master's research project, she examined the role that social support plays in mitigating stress levels amongst individuals with cardiovascular risk factors participating in a cooking intervention in a food desert. Talya pursued a B.S. in Psychology and Biobehavioral Health at the University of Maryland, where her research focused on psychosocial interventions for African American breast cancer survivors. Project: Talya will examine mental health needs of homeless individuals living in shelters in NYC. She will create and implement a trauma-focused psychoeducational intervention to empower homeless individuals to begin processing their trauma before relocating into homes. Ethics Essay Topic: The role of cultural and social norms in conceptualizing and diagnosing mental illness. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Andrea Weinberger Jordan Soffer Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration Jordan will develop online resources of best practices of the customer service industry and tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve stakeholders. More information Jordan Soffer is pursuing an EdD in Educational Leadership at Azrieli Graduate School, and serves as Head of School at Striar Hebrew Academy. Rabbi Soffer has a BS from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied Jewish Education, Hebrew & Semitic Studies, and Religious Studies and an MS in education from ¶¶Òõapp University. Rabbi Soffer studied at ¶¶Òõappt Maaleh Gilboa, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, and ¶¶Òõappt Chovevei Torah, where he received smicha. In 2020, Rabbi Soffer was awarded the Covenant Foundation's Pomegranate Prize, which recognizes emerging leaders in the field of Jewish education. He is a graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute, where he currently serves as the Rabbinic Mentor. Project: Jordan will research and analyze best practices of the customer service industry that can benefit Jewish day schools. He will develop online resources with business tools for implementation to enhance Jewish day schools’ ability to serve their families, develop deeper empathic relationships, and cultivate a more committed parent body. Ethics Essay Topic: Exploration of the tension inherent in designing an entrance to a school building that is simultaneously welcoming and safety-oriented, as well as recommendations of how a space can project a warm and welcoming atmosphere, without sacrificing security needs. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Laya Soloman Daniela Weiss-Bronstein Wurzweiler School of Social Work Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories, as well as online resources for couples to access. More information Daniela Weiss-Bronstein is a Ph.D. candidate at Wurzweiler School of Social Work, where she completed her MSW. Dani received an M.Ed. in Human Sexuality at Widener University and is a certified sexologist. She was a UJA Dressler Fellow, received a HRSA grant through DHHS to train in trauma-informed care, and is a member of the Gamma Eta Rho and Triota honor societies. She is the Executive Director of Kesher Families and works part-time as a therapist in New ¶¶Òõapp City, in addition to being a rebbetzin and certified kallah teacher. Project: Daniela will develop supplemental training for clergy and pre-marital counselors working with couples with trauma histories. The project's aims include the implementation of the training and creation of a website providing resources for couples to access. Ethics Essay Topic: Marry and have children, pursue justice, and fight for human dignity: How Rabbi Sacks' response to the Holocaust enjoins communal leaders to address trauma survivors. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Rachel Fryman Daniel Gottesman Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, Daniel will assess rabbinical students’ needs when working with trauma victims, and collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein to train Rabbis/pastoral counselors to support individuals/couples with trauma histories. More information Daniel Gottesman is a fourth year RIETS student and a Master’s student in Azrieli Graduate School. He served in the Givati Brigade of the IDF before earning a BA in Jewish History from ¶¶Òõapp College. He currently serves as Rabbinic Intern at Lincoln Square Synagogue in Manhattan. Project: Daniel will assess the needs of rabbinical students pertaining to working with trauma victims. In a partnership between RIETS and Wurzweiler, the project will collaborate with Daniela Weiss-Bronstein on the training of Rabbis and pastoral counselors to equip them with the tools to work effectively with individuals and couples with trauma histories. Ethics Essay Topic: Dina D'Malchuta, Freedom of Speech in Jewish Life and Law Andrea Maxi Wurzweiler School of Social Work Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Andrea Maxi is a second-year doctoral student at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. As a member of Dr. Rain Lee’s Aging and Welfare Lab, Andrea contributes to the project for Climate and Authentic Behavior Related Factors with Intention to Leave in Child Welfare Agencies. Andrea analyzes the theoretical framework on turnover rate and authentic behavior through extensive bibliographical review. Prior to her doctoral studies, Andrea received training in Modern Psychodynamic Theory at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy in NYC. She also acquired Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Addiction counseling education from New ¶¶Òõapp University. Andrea has gained diverse experience as a mental health provider for children, adolescents, and adults in substance abuse clinics, hospital settings, non-profit organizations and private practice. Andrea aspires to bring mental health counseling to underserved communities through public education using outreach programs. Project: Andrea will facilitate psychoeducation groups of immigrant Latino mothers to address post-partum needs, promote medical and mental health awareness and increase cross-cultural practices, as a new program for Wurzweiler’s Care Café, and in cooperation with local healthcare organizations. Ethics Essay Topic: Analysis of patient-provider interactions and how culture shapes the therapeutic relationship and health disparities. Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Rain Lee Paul Kutner The Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust & Genocide Studies Paul will coordinate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to teach how to mitigate Holocaust distortion effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. More information Paul Kutner is pursuing his Master’s in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center, and teaches Jewish History and English Literature at the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. He has been active in researching and teaching the Holocaust, focusing specifically on the Righteous Among the Nations and he has recorded interviews with survivors and rescuers, has worked with published scholarship and in archives, and has used these materials in teaching, speaking, and creating a museum exhibit. Paul completed his undergraduate degree in international law, organizations and ethics at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Project: Paul will facilitate workshops for teachers, museum educators, parent groups and professional organizations to heighten awareness of how Holocaust distortion plays into educational discourse in the US and abroad, teach how to mitigate such distortion most effectively and propose improvements in Holocaust education. Ethics Essay Topic: Objective truth in education: combatting Holocaust distortion globally and locally. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Shay Pilnik Neti Linzer Graduate Program In Advanced Talmudic Studies For Women Neti will create an intellectual forum and reader for values-driven YU undergraduate students to engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp centered around the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. More information Neti Linzer is pursuing a Master’s at YU’s Graduate Program for Advanced Talmudic Studies (GPATS), as well as a Master’s in Jewish Philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School. She received her B.A in philosophy at Princeton University and was Rosh Beit Midrash at Camp Stone. Project: Neti will create an intellectual forum and text reader for values-driven undergraduate students at YU centered on the integration of Jewish and philosophical sources on topics of applied ethics. Members of the forum will meet on a regular basis, propose topics for exploration, and engage in text-based discussions with peers and ¶¶Òõapp. Ethics Paper Topic: The moral implications of value judgments: analysis of the halakhic concepts of dan l’kaf zechut (judging favorably) and marit ayin (appearance of the eye). Faculty Advisor: Prof. Daniel Rynhold Alvin McLaughlin Wurzweiler School of Social Work Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents, extending the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. More information Alvin McLaughlin is a PhD candidate who earned his MSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Alvin graduated with Phi Alpha Honors, in addition to obtaining a certificate in creative arts and healing, and is the recipient of the 2022 Social Advocacy Award. Alvin also has a Master’s of Divinity from Nyack College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. He is a Chaplain with the National Association of Youth Chaplains. After many years of working in the financial sector of corporate America, he has found his purpose and passion in advocating for others, wanting to help address mental health challenges within his community. Project: Alvin will facilitate psychoeducational workshops to advance mental health as a mechanism for improved emotional development of African American youth and their parents to extend the reach of Wurzweiler’s Care Café. The creation of a toolkit post-project will implement sustained resources, references, and dialogue in an effort to enhance mental health/wellness. Ethics Essay Topic: Intergenerational trauma and its impact on African American youth Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Moore, Prof. Jay Sweifach Jillian Rossi Katz School of Science and Health Jillian will advocate and provide accessibility to free speech and language services for children who no longer qualify for early intervention due to national change in developmental speech milestones. More information Jillian Rossi is a Master’s student in Speech Language Pathology in the Katz School of Health and Science. With a musical theater background, Jillian graduated from The Boston Conservatory of Music, moved to New ¶¶Òõapp City and has since performed around the globe from Broadway National Tours to Radio City Music Hall and numerous regional theaters. Jillian became interested in pursuing a degree in Speech Language Pathology when she saw a strong need for vocal rehabilitation and vocal health education within the entertainment industry. Within her time at YU, she has become increasingly interested in the role of the SLP in childhood language development in addition to voice disorders. Jillian is passionate about advocating for effective and independent communication amongst all populations as a means to cultivate dignity and identity through empowering one's own unique voice. Project: In response to the recent change in developmental speech milestones, Jillian will identify how many children between the ages of 0 and 3 have previously, but no longer qualify for early intervention services. Her project will advocate for those children by providing accessibility to free speech and language services regardless of their current qualification status while also bringing awareness to the change in developmental milestones on a national level. Ethics Essay Topic: An assessment of the ethical implications of changing developmental milestones as they relate to a child’s right to free and appropriate educational resources. Faculty Advisor: Prof. Michaela Medved Marc Eichenbaum Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers/students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. More information Marc Eichenbaum is a third-year doctoral student in Ferkauf's School-Clinical PsyD. program. Marc received his BA in psychology from YU and his rabbinic ordination from RIETS. He has previously taught Judaic Studies at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, and served as the rabbinic researcher for the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought, and as the rabbinic intern for the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst. Marc was a UJA Graduate fellow as well as a Lefell Israel fellow. He has authored several essays exploring the intersection between psychology and religion. Project Description: Marc will develop a resource book for Judaic studies teachers and students that weaves psychological sources and guidance on critical topics in adolescent mental health into Judaic studies curricula. The resource will be an effective measure for addressing the rising mental health crisis facing students by offering a culturally sensitive, skills-based, and accessible collection of texts and guidance for dual-curriculum schools. Essay Topic: The Effect of a Judaic Studies Education on a Child's Understanding of Death Faculty Advisor: Prof. Mordechai Schiffman Bracha Teigman Sy Syms School of Business Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a YU program and facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to train undergraduate students to provide low-income residents with free tax preparation services. More information Bracha Teigman is pursuing a Master’s of Science Taxation. She graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business with a BS in Accounting, earning the Henry Brout Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting. She served as president of the Accounting Society at YU and as Project Manager and Director of Operations for the executive board of Tamid X YU, a student-led organization that fosters the next generation of business leaders through professional experiences. This past summer, she worked as a Multistate Tax Consultant intern at Deloitte, where she will return full-time in August 2023 following completion of her Master’s and CPA exam. Project: Bracha will implement IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) as a ¶¶Òõapp University program. She will facilitate a tax subsection of Syms’ Accounting Society to recruit and train undergraduate accounting students to provide low-income local residents with free tax preparation services. Ethics Essay: The Ethics of Tax Avoidance Faculty Advisor: Prof. Jeff Trey For questions and to request more information, please contact Dr. Shira Weiss at sweiss2@yu.edu
