In 1987, Sy Syms, head of the famous apparel chain, made an important business decision that would transform business education with the establishment of the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. Mr. Syms’ vison entailed preparing students for successful business careers while infusing them with a strong focus on Jewish values and ethics.
Thanks to Mr. Syms’ generosity back then, the School is celebrating its “Double Chai” anniversary which will highlight the “Best of Syms” with monthly events throughout the year - most of which are open to the public. The celebration kickoff occurred in January in Israel, with a gathering of Sy Syms alumni by Dr. Noam Wasserman, dean of the Sy Syms School of Business.
“We have spent the last 36 years developing Torah-grounded professionals who excel in the workplace and in the community,” said Dean Wasserman. “Our impact continues to get stronger, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone.”
In February, the School’s Jewish Values Curriculum is being featured, with a highly anticipated Practical Workplace Halacha panel entitled “What’s the Secret to Making It All Work? How to Excel as a Torah-Grounded Professional in the Workplace and Beyond.” It will be moderated by Ari Wasserman, a professor of Jewish Values at the School, and will feature Charlie Harary, a well-known business executive; Harry Rothenberg, a popular lecturer and a partner at the Rothenberg Law Firm, and Rabbi Naftali Horowitz, managing director at Morgan Stanley. The event will also feature a question-and-answer session and is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 at 10:20 p.m. in Furst Hall 501 on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus.
The anniversary celebrations will continue in March, which will feature the theme of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The month will feature events that include a conversation with Waze co-founder Uri Levine (a live-recorded episode of the Founder’s Dilemmas podcast hosted by Charlie Harary and Dean Noam Wasserman), a Founder Bootcamp, the YU Innovation Lab’s Innovation Challenge and an Angel Investor Bootcamp.
The rest of the year’s monthly themed events include the School’s Honors Program (April), Star Students and Alumni (May), Torah U’Business (September), Finance and Real Estate (October), Israel Initiatives (November), and the Sy Syms Annual Shabbaton planned for December.
Celebrate the Sy Syms School of Business Double Chai anniversary on social media @SySymsSchool using #Syms36. To find out more about the School’s anniversary events, visit www.yu.edu/syms36. You’re sure to find something that “suits” you.
The Feb. 23 Practical Workplace Halacha Panel is open to men and women. Those who are not current Yeshiva University students, staff, or faculty must register by visiting www.bit.ly/miaw22323 or by scanning the QR code.
