One crucial aspect of the positive culture found at the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) is establishing and maintaining strong relationships. And one of Central’s most important relationships is with its parent institution, Yeshiva University. Central is a distinct, diverse extension of YU, working hard to honor the university in its mission, its identity, and its planning for the future.
The future was the center of an important conversation held over a working lunch last week between some of Central’s most motivated student leaders and Mr. Andrew “Avi” Lauer, Yeshiva University’s Vice President of Legal Affairs, Secretary and General Counsel. The lunch was a gesture of commitment to this important relationship. “It was really productive,” said junior Hannah Azose. “Central is a part of YU. There are so many instances in which Central has come together with YU for important events, like the rally in Washington, DC, and the March for Israel. I immediately felt more a part of YU for having had that meeting. It made me feel heard, and it made me feel hopeful that we will be successful in bringing people at Central and Stern together.”
Topics covered included potential ways by which the Stern College for Women and Central could be more deeply integrated. “And we ended up talking about leadership in general: how we can put our skills to greater use,” Hannah continued.
One newly established link between YU and Central is the Leadership Track, a new initiative launched in partnership with Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. Designed to nurture students with an affinity for leadership, the track is comprised of Central Student Ambassadors, members of the school’s Government Organization (G.O.), and Central F.I.R.E (Friends Inspiring Religious Engagement) Fellows. Central Leadership Track fellows have had the benefit of mentorship and guidance from YU leaders, and the impact is being felt. Hannah spoke to opportunities available to Central students through the new initiative. “I was meant to do this,” she said. “I need to be able to give back and improve the school and school environment for everyone else, and with the leadership track, I can do that.”
Other moments of Central engagement with YU: on Tuesday, March 12, a group of Central seniors applying to Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women were invited to the main YU campus to hear from Mia Shem, a 21-year-old who was held hostage by Hamas for 55 days and released on December 5 of last year. The event attracted over one thousand attendees. Although Mia could not speak to the audience, her mother and brother stepped in to tell her story and share how loved Mia felt by klal Yisrael, including that she felt the t’filos of the community, even while in captivity. Central student attendance at this event is another indication of the deep relationship that exists between Central and its parent school, Yeshiva University. “We really appreciated being included, as this was a standing-room-only, YU-exclusive event,” said Central’s Associate Principal, Ms. Leah Moskovich. “We are praying for the release of all the hostages, and for Mia’s continued healing process.”
And on Wednesday, March 20, Central students were invited to participate in the Yeshiva University Innovation Lab, which offers a borderless New York City-based ecosystem via a unique model-business accelerator within the academy. The goal of the lab is to shape the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders with educational programming infused with Jewish values, fostering a culture relentlessly focused on transforming human insight into business values. “The opportunity to learn from professors and other entrepreneurs about the ideation process was eye-opening. To see the students in action, collaborating with professionals to hone in on their ideas, gave me great pride. They had one of the strongest ideas and were encouraged to enter into the innovation challenge – which they did,” said Head of School, Ms. Bracha Rutner, who accompanied four freshmen, including Emily Segall, Hudis Schnur, Camryn Brunner, and Sarah Galanti, to the event. “It was cool to see many different people coming together to either share their ideas, or brainstorm new ones with their peers,” Emily reflected. “We first came in as observers, and we left having pitched our idea to several others at the event.”
