On Tuesday, November 25, the Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) was thrilled to welcome leadership from its parent institution, Yeshiva University, to the Holliswood campus for a site visit. Dr. Rebecca Cypess, the new dean of Yeshiva College and the Stern College for Women, and Professor Shoshana Schechter, Associate Dean of Torah Studies and Spiritual Life at YU, visited the school at a pivotal time, as Central has recently instituted several new pathway initiatives that will enable its students to begin their relationship with YU while still in high school.
“I am grateful to Dean Cypess and her team for their time, insights, and dedication to building the bond between Central and Yeshiva University. They were truly inspiring,” said Central Associate Principal Ms. Leah Moskovich. “It was such a treat to have them here, and their presence brought so much energy and excitement to our school.”
Dean Cypess and Dean Schechter began their visit with a tour of facilities, then took part in morning senior-level English classes, taught by English Department faculty Mrs. Rena Boord, Ms. Chevi Friedman, and Ms. Kayla Whitaker. Visits were also made to AP Chemistry, taught by Mrs. Miriam Chopp, Central’s college-level Economics course, taught by History Department faculty member Mrs. Saritte Wolkenstein, and Spanish IV, taught by Electives faculty member Mr. Erez Bar-Levy, followed by stops at AP Computer Science, led by Electives faculty member Mr. Michael Spindel, and AP Biology, led by Science Department Chair and Science Institute Coordinator Mrs. Ruth Fried.
Between class visits, Dean Cypess and Dean Schechter enjoyed a meeting with faculty, during which they shared their vision for the future of YU’s partnership with Central. The deans also shared a luncheon with participants from Central’s Leadership Track – just one school program that actively partners with the University to enrich the student experience.
This was followed by a session in which Central administrators, including Ms. Moskovich and Dean of Students Mrs. Aliza Gewirtz, met with Dean Cypess, Dean Schechter, and other YU faculty members and leadership, including Clinical Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Alyssa Schuck, Stern College Judaic Studies Department Chair Dr. Deena Rabinovich, and YU Vice President Mr. Andrew (Avi) Lauer.
Following Minchah, the visitors also spoke with Central juniors and seniors about student life at YU. New YU-partnered programs available at Central include the new YU Residency Credit Program, in which seniors taking 12 hours of college courses on Central’s campus can gain a semester of residency credit at the Stern College for Women, and the YU Honors Pathways Program, which offers freshmen who maintain GPA and school portfolio expectations automatic acceptance into the Stern Honors Program during her senior year at Central.
The visit speaks to the strong bond that has always existed between Central and YU – and to the excitement surrounding the opportunities available to Central students as a result. “I loved seeing the exchange of ideas and the connections that were made throughout the day,” Ms. Moskovich said. “Whether in meetings, over lunch, or even just chatting in the halls, their enthusiasm and warmth left a lasting impression. This is such a great step in our partnership, and I can’t wait for the conversations and opportunities still to come.”
