$1 Million
Donation Will Help Accommodate Transferring Jewish Students
NEW
YORK, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yeshiva University, the nation's flagship Jewish
University, today announced the establishment of the Blue Square
Scholars program by leading philanthropist Robert Kraft. This new program is timely as it
will help the University accommodate transferring students who are
switching to YU for its quality education and nurturing campus
atmosphere. In the aftermath of October
7th, YU has been at the forefront of universities
fighting the rise of antisemitism on college campuses across the
country and has opened its doors to transfer students who feel
unsafe on their current campuses.
In this environment, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism
founded by Robert Kraft has been a
leader in the public battle to fight Jewish hate and all hate. The
Foundation's Blue Square has served as a symbol for unity and its
message has spread throughout the world, promoting positive
connections of mutual respect among diverse communities.
The Blue Square Scholars program at Yeshiva
University will help provide the necessary infrastructure to
accommodate the best and the brightest students who are rooted in
the university's values of compassion and respect for all. These
students will become the leaders and bridgebuilders our
society so desperately needs.
"We express our deep gratitude to Robert
Kraft and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism for
establishing the Blue Square Scholars program, and for all they
have done to foster a more inclusive society throughout our
country," said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. "Robert sets the standard for
impactful leadership in this country and this program will support
top tier students who will follow his example to become the leaders
of tomorrow."
"I am honored to establish the Blue Square Scholars program at
Yeshiva University in order to give
students a welcoming place to further their education and grow into
leaders who will serve as advocates for unity and respect and will
push back on all hate" said Robert
Kraft, Founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. "At
a time where hate has been unleashed across our universities,
Jewish students are feeling isolated and unsafe. Yeshiva is
providing a safe haven for these students and I look forward to
seeing them thrive in an academic environment where they could live
and study free of fear for being who they are".
Robert Kraft directed
$1 million to fund the Blue Square
Scholars program at YU to further the university's efforts to
support Jewish college students throughout the country during the
most recent rise in antisemitism on college campuses. Following the
October 7th terror attack
on Israel by Hamas, Rabbi Berman convened a groundbreaking
coalition of over 100 university presidents who united against the
terrorism of Hamas, including public, private, faith-based, and
historically Black colleges and universities. In line with this
effort, Rabbi Berman recently led a diverse group of university
presidents on the March of the Living, for university leadership to
commemorate life in Auschwitz on Holocaust Memorial Day.
About Yeshiva University
As the flagship Jewish university, Yeshiva
University is animated by its five core Torah values: Seek
Truth (Torat Emet), Live Your Values (Torat Chaim), Discover Your
Potential (Torat Adam), Act With Compassion (Torat Chesed) and
Bring Redemption (Torat Tzion). Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University brings together the ancient
traditions of Jewish law and life, and the heritage of Western
civilization. More than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students
study at YU's four New York City
campuses: the Wilf Campus, Israel Henry
Beren Campus, Brookdale Center, and Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus. YU's three
undergraduate schools – Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women,
and Sy Syms School of Business – offer a unique dual program
comprised of Jewish studies and liberal arts courses. Its graduate
and affiliate schools include Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Azrieli
Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Bernard
Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies, the Katz School of Science
and Health and Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. YU is
ranked among the nation's leading academic institutions.
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SOURCE Yeshiva University