YU to Launch Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy with Event on Political Leadership

Yeshiva University will officially launch the Sen. Joseph Lieberman-Mitzner Center for Public Service and Advocacy Wednesday. 

Named for the late Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the center will be directed by Professor Sharon Poczter, the chair of the strategy and entrepreneurship department at YU’s Sy Syms School of Business, and will focus on preparing students to become future government leaders and strong advocates. The center will host an event prior to its launch on Tuesday in Belfer Hall. 

The event, called NextGen: The Next Generation of Jewish Political Leaders and Advocates for Israel, will feature Shabbos Kestenbaum, a Jewish-American activist, Maryland state legislator Joe Vogel and Israeli activist and IDF veteran Rudy Rochman. The guests will hold a panel discussion and take questions about the future of Israel advocacy. They will also discuss the role that the next generation of leaders will play in the changing political scene in America and in Israel. 

Kestenbaum, a graduate from Harvard Divinity School who is suing Harvard University for its failure to take action against antisemitism on campus, has been a vocal opponent of antisemitism on college campuses following Oct. 7. Kestenbaum has spoken on multiple news stations such as Fox and ABC, as well as at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Kestenbaum told The Commentator about what he views as the largest issues for the future of Jewish activism.

“One of the biggest issues is the disconnect between the established Jewish non-profits and young Jewish advocates creating change on the ground,” Kestenbaum said. “That's number one. Another is general political and social apathy by young Jewish Americans.”

“Issues that we are concerned about whether it’s Yeshiva tuition, whether it is climate change, whether it's combating antisemitism, whatever the particular issue is, we need more young Jews to get involved, in activism, in the political process, in articulating ideas within the national media.”

Vogel is a 27 year old Jewish Maryland state legislator. Born in Uruguay and raised in Maryland, Vogel was a candidate in the Democratic primary in the race for Maryland's 6th Congressional District.

Rochman is a pro-Israel activist and IDF veteran who has been active on American university campuses after serving as a reservist in the current war. Rochman has a large social media presence, often posting videos on YouTube of conversations with pro-Palestinian students and activists.

In April, The Commentator discovered that the political science department had not been consulted prior to the announcement of the center. After being approached by the Department of Political Science Chair Joseph Luders, the administration placed Luders and political science Professor Matthew Incantalupo on an advisory committee to serve as a “brain trust” for Poczter. Currently, no political science or other faculty members besides Poczter are listed on the center’s webpage. The Commentator has also learned that at least two of five current Lieberman Scholars will be majoring in computer science. It is unclear how many, if any, are majoring in political science.

Luders did not respond to The Commentator’s request for comment on the role his department and committee played in the development of the center.

The Lieberman Center will include a scholarship program with requirements similar to programs such as the Straus and Sacks Leadership scholarships. Lieberman-Mitzner scholars must complete at least one summer internship in public service or advocacy spaces. Other requirements include writing a thesis, enrolling in one honors course each year in political science or a related area and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Additionally, approximately once a month students must attend some of the co-curricular workshops run by the center. 

“The long term vision is for this program to serve as a successful pipeline for YU students to [have] impactful roles in politics and advocacy, with the goal of upholding steadfast support for Israel and Jewish life at all levels within our political system,” Poczter told The Commentator.

“We want students to view politics and advocacy work as a clear career option in the same way they may view investment banking, law, accounting, and medicine.”

This year five students are participating in this program. These students will get the opportunity to learn from high ranking leaders and politicians on the local, state and federal level. Students will have the opportunity to network with alumni engaged in public service and practice their public speaking, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 

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Photo Caption: (Left to right) Israeli Consul General Aviv Ezra, Chairman Ira Mitzner, Sen. Joseph Lieberman and President Ari Berman

Photo Credit: Yeshiva University