Have I Played My Part Well?
“Have I played my part well?” It is said of the great Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor, that as he lay dying he turned to his companions and asked that very question. As I write my final editorial for the paper for which I have labored so hard, I pose the same question to our readers. As Shakespeare said, we each play many parts on the stage that is life; but the role of editor-in-chief of this great paper is one I shall always treasure having the privilege to have held. I’d like to believe that I’ve performed satisfactorily.
As my friends know, I was never supposed to be here at YU. From kindergarten until 12th grade, I attended a yeshivish school in which we were taught that the Torah had few sins more grave than attending college, even (perhaps especially) a college such as “Yeshiva” University. My story can fill a whole other article, but I nonetheless found my way here. In what in retrospect was an exceedingly rash decision, I decided to throw reason to the wind and attend a school in which I knew a grand total of two people on campus, and not a single undergrad.
I’ve never regretted my decision for a second. At YU, I was catapulted into a new environment, and for the first time found the need to constantly meet new people and develop new relationships. As I recorded in my first editorial, The Commentator was a vital tool for me to better understand the school and the people who study, teach and work here. As I look back with nostalgia on the work we have accomplished over the past 12 issues, it becomes necessary to acknowledge the people who made my time at YU possible and enjoyable.
Over the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much from my predecessors at The Commentator, many from years before I even came to YU. From Benjy Koslowe, Yosef Lemel, Sruli Fruchter, Ariel Kahan and Rivka Bennun Kay, I’ve learned the integrity, diligence and leadership necessary to run a newspaper. Their counsel, guidance and constructive criticism of this year’s work have been an invaluable source of wisdom to me. A special thanks, however, goes to Jonathan (Yekusiel) Levin, to whose mentorship I owe the lion’s share of my journalistic ability. Working under him during his time as senior news editor and EIC was an unmatched opportunity. If I could ever teach anyone half as much as he taught me, I’d consider myself an exceptionally talented teacher.
The professors at YU have also all been exceptional. I fail to think of a single course I’ve taken whose professor didn’t strike me as an incredibly talented and intelligent master of his or her discipline. To fully credit each professor I’ve had the privilege of getting to know would take up an issue of The Commentator in itself, so it’ll have to be sufficient for me to briefly thank (in the order that I’ve taken them) Professors Matthew Incantalupo, Joshua Karlip, David Lavinsky, Maria Zaitseva and Alexandra Panzarelli, as well as Rabbis Shalom Carmy and Itamar Rosensweig for all that they have taught and continue to teach me and all the other students of YU.
A separate expression of gratitude needs to be given to the tremendous faculty of the Straus Center. Rabbis Meir Soloveichik and Stu Halpern, and Professors Neil Rogachevsky (now at UF), Tevi Troy, Yisroel Benporat and Shaina Trapedo have impacted my intellectual and religious life in untold ways through their phenomenal program. Being admitted to the Straus Scholars Program despite already being in undergrad was one of the most fortunate occurrences of my college career; I just hope that it’s been a fortunate decision for them as well.
A special shoutout goes to Professor David Johnson. Being the only full-time philosophy professor at YC, it’s inevitable that every philosophy major gets to know him well. My initial rationale to major in philosophy was because — unlike other interests of mine such as history — I felt inadequate to learn philosophy myself without a teacher. I was lucky to find the best philosophical guide I could’ve hoped for. Taking Professor Johnson’s courses on logic were among the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but they have revolutionized my way of thinking. It’s rare to find an individual with his wit, intelligence, humility and faith. We’re all glad to have him back in good health, and there’s nobody more worthy to be Professor of the Year.
I must also thank my excellent rebbeim. For the past three years, learning under both Rav Schachter and Rav Shulman was an unmitigated joy. I’m honored to study under the great talmidei chachamim of YU and look forward to continuing my studies in Rav Shulman’s shiur. I’d also like to mention my chavrusa Mordechai Schmerler, whose dedication to learning is unmatched.
YU’s administrative bureaucracy often gets a bad rap, but throughout my years working for The Commentator I’ve grown appreciative of what so many of our administrators do to keep the school running. I’d especially like to acknowledge Dean Rebecca Cypess, Vice President of Communications Doron Stern and Associate Dean of Students Joseph Bednarsh. I still remember Dean Cypess’ first meeting with students when she was being interviewed for her position. To my astonishment, she cited a number of articles from The Commentator that she’d found interesting. Having a reader in the administration is always a pleasure, but having a dean that listens to the concerns of students is an even greater gift. Her care for the students and faculty and YC and Stern shone through over her first of hopefully many successful years. Whether it was arranging special courses for just a few students in Latin or physics, or arranging faculty visits to an ill professor, her devotion to this school was evident and inspiring.
As is inevitable for representatives of the Commie and YU communications, myself and VP Stern didn’t always see eye to eye. But his willingness to listen to our questions and speak with us about important stories was immensely helpful. His commitment to being yoshor [honest] in all our interactions was steadfast, and I can only hope I was able to reach the same bar. Dean Bednarsh, as well, was always available for a discussion related to the business or website aspects of the paper.
Lastly, I must express gratitude to our incredible board. To Hadassah and Rikki, I’m sure you’ll be successful in leading The Commentator. In working with you for the past two years, I’ve been struck by your commitment to the paper and willingness to work hard. These two traits — along with your innate journalistic talent — will be sufficient to carry volume 91 of The Commentator to success.
To Daniel Kohn, your excellence in working with writers and covering tough stories has shown through this year; and I’m confident your success will continue well into the future. David Chriqui: Thank you for your dedication to both the news section and the paper as a whole. Rivka Krause: Working with you on The Commentator and the other clubs we’re a part of has been a joy; I’d wish you luck on your journey to law school, but you don’t need it.
The opinions section is perhaps the best read of the paper, and this year’s section has been phenomenal. Nadav Heller has led it for nearly two years, and few possess his literary talent. I’ve got no doubt of his success in whichever pursuit he chooses following graduation. Even when we disagreed, his sincerity and advice always helped to steer the paper in a better direction. Rebecca Guzman, who will be running the section next year, has done a remarkable job — she is an excellent writer who helps others write excellently.
Usually a quiet section, this year’s business section was the best it’s ever been. The credit goes to Mo Berlin and Yosef Khorramian. Getting Syms guys to write is no simple task, but they’ve succeeded unimaginably. I was originally skeptical about giving Yosef two jobs, but seeing his massive reform of both the business section and our website have disabused me of that delusion.
Before Liev Markovich stepped up, The Commentator had been missing an Arts and Culture section for nearly a decade. I’d like to thank him for allowing it to be reborn during my time here. Nissim Farhy, with his sharp pen, has proved an ample deputy at A&C, but also a powerful voice at YU in his own right. The times he’s challenged my thinking have forced me to think more, and for that I’m grateful (I’m still right about most things though).
To Leah Reichlin and her team at layout (Michal, Chani and Dean) we owe the ability to publish our paper at all. Leah’s mastery of whatever programs we use to produce our paper’s layout escapes my understanding (and to be honest slightly scares me). Her patience to put up with my extreme obsession with making hundreds of minor corrections is Hillelian.
Brandon Melamed and Naomi Klinghoffer have also been indispensable members of our team; no mistake on a Doc or PDF escapes them. Often, I see that Brandon has been copy editing articles at ungodly hours of the night or morning. We couldn’t have a paper without him, but I just hope I haven’t violated any labor laws.
To Josh Makovsky, our business manager: I thank you for your availability to consult on all manners Commie related, even well outside your portfolio. I wish you luck in Israel, and look forward to attending your and Tiferet’s wedding! Leora Schramm has always been a reliable contributor, ensuring that 7up 7down and Views from Campus were always ready for each issue.
The greatest debt must be paid last: our incredible Managing Editor Hannah Mamet has been an unimaginable source of support and assistance throughout the entire year. She has been intimately involved in every important decision we have made and every essential aspect of making the paper run. A simple paragraph wouldn’t be sufficient to describe her indispensable role at The Commentator this year; her constant optimism and unflagging dedication to the team are extraordinary. Her positive impact on everything The Commentator did was strongly felt.
There’s a mantra I like to cite — I no longer remember where I’ve heard it — that a leader’s obligation is not necessarily to make massive change, but to maintain the institutions entrusted to them and to work to improve them even just slightly. This is the philosophy I’ve adopted in running The Commentator. Whether it’s been keeping 7up 7down and Views from Campus, adding a meme page, reintroducing A&C or keeping up with the most important news stories on campus, I hope that I’ve been able to preserve what makes The Commentator beloved to all and make it more impactful and enjoyable for everyone.
This concluding editorial is an unconventional one, because unlike my predecessors, I will not be graduating or leaving campus for the coming academic year. Instead I step down to serve the students of YC as student council president. However, as I step down from this part in the play of my life — which for 12 months has meant so much to me — suffice it to say this: Returning students, I’m grateful for the privilege to serve you and look forward to making next year the best year at YU yet. Graduates, good luck in all your future endeavors. As all of us look in retrospect at what we’ve accomplished this year, we must all feel sorrow at its end. But we step forward nonetheless. There are many parts yet to play, many more roads to be taken and many challenges still unconquered. I have no doubt about our collective abilities to meet them. Kadima!
