News Brief: Israeli President Isaac Herzog to attend YU’s 101st Hanukkah Dinner and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Speaks on Wilf
Israeli President Isaac Herzog to attend YU’s 101st Hanukkah Dinner
President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, will be awarded an honorary doctorate at YU’s 101st Hanukkah Dinner on Dec. 7.
“President Herzog’s presence marks a moment of profound significance, symbolizing the enduring bond between the State of Israel and Yeshiva University, and their shared mission to uplift humanity through moral leadership and timeless Jewish values,” a YU News post stated.
President Herzog is the 11th president of the state of Israel. His father, Chaim Herzog, served as the 6th president from 1983 to 1993. Herzog’s grandfather, Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, was chief rabbi of Israel from 1922 to 1936.
“Having the privilege of hosting President Herzog at the YU dinner really shows how true it is that YU is a flagship symbol of Zionism and Judaism, and that YU is at the forefront of American Zionism,” Noam Schechter (YC ‘27) told The Commentator.
In addition to President Herzog, YU will grant Wendy Fisher an honorary doctorate at the dinner. Fisher is the president of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and advisory board chair of the Kirsh Foundation. She and her family endowed a chair in Jewish Studies, aimed at reaching out to and involving unaffiliated Jews in the Yeshiva University community.
“Through her global leadership and deep connection to Yeshiva University’s values, Ms. Fisher exemplifies the University’s vision of cultivating leaders who bring wisdom, compassion, and creativity to a complex and ever-changing world,” the post noted.
YU will also honor the Katz family, recognizing their “lifetime of vision and generosity, including their founding of the Katz School of Science and Health,” the news post added.
Last year, YU raised over $100 million at its 100th Hanukkah dinner held at the Cipriani Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Speaks on Wilf
Rabbi Kalman Ber, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, delivered an address to students in the Glueck Beit Midrash on Nov 26.
Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz introduced Rav Ber to students: “It’s such a chizzuk [strength] to see that over the years, Rav Ber has risen to positions of great prominence in the Rabbanut and now as Rav Haroshi [chief Rabbi],” Rabbi Lebowitz told the audience. “It is a great kavod [honor] to welcome any chief rabbi, but particularly to welcome such a great talmid chacham [Torah scholar] and someone who has this enormous ability to share Torah in such a beautiful way.”
Rav Ber, addressing the students in Hebrew, spoke about the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles. He explained that Chanukah is unique because it highlights personal choice in how one fulfills mitzvot. Drawing on the example of the Hasmoneans, who acted with exceptional devotion, he said that the holiday’s laws were designed to remind every Jew to decide what kind of mitzvah-performer they want to be: someone who does the basic requirement, someone who beautifies the mitzvah or someone who strives for the highest level.
Rav Ber told the audience that Yeshiva University’s students “know how to speak the language of the world,” saying students should seize the current momentum “to ignite the great light.”
Rav Kalman Ber was born in 1957 in Tel Aviv. He is a descendant of Rav Akiva Eiger from his mother’s side. Rav Ber learned in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh before joining the IDF’s Nahal Combat Brigade. Following his service, he served in numerous rabbinical roles in Israel and abroad. He was elected Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Netanya in 2014, before being elected as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel in 2024.
Students reflected on the Chief Rabbi’s visit:
“The Chief Rabbi spoke about the importance of always striving to be the best versions of ourselves,” Yishai Gross (YC ‘28) told The Commentator. “It was an incredible privilege getting to hear him speak in YU, and the fact that he chose to visit us is an incredible honor.”
Photo Caption: Left: President Isaac Herzog, Right: Rabbi Kalman Ber
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
