Beren Campus Welcomes New Campus Couple

Every year on Beren Campus brings changes. Seniors graduate, while FTOCs walk into Stern College for the first time. Up-and-coming programs are advertised, more clubs pop up and first-time faculty arrive. This year, the Beren Campus welcomed a new campus rabbinic couple, Rabbi Yosef Tropp (YC ‘24) and Gitty Tropp (SCW ‘22). 

Rabbi Tropp and Gitty, from Teaneck and Brooklyn respectively, are both YU alumni. Gitty completed NYU’s nursing program through Stern College and is currently practicing at Maimonides Medical Center. Rabbi Tropp earned a degree in math from Yeshiva College. “I used that to become a rabbi,” he quipped to The Commentator. Rabbi Tropp has one year left until he graduates with semikha.

Dean Shechter and Rabbi Fine reached out to the Tropps regarding the campus couple position. Gitty and Rabbi Tropp previously worked for various youth programs and summer camps. Before joining the Beren Campus, they were youth directors in Kingsway Jewish Center, a shul in Brooklyn. With Rabbi Tropp pursuing a career in Jewish education and with Gitty’s extensive past involvement in Beren Campus student life, becoming a campus rabbinic couple seemed like a great opportunity.  

The Tropps both expressed excitement for their new role. Gitty in particular is very happy to return to her alma mater and to spend time learning in the beit midrash.

“I really looked up to the campus couples [when I was a student],” Gitty told The Commentator. “It’s very cool to be back, to give back to an organization that meant so much to me when I was a student.” 

When asked if she noticed any significant change in Stern College since her days as a student, Gitty replied that not much has changed. However, the Tuesday Night Live (TNL) learning program is a new initiative, “bringing all sorts of people to the beis.” TNL is a weekly event in Stern’s beit midrash consisting of shiurim from staff and guest speakers, student divrei torah, chavruta learning and engaging chaburot. As the campus rabbinic couple, Rabbi Tropp and Gitty are responsible for many essential components of the TNL program such as leading chaburot, giving shiurim and assisting students with their independent Torah learning.

Rabbi Tropp also spoke with enthusiasm about his role as a campus rabbi, especially with regard to teaching, building relationships and impacting students in a meaningful way. 

While discussing his passion for helping students, Rabbi Tropp told The Commentator about how a close rabbi of his inspired him to pursue a career in chinuch that would allow him to positively impact people. “It’s [my rabbi’s] dream to meet every single person in the world,” Rabbi Tropp recalled. “It sounds unrealistic … but I guess I developed that kind of hashkafa … I want to get to know everyone … I love the environments and places where you meet different sorts of people and have an impact.”

Just a few weeks into the semester, the Tropps have already had many positive interactions with students who were eager to introduce themselves and welcome them to campus.

“The Tropps are so kind and friendly and welcoming,” Gale Mendelsohn (SCW ‘27) told The Commentator. “I’ve enjoyed the ones [their shiurim] that I’ve been to.” Mendelsohn added that the Tropps are “very easy to talk to,” and that she particularly enjoyed Gitty’s shiur about “Kah Echsof,” a popular Shabbos zemer, during the Camp Romimu Shabbaton. 

The Tropps are invested in their role at Stern, and they put in many hours both inside and outside the school building to prepare shiurim and give Beren Campus students the best experience possible. 

In fact, Rabbi Tropp is also the baal korei for Shabbos davening on campus, and he recalled staying up until 5:00 a.m. one night preparing that week’s Torah reading. “It’s a lot of preparation, but it was awesome,” he said. He also described feeling like he is more productive than ever because he is so passionate about his role. “We’re very involved. When we’re here, and when we’re not here, we’re getting ready to be here … Stern is always on our minds.”

Gitty also has Stern at the forefront of her mind around the clock. When she has downtime during her night shifts at the hospital — which can last until 3 or 4 a.m. — she sometimes prepares chaburot instead of getting sleep.

The Tropps’ passion for their valuable work at Stern College is evident not only from the long hours they put in, but also from their eagerness to connect with students. When asked what the Tropps want students to know about them, Gitty shared with The Commentator, “We’re always here, and our door is open. We’re happy to learn with you, we’re happy to talk to you about anything that may come up. Feel free to come over and say ‘hi!’”

Photo Caption: Rabbi Yosef and Gitty Tropp

Photo Credit: Rabbi Yosef and Gitty Tropp