Class Notes
June 2026
Mazal tov to Shulamith Berger โ76YUHS, โ84BR for co-authoring a book, The Ritz with a Shvitz, with her husband Jai Zion, . The book is the story of Libby's Hotel on the Lower East Side, built at a cost of $3.5 million in 1926. Libby's was to be the pride of the Jewish Lower East Side; it even boasted a radio station which broadcast a Jewish wedding celebrated in the hotel over the air. Libby's became the epicenter of corruption schemes when New York City government took over Libby's and the surrounding area by the power of eminent domain in 1929.
Mazal tov to Daniel Klein โ75YC for publication of Shadal on Deuteronomy: Samuel David Luzzatto's Interpretation of the Book of Devarim (Kodesh Press, 2026), an annotated English version of Shadal's Italian text translation and Hebrew commentary. This is the fifth and final volume of a Shadal translation project begun 50 years ago, the year after I graduated from YC.
Mazal tov to Adina Sacknovitz โ97S and Baruch Hain on the bar mitzvah of their son, Elisha.
Mazal tov to Alan and Cheryl (Ruben) Vogel โ80S on the bat mitzvah of their granddaughter, Temima Vogel. Temima is the daughter of Josh โ07YC and Tamar โ07S Vogel of Efrat, Israel.
Mazel tov to Rabbi Hanan โ84R and Barbara Balk upon the birth of a grandson to their children, Rabbi Shmuel โ14YC, โ20R, โ23F and Leora โ15S, โ19A Lesher, in Toronto.
May 2026
Mazal tov to Jonathan Alpert โ97F on the publication of Therapy Nation: How America Got Hooked on Therapy and Why it's Left Us More Anxious and Divided. (HarperCollins May 19)
Mazal tov to Rabbi Gary Pollack โ60YUHS, โ64YC, โ68R a"h and Mrs. Ann Pollack โ62YUHS, โ66TIW on the graduation of their grand-daughter Sela Pollack Teitelbaum from Wurzweiler School of Social Work (daughter of Shmuel Pollack โ87YUHS, โ92YC); the graduation of their grand-daughter Bracha Leah Pollack from Touro Medical School; and the birth of a great-grandchild, Chaim Balter.
Mazel tov to Rachel (Frohlich ) โ93YUHS, โ97S and Yisroel Orenbuch on the bar mitzvah their son, Benny.
Mazal tov Dr. Martin Garfinkle โ71YC, โ77W on the acceptance of his grandson, James Garfinkle, into ย้ถนว๘ College, following in his footsteps.
Mazal tov Dr. Jared Benjamin โ21YC for completing medical school at New Jersey Medical School, continuing on at Albany Medical Center for Urology Residency and receiving semicha this past year.
Mazal tov to Abraham Katz โ75YC for starting his series of adult education classes through the Young Israel of Hillcrest titled โBeurei Hatefila for Semicha Students.โ The purpose of the classes is to prepare pulpit rabbis and Jewish studies teachers to develp classes on the subject in synagogues and schools.
April 2026
Mazal Tov to Dr. Joseph Deutsch โ68YC and his wife, Fayge, as they celebrate having made aliyah in 2017 after living and working in the Monsey area for 39 years to join their four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mazal tov to Manny Behar โ76YC, โ82R, โ82F for passing the test to become a licensed tour guide in Israel. He is also a guide for the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
Mazal tov to Caryn Shore-Genack โ99S for being selected for the Sr. Aquinas Szott Excellence in Academic Leadership Award from Felician University for "demonstrating outstanding leadership and Scholarship in the field of education" for her teaching, supervision and professional development. Gratitude to Hashem and her family for their incredible support.
Mazel tov to Judy (Mahler) โ96S and Mitch Taragin โ97YC on the birth of a grandson, Yehoshua Gavriel, to Ariella and Yitz Taragin of Ramat Beis Shemesh.
Mazal tov to Dr. Elliot Udell โ71YC for having two of his novels, Monticello: A Borscht Belt Catskills Tale and It Happened In Long Island: Antics of the Rich and Famous, appear on Amazonโs bestseller lists.
Mazal tov to Sandy Mittleman, wife of Rabbi Eduard Mittleman โ66YUHS, โ70YC, โ73R, โ73BR, on the publication of The Israel Chronicles: A Love Story, available on .
Mazal tov to Jonathan Halpert โ62YUHS, โYC66, โ78F for his induction into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame on Feb. 24, 2026.
Mazal tov to Irwin โ76YC and Tania Lowi on the birth of a great granddaughter to Shimshon and Chana Miriam Silverstone. A special mazal tov to Mrs. Rita Lowi, the great-great-grandmother!
Mazal tov to Benson Stone โ90YC, whose daughter, Sophie, will graduate from the University of Kentucky this May. She will be moving to Chicago this summer to work in sales for Johnson Controls.
Mazal tov to Steven Paletz โ11YC for being recognized as a 40 Under 40 by the Denver Business Journal.
Mazal tov to Roberta (Pruslin) Katz โ75S for founding Roberta Katz Consulting to help nonprofit organizations achieve effective financial management by providing guidance, tools and best practices that have proven to be successful in building strong finance departments.
From Steve Brizel โ76YC, โ79C: My wife, Linda, and I are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters, Shani Sendic and Adina Pollack โ12A, โ15BR, who are married to two wonderful Bnei Torah ย้ถนว๘ College alumni, R Ari Sendic โ07YC, โ09A, โ11R and Noah Pollack โ11YC, โ14W, and the proud grandparents of Shira Rus, Yaakov Tzvi , Moshe Eliezer, David Ahron, Yosef Hillel and Rachel Devorah Sendic and Yitzchak Shlomoh and Tamar Raizel Pollack.
We are proud residents of Kew Gardens Hills in New York City and are active members in the Torah community in that community.
I have twice completed study of all six tractates of the Talmud [Msayem Shas] and have always been Kovea Itim LaTorah [keeping consistent prayer times] despite an active career as a litigating attorney with a speciality of appellate litigation.
I always look forward to the annual seforim sale and have a great sense of Hakaras HaTov [gratitude] to those who gave me the tools to "learn it and not it," as emphasized by R Moshe Besdin z"l, the founding head of JSS, who was one of my first rebbes, together with R Mordechai Willig.
March 2026
Mazal tov to Aviva and Joe (โ76YUHS, โ79YC) Offenbacher and Robin and Bruce Epstein on the birth of their granddaughter, Leora Binah, born Nov. 12, 2025, to Esther and Rafi Offenbacher. Mazal tov to the great-grandmother, Judith (โ57YUHS, โ61S) Borvick.
Mazal tov to Jonathan Schloss '95YC, '98C on the publication of his book, Four Survivor Grandparents: Run. Rely. Rebuild (Amsterdam Publishers). The book powerfully recounts the starkly different Holocaust survival stories of his grandparents and their journeys rebuilding their lives in America โ an intimate and inspiring testament to resilience and renewal. Available on Amazon.
Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg '69YC, '70JSS, '74F, '74R, '92A has for The Rosenberg Holocaust Haggadah and Siddur, Prayerbook.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Dovid Miller '53YC, '58R and Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger '77YC, '79R on being honored at The ย้ถนว๘ Dinner.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Dr. Assaf '89YUHS, '98BR and Leora Bednarsh on their daughter's wedding.
Mazal tov to Jacob '23YC and Rebecca '21YUHS, '25S Friedman on the birth of a baby boy.
Mazal tov to Sage '25YC and Gila '24S Friedman on the birth of a baby boy.
Mazal tov to Reuben Mellman '25YC and Elana Adler '25S on their wedding!
Mazal tov to Ted '64YC and Elaine '69S Sylvetsky on the birth of a great-granddaughter.
February 2026
Mazal tov to Rabbi Yitzchok '62YC, '65R and Rebbetzin Sarah Cohen on the birth of a great-grandson.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Etan Moshe '02YC, '05R and Yonina '00S Berman on their son's marriage.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Aryeh '95YUHS and Mrs. Elana '00SB Lebowitz on the birth of a grandson.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz '95YUHS on the release of Kinyan Halacha: Vayikra
Mazal tov to Rabbi Baruch Simon '81YUHS, '85YC, '89R on the release of Imrei Baruch: Purim.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Josh '99R and Mrs. Ilana '95S, '03C Blass on the birth of a grandson!
Mazal tov to Rabbi Mayer '85R and Mrs. Faige Twersky on the birth of a grandson!
Mazal tov to Rabbi Daniel Feldman '96YC, '98R, Rabbi Josh Flug '98YC, '01R, and Rabbi Michael Taubes '80YC, '83R on the release of Batei Yosef: Inyanei Leil HaSeder.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Yaacov Feit '01YC, '05R, '06A on the release of Davening with Depth Volume 5: Understanding Hashkamas HaBoker & Birkos HaShachar.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Menachem Genack '65YUHS, '69YC, '73R on the release of Gan Shoshanim Volume 4.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Menachem '69YC, '73R and Mrs. Sarah Genack on the wedding of their granddaughter Shoshana Besser to David Kleiman. Mazal tov to the parents, Rabbi Daniel '99R and Mrs. Rachel '00S Besser.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Menachem '69YC, '73R and Mrs. Sarah Genack on the birth of a great-granddaughter to Racheli '24S and Yoni '25SB. Mazal tov to the grandparents, Rabbi Jonathan '98YC, '04A, '04R and Mrs. Aliza Schachter and Rabbi Daniel '99R and Mrs. Rachel '00S Besser.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Zev '00YC, '02R and Chana Reichman on the birth of a granddaughter, and to great-grandparents Rabbi Herschel '84C and Chasida '71S Reichman.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Zvi '87YC, '91R, '96A and Efrat '06W Sobolofsky on the wedding of their son.
Mazal tov to Andrea (Krames) Zians '89S on the launch of her academic coaching and consulting practice, supporting high school and university students with learning strategies, executive functioning, ADHD, and other learning challenges. This past year, Andrea published a workbook, How to Study with ADHD and Other Learning Challenges, which brings together practical, research informed strategies developed through years of work with students and families.
Mazal Tov to Ann Koffsky '93S on the publishing of three new children's books this year: The Miracle of Matzah Pizza (Intergalactic Afikoman), What Emma Wrote: The Woman Behind the Words on the Statue of Liberty (Apples and Honey Press) and Blazing Humor: Mel Brooks is Seriously Funny ( Intergalactic Afikoman).
January 2026
Mazal tov to Sandy '70S and Moshe Speter on the birth of a great grandson.
Mazal tov to Ilene '75S and Ken '76YC Miller on the birth of a grand-daughter.
Mazal tov to Ilene '75S and Ken '76YC Miller on the engagement of their grand-daughter.
Congratulations to Jonathan Schloss '95YC, '98C on the publication of his book, Four Survivor Grandparents: Run. Rely. Rebuild, with Amsterdam Publishers.
Mazal tov to Michael '85YC and Leah Poppers on the birth of a granddaughter to Rena and Shlomo Tanny.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Alan '73YC, '76R, '77F and Sandy '67YUHS Kalinsky on celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Alan '73YC, '76R, '77F and Sandy '67YUHS Kalinsky on the wedding of their granddaughter Leah to Kehos Gorelick. Mazal tov to Leah's parents, Rabbi Dr. Yosef '01YC, '06A, '09W, '14R and Elisheva Kalinsky.
Mazal tov to Dr. Martin '76YC and Debra Hirsch on the birth of a great-grandson, grandson of Moshe '05YC and Elisheva '05S Danzger.
Congratulations to Chayim Mahgerefteh '20SB on starting a new job as Tax Manager at SJS Tax & Consulting.
Mazal tov to Dr. Wolf Safrin '60YC on the bar mitzvah of his grandson Levi.
Congratulations to Joel Strauss '86YC, '92C on being reappointed by Governor Murphy in December 2025 to serve another term on the New Jersey-Israel Commission, a voluntary position.
Congratulations to Dr. Jill Joshowitz '13S on the publication of her first academic monograph, titled โVisual Exemplars: Biblical Figures in the Art and Literature of Jewish Late Antiquityโ with Brill.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Ari '16YC, '23A and Rebecca Zucker on the birth of a baby girl.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Avi '06YC, '11R and Atara Tilonsky on the birth of a son, Shilo Hillel.
Mazal tov to Ted '64YC and Elaine '69S Sylvetsky on the birth of two great-grandsons.
Congratulations to Jeffrey Rosenfeld '06SB on being appointed as co-chair of the Tax, Benefits, and Private Client practice group at Blank Rome LLP, effective January 1, 2026.
December 2025
Mazal tov to Rabbi Yosef '55YUHS, '59YC, '61R and Dr. Rivkah '58YUHS Blau on the birth of a great-granddaughter.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Zev '01YC, '02R and Chana Reichman on their son's wedding.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Zvi '99R, '02A and Shira '99S Room on the birth of a grandson.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Mordechai Willig '68YC, '71R, Rabbi Ike Sultan '14YC, '17R, '25A, and Rabbi Aviyam Levinson '14YC, '18R on the publication of Binyan Avraham, from the torah of Rabbi Avraham Ausband zt"l.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Etan Moshe '02YC, '05R and Yonina '00S Berman on their son's engagement
We regret the passing of Dr. Amir Sedaghat '94YC, father of YU student, Doron Sedaghat.
November 2025
Mazal tov to Rakhel '25S and Matan '22YC, '25R Friedman on the birth of a baby boy!
Mazal tov to Rabbi Aharon and Rachel โ00S Ciment on their daughter's marriage.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Eli Baruch and Esther โ85S Shulman on their daughter's marriage.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Mordechai โ68YC, โ71R and Faygie โ72S on their grandson's bar mitzvah, the son of Shira โ08S, โ13A, and Rabbi David Claman.
Mazal tov to Akiva Teichman โ27SB on his engagement to Leora Koenig.
Mazal tov to Shalom Brauser โ24YC on his marriage to Miri Granik โ24SB.
Mazal tov to Meira Wagner โ23GPATS on her marriage to Yisroel Mayefsky โ18YC.
Mazal tov to David Haber โ25SB on his marriage to Avivit Nsiri โ24S, โ25K.
Lina Haber โ77S has just published a book on the Russian Refusenik movement, (Peter E. Randall, Publisher). Haber attended Stern College for Women, then went on to become a physician at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
October 2025
Mazal tov to William Mehrvarz โ20YC and Ilana Lehmann on the birth of a son, Charles, born on Rosh Hashana 5786, a baby brother for Elizabeth.
Mazal tov to Morris Dweck โ25SB on his recent marriage and stepping into a family business.
Mazal tov to Keith โ13YC and Sally Hoffman on the birth of a baby girl, Luna Rachel Hoffman, born Sept. 13, 2025.
Mazal tov to Simcha Bendel โ24YC on his engagement and upcoming marriage to Esther Gross.
Mazal tov to Sandy โ70S and Moshe Speter on the marriage of their grandson, Yitzy Glazer, to Tamar Lasson.
Mazal tov to Herschel Chomsky โ82YC, on being honored by the Jewish Renaissance Foundation on Nov. 12, 2025.
Mazal tov to Rabbi Moishe '73YC and Sura Leider on the birth of grandson, Yisrael Aryeh Leib, to Rabbi Chony and Chanchi Milecki of Brooklyn, New York.
September 2025
We mourn the passing of Rabbi Jordan Penkower z"l ('64YC, '69RB), brother of Professor Monty Penkower '59YUHS, '63YC, Dr. Andrea Penkower Rosen, and Dr. Sharon Penkower Kaplan.
We mourn the recent passing, bโsayva tova, of Mike (Myer) Senders ZโL, (โ46YC), of Cleveland and Boca Raton, father of Dr. Shelly Senders (โ78YC, โ79BR, โ83E), Barbara Ast (โ82S), Tina Lamm (โ83S) and Linda Joshowitz (โ85S).
Rabbi Mark Wildes '85YUHS, '89YC, '93C, '94R recently published with the Maggid imprint of Koren Publishers. The book is a fresh and accessible guide to Judaismโs core beliefs and practices โ from God and Torah to Shabbat, kindness and tikkun olam. Drawing on decades of teaching at the Manhattan Jewish Experience, Rabbi Wildes brings timeless foundations to life for a new generation. With its engaging style and practical takeaways, The Jewish Experience is already being called a โmodern classicโ and a valuable resource for both educators and seekers alike.
August 2025
Congratulations to Norman B. Gildin '74YC on publishing his second book, Fundraising Insights for Nonprofits. The book is based on anecdotal experiences, empirical observations and ongoing research. More information about the book can be found on his website.
Mazal tov to Michael '85YC and Leah Poppers and to Miriam '98S and R' Gedalyah '94YC, '98R Berger on the upcoming marriage of Akiva '17YUHS, '22SB to Shoshana '23S Berger of Teaneck, New Jersey; and to grandparents Esther Pascher '68S, Pearl '60YUHS, '62S and Rabbi Dr. David '64YC, '68R Berger, and Sonya Davis.
Congratulations to Sheon Karol '79YC on joining West Lane Partners as Senior Advisor. West Lane Partners is a private equity firm focused on special situations in the middle market. A renowned investment banker and restructuring advisor, Mr. Karol has held senior leadership roles as an investment banker and restructuring advisor. In 2018, he was honored with the Boutique Investment Banker of the Year Atlas Award.
Congratulations to Drew Kopf '68YC on being awarded United States Patent Number 11529533 on December 22, 2022, for his anti-COVID invention, the Gard-Rite Personal Space Protective Curtain-wall Enclosure. It was named in honor of his father's Gard-Rite Window Guard. He is looking for a manufacturer or organization to make it available to defend people against any airborne virus. May his and his mother's memories be for blessings.
Mazel tov to Dovid Mehl '17YC of Brooklyn, New York on his upcoming marriage (August 21) to Rachel Bier '25C of Brooklyn. Dovid is a graduate of Columbia Law School and Rachel graduated this semester from Cardozo Law School. Best wishes to Dovid's parents, Sidney '73YC and Lorraine Mehl of Flatbush. Sidney is a Professor of Finance at the Sy Syms School of Business.
Rabbi Aaron Ross '01A, '06R started a new position as Judaic Studies faculty at The Ramaz Upper School
Mazal tov to Rachel Eisenstein '24S on her engagement to Hezkia Arochas '25YC
Mazal tov to Alli Cohen '17YUHS, '21S on her engagement to Eitan Drapkin, and to Eitan's parents, Shlomo and Tami '96S Drapkin
Mazal tov to Adina Mencer '21SB on her engagement to Yoni Midlarsky
Mazal tov to Zachary Rothenberg '22SB and Daniella Rubin '23SB on the birth of a son, and to the grandparents Marc '89YUHS,'93Y, '97C and Elana Rothenberg
Mazal tov to Moshe '20YC, '24C and Rebecca Gelberman on the birth of a son, and to the grandparents, Mark and Vivian '09W Gelberman
Mazal tov to Rabbi Yitzchak '60YC, '62R, '63BR and Judy '58YUHS, '62S (Grossman ) Rosenbaum on the marriages of their grandson, Mordecai Rosenbaum, to Eliana Roseman in Gush Etzion and granddaughter Chaya Goldberg to Yaakov Victor in Jerusalem.
The Young Israel of Sharon is proud to honor Ruby '05YC and Shayna '05S Yarmush, pillars of our community whose lifelong devotion spans more than 70 years of combined impact, heart, and leadership.
Mazal tov to Sari Kopitnikoff '11S '12A on the release of Color by Aleph, Aleph to Tav! and The Aleph Bet Bunch, three innovative Aleph Bet books designed to bring Hebrew to life for children.
Adam S. Ferziger '90YC, R, BR published (New York University Press, 2025).
Beginning his 52nd year as a practicing Ophthalmologist in Chicago, David Spindel '58YUHS, '62YC is looking forward to the upcoming marriage of his granddaughter, Tova Rena Nusbacher, daughter of Lisa Spindel Nusbacher '91S and Rav Yosef Nusbacher '91YC, '93R.
Condolences to Dr. Michelle Levine on the passing of her mother, Reb. Gloria Leff โ56YUHS, โ60TI.
July 2025
Mazal tov to Gabe โ88YC, โ84E and Aliza Sosne and Jay and Debbi Lakritz on the engagement of their children, Betzalel Sosne โ17SB and Miryam Lakritz.
Mazal tov to Michael โ85YC and Leah Poppers on the marriage of their daughter, Shalva, to Eli Sadiky of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and to the grandmother, Esther Pascher โ68S.
Stanley Mirvis โ05YC, โ08R took up the mantle of director for Arizona State Universityโs (ASU) Jewish Studies department.
June 2025
Diagnos, Inc. welcomes veteran optometrist Dr. Barry A. Ginsberg โ74YUHS, โ78YC to its scientific advisory board for the United States.
Denholtz has added to its leadership team with the hiring of Jonathan Callahan โ09C, tapping the former Related Management Co. executive as its general counsel.
May 2025
Mazal tov to Yisroel Tannenbaum โ23SB and Ayelet Richter โ21S on their marriage! Mazal tov to Yisroel's parents, YU alumni Dr. Mark Tannenbaum '79YUHSB, '83YC, '83BZ, '87E and Mrs. Judy (Pianko) Tannenbaum '89S, and to Yisroel's siblings, Sarah Sklar, Yechiel Tannenbaum and YU alum and current Sy Syms employee SJ Tannenbaum '22SB, '24K. Mazal tov to Ayelet's parents, YU alumni Mr. Joel Richter โ83YUHSB โ87YC and Elissa (Baum) Richter โ89S and brothers Eitan and Ari.
October 2024
The Stone family is sad to announce the untimely passing of ย้ถนว๘ alumnus Dr. Zvi (Herman) Stone z"l (โ54YUHSB, โ58YC) on October 15, 2024, 13 of Tishrei. Husband of Tasya (โ60S), father of Dr. Nachum (โ82YC, โ84BR), Shalom (โ84YC), Dani, Avi, and Miriam. Brother of Edna Kwalwasser (โ64YUHSG, โ68S), Helen Weglein (โ59YUHSG, โ63S). The funeral took place in Israel on Erev Sukkot. Notes of condolences can be sent to Tasya at tasyazvi@gmail.com.
August 2024
Malka Zeiger Simkovich โ04S was appointed Editor-in-Chief and Director of the Jewish Publication Society, the pre-eminent nonprofit Jewish publishing house in the English-speaking world. Simkovich previously served as the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and is the author of three books about Jewish history, most recently Letters From Home: The Creation of Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity (Eisenbrauns 2024). She encourages all YU graduates who care about Jewish ideas to contact her at msimkovich@jps.org about how they can partner with JPS to bring the best of these ideas into the public sphere.
August 2023
From Peter Lowitt โ81E: It is with great sadness that I report Lucille Gerard passed away on August 9, 2023, after a long illness.
Contact Us
ย้ถนว๘ Office of Alumni Affairs
500 West 185th Street | Belfer Hall 7th Floor | New York, NY 10033
646.592.4490 | alumni@yu.edu
