On Tuesday evening, April 30th, the Stern College Pharmacy Club and Women’s Studies Society sponsored “The Pill Event” on the Beren Campus. The event gave students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of contraceptive methods, how to implement them, their mechanisms of action, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The event was held in the form of a lecture given by the distinguished Dr. Richard Weiss, M.D., professor of Pharmacology and Human Development at Stern College.
Dr. Weiss discussed many different forms of contraception, including, but not limited to, hormonal birth control pills, intra-uterine devices, hormonal patches and injections, condoms, surgical sterilization, and morning-after pills. While some of the contraceptive methods discussed are not likely to be publicly advocated in the orthodox setting of Yeshiva University, Dr. Weiss stated that his goal of the night was not to convey halachic rulings, but to communicate to the student body how a wide variety of contraceptives are used and how they exert their effects on the body.
As Dr. Weiss explained, “Halachic rulings about various contraceptive methods cannot be rendered without a basic knowledge of how they work.” By introducing the forum on this platform, Dr. Weiss thoughtfully supported the halachic stance of the university while providing a breadth of reproductive information that addresses the preferences and intellectual needs of a diverse student body.
Aside from discussing methods of contraception, other topics of reproductive education were also addressed, such as reproductive anatomy, the menstrual cycle, the process of fertilization and implantation, social issues of contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
As expected, a significant amount of time was devoted to discussing the hormonal birth control pill, which “fools the body into thinking a pregnancy has occurred, which prevents ovulation,” Dr. Weiss explained. As such, even if sperm survive the journey to the fallopian tubes, there is no egg present for fertilization.
Dr. Weiss’s lecture was impressively informative as he managed to cover a wide range of reproductive topics within a relatively short time frame. Students came away with a broad introduction to reproductive health and various contraceptive options.
While campus events such as this one might occur relatively infrequently, students should be aware that informational resources on sex education are available all over the Beren campus.
Both the Biology and Psychology departments offer a wide range of courses that address various topics within the scope of sex education, such as reproductive anatomy, sexual reproduction, reproductive health, sexual activity, and contraception. These courses include, but are not limited to, Reproductive Biology, Biology of Women’s Health, Pharmacology, Human Development, Human Sexuality, and Psychology of Women.
Students also inclined to learn about some of the “taboo topics” of sex education can do so in Dr. Terry DiLorenzo’s course on Human Sexuality. The class is made up of self-selected juniors and seniors interested in learning about topics that are often brushed under the rug, especially in an orthodox setting. However, the class certainly is not limited to such topics. Reproductive anatomy and function, pregnancy and childbirth, reproductive technology, and reproductive health are also among a wide range of topics discussed in the course. Dr. DiLorenzo expressed that “it’s important for students to know about sexual health outside sexual activity as well,” and she believes students learn this through her course.
The problem is that many courses covering topics of sex education in more depth require completion of at least one prerequisite course. This isn’t a practical solution for students not majoring in Biology or Psychology. The magnitude of general requirements and major requirements force students to make a very careful selection of courses that are required or strongly recommended for gaining entry into graduate school. While some non-Biology-and-Psychology majors wish to take some of the courses listed in this article, they simply cannot do so within a three to four year time frame given the prerequisite courses. It is actually for this reason that Dr. Harriet Zuckerbraun began her Biology of Women’s Health course, which covers topics of reproductive education and is designed for all students, including non-Biology majors who only took the not-for-majors introductory Biology course.
The Judaic Studies courses, in general, are probably more easily accessible to students of all majors. Several of these courses address reproductive topics in depth, such as Medical Ethics and Marriage in Halacha. It goes without saying, however, that these courses approach the curriculum from a strictly halachic perspective, which certainly is to be expected from the Judaic Studies Department.
For more information on the unique curriculum of each course mentioned here, professors are listed with their course offerings in the course catalogue and can be contacted by email, which can be found in the Directory Search online on the Yeshiva University homepage.
The classroom, however, is not the only place on campus where students can access informational resources of reproductive concern. I had the opportunity to speak about this with Rachel Kraut, Director of University Housing and Residence Life, who conveyed that the housing department is extremely helpful and supportive in providing an easily accessible and private forum in which a wide range of topics and questions can be addressed without making students feel judged.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Becky Ciment, the new Assistant Director of University Housing and Residence Life, who conveyed that her door is always open to meet with students and address their questions and concerns. Both Rachel and Becky are social workers with many years of experience in the Jewish community, enabling them to cater to the specific dynamic of Stern College. Their goal is to make Yeshiva University a positive experience, and to make this possible by addressing matters of student life interest. Rachel can be contacted by email or by phone (rkraut@yu.edu; 212-340-7795) or by visiting her in the Brookdale RA office. Becky can also be reached by email or phone (Rebecca.ciment@yu.edu; 212-679-4740) or by visiting her in the 35th Street RA office.
For more targeted concerns, students can also visit the Counseling Center, located on 205 Lexington Avenue (between 32nd and 33rd Street) Suite 401, as well as the Student Health Center, located on the 2nd floor of Brookdale, and supported by Beth Israel Medical Center.
Students should feel at ease to know that while the university cannot publicly address all types of reproductive matters, several resources are available on campus to address the reality of life that exists outside the public standards of the university.
While the internet can also be a wonderful source of all kinds of information, it is absolutely understandable and encouraged for students to seek face-to-face help from knowledgeable and competent human beings, of which there is no shortage at Yeshiva University.