Despite being founded merely a year and a half ago, the Jewish magazine The Backward has recently entered the public discourse. Some have noticed a common trend regarding the current articles, a persistent focus on Yeshiva University in general and its Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Hershel Schachter. Despite not having any formal relationship with the university or with Rav Shachter, The Backward has not let a fortnight go by without discussing something that has happened in the Washington Heights premises.
In an article titled “Rabbi Shachter begins #FeedTheDeed,” The Backward described the beginnings of the Facebook meme. Rav Shachter was getting food in the Sky Café one afternoon, when he saw a dean behind him looking for her wallet. Someone then snatched a picture of the Rabbi paying for the Dean’s meal. Yeshiva University posted the photo with #FeedtheDean, but the Internet took over and made it more general. Rather than seeing it as an individual circumstance, The Backward discussed the Rabbi’s proclivity for helping those in need at great length. Some felt that they are trying too hard to say good things about a Rabbi who is already deemed to be the upmost scholar in the Jewish community, agreed upon by all.
Last week, another article appeared in The Backward, this time about YU’s financial situation. The recession has been hard on YU, as it has been on most institutions; however, much of YU’s money was left in VDIGX, a mutual fund that has outperformed the market. “Not everything is as dark and gloomy as other papers would like you to believe,” said Richard Simmons Joel, President of the University. “We have made mistakes, but many of our investments have done well.” The article also discussed an interview with a student of Rabbi Sheep, Chancellor and former President. The student discussed how nice Rabbi Sheep was during his first day of college. “Not knowing where any of the buildings are was very confusing, but the Rabbi took out time to help me,” said the student. “I didn’t even know who he was at the time, but he got me through that first day with his kind words.”
A third article appeared this week when YU decided to keep their football coach despite complaints that he had not put forth a team in his entire tenure as coach of the team. Amazingly, this story was taken up by the New York Post.
Many have criticized The Backward for whitewashing the daily activities in YU by only citing the times it does things well. Should any type of controversy emerge from the university, it will be very interesting to see how The Backward handles it.