As someone who looks forward to the first day of school (yes–such a person does exist), getting the familiar sstuds and ystud emails sent to my YU inbox serves as a friendly reminder that school will soon be in full swing. Some of the emails are sent to remind students about new security measures or to inform them of the theme for the coming week’s Shabbat. But the overwhelming majority of emails serve to urge students to sign up for different clubs on campus.
As always, there are the familiar emails from popular clubs such as TAC (Torah Activities Council) and the Israel Club, both known for bringing exciting and unique events to campus. But what makes YU so distinct is that are so many club options. By just reading the sstuds and ystuds, a student can learn about the variety of clubs offered on campus and see just how diverse the YU community really is.
Below, an introduction to the newest clubs on campus:
The Disney Club
For those students who feel that our school days can use a bit of magic, the Disney Club, one of the many new clubs on campus this semester, is aiming to bring a little bit of charm to the schedules of YU students. Shaina Drazen, president of the Disney Club, wants to share her love of Disney with the student body. She said that all that was needed to induct the new club was “faith, trust and pixie dust.” After all, who doesn’t feel better when watching a Disney favorite from his or her childhood?
A student’s life is filled with studying and writing papers, leaving limited time for relaxation and enjoyment. Drazen, who plans on hosting movie, trivia and karaoke nights, feels that with all the stress college students face, a night of singing Disney songs can bring some much needed fun to their routines. As of now, the club does not have any board positions available, but they may once the club is more established.
TheEruv
Yeshiva students benefit from being in a large Jewish community and also have the opportunity to get involved with the broader communities of Washington Heights and the Upper West Side boast strong and vibrant Jewish communities. However, Netanel Paley, a student at YU, felt that there was more students can do to help the other Jewish communities in Manhattan. Paley has started a new club this semester called TheEruv which aims to help the Jewish communities right next to YU and Stern. Paley explains that, “As students of one of the oldest and most prominent Jewish institutions in Washington Heights and greater Manhattan, I believe we have the responsibility to not only actively engage with the neighborhoods around us, but to also lay the groundwork for a unified Jewish community.”
TheEruv plans on bringing after school programming, Torah classes, and shabbatonim to children at Breuer’s, Jewish day schools in Manhattan and the YM-YWHA. The club plans on sending YU students to visit these Jews in hospitals, come to their weddings, and just build relationships with them. All board positions are full for this club, but students are urged to sign up and volunteer for this important cause.
Bnei Akiva Club
Another new club emerging on campus is bringing the global Bnei Akiva youth movement to YU. Dovid Simpser, a student at Yeshiva College, and Maia Wiesenfeld, a student at Stern, have started the club in order to show that “Bnei Akiva is much more than a summer camp or extracurricular activity. It is a lifestyle based on religious Zionist ideals, promoting Torah observance and values, a devotion to the land of Israel, and social and political activism.”
The club will follow the setup of other Bnei Akiva clubs, and plans to have many co-ed events which will bring together the YU community. Simpser says, “Our events will contain informal educational components related to Bnei Akiva’s values, and will provide a fun, open setting to be with friends and meet others.” As of now all board positions have been filled, but Simpser says that everyone should feel welcome to ask if there is any way they can contribute to the club. Bnei Akiva values unity and working together.
Sports Analytics Club
Think that sports are pure fun with no educational value? Well think again. The Sports Analytics Club aims “to provide a dynamic platform for sports fans, fantasy sports fans and overall business-minded individuals alike to explore a booming industry from both a business and recreational perspective,” according to the club’s head, Jakob Finkel.
Finkel described how it is very hard to go anywhere these days without seeing some type of advertisement or commercial for fantasy sports. He says he “…saw an opportunity to both educate interested students about the inner-workings of the industry and work together on learning about potential trends, ultimately formulating our own insight and ideas.”
Students have the opportunity to discuss their favorite sports, fantasy sports teams and companies. They can also engage with their fellow classmates in learning about the business side of this industry. Board positions have all been taken, but students should sign up in order to be involved in the many great events that the club is planning.
YU Cancer Society
The YU Cancer Society is another new club to look out for this semester. Kelley Tripp, a Stern student, values how important it is for students on the Beren Campus to understand and be aware of this horrible disease. Tripp says, “As a pre-med student, I am adamant that Beren campus students become more aware of cancer, its effects on society today, and prevention methods.”
The club plans on holding monthly cancer awareness weeks. It also hopes to bring in speakers, including both medical professionals and cancer survivors to share their experiences with the student body. There are many ways students can get involved with The Cancer Society on campus. Students can visit cancer patients, spread the names of people with cancer who need our tefilot, and research and present their findings on cancer.
This article highlights just some of the many news clubs students should expect to see on campus this semester. To learn more about the upcoming events of these clubs and the hundreds of other clubs YU has to offer, keep checking your student email account and look out for flyers around school.