By YU Observer Editorial Board
Each month, the YU Observer will provide a brief summary of news pertaining to Yeshiva University and the world at large. For the May 2022 edition, the following were deemed among the most paramount. Feel free to explore the links on our website for more information.
YU NEWS
- TEDx returned to YU on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 featuring ‘Jewish Values in Action’ with speeches by Sruli Fruchter (YC ‘22), David Siegel, Prof. Mark Finkel, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Shoshi Tuchman (SSSB ‘22), and Adam Neumann (YC ‘13).
- Yeshiva University’s first-ever STEM Exposition took place on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, allowing students to express their passion for science, technology, engineering, and math while connecting with peers and faculty.
- YU held annual event commemorating Yom HaShoah on April 27, 2022, international Holocaust remeberace day. The event featured speakers Shmuel Horowitz, co-president of the Student Holocaust Education Movement, as well as memorial songs, readings, and a reenactment of Peter Weiss’s play, The Investigation, a retelling of the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials. The evening concluded with words from child survivor, Anna Waller.
- On Monday, May 2, 2022, the Sy Syms School of Business held its annual Gala Awards Dinner, where several accomplished students were recognized for their outstanding achievements. The Dean Harold Nierenberg Valedictorian Award was awarded to Jonah Loskove (SSSB ‘22) and Shoshi Tuchman (SSSB ‘22). Professor Of The Year was awarded to Professor Gabriela Coiculescu and Adjunct Professor Of The Year was awarded to Professor Steven Mayer.
- The YU honors programs have changed their merit-based scholarships to be a fixed scholarship instead of the currently tiered scholarships. Honors students who are awarded these scholarships will receive $25,000 for early decision and $20,000 for regular decision.
- Ariel Kahan (YC ‘24) was announced as the incoming Editor in Chief of The Commentator for the upcoming year with Seffi Jonas (YC ‘23) holding the title of Managing Editor.
- YU announced via Facebook that it would be renovating Weissberg commons. The school is seeking to transform the space into a space where community and academic programming can be held.
- Wilf campus held student elections for the 2022-2023 school year on May 6, 2022. Results can be found here.
- Beren campus held student elections for the 2022-2023 school year on May 12, 2022. Results can be found here.
- On May 11, 2022, Yeshiva University emailed its undergraduate students to inform them that they will not be required to test weekly for Covid-19 for the remainder of the semester.
WORLD NEWS
- On May 3, 2022, Politico released an early draft majority opinion of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. If this is the case, many states will implement early bans on abortion.
- Johnny Depp has sued Amber Heard for defamation following an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in 2018. Allegedly, Depp has lost many opportunities because of Heard’s article, most notably the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. The trial is ongoing and is being covered live by media outlets.
- Russia and Ukraine entered their third month of conflict with Russian troops continuing their military siege on Ukraine.
- Apple announced this month that it would be discontinuing the iPod after 21 years of production. The iPod revolutionized the way people consumed music but has become more and more obsolete with the rise in smartphone users.
- NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured the first clear images of a nearby galaxy. These images signify a large advancement for outer space technology and imaging abilities.
- On April 18, a federal judge ruled that masks cannot be federally mandated on public transport. Private companies can still require masks if they choose.
- Israel has seen an increase in terrorist related activities. This comes after tensions grew during the Muslim month of Ramadan during which Passover and Easter fell. It is estimated that 11 Jewish Israelis have been killed in recent months.
- China has placed almost 400 million residents under COVID related lockdowns this past month in attempts to completely eradicate the virus from the country. Residents in Shanghai are not permitted to leave their homes except for necessary outings. This has caused massive factory employee shortages and supply chain issues in the country but China insists that these measures are a necessary part of their zero COVID policy.