By Rebecca Aduculesi, News Editor
Rabbi Avi Feder, YU alumnus, will undertake the role of Director of Housing and Residence Life on the Wilf Campus beginning in the Fall 2021 semester.
Rabbi Feder graduated from Sy Syms School of Business in 2014 with a business and management/marketing major where he also served as RA and Head RA. He later attended the semichah [rabbinical] program at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary until 2017. He told the YU Observer that these experiences, among others, “have enabled me to feel humbled, honored, yet confident in my ability to excel in the challenges that lay ahead.”
Before accepting his new position at YU, Rabbi Feder worked at the Orthodox Union as the Director of Yachad Advisor Engagement and Volunteer Services for four years. He describes his work there to be “centered around outreach, engagement and service to hundreds of college-aged volunteers is a natural stepping stone into this work with student housing and life on campus.” Rabbi Feder also served as the Senior Rabbinic Intern at the Jewish Center on the Upper West Side, as well as the Manhattan Director of NCSY, while he was a semichah (Rabbinical training) student.
Rabbi Feder expressed his excitement for his new role, stating, “I am excited to be back at Yeshiva as the Director of Residence Life, and particularly excited to welcome students back to campus very soon! I’m grateful to Dr. Nissel and Dr. Asher for bringing me on board and look forward to working with them, as well as the entire Res. Life team.”
Rabbi Feder also elaborated on his plans with the YU Observer his goals and plan for the upcoming year. He said, “I will be focusing my efforts on the Wilf Campus while working collaboratively with the staff from Beren Campus. Working closely with Michael Altaras and our talented group of RAs and Head RAs, we will continually enhance and improve the housing and residence life experience for all.”
Dean Nissel expressed his confidence in Rabbi Feder and shared with the YU Observer, “Avi Feder is a caring, approachable, and creative leader with a strong background in Housing administration and an intimate understanding of the YU community. I am fully confident that Avi, along with Assistant Director of Housing Michael Altaras, will truly accomplish great things for Res. Life this year.”