By Gabriella Gomperts, Features Editor
Newly erected bookshelves and tables line Weissberg Commons, stacked to the brim with Jewish books of all genres as Yeshiva University’s annual Seforim Sale is officially back in action. From February 4 to 25, individuals from all walks of Jewish life have the opportunity to visit the sale and peruse the wide selection of Seforim and other excellent reads that the sale has to offer.
As the Seforim Sale continues to grow, CEO Yosef Silver (SSSB ’25) has decided to expand and promote the sale by hosting various events and promotions featuring YU Rebbeim and other guest speakers. These events take place almost every night, drawing crowds of individuals who come to enjoy the lectures and exclusive discounts. These events include Shiurim given by well-renowned Rebbeim, promotions by authors and editors, and even book launches. Additionally, different Jewish organizations such as Bnei Akiva, NCSY, and OU-JLIC have exclusive discounted nights for members and host their own Shiurim.
In an interview with the YU Observer on opening day, Silver explained that the sale aims to provide more opportunities for outreach. “We’re trying to have daily events because we felt it’s a good way to really bring in all different kinds of people from all different places.” Some of these events include Rav Daniel Feldman’s book launch of “Letter and Spirit,” Rabbi Manning and Bracha Poliakoff speaking on their book “Reclaiming Dignity,” and a Divrei Torah and book talk with Rav Herschel Schachter. In this way, Silver hopes to draw and bring together a diverse crowd of people all uniting together through their love of Torah.
Silver told the YU Observer that the biggest challenge the sale has faced this year is the overall logistics and dealing with problems that suddenly arise, such as vendors that change their mind or rising costs. Such challenges are rare, but when they do arise, the staff handles them with swiftness and professionalism.
Section Manager Rivka Inger (SCW ’25) described one of the bigger setbacks for this year’s sale. She told the YU Observer that, “One of our major vendors raised their costs on us before the sale began, meaning that we needed to go through hundreds of books and relabel them. It was definitely one of our most time-consuming challenges in the days leading up to the sale.“
This year’s Seforim Sale has been in the making since last March, when Silver was asked to take charge of the planning and execution of the sale. It is apparent to all who walk through the doors of Belfer Hall that the sale is only made possible because of the amazing team working extremely hard behind the scenes who ensure that everything runs smoothly. From the ordering team, the marketing team, and the general staff, everyone puts in an immense amount of dedication and effort in order to make the sale as amazing as it is.
All those who attend the Seforim Sale appreciate the impact it has on the wider Jewish community. “The environment at the Seforim Sale is really amazing. It is a place where Jews from all over the area can come together while searching for all different types of books,” said Stern student Gittel Friedman (SCW ‘26), who works at the sale as a Section Manager.
To Silver, the main goal of the Seforim Sale is to foster a community built on a love for Torah and the unity of Klal Yisrael. “We want to spread as much Torah [as we can], so the more people we bring in, the more we’re able to give out to other people.”