By Rebecca Kalmar, Staff Writer
“Kol hatchalot kashot”– all beginnings are hard. This succinct Hebrew phrase portrays an important truth. Starting out on a new chapter is often really difficult. It doesn’t matter if you’ve made sure to adorn your brand new laptop with neon stickers, color code your notebooks ahead of time, or arrive at the luggage drop off three hours early; the first year at college is an adjustment for everyone. Enter Yeshiva University Orientation.
The Beren Campus orientation took place from Tuesday August 20 – Sunday August 25, beginning with check-in and ending with the annual Welcome Back BBQ. The schedule included a mix of information sessions, shiurim, and recreational activities. The theme for orientation was “Answering the Call to History.”
As Alana Reichenberg, Senior Student Life Manager in the Office of Student Life, explained to the YU Observer, “[The theme] is designed to connect our rich history and Jewish values with students’ present and future actions.” Reichenberg added that “orientation serves as a crucial starting point for students, enabling them to understand and embrace their historical legacy at YU and beyond as they embark on their academic and personal journeys.”
The idea of “Answering the Call to History” is crucial when considered within the broader context of the war in Israel and the prevalence of antisemitism. Students coming to college after their year in Israel were presented with a unique challenge, as they now have to shift to “answering the call” from afar. However, these students also had more practical concerns in swapping from a gap year to a college mindset. “One of the hardships I’ve experienced transitioning into college from Israel is the different schedule and working with time management and figuring out a new work ethic after not really having one for a year,” Charli Ernstein (SCW, ‘27) told the YU Observer. Ernstein added that it is a struggle to adjust from beit midrash learning to lecture style classes.
One big highlight of this year’s orientation were the events, which included a challah bake, Broadway shows, Dave and Busters, a WNBA game, and Six Flags. Despite the inherent struggles with adjusting to a new normal, events like these helped ease students into their new surroundings.
Adjusting to Stern has been much less scary and difficult than I thought it would be,” Liela Silbiger (SCW, ‘27) told the YU Observer. “Orientation gave me the time to find my footing in the city and make new friends through attending the different panels and events.” Some students expressed that they appreciated how orientation helped them transition into college.
While many students enjoyed the programming, some were more reluctant to attend. “I thought that people who actually went to events got a lot out of it, but I think that they could have pushed the events a bit more so people who were too shy to go would feel less intimidated,” Michal Streltsov (SCW, ‘27) told the YU Observer. “I know a lot of girls who just didn’t go to any of the events because they were too scared.” The YU Observer was also informed that the Wilf orientation schedule consisted of several events on Wednesday and Thursday, but a lack of scheduling on Friday left too much free time for students.
There is a lot of work involved in organizing and facilitating orientation. Back for the second year running was the position of Orientation Leader, students whose sole job is to help with all aspects of the transition and facilitate programming. Orientation Leader Shira Segal (SCW ‘26) looked back on her own orientation experience last year. “I remember thinking that orientation week was such a good and chill intro into college and Stern life,” Segal told the YU Observer. “It was a way to get to know the campus and people and the city without being overwhelmed by all of the students at once.”
Segal also added that her experience at orientation motivated her to become an orientation leader, a sentiment echoed by Bat-Tzion Atik (SCW ‘26), a fellow Orientation Leader. “I wanted to work as an Orientation Leader because when I went to orientation last year, I was super overwhelmed and there were so many friendly faces to whom I could go to with any questions,” Atik told the YU Observer.
In addition to the trips, there were also multiple opportunities to experience the Torah environment that is central to YU. “I thought orientation this year was a great mix of fun, informative, and spiritual,” Sara Hellman (SCW ‘25), an Orientation Leader, told the YU Observer. “The challah bake with Avital Chizhik-Goldsmith in particular was such a nice and special experience.”
The week came to an end with the new students’ first Shabbos on campus. “I thought orientation Shabbos was incredibly beautiful,” Rabbi Fine, Beren Campus Rabbi, told the YU Observer, adding that over 240 people attended. Rabbi Fine has been happy to see the new students quickly getting involved in programming such as Tuesday Night Live and the Camp Shabbaton. “We are looking forward to getting to know all of [the new students], we will reach out to you, but always feel comfortable coming to us as well!” Rabbi Fine said.
Yes, kol hatchalot kashot, all beginnings are hard. But, if you take that first step, whether it’s meeting with the campus couples or teachers, going to a Broadway show with new friends, or attending a challah bake, you’ll be on your way to “Answering the Call to History.”
Photo Caption: Students at 2024-2025 Yeshiva University orientation
Photo Credit: Yeshiva University