By Hadar Katsman, Features Editor
Yeshiva University has recently welcomed Rabbi Yosef and Rebbetzin Gitty Tropp as the new scholars-in-residence of the Beren Campus, replacing prior scholars-in-residence of three years, Rabbi Avrumi and Rebbetzin Michal Schonbrun.
“We’re excited to welcome Rabbi Yosef and Gitty Tropp to the Beren community,” Associate Dean of Torah Studies and Spiritual Life Shoshana Schechter told the YU Observer. “Their passion for Torah, commitment to students and vibrant energy are already making a meaningful impact.”
Rabbi Tropp is originally from Teaneck, New Jersey. Following a year and a half of learning at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah, he went to Yeshiva College where he majored in mathematics (2024) and was in Rabbi Dovid Hirsch’s shiur and Rabbi Elchanan Adler’s shiur. Rabbi Tropp is currently in his last year of semicha (rabbinic ordination) training at YU and is in Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz’s shiur. He is simultaneously teaching at Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) in the morning and on the Beren campus at night.
Rebbetzin Tropp is originally from Brooklyn, New York and went to seminary at Michlalah for one year. She then graduated from Stern College for Women (2022) with a shaped nursing major, followed by NYU’s nursing program (2024). She was also an NCSY advisor for one year. Rebbetzin Tropp is currently a nurse at Maimonides Medical Center and, along with Rabbi Tropp, will be teaching Torah on the Beren campus at night.
“It’s not everyday that you were able to gain so much from an institution and you’re able to go and give back,” Rebbetzin Tropp told the YU Observer.
Rabbi and Rebbetzin Tropp join Rabbi Azi and Rebbetzin Ellie Fine, who are entering their fourth year as Beren campus Rabbi and Rebbetzin, as leaders of Torah learning on campus. Rebbetzin Tropp had the opportunity to learn under the Fines during her senior year, the Fines’ first year on campus.
“We are so excited about what they’ve already been able to accomplish and will continue to accomplish, together as a couple and individually,” Rabbi Fine told the YU Observer.
Rebbetzin Tropp was very involved in the beit midrash and other Torah learning opportunities during her years on the Beren campus. “When I was in Stern, I always looked up to the Fines and the Schonbruns,” Rebbetzin Tropp said. “It was kind of like a dream job.” She is excited to meet students and to be a presence in the beit midrash by learning b’chavursa (one-on-one) with students and giving chaburot.
For the past two years, the Tropps were youth directors at the Kingsway Jewish Center in Brooklyn.
Rabbi Tropp told the YU Observer he is excited “to inspire and build relationships and build a community” on the Beren campus by giving over divrei Torah and as many shiurim as possible. Rabbi Tropp will lead three chaburot this semester on Hilchos Shabbos, the Rambam’s Hilchos Teshuva and the Chafetz Chaim’s sefer Ahavas Chessed.
Torah Activities Council President Rebecca Henner (SCW ‘26) will be working alongside the Tropps to enhance the Torah learning and Shabbat programming on the Beren campus. “Within the first week of Stern, it’s already clear how special they are,” Henner told the YU Observer. “They have a sense of warmth that makes every student feel welcomed and an incredible passion for Torah that makes me so excited for all their shiurim, chaburot and overall presence on campus.”
Rebbetzin Tropp will be offering weekly Tehillim (Psalms) and Haftorah chaburot, as she hopes to specifically include Tanach learning since it wasn’t such a prominent topic in past chaburot.
“I love the Tropps and I’m so excited to spend time with them in Stern,” Beren Campus Student Government Stern Representative Leora Schramm (SCW ‘27) told the YU Observer. Schramm is particularly excited to spend Shabbat with the Tropps, who plan on spending three out of four Shabbosim per month on campus.
“When I was in YU as a student, I loved meeting new guys and hearing people’s stories,” Rabbi Tropp said. Similarly on the Beren campus, there is a wide range of students from different social and religious backgrounds, he said. “It’s an amazing thing, everyone comes together.”
Rebbetzin Tropp hopes to incorporate additional activities like paint nights, challah bakes and menorah-making over the year. The Tropps are excited to become a vital part of Judaic learning on the Beren campus and form connections with students.
Dean Schechter said, “We look forward to the warmth, wisdom and connection they’ll bring as our new scholars-in-residence.”
Photo Credit: Gitty Tropp