NYC Gazette

A team of MBA students from the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University participated in the Brigham Young University (BYU) Marriott School of Business MBA Case Competition on Faith and Belief in the Workplace, held from February 5-8, 2025. The competition brought together students from institutions such as Duke, UVA, Carnegie Mellon, and Texas A&M to discuss religious identity in professional settings.

Yael Evgi reflected on the event's significance: “This experience reinforced the importance of strategic thinking, collaboration, and leadership in navigating complex workplace dynamics.” The team engaged with notable figures like Jake Retzlaff, BYU’s quarterback known for his Jewish identity, and Seth Cohen from Forbes.

Asher Brooks noted the respect shown by BYU towards their religious practices: “Faith belongs in the workplace,” he said. “BYU proved it.” Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman had previously spoken at BYU on related topics.

The students expressed gratitude towards Professor Daniel Snow and Kalie Johnson for accommodating their needs. Julie Yusupov shared her insights: “I learned that we have dear friends in the BYU community... It was a strong testament that as Jews, we don’t stand alone.”

Joshua Zelig highlighted meaningful interactions during their visit: "Meeting Jake Retzlaff was certainly a highlight... Asher’s heartfelt prayer received genuine support."

Dr. Tamar Avnet emphasized the importance of these experiences: “This experience was deeply meaningful to our students and truly reflects the essence of our MBA program.”

The Sy Syms School looks forward to continuing these discussions and empowering its students to lead with ethics and respect.