NYC Gazette

A significant endowment from the Heller family has paved the way for the creation of the Heller Center for Academic Excellence and Torah Values at Yeshiva University. This initiative is designed to offer scholarships to high-achieving students entering college, as well as future educators and rabbis at the Azrieli School and RIETS. Each year, the center plans to distribute 100 scholarships of $10,000 each to students who demonstrate high academic standards and reflect the Torah values central to Yeshiva University's mission.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, expressed gratitude for the Heller family's contribution. "We are deeply grateful for the Heller family’s generosity and vision, which will provide life-changing opportunities for our students," he stated. "The Heller Center for Academic Excellence and Torah Values will empower exceptional students, driven by purpose and grounded in Jewish principles, to lead and inspire their communities and beyond. By supporting the next generation of leaders, these scholarships will advance Yeshiva University’s tradition of scholarship, service, and academic excellence, all while upholding the values that define our community."

The Heller family has a longstanding history of supporting Jewish education and leadership, with extensive philanthropic activities at Yeshiva University. Their contributions have previously funded faculty positions and doctoral studies at the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, scholarship programs at Stern College for Women, and a Rabbinic Fellowship and Chair in Talmud at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. This latest initiative reinforces their commitment to enhancing Torah learning and providing the necessary resources for future leaders.

The Heller Center aims to build on Yeshiva University’s legacy of nurturing leaders who meet high standards in scholarship and service, emphasizing the creation of opportunities that inspire students to maximize their potential while rooted in faith and traditions. The scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers, allowing students to focus fully on their studies and prepare for leadership roles within their communities and beyond.