Yeshiva University hosted its Annual Yeshiva Dinner on March 16, drawing nearly 700 roshei yeshiva, rebbeim, students, alumni, and supporters to the Marina del Rey ballroom. The event honored Elliot Gibber, Rabbi Yaakov Neuburger, Rabbi Dovid Miller, and the alumni of the RIETS Israel Kollel for their dedication to Torah learning and communal leadership.
The dinner highlighted the ongoing importance of nurturing Jewish scholarship and leadership. Attendees celebrated not only individual achievements but also the broader mission of sustaining a vibrant community rooted in Torah values.
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University, said: “Since 1886, our Yeshiva has stood as a premier institution of Torah scholarship, nurturing generations of roshei yeshiva and communal leaders whose wisdom continues to illuminate the Jewish world. Here, the timeless wisdom of Torat Emet joined with Torat Chaim is realized in which Torah is studied at the highest levels, forming talmidim whose commitment to avodat Hashem and responsibility to Klal Yisrael shapes communities across the Jewish world.”
Lance Hirt, Chairman of the Board of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), said that more than $5 million was raised during this year’s campaign—a record for the event—and emphasized community support: “The Yeshiva Dinner offered a powerful reminder that the YU community; roshei yeshiva, faculty, students and supporters together ensure that the most talented and dedicated young men can pursue this noble path of Torah leadership.”
Honorees included Mr. Gibber—recipient of this year’s Eitz Chaim Award for his longstanding service—as well as Rabbi Neuburger who received the Amud HaTorah v’HaMesorah Award for decades guiding students as rosh yeshiva. The Torat Tzion Award was presented to Rabbi Miller along with alumni from RIETS Israel Kollel.
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Kalinsky said: “Our honorees have dedicated their lives to shaping generations of talmidei chachamim and Torah leaders. We are deeply grateful to them and to the many supporters who came out in such inspiring numbers to celebrate and strengthen the mission of our Yeshiva.” Ira Mitzner added: “Together with evening’s honorees … we celebrated not only a proud legacy … but continued transmission … to next generation.”
Yeshiva University builds a community focused on Jewish values while integrating secular studies under its principle known as Torah Umadda according to its official website. It operates separate undergraduate colleges for men and women as noted by university sources, offers programs in arts, sciences, business law medicine Jewish studies according to university information, stands out as a pioneer in modern Orthodox education as indicated by university sources, functions as a private institution emphasizing Orthodox higher education as stated on its official site.
The event underscored both tradition and forward-looking commitment at YU—ensuring continuity through support for future generations engaged in rigorous study within an environment balancing faith-based teachings with academic pursuits.
