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President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Isaac Herzog, will be the guest of honor at the Yeshiva University 101^st Annual Hanukkah Dinner in New York in December, where he will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership, moral courage, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people.

At the event, the University will also recognize the extraordinary contributions of the Katz Family—among Yeshiva University’s most devoted benefactors whose generosity has shaped the University’s growth—and Wendy Fisher, a visionary leader whose influence across arts, education, and global philanthropy inspires communities worldwide.

This year’s Second Century Dinner will spotlight Yeshiva University’s extraordinary growth and its defining role in shaping the future of higher education—advancing innovation in the health sciences, fostering academic excellence, and preparing the next generation of leaders grounded in timeless Jewish values.

President Herzog’s presence marks a moment of profound significance, symbolizing the enduring bond between the State of Israel and Yeshiva University, and their shared mission to uplift humanity through moral leadership and timeless Jewish values.

“We stand at a defining moment in history,” said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. “At a time when confusion and distortion have taken root across campuses nationwide, Hanukkah reminds us that the surest way to dispel darkness is to spread light. Our students embody that light—shining forth through an education grounded in eternal values. Yeshiva University is a beacon of moral clarity, advancing knowledge, strengthening the Jewish people, and elevating humanity.”

{Honoring Leadership and Legacy

{SMALL IMG Israeli President Isaac Herzog 

{Caption Israeli President Isaac Herzog 

President Isaac Herzog, the 11th President of the State of Israel, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership, moral courage, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people. His participation carries a profound family legacy: his father, President Chaim Herzog, z’l, received an honorary degree from Yeshiva University in 1976, and his grandfather, Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, z’l, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, was a towering figure in Jewish history whose values continue to inspire YU today.

“President Herzog represents the enduring story of the Jewish people and the brightest hopes for our future,” Rabbi Berman said. “We are privileged to feature him as our keynote honoree at this historic event as he embodies our ideals of purpose, excellence, and unity.”

Celebrating the Katz Family’s Legacy of Giving

he Katz Family

For decades, Dr. Mordecai D. Katz, z’l, and Dr. Monique C. Katz have stood among YU’s most devoted champions. This year, YU will honor the Katz Family with the Second Century Medallion, recognizing their lifetime of vision and generosity, including their founding of the Katz School of Science and Health which empowers students to pursue cutting-edge careers in science, technology, and health.

Through their decades of leadership, the Katz Family has embodied the belief that “the best investment you can make is in people.”

Honoring Wendy Fisher: Global Cultural Visionary

Wendy Fisher

In recognition of her lifelong dedication to the arts, education, and Jewish continuity, YU will award an Honorary Doctorate to Wendy Fisher, President of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Advisory Board Chair of the Kirsh Foundation, Founder of the A4 Arts Foundation and Lockdown University. Ms. Fisher was a former student at YU and together with her family, has recently endowed a Chair in Jewish Studies, directed toward engaging and embracing the unaffiliated into the Yeshiva University community—an initiative that reflects her enduring belief in the power of education to unite, inspire, and uplift.

Through her global leadership and deep connection to Yeshiva University’s values, Ms. Fisher exemplifies the University’s vision of cultivating leaders who bring wisdom, compassion, and creativity to a complex and ever-changing world.

{A Second Century of Impact

As an elite university in high demand, Yeshiva University has experienced remarkable expansion in recent years—graduate school enrollment has climbed over 60% since 2016, the Katz School of Science and Health has grown nearly 400% since 2017, and more than 97% of our graduates are employed or in graduate schools within six months. At the same time, fundraising is advancing at record pace towards the $613 million ‘Rise Up’ campaign and its physical footprint is growing dramatically with a new 160,000-square-foot health-sciences campus at Herald Square. This bold expansion positions YU’s second century as one of innovation, impact, and global leadership.”

“This dinner marks not only a celebration of YU’s past but also the beginning of its bold new chapter,” said Anita Zucker, Dinner Chair and benefactor of the Anita Zucker Scholarship for Jewish Early Childhood Education at Yeshiva University. “The enthusiasm surrounding this event speaks to the unity, devotion, and deep commitment that define the Yeshiva University community.”

Founded in 1886, Yeshiva University (YU) is the nation’s premier Jewish institution for higher education, integrating the values of Torah with the highest levels of academic achievement. Through its diverse schools and programs—including the Cardozo School of Law, the Katz School of Science and Health, and the Sy Syms School of Business—YU prepares students to lead lives of purpose, integrity, and impact. n

LARGE HEADLINE {Ann and Jeremy Pava Establish Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship at Yeshiva University

SMALL HEADLINE {New Pava Center Will Cultivate the Next Generation of Women Scholars and Jewish Leaders

Jeremy and Ann Pava

Yeshiva University has received a transformative $10 million gift from philanthropists Ann and Jeremy Pava to create the Pava Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship, a groundbreaking initiative advancing high-level Torah study for women across the Jewish world.

The gift, inspired by the Pavas’ deep commitment to Torah education and community building, marks a historic milestone in Yeshiva University’s enduring mission to empower women as scholars and leaders in Jewish life.

“Our dream has always been to help women pursue Torah learning at the highest levels—because their voices and scholarship are essential to the Jewish future,” said Ann Pava, president of Micah Philanthropies, which she founded with her husband, businessman and foundation Board Chair Jeremy Pava. “Yeshiva University has the unique environment, history, and experience to make that vision real. We’re honored to partner in creating a home where women’s Torah study is celebrated and supported for generations to come.”

Echoing that vision, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, described the gift as pivotal for both the University and the Jewish future. “Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Ann and Jeremy Pava, the establishment of the Pava Center represents a defining moment for Yeshiva University and for the broader Jewish community. It reflects our commitment to cultivating women who bring wisdom, compassion, and spiritual depth to every aspect of Jewish life.”

Reflecting on the Center’s mission, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and Rav of the Young Israel of Riverdale, emphasized its importance within the landscape of Torah education. “The Pava Center will undoubtedly raise the level of Torah learning at Stern College, helping students develop their knowledge, skills, and sincere avodas Hashem [love of G-d].”

A New Era in Women’s Torah Learning

Raizi Chechik, the Pava Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship’s inaugural director

Launching in Fall 2026, the Pava Scholars Program at Stern College for Women will stand at the heart of the new Pava Center as its flagship initiative, bringing together YU’s renowned legacy of women’s Torah learning, its world-class Judaic studies faculty and a dedication to nurturing outstanding Torah scholars.

Leading this effort is Raizi Chechik, the center’s inaugural director and a veteran Jewish educator. Formerly head of school at Manhattan Day School, she studied Tanach and Counseling at Michlala Jerusalem Teacher’s College, holds an MA in Jewish History and is currently completing her doctorate at YU’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

“I am deeply honored and excited to lead the Pava Center at YU,” said Chechik, who serves as the Community Scholar at The Jewish Center of Manhattan and mentors Jewish educational leaders around the globe. “This is a unique opportunity to strengthen our community by cultivating a talented and skilled cohort of women to serve as educators, scholars, and leaders. By drawing on the exceptional Torah learning opportunities, rich Jewish Studies curriculum and outstanding role models at Stern College and throughout the broader YU ecosystem—along with the specially designed programming and training offered through the Pava Center—we hope the Pava Scholars will be equipped to contribute their wisdom in ways that will enrich and uplift the Jewish future.”

Learning with Purpose and Passion

Designed for exceptional post–high school women, the three-year immersive cohort program will combine rigorous Torah study, personal development, and community engagement. Scholars will major in Jewish Studies and take courses at the highest levels, enhanced by chavruta learning, weekly colloquia, and close faculty mentorship. Students will also gain essential skills in communication, teaching, entrepreneurship, and public speaking, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to Jewish life.

Generous scholarships will support each cohort of Pava Scholars, who will also participate in national and international trips connecting their studies to Jewish life in Israel, Europe, and the United States. Each component of the program emphasizes ahavas Hashem and a devotion to the Jewish life worldwide.

Showcasing and Celebrating Women’s Torah Scholarship

The new Center will extend Yeshiva University’s longstanding commitment to elevating women’s Torah learning and serve as a platform to celebrate women’s scholarship on a national and global scale. Through annual Torah conferences, public shiurim, mentorship initiatives, and programs highlighting faculty and student achievements, the Pava Center will bring women’s Torah scholarship into greater communal view. These gatherings will showcase excellence, foster connection, and reinforce a culture in which women’s learning is deeply respected, widely supported and fully recognized and appreciated. In doing so, the Center will not only strengthen its scholars but strengthen our community for generations to come. 

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