OZ Welcomes Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, the new President of Yeshiva University

Friday Night, June 9, President Berman will deliver Divrei Torah at the 7:00pm Minyan.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman was elected Yeshiva University’s fifth president on November 15, 2016 and began his tenure June 2017.

He was the head (Rosh ha-Merkaz) of Hechal Shlomo – Center of Jewish Heritage in Jerusalem, where he initiated a transformation of the historic organization into an international modern Orthodox center for Jewish life, learning and leadership. He also serves as a lecturer of rabbinic literature in Herzog College’s Jewish Studies Department and was selected to sit on its Executive Leadership Council, the governing body that establishes policies and sets direction for all major issues regarding the operation of the college.

Rabbi Berman grew up in Queens, New York, and graduated from four YU schools with distinction, earning honors for his academic work in both secular and Jewish studies. He was recognized by the YU-affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) for his written scholarship and was chosen to speak on behalf of the graduating student body at his Chag HaSemikhah [rabbinic ordination ceremony]. He was also selected as a Fellow in the Kollel Elyon, the three-year post-ordination study program for RIETS’ most promising students and future rabbinic leaders. He graduated from Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys, received a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva College, and earned a master’s degree in medieval Jewish philosophy from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

In 2000, he became rabbi of The Jewish Center in New York City, after having served there as rabbinic intern, assistant rabbi and associate rabbi. Under his leadership, the congregation experienced a significant rise in congregational satisfaction, membership, programming, services, outreach, public activities and financial strength. Simultaneous with his pulpit at the Jewish Center, Rabbi Berman served as an instructor of Talmud in the Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program at Yeshiva College.

In 2008, he made aliyah to Israel. He obtained a Ph.D. from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, focusing his study on the halakhic [Jewish law] traditions of the High Middle Ages. Rabbi Berman has written numerous articles on subjects including current trends in Jewish thought and the future of Orthodoxy. He is married to Anita Berman and they have five children.