When Dr. Avi Helfand ‘97 was a student in Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA), he was a shining star on the school’s legendary debate team. Upon his return to MTA this past week, the skills he began to hone back as a student, were displayed when he presented to the junior class about the importance of protecting civil liberties.

Dr. Helfand, now Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Institute for Jewish Studies at Pepperdine University, as well as an arbitrator and consultant for the Beth Din of America, is an expert on religious law and liberty and was able to impart to the students how important it is to protect the rights of all minorities. By walking the students through a few landmark Supreme Court cases and discussing present day issues, Dr. Helfand impressed upon the group how the laws can be twisted to hurt minorities, rather than protect them. He argued that it is important that the students do their best to stay attuned to issues and look out for other minorities as well.