New York–Yeshiva University President Richard M. Joel has appointed Rabbi Kenneth Brander as vice president for university and community life. For the past eight years Brander has served as the inaugural David Mitzner Dean of the Center for the Jewish Future (CJF).

Rabbi Kenneth Brander has been appointed vice president for university and community life.

“The work of the CJF under Rabbi Brander’s leadership has been momentous,” said President Joel. “In addition, he has served for the last two years as special advisor for undergraduate admissions, where he has added much value to our efforts together with a great team of professionals.”

As vice president for university and community life, Brander will be responsible for the broad areas of community service, undergraduate admissions, student life, and YU strategies and programs in Israel. He will retain the CJF deanship pending appointment of a successor.

“Providing our students with opportunities to be inspired both inside and outside the Beit Midrash or classroom is inextricably linked to our work in support of Jewish communities, and their professional and lay leaders,” said Brander. “I hope to serve in a supportive role working alongside our wonderful faculty, roshei yeshiva, community professionals, administrators and treasured student body to help facilitate this wonderful synergy. Furthermore, the opportunity to help assist in developing a vision for our efforts in Israel both as a Torah institution and a research university is an exciting one. I am most appreciative to President Joel and the Board of Trustees for their confidence in me.”

Brander is the rabbi emeritus of the Boca Raton Synagogue, founding dean of the Boca Raton Community Kollel and founder of the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School of Broward and Palm Beach Counties. During his 14 years of service to the Boca Raton community, he oversaw its growth from 60 to some 600 families. He is a 1984 alumnus of Yeshiva College and received his ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) in 1986.

He lives in Teaneck, NJ, with his wife Ruchie. They are the proud parents of Tuvia and Miriam, Yoni and Yehudit, Tehilla, Yosef, and Yitzchak.