(Courtesy of YU) Vika Bekker’s journey to Stern College for Women was anything but traditional. Raised in a secular Jewish home in Buffalo Grove, Illinois she first connected with Judaism through NCSY in high school despite her immigrant parents’ reluctance. By the time she transferred to Stern from the University of Illinois, she faced a new challenge: catching up with peers who had spent years immersed in Jewish education.
The solution came in the form of the Mechina Pathways program. Designed for students from non-traditional Jewish backgrounds, Mechina gave Bekker the foundation — and the community — she needed to thrive. “Being ‘out-of-the-box’ is difficult,” said Bekker, who graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business in 2023. “But Mechina made me feel included within the Torah environment I longed for.”
The Mechina Program was established in 2004 by Shoshana Schechter, program director and associate dean of Torah studies and spiritual life. Drawing on years of outreach experience across four continents, she recognized the significant gaps in Jewish education many young people face. She first noticed it as a Stern student, observing peers who struggled with little to no Jewish knowledge, and again when she began teaching at Stern in 1998.
“I met young women who had overcome incredible odds to get to Stern,” recalled Schechter, aka “Mechina Mom,” who has a master’s degree from YU’s Revel Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. “It struck me that while Yeshiva University has the James Striar School (JSS), which provides foundational Jewish education for men, there was nothing comparable for women.
The four-year program supports around 30 new women each year from across the world, including Tahiti, South Africa, Ukraine, South America, Morocco, Europe and Australia, offering beginner and intermediate Judaism classes alongside the full Stern College curriculum. Beyond academics, Mechina fosters a sense of belonging, with students bonding over shared shabbatonim, events like the Purim seudah hosted by YU President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, and personal milestones celebrated together.
The impact of Mechina extends far beyond its students. These young women don’t just transform their own Jewish journeys, they also enrich the YU community as a whole. They bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to Torah study, inspiring those around them who often take their Jewish education and YU for granted. Set up with fellow students to learn together, they inspire each other. “Mechina students bring something unique to our community,” Schechter said. “They enrich the beit midrash with perspectives women from traditional religious backgrounds might never consider. They remind us that there isn’t just one way to connect to Hashem.”
For students like South African-born Leah Schewitz, Mechina was nothing short of life-changing. “It was the first time I felt part of a community that shared my thirst for growth,” said Schewitz, who graduated as valedictorian of the Sy Syms School of Business class of 2023. “I could ask questions freely and explore my connection to Judaism without judgment. I am forever grateful for the community that embraced me and the mentors who helped me grow in ways I never thought possible.”
Esther Serfaty, from Caracas, Venezuela, shared a similar story of growth. Raised in a traditional Jewish family and attending day school, Serfaty dreamed of deepening her connection to Judaism in college. But when it came time to choose, Yeshiva University felt intimidating. “I was nervous: What if my background wasn’t enough and I couldn’t keep up?” she wondered.
That’s where the Mechina program — or, as Serfaty called it, “the Mechina family,” stepped in. “It’s a place where people without strong — or even any — religious background can find their place,” said Serfaty, who graduated YU in 2024. “You grow in knowledge and experience, building a broader base before diving into advanced topics. I never imagined I’d be able to take Gemara classes until I actually did. Mechina gave me the confidence to succeed.”
For Schechter, Mechina’s mission remains both simple and profound. “We aim to show our students the beauty of Judaism. We strive to give them the skills to learn, to keep learning, and to raise their level of Jewish literacy while deepening their understanding of Torah. And seeing how far many of them go, into Jewish communal life and leadership, fills us with pride and hope.”
