(Courtesy of YU) In 1987, Sy Syms, head of the famous apparel chain, made an important decision that would transform business education with the establishment of the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. His vision entailed preparing students for successful business careers while infusing them with a strong focus on Jewish values and ethics.

Thanks to Syms’ generosity back then, the school is celebrating its “double chai” anniversary which will highlight the “Best of Syms” with monthly events throughout the year, most of which will be open to the public. The celebration kickoff occurred in January in Israel, with a gathering of Sy Syms alumni joined by Dr. Noam Wasserman, dean of the Sy Syms School of Business.

“We have spent the last 36 years developing Torah-grounded professionals who excel in the workplace and in the community,” said Dean Wasserman. “Our impact continues to get stronger, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone.”

The school’s Jewish Values Curriculum has been featured throughout February, including a highly anticipated Practical Workplace Halacha panel entitled “What’s the Secret to Making It All Work? How to Excel as a Torah-Grounded Professional in the Workplace and Beyond.” The panel was moderated by Ari Wasserman, a professor of Jewish Values at the School, and featured Charlie Harary, a well-known business executive; Harry Rothenberg, a popular lecturer and a partner at the Rothenberg Law Firm; and Rabbi Naftali Horowitz, managing director at Morgan Stanley. The event also featured a Q & A session.

The anniversary celebrations will continue in March, which will feature the theme of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The month will feature events that include a conversation with Waze co-founder Uri Levine (a live-recorded episode of the Founder’s Dilemmas podcast hosted by Charlie Harary and Dean Noam Wasserman), a Founder Bootcamp, the YU Innovation Lab’s Innovation Challenge and an Angel Investor Bootcamp.

The rest of the year’s monthly themes include the School’s Honors Program (April), Star Students and Alumni (May), Torah U’Business (September), Finance and Real Estate (October), Israel Initiatives (November) and the Sy Syms Annual Shabbaton planned for December.

Celebrate the Sy Syms School of Business’ double chai anniversary on social media @SySymsSchool using #Syms36. To find out more about the school’s anniversary events, visit www.yu.edu/syms36.