Keynote address will be given by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt. Commencement will be followed by Rise Up: The YU Siyum and Concert featuring Israeli Singer Ishay Ribo.
(Courtesy of Yeshiva University) Yeshiva University, the flagship Jewish university, is proud to celebrate its 2022 graduates with the school’s 91st commencement ceremony followed by a concert featuring acclaimed Israeli singer Ishay Ribo in one of the largest Jewish stadium music concerts in North American history, at a venue of more than 10,000 seats.
The event kicks off on Thursday, May 26, at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA, with the commencement ceremony starting at 1 p.m. Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, will deliver commencement remarks and will be awarded the inaugural Presidential Medallion of Exemplary Leadership.
Commencement will be followed later that evening at 7:45 p.m. with Rise Up: The YU Siyum and Concert featuring Ishay Ribo.
“We are excited to celebrate with our students this incredible day of connection, celebration and music that marks the launch of our Rise Up Campaign,” said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University. “Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt is an American Jewish hero who is on the frontlines to combat antisemitism worldwide. Ishay Ribo is an exceptionally talented singer who distills the poetry and holiness of Judaism into song. Collectively they represent the mission of Yeshiva University and the character of our graduating students who both stand up for our convictions and celebrate our heritage.”
Details for both events are as follows:
Commencement will begin at 1 p.m. with Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt serving as keynote speaker and receiving YU’s Presidential Medallion of Exemplary Leadership.
Kenneth Jacobson, Deputy National Director of the Anti-Defamation League, a distinguished YU alumnus who has devoted his life and career to fighting for the welfare and security of the Jewish people, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Both Ambassador Lipstadt and Jacobson are combatting the scourge of antisemitism and its unfortunate rise in present day society with words and deeds of wisdom, enlightenment and Jewish pride.
“I am honored to be speaking at YU’s Commencement,” said Ambassador Lipstadt. “We stand together to fight antisemitism and foster wisdom to counter ignorance. YU is recognized in this effort, as it spreads knowledge, compassion and insight through world-renowned educational programs on the Holocaust, Jewish Studies and many other fields. They are bringing the light that dispels the darkness, and I am privileged to stand with them in this shared mission and to recognize the graduating students who represent the brighter future we are creating together.”
The day’s festivities start with YU’s 91st annual commencement featuring the traditional conferring of degrees to graduates. In all, more than 1,700 students from undergraduate and graduate programs in law, medicine, social work, education, Jewish studies and psychology will be awarded degrees during commencement season.
Later that evening, YU will host Rise Up: The YU Siyum and Concert, at 7:45 p.m. The siyum is a traditional Jewish event that celebrates the completion of a course of study in Torah. Several students and faculty will discuss their course of Torah study and celebrate its completion with song, dance and prayer.
The Ishay Ribo concert starts immediately after the completion of the siyum. Ribo is an inspirational Israeli singer known for his poignant and heartfelt music, and it is his first time in the over 10,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA.
Along with Ribo, the concert will feature special guest performances by singers Akiva and Alex Clare.
“I am so pleased to be performing and celebrating with Yeshiva University,” said Ribo. “I visited YU’s campus and was impressed by the energy and excitement among its students. I can’t wait to join the YU community for this amazing event.”
The concert is open to the community and tickets are now on sale. Visit the following link to purchase tickets and find out more information: yu.edu/ribo
Rise Up: The Campaign for Yeshiva University
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, has announced the launch of Rise Up: The Campaign for Yeshiva University, an ambitious comprehensive campaign that will fund scholarships, facilities and faculty to position the University for continued success.
The campaign plans to raise $613 million over the next five years to ensure student success in a changing world. This will come through investments in YU’s four areas of strategic focus: values and leadership, science and tech, entrepreneurship and innovation, and great jobs and impactful careers.
Rise Up: The Campaign for Yeshiva University has already raised more than $250 million since its quiet phase began in fiscal year 2019. Under Dr. Berman’s helm, the University has experienced significant growth in its academic rankings, enrollment and philanthropic support.
“The Torah teaches 613 ways to honor God, show respect for others and build an ethical, flourishing society. Raising $613 million for scholarships, faculty and facilities reflects our core Torah values and meets our needs for the future. Committed to academic excellence and geared to empower our students to be the leaders of tomorrow, the flagship Jewish university is on the rise,” Dr. Berman said.
