More Than 100 High School Seniors Explore Undergraduate Experience on Campus Last week, Yeshiva University hosted high school seniors for the premier of “A Taste of YU,” an event organized by the Office of Admissions to allow them to sample a broad range of student activities and experiences at the University.

Students from the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys at "A Taste of YU"

The event was conceived as a complement to the Open Houses in November. “Our Open Houses tend to focus on the academics here,” said Rachel Shandalov, associate director of undergraduate admissions and one of the event's organizers.  “‘A Taste of YU’ is designed to connect the high school seniors with our student leaders in order to give them a little bit of an inside look at YU and the experience beyond the classroom.” The seniors spent the first hour of the evening getting to know each other; there were also many happy reunions as students reconnected with friends from camp and other activities. Then Ari Greene, associate director of undergraduate admissions, took over the emcee duties, calling one and all to take seats at tables set up around the room and telling them to “mix it up, make new friends and have a good time.” Tzvi Levitin, managing editor of The Commentator and president of the Yeshiva College Student Association, spoke about how YU offers a club or an association to fit almost everyone’s interests. “It’s easy to get involved in something you love,” he said, “and have opportunities for hands-on leadership.” Lizzi Peled, president of the student council at Stern College for Women, and Hudy Rosenberg, president of the Torah Activities Council, praised YU for always ensuring that “all events are aligned with the Jewish calendar” and for offering “tons of programming to create a Jewish community.” Students from more than 20 schools attended the invent, including Berman Hebrew Academy, Bruriah High School for Girls, Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys, Ezra Academy, Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, Hebrew High School of New England, Katz Yeshiva High School of Boca Raton, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Manhattan High School for Girls, North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School , Ramaz, Rambam Mesivta, Robert M. Beren Academy, Salanter Akiba Riverdale High School, Scheck Hillel Community School, Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, Torah Academy of Bergen County, The Frisch School, the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy for Boys/Yeshiva University High School for Boys and Yeshiva University's Samuel H. Wang High School for Girls. “We are very pleased with how ‘A Taste of YU’ turned out,” said Geri Mansdorf, director of undergraduate admissions. “These students represent our next generation of Jewish leaders, and we’re glad to have this chance to make the case that YU is the best place for them.”