During the summer of 2025, Yeshiva University students pursued a wide range of Judaic research and editorial projects with the support of the Impact Office at the Zahava and Moshael J. Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought. From forthcoming Torah books to research on halakhic approaches to dementia and historical studies of Jewish thought, these experiences offered students the opportunity to engage deeply with Jewish texts, refine their scholarly skills, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing work in the field. The Impact Office recently spoke with several participants about their experiences and what they learned over the summer.
Eliora Gissinger (SCW ’28, Straus Scholar) served as editorial assistant for Mrs. Adina Blaustein’s forthcoming book on the haftarot. Eliora reviewed the manuscript for clarity, tone and accessibility, conducted in-depth research on biblical and academic sources and suggested ways to enhance the integration of Torah parashah readings with their corresponding haftarot. “This work allowed me to engage deeply with textual analysis while ensuring the material remained accessible for younger audiences,” she reflected. She also traced recurring themes—such as leadership, the destruction of the Temples and the spiritual foundations of the Jewish nation—across biblical texts to ensure the final work was coherent, precise and meaningful.
Elisha Price (YC ’28, Straus Scholar) worked on a forthcoming book by Rabbi Shimon Maged, providing editorial support for a literary commentary on each weekly Torah portion. His responsibilities included verifying biblical, Talmudic and midrashic sources, checking citations and translations, and creating source sheets for twenty of the book’s fifty-four chapters. These sheets organized all primary references into a study-ready format for both the author and future readers. “Ensuring sources are accurate and presented clearly isn’t just technical—it’s foundational to the credibility of any text that seeks to teach or inspire,” Elisha noted. He also described how closely reviewing Rabbi Maged’s work sharpened his own skills in textual analysis and careful source-checking.
Shana Schwartz (SCW ’27, Straus Scholar), Noam Schechter (YC ’28, Straus Scholar) and Nava Sturm (SCW ’25) contributed to Rabbi Kalman Laufer’s research on halakhic approaches to dementia. Their work involved analyzing rabbinic responsa, clarifying the definition of mental competency in halakha and organizing research notes and bibliographies. Shana described a particularly complex case in the Avnei Nezer, where an apparent contradiction in one responsum was clarified only after tracing it to an earlier source and a perceived scribal error. “The Straus Center’s training in critical thinking and close textual reading was invaluable,” she said, emphasizing that it enabled her to approach dense halakhic literature methodically and insightfully.
Nava Sturm also assisted Dr. Erica Brown in a forthcoming commentary on Sefer Mishlei (The Book of Proverbs). She reviewed all Jewish text sources for accuracy and clarity, assessed each chapter for accessibility and gained a deeper appreciation for the perspectives of different commentators. “Working on this project strengthened my skills in analyzing mefarshim [commentators] and deepened my appreciation for the different approaches they bring to the text,” Nava explained.
Bruria Schwartz (SCW ’26) served as a research assistant for Dr. Ari Mermelstein on a project examining Jewish hatred across historical periods. Bruria focused on intra-Jewish hatred and traced patterns in 19th- and 20th-century commentary. “One of the most interesting things I found was an article discussing emotionology—how our modern concept of emotions is not the same as ancient ones, and all of the translations we use are filtered through our modern lens,” she reflected. “I was no longer trying to make the ancient works fit a modern context. Rather, I was embracing them for what they were.” She described the work as giving her insight into both biblical emotions and the nuances of 19th-century Jewish life, while strengthening her research skills in databases, libraries and archival searches.
Eliana Marcus (SCW ’26) balanced two internships: editorial work for Dr. Nechama Price’s forthcoming book Villains of Genesis and an editorial internship with Jewish Action magazine. At the magazine, she organized archives dating back to the 1940s, tagged and updated content in WordPress, edited columns and conducted interviews for feature stories. “Exploring the archives of the magazine revealed much about Jewish life in America,” Eliana reflected. “I gained a deeper appreciation for the development of the Jewish people—how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same.” Her work with Dr. Price involved verifying sources, refining chapter drafts and even drafting new sections. “Interning under Dr. Price was a fascinating and eye-opening experience; she valued collaboration, taught me to approach each chapter carefully and gave me the confidence to contribute meaningfully to her book,” Eliana added, noting the importance of mentorship in her intellectual development.
Through these summer experiences, students not only honed research, analysis and editorial skills, but also contributed meaningfully to ongoing Torah and Jewish studies scholarship. The Straus Center’s support—through stipends, professional guidance and mentorship—enabled students to pursue rigorous academic projects that bridge Torah learning with practical application, preparing them for continued scholarly engagement at YU and beyond.
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