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Mission Statement

The Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought trains Yeshiva University students to be Modern Orthodox intellectual leaders who are well versed in both Torah and the Western canon. Through a combination of unique, interdisciplinary courses taught in collaboration with faculty from across YU, communal events, and publications, the Straus Center seeks to cultivate the intellectual, religious, and civic leaders of tomorrow.

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Mission Statement

The Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought trains Yeshiva University students to be Modern Orthodox intellectual leaders who are well versed in both Torah and the Western canon. Through a combination of unique, interdisciplinary courses taught in collaboration with faculty from across YU, communal events, and publications, the Straus Center seeks to cultivate the intellectual, religious, and civic leaders of tomorrow.

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Straus Scholars

The Straus Scholars Program seeks to identify and attract exceptionally gifted undergraduate men and women who demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to studying the great works of the Jewish and Western tradition.

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Undergraduate Courses

The Straus Center offers a host of interdisciplinary courses that embody the values of Torah Umadda, including Shakespeare and the Talmud, Psychology and Jewish Thought, The Thought of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, The Jews of Early America, and Jewish Art and Visual Culture. 

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Impact Office

The Straus Center’s Impact Office, led by Dr. Tevi Troy, is responsible for fostering the growth of the Straus Scholars beyond the walls of the classroom by making them aware of internship and fellowship opportunities and job postings, offering mentorship and networking opportunities over the course of their early careers, and arranging continued intellectual enhancement activities following graduation.

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Contact Us

2495 Amsterdam Avenue
Belfer Hall Room 501
New York, NY 10033

Phone: 646-592-6383
Email: strauscenter@yu.edu

Recent News and Events

Tevi Troy

Dr. Tevi Troy Joins the Straus Center

In Fall 2023, Dr. Tevi Troy joined the Straus Center as its inaugural Senior Scholar & Impact Office Director.

READ MORE

Dr. Tevi Troy Joins the Straus Center

A best-selling presidential historian and political scholar, Dr. Troy has previously served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in the Bush Administration as well as Deputy Assistant to the President for Public Policy. READ MORE

King Solomon

Fall 2022 Courses: The Wisdom of Solomon and AI

The Straus Fall 2022 courses include The Wisdom of Solomon and Ethics in AI.

READ MORE

Fall 2022 Courses: The Wisdom of Solomon and AI

For Fall 2022, the Straus Center, in collaboration with Yeshiva College (YC) and Stern College for Women, is offering numerous courses for Straus Scholars and Yeshiva University undergraduate students to study the great texts and traditions of the West and Judaism. READ MORE

Straus Center

Meet the 2022-2023 Straus Scholars

The Straus Center welcomes a new cohort of Straus Scholars to Yeshiva University! 

READ MORE

Meet the 2022-2023 Straus Scholars

Every year, the Straus Center welcomes a new cohort of Straus Scholars, incoming Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women students who demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to studying the great works of the Jewish and Western tradition. This year's group hails from all across the country — from New Jersey to Florida to Illinois — and plans on studying a multitude of topics, including philosophy, biology, and art. READ MORE

Professor Adam Kirsch

Beyond the Hebrew Bible: The Legacy of Psalms

Exploring the literary legacy of King David and Psalms. 

READ MORE

Beyond the Hebrew Bible: The Legacy of Psalms

On May 3, 2022, the Straus Center welcomed Adam Kirsch, features editor at The Wall Street Journal, for a guest lecture in Dr. Shaina Trapedo’s course, “Tehillim and the Human Condition.” Kirsch’s presentation drew on his illuminating chapter on the literary legacy of King David and Psalms in his 2019 book Who Wants to Be a Jewish WriterREAD MORE

Yehuda Goldberg

Reflections of an Outgoing Straus Scholar: An Interview With Yehuda Goldberg

An interview with former Straus Scholar, Yehuda Goldberg.

READ MORE

Reflections of an Outgoing Straus Scholar: An Interview With Yehuda Goldberg

Outgoing Straus Scholar Yehuda Goldberg was named the Yeshiva College valedictorian for the 2021-2022 academic year. YU News sat down with Goldberg to discuss his time at YU and how the Straus Center shaped his university and yeshiva experience. READ MORE

Straus Israel Trip

Exploring the Nuances of Israeli Culture and Society

The Straus Scholars traveled to Israel to close out the academic year. 

READ MORE

Exploring the Nuances of Israeli Culture and Society

Straus Scholars closed out the 2021-2022 academic year with a whirlwind trip to Israel, where they met with Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Ambassador Danny Danon, Yossi Klein Halevi, Dr. Moshe Koppel, Matti Friedman, and Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody to discuss the nuances of Israeli society. READ MORE

Tevi Troy

Dr. Tevi Troy Joins the Straus Center

In Fall 2023, Dr. Tevi Troy joined the Straus Center as its inaugural Senior Scholar & Impact Office Director.

READ MORE

Dr. Tevi Troy Joins the Straus Center

A best-selling presidential historian and political scholar, Dr. Troy has previously served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in the Bush Administration as well as Deputy Assistant to the President for Public Policy. READ MORE

King Solomon

Fall 2022 Courses: The Wisdom of Solomon and AI

The Straus Fall 2022 courses include The Wisdom of Solomon and Ethics in AI.

READ MORE

Fall 2022 Courses: The Wisdom of Solomon and AI

For Fall 2022, the Straus Center, in collaboration with Yeshiva College (YC) and Stern College for Women, is offering numerous courses for Straus Scholars and Yeshiva University undergraduate students to study the great texts and traditions of the West and Judaism. READ MORE

Straus Center

Meet the 2022-2023 Straus Scholars

The Straus Center welcomes a new cohort of Straus Scholars to Yeshiva University! 

READ MORE

Meet the 2022-2023 Straus Scholars

Every year, the Straus Center welcomes a new cohort of Straus Scholars, incoming Yeshiva College and Stern College for Women students who demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to studying the great works of the Jewish and Western tradition. This year's group hails from all across the country — from New Jersey to Florida to Illinois — and plans on studying a multitude of topics, including philosophy, biology, and art. READ MORE

Professor Adam Kirsch

Beyond the Hebrew Bible: The Legacy of Psalms

Exploring the literary legacy of King David and Psalms. 

READ MORE

Beyond the Hebrew Bible: The Legacy of Psalms

On May 3, 2022, the Straus Center welcomed Adam Kirsch, features editor at The Wall Street Journal, for a guest lecture in Dr. Shaina Trapedo’s course, “Tehillim and the Human Condition.” Kirsch’s presentation drew on his illuminating chapter on the literary legacy of King David and Psalms in his 2019 book Who Wants to Be a Jewish WriterREAD MORE

Yehuda Goldberg

Reflections of an Outgoing Straus Scholar: An Interview With Yehuda Goldberg

An interview with former Straus Scholar, Yehuda Goldberg.

READ MORE

Reflections of an Outgoing Straus Scholar: An Interview With Yehuda Goldberg

Outgoing Straus Scholar Yehuda Goldberg was named the Yeshiva College valedictorian for the 2021-2022 academic year. YU News sat down with Goldberg to discuss his time at YU and how the Straus Center shaped his university and yeshiva experience. READ MORE

Straus Israel Trip

Exploring the Nuances of Israeli Culture and Society

The Straus Scholars traveled to Israel to close out the academic year. 

READ MORE

Exploring the Nuances of Israeli Culture and Society

Straus Scholars closed out the 2021-2022 academic year with a whirlwind trip to Israel, where they met with Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Ambassador Danny Danon, Yossi Klein Halevi, Dr. Moshe Koppel, Matti Friedman, and Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody to discuss the nuances of Israeli society. READ MORE

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