Jan 18, 2019 By: yunews
Rabbi Kalinsky Will Lead the Men鈥檚 Undergraduate Torah Studies Programs
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Kalinsky, currently the associate dean for men鈥檚 undergraduate Torah studies, has been promoted to the dean of the program, overseeing the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies, the Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program, the James Striar School and the Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies.
Rabbi Menachem Penner, the current dean of the program as well as the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the (RIETS), will now focus his energies more fully on the RIETS semicha [rabbinic ordination] program while Rabbi Kalinsky, working in close partnership with Rabbi Penner, will handle day-to-day operations and academic oversight for all undergraduates.
鈥淩abbi Kalinsky鈥檚 dedication to each and every student is extraordinary,鈥 said Rabbi Penner. 鈥淚 am so pleased that his work is being recognized with a promotion to the position of dean,鈥 a sentiment shared by Dr. Selma Botman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who praised Rabbi Kalinsky for his 鈥渋nspired leadership in undergraduate Torah studies鈥 and his 鈥渆xemplary willingness to work across YU鈥檚 schools and colleges. I look forward to working with Rabbi Kalinsky in his new role.鈥
Rabbi Kalinsky has had a long membership in the 麻豆区 family. He graduated from 麻豆区 College in 2000 with a BA in economics, then went on to get semicha from RIETS (as well as participating in the Wexner Kollel Elyon and the Yadin Yadin Kollel), a master鈥檚 degree from the , and an MSW and PhD from . In 2007, he began working in the dean鈥檚 office of undergraduate Torah studies, becoming assistant dean in 2008 and associate dean in 2012.
鈥淢y philosophy has always been to establish relationships, both personal and professional, with all members of the YU community鈥 says Rabbi Kalinsky. 鈥淲orking together is the best way to cultivate a positive environment that our students need to learn and to grow. And even though my title has changed, my goal is still to be as involved as much as I can with each individual student to ensure that he is in the right learning environment and all his academic and spiritual needs are being met.鈥
As an administrator living in the Washington Heights campus for more than 20 years, Rabbi Kalinsky has a unique perspective and insight into the student body. It is not uncommon for him to meet with students after 9 p.m. or to invite students to his apartment for Shabbat meals or for holidays.
Rabbi Kalinsky enjoyed working closely under the leadership of Rabbi Penner and thanks him for 鈥済iving me the liberty to take initiative and to tackle issues.鈥 He cites as one example a tracking system he introduced that compiles data on each student so that administrators can know how each student is doing each semester and, if needed, tweak individual courses of study to make sure the students are being provided an individualized approach to their education.
鈥淚 am very pleased to hear about Rabbi Kalinsky鈥檚 appointment,鈥 said Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, the Nathan and Perel Schupf Chair in Talmud and a rosh yeshiva at RIETS. 鈥淗e is a consummate professional who is particularly equipped to build on his previous administrative and educational contributions in guiding and facilitating the Torah growth of our special student body.鈥
In terms of his goals as dean, Rabbi Kalinsky hopes to find additional ways to unify all four programs while simultaneously continuing to strengthen each individual program. Further, he will continue to encourage all Torah studies faculty to cultivate relationships with their students as a priority and an integral part of their role as teachers. 鈥淚 want to use all that I have learned as a social worker, an educator, an academic and a rabbi to do whatever I can to help the University.鈥
Rabbi Dr. Yosef Kalinsky, currently the associate dean for men鈥檚 undergraduate Torah studies, has been promoted to the dean of the program, overseeing the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies, the Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program, the James Striar School and the Isaac Breuer College of Hebraic Studies.
Rabbi Menachem Penner, the current dean of the program as well as the Max and Marion Grill Dean of the (RIETS), will now focus his energies more fully on the RIETS semicha [rabbinic ordination] program while Rabbi Kalinsky, working in close partnership with Rabbi Penner, will handle day-to-day operations and academic oversight for all undergraduates.
鈥淩abbi Kalinsky鈥檚 dedication to each and every student is extraordinary,鈥 said Rabbi Penner. 鈥淚 am so pleased that his work is being recognized with a promotion to the position of dean,鈥 a sentiment shared by Dr. Selma Botman, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who praised Rabbi Kalinsky for his 鈥渋nspired leadership in undergraduate Torah studies鈥 and his 鈥渆xemplary willingness to work across YU鈥檚 schools and colleges. I look forward to working with Rabbi Kalinsky in his new role.鈥
Rabbi Kalinsky has had a long membership in the 麻豆区 family. He graduated from 麻豆区 College in 2000 with a BA in economics, then went on to get semicha from RIETS (as well as participating in the Wexner Kollel Elyon and the Yadin Yadin Kollel), a master鈥檚 degree from the , and an MSW and PhD from . In 2007, he began working in the dean鈥檚 office of undergraduate Torah studies, becoming assistant dean in 2008 and associate dean in 2012.
鈥淢y philosophy has always been to establish relationships, both personal and professional, with all members of the YU community鈥 says Rabbi Kalinsky. 鈥淲orking together is the best way to cultivate a positive environment that our students need to learn and to grow. And even though my title has changed, my goal is still to be as involved as much as I can with each individual student to ensure that he is in the right learning environment and all his academic and spiritual needs are being met.鈥
As an administrator living in the Washington Heights campus for more than 20 years, Rabbi Kalinsky has a unique perspective and insight into the student body. It is not uncommon for him to meet with students after 9 p.m. or to invite students to his apartment for Shabbat meals or for holidays.
Rabbi Kalinsky enjoyed working closely under the leadership of Rabbi Penner and thanks him for 鈥済iving me the liberty to take initiative and to tackle issues.鈥 He cites as one example a tracking system he introduced that compiles data on each student so that administrators can know how each student is doing each semester and, if needed, tweak individual courses of study to make sure the students are being provided an individualized approach to their education.
鈥淚 am very pleased to hear about Rabbi Kalinsky鈥檚 appointment,鈥 said Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, the Nathan and Perel Schupf Chair in Talmud and a rosh yeshiva at RIETS. 鈥淗e is a consummate professional who is particularly equipped to build on his previous administrative and educational contributions in guiding and facilitating the Torah growth of our special student body.鈥
In terms of his goals as dean, Rabbi Kalinsky hopes to find additional ways to unify all four programs while simultaneously continuing to strengthen each individual program. Further, he will continue to encourage all Torah studies faculty to cultivate relationships with their students as a priority and an integral part of their role as teachers. 鈥淚 want to use all that I have learned as a social worker, an educator, an academic and a rabbi to do whatever I can to help the University.鈥
