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Tribute

December 17, 2007

Happy Birthday, Rabbi Lamm (2007)

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Interview

Celebrating a Life at Yeshiva: An Interview with R. Lamm (2003)

As this marks Rabbi Dr. Lamm’s final year as president of Yeshiva University, the Observer editors spoke to Rabbi Lamm about his accomplishments as president of the University, how the University has changed, where he sees the University headed, and what message he would like to leave the students. Asked what he views as his greatest accomplishment as president of YU for the past 27 years, Dr. Lamm replied: “From one point of view, considering the difficult earlier years, the greatest accomplishment was survival – for me and for the University. The colleges and RIETS are on a much more firm financial basis. There is no comparison to where we were when I came in and we were talking about Chapter Eleven, going bankrupt. Baruch Hashem, we were saved from that disaster. There are things that I did that, while I am pleased that I did them, I wish I could have done more. I think the improvement of the undergraduate colleges is important. The Honors programs have added to the intellectual level of conversation in the classroom. They have been able to attract more gifted students. We have more students coming in now than ever before. I am pleased with the kollelim we have established at RIETS. I am pleased with Stern College, especially with the strengthening of the school as the years go by – and the same is true of Yeshiva College and Sy Syms.” He added: “There is a great deal to be done in getting the Stern students more aware of the fact that there is a University as well as getting the University to know that there is a Stern College.” Asked to describe the greater commitment to Torah U’madda he has witnessed, Dr. Lamm explained that it has become more explicit, more articulated. “Before I came in, people didn’t talk about it. They questioned it, but didn’t look for or wait for any answers. They called it a ‘synthesis’ in those days. They didn’t talk about it. No one really knew what it meant, except in a very general way. Today we have the Torah U’madda Project, Tor…
Biographical Material

Tribute

Celebration Dinner in Tribute to R. Norman Lamm (2001)

In celebrating a major milestone in the life of one of the nation’s most admired and revered Jewish leaders, the Board of Trustees of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and the Yeshiva University High Schools Steering Committee cordially invite you to a dinner in tribute to Rabbi Norman Lamm, in honor of his 25th anniversary as Rosh HaYeshiva and President of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and President of Yeshiva University. The event will take place on Monday evening, June 11, 2001, at the Grand Hyatt, New York City – 6:00 p.m. reception, 7:00 p.m. dinner. Ludwig Bravmann, Dinner Chairman. David Eshaghian, Dr. Felix L. Glaubach, Jay Schottenstein, Herbert Smilowitz, Moshael J. Straus, Dinner Co-Chairmen. Robert M. Beren, Julius Berman, Judah Feinerman, Erica Jesselson, Burton P. Resnick, Irwin Shapiro, Honorary Chairmen. Eliot Gibber, Journal Chairman. Hyman Arbesfeld, Rabbi Solomon Trau, Journal Co-Chairmen. For reservations or to subscribe to the commemorative journal in honor of Rabbi Lamm, please call 212–960–0852. Journal ad deadline: May 30.
Biographical Material

Tribute

In Honor of Dr. Norman Lamm (2010)

It is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to Dr. Lamm on the occasion of the celebration of the Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm prize presented this week to Rabbi Dr. Lord Jonathan Sacks. Dr. Lamm has been a distinguished leader of American Orthodoxy for more than half a century and of our yeshiva for close to three decades. One pasuk in the biblical book that bears his name describes Dr. Lamm’s tenacious and passionate efforts on behalf of our community. “...Man the guard posts, watch the road, gird your strength and gather much vigor” (Nachum 2:2).I want to frame my few words of tribute in honor of Dr. Lamm by making reference to the titles of some of his many works. Visionary leader and gifted orator, multi-faceted intellectual and powerful thinker. Dr. Lamm has devoted his life to the Jewish community. His “royal reach“ has embraced those who have both “faith and doubt,“ and the profundity of his teachings has illuminated many of the “seventy faces“ of Judaism, especially “Torah Utnadda.“ His thoughtful writings have contributed to our understanding of both Rabbi Hayyim of Volozhin’s “Torah lishmah” as well as “the religious thought of Hasidism.“ His works have constructed a “hedge of roses" protecting and enhancing the “treasury of tradition,” the “halakhot ve'halikhot” of Jewish life, lore and practice. Collectively, they comprise a “library’ of Jewish law and ethics," serving as guides to contemporary Jewish life. In a lifetime of service to Klal Yisrael, Dr. Lamm has valiantly toiled to ensure that contemporary Jewish life be a “good society,” governed by the value of “shema ” or respectful listening.May Hakadosh Baruch Hu grant Dr. Lamm many more happy years of good health and sound mind to continue his very important work and to enjoy together with Mindy and all the members of their extraordinary and wonderful family.
Biographical Material