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September 17, 1976

Rabbi Lamm Called to Yeshiva University Presidency (1976)

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Biographical Sketch: Dr. Norman Lamm, President, Yeshiva University (1976)

Dr. Norman Lamm, philosopher, author, and teacher, and a chemist who became a rabbi, was elected the third president of Yeshiva University in August 1976. He became the first American-born president of the 91-year-old institution – the nation's oldest and largest university under Jewish auspices. Dr. Lamm was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on December 19, 1927, the son of Samuel and Pearl Baumol Lamm. He received his elementary and high school education at the Yeshiva Torah Vodaath in Brooklyn. In 1949 he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Yeshiva College of Yeshiva University, where he majored in chemistry and was class valedictorian. During Israel's War of Independence in 1948, as a student at the College, he worked on a secret munitions research project for the struggling state, headed by Dr. Ernst D. Bergmann, who later became head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission. He continued his studies in chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. In 1951 he was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Yeshiva University. He received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Jewish philosophy in 1966 from Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School. Dr. Lamm was appointed to the faculty of Yeshiva University in 1953, serving first as a philosophy instructor and rising through the ranks. In June 1966 he was appointed Erna and Jakob Michael Professor of Jewish Philosophy at the University. In addition, he served as visiting professor of Judaic studies at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York in 1974–75. Dr. Lamm was spiritual leader of The Jewish Center in New York City, affiliated with the Center since 1958. He served as rabbi of Congregation Kodimoh in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1954 to 1958, and as assistant rabbi of New York City's Kehilath Jeshurun from 1952 to 1953. Dr. Lamm is widely recognized for his writings and discourses on interpretations of Jewish law in relation to probl…
Biographical Material

Article

Rabbi Lamm is YU's Third President (1976)

Student Council elections were held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 29th and 30th 1976, under the supervision of the Canvassing Committee and G.O. advisor, Rabbi N. Goldstein. In the election for the Senior Class Council, Seth Moshman defeated Neal Weissman for President, and Eddie Lowenger ran “unopposed” for Vice-President. In the Junior Class elections, the only elections in which all the candidates running were not unoppposed, Moishe Schwerd defeated Ira Kalfus, Mark Young and David Strulowitz for the office of President! In the race for Vice-President, Robert Mendeles narrowly edged out Mark Hirsch, Stuart Kaplan and Gerald Mayerhoff. In the Sophomore class, Steven Kadish ran unopposed for President, while Doni Israeli who also ran unopposed, became Vice-President. In the two uncontested races for the Freshman class, Michael Tarigan was elected President and Arnold Kronengold was elected Vice-President.PRESIDIUM — In previous elections held last June, Michael Teicher and Hillel Suna were elected to head the Presidium of the Student Organization, while Gary Simon was victorious in the race for Secretary General. The election was conducted under the leadership of Daniel Berman and Steve Kronengold and the supervision of Rabbi N. Goldstein. Mr. Teicher squeezed by Dov Laks while Hillel Suna defeated Gary Katz. In the voting for Secretary General, Mr. Simon defeated Josh Einzig and Rand Apfelbaum.Editors-in-Chief Weinberg and Blass Opinions Requested “The Academy News is the Students’ paper,” stated Mr. Weinberg. “We want all members of the student body involved with its views, its aims, and its causes.” The editors have said they will print all qualified opinions and suggestions in their “Letters to the Editor” column. In many cases, these opinions, which should be placed in the Academy News mailbox in the high school office, may spark editorials which will get action.RABBI NORMAN LAMM: Seniors Elect: In elections held on Thursday, September 30th, the Senior…
Biographical Material

Shul Bulletin

Rabbi Norman Lamm Designated as Yeshiva University President (1976)

The entire synagogue family of The Jewish Center was thrilled to learn during the summer of the designation of Rabbi Norman Lamm as the President of Yeshiva University. He succeeds the late Samuel Belkin, of blessed memory, to the leadership of the foremost Jewish institution of higher education in this country. Rabbi Lamm has already begun much of his new duties, but will fulfill many of his rabbinic functions at The Center as well while the search for his successor is under way. During the eighteen years that Rabbi Lamm served at The Jewish Center, The Center membership has come to appreciate his qualities of intellect and personality. His accomplishments within The Center, and the membership and neighborhood which it serves, have been remarkable. Following the tradition of our Senior Rabbi Leo Jung, he has conducted his rabbinate on the highest level of dignity and integrity. He has been successful in bringing to The Center growing numbers of new worshippers and members. His sermons, lectures, seminars, and classes, were always packed events. In many ways, the intellectual stimulation which he provided and which attracted and retained younger members may have of itself been a stabilizing force in the neighborhood. Rabbi Lamm’s educational and leadership activities reached out beyond The Center itself to the neighborhood. He has served as a Vice Chairman of the West Side Jewish Community Council. He is Jakob and Erna Michael Professor of Jewish philosophy at Yeshiva University and led scores of students to their intensive interest in matters of Jewish concern. His educational interests included service and leadership at Camp Morasha, a leading educational summer camp. He has been instrumental in the leadership and support for Gesher, a unique educational foundation in Israel. He served for many years as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of Yavneh, the college level orthodox student organization. Center members came to know Rabbi Lamm’s intellect not only through…
Biographical Material