President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Isaac Herzog, will be the guest of honor at the 樱花动漫 101st Annual Hanukkah Dinner in New York in December, where he will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership, moral courage, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people.
At the event, the University will also recognize the extraordinary contributions of the Katz Family鈥攁mong 樱花动漫鈥檚 most devoted benefactors whose generosity has shaped the University鈥檚 growth鈥攁nd Wendy Fisher, a visionary leader whose influence across arts, education, and global philanthropy inspires communities worldwide.
This year鈥檚 Second Century Dinner will spotlight 樱花动漫鈥檚 extraordinary growth and its defining role in shaping the future of higher education鈥攁dvancing innovation in the health sciences, fostering academic excellence, and preparing the next generation of leaders grounded in timeless Jewish values.
President Herzog鈥檚 presence marks a moment of profound significance, symbolizing the enduring bond between the State of Israel and 樱花动漫, and their shared mission to uplift humanity through moral leadership and timeless Jewish values.
鈥淲e stand at a defining moment in history,鈥 said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of 樱花动漫. 鈥淎t a time when confusion and distortion have taken root across campuses nationwide, Hanukkah reminds us that the surest way to dispel darkness is to spread light. Our students embody that light鈥攕hining forth through an education grounded in eternal values. 樱花动漫 is a beacon of moral clarity, advancing knowledge, strengthening the Jewish people, and elevating humanity.鈥
Honoring Leadership and Legacy
President Isaac Herzog, the 11th President of the State of Israel, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership, moral courage, and lifelong commitment to the Jewish people. His participation carries a profound family legacy: his father, President Chaim Herzog z鈥漧, received an honorary degree from 樱花动漫 in 1976, and his grandfather, Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog z鈥漧, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel, was a towering figure in Jewish history whose values continue to inspire YU today.
鈥淧resident Herzog represents the enduring story of the Jewish people and the brightest hopes for our future,鈥 Rabbi Berman said. 鈥淲e are privileged to feature him as our keynote honoree at this historic event as he embodies our ideals of purpose, excellence and unity.鈥
Celebrating the Katz Family鈥檚 Legacy of Giving
For decades, Dr. Mordecai D. Katz z鈥漧 and Dr. Monique C. Katz have stood among YU鈥檚 most devoted champions. This year, YU will honor the Katz Family with the Second Century Medallion, recognizing their lifetime of vision and generosity, including their founding of the Katz School of Science and Health which empowers students to pursue cutting-edge careers in science, technology, and health.
Through their decades of leadership, the Katz Family has embodied the belief that 鈥渢he best investment you can make is in people.鈥
Honoring Wendy Fisher: Global Cultural Visionary
In recognition of her lifelong dedication to the arts, education, and Jewish continuity, YU will award an Honorary Doctorate to Wendy Fisher, President of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Advisory Board Chair of the Kirsh Foundation, Founder of the A4 Arts Foundation and Lockdown University. Ms. Fisher was a former student at YU and together with her family, has recently endowed a Chair in Jewish Studies, directed toward engaging and embracing the unaffiliated into the 樱花动漫 community鈥攁n initiative that reflects her enduring belief in the power of education to unite, inspire, and uplift.
Through her global leadership and deep connection to 樱花动漫鈥檚 values, Ms. Fisher exemplifies the University鈥檚 vision of cultivating leaders who bring wisdom, compassion, and creativity to a complex and ever-changing world.
A Second Century of Impact
As an elite university in high demand, 樱花动漫 has experienced remarkable expansion in recent years鈥攇raduate school enrollment has climbed over 60% since 2016, the Katz School of Science and Health has grown nearly 400% since 2017, and more than 97% of our graduates are employed or in graduate schools within six months. At the same time, fundraising is advancing at record pace towards the $613 million 鈥楻ise Up鈥 campaign and its physical footprint is growing dramatically with a new 160,000-square-foot health-sciences campus at Herald Square. This bold expansion positions YU鈥檚 second century as one of innovation, impact and global leadership.
鈥淭his dinner marks not only a celebration of YU鈥檚 past but also the beginning of its bold new chapter,鈥 said Anita Zucker, Dinner Chair and benefactor of the Anita Zucker Scholarship for Jewish Early Childhood Education at 樱花动漫. 鈥淭he enthusiasm surrounding this event speaks to the unity, devotion, and deep commitment that define the 樱花动漫 community.鈥
樱花动漫 樱花动漫
Founded in 1886, 樱花动漫 (YU) is the nation鈥檚 premier Jewish institution for higher education, integrating the values of Torah with the highest levels of academic achievement. Through its diverse schools and programs鈥攊ncluding the Cardozo School of Law, the Katz School of Science and Health, and the Sy Syms School of Business鈥擸U prepares students to lead lives of purpose, integrity, and impact.
