In light of Yeshiva University's decision to permit an LGBT club on its undergraduate campus – and in light of numerous other anti-Torah moves YU has made in recent years (such as employing a transgender professor from 2008-2021, continuing to employ a Bible professor who has openly advocated that Jews ignore the Torah's stance on homosexual "marriage," holding a pro-abortion event at its social work school, and featuring a female Reform "rabbi" at another event at this school) – we the undersigned demand that YU drop "Yeshiva" from its name.
An institution that bears the name "Yeshiva University" has a responsibility to represent Torah values in the public square. Unfortunately, YU has proven unable to do that. It must therefore drop the name "Yeshiva" and replace it with a neutral, non-religious word. As an Orthodox institution, it will still have to follow the Torah, but without the word "Yeshiva" in its name, at least it won't cause the same magnitude of chillul Hashem should it fail to do its duty in the future.
Updates
March 28, 2025
The feedback confirms that many people feel the same betrayal regarding the university's identity. We are currently drafting a formal letter to the board to demand this change.
March 28, 2025
The momentum is undeniable. This is a clear signal that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2025
62 Comments
The issue is along the lines of whether this is a "Jewish university", or a mere "university for Jews". If Torah values are not represented by the school, then it remains a "university for Jews", and the name "Yeshiva" is disingenuous.
As a student in YU graduate school it disturbed me when professors would call variou institutions and say “I am calling from Yeshiva and would like to arrange a visit for Saturday”. While they were accepting that religious students would not participate, it still felt like a chillis Hashem. The current issue is even bigger. I think a name change is a good idea. There can still be a Yeshiva stream in the college.
Please limit the chilul hashem. In extreme situations we are taught to take off the Kippah. Please take yours off. Perhaps rename as Machon University?
Very disappointed that the school's culture has decidedly declined in this fashion but very glad my child, who visited the school, decided not to attend so as to obtain a Torah oriented Education, which it appears YU no longer provides.
Based on the current decisions made by the University I sign this petition to remove the word "Yeshiva" from its name, as the University can no longer uphold and maintain critical spiritual safety to our youth who attend the University under the guise Yeshiva. So no student may think nor dictate that the norm of a Yeshiva is to support what goes contrary to our holy scriptures.
Thank you, Elliott, for this effort. Am Yisroel sits in darkness regarding this and many critical issues. Homosexuality creeps into the frum community and many are apathetic or worse, accepting. How long will Shomayim tolerate?? HaShem Yirachem.
SHAME ON TOEIVAH UNIVERSITY
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In light of Yeshiva University's decision to permit an LGBT club on its undergraduate campus – and in light of numerous other anti-Torah moves YU has made in recent years (such as employing a transgender professor from 2008-2021, continuing to employ a Bible professor who has openly advocated that Jews ignore the Torah's stance on homosexual "marriage," holding a pro-abortion event at its social work school, and featuring a female Reform "rabbi" at another event at this school) – we the undersigned demand that YU drop "Yeshiva" from its name.
An institution that bears the name "Yeshiva University" has a responsibility to represent Torah values in the public square. Unfortunately, YU has proven unable to do that. It must therefore drop the name "Yeshiva" and replace it with a neutral, non-religious word. As an Orthodox institution, it will still have to follow the Torah, but without the word "Yeshiva" in its name, at least it won't cause the same magnitude of chillul Hashem should it fail to do its duty in the future.
Updates
March 28, 2025
The feedback confirms that many people feel the same betrayal regarding the university's identity. We are currently drafting a formal letter to the board to demand this change.
March 28, 2025
The momentum is undeniable. This is a clear signal that the status quo is no longer acceptable.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2025
62 Comments
I'd rather see YU return to moral, traditional ethics rather than change the name. But if they won't, a name change is warranted.
The issue is along the lines of whether this is a "Jewish university", or a mere "university for Jews". If Torah values are not represented by the school, then it remains a "university for Jews", and the name "Yeshiva" is disingenuous.
As a student in YU graduate school it disturbed me when professors would call variou institutions and say “I am calling from Yeshiva and would like to arrange a visit for Saturday”. While they were accepting that religious students would not participate, it still felt like a chillis Hashem. The current issue is even bigger. I think a name change is a good idea. There can still be a Yeshiva stream in the college.
Please limit the chilul hashem. In extreme situations we are taught to take off the Kippah. Please take yours off. Perhaps rename as Machon University?
Very disappointed that the school's culture has decidedly declined in this fashion but very glad my child, who visited the school, decided not to attend so as to obtain a Torah oriented Education, which it appears YU no longer provides.
Based on the current decisions made by the University I sign this petition to remove the word "Yeshiva" from its name, as the University can no longer uphold and maintain critical spiritual safety to our youth who attend the University under the guise Yeshiva. So no student may think nor dictate that the norm of a Yeshiva is to support what goes contrary to our holy scriptures.
Thank you, Elliott, for this effort. Am Yisroel sits in darkness regarding this and many critical issues. Homosexuality creeps into the frum community and many are apathetic or worse, accepting. How long will Shomayim tolerate?? HaShem Yirachem.
SHAME ON TOEIVAH UNIVERSITY
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I'd rather see YU return to moral, traditional ethics rather than change the name. But if they won't, a name change is warranted.