Zahava and Moshael J. Straus recently made a significant $11 million donation to Yeshiva University.
The donation will enhance and expand YU’s distinguished scholars program, specifically the Zahava and Moshael J. Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought.
Established several years ago, this center is designed for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement in both Jewish and general studies.
The Straus Center aims to prepare students for intellectual leadership through:
Specially designed interdisciplinary courses
Weekly reading groups bridging Torah and great works of art, literature, philosophy, and political science
Access to leading journalists, policymakers, and academics
Curated professional guidance and internship placements
This new $11 million gift is part of a more significant fundraising effort by Yeshiva University.
At the annual Hanukkah Dinner, YU announced that it had raised over $100 million in donations, propelling its capital campaign to $520 million as it approaches its ambitious $613 million target.
The Straus family has been a long-standing supporter of Yeshiva University.
Michael J. Straus, an accomplished investment executive and YU alumnus, was elected as the Chair of YU’s Board of Trustees in 2015.
This latest donation demonstrates the Straus family’s continued commitment to fostering Jewish education and leadership, aligning with Yeshiva University’s mission of nurturing the next generation of Jewish leaders and influencers.