$10 million Gift Establishes Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship at Yeshiva University
New york, NY – Ann and Jeremy Pava have donated $10 million to Yeshiva University to establish the Pava Center for Women’s Torah Scholarship, Micah Philanthropies announced Monday. The center, slated to open this fall, will operate within Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women and aims to elevate opportunities for advanced Torah study for women.
The Pavas,through their foundation Micah Philanthropies,have a longstanding history of supporting initiatives focused on religious women and broader religious causes. the new center will be led by Raizi Chechik, former head of Manhattan Day School.
“Our dream has always been to help women pursue Torah learning at the highest levels – as their voices and scholarship are essential to the Jewish future,” said Ann Pava, president of Micah Philanthropies, in a statement.
the donation arrives during a period of increased focus on female scholarship within Modern Orthodoxy, marked by the development of programs offering advanced religious training for women. It also adds to a series of significant recent gifts to Yeshiva University, including $36 million from the Wilf family, $15 million from the Morris Bailey and Joseph Jerome families, $11 million from Moshael and Zahava Straus, $6 million from Chella Safra and her family, and a $5 million endowment from bill Ackman.
Yeshiva University President Rabbi Ari Berman stated the programme “reflects our commitment to cultivating women who bring wisdom, compassion and spiritual depth to every aspect of Jewish life.”
The center’s primary program will be the Pava Scholars Program, a three-year undergraduate program. Scholars will major in Jewish studies, participate in intensive chavruta (paired study), weekly colloquia, and receive close mentorship from faculty. Students will also receive “generous scholarships” and opportunities for travel to the United States,Israel,and Europe.
“This is a unique possibility to strengthen our community by cultivating a talented and skilled cohort of women to serve as educators, scholars and leaders,” said Chechik. “By drawing on the remarkable Torah learning opportunities, rich Jewish Studies curriculum and outstanding role models at Stern College and throughout the broader YU ecosystem – along with the specially designed programming and training offered through the pava Center – we hope the Pava Scholars will be equipped to contribute their wisdom in ways that will enrich and uplift the Jewish future.”
