Testimonials

Yitzchok K. from Tri-State Area took the Bellevue University - BS Cybersecurity.   Here's what they had to say about it:  In today's day and age, a large amount of materials covers by traditional college programs are obsolete, time and money consuming, and a big hokes. This program enable students who are in need of a traditional style degree to obtain one but in a more focused, efficient, and affordable fashion. This is due to the fact that the available courses provided by Bellevue University in partnership with YIEP, has a bigger emphasis on the core classes related to the fields of study. In addition, the partnership between YIEP and Bellevue University creates a situation better suited for religious people in pursuit of a degree, as well as advocating for them and providing support.  This program provides better support for religious students in terms of flexibility, cost and time efficiency, and more of a focused curriculum. They provide a great deal of student support, get straight to the point, no funny business, and genuinely care about their student unlike a lot of other programs which pretend to.


Shaindel K.  from Tri-State Area took the MBA.  Here's what they had to say about it:  I was looking for a degree in a frum environment that I can do remotely. It's convenient and fast.


Michael K. from Tri-State Area took the BS in Business.  Here's what they had to say about it:  I was looking for a program that on the one hand, I would be able to complete and on the other, would be rigorous and challenging. This program seemed a little more rigorous than some of the other programs I looked at. It's a good program. You need to put in the work to do well. But it's not too difficult and the professors are understanding of life circumstances that come up.


Shmuel S. from Tri-State Area took the Counseling.  Here's what they had to say about it:  Convenience, good cohorts, and Rabbi Lerner.


Levi W. from Tri-State Area took the Business Administration   Here's what they had to say about it:  I knew about the program from my older brother who used YIEP for his degree. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to get into, but this degree was up my alley.  Make sure it's something you are willing to put the effort into and to do research on the subject you wish to pursue. The staff that took the time to help me with any questions I had.


Shira N. from Tri-State Area took the Clinical Mental Health Counseling.  Here's what they had to say about it:  convenience and seminary; knew a lotconvenience


Dovid Chaim O. from Tri-State Area took the Educational Leadership Master's Program. Here's what they had to say about it:  Speaking with Rabbi Lapidus from Ner Yisroel and then with Rabbi Lerner, I did not know much -- only that I wanted something that would be the equivalent of a Master's in Education.  For MAEL specifically, I had a great, understanding instructor. Rabbi Lerner is a huge asset in helping to qualify for the program. Workload is flexible and not overwhelming. I had a great group of peers as well.


Eli W. from Tri-State Area took the MBA. Here's what they had to say about it: I was looking for an MBA program that was flexible with hours and could help advance my career.  The flexibility to complete coursework at times and schedules that work for you is a great aspect of this program. There was support from Rabbi Lerner to make sure everything was done correctly.


Eli M. from Tri-State Area took the MHC  Here's what they had to say about it:  This online program geared for the frum student.  Your peers are people you feel comfortable with.


Michael Y. from Tri-State Area took the Educational Leadership. Here's what they had to say about it:  A big part enrolling in the the program was to finish a degree before life got more complicated. Just the thought that I already did this can bring a smile to my face on any day.  I will be finished before you know it.  Just keep doing the work and it will be finished pretty quickly.  A great word would be flexibility. I lived in two different countries, got married and had my first kid -- all during the program. Definitely flexibilty.


Avi K. from Tri-State Area took the Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Here's what they had to say about it:  After doing much research on various programs, I concluded that the YIEP offered a program that was fitting for my schedule and I was able to manage a full time job in a different industry. Additionally, I was thrilled with the communication and ability to speak with Rabbi Lerner and other students who were very helpful in sharing their experiences with the program. There is a tremendous amount to learn from the program and the support between students and past students is what sets this program apart from others. But above all, I cannot express enough how much of a self-growth journey I have been through during my time in the program. The ability to maintain a daily schedule and lifestyle that doesn't become overwhelming on a financial standpoint as well. Additionally, there is a tremendous support group between members in the program that is unique and something I have not come across elsewhere.


Sarah B. from Tri-State Area took the Bachelors of Human Services. Here's what they had to say about it:  It was connected with my sem and it was a great opportuity. I knew somewhat what i wanted to do beforehand.  As a Jewish student, the professors were very understanding and our curriculum was able to be adapted to our faith. Also, It's the kind of thing you do on your own time while still having due dates, so you can do it from the comfort of your home while still being motivated. The main thing I liked was that even though a lot of it is online learning, the support from the professors is very present.  Rabbi Lerner also helped me through every little detail and where I would have felt totally lost. I was able to get grants, loans, books, ideas for the CLEPs, and more because of his support.


Joshua M. from Tri-State Area took the Masters in Educational Leadership.  Here's what they had to say about it:  Price, time flexibility, that it's a real college degree, not a yeshiva degree like a BTL -- that it gives credit for the learning done in yeshiva...


Nissim G. from Tri-State Area took the Educational Leadership.  Here's what they had to say about it:  [I enjoyed] the group that I was working with, it was easy to work with head of program, online option, and they helped with student loans. I didn't know much before starting, but it worked great for me. The instructor was excellent and accommodating when necessary. They have accommodating staff and a great learning environment!


Miriam D. from Tri-State Area took the BS major in Business with a Minor in Marketing Here's what they had to say about it:  My older sister was one of the first graduating classes with Rabbi Lerner. There was great flexibility for those who'd like to gain hands-on experience (interning/working) while in school at the same time in good hashgafic environment while earning a quality degree. Of course Rabbi Lerner is a huge plus -- he's an incredible individual so devoted.


Tamar T. from Tri-State Area took the MBA. Here's what they had to say about it:  I had my BSN and wanted to integrate business so I knew I wanted an MBA.  You need to be self-motivated and have the discipline to teach yourself. I appreciated the fact that my class was all frum.


Nechemya B. from Tri-State Area took Cybersecurity. Here's what they had to say about it:  It is completely online and can be done at your convenience and it works around yom tovim.


Sarah N. from Tri-State Area took the BS Behavioral Science Human Services.  Here's what they had to say about it:  Part of what made me enroll in the program was because as a child, I had received a lot of help from therapist growing up and I wanted to enroll in the program in order to help people the way my therapist helped me. Another reason was that I always had an interest in the human psyche and wished to deepen my understanding of it. Something that I would say to a prospective student about why they should enroll is because of the format of the classes and the atmosphere of the school. In general, I found that they were designed to be as convienent as possible for individuals that were also seminary students or working part time. Part of what made unique was how it accommodated my religious needs, which I found very helpful.


Tamar R. G., Esq. from Tri-State Area took the BS in Business,  Here's what they had to say about it:  I knew that I probably wanted to go to law school, so I wasn't concerned that attending an online college would be a problem, since law schools look primarily at the LSAT score. I was also teaching at the time so the flexibility of the program was a big bonus for me.It's a great option for someone who may want to start out married life in Eretz Yisroel. The program is very doable for a motivated person. It has great flexibility.


Yael L. from New Jersey took Education  Here's what they had to say about it:  I knew I wanted to be a teacher for a long time and getting my bachelor's degree in 2 years online sounded amazing!  It's a great opportunity to do what you've always wanted in a shorter amount of time.


Bella S. from New Jersey took Clinical Mental Health Counseling  Here's what they had to say about it:  They were very chilled about accepting yeshiva and seminary credits.  It was online which meant I could do it from Israel.  Rabbi Lerner is extremely helpful and will figure out any issues that may come up. It's so convenient because it's completely online.


Sarah from New Jersey took Behavioral Science. Here's what they had to say about it:  My sister did it (a year before me).  It was quick and easy and relatively affordable. I could do it while living at home and working full time (if you consider all these to be benefits). It’s easy.


Kasriel G. from New Jersey took the Counseling masters.   Here's what they had to say about it:  I wanted to supplement by semicha.  It’s a wonderful program.  It’s a low pressure and affordable program that accepts a wide variety of previous credits.


Yehuda C. from New Jersey took Cybersecurity   Here's what they had to say about it:  It's not as difficult as you might think and the frum environment is a plus.


Yair S. from New Jersey took the MAEL. Here's what they had to say about it:  It’s worth it and Dr. Linenberger goes out of his way to help.


Malka G. from New Jersey took Human Services/Behavioral Science.   Here's what they had to say about it:  I had an idea for what type of job so I picked the degree that would help with that.  I can build on in the past if I choose to.  It's is a great program with great advisors and people there to help - both through YIEP and the College directly.


Simcha from New Jersey took the Masters in Clinical Counseling. Here's what they had to say about it:  [I valued the] commitment to our success and the flexible schedule.


Yitzchok K. from New York took the Masters in Clinical Health.   Here's what they had to say about it:  For many years, I had an interest and had been involved in talking to bochurim about their challenges. When I heard about this program, I was excited to enroll and learn more and get better to help the teenagers of our generation. The program not only gave me knowledge but also change me as a person. I now have a different perspective when talking to people and I am not running to force my view on others. I am more respectful of others' opinions. It is mostly online and no classes even on Zoom, which something that was tempting to me since I don't like to sit through class.


Baila G. from New York took Human Services.   Here's what they had to say about it:  I enropled in the program because it was convenient, online, and not too long.  I loved the ease and convenience,


Dovid Yosef P. from New York took the Bachelor's in Business.   Here's what they had to say about it:  It was accelerated/faster and a lower price. Speedy results also lower cost.


Meyer S. from New York took the Masters in Mental Health Counseling.   Here's what they had to say about it:  I heard about it from my wife. There was good communication and it was menschlach.


Shoshana K. from New York took Business. Here's what they had to say about it:  It's great in the regard that it's all self-paced and you can go a certain number of weeks ahead, but there are due dates i.e. Week 1 is due by the end of week 1. Unlike other online programs, which are completely on your own time, without hard deadlines, this was self-paced with deadlines and no classes that you have to be on at certain days/hours.  You have more flexibility.


Batsheva A. from New York took the BA of Science with a major in Cybersecurity.  Here's what they had to say about it:  I appreciated that the program worked with my religious values and worked around the Jewish holidays. Before coming into the program, I had no questions because Rabbi Lerner was very thorough and supportive throughout the entire enrollment process, which took off a lot of stress.  Consider this YIEP program because today, high tech is becoming vastly advanced and this field could use more professionals to fill high tech positions - especially in Israel - which is advantageous to English-speaking professionals.  It works around the Jewish Calendar. The cohort and the flexible staff, professors, and definitely the schedule!


Jacob Meyer R. from New York took the Masters in Clinical Counseling.  Here's what they had to say about it:  I wanted to become a therapist and I live in Israel. They have a first-rate program with excellent professors. Not only are the classes relevant and timely, they are clinically focused.  I am a religious person living in Israel it was a perfect fit for me.


Boruch O. from New York took the Masters in Educational Leadership.  Here's what they had to say about it:  It's a great program and opportunity to make lasting relationships.  They're dedicated to the attention given to students and teaching for life application -- not just to cover info.


Andrea L. from New York took the Masters in Clinical Counseling.  Here's what they had to say about it:  The benefits of a schedule that respected the Jewish calendar scheduling and accessible, understanding professors are a plus.


Avigayil L. from New York took the Masters in Mental Health Counseling.  Here's what they had to say about it:  It was more affordable than social work programs and I wanted to do Mental Health counseling.  It was relatively simple way to get your masters, but did not learn as much as I could have due to the online setting.  Pluses: the sensitivity to Yiddishkeit, dates match up with the zman, always someone to talk to if need support, and a great cohort of like-minded individuals.


Brocha from New York took the Bachelor's and Master's.   Here's what they had to say about it:  I found YIEP through a friend's recommendation.  The support to get from start to finish is strong and helpful.


Benjamin G. from New York took the Masters in Educational Leadership. Here's what they had to say about it:  I wanted a masters in education.  It was an easy application process with quick quidance, great classmates, and wonderful teachers.


Kayla E. from New York took the Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Here's what they had to say about it:  I knew which degree I wanted before enrolling. For frum people, it’s great because there is no schoolwork during and around the chagim, but that doesn’t diminish the quality of the professors and instructors. The professors and instructors at Bellevue are top-notch.  The dedication of the staff and instructors to help you succeed.

Dear YIEP,

About four years ago I decided that I was ready to try again to get my master’s degree in something that would allow me to help individuals and couples in my community. I heard about your program from a few people in the field here in Israel and I decided to sign up and give it a try.

First, I want to mention that the last time I was in school was almost thirty years ago. I was not a great student, and I had no clue how I would accomplish getting a Master’s Degree remotely living in Israel. Rabbi Lerner was so caring and encouraging, he continuously expressed the ability and changes all his students make to be able to do the program and move into the field of mental health work with finesse.

The teachers were amazing, Dr. Daubenspeck not only put a great program together, but was able to assemble a top rate team of professionals to teach and train us to be the best version of ourselves and learn how to be a professional in a difficult field. Dr. Esther Lustig runs the YIEP part and was an invaluable resource, excellent teacher, and great mentor.

I graduated from the program last year in 2021 Magna Cum Laude, was the representative of my class and commencement speaker at graduation and was looking forward to a whole new career as a professional counselor. I passed the licensure exam a few months after graduation in the state of Ohio, and because Bellevue is a CACREP accredited program, I was able to get my LPC and NCC (National Certified Counselor) credentials.

You would think that would be it for Bellevue, but they were not finished with me yet. Having done so well in my graduate program I thought that maybe there was more for me to learn and with Dr. Daubenspeck and Dr. Lustig’s encouragement, I enrolled and was accepted in a Ph.D. program in Psychology with a specialization in Addictions.

I am almost halfway through my Ph.D., and I currently have a growing practice in Ramat Beit Shemesh, and hopefully will begin teaching at the same program I got my Master’s in this coming fall. What an exciting and promising future. I really can’t say enough how much I appreciate all the help and guidance the team at Bellevue provided as well as having Rabbi Lerner in my corner at every move.

If I had to sum up what one can and does learn from Bellevue’s MSCC program: there is potential in everyone we see and there is no end to how we can be of help if we just listen and keep the client’s needs first.

Thank you, Rabbi Lerner, Dr. Daubenspeck and Dr. Lustig for everything.

Yaacov Rosedale, LPC, NCC

Ramat Beit Shemesh

Learn about a YIEP student who was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship for her Ph.D. research.

Hello and gut voch,
I would like to try and express my genuine appreciation to you for helping me actualize my academic dreams.  Your program has allowed me to complete my BS is a very short amount of time while allowing me to hold down a job at the same time. This enabled me to complete me college career with absolutely no debt and give me some experience in the working world. I am very grateful for the time you spent explaining to me the pros of your program, guiding me through it, managing my college career, and of course for the all the time and effort you invested in testing me to give me whatever Judaic credits I needed to complete my BS requirements.
Please see my Diploma, thanks to you.
Wishing you much success, with lots of hakaras hatov!"

From a YIEP-Bellevue student, who graduated our undergraduate degree program and who is now in our graduate degree program:

“I’ve taken classes at other universities and have yet to find more supportive and student oriented professors than the ones we have in the YIEP Bellevue cohorts!”

Dear Rabbi Lerner.

I hope this message finds you well. I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate everything you have done for me!

The following is a copy of what I have sent to a perspective student:

Dear Rabbi ****,

I was contacted by our Program Director, Rabbi Pesach Lerner, and understood from him that you would like to receive additional information on the MAEL program.

I’m a current student at the program and as an “Insider” I would highly recommend it!

I’m a former IDF soldier who became observant almost immediately upon my arrival to the US 15 years ago. The world of Education, both secular academia and Jewish studies is not foreign to me and I think I can provide you with an accurate evaluation as to what to expect.

Almost every aspect of this program is tailored for success. From the program itself, its environment, and the amazing individuals who run it.

As a typical secular Israeli and as an Orthodox  Jew I could observe this fusion happening and this is rare to nonexistent in the current academic world.

The degree itself in Educational Leadership can prepare you for many career paths you are currently occupying or would like to pursue in the future. The program is so versatile that even in my field (physical education and public health) the potency of such a degree is evident. Whether you are preparing yourself for ANY leadership role or would like to advance your career, this degree offers an array of venues to explore. This becomes possible only with professors and a directorship team that truly understand your needs as a student. This leads me to the day to day experience.

I’m a father of 4, 36 years old, working, managing a household and trying to serve G-d. This program recognizes that and accommodates the above in almost every aspect. From deadline flexibility, superb communication flow with the professors, and a schedule that is truly suitable for observant individuals (revolving around the holidays, etc.) I needed a program that would not infringe on the rest of my life and I was not disappointed.

The overall package of: Affordability, Accreditation (Regionally Accredited), Flexibility, The Professors, The Support and true understanding of students’ needs is something invaluable in this program. This, together with an incredible teaching methodology that includes great curriculum and discussion forums gives this program a more domestic/ in-house program feeling than you could imagine (And for distance learning it’s a true challenge).

I’m continuing for a Ph.D program in the field of public health upon completion of this amazing program. The doors and opportunities that this program opened for me are vast. I honestly have ONLY good things to say about the program and what it has to offer and I would love to discuss that with you over the phone.

Sincerely,

E.B.

Brooklyn, NY

Graduation Ceremony; BS in Human Services

Honored graduates and guests,

Who could have envisioned an educational partnership between a University in Nebraska and a non-profit agency serving the
developmentally disabled in the predominantly Chassidic Jewish neighborhood of Boro Park, Brooklyn. But here we are!

Despite this unusual affiliation, the university has taught and the students have learned, culminating in this auspicious commencement and celebration.

Thank you Rabbi Pesach Lerner for being the pre-eminent matchmaker between Human Care Services and Bellevue University. Thank you Bellevue University for taking a leap of faith and piloting a bachelor’s program for Human Care. Thank you graduates for your conscientious pursuit of knowledge. We are so proud of your accomplishments.

During commencement season this past June, the New York Times had an article which quoted many words of wisdom from commencement speakers given at various universities across the country. I made a point of saving the article as I figured it would come in handy for today’s occasion. Toni Morrison, a Nobel Prize winning novelist, spoke at Rutgers University in our neighboring state of New Jersey. She chided Thomas Jefferson for using the pursuit of happiness as the third right for every American in conjunction with life and liberty. She believed that a more appropriate right would have been the pursuit of meaningfulness. She understood that happiness is something we all strive to attain and that it informs most of our choices in life yet, it is not good enough. She posited that personal success devoid of meaningfulness and a commitment to social justice leads to a trivial life. It’s looking good instead of doing good. All our graduates are committed to helping the developmentally disabled live the life of their choosing, while living their own lives true to their faith and raising their families. They all look good but most importantly they all do good.

Another commencement speaker of note this past June was Chris Waddell, a champion Paralympics skier, who spoke at the commencement of Middlebury College. He told a most poignant story about going to get his mail from the mailbox at the end of his street. As he parked his car and pulled out his wheel chair, a little girl rode by on her small pink bike with pink streamers on the handlebars. She asked, “What happened to your legs?” He proceeded to tell her about his skiing accident while at college. She asked him, “so you’ll never walk again?” and he responded in the affirmative. As she rode away she proclaimed “that’s too bad.” He wished that he had stopped her to tell her that if he had never had the accident he would never have become a champion Paralympics skier. He never would have turned a hobby into a profession. He would never have met presidents and heads of states and probably would not be a commencement speaker at his alma mater. The little girl only saw the tragedy; she didn’t see the potential gift. Each of our graduates sees the potential in each of the individuals that they support and help.

Our graduates personify a group of women who work tirelessly to support the developmentally disabled even during the current climate of economic recession and decreased funding. This difficult environment only energizes them to look for and highlight the positive attributes of each individual leading to the most qualitative, person centered advocacy possible.

In Jewish tradition when something new and important occurs there is a special blessing that is pronounced. It is the blessing of the Shehechiyanu. This occasion most definitely would qualify.

Thank You

Esther Lustig LCSW
Executive Director/CEO
Human Care Services
Brooklyn, NY