I am a father, and his name is SCOTT

This email was sent to a younger member of my shiur:

Dear Scott,

Allow me to welcome you to what will certainly be a productive zman in MYP. I hope that you have spent the first few weeks of the semester acclimating yourself to your daily routine. Still, you may encounter challenges that you would confront more confidently if you had a relationship with someone having more experience dealing with YU. As coordinator of the Hadracha Program of MYP, I am pleased to offer you the services of Chaim Gross who will be happy to serve as your mevugar. Please feel free to speak with him regarding any issue- whether personal, academic, or certainly Torah related. Of course, you are not required to meet him, yet if you are able to develop a relationship with him you would gain immeasurably. Your mevugar, Chaim, is experienced at the ins and outs of YU, yet is still in school here; is familiar with many of the courses; has connections to many resources which may prove valuable to you; is a solid ben Torah. You may already have met Chaim, but if not, seek him out.

Many students find it difficult to jump into the dual program here at YU, especially those who have just returned from learning intensively in a yeshiva in Israel. Some find the college classes overwhelming; others have trouble juggling their sedarim; yet others find they are frustrated by being unable to maintain excellence in either pursuit. Whatever the specific issue, sometimes you may want to shmooze. While the guidance department here at YU is valuable, and the team of mashgichim is terrific, a significant number of students find that they would prefer to speak to a “yeshiva guy” who is part of the chevra, but not part of the official structure, and might better relate to their concerns.

This is where the Hadracha Program steps in. Although you probably already know Chaim, you may not have thought of him in the role I am describing. Furthermore, I have personally asked him to be solicitous of your good welfare. On the other hand, you may not know your mevugar. If so, I encourage you to take your earliest opportunity to seek him out- he will enjoy making your acquaintance, too.

Of the many services YU provides to make your YU experience as rewarding as possible, the Hadracha Program of MYP can be the most directly valuable one for those who avail themselves of its opportunities. In addition, I am personally at your service every morning in the Fischel Beis Medrash, as well. I look forward to meeting you shortly. Wishing you the best of luck and success for the semester,

Rabbi David Pahmer

Shoel Umaishiv

Coordinator of Hadracha Program

Should I tell him how awkward I am?