The Yeshiva University is a private American university based with New York City. In 2001, it counted 2600 students of first cycle. Its program of teaching is based on philosophy Torah Umadda (the Torah combined with the laic studies) of the modern orthodoxe Judaïsme.

Its foundation goes back to 1886, date on which the yeshiva " Eitz Chaim" (tree of life) is created in the Lower East Side of New York. A rabinic school (the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary) is founded ten years later, then the two institutions amalgamate in 1915.

Its first president, Bernard Revel, (1915-1940) will strongly develop the new university during his mandate, which leaves its original site in 1929 to settle in Manhattan (Washington Heights). The first driving curriculum vitae with an official diploma (Jewish Studies) is founded in 1935.

The statute of university is granted to Yeshiva in 1945 by the authorities responsible ( Board off Regents ) for the State of New York, two years after the election of Samuel Belkin like successor with Dr. Revel (deceased in 1940). Under its responsibility, the Yeshiva university associates a special college for the coeds, and develops studies of medicine, right, and social sciences (psychology and social work).

With died of Dr. Belkin, in 1976, it is Norman Lamm which takes again the reins of the Yeshiva university. It then starts a reform in-depth of the institution, and introduced several new matters, like the economy. It also reinforces tax bases and develops a general program of development of the university, in order to ensure the perenniality of the institution.

The current president (2007) was elected in 2002, to replace Dr. Lamm who occupies the function since then of chancellor. Person in charge recognized of the Jewish community, Richard Joel makes take part the Yeshiva university in the rebirth of the Judaism and he plays a central role in the realization of the principles of the Umadda Torah - whose university wants to be one of the spearhead.