Founded in 2000, JLIC began on two college campuses — Brandeis and Yale — and now counts 32 campuses in our JLIC network. We continue to expand our footprint as the number of Jewish students at secular institutions grows.
In Israel, we’re now serving 6 campuses and 4 young professional communities, with Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, Jerusalem College of Technology and Hebrew University newly added this year.
After creating a hub for student life as JLIC directors of Bar Ilan University, Rabbi Uri and Abby Lorkis come with on-the-ground experience as they embark on their new journey as JLIC Directors in Ann Arbor.
Known for their open home and hosting large Shabbat meals in the Baka neighborhood of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo and Kyra Ashkanazy are excited to bring their love for Israel and Torah, and their passion for community building, to Washington University in St. Louis.
The two bring their expertise in Jewish education to the Technion following their most recent positions as Directors of Adult Education and Assistant Rabbi and Rebbetzin at the Hale Shule in South Manchester, UK.
This couple met as students through JLIC and look forward to carrying the torch to the next generation, working with students at the JCT to create unforgettable experiences.
Now in its tenth year, JLIC Summer Programs, in partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA and Onward Israel, saw top-tier students competing for coveted spots to live, learn and work in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Orthodox college students can advance their career aspirations with meaningful internships at Israeli companies while having Beit Midrash nights, Shabbatonim and trips. It’s an authentic Israeli living experience and a glimpse into potential aliyah.
Yavneh is a network of passionate student and young professional leaders dedicated to fostering Jewish life and community on campuses and cities across North America. The initiative engages over 400 student leaders from more than 70 campuses. This year, Yavneh established hubs in Los Angeles, Boston and New York City and added two Senior Torah Educators: Rabbi Don Cantor and Channah Cohen
■ The co-ed Midreshet Torah V’Avodah summer program, led by Rabbi Yoni and Hannah Abrams, is offered to students who spent a gap year in Israel. The rigor of the Torah learning includes a nightly gemara shiur by JLIC’s founding director, Rav Menachem Schrader.
■ Led by JLIC Jerusalem directors Emily and Jeremy Tibbetts, Ascend is geared to men and women who have not participated in a gap year program. The learning is accessible for people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
■ In partnership with Nishmat, this all-women’s advanced Beit Midrash is managed by Rabbi Josh and Tali Harris. The program focuses on both chevruta learning and shiurim in a text-based learning style.■ 56 Orthodox male and female college students from across North America attended this learning program in partnership with Midreshet HaRova. The program was led by Rabbi Yehudah and Hannah Auerbach, current JLIC directors at The University of Chicago. Participants live in the Old City of Jerusalem, work in an internship during the day and study Torah at a high level in the evenings.
JLIC has opened a new opportunity to work and study in Tel Aviv. This program is spearheaded by Rabbi Eitan and Elana Phillips, the founding couple at the Dr. Mordecai D. Katz z”l OU-JLIC at Tel Aviv University program. As part of the internship, students gain exclusive access to an accredited course on “Foundations of Entrepreneurship.”
A week before Shavuot, Tel Aviv’s JLIC Directors posed an unexpected question to its community of young Jewish professionals: Would anyone be interested in forgoing the city’s robust holiday social scene in favor of visiting an orphanage in Romania?
The JLIC message to the local community went out with the following request:
“We have connections with a number of Ukrainian Jewish organizations and I was hoping to organize a trip to Romania around Rosh Hashanah time. However, they have reached out to us and asked if we might be able to go and provide some help over Shavuot, making the festival joyous for the kids.
Crazy idea, I know, but this would be a unique experience giving love, warmth and smiles to kids who — let’s face it — probably need and deserve it more than almost anyone else in the world. Accepting the Torah on Shavuot with that around you . . . well, that’d be pretty special.”
Tikva Children’s Home is an orphanage for Jewish children in Ukraine. With the outbreak of war, these Jewish orphans had a harrowing and traumatic escape across borders, eventually arriving at the orphanage in Romania.
In partnership with Rabbi Ethan Katz of OU Relief Missions, these young professionals created a festive holiday atmosphere for orphan refugees. The participants, 6 men and 8 women, paid out of pocket for airfare to Bucharest.
“The girls were dancing and standing on chairs — and it was the most beautiful holy experience. The people running the orphanage told us they hadn’t seen the kids like that before. We all ended the evening on a spiritual high.”
“OU-JLIC GAVE ME A SENSE OF HOME WHEN I WAS ON CAMPUS. THERE WERE NO JEWISH STUDENTS IN MY CLASS, AND I OFTEN FELT ALONE. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR OU-JLIC FOR PROVIDING A FANTASTIC PLATFORM FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME TO STAY CONNECTED TO OUR RELIGION DURING COLLEGE.”