About Us

Our Mission

Empowering Tomorrow’s Jewish Leaders Today

JLIC’s mission is to create a movement of vibrant Jewish life among emerging adults aged 18 to 30 through transformative leadership development, innovative educational programming, and meaningful engagement opportunities. We empower the next generation of leaders who will inspire and strengthen the Jewish community worldwide

Methodology

Hallmarks of JLIC Methodology

THE JEWISH LEARNING INITIATIVE ON CAMPUS (JLIC)  tailors its activities to the particular needs and culture of each local campus – accentuating the unique strengths and talents of the couple living and working there. As a result, key aspects of our program, may differ greatly from campus to campus. However, the target population, events and classes, and student/educator may differ, each JLIC couple utilizes the same overall techniques and approach. There are five “hallmarks” of JLIC’s educational methodology that are adapted and applied within each local campus’ unique context.
Relationship Building
Rather than rely solely on programs or classes as the primary means of impacting students, JLIC stresses the need for a personalized and individual approach. JLIC directors cultivate informal relationships with students, creating a trusting, comfortable environment for students to explore their needs, challenges and issues. Additionally, JLIC recognizes that important values are often communicated non-verbally – through interaction and one-on-one relationships. JLIC directors are encouraged to make themselves a “constant presence” within the Hillel, and to interact with students in informal settings, most notably, meals eaten in the kosher dining halls. JLIC couples also offer opportunities for one-on-one or personalized learning sessions with students. One director utilizes the slogan, “any text, any time” as a means of advertising his approachability. Individualized, personal learning enable the directors to engage students on their own terms, focusing on a topic that is of particular interest to the individual student, affording the flexibility and intimacy needed to encourage and nurture personal growth for each student.
Jewish Learning Programs and Activities
JLIC couples coordinate and/or offer a wide range of activities that promote Jewish awareness, love of Israel and learning. Every couple offers a diverse menu of regular Jewish learning classes, often uniquely targeting even the smallest demographic within their midst, such as a weekly Torah class focusing on Jewish ideals of health and wellness to students who work out in the gym. Other activities center on Israel, Jewish holidays and religious observance, such as a Friday night oneg, or women’s rosh chodesh group; these activities often emerge in response to the particular interests or requests from Jewish students on campus. In addition to their scheduled classes, JLIC directors offer special events/activities throughout each semester. These events range from one-time or short-run classes, renown speakers and shabbatonim, to holiday activities and Jewish music concerts. Recognizing that many Jewish students are not prepared to commit to attending weekly classes, these activities offer couples the opportunity to relate to a larger number of students, reaching a wider and varied target population, and engage the students in a community-wide setting.
Infrastructure
The third hallmark of JLIC is the creation and/or support of an infrastructure that promotes or makes it easier for students to lead an observant lifestyle while on campus. JLIC directors often influence the campus-based life in critical and subtle ways. Some of the often unnoticed effects of having JLIC directors on a campus may include: developing an appealing Friday night meal at the Hillel; providing support for various prayer services; developing Shabbat afternoon programming; providing holiday food such as matzah in all the dining halls; creating new and unique kosher food options on campus; advocating to the university regarding religious sensitivity and generally enhancing the quality of the environment or fundraising efforts for new books or other student needs.
Modeling
JLIC recognizes that an important vehicle for communicating values and ideals is through modeling and setting the right kind of example. JLIC couples present a positive face toward Judaism, Israel and religious observance through their engaging, enthusiastic and welcoming attitudes and perspective. It’s been defined by one Hillel professional as related to the national director of JLIC through his testimonial that “JLIC is the “heart” of his Hillel”. It is important to note that both the male and female director positions are considered paramount and are provided separate salaries. JLIC feels that it is critical to provide not just male role models, but strong female ones as well. The unique partnership of a married couple strengthens the message we are striving for. The presence of a Jewish family on campus also helps to expand the students’ focus and incorporate it in the hierarchy of values that they develop each day. Often, the couples are most visible as a family on campus during Shabbat and holidays. On many campuses, the JLIC directors and their children share meals with students at the local Hillel. On other campuses, JLIC directors invite students into their homes for meals.
Student Leadership
The culture of campuses, especially within the context of Hillel, is often geared toward the independence and empowerment of students to plan for and provide their own programming and community development. JLIC strives to engage naturally in this environment by working collaboratively with students rather than simply providing top-down programming. Students are often involved in planning and implementing JLIC educational experiences. The balance of JLIC directors’ proactive programming goals and student initiative and involvement is very much an art rather than a science, but one that is crucial to the success of the program on campus. In addition, student empowerment is often a key factor in developing young leaders and a sense of communal responsibility among students, bearing important educational and life lessons in its own right.
who we are

Meet Our Staff

Rabbi Menachem Schrader
Founding Director

Rabbi Menachem Schrader studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Yeshiva University. He has a BA in Philosophy from YU, an MA in History from NYU, and received his Smicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is married to Rina, and they have five children. In 1981 Rabbi Schrader and his family moved to Israel, and have been living there since. He was on the Torah studies faculty of  Yeshivat Hamivtar, teaching Talmud, Bible, and Halachah. He was the director of the Aliza Flatow program at Nishmat. He has been community rabbi of Moshav Carmel in the Judean Hills and of Congregation Tiferet Avot in Efrat. In the year 2000 he founded the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus of the Orthodox Union, and continues to serve as its Founding Director. 

To speak to Rabbi Schrader, email him at Menachemschrader@gmail.com

Rabbi Josh Ross Executive Director
Rabbi Josh Ross
Executive Director

Rabbi Josh Ross spent eight years learning in Yeshiva in Israel after receiving an advanced double BA in History and Philosophy from Dalhousie University (Canada). Rabbi Ross, his wife Rivky and their children came to the US where they worked as Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus educators on Campus. The Ross’s spent three years at Cornell and three years at Princeton.  Continuing his affiliation with OU-JLIC, Rabbi Ross took on administrative role as it’s Deputy Director. In his spare time Rabbi Ross is a powerlifter and strength and conditioning coach.

To speak to Rabbi Ross, email him at Rossj@ou.org

Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal Director of Development
Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal
Director of Development

Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal is OU-JLIC’s National Development DirectorA veteran educator, Seattle-born Rabbi Rosenthal was the Dean of the Torah Academy of Long Island for ten years and has taught in various local communities for the past twenty-five years (over 975 of his classes are available on YUTorah.org). He was also the lead guitarist for Shlock Rock for many years. Rabbi Rosenthal most recently served as senior director of the Manhattan Jewish Experience, a role that combined management, development, teaching, program planning and counseling. He received a BS in Finance from Touro College, a masters in education administration from Columbia University and semichah from Yeshiva B’nei Torah in Far Rockaway, New York. Rabbi Rosenthal lives in West Hempstead, New York with his wife Marie and their six children. 

 

To contact Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal please contact rosenthalp@ou.org

Rabbi Jonathan Shulman
Israel Director

Rabbi Jonathan Shulman served as Director of the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus at the University of Pennsylvania from 2010-2014, before transitioning into his new role as Associate Director of JLIC and Director of JLIC Israel. He received his BA in Foreign Affairs from The University of Virginia and studied at Yeshivat Mir in Jerusalem. Rabbi Shulman has worked in international development in northern India, restaurant management and development, and is an Iyengar yoga instructor. He is originally from Washington, DC and now lives with his wife Jenny and their three children in Jerusalem.

 

To speak to Rabbi Shulman, email him at rabbishulman@yavneh.us

Tal Attia
COO

Tal Attia is JLIC’s Chief Operating Officer. In addition broader oversight over the organization, Tal drives the recruitment and placement of JLIC’s all-star staff. She previously served as JLIC Director at Brandeis and Binghamton Universities with her husband Isaac. Tal is passionate about community-building, Jewish and Experiential education, and mentorship. After learning in Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY), Tal received a BA in Psychology from Stern College for Women, and an MA in Nonprofit Management & Leadership from Hebrew University. In Israel, she worked for Ayeka Center for Soulful Education, and MMY as an Activities Coordinator (Rakezet). While on campus, Tal participated in the Matan-Eshkolot Professional Development Fellowship for Jewish educators. She is an avid reader, enjoys hiking (especially in Israel!), and can often be found perusing studies about Psychology or Adaptive Leadership. Tal and Isaac live in Long Beach, NY with their adorable (if they do say so themselves) children.

To contact Tal Attia please email  attiat@ou.org

Rabbi Shmuli Zema Senior Director of Development
Rabbi Shmuli Zema
Senior Director of Development

Rabbi Shmuli Zema is OU-JLIC’s Senior Director of Development. He received his BA in Psychology from Lander College, his MBA in Finance & Operations Research from the Zicklin School of Business (Baruch College) and his semicha from Yeshiva University. Born and raised in New York, Rabbi Zema served as Assistant Rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue for four years, Rabbinical Educator at Manhattan Jewish Experience during the COVID pandemic, and most recently, as Executive Director of Friends of JCT (Machon Lev), a role that combined development, strategy, and management. Some of his hobbies include kiruv work, sports, and exercise. Rabbi Zema lives in Miami, Florida with his wife – and better half – Mazal-tov.

 

To contact Rabbi Shmuli Zema please contact ZemaS@ou.org

Eliana Steinreich Associate Director of Data and Development
Eliana Steinreich
Associate Director of Data and Development

 

Eliana Steinreich is JLIC’s Associate Director of Data and Development, with a strong focus on fundraising operations and high school engagement. Originally from Teaneck, NJ Eliana spent a year learning in Israel at Tiferet in Ramat Beit Shemesh. She received her Bachelor’s from CUNY Queens College where she majored in psychology and minored in business. Eliana completed a Masters program in Public Administration, with a focus on nonprofit management at Rutgers University. Eliana was involved with JLIC at Queens College from its beginnings on campus in 2012!

To speak to Eliana Steinreich, email her at steinreiche@ou.org

Gracie Newmark Associate Director of Yavneh
Gracie Newmark
Associate Director of Yavneh

Gracie (Gottlieb) Newmark is from Merion Station PA, and currently resides in the Upper West Side of NYC with her husband, Tony (Rutgers University ’19), whom she met on the JLIC Summer in Jerusalem program! He recently completed a dual masters degree in Public Administration and Hebrew & Judaic Studies at NYU. She is a fellow of the Nachshon Project, and she received her BA from Muhlenberg College, where she was a Yavneh fellow and campus mentor. Gracie is beyond excited to be working with students to help them achieve their goals, create national projects, and the strength the Yavneh movement! In her free time you can catch Gracie on the tennis court, creating a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending time with her family.

 

To contact Gracie please email Gracie@yavneh.us

Leora Fadlun
FP&A

Leora Fadlun is originally from Hendon (London, England) and moved to New York when she was 3 years old. Leora attended SKA for high school, followed by a gap year at Midreshet Harova. Leora graduated from Baruch College in 2021. Prior to this role, Leora interned for the Claims Conference, where she found her passion for working in non-profit organizations. In her spare time, Leora loves listening to music, spending time with family, and any activity that involves creativity. Leora has been part of the JLIC team since October 2021 and recently moved into her new role as the FP&A.

 

To contact Leora please email fadlunl@ou.org

Yonina (Silverman) Rosenthal Director of Summer Programs
Yonina (Silverman) Rosenthal
Director of Summer Programs

Yonina was born and raised in New Jersey. After spending 2 years studying in Israel at Migdal Oz, she joined the JLIC community in downtown New York City and started attending Hunter College where she double majored in Psychology and Judaic Studies. She spent many summers at Camp Nesher and Stone where she has strengthened her love for Torah and informal education in her many different roles. Yonina has a double master’s in nonprofit management and Jewish Education from Hebrew University. She is also part of the Nachshon Project Graduate fellowship which has helped her get to where she is today. With her past work experience as a placement coordinator from Onward Israel, Yonina is very much looking forward to giving future participants an unparalleled experience on the JLIC summer programs in Israel.

 

To contact Yonina please email her at yonina@oujlicsummer.org

Sharona Kaplan MSW

Bringing her decades of campus experience to enrich JLIC nationally, Sharona Kaplan serves as JLIC’s Executive Coach and is a valued member of JLIC’s Senior Management Team. Sharona and her husband, Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, lead a thriving community of UCLA students and alumni while successfully expanding the OU’s presence to other West Coast campuses. The Kaplans live in Westwood with their children, Shalva, Barak, Rivky, Yakir, Yosef and Tzahala.

 

To contact Sharona please contact kaplans@ou.org

Hani Lowenstein Associate Director of Community Projects
Hani Lowenstein
Associate Director of Community Projects

Hani Lowenstein was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in Washington, DC. She received a BA from the Stern College for Women Honors program where she majored in Judaic Studies and minored in Psychology. She subsequently completed an MA in the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University in Modern Jewish History. Hani has studied at Nishmat, Michalah and the Gruss Midrashiya program. She is certified by Machon Puah as a Yoetzet l’refuah v’halacha. Hani has experience in the world of education in different settings in the US and Israel ranging from elementary school age children to women’s adult education and everything in between. As the Associate Director of Community Projects (for almost a decade), Hani’s work at JLIC currently focuses on a range of different projects relating to educational resources and JLIC’s work in Israel. Hani made aliyah in 2018 and is blessed to live in Jerusalem with her husband, Daniel, and their six wonderful children.

To speak to Hani Lowenstein, email her at lowensteinh@ou.org

Aryeh Kaplan

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan is the Executive Director of OU-JLIC West Coast.  He has served as the campus Director at UCLA since 2004 and has since grown OU-JLIC’s West Coast program to service Jewish students on six other Los Angeles campuses.  Rabbi Kaplan is part of the OU-JLIC Senior Management Team, functioning as a Senior Fundraiser, Campus Supervisor and member of the  Executive Leadership Cohort.

Rabbi Kaplan is celebrated for his optimism, creative programming, visionary lens, financial prowess and energized teaching.  He gives weekly classes to undergraduate students, Medical Students and Law students, while offering mentorship to students and Campus Directors alike.  Originally from Teaneck, NJ, Rabbi Kaplan lives in Los Angeles with his wife Sharona and their six optimal children.

Rabbi Elie Weissman Associate Director, North America
Rabbi Elie Weissman
Associate Director, North America

Rabbi Elie Weissman comes to JLIC with over twenty years of Jewish communal experience, serving as rabbi of the Young Israel of Plainview and having taught at the Yeshiva of Flatbush and Yeshiva University High School for Girls. After studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Rabbi Weissman earned a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in Bible from Yeshiva University, where he also received his rabbinic ordination. Rabbi Weissman enjoys Jazz music and believes, with all due respect to Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong is the greatest trumpet player of all time.  Rabbi Weissman lives in Plainview with his wife Avital and their five children. 

Yossi Katz Director of Marketing & Communications
Yossi Katz
Director of Marketing & Communications

Yossi Katz, the Direct Maestro, is the National Director of Marketing and Communications for JLIC. With a seasoned career spanning over two decades, Yossi brings a wealth of experience and personality to the world of marketing.

When he’s not crafting compelling marketing narratives, Yossi can be found pedaling through scenic routes on his bicycle or Peloton, savoring the simplicity of loose tea, indulging in the richness of dark chocolate, and embracing everything related to fermenting vegies.

It’s not just about marketing for Yossi; it’s about making a difference, driving change, and enhancing lives.

 

To speak with Yossi Katz he can be reached at: katzj@ou.org

Dr. Caroline Peyser-Bollag Mental Health Consultant
Dr. Caroline Peyser-Bollag
Mental Health Consultant

Dr. Peyser is a clinical psychologist practicing for over 25 years in Israel. She joined JLIC in 2021 in the role of psychological consultant for campus directors. In addition to her work for JLIC, Dr. Peyser also maintains a private practice and serves as the clinical supervisor for Hakshiva, an organization providing psychological services to teens and their families in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Dr. Peyser and her husband served for 11 years as the spiritual leaders of a congregation in their hometown of Efrat where they live with their three children.

 

To contact Dr. Peyser please email cpbollag@gmail.com

Sascha Bazerman Development Associate
Sascha Bazerman
Development Associate

Sascha Bazerman is the Development Associate at JLIC. Originally from California, Sascha moved to New York after graduating college. Sascha attended Yula for High School and Midreshet Amit for Seminary. During Seminary, Sascha had a life-changing experience living in a foster home with foster kids. This made her realize the need for support within the Jewish community. Her love for Israel and Judaism only grew from there. During college, Sascha served as an outreach coordinator at a Nonprofit organization, which raised awareness and support for special needs children and their families within the local LA Jewish community. Sascha is excited to be part of the JLIC family, where she looks forward to contributing to the mission of supporting Jewish students on campus!

To speak with Sascha please contact her at Bazermans@ou.org

Nate Goldstein Accounting Associate
Nate Goldstein
Accounting Associate

Nate Goldstein is joining the JLIC team as an Accounting Associate. Nate has a degree in accounting from Yeshiva University. Nate took a gap year in Israel at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah. Nate grew up in Highland Park NJ and graduated from the JEC high school in Elizabeth and Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion in Piscataway for elementary school. Nate currently resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Nate enjoys listening to podcasts about movies. Prior to this role, Nate has been active in Chai Lifeline / Camp Simcha, as well as a freelance production assistant in the entertainment industry.

 

To contact Nate please email Goldsteinn@ou.org

Jocelyn Cohn Yavneh YP Coordinator
Jocelyn Cohn
Yavneh YP Coordinator

Jocelyn completed her studies at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business where she majored in Strategy and Entrepreneurship while also minoring in Marketing. Over the past two years, she actively participated as a Yavneh Fellow and held a position on the Yavneh NYC Board. With a strong background in community engagement, Jocelyn looks forward to extending her dedication to community building as part of Yavneh YP.

 

To contact Jocelyn please email jocelyn@yavneh.us