Category: National

R Elli Fischer, 12/25/06 I thought that questions raised in this comment warrant a separate post. It�s part of an ongoing discussion on LookJED about �spiritually conducive� environments on college campuses. I wrote about it here as well. I wanted to address specifically the issue of kids either a) abandoning observance or b) diminishing observance on campus. I believe several points are in order when approaching the issue: Firstly, from my experience, very few students gradually abandon observance. If they abandon it, they abandon it almost immediately upon arrival on campus. It�s very difficult to speak of these students as �losing frumkeit�. Generally, they were not frum � neither in theory nor in practice � before arriving on campus. The difference is that they no longer need to adhere to communal norms or worry about embarrassing parents. They will often continue to play the part of �nice frum boy/girl� when they go home.

If you are interested in discussing the possibility of bringing a JLIC couple to your campus, please fill out the form below with the the name of your campus, your contact information, and the size of your Jewish/Orthodox community. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

11 Broadway New York, NY 10004 212.613.8287 jlic@ou.org Rabbi Menachem Schrader, JLIC Founding Director menachemschrader@gmail.com Rabbi Ilan Haber, JLIC National Director ilanhaber1@gmail.com Rabbi Josh Ross, JLIC Associate Director rossj@ou.org Zehava Birman, Programs and Operations Associate birmanz@ou.org Aliza Donath, Administrative Assistant donatha@ou.org Be sure to Like us at the JLIC Facebook Page Check out the JLIC […]

The university environment is a marketplace of ideas and experiences that can pose both challenges and opportunities to an Orthodox Jew's observance and commitment. In recognition that the overwhelming majority of Modern Orthodox college students are being educated at secular universities, the OU, in partnership with Hillel, administers the Heshe and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC), a program that helps Orthodox students navigate the college environment, and balance their Jewish commitments with their desire to engage the secular world. In addition, JLIC provides avenues for spiritual development and exploration for Jewish students from varied backgrounds; JLIC presents a positive, sophisticated and welcoming face for Orthodox Judaism on campus.

The Heshe and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) strives to tailor its activities to the particular needs and culture of each local campus environment and in a manner that would accentuate the unique strengths and talents of the couple. As a result, key aspects of the program, such as the target populations, specific JLIC activities and Shiurim, relationships with student leadership, etc., will differ significantly from campus to campus. However, while the specific activities and focus at each campus might differ, each JLIC couple utilizes the same overall techniques and approach. There are five "hallmarks" of JLIC's educational methodology which are then adapted and applied within each local campus context.

The mission of JLIC is threefold: - To enable, encourage, and advance the Torah education and commitment of Orthodox students at secular universities. - To provide avenues to spiritual development and exploration for Jewish students from all backgrounds. - To strengthen Orthodox communities on campus in a manner that also encourages openness and mutual respect to all Jews and Jewish communities on campus.